7th Mar 2017, 16:10
Indeed, replace the lens yourself. I had the same issue when I accidentally backed into a garbage can. It's not super easy, but you'll need to remove the bumper cover and a part of the trunk interior to get at the light. The dumbest part is that there are 2 rivets holding a piece that is in front of the lens and you have to get that off. I just drilled them out and replaced them with self tapping screws. Also - if the little electric door sticks again, just spray the release mechanism with silicon.
8th Mar 2017, 13:54
I'd probably drop it off and pick it up after work. That's the easiest solution.
2nd Sep 2017, 17:55
Original poster... One year later, 8,128 on the clock and have used 46.7 gallons of fuel. Of which, 22.5 gallons was used going from Napa to Disneyland & back. As for charging let's see, I drive into the driveway & park, open the garage door, on the car's panel I select charge, charge level, 12 Amps, shut the car off, push the charge door button, get out, go to the charging unit in the garage (about 8 feet away) and come back & plug in the car. Total time, about a minute... In 5 to 10 years you won't be able to buy a gasoline only powered vehicle...
25th Dec 2018, 19:55
Original Poster, passed year 2, driven 16,876 miles since I bought it. Used 64.5 gallons of fuel, or 261.6 MPG. At an average of cost of $3.29 a gallon, $212 in 28 months. That's $7.58 per month. The electric bill increased ~ $25 per month for a total cost of $32.58. Since gas averages $3.29 (around here) that's about equivalent to 10 gallons of fuel on an average of 602.7 miles per month, or ~61 MPG... If I lived anywhere else than the San Francisco area, my electric cost would be ~50% of what I am paying. I have gone 2,451 on gasoline, 14,425 on electricity. At 38 MPG I would have needed 379.6 gallons of premium fuel to travel that distance and would have spent $1,249 rather than $780 on increased electric costs, about $20 more dollars per month. I've experienced no further mechanical issue, but expect to have to replace the tires this summer (they weren't new when I got the car). As for hassle, I drive up home, open the garage door, exit & lock the car, and grab the charge plug & plug it in. Reverse the process in the AM. I have made a total of 6 trips to the gas station in 28 months, or about once every four months...
30th Jul 2019, 10:48
Thank you for the updates, even if they are annual. Second time Volt owner here myself, had a 2013 Base, sold it, bought a 2013 Premium with every option. 103,500 miles now. Never-a-single-problem with the Volt; it's an embarrassing shame that General Motors discontinued this most reliable vehicle. Anyways, looking forward to your next update! I have this in my browser favorites, and check back periodically.
31st Jul 2019, 00:27
Wow, you guys are sure bean counters. I would walk in my office and would simply give annual raises to the most efficient employees. Cover the gasoline concerns. And go home and get some rest or have fun. Pay the credit card off once a month with fuel paid off without counting or noticing it.
31st Jul 2019, 18:06
A 3rd generation Volt was supposed to be a no brainer, but that's not gonna happen.
2nd Aug 2019, 15:52
I own a first gen Volt. Around 150,000 miles so far and no issues.
With regard to the comments about bean counting, if you can save money then why not? Would you go to the grocery store and hand the clerk extra money just because or pay the cheaper price? Where I work they let us charge for free, meaning my fuel expenses are next to nothing. Spread that out over the length of time that the car is driven and we're talking perhaps $10,000+ or more; money that can later be used to buy other things... like another car for example. Seems like common sense to me...
2nd Aug 2019, 19:28
I agree, economy cars always make sense. Not a bean counter, and even if I was a millionaire, I would not run about in a Ferrari all day; it makes more sense to have those as second cars to enjoy, and an ordinary car to run about in daily.
3rd Aug 2019, 14:29
A friend of mine rides an 8 grand bicycle in Fairfield CT and likely bought it with his gas saving. But he puts thousands of miles on it. I shop at Whole Foods and Wegmans. Instead of buying some items at Trader Joe’s or Target for snacks, I could hit the Dollar Tree. But not everyone wants to live that way. Just because something is free, doesn’t mean it’s what everyone wants or needs. I’ve always made enough to go for quality in life vs saving bucks everywhere. Live comfortable and enjoying what life brings. Work hard, play hard. And like what you do at work and home.
3rd Aug 2019, 20:50
But there are high end sports cars that can if you have year round favorable weather. In Naples Florida I see the same cars driven daily parked on same blocks right on the street. And actually they do not garner any special attention; just another car... Some no doubt own shops or are simply retired, eating or shopping. The owners like them and drive them everywhere. We were just at the Town Center shops in Jacksonville. Nice cars everywhere. Not a weekend toy.
4th Aug 2019, 04:49
Riding a bicycle "thousands of miles on it" in Fairfield CT? Must be rough in the winter months.
4th Aug 2019, 18:32
Ok, I'm the original poster/owner, approximately one year later and 3,833 miles (20,709 since I bought it). I've used 10 gallons of fuel (averaging 383.3 MPG). No issues at all. I did replace the front two tires (which I knew I would have to) but, other than that routine replacement, not a single issue. There is now 82,656 miles on the car and I've tracked a 4% decrease in battery capacity since I bought it with ~61K miles. I wonder if other long term owners notice the subtle loss of capacity with age.
4th Aug 2019, 22:07
It seems as though every time there is a Volt discussion on here, the lessons in life along with the sports car/ muscle car comments are always thrown into the mix.
If someone owns a Volt, likes it and finds it economical, then hooray for them! That's the whole point of buying one. In case anyone hasn't noticed, unfortunately this day and age it's all about the fuel economy.
I myself am not crazy about the Volt or any hybrid for that matter. I'm also not going to let it get to me on a forum like this if an owner raves about them.
5th Aug 2019, 18:54
No, it’s not only about fuel economy, as there are many cars manufactured for luxury as well as performance. Agreed, some buy only to save gas. There is an increase too in manufacturing crossovers for family utility purposes. Some have no families or commute solo to and from work. Others that do not commute far can live fine with a new or used less fuel efficient vehicle as their primary purpose. They may need room for young children for active lifestyles.
If you only had a 10 mile daily commute, would you need a Volt? Or maybe drove another car with many more features? That’s a question that doesn’t need a reply, and only you can say Volt only. Somewhere along the line you hear subcompact, compact, midsize, full-size new car. There’s not a one car guy unless it’s one car owned by an individual. You and I are not the same or driving the same.
6th Mar 2017, 23:53
The part that got me is staying up past midnight during a work week just to save more on electricity. Off peak means I would be off my peak at work in the morning.