I think 2014 will be my year...

[QB 45]

...To buy my Volt, I mean. Hopefully by then there will have been features added that long-time Volt fans have been asking for. I'm hoping it will be far enough in the future to implement some practical improvements, but not far enough to warrant a bodystyle change. I've done more research on this car than I have on anything else... Everything from the concept stuff, drivetrain, electrical systems, creature comforts, battery chemistry, driving techniques, manufacturing, crash tests... the list goes on. I haven't met a saleman yet that knew more about it than me. Other than dealer cost, that is

Sometimes it's hard to convince myself to wait until then, my patience is limited, I want one NOW! I have such a list of mods I will do, including LEDs all around, 35w 6000k HIDs, extended tail/brake lights, added reverse lights, added LEDs in the headlights, maybe ground effects. All these made possible by other people at GM-Volt.com, so many thanks to all of you

I can hardly wait!!!

[drbruns]

I can hardly wait!!!

Why are you waiting??

[ShannonVolt]

Just do it! If finances permit may as well pull the trigger. Who knows, the gov. incentive may not exist in a few years which may cost you more out of pocket.

[QB 45]

I thought about that tax credit deal. When I spoke to a Volt owner here in Lafayette, he explained the tax credit. He said the credit can be applied to only one year's tax; you are only credited the amount you owe, -up to- $7500. Last year I owed a combined $900 in taxes, so the credit would only benefit me about the same amount next year. I was thoroughly dissappointed to hear that...

I rent, no wife or kids, one car, nothing special. I have a nice clean lifestyle with some nice stuff, but my income is pretty lackluster. My savings from deployments would allow me to buy when I want, though. It's hard not to!! I want to see what the future models will have...

[MrEnergyCzar]

In 2014 the generation 2 will be ready for launch....

MrEnergyCzar

[Koz]

I thought about that tax credit deal. When I spoke to a Volt owner here in Lafayette, he explained the tax credit. He said the credit can be applied to only one year's tax; you are only credited the amount you owe, -up to- $7500. Last year I owed a combined $900 in taxes, so the credit would only benefit me about the same amount next year. I was thoroughly dissappointed to hear that...

I rent, no wife or kids, one car, nothing special. I have a nice clean lifestyle with some nice stuff, but my income is pretty lackluster. My savings from deployments would allow me to buy when I want, though. It's hard not to!! I want to see what the future models will have...

Sounds like you considered what you owed when you did your tax form but it is your tax liability that matters. For example, if you paid $6600 in federal withholding tax throughout the year as reflected on your W2 and your total tax calculates to $7500 then you would normally owe $900 according to your tax filing. With the Volt's Plug-in tax credit, you would actually have a $6600 refund instead of the $900 additional tax liability.

[realdb2]

Add me to the list of people buying the 2014. Like the OP I have researched and pondered many hours over this car. For me it came down to the fact that both cars I own now work perfectly fine and I could get another year's use out of both. I've never been a person who trades in cars frequently, I usually own my cars 10+ years and I plan to own the Volt I buy that long too.

I'm excited to see what changes are in store for the MY2014!

[KyleH]

I do not want to delve into your personal finances, but for the general person, if they make $40k/year, they can benefit to receive the full $7500. (I don't remember the actual number).

If that sounds like you, you may want to chat with someone else, or chat with a CPA.

If you highly believe that you do not qualify, you may want to check with a few of the dealerships that offer "used" volts with very little mileages. Stingray has 1 with 4000 miles at $34.7k on their website (the alleged reason is that previous owner wanted a different color. On their website, a brand new bare was listed as $36.7k with 0%, since this is only $2.1k less, you may be able to negotiate less, but you may not get 0% on used). Since I plan to claim the $7500, it was not a good deal for me.

On the other thand, you may want to check some of the lease options and check on the buyout amount. During the lease, ally will claim the $7500 federal. If I understand it with a casual chat with Stingray, it was +$2000-25000 more to buy through the lease program than to simply buy and claim the $7500. If you are able to benefit from the $7500, leasing + buyout may be $5,000 cheaper than just buying it w/o $7500.

-KyleH

I thought about that tax credit deal. When I spoke to a Volt owner here in Lafayette, he explained the tax credit. He said the credit can be applied to only one year's tax; you are only credited the amount you owe, -up to- $7500. Last year I owed a combined $900 in taxes, so the credit would only benefit me about the same amount next year. I was thoroughly dissappointed to hear that...

I rent, no wife or kids, one car, nothing special. I have a nice clean lifestyle with some nice stuff, but my income is pretty lackluster. My savings from deployments would allow me to buy when I want, though. It's hard not to!! I want to see what the future models will have...

[BAZINGA]

I hear 2015 will actually be better.

[Neromanceres]

I hear 2015 will actually be better.

Correct 2014 is supposed to be a Gen 1.5 model. It will be what is called an MCE "Mid cycle enhancement" but all indicators are starting to point to a Gen II model for the 2016 model year that will likely be launched in late 2015.

Example the Chevy Cruze is getting an MCE for the 2013 model year. It will have a 7" touch screen with Mylink and a diesel option (late in the model year).

Considering that GM is targeting a 6 year product development cycle for all of it's products that means that the GEN II MCE will likely be in 2019 and Gen III in 2022.