[dolinod]

Hi all,

Unfortunately, my 2015 Volt got destroyed in the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey , but I'm trying to look on the bright side that it means I'll be able to get a new car.

I've been really wanting to get adaptive cruise control, ever since I heard it was coming out on the Volt, but I notice that the old Cadillac ELRs have ACC too, so my question goes out to those who have experience with both vehicles: in my area I can find new 2017+ Volts with ACC for around $38,000, and used 2014 ELRs for around $30,000 (range from 20 to 45k miles). My question is, which car do you prefer, the ELR or the Gen 2 Volt? Do you think the ELR is a better value, given the age/mileage? And how can you tell if the ELR has adaptive cruise installed (I know the Volt's with ACC have a different front, is there any easy way to tell for the ELR? Some of the cars don't explicitly say, and one of the Volt's did explicitly say but didn't have the front, so I'm a bit skeptical about trusting the dealer description anyway). If I do opt for the ELR, it will be my first time getting a used vehicle, so I'm a bit on the fence because of that too.

Thanks!

 

[Loboc]

I've had a '13 Volt and now a '14 ELR. For me, ELR is better if only for the power seats. No experience with GenII Volt.

I usually buy used cars and have been pretty lucky. With all the Katrina/Sandy/Harvey flood cars out there, be very picky.

Check VIN for ACC on ELR or see if the front emblem is plastic. A test drive will reveal installed options as well. Always test drive a used car and go for CPO first.

Good luck!

 

[hellsop]

Hi all,

Unfortunately, my 2015 Volt got destroyed in the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey , but I'm trying to look on the bright side that it means I'll be able to get a new car.

I've been really wanting to get adaptive cruise control, ever since I heard it was coming out on the Volt, but I notice that the old Cadillac ELRs have ACC too, so my question goes out to those who have experience with both vehicles: in my area I can find new 2017+ Volts with ACC for around $38,000, and used 2014 ELRs for around $30,000 (range from 20 to 45k miles). My question is, which car do you prefer, the ELR or the Gen 2 Volt? Do you think the ELR is a better value, given the age/mileage? And how can you tell if the ELR has adaptive cruise installed (I know the Volt's with ACC have a different front, is there any easy way to tell for the ELR? Some of the cars don't explicitly say, and one of the Volt's did explicitly say but didn't have the front, so I'm a bit skeptical about trusting the dealer description anyway). If I do opt for the ELR, it will be my first time getting a used vehicle, so I'm a bit on the fence because of that too.

Thanks!

Personally? ELR. But I have nobody to try to fit in the back seat, and I'm big enough that I REALLY appreciate the coupe form, and how far back those B-pillars are in one.

Manual has all the bits about the ACC: https://www.cadillac.com/content/da...uals_and_Videos/01_images/2k14elr1stPrint.pdf

Page 9-51 shows the steering wheel buttons with and without ACC.

 

[llninja]

How about a CT6 plugin instead. Sure it costs more than twice the price of a volt or ELR, but then you end up with fewer compromises. The luxury of a caddy, spacious passenger rear seat, itty bitty trunk and lighter wallet.

If I were on a budget, it would be a used ELR. I've purchased 2 new cars for myself in my lifetime. I've gotten many, many miles on all of my previous used cars (knock on wood). I'm not afraid of used, though I've heard horror stories from others who got bit with lemons. The other thing when shopping in the Houston area, watch out for people selling used cars that have been rebuilt from the flood.

 

[RGE]

I had a fully loaded 2012 Volt & traded it for a fully loaded 2014 ELR. For me, the ELR is far preferable to the Volt. If the ELR has ACC, the front Crest will be on a black plastic background. If the crest background is other than black, it does not have ACC. A test drive will be the ultimate confirmation of ACC.

 

[ClarksonCote]

Contrary to the posts so far, most people I've heard of in the past say the Gen 2 Volt is superior to the ELR in terms of technology/options, acceleration, software/connectivity, EV range, etc.

That said, the ELR has the power seats, and the additional luxury factor.

I guess those are probably the main points and trades to contemplate.

 

[hellsop]

That said, the ELR has the power seats, and the additional luxury factor.

I guess those are probably the main points and trades to contemplate.

And the ELR is eye-wateringly gorgeous. At least to me.

 

[llninja]

And the ELR is eye-wateringly gorgeous. At least to me.

Eye-wateringly isn't an accurate description. Something more like "so sexy I would risk ruining a 23 year marriage for a night with her kind of gorgeous"

 

[Edju]

And how can you tell if the ELR has adaptive cruise installed (I know the Volt's with ACC have a different front, is there any easy way to tell for the ELR? Some of the cars don't explicitly say, and one of the Volt's did explicitly say but didn't have the front, so I'm a bit skeptical about trusting the dealer description anyway).

dolinod, sorry to hear about your Gen 1 Volt. As far as visual cues for ELRs with and w/o ACC, take a look at these two photos. As Loboc stated earlier, ACC equipped ELR has its emblem covered behind a clear plastic with no 3D relief of crest and wreath. If the dealership has actual photos of the ELR, you should be able to spot ACC equipped ELR easily without referring to VIN code.

And ClarksonCote has valid points about newer technology on Gen 2 Volt over ELR.

HOWEVER, if you can live with the limited accommodation/practicality of one of the best looking cars made anywhere in the last five years, I would heartily recommend ELR over Volt. Good luck!

 

[dolinod]

Thanks all!

The ELR is looking better and better, and the ones I found have the ACC emblem in their pictures online. Hopefully, the insurance settlement will be finished before they sell out though--one of the ELRs I was looking at has already disappeared!

 

[ZamboniMan]

Eye-wateringly isn't an accurate description. Something more like "so sexy I would risk ruining a 23 year marriage for a night with her kind of gorgeous"

ROFL. Wouldn't you have to worry about getting shocked?

 

[llninja]

dolinod, sorry to hear about your Gen 1 Volt. As far as visual cues for ELRs with and w/o ACC, take a look at these two photos. As Loboc stated earlier, ACC equipped ELR has its emblem covered behind a clear plastic with no 3D relief of crest and wreath. If the dealership has actual photos of the ELR, you should be able to spot ACC equipped ELR easily without referring to VIN code.

And ClarksonCote has valid points about newer technology on Gen 2 Volt over ELR.

HOWEVER, if you can live with the limited accommodation/practicality of one of the best looking cars made anywhere in the last five years, I would heartily recommend ELR over Volt. Good luck!

Well, this trick works on the 2014 model. What about the 2016 model where there is no wreath and just one giant crest?

 

[llninja]

ROFL. Wouldn't you have to worry about getting shocked?

I think I should be more worried about instant death inflicted by the wife for getting caught with a red hot sexy model.

 

[ZamboniMan]

What's the electric range on an ELR?

 

[llninja]

What's the electric range on an ELR?

IIRC 34-35 miles. It's a gen1 volt drivetrain with a slightly larger SOC as they dug deeper and charged a little more. They also tweaked something to get a better 0-60 time out of the ELR than the Volt, maybe with the ICE running.

 

[Loboc]

What's the electric range on an ELR?

I've had as much as 42 showing. Usually, I'm around 36 or 37. Careful drivers have had more. I'm not a hyper-miler by any stretch of the imagination!

One of my commute routes is 38 and change, so, I sometimes can go a week or so with zero gas usage. Usually, the engine fires up daily though.

 

[myoda]

Contrary to the posts so far, most people I've heard of in the past say the Gen 2 Volt is superior to the ELR in terms of technology/options, acceleration, software/connectivity, EV range, etc.

That said, the ELR has the power seats, and the additional luxury factor.

I guess those are probably the main points and trades to contemplate.

I owned a loaded 2013 Volt, and traded it for a used 2014 ELR in May of 2015. The main reason was for the power seats. I recently test drove a 2017 Volt, and found it to be just as uncomfortable as my old 13. The Gen2 Volt is not necessarily superior to the ELR , but it does have better EV range, and slightly better gas mileage. And you can haul a dryer in the back if you need to. As far as technology, the biggest difference between a new Volt and a 2014 ELR is the addition of Apple car play, Android auto, and wi-fi hotspot capability. 2016 ELR, if you can find one, has all of the new connectivity options.

If you can live without the connection options, as Loboc suggested, a CPO 2014 ELR would be the way to go. Look for RR in the VIN - that indicates that the car is loaded with full range adaptive cruise control, and the luxury package. If the VIN is RS, it also includes the Kona seat package - if you're tall, the 2 position thigh bolster with the Kona seats is nice to have, and the leather is much softer than the standard seats. The side bolsters are adjustable too.

For me, the ELR provides a much more serene driving experience than my Volt ever did. It also has more grunt (get up and go) than the Volt - and most folks, even the Tesla dudes, think my car is pretty darn good looking. I felt like the Volt was beating me up as I drove it. My EV range has been 47 to 50 miles with the moderate temps (70 -80 degrees) here in the Pittsburgh, PA area. Both ELR and Volt have limited backseat room with the front seats adjusted for 2 six foot humans. Drive one! Good luck!

 

[scoops]

FWIW, The ACC on the Gen 2 Volt is a newer and improved version of the one on the ELR...

 

[myoda]

FWIW, The ACC on the Gen 2 Volt is a newer and improved version of the one on the ELR...

I could not detect a difference in ACC between the two cars. The functionality appeared the same to me when I test drove a 17 Volt with ACC engaged. I prefer the safety alert seat for lane departure warning in the ELR when drifting over into another lane over the lane keep assist function in the Volt. Remember, that lane keep assist is no autopilot. Both hands on the wheel.

 

[Aseras]

ELR!

Dead Sexy and is nothing like the volt. It's what the volt should have been.

The only thing I miss is the hatchback.