[Freedom]

Test drove a 2014 Chevy Volt yesterday and noticed a loud thump (or click) when pressing on the brake. When coming up on a red light I would slowly press the brake and there would be a thump/click sound. Then when pressing the gas there would "sometimes" be another click sound. I pointed out to the sales person and he could hear it too but didn't know anything about it. This was the 3rd Volt I had test driven and the other cars did not have that sound. The dealership just received the Volt from an auction so I was the first to test drive it. They said that it had completed the "150 point inspection" but that it hadn't been detailed yet. I am not sure it had gone through their "150 point inspection" yet because one of the tail lights was out and it made that noticeable click sound.

So what do you think the problem might be? Should I avoid this car or give them a chance to fix it? Thanks for any advice or info.

 

[bjrosen]

Run away. Something bad has happened to that car. Why would a taillight be out on a three year old car?

 

[llninja]

This could be as simple as torquing the axle nuts if caught early enough or it might require new front wheel bearings or at worst new axles and bearings. My 2013 volt started making that noise in March 2016 and the sound disappeared when Paula, my service advisor, torqued my nuts.

More info:
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread...le-bolts-were-tightened&p=4166553#post4166553

In addition to taking every opportunity to talk about Paula torquing my nuts, I can't let a clicking thread go by without this
https://youtu.be/U7_3xxQXgFs

 

[Freedom]

Run away. Something bad has happened to that car. Why would a taillight be out on a three year old car?

Exactly. I told the salesman that the tail light was a deal breaker and I would walk if they didn't lower the price by $2000. ;-)

This could be as simple as torquing the axle nuts if caught early enough or it might require new front wheel bearings or at worst new axles and bearings. My 2013 volt started making that noise in March 2016 and the sound disappeared when Paula, my service advisor, torqued my nuts.

Thanks for the info (and the video LOL). Overall I liked the car but, as you said, there is no way of knowing if the sound isn't a sign of a bigger problem. They could fix it temporarily just to get it off the lot. But I appreciate the info. Always good to know more than the salesperson.

 

[bjrosen]

Is it typical for a late model car to be sold at auction? That sounds suspicious to me, it says that the dealer who had it last considered it unsaleable.

 

[llninja]

Is it typical for a late model car to be sold at auction? That sounds suspicious to me, it says that the dealer who had it last considered it unsaleable.

High mileage, damaged, or difficult to sell cars are often wholesaled or auctioned. They'll keep the lower mileage cars that are in high demand (camrys, accords, minivans). Sadly, the volt is probably one of those cars where some people get it, most people don't. Try trading in any VW today, even if it isn't a diesel.

The most common worry that I hear from folks who have no idea is battery life. They see it daily with laptops and phones showing battery degredatoin, so they assume any used electric car will have a degraded battery and will be very expensive to replace.

 

[TSquare]

Could be a loose brake caliper. The tail light could be a major problem because they are LEDs. They are not simple to fix.

 

[Bill Step]

how many miles and how much do they want for it?

 

[obermd]

It's been through a 150 point inspection and missed a non-working taillight. Not only avoid that car but also avoid that dealership. Something as simple as a taillight not working tells you a lot about the quality of their service department.

 

[wizard_of-ahs]

Is it typical for a late model car to be sold at auction? That sounds suspicious to me, it says that the dealer who had it last considered it unsaleable.

Many of the Volts coming off lease go to auction, for some reason ?

 

[Mister Dave]

Exactly. I told the salesman that the tail light was a deal breaker and I would walk if they didn't lower the price by $2000. ;-)

We've seen a defective tail light here, and more often water or fog inside. Just insist it be fixed, along with the thump, whatever it is.

What you should be doing is have them run a Carfax on the VIN to be sure it's not a dealer buy-back or a previously wrecked car.

 

[freshcut]

Many of the Volts coming off lease go to auction, for some reason ?

Exactly! Not to mention cars that don't fit the demograph of a dealership that took it on trade. Odds are if one were to trade in a Volt for a Mercedes, it would end up going to auction since those who are going to look at a Mercedes aren't likely going to be interested in a domestic plug in hybrid. There is a lot down in Anaheim that goes to the Mannheim auction in Riverside and resells them on their lot. Nearly all available there are off-lease returns. I checked a lot of their stock before I settled on mine from a private seller.

You'd actually be amazed at how many cars of all types go to auction. Usually for different reasons but most times it's because they're an off-lease vehicle. Other times it's because they've been sitting on a dealers lot for 6 months with no offers taking up valuable real estate for another car that would likely sell better.

 

[Freedom]

Thanks for all the input.

I know auctions can be a normal part of a used car history but this one seemed really odd because a dealer in Kentucky bought the car at an auction in April, had it on their lot for 3 months, and then sold it again at an auction last month. Two auctions in 3 months? That seems like a huge red flag.

Here is the Carfax.

 

[Mister Dave]

CarFax looks okay. When/if they fix the issues you brought up it'll have an extra entry or two.

 

[Freedom]

The salesman just asked if I'll buy the car if they fix the issues. Not a lot of used Volts for sale in this area and can't afford to get a new one. Do any of you have experience with Carvana? There are a few available on their site. But.... well... you know.

Have been without a car for months. Getting desperate. If I don't find a Volt soon then I might need to get another Prius or used C-Max Energi to use until the right Volt comes along.

 

[llninja]

The salesman just asked if I'll buy the car if they fix the issues. Not a lot of used Volts for sale in this area and can't afford to get a new one. Do any of you have experience with Carvana? There are a few available on their site. But.... well... you know.

Have been without a car for months. Getting desperate. If I don't find a Volt soon then I might need to get another Prius or used C-Max Energi to use until the right Volt comes along.

Don't get desperate, it causes people to do stupid things like justify buying a new car. Also, don't get a Prius or a C-Max. The gen1 volt blows away both cars with mpg. The taillight fix is easy. The clicking noise needs some sort of guarantee that if it comes back within a certain amount of time that they will continue to fix it until it's right. One year seems fair. Get it in writing.

As for the car sitting in Kentucky for 3 months, that isn't a red flag to me. Now if it was in Chicago or Cali for 3 months and didn't sell, that might be a sign. As with all used cars, something will break. But there is no way to know when or what.

So how much do they want for it? According to the carfax, it was leased and higher mileage so they either paid more for 15k miles of took a bath with mileage limit penalties. I found the car at some used superstore, but it doesn't state whether it is a premium or base (leather or cloth)or what other packages it might have (safety 1 - rear camera/sensors, safety 2 - front sensors, bose, nav, polished wheels). It seems like an OK deal for a premium, not so good if it is a base. For a base with no options $12-13k seems fair.

 

[ClarksonCote]

I wouldn't worry about the sound, especially if it's a certified Volt which includes a 1 year bumper to bumper warranty... Is it?

Even if it isn't certified, in reality, any potentially expensive stuff (read: High Voltage, Electric Motor, unusual stuff not typically in a car) is covered under the original 8 year Voltec warranty, so even used Volts give pretty good peace of mind. Like any other car, you may have the typical used issues to address that aren't under warranty, but the higher risk stuff that isn't in traditional cars is still covered for quite a long time.

Many people have had the clicking sound described, and have reported that torquing the axle nut or replacing with an upgraded nut and washerversion fixes the problem. See this thread/post:

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread...t-low-speed-(2012-Volt)&p=3796505#post3796505

In fact, my Volt is making that sound now and I just ordered the new washer and nut parts listed in the thread above. If I'm lucky, like everyone else it will fix the problem. If my typical luck of the draw persists, I'll need new bearings.

 

[Mister Dave]

If I don't find a Volt soon then I might need to get another Prius or used C-Max Energi to use until the right Volt comes along.

https://www.carfax.com/Used-Chevrolet-Volt_w129

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?sourceContext=carGurusHomePage_false_0&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=d2012&zip=78676

The question you might answer is if this particular Volt you're looking at is exactly what you want at the price you want. If so, have them fix it.

 

[Freedom]

Thank you for the replies. They are asking $15,000 (just arrived on their lot). I told them the price is high for a base model with close to 50,000 miles. It is not certified and does not have any safety packages or any added features. Other than the fact that it's a Volt, the only other thing I liked about it is the color, Silver Topaz Metallic. Other than the color it is not exactly what I am looking for. Would like a rear camera, navigation, and Bose sound system. The one I test drove last week in Houston had all the safety packages and features, at the same price as this base model for sale in Austin ...and without the clicking sound. Didn't buy that car because the dealership tried to rip me off by advertising the car for $12,000 and then changing the price to $15,000 when I started negotiating a sale.

Need to get a car soon. Getting tired of borrowing my parents car. LOL Another Volt just popped up for sale at an Austin dealership. Will go take a look at it tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the good advice.

 

[NickHark]

This could be as simple as torquing the axle nuts if caught early enough or it might require new front wheel bearings or at worst new axles and bearings. My 2013 volt started making that noise in March 2016 and the sound disappeared when Paula, my service advisor, torqued my nuts.

More info:
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread...le-bolts-were-tightened&p=4166553#post4166553

In addition to taking every opportunity to talk about Paula torquing my nuts, I can't let a clicking thread go by without this
https://youtu.be/U7_3xxQXgFs

Be a Sport and give me her phone number.