The board has seemed a little slow over the past few days so I figured I would try and get things going.
This is my debacle. When I first started looking at the volt I really liked the color white diamond tricoat. It was my favourite out of all the colors and when the time came to order that was the one I chose. While browsing I noticed more and more people were picking red volts. This color was my least favourite but the more I saw it the more it grew on me. Then one day I went to the gm national test drive tour and the volt they had there was a red one. After it being my last choice for this car I did a complete 180. It looked really good and the pictures of the volt in red do not do it justice. Now I'm starting to think if I should change colours.

I did a pros and cons for both white and red. For white, I could get Olympic white as a no cost colour, it would make the red and black details stand out and if I get a door ding it won't be as noticeable. Con, I'll have to wash it twice as much. For red (in my own opinion) it looks a little sharper, since I also chose white center consol and white door inserts it won't be full on white and it can hide dirt a little better. Con, to pick it I'll have to fork out $500, a little less detailed and any paint damage or door dings won't be as hidden.

What recommendations does everyone have? Thanks again!

It's a personal preference.

For me, I knew I wanted red with black interior and dark inserts. I never cared much for white diamond, having looked at it when we bought an Acadia last year - just didn't look right to me with the dark gray bottom panels. But one of the users here has painted the bottom plastic panels on his white diamond, and it looks really, really good.

In other words, go with what you like, not what everyone (or others) have ordered.

Well Red or White exterior is a good choice especially to show off the Canadian colors! I do not have either ext. color but my personal experience is that on the interior I do like the Ceramic White trim plate more than the Dark Argent (now I know fashion is a personal opinion so I am sure there will be cons too). My experience with the White being my personal preference is two fold, one I like how it makes the car stand out and it is different from so many black, charcoal, or silver center stack trim plates today. Also everyone that checks out the car always comments in a positive manner how they like the white center stack too. I just think it is so refreshing and goes so well with the whole theme of the car.

But like I say everyone has their own personal preference and there is no "right" answer. So whatever you decide will be great!

I've never been a high fan of red cars, mostly because they seem to fade and become dull sooner than other colours. Perhaps the new paint process GM uses will not suffer from this, that would be great news. I like the monochromatic look, so I ordered black, which matches the window trim, rear hatch and roof colour, and it is pretty close to the lower body panels. The fact that I didn't have to pay extra for the colour also biased me toward it. I will most likely tint the windows to complete the black-out look.

I will need to wash the car often to keep it looking its best, but I typically do that anyways, so it's no big deal for me.

Mmmm....still waiting to see what that luxo blue will look like with grey interior and dark console but i wish gm would put a little padding on their dash like i have in my Montana, the wife's 2007 HHR has no padding and, to me, it just looks like a cheap way to finish a car. that's my only complaint about the Volt. I wish it was an option. why is GM waiting to let us see the blue they choose for the Volt is a little beyond me...can't wait to see it for real....
edit: just landed on this while browsing:

http://www.macmasterchev.ca/showroom/2012/Chevrolet/Volt/Hatchback.htm

nice blue, but i was expecting a little darker than this, but it will do it for me

Red in Canada doesn't seem like a good idea to me. I had a red car in Alaska and it showed white streaks from road gunk all winter long.

I've noticed that people who are very visual tend to love the White Diamond Tricoat. I think people who are less visual just see white rather than the depth of the colors so for them the Tricoat isn't that special. Another white car. Also of note is that people who love the White also love the Viridian Joule. I think of the Viridian as off white but some think it's closer to silver. Whatever the case, it's a neat color which, if you like Tircoat, you might consider.

Mmmm....still waiting to see what that luxo blue will look like with grey interior and dark console but i wish gm would put a little padding on their dash like i have in my Montana, the wife's 2007 HHR has no padding and, to me, it just looks like a cheap way to finish a car. that's my only complaint about the Volt. I wish it was an option. why is GM waiting to let us see the blue they choose for the Volt is a little beyond me...can't wait to see it for real....
edit: just landed on this while browsing:

http://www.macmasterchev.ca/showroom/2012/Chevrolet/Volt/Hatchback.htm

nice blue, but i was expecting a little darker than this, but it will do it for me

The blue Topaz is a lot darker than that. Looking at the 2012 color chips it looks closer to navy blue.

Thanks!

Here are todays pics for the painted lower pieces:
227122722273

Unless you go mudding in your Volt, most road dirt and water spots are light in color, so white will stay looking cleaner than the red. I have owned both colors in the past. Red does get affected by oxidation more, but a good rotary orbital buffer with the right polishing products will keep it fresh.


It's a personal preference.

For me, I knew I wanted red with black interior and dark inserts. I never cared much for white diamond, having looked at it when we bought an Acadia last year - just didn't look right to me with the dark gray bottom panels. But one of the users here has painted the bottom plastic panels on his white diamond, and it looks really, really good.

In other words, go with what you like, not what everyone (or others) have ordered.

There are few cars that look good in white, the Volt is one that does. Most just look like rental cars or base model fleet vehicles. Painting those lower panels really makes it even better.

I just ordered a red one. White is very nice but I wanted a little spice. My other car is a Delorean so I did not want silver. I am having the dealer paint the calipers red and add some pinstripes. I think whatever color you get is great just stay away from the cheap cloth interior. If you are spending 40K for a car make it look nice.

Red is definately a good looking color...however, every little bit of dust or water spot shows up prominently. The area under the spoiler gets very little air flow so water drops don't get blown off and dry in place. I don't think you'd have that problem with white. But when my red Volt is clean...it's sharp looking.

my white diamond with black leather and white stack #2209 really looks like an expensive car. the comment i hear most frequently, after "is that an electric car?" is "is that a chevrolet? sure doesnt look like an american car"

the black roof looks like black glass offset from the tricoat white. as for keeping the car looking clean, the only issue i have is that the see through plastic on the rear show every water spot and dust mark.

Stuart #2209

I am curious to know where are you putting the pinstripes???

The Volt's styling cues just don't seem to leave any normal pinstriping possibilities...



I just ordered a red one. White is very nice but I wanted a little spice. My other car is a Delorean so I did not want silver. I am having the dealer paint the calipers red and add some pinstripes. I think whatever color you get is great just stay away from the cheap cloth interior. If you are spending 40K for a car make it look nice.

Simple answer is BOTH!

Got a Diamond white for the wife and am now just waiting on local dealers to take 2012 orders in AZ for a RED.

I have a red volt on order. Any opinion on what color leather interior goes best. I currently have the neutral with dark accents. I'm debating between this and the black with dark accents.

I haven't seen the neutral in person yet, I'll probably go out to Warrenton VA next week as they have a white one with that interior.

So any owners of Red Volts, what interior did you choose?

I have a red volt on order. Any opinion on what color leather interior goes best. I currently have the neutral with dark accents. I'm debating between this and the black with dark accents.

I haven't seen the neutral in person yet, I'll probably go out to Warrenton VA next week as they have a white one with that interior.

So any owners of Red Volts, what interior did you choose?

I have the white with neutral, and my friend bought a red with neutral. Both colors look great with that interior. I believe the neutral makes the interior feel more airy and upscale.

I have the white with neutral, and my friend bought a red with neutral. Both colors look great with that interior. I believe the neutral makes the interior feel more airy and upscale.

Thanks. I went out to the dealership in Warrenton VA and took a look at the neutral leather interior. It looked very upscale. I generally prefer the darker leather interiors, however the two tone contrast looked great. I believe I will stick with what I have ordered.

I have the white with neutral, and my friend bought a red with neutral. Both colors look great with that interior. I believe the neutral makes the interior feel more airy and upscale.

On a side note, voltage692, when you got your lower pieces painted, was that from factory? Or was that from a body place?

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?7089-Volt-in-pieces

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?7098-This-deserves-a-new-thread-Pics-of-the-new-paint-job!

A body shop...