[FirstFlight]

Got a pretty good deal and I pick it up tomorrow. Dealership is 228 miles away so it will be interesting to see if I make it home without having to charge seeing as how it's gonna be hot tomorrow.

Anyhow, I looked up the VIN and the last 6 digits represent the sequence code. Mine is 179,820. They've built 180K Bolts already or am I not understanding the purpose of this sequence code? Perhaps they started at 100K?

 

[viking79]

They have made a little over 20k. That sequence might not mean much.

Enjoy the Bolt EV. Try to keep the speed lower to maximize your range, and be sure you have a few charging spots just in case. Could always hire someone to take it on a flat bed too.

 

[FirstFlight]

Maybe the last digit isn't used. Would make sense as it would be 18K.

 

[El Dobro]

The Bolt is built on the same assembly line as the Sonic, so you're also seeing Sonics in the VIN sequence.

 

[FirstFlight]

So that number is useless then?

 

[El Dobro]

So that number is useless then?

It means something to GM.

 

[DonC]

Congrats on the car. 228 miles is a good distance but my friends who have bought Bolts have all gotten well over the EPA 238 miles range. If you avoid going over 65 MPH my guess is that you'll be fine.

 

[rsewill]

Congratulations!

Dealership is 228 miles away so it will be interesting to see if I make it home without having to charge

So you assume the dealer is going to fully charge it? You are probably more likely to get it with half a charge or less unless your dealer has told you it will be fully charged.

 

[FirstFlight]

I confirmed it will be fully charged when I pick it up. When I picked up my 2017 Volt it had 23 miles of range and one tire had 28psi. it said a lot about that dealership so I'll never buy from them again.

 

[Neromanceres]

As others have stated the Bolt EV is built on the same line as the Sonic at GM's Lake Orion facility. Your VIN 179820 likely means that your car was likely the 79820th 2017 MY car to roll off the Lake Orion assembly line (including Sonic's).

 

[VoltenRock]

Congrats on the Bolt -- debated strongly between that and a Gen 2, but went Volt (again). Interesting how all the dealerships were always asking... you want to see the Bolt with a "B" or a Volt??? Seemed a constant source of confusion...

 

[bro1999]

So that number is useless then?

Gonna need it to claim that fat $7.5k fed credit.
Welcome to the Bolt club!

 

[FirstFlight]

I picked up the Bolt yesterday and the mileage home was 244 miles. I was able to get the Bolt for $3000 less in MD than any dealer in NJ so taking a day to pick it up was worth $3000 for me. I stopped to use a DC fast charger (more for curiosity than anything else) at a Chevy dealership 100 miles into the trip but I would have made it home without charging.

Four initial impressions:

1. The front seat - I've read many posts where people complain about it but I thought it was fairly comfortable for the 244 mile trip. I really have no complaints about it and for sure this car is more comfortable to drive than a Gen 2 Volt.

2. The sun visor - That's a total fail by Chevy, especially since they have other cars with an extendable visor. Not sure how they overlooked that.

3. Range - Comparing it to a Gen 2 Volt, the miles per kWh is better in the Bolt than the Volt.

4. Driver gauges - The Gen 2 Volt is way better. Not sure why they didn't use a similar setup as it seem like the driver gauges on the Bolt are a step back. Didn't see the coolant temperature like the Gen 2 Volt either.

Overall I'm pretty happy with the car.

 

[El Dobro]

Didn't see the coolant temperature like the Gen 2 Volt either.

The temp gauge is for other than the ICE in the Gen 2?

 

[FirstFlight]

I thought the coolant cooled both the inverter and motor but never really looked into it.

 

[El Dobro]

I thought the coolant cooled both the inverter and motor but never really looked into it.

In a Volt, the ICE, battery and inverter coolants are separate.

 

[CCIE]

I thought the coolant cooled both the inverter and motor but never really looked into it.

Separate coolant loops for ICE, Battery, and Inverter.