Thinking of trading my 2010 Maxima for one

[Webhead]

Webhead, I am on the fence about the Volt as well since I first drove one back in December. Question, why is the Volt costing you
$51K? I didn't think one could be optioned up that high. The most expensive one I've seen around here listed for $45.6K. The one I have been looking at has the leather interior option, back-up camera and rear parking sensor package and it's just ovr $42K. I've talked with my salesman about the front spoiler, it is low and it does hit on pretty much anything. There is a "higher" spoiler available giving 3 1/2 inches of clearance and I would exchange the lower spoiler for one of these. It's also concerned me about driving in the snow, especially on unplowed streets. Seems like if there were 4" of snow on the road, the Volt would be plowing it. I was also talking with someone who bought one for his daughter and the report was that she got stuck often because of the clearance. I guess if you live where the roads aren't plowed until the end of a storm, it would be a consideration. On the other hand, you have another vehicle to use if the roads are bad. The salesman I have been dealing with said that the one Volt they sold was to a doctor who traded in a BMW 7 series. He said they took the front spoiler completely off and put 4 snows on it for him and he's been very happy - but this wasn't a snowy winter. As far as engine noise, it's barely noticeable. If you have the radio on, you don't even notice the generator coming on. Not a concern at all. I really, really want a Volt - I drive 4-5 miles a day at 30 mph or less, maybe another 25-50 over the weekend unless I take a trip somewhere. I figure I would only have to charge up once, maybe twice a week. I understand it takes 10-12 kwh to charge and I'm paying about .07 per kwh, so a 10 hour charge would cost me .70. My last tank of gas took me 200 miles on 13 gallons that cost me $48. That's a big incentive when you read on the Volt forum that someone has driven 2400 miles on 3 gallons. I really love the car, the way it drives, steers, rides and handles. My problem? When I turned 60, I decided to get my red Mustang convertible that I always wanted. I'll think I'm ready to pull the plug and then I'll put the top down and go for a ride in the Mustang on a sunny day and I just can't seem to give it up.

The $51 is with the taxes. I got 0% financing but I still have to pay taxes.

I understand what you mean. I had my mustang when I was 20 and got rid of it not because of gas but because of speed. The maxima was my first over 4 cylinders since then.

The volt is a big jump for me. I'll be saving over $350 a month with it. I know that doesn't seem a lot but every little bit counts.

I'm just on the fence on the $7500 incentive. If I am not in grounds of getting the full amount I'll lease it. Something to think about thanks for your response.

[Webhead]

Thanks all. After reading all the replies, you have all answered a lot of my doubts about the car. My cars sticker is 45,665. Red metallic, black letter seats, rear camera, bose upgrade, nav and chrome wheels. Add the tax it takes me over $50 grand about. I'm good at math but have no patience for it so please forgive me. haha.

I did test drive the car and tested it on the windy back roads of the dealership and I warned him I was going to push it. He wouldn't let me take it on the highway though. The car was great. Just the minimal amount of oversteer because of the weight of the car. I was quite impressed by the p/u. In Ny the entrance ramps are sometimes really short and you have to get out there quick. The cockpit is something I will have to get used to again. The maxima I thought was overwhelming but this one is like a plane with a video game cabinet thrown in. (the ball thingy I'm referring too)

The snow was a light one this year. I have my Element but I am glad you told me about the rubber thingy I can put higher. I will mention it at the signing. It's a $46,000 dollar car. We should have some say in it.

Thanks for the rates too. I figure about a $1.60 a day. I am good at math I just hate doing it. I crunched the numbers again and again and I still come out ahead with the volt. So I'll call the dealer tomorrow and see what he can do.

Please though. Keep the responses coming. I want to hear your experiences. Thanks again for all the help. The dealer couldn't even give me the simplest answers about the car. I hate going into a dealership and knowing more than the salesman but I bought 3 other cars from this particular dealer. 2 hondas and the nissan. They take very good care to me and yes I told them I was annoyed that they don't educate their employees better on the car.

Thanks, keep em coming!!!

[Volt779]

The Maxima is a really nice car with a great engine and interior. I can appreciate your hesitation in parting with it. We traded our '03 Saab Convertible which was in pristine condition for the Volt. We loved our Saab - it was beautiful and reliable (not joking). That being said, we haven't regretted getting our Volt one bit. In fact, our other car, an '01 E38 BMW 740i (which itself is a great car and only has 65,000 miles but guzzles gas like nobody's business) is soon going to be moving on to a new home - we've got another Volt on order - hopefully it is being built this week!

In regards to the front air dam, it is a flexible piece of plastic that is meant to bend and scrape. I don't even think about it or worry about it. One year later, it still looks fine and it must scrape on our driveway or on the road four or five times a day.

Good luck with your decision!

[Henry_FL]

I hate going into a dealership and knowing more than the salesman but I bought 3 other cars from this particular dealer. 2 hondas and the nissan. They take very good care to me
Thanks, keep em coming!!!

Paying retail MSRP is nuts, unless they are giving you above book value for your tradin

Just for reference:

http://www.stingraychevrolet.com/Veh...-FL/1729602673

$40,926 for a max loaded Volt all options ...

Good luck and I'm sure you will enjoy whatever Volt you buy

[Webhead]

There has to be a catch. I can't see it being that cheap? I am getting bluebook for the max. Something is weird. I'm going to mention it to the dealer. Better to confront him about it and put him on the spot. If they don't give me what I want someone else will.

[REB]

This is just my 2 cents worth. Others have already covered most of your questions and concerns regarding the purchase better then I could. Not mentioned by you, however, is the dealer you currently plan on buying the Volt from. If you just follow this website for a few weeks or care to look up on this website some of the deals that new owners are getting I believe you will be able to knock off $2000=$3000 over the asking MSRP. I thought I did well getting $1200 off last November but with the California HOV Volts displacing the non-HOV Volts, the 2013 coming within a few months and still a number of dealers making no effort to sell there allotment of Volts I would do a little investigating of dealers in the area, make a low ball offer of $3500 below MSRP and settle for $2500 off. Write it on a piece of paper and hand it to the salesman if your uncomfortable with dealing and walk away if they don't come around but leave your phone number.

[zete]

I hope you've driven it in Sport Mode. It's quite impressive that way, much peppier.

BTW, as no one else has mentioned this, in winter you will get lower range. The lowest I saw in the dead of winter with -20c was 35km. But usually the temperatures were in and around -5c and so I was getting mid-40s. Now that the weather's warmer we've consistently been getting close to 60 in the cooler weather (5 - 10c) and over 60 on the 20+c days. (You will have to do the conversions to that antiquated British system you Yanks enjoy so much ).

And to join the chorus, we've never been happier with a car in the past 30 years of owning all kinds of makes and models. The Volt is just superbly cool.

One thing that will happen is that you will get asked about the car. And you'll get looks from people gawking. The car is very well known and everyone up here at least has been utterly positive, only complaining that they can't afford one yet. So be prepared to answer a lot of questions once you get yours.

[Webhead]

This is just my 2 cents worth. Others have already covered most of your questions and concerns regarding the purchase better then I could. Not mentioned by you, however, is the dealer you currently plan on buying the Volt from. If you just follow this website for a few weeks or care to look up on this website some of the deals that new owners are getting I believe you will be able to knock off $2000=$3000 over the asking MSRP. I thought I did well getting $1200 off last November but with the California HOV Volts displacing the non-HOV Volts, the 2013 coming within a few months and still a number of dealers making no effort to sell there allotment of Volts I would do a little investigating of dealers in the area, make a low ball offer of $3500 below MSRP and settle for $2500 off. Write it on a piece of paper and hand it to the salesman if your uncomfortable with dealing and walk away if they don't come around but leave your phone number.

Thanks. I am having second thoughts. I think I will shop first. Thanks!

[Webhead]

I hope you've driven it in Sport Mode. It's quite impressive that way, much peppier.

BTW, as no one else has mentioned this, in winter you will get lower range. The lowest I saw in the dead of winter with -20c was 35km. But usually the temperatures were in and around -5c and so I was getting mid-40s. Now that the weather's warmer we've consistently been getting close to 60 in the cooler weather (5 - 10c) and over 60 on the 20+c days. (You will have to do the conversions to that antiquated British system you Yanks enjoy so much ).

And to join the chorus, we've never been happier with a car in the past 30 years of owning all kinds of makes and models. The Volt is just superbly cool.

One thing that will happen is that you will get asked about the car. And you'll get looks from people gawking. The car is very well known and everyone up here at least has been utterly positive, only complaining that they can't afford one yet. So be prepared to answer a lot of questions once you get yours.

Yes I read about the battery in the winter. Thank you. I did try it in sport mode. I tried it in normal mode and then put it in sport mode on the second time around. It is a fun car to drive.

Thanks!

[daryllafferty]

I traded in a 2010 Acura MDX a couple of weeks ago for my Volt. The Acura was a very nice vehicle, and I enjoyed driving it, but it didn't excite me the way the Volt does. Part of that is just the novelty, I'm sure. An electric car is very cool. But the Volt is just so peppy and fun to drive. And it is costing me (at winter electric rates) almost exactly 1/10 as much per mile to drive as the Acura. The MDX took me about 17 miles on $4 worth of gas, while the Volt takes me 17 miles on about 40 cents worth of electricity (at 7.8 cents/KWh).

I have no regrets! But I do have to confess that I kept my old Honda Odyssey mini-van for when I need to take several people or carry something too large to fit in the Volt.

Others have answered the engine noise question. Let me just add that it takes a little getting used to. Sometimes the engine will rev up, and other times shut off completely, seemingly with no relationship to the position of the foot pedal. Over all, I find the engine just a little loud when driving at slow speeds, especially when it revs up. But I don't have to experience that very often as I usually have enough battery to get where I'm going.