RCR: Chevy Bolt

[bill25]

From Chevy's website:

BOLT EV
STARTING AT $36,620*
As shown $42,720*

So I guess with rebates and other people paying for your car maybe it gets to 22K somehow... Fact is Chevy says it starts at 36K.

Reference: http://www.chevrolet.com/

[kevm14]

Your Mazda 3 didn't have an MSRP of $15,500 either.

If you can buy a Bolt for $22.5k, then that's how much it costs. I would agree the interior does not befit a $40k but it's not really a $40k car, and as Bob said, the money clearly went somewhere - just not the seats.

[bill25]

I can accept some of this, but the Mazda was only discounted like 1 or 2K, from rebates.

Where is a brand new Bolt 22K? Where is this coming from?

The seats are not the only interior problem, and the exterior is a problem also. Why can't this look like a normal car like the Model 3 at least resembles? Yes the Model 3 interior is also lacking, but not nearly this bad.

The pros are range and acceleration/drivability. That is good, but I think it is still not there. Just my opinion.

[kevm14]

I think the car is a legit everyday EV entry and after commonly available credits and discounts is easily affordable. It has some decent and clever features (Doug covered them), spins tire from 20-25 mph (granted, they are not performance tires and it is FWD), and has good range. That doesn't mean it doesn't have cons but I think the pros outweigh the cons. Of course that is for the consumer to decide.

I think Bob was going to look into posting some examples of how this car is available for the prices he's claiming. Unlike your Mazda, when you get into MSRP territory that is $30k, $35k, $40k or more, big discounts are well within the realm of possibility - look at Ed with his Camaro, which is no ugly EV car. MSRP is useful when dealers are OVER charging but once there is adequate supply, MSRP is no longer "the cost" of most cars, especially ones over $30k.

[Bob]

Here's the cheapest Bolt in the country right now: http://www.pierrechevrolet.com/VehicleD ... 3065884893 $27,991 with an MSRP of $41k. If you take $27,991 and subtract the federal tax credit of $7500, you're already close to $20k. Many states offer other incentives ranging from $500 to $5k. RI offers a $2,500 incentive so you could actually get a brand new Bolt for a net cost of $18k. Also, many employers offer EV incentives so it may be possible for some people to stack these incentives to work out a very good deal for themselves.

I realize this $27,991 example might be a bit of a fluke, but there are many other examples are available for $30k-ish before the tax credit, which means a $20k Bolt is not out of the question if you live in RI or another state with a generous rebate program.

Information on the RI rebate: http://www.drive.ri.gov/apply/eligible-vehicle-list.php

[kevm14]

Anyone who has been following EVs (including all the way back to the Volt) knows that these incentive programs are all part of the buying (and pricing) strategy. Eventually that may settle down but I think it will be years before they are all gone.

[kevm14]

How can it be easily verified (other than by talking to the dealer) that the car doesn't already price in, say, the federal tax credit? I mean, I assume these kinds of questions would have been worked out when this program started like 5+ years ago, but the question stands - dealers can be dishonest right? So how do you figure out what's real?

[Bob]

I was wondering the same thing. I think early on there were some dealers that would advertise the net price after all incentives, but most seem to advertise the transaction price now. I read the fine print on the cheap Bolt I found and it didn't have any mention of incentives so I think it is real. Also, there are other dealers offering prices close to $30k without any mention of incentives.

[kevm14]

I had a similar thought - Bill is more skeptical. Because cheap Bolts undermine his argument

[Bob]

My only point is that I wish automotive journalists and other members of the general public would stop referring to the Bolt as a $40k car when one can be had for much less, possibly even half of that depending on your circumstances.

Also, let's not forget used EVs. You can get used Nissan Leafs all day long for $6-8k now and used Volts for just a little more.