I have to pick one...

[baragona]

we're not figuring out how to rig something to the dash or windshield. As an aside, the asinine folks who put their GPS on the windshield right in the drivers main line of vision, blocking the drivers view are morons. If a manufacturer put an OEM GPS in front of the driver blocking that much view - wait, they can't because it's not safe.

I have one of those sand bag GPS bases that allows you to place it on the dash without it falling down. Putting the GPS there does not block my view. Plus with the power outlet in the compartment above the dash I also don't have any cables lying around.

[saghost]

Actually, you don't need the nav system to send destinations to it from your phone or the web (including google maps). This comes with OnStar and it shows you the turn-by-turn in the center of the instrument display and in the radio display in the center stack. I've used it and it works great without the obsolete nav system.

Hmm. I've only used it once, but on my Nav car, all got from turn by turn was verbal directions - nothing on either tge center console or the instrument cluster.

[Dan & Nan]

I have one of those sand bag GPS bases that allows you to place it on the dash without it falling down. Putting the GPS there does not block my view. Plus with the power outlet in the compartment above the dash I also don't have any cables lying around.

Well, I'm not going to argue with you.

I was actually referring more to the folks that put it directly in front of the driver, I've seen a few that were actually blocking the driver's immediate forward view completely. But, an obstructed view is an obstructed view and even those tags hanging from the rear view mirror are illegal in most states when the vehicle is being driven.

[TeV]

I would personally consider the Bose system a downgrade from the standard system, but I'll also admit to an anti-Bose bias. This is both because I'm an 'audio guy' (not to be confused with 'audiophile'), and also because my previous vehicle, a Nissan Murano, had the most gawd-awful sounding 'upgraded' Bose system I've ever had the displeasure of being stuck with.

I really don't consider myself that picky when it comes to car audio, since unless you're willing to spend big bucks (either to get a factory-upgraded top of the line system, or to get aftermarket components) you can expect 'acceptable' sound from most stock stereos - not great, but not bad. The no-name stock 6-speaker system in my mid-level Nissan Altima, which I had before the Murano, was vastly superior to the Bose system in every objective and subjective way.

Sure, the Murano's Bose system had a subwoofer (built into the spare tire's well), but it was terrible - easily the worst-sounding implementation I've ever heard of a subwoofer in my life. It literally had one note, and could not reproduce anything else. All it did was shake the body of the vehicle, which while admittedly cool at times, is really kind of worthless for audio reproduction.

While I can't honestly say that the base stereo in the Volt, which I have, is anywhere near being the best stereo I've heard in a car, it's nowhere near as bad as my previous Bose system. And as you've read elsewhere (and this is true), a 'Bose system' isn't really anything different from the standard system in terms of hardware, other than the sub - it's just a software EQ tuning designed to emulate the 'Bose sound' (which, if you care for my opinion, is just terrible - like listening to the most compressed FM radio station you can find).

Of course YMMV, and I'm well aware many people are perfectly happy with their Bose stereos, be they in cars or their homes. It's just that for someone like me who's used to enjoying all the details in their music without anything missing, there are different levels of compromise; the Volt's base radio is an acceptable compromise, while IMHO the Bose system is by definition far too much of a compromise.

And as others have pointed out, you'll get the 3 years of free OnStar turn-by-turn nav, which can be programmed remotely from your smartphone, so you really don't need the built-in nav unless you expect to use it heavily beyond those 3 years.

[fjungman]

Hmm. I've only used it once, but on my Nav car, all got from turn by turn was verbal directions - nothing on either tge center console or the instrument cluster.

You have to turn the knob (to the left of the steering column) to select the Nav feature (#8 in the menu IIRC).

[flmark]

The in-dash nav system will always be overpriced, because they have you over a barrel to have that much bigger screen. I try to ignore the price, because you'll NEVER justify it that way. It's apples to oranges. Sure, my smart phone is great if I only care about staying on one path...and I started with a destination, too. In-dash nav is just great to click on and see what interstates you encounter to go around some city along your thousand mile journey (for example). It is definitely SAFER to deal with that screen for such whimsical information acquisition (while driving), then to focus on a two inch screen to do the same thing. My wife LOVES the Bose; me, I drive in silence most of the time...but if mom's not happy...nobody's happy.

[John_Hatchett]

The in-dash nav system will always be overpriced, because they have you over a barrel to have that much bigger screen. I try to ignore the price, because you'll NEVER justify it that way. It's apples to oranges. Sure, my smart phone is great if I only care about staying on one path...and I started with a destination, too. In-dash nav is just great to click on and see what interstates you encounter to go around some city along your thousand mile journey (for example). It is definitely SAFER to deal with that screen for such whimsical information acquisition (while driving), then to focus on a two inch screen to do the same thing. My wife LOVES the Bose; me, I drive in silence most of the time...but if mom's not happy...nobody's happy.

I think that is what mom's iPad is for.

[mthomasgm-volt]

Just purchased a 2012 with Bose and Nav. Would have opted out of the Nav but we wanted most other upgrades (and specific color) and couldn't find one local without Nav. That said, I'm starting to appreciate the Nav in dash rather than doing it all from my phone, especially since I use my phone for music (e.g. Spotify, Songza) so I don't have to flip back and forth between apps and look down as much. You'll still use the phone maps for finding things, trust me.

Didn't compare the Bose to base system but do think the Bose is nice even though the equalization still pumps bass through the door speakers. Not a big deal unless it's hard hitting stuff.

Final though. Keep in mind the car will sell for a bit more later since the Bose and Nav add KBB value to the car. Not a huge return but some.

[Carl S]

pchapman, do you like listening to a certain type of music while driving? If so, bring it with you to the dealer and play it in both Volts. If the standard sound system does a good enough job, then go with that. If you prefer how the Bose sound system handles your music, then go with that one. If you haven't heard either one in person, why spend extra for the Bose when the standard sound system sounds good to your ear?

I have a 2011 Volt so the Bose+Nav was standard, and I like having both in my car. I tend to keep my cars a long time, so when I buy them, I like to get them pretty much loaded. Some people think, "That's just more stuff to break!", but I really like having plenty of nice options to use.

Congrats on your new Volt!

[kavolt]

i went with no nav on my 2012 volt. i just couldn't justify it at 2k. seemed crazy expensive, especially considering the on star turn by turn directions are free (and awesome i might add).
i did spring for the bose system, thinking that was the top of the line audio. didn't seem that expensive either. i am very happy with the sound, but feel really cheated since i assumed (my mistake) that the bose would automatically include the 100 my link option. i am still scratching my head on how 15-20k cars have infotainment systems that are miles better than the one in the volt. and don't get me started on the frustrating, slow, clunky voice command of bluetooth phones. i drove cars 2 years ago with better voice command interfaces. the info-tainment system is by far my biggest complaint. i would feel much worse if i had sprung for the 2k nav and was still stuck with no my link and the crappy voice command. JMHO.
HOPEFULLY in the near future, GM will release some type of patch (hell, i'd even pay for an upgrade) for the substandard voice command/bluetooth.