[Aspesi4]

I have a dealer that has a new leftover 2017 Volt LT in black with the black leather package and the convenience package. They keep dropping their price to move the car. They're down to $26,990 at the moment.

I was set on the Honda Clarity since I can pick one up for $29,600, but since the car will be used for primarily commuting, the $3000 savings is enticing me to consider the Volt.

Are there any concerns with the batteries if the dealer hasn't really kept the 2017 Volt charged up or taken care of the batteries?

 

[Barry]

There are no concerns about the high voltage battery. The car's programming automatically keeps the pack's charge level in a safe zone, so the dealer really didn't need to do anything special to preserve the battery. There were more than a few generation 1 Volts that languished on dealer lots like that, and we haven't heard about any problems from it.

The 12V battery may or may not be a different story, but it is covered by warranty, and even so, it costs $130, so not something to make your buying decision over.

Either deal you mentioned sounds very attractive and I would be happy with either one.

 

[Aspesi4]

Actually the dealer just agreed on $26,000. Now the question is is that deal sweet enough to entice me not to buy the Honda Clarity.....

 

[btown]

Make sure it has not been titled so you qualify for the tax credit.

 

[jcanoe]

At that price, if you are counting on being able to claim some or all of the $7500 federal tax credit (that actual amount is based on the amount of income tax you owe) then make certain that the vehicle has never been titled. If the vehicle was sold, then bought back or if it was purchased at an auction you may be out of luck as far as claiming the tax credit. There is a motor vehicle form (search the forum for specifics) that the dealer should be able to provide you that certifies that the vehicle has never been titled. If they can't produce that document then assume you won't be able to claim any part of the tax credit.

 

[Aspesi4]

I've confirmed with the dealer that the car has never been titled. I'll get something in writing certifying this.

It's really a good deal at basically $16,000 for a new Volt at the end of the day. I'm just torn between the Volt at this price and the Honda Clarity.

 

[jcanoe]

I've confirmed with the dealer that the car has never been titled. I'll get something in writing certifying this.

It's really a good deal at basically $16,000 for a new Volt at the end of the day. I'm just torn between the Volt at this price and the Honda Clarity.

The Clarity is a much larger vehicle than the Volt, with back seats where an adult can comfortably sit. The Volt's hatch has much more utility than the Clarity's trunk. The Clarity will start its gas engine if you dip into the accelerator pedal, then it won't turn off for ~10 minutes so that engine fully warms up. I would find that annoying.

It sounds like in addition to the $7500 federal tax credit you may be eligible for a $2500 state tax rebate. When you factor in the money you will be saving versus the higher price of the Clarity, if you keep the Volt for 5 years before selling the Volt, this may be as close as you can get to driving for next to no cost.

 

[tc_sting]

The volt and clarity have slightly different missions.

Volt can and does go full EV mode for first 50 miles. Clarity can’t and always cheats by turning on gas engine.

With volt you can avoid gas usage. With clarity you cannot.

Clarity interior is better. Clarity visibility is better. And Honda safety sense is standard whereas volt LT will lack some safety features of Honda— mainly adaptive cruise control.

Honda is bigger though and has an odd bulbous back end. Also Honda put the cheapest civic related components in the clarity, not the accord level. Sure you have a backup camera but it’s grainy and sad.

It’s a tough call.

Given that the volt is a super super good deal — and you still aren’t convinced, then I say that the volt is not the right car for you. You would always regret the purchase of the volt.

 

[wssix99]

The 12V battery may or may not be a different story, but it is covered by warranty, and even so, it costs $130, so not something to make your buying decision over.

Beware messing with the 12V battery; something like this could happen: https://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?324437-New-Volt-nothing-but-regret

The 12V AGM battery can be reconditioned, if needed, but it requires a special charger. You can do it yourself with an Optima battery charger, which has an ABM battery mode. (Optima batteries are AGM.) A regular battery charger can ruin the battery. (This site is littered with stories of dealers who don't know this...)

 

[kk07]

16K for a new volt is a steal. Mine is also around that price (but of cuz I need to wait for fed tax credit). The state rebate is a sweet deal.

I don't think you need to worry about battery for 2017 model, it's only a year old. I just want to point out that the volt is really perfect for daily commute that don't involve a lot of highway miles. Otherwise, you will get tired easily in a volt.

My commute is 18-mile each way, mostly local, max speed I can go is 50 mph. I can do it with ZERO emission to work and back. Free charging at work. What more can I ask?

 

[tjkenny15]

Where is it for sale? I'll buy it lolololol WHAT A DEAL!

 

[emg77]

Sounds like an awesome deal to me. You likely can't pick up a used Gen 2 Volt for less than that. Even if you have problems down the road with the big battery (which I wouldn't expect), it's under warranty for 8 years and 100,000 miles.

 

[VoltenRock]

Awesome deal. Better to know you "stole" a Volt than paid market price for a Clarity. You'll appreciate the car more that way.

 

[FI Spyder]

As stated: You don't have the drive mode control with a Clarity that you do in a Volt. I didn't want any car that used the engine as an assist when more power was needed, wanted it as a range extender only.


Pretty much every one has a problem with the rear quarter aerodynamics be damned.


I didn't like the interior, suede has no place on the dash and the black wood or otherwise paneling just seemed out of place.


Yes the Volt seats don't have adjustable lumbar support or a lot of side bolster but I can drive for over an hour in them with no lower back pain but I can't in my other cars (Integra, Toyota etc). That in itself is worth the price of the car (don't know how the Clarity would fare).....and then there's the Clarity rear quarter....oh, I mentioned that already,

 

[snic]

I haven't driven a Clarity, so I can't directly compare. But given the annoying "feature" that the Honda's engine turns on when you floor the accelerator, I suspect that the Volt driving experience is far superior. So it really depends on what you need the car for. If you are regularly going to have passengers in the back who are larger than children, avoid the Volt. If you want a fantastic driving experience for 1 person or 1+passenger, then my guess is the Volt is superior, and getting it for $3K less than the Clarity is a steal.

 

[kk07]

Given that the volt is a super super good deal — and you still aren’t convinced, then I say that the volt is not the right car for you. You would always regret the purchase of the volt.

Just saw and remembered the OP's other thread "Convince me". And then this thread and this comment. lol. So it seems like you, the OP, are not really convinced to buy a volt. I think you should just get that japanese car that you are ready to get and be done with it. lol

 

[Aspesi4]

Just saw and remembered the OP's other thread "Convince me". And then this thread and this comment. lol. So it seems like you, the OP, are not really convinced to buy a volt. I think you should just get that japanese car that you are ready to get and be done with it. lol

This is true. I'm still not convinced the Volt is for me due to the smaller back seat and lack of advanced safety features that the Honda comes standard with. I like the idea of the Volt and definitely the price.

My initial test drive had me really impressed. However, at the end of the test drive I turned a little knob on the left of the steering wheel which I think most likely adjusts the dash lighting. The knob felt sooo cheap. Then I opened the hood to get a good look at the engine technology and when I went to push it shut the hood dented (and bounced back), but it felt again really cheap. I think the Honda has the better overall materials. I really do want the Volt. I just can't convince myself its a better buy than the Honda. I was hoping you all could convince me.

 

[jcanoe]

This is true. I'm still not convinced the Volt is for me due to the smaller back seat and lack of advanced safety features that the Honda comes standard with. I like the idea of the Volt and definitely the price.

My initial test drive had me really impressed. However, at the end of the test drive I turned a little knob on the left of the steering wheel which I think most likely adjusts the dash lighting. The knob felt sooo cheap. Then I opened the hood to get a good look at the engine technology and when I went to push it shut the hood dented (and bounced back), but it felt again really cheap. I think the Honda has the better overall materials. I really do want the Volt. I just can't convince myself its a better buy than the Honda. I was hoping you all could convince me.

That's not how the Volt Owner's Manual states you should close the hood. The correct method is to let the hood close by gravity, let go of the hood at a height of about 10 inches. Works every time. The hood on the Volt is aluminum, saves weight. It can be dented by stones impacting the front edge but it won't rust.

You are wise to go over all of the features of any vehicle you are interested in buying. Open all of the doors, hood and hatch. How much luggage will it hold? If you play golf, will two sets of golf clubs fit in the hatch storage area? Try sitting in the front the passenger seat and the rear seats. Could you be comfortable sitting in the back seat? If so, for how long before your legs or neck would start to feel cramped? Try the audio system. Does the radio tune in your favorite radio station or is static all you hear? If you have a garage, will the vehicle fit inside the garage? If the vehicle has a rear hatch, will the open hatch hit the garage door if the garage is open? I test drove the 2017 Volt on three separate occasions to help me decide:

1st test drive was to get used to the feel of the Volt when in Normal, Sport and Hold modes on local roads and limited highway driving.

2nd test drive to drive in moderate to heavy local traffic, get used to the Volt's brakes. I may have tried driving in Low, don't remember. Drove the Volt with the salesman in the passenger seat to my home to see how the Volt fit in my garage. It fit perfectly, I could even open the hatch with the garage door open.

3rd test drive, because I was interested in Adaptive Cruise Control, had to wait until the 2017 Volt with ACC started shipping to dealers.

There was no need for a 4th test drive, only when to make an offer on the car I was interested in purchasing: 2017 Volt Premier, white, with DC1, DC2 and ACC.

 

[snic]

However, at the end of the test drive I turned a little knob on the left of the steering wheel which I think most likely adjusts the dash lighting. The knob felt sooo cheap. Then I opened the hood to get a good look at the engine technology and when I went to push it shut the hood dented (and bounced back), but it felt again really cheap.

I have to agree that there are some parts of the Volt that feel flimsy. For instance, the charge port door seems overly flexible and sometimes it's reluctant to "click" shut - making me wonder how long it's going to last. And one of the hooks that hold the cloth covering the cargo hold has already pulled out of the plastic wall. (And let's not even mention the absence of a proper liftable shelf back there, although I think there's an after-market version you can install pretty easily.)

On the other hand, the doors and seats seem pretty solid to me. My understanding is that GM tried to minimize the car's weight as much as possible, and that's the reason for many seemingly cheap design choices. However, it's also convenient for them that what feels and seems cheap... is cheap.

I'd by surprised if the Clarity doesn't have just as many cheap-o points at the Volt. It's a Honda, after all, not an Acura. I actually think the Gen2 Volt with the leather seats has a very nice interior feel - the front seats are quite comfortable and I don't get the sense that the build quality of the dashboard and surrounding areas is lower than it should be. But everyone has their own way of evaluating these things. If you just can't get over how flimsy the Volt is, and you think the Clarity is worlds better, and you buy the Volt anyway to save $3000, you'll regret it every day when you step in the car.

 

[alfon]

The Clarity can not match the Volt's electric range or I believe the mpg when operating on gas. I know for a fact that our 2016 Volt Premier in summer has been getting well over 60 miles on electric and over 50 mpg when in hybrid mode, gas only, with a completely depleted battery. Our Volt is well broken in with 41,000 miles and nearly 14,000 miles just on gas. A 2017 Volt LT with leather package for $26,000 is a steal and with the Fed Tax Credit, $7,500, bring the price down to $18,500, less than a comparable Civic or Corolla.

The Fed Tax Credit can also apply to those over 60 years of age who have a 401 K tax deferred retirement and can draw out of their retirement a larger amount of money which can apply to the Fed Tax Credit as income.