Sacrifice and get a 2012 or order 2013?

[DonC]

I had an Acura RL and the iPod interface was lousy. On the Volt it's very straightforward. However, I had a hard time getting it to work reliably with my 64G Nano so I just bought a micro USB drive. It's way easier to store and the Volt indexes everything quickly. Since the drive is just folders and songs there's not any duplication of functions.

I've thought for several years that the best way to go these days is to just use flash. The player just duplicates what the car does and generally gets in the way. FWIW the Bose sound system in the Volt is pretty darn good. Definitely better than the Bose system in the RL. Part of that may be the Volt is more quiet. After we got the Volt my wife mentioned how much better XM had gotten -- and I don't think it had changed!

[drbruns]

Thats what I did. There was a Malibu ECO with MyLink on my dealer's showroom. I showed up with a couple different iPods, a couple USB flash disks, a music CD and my android smartphone. I played with it for about an hour. I did have a problem with Pandora on the Malibu but have not had a problem with Pandora on my Volt. This was in late Feb and the sales folks were just as interested as I was since MyLink was so new.

I am waiting to see what updates they post on the MyLink website for owner download and install. I have heard rumors about a Google navigation app which would be cool since I don't have Nav.

[CharlieO]

I've got a Summit White Volt that just came in here at Stingray Chevrolet, it has Premium Trim Package and My Link. MSRP on the Volt is $41490. and I would have a selling price of $38057. it would also Lease out real nice at that pricepoint. I also found a Crystal Red with cloth and a Backup Camera with My Link yesterday on the lot that we just got from another dealer. You can call me at (813) 359-5042 if you might be interested. Thanks!

[Vega]

I have a 2012 with MyLink and have been very happy with it. I bought this 32 GB USB stick: http://www.amazon.com/HP-32-Flash-Dr...dp/B0052WT1OC/ and it works great. A USB stick is the way to go since there are no wires or batteries to mess with -- you just have a tiny nub sticking out of the usb port. So far I haven't had any issues with playing any MP3 or M4A files (nothing with DRM). The Volt interface also shows album art that is placed in the folder. Indexing is quick. I started with about 16GB of songs and it took about a minute to index. Since then I've added music one other time and have never noticed any indexing time.

[NEALDIAMOND1957]

Charlie...When does that extra money runout?

[Sphyrna]

I went to another dealer today that had a larger stock of 2012 Volts to take a look at. My primary goal was to figure out which color I want. Mission accomplished, I like the Summit White the most. They had a Blue Topaz Metallic in stock but it wasn't out on display, so I couldn't see it in person. But I really liked the summit white so that is my pick.

I should have spent time playing with the one in the showroom since it was in the A/C. I should have hooked up my iPhone to test how I like the interface without MyLink. I might go to my local dealer on Monday and do that as well as test MyLink on a Malibu. I'm still really torn between ordering a 2013 with exactly what I want or just getting a 2012. If I go with a 2012, there is one at a dealer an hour from me that has the color and everything I want (except MyLink). Although I'm still debating if I want to get Nav if I go with the 2012, but from what I read here it sucks and I don't think it's worth the cost.

I also emailed the Volt Advisors with some questions. I'm wondering if it's possible to add MyLink to a 2012 that doesn't have it. Not sure if it's just a module I can add or if it's built in to the head unit. If it's the actual head unit, can I buy the head unit and swap it out? Not sure how economical that would be. It's difficult trying to be patient and possibly order the 2013 b/c I love the Volt so much and want one now! LoL

[saghost]

Although I'm still debating if I want to get Nav if I go with the 2012, but from what I read here it sucks and I don't think it's worth the cost.

Not sure what gave you that idea. It's a perfectly competent system. The only thing I wish I could have and haven't found yet is the split screen with turns ahead that my VW had. The 2012 system also includes a hard drive to put music on (though I play it from my iPhone more often.) I really like being able to send a destination directly to the headunit ahead of time from my phone, and then have the Nav take me there. Worth the money? A good question, but it's no worse for the money than most other OEM Nav systems, and better than some.

I also emailed the Volt Advisors with some questions. I'm wondering if it's possible to add MyLink to a 2012 that doesn't have it. Not sure if it's just a module I can add or if it's built in to the head unit. If it's the actual head unit, can I buy the head unit and swap it out? Not sure how economical that would be. It's difficult trying to be patient and possibly order the 2013 b/c I love the Volt so much and want one now! LoL

We don't have much experience with MyLink since it just came out. Actually, we haven't really gotten into the swapping modules for upgrades thing with the Volt much at all yet, though if they don't retrofit Hold mode we may be starting that soon... A lot of other things seem to be different between Nav and non-Nav cars (backup cameras, etc. GM even uses a VIN digit for it) - I wouldn't bet on ever getting a Nav 2012 (and therefore all 2011s) to play with MyLink. I'd assume it's a fairly simple module/headunit swap on a non-Nav car, but we don't have the information.

[Sphyrna]

I went back to my local dealer today and ordered a 2013! I'm still not 100% certain it's what I'll end up with. No way to know that until the leasing info for MY2013 comes out. But with a 6-8 week build time I figured I might as well put the order in and get the process started. When it comes out I'll decide to take it or go with a MY2012.

While waiting for the guy who can order it to get out of the meeting I had plenty of time to play with the Volt. I brought my sync cable for my iPhone so I could actually plug it in and check out the interface. Even without MyLink I think the standard interface would work ok for my needs. I liked how Podcasts is one of the categories it shows. My Acura doesn't display podcasts so I've had to create a playlist for them and use that instead. I also liked how when you're scrolling and you scroll fast it switches to scrolling through the letters. So if I want to select a song beginning with P it's a lot faster than my Acura!

However, that was also a drawback as a couple times I was trying to scroll down my list of artists and went too fast and started scrolling through the alphabet. I found using the tune knob was easier for scrolling through the lists than the onscreen scrollbar arrow. One thing I didn't like is how it automatically switches the source to the iPhone when I plug it in. I can see times when I want to plug it in to charge the phone but not listen to it. I looked through the config but didn't see an option for turning that off. It's not a huge deal, just a minor annoyance.

I'm sure whichever Volt I decide to go with, MY2012 or MY2013, I'll love it. Can't wait to get in to my new ride!! The 2013 I ordered is Summit White, Jet Black with White Ceramic accents, premium trim package, navigation w/MyLink, Bose audio, and Enhanced Safety Pack 1.

[Sphyrna]

Oh, a couple other things I liked about the Volt's Infotainment system. Even without MyLink, Pandora would play through the stereo and I could control it through the Volt (pause and skip tracks). I also like that the play/pause button works on the iPhone. Now when going through the drive-through I can pause it. Originally I liked the mute button and figured I'd use that. But the music would keep playing. Now I know I can hit the pause button and pick up where I left off when I'm done.