[Researcher]

So, the main reason I purchased a Volt (Gen 2 - 2017 - Kinetic Blue) was for environmental reasons. Not having to purchase gas anymore was really just a bonus, but not the deciding factor. At the time that I was in the market for an EV though, the fully EV vehicles had too little a range for me to feel comfortable in. Not that I commonly drive long distances, but having a max range of 190 - 200 kms was just a bit too small for me.

So, I opted for the Volt that had the best electric range, plus a range extender if ever I wanted to drive it for long distances.

I hadn't heard of the Bolt until after I had purchased it, and it wasn't going to be available for another year. So I didn't think much of it. But now I've been seeing some Bolts around town and with the 383 km range (which is basically the same I used to get on my Mazda 3 for 3/4 tank of gas, which was when I would fill up anyway) is really attractive. I think that range no longer gives me range anxiety and I think had the Bolt been an option at the time that I was in the market, I think I would have gone for that. I even read that in extreme cold conditions the range dips down to 321 km (which is still pretty good)

Now that it's available, I've been seriously considering trading in my Volt for a brand new Bolt, but am apprehensive because I don't want to get ripped off with the trade in. I paid around 33K (all-in, after rebate and trade-in) for my Volt, and it only has about 15K on it. Online suggests that I could still get about 28K for it now, but that isn't guaranteed. Given that the Bolt is slightly more expensive than the Bolt, I don't think I'd be comfortable paying more than about 5K after trade-in and rebate (which is now higher than it was when I originally bought the Volt).

Just wondering if anyone else has had these thoughts or have actually followed through with a full on trade-in? What warnings do you think I should consider? If you think it's a good idea?

I do love my Volt, it's pretty, drives really well, I rarely ever use the generator except occasionally during the winter months when the temperature has dipped below 0--all in all, I'm happy. But there's some nagging voice in my head that says I should spring for the Bolt.

 

[bro1999]

I "traded in" my '17 Volt for a Bolt....but took a more circuitous route. Purchased Bolt, then transferred my Volt lease to someone a couple of months after. Because it was a lease transfer, I didn't have to worry about trade-in value or anything luckily.

I think a straight up trade would mean taking at least a small bath on the Volt trade...unless you put $$$ down.

 

[Researcher]

Wish I could do that too, but I purchased the Volt outright. I know I'm going to take a loss on the Volt, but want to try and avoid too much of a loss. They're hot cars and selling really well--but I think you can get them a little more easily now than you could a year ago.

 

[SuperJ]

I think this answers your question...

I do love my Volt, it's pretty, drives really well, I rarely ever use the generator except occasionally during the winter months when the temperature has dipped below 0--all in all

I'm in the same position as having some Bolt envy with my 2017 Volt. If you're basically pure electric with your Volt you won't gain much and the BEV's available in the next couple years will put the Bolt to shame even if it's great for it's time. You'll likely get cheaper, faster, AWD, better handling, bigger, smaller, more brand selection, longer range, etc. if you choose to wait a year or two before going all electric.

I really should have just had the patience to just wait for availability on the Bolt, but since I leased I will see my 3year term thru and enjoy whatever EV is available at that point.

I did an early trade once, and got hosed. Never again. If you got the $14k Ontario rebate you have to maintain ownership for a least a year to meet your end of the deal. Maybe list it privately and see if you get any takers after that, dealers always low ball trades. I think they make more auctioning off you used trade in than they due on the new car sale most of the time based on the numbers I've seen. (they offered me $1000 for my 2009 Honda fit in good condition, I said no! and sold it privately in a day for $5000 and likely could've got more if I was patient).

The state of the rebates in Ontario means that used car values are going to be a bit depressed because of the steep discounts on new ones.

 

[Researcher]

Totally! I keep having to tell myself that in some years there will be much more selection in terms of EV vehicles and that by the time I'm ready for a new vehicle, I'll have a nice range of selection vs. the ONLY truly affordable long-range EV on the market. And I do love my Volt--I think I get easily swayed by new, shiny toys when they're out.

I will say that the drive on the generator isn't very smooth when it does kick in and sometimes i worry it'll konk out (but intuitively know it won't), and it is sometimes difficult to see out of--I never fully trust that there isn't someone in my blind spot even after I've looked over my shoulder.

I did get the rebate, but took ownership of my Volt in May 2016, so wouldn't have to wait much longer if I wanted to sell it. And absolutely, I would most likely sell it privately rather than trade it in. I think there will be plenty of interested people if I sold it myself for a reasonable price.

Patience has always been a struggle for me.

 

[Qinsp]

Drive the Bolt the same day as your Volt.

I really like the Bolt, and the surround vision is a big plus.

But? We drove the Volt home.

The Bolt is a great car from what I could tell in our test drive. But the G2 Volt is really a hard act to follow. I might still buy a Bolt, but it's not burning my soul as much as it did last year.

Note - I'm >90% EV in the Volts. While I think the G2 EV>ICE transition is very smooth, I really don't experience that much.

 

[jcanoe]

The 2017 Volt has met, exceeded all of my expectations. I plan to keep my Volt for many years. The Volt is a prime example of the transition of technology, from ICE to EV driving, the way some early steamships were equipped with sails. If my Volt was suddenly gone, stolen or totaled in an accident, I don't think I would want to drive the 2017 Bolt. I found the Bolt's front seat bottom cushion uncomfortable to sit on as it is too narrow, apparently designed for crash test dummies and other butt-less wonders. The lack of an option for Adaptive Cruise Control in the 2017 Bolt is another deal killer for me. The next 5 or so years are going to be amazing as EVs go mainstream. Every auto manufacturer is going to have to offer EVs to remain competitive.

 

[VoltenRock]

I understand the "nag" to go all-electric--and of course the statement of "putting you money where your mouth is" by supporting all-electric transportation. With that said, you already made that statement by purchasing your plug-in Volt. No more need there to LOSE money to make the same statement again.

On the environmental front, you are making only a negligible difference by going zero-emission at this point since you have such minimal emissions anyway. If you were trading in a gas-guzzler, it might be different. However, these are resource-intensive machines to manufacture, and they create environmental costs just to produce. "Conservation" means more than driving zero-emissions, it means avoiding the rapid consumption of resource-intensive products.

If you like the Bolt, want to trade, and don't mind the loss, go for it. But for environmental benefits at this point, I don't think it's justified.

 

[DonC]

I agree that if you're happy with your Volt there isn't a ton of reason to trade it in for a Bolt EV, especially if your are mostly getting EV miles anyway. Unless you have a super long commute and are using a lot of gas the difference between EV miles in a Bolt EV or a Volt will be minimal. Mostly a few cold starts which in the scheme of things won't make a difference.

Given your Volt is new it's hard to see the reason to move up at the moment. You can do that a few years down the road, and you will likely have some other alternatives. Maybe if there are some government incentives that are disappearing but otherwise the advice to stay with the Volt makes a lot of sense.

 

[jupitermoon]

So, the main reason I purchased a Volt (Gen 2 - 2017 - Kinetic Blue) was for environmental reasons. Not having to purchase gas anymore was really just a bonus, but not the deciding factor. At the time that I was in the market for an EV though, the fully EV vehicles had too little a range for me to feel comfortable in. Not that I commonly drive long distances, but having a max range of 190 - 200 kms was just a bit too small for me.

So, I opted for the Volt that had the best electric range, plus a range extender if ever I wanted to drive it for long distances.

I hadn't heard of the Bolt until after I had purchased it, and it wasn't going to be available for another year. So I didn't think much of it. But now I've been seeing some Bolts around town and with the 383 km range (which is basically the same I used to get on my Mazda 3 for 3/4 tank of gas, which was when I would fill up anyway) is really attractive. I think that range no longer gives me range anxiety and I think had the Bolt been an option at the time that I was in the market, I think I would have gone for that. I even read that in extreme cold conditions the range dips down to 321 km (which is still pretty good)

Now that it's available, I've been seriously considering trading in my Volt for a brand new Bolt, but am apprehensive because I don't want to get ripped off with the trade in. I paid around 33K (all-in, after rebate and trade-in) for my Volt, and it only has about 15K on it. Online suggests that I could still get about 28K for it now, but that isn't guaranteed. Given that the Bolt is slightly more expensive than the Bolt, I don't think I'd be comfortable paying more than about 5K after trade-in and rebate (which is now higher than it was when I originally bought the Volt).

Just wondering if anyone else has had these thoughts or have actually followed through with a full on trade-in? What warnings do you think I should consider? If you think it's a good idea?

I do love my Volt, it's pretty, drives really well, I rarely ever use the generator except occasionally during the winter months when the temperature has dipped below 0--all in all, I'm happy. But there's some nagging voice in my head that says I should spring for the Bolt.

Keep your Bolt for a few years then get a new EV. By then, there will be more selection and better EVs than the Bolt. The new generation of EVs is just beginning.

 

[Bacardi]

What you need is the delta or cost difference to even make an educated decision...That means attempt to find a buyer for the Volt and get numbers for the Bolt EV...Also look into every financial aspect including incentives (both new and if you have to pay a portion of the Volts back, like Cali does), maintenance, registration and insurance...

 

[canehdian]

You're probably going to lose a ton on trade in. I wouldn't unless you can find a private buyer to get you most of your money back.

Plus, I don't think the bolt would be as fun. Part of it is a game to see if you can make it on battery alone, despite your distance being 2km more than the guess-o-meter

 

[madmike]

I'm pretty sure I could get a fully loaded new Volt for about 27-28K new....after rebate. I'd shop carefully for the Bolt...I've heard rumors of 4-5K off MSRP in CA and get the car you want if you can afford it.
'

 

[madmike]

Just noticed your in Canada...never mind

 

[canehdian]

Just noticed your in Canada...never mind

The Canada forum might have been a hint

 

[CYAOPEC]

I'm not sure why everyone thinks there will be new EVs in a few years that will put the Bolt to shame. Chevy leads they way and unless I missed a breakthrough in battery technology more battery (90 kWh, for example) will cost a lot more. i don't see how a 60 kWh Kia or Ford will be any better than the Bolt in terms of overall EV performance for the same or lesser price. So if you want a Bolt now, I'd say go ahead and get one. I plan to do that next year and still keep my 2013 Volt. I don't think there will be any fully validated next generation breakthrough battery available in any production vehicle for at least a decade.

 

[Neromanceres]

I'll be honest I have a bit of Bolt EV envy. Though we are going to try to solve that by eventually trading the wife's Sonic for a Bolt EV. I plan to keep my Volt for at least a few more years and by then there should be several other options on the market (Voltec CUV, or BEV or even another Bolt EV).

 

[Bacardi]

The one thing about the Gen1 Volt, Spark EV and even the Gen2 Volt, there have been some changes including improvements year after year...Furthermore, GM just upped the lease incentive this month for the Bolt, although that's in the US where we have more inventory of them...Probably worth waiting...

 

[Researcher]

I'm not sure why everyone thinks there will be new EVs in a few years that will put the Bolt to shame. Chevy leads they way and unless I missed a breakthrough in battery technology more battery (90 kWh, for example) will cost a lot more. i don't see how a 60 kWh Kia or Ford will be any better than the Bolt in terms of overall EV performance for the same or lesser price. So if you want a Bolt now, I'd say go ahead and get one. I plan to do that next year and still keep my 2013 Volt. I don't think there will be any fully validated next generation breakthrough battery available in any production vehicle for at least a decade.

This is what I'm concerned about as well. Whenever I do future state searches on upcoming affordable EVs, very little comes up with the same range match as the Bolt. The Bolt is just that much out of my price range, but I'm willing to sacrifice to get one, but I can't justify springing for a $60K EV.

I could see waiting for another iteration of the Bolt (hopefully sales are good enough that they make a Gen 2) which could be worth it.

 

[madmike]

I thought the updated leaf was due towards the end of this year and slated to come with a 200 mile or so range? That should be an interesting car. I have September or so targeted as the timing of my next purchase. I'm hoping a Model 3/new leaf will drive down the price of the Volt/Bolt