As you may have heard, Motor Trend magazine has named the Chevy Volt its “Car of the Year:”
“some of the most advanced engineering ever seen in a mainstream American automobile … Attention to detail is impressive … The front end graphic is outstanding — strong, confident, and tastefully upscale … Just counting the gas, the Volt returned 126.7 mpg. Converting the gas used to energy used (79.5 kW-hr) and adding that figure to the electrical energy used gave us a notional 72.9 mpg. … Moonshot. Game-changer. A car of the future that you can drive today, and every day.”
But Rush Limbaugh wasn’t impressed with the latest offering from the much-despised “Government Motors”:
“Folks, of all the cars, no offense, General Motors, please, but of all the cars in the world, the Chevrolet Volt is the Car of the Year? Motor Trend magazine, that’s the end of them. How in the world do they have any credibility? Not one has been sold. The Volt is the Car of the Year.”
Todd Lassa of Motor Trend then responded to Rush’s attack on his magazine’s credibility with a rebuttal that is, shall we say, a little pointed.
“Our credibility, Mr. Limbaugh, comes from actually driving and testing the car, and understanding its advanced technology. It comes from driving and testing virtually every new car sold, and from doing this once a year with all the all-new or significantly improved models all at the same time. We test, make judgments and write about things we understand….
“If you can stop shilling for your favorite political party long enough to go for a drive, you might really enjoy the Chevy Volt. I’m sure GM would be happy to lend you one for the weekend. Just remember: driving and Oxycontin don’t mix.”
361 comments Add your comment
AngryRedMarsWoman
November 24th, 2010
12:44 pm
“Gas should priced by the vehicle that consumes it, bad mpg – higher price, why should people who conserve subsidize the wasteful? Pay to play hog.”
Hey, I can handle paying more for my vroom vroom. And fat people pay more for airline travel, unhealthy people pay more for health insurance, people who live in crappy neighborhoods pay more for police, etc. Life is all about choices, folks, and you should have to pay for the ones you make, right? I can dig it.
Soothsayer
November 24th, 2010
12:45 pm
Doggone, cursor down to the photo under Concentrating Solar Power
This type of power plant can be built for about half the cost of nuclear and is approaching parity with conventional power plants. Not to mention they don’t burn any fuel so the future operating costs are small.
Rockerbabe
November 24th, 2010
12:46 pm
Go Motor Trend! Thanks for give the fat ba$tard criminal doper a verbal shellacking. Just goes to show you that running your mouth without the facts and a little first hand investigation warrents a stern rebuke from a group of people who are actually experts at what they do. Thanks much Motor Trend.
Adam
November 24th, 2010
12:47 pm
I have to say I absolutely love the response. What’s that you say about spineless? TAKE THAT.
Southern Comfort
November 24th, 2010
12:48 pm
For some reason, our government will not allow this automobile in our “free” market. It must be those evil capitilists.
The Tata Nano wouldn’t survive a collision with a Smart car. Safety is one of the major hurdles that car has to jump. But I’m sure you just think it’s the evil government and it’s evil regulations. It doesn’t matter that those safety regulations are there for an important reason.
Southern Comfort
November 24th, 2010
12:50 pm
Introducing the Tata Nano
http://milkyourmoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/tata-nano-map.jpg
joe
November 24th, 2010
12:51 pm
Recall the old ad “baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Chevrolet”, I prefer football, hamburgers, chocolate cake and Ford.
marko osgoode
November 24th, 2010
12:51 pm
Rush and some of his dittheads are high school grads. Keep that in mind when you dare to question their credibility.
666
November 24th, 2010
12:51 pm
Pleased to meet you. Hope you guessed my name. Being Rush Limbaugh is the nature of my game.
Chris D.
November 24th, 2010
12:52 pm
The Chevy Volt is the Edsel! Since the car has high voltage wiring running throughout the chassis, there is a high probability that if someone where to get in a crash that severs any of the lines, the passengers in the car can be electrocuted. Also GM is having to go around the country and do these “special” training sessions for Emergency repsonse teams, because you can not safely cut open the body without also hitting these high voltage lines. What a BOONDOGGLE!
TaxPayer
November 24th, 2010
12:53 pm
The Tata Nano wouldn’t survive a collision with a Smart car.
And in an overpopulated area, some might consider that a good thing.
belinda
November 24th, 2010
12:54 pm
bortz=excrement
kayaker 71
November 24th, 2010
12:54 pm
To be “successful”, an automobile has to sell quite a few units and there is no indication that the Volt will catch on with the buying public. It’s “mileage” is limited to just 40 miles before the gasoline motor kicks in to charge the batteries again and allow the car to continue. However, with most commutes going at about 35 miles round trip, it could catch on. With a gas tank that holds 9.3 gal, the max (@35mi/gal) would extend the trip to 355 miles total, not bad if you consider the cost of going that far. It is charged with an outlet in your garage and the utility charge has to be cranked in for the total. Sticker price of 40K might scare the average buyer away, however. And if they make it look like a toaster, joe public just will not opt for it. But we have to start somewhere and it looks like a good beginning but it’s going to have to come down in price for the average buyer to afford it, even with the 7.5K tax rebate.
Charles
November 24th, 2010
12:55 pm
40 grand for this car… who in their right mind would pay this unless you are an eco-nut? I’ll stick with my 40mpg Corolla!
Fred
November 24th, 2010
12:55 pm
Site your source please Chris D. Definitely something I would need to know before I even thought about buying one.
Doggone/GA
November 24th, 2010
12:58 pm
“Not to mention they don’t burn any fuel so the future operating costs are small”
Yes I’ve seen arrays like that. But there are still the manufacturing costs of the equipment, that takes energy. And operating costs are smaller, but there are still issues with them. They aren’t suited to all climates, they are mostly desert specific. And the mirrors have to be kept clean, or their light transference degrades…and keeping them clean is not an easy thing to do in a desert. And their weather durablity has yet to be truly tested. Deserts can kick up hellcious storms, it remains to be seen if the mirrors can survive that.
And they have that added disadvantage not experienced by conventional power stations: they are useless at night
josef nix
November 24th, 2010
12:58 pm
jt
Call home! The Bruin needs to talk to you!
Regulations R For Wimps
November 24th, 2010
12:58 pm
It doesn’t matter that those safety regulations are there for an important reason.
You mean like the stickers on pushmowers warning the user not to pick it up by the edge and use it as a hedge trimmer. Those stickers were put there to make sure Republicans have fingers to use when they go to the voting boothes. They look so silly pecking away with their nose and there were too many complaints about dead animals whenever they resorted to using their toes.
Rightwing Troll
November 24th, 2010
1:00 pm
Some serious rocket science being bandied about in here today… Once again not a single solitary “conservative” here can step up and refudiate “conservative” lunacy…
Doggone/GA
November 24th, 2010
1:00 pm
Soco “The Tata Nano wouldn’t survive a collision with a Smart car”
Have you watched the “IRT: World’s Deadliest Roads” show? It’s bout some of the American Ice Road Truckers driving loads on some hellacious Himalyan roads in India. They are driving Ta Ta trucks that have a steel base frame but the upper structure is WOOD.
Rightwing Troll
November 24th, 2010
1:02 pm
“40 grand for this car… who in their right mind would pay this unless you are an eco-nut? I’ll stick with my 40mpg Corolla!”
And I’ll happily stick with my 11mpg 96′ Ford Bronco.
Motorhead takes King of the Dittoheads to school - Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) : Hr Articles
November 24th, 2010
1:02 pm
[...] Motorhead takes King of the Dittoheads to school – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Chris D.
November 24th, 2010
1:02 pm
Here’s a link to GM “proactive” emergency repsonse guide…As this is written by GM, it really sugar coats the dangers. But you can at least see how all thsi high voltage wiring runs throught the car. The other think I forgot about is the car has a gas tank…High Voltage and gasoline DO not play well together either!
http://boronextrication.com/2010/11/2011-chevrolet-volt-first-responder-labels/
Hankie Aron
November 24th, 2010
1:02 pm
Sorry Guys but most of Bookman’s bloggers- Specs of blue amongst a Sea of Red
Dave R.
November 24th, 2010
1:03 pm
“Or failed county politicians opining about anything.”
“Failed”, Kamchak? Whatever do you mean?
Just because you “fail” to make any logical or factual arguments on this blog, don’t try to transfer that failure of yours to me.
Hillbilly Deluxe
November 24th, 2010
1:03 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gQoI1pd4mQ
emo
November 24th, 2010
1:03 pm
Thanks, kayaker, I read the whole thread looking for someone who knew the Volt was not just an electric car.
And he says not one has been sold? Of course not, it’s not on the market yet. As a reader, I know if Motor Trend is in the tank for anyone, it’s BMW, not GM. But look out, BMW is working on an electric, as are all manufacturers.
There are drawbacks to any concentration of power: gas we know, electricity is hard to generate and store, hydrogen as of now comes from hydrocarbon sources, not seawater, natural gas prices are subject to market forces. But fossil fuels will not be around forever.
Doggone/GA
November 24th, 2010
1:03 pm
Time to get out of the house for a while…be back later. Dreamers, keep working on those perpetual motion machines. At the very least, it’ll keep you out of trouble.
Watcher...
November 24th, 2010
1:04 pm
Ten years from now let’s see if Limbaugh is correct.
Ray
November 24th, 2010
1:05 pm
rush is just pissed because he could never even fit in the car.
Hankie Aron
November 24th, 2010
1:06 pm
I love how you take bits of the article and leave out the 40k price tag. To use the tired old phrase, in this economy, until the Volt or any other vehicle is in the same price range as comparable vehicles then all wonderful page filling statistics are just that.
Hillbilly Deluxe
November 24th, 2010
1:06 pm
Have you watched the “IRT: World’s Deadliest Roads” show? It’s bout some of the American Ice Road Truckers driving loads on some hellacious Himalyan roads in India. They are driving Ta Ta trucks that have a steel base frame but the upper structure is WOOD.
I wouldn’t get out of the electric chair to get into one of those trucks.
Adam
November 24th, 2010
1:07 pm
Rush made his opinion on the basis of knowing NOTHING about the car, except that OMG ITS ELECTRIC. ELECTRIC = BAD! Whatever arguments you have against electric cars, you really should look at it from a perspective of would you buy one? If not, then fine, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be car of the year just because you don’t think the cost is worth it.
Southern Comfort
November 24th, 2010
1:08 pm
<i.You mean like the stickers on pushmowers warning the user not to pick it up by the edge and use it as a hedge trimmer.
Anytime you see those warnings, that usually means that someone somewhere has done exactly what the warning sticker says not to do.
Doggone
I’ve seen the show on the tv guide, but haven’t had a chance to watch any episodes. Tata tried to set up the Nano for import years ago, but they would have had to build almost an entirely new car for it to meet US requirements.
Hankie Aron
November 24th, 2010
1:09 pm
As stated before though, fossil fuels will run out eventually just like rational thoughts about supply and demand.
ski_diva
November 24th, 2010
1:09 pm
Can Rush actually fit into a Volt? Maybe that’s his issue.
Southern Comfort
November 24th, 2010
1:10 pm
messed up me slantees on that one…
pat
November 24th, 2010
1:10 pm
So? That’s his opinion, now he has to like the same cars as you? and it would be helpful if the car had actually been sold. I happen to know alot about the Volt. It is impressive in it’s application of the hybrid technology, but it has a lot of quirks too. Certainly much better options for car of year. Hyundai Sonata for one is a better choice.
The Volt requires 14 hours to charge (4 hours at 240 volts, but that is bad for the batteries), cannot climb steep grades with out preparation, and the gas engine is very weak and relies heavily on the electric motors.
I could go on, but I get Motor Trend and they haven’t actually release their car of the year. That should come early ‘11.
Moderate Line
November 24th, 2010
1:11 pm
Wow! Big news.
Here is the basic argument.
Motor Trend – Have you ever rode in one of these cars? Good point.
Limbaugh – How many of these cars have been sold and have a proven track record? Good point.
Motor Trend is more of initial of an intial reaction and is somewhat subjective. JD Powers or consumer reports is better at judging whether a car is really worth buying. The Cheverlot brand is not a top brand. Ford is much higher.
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings/quality-ratings-by-brand/sortcolumn-1/descending/page-/
Adam
November 24th, 2010
1:13 pm
pat: If you don’t agree that’s fine. But if you say that it’s the END of Motor Trend and they have no credibility? That’s resorting to attack because you disagree. There’s no call for it, and it is pretty clear that his reasons for hating it have to do with his feelings about GM, which he hates because of the auto bailout, which he hates because he hates Democrats, etc.
AngryRedMarsWoman
November 24th, 2010
1:13 pm
“Tata tried to set up the Nano for import years ago, but they would have had to build almost an entirely new car for it to meet US requirements.”
There is a part of me that gets a little bit miffed by this. You see, if idiots want to drive around in a little POS car that can be put out of commission if it hits a bug, then I say let them do it and decrease the surplus population. So much time and money wasted warning against or even outright preventing stupid people from doing idiotic things that go against standard common sense….so they can survive to breed and produce a new generation of idiots.
Hankie Aron
November 24th, 2010
1:14 pm
Adam
I, nor no one else said it couldn’t be car of the year. I’m sure all the stats are legit and to me are impressive in terms of gas mileage.
Adam
November 24th, 2010
1:17 pm
So much time and money wasted warning against or even outright preventing stupid people from doing idiotic things that go against standard common sense….so they can survive to breed and produce a new generation of idiots.
Although I agree with the basic point, that labels are too many and common sense is not so common, I don’t think building cars that would be put out of commission by a small impact is a good idea. Smart people want value for their money.
Of course labels like “Caution: Hot” wouldn’t even exist if courts didn’t award lawsuit money to anyone making a complaint that “oh well they didn’t warn me!” Of course not, IT’S COFFEE. It’s SUPPOSED to be hot. And you’re an idiot that won money for being an idiot. Congrats.
WinchLock
November 24th, 2010
1:17 pm
I don’t care what either Rush or Motor Trend has to say regarding the Chevy Volt; I still think it looks ugly.
Granny Godzilla
November 24th, 2010
1:18 pm
Would Limbaugh fit behind the wheel of a Volt?
Adam
November 24th, 2010
1:19 pm
I, nor no one else said it couldn’t be car of the year. I’m sure all the stats are legit and to me are impressive in terms of gas mileage.
You and no one else in this forum. And perhaps no one else with a rational brain. But Rush is the person I was referring to. It’s pretty clear he thinks it shouldn’t have been made car of the year.
Greg Mendel
November 24th, 2010
1:19 pm
Rush Limbaugh is no longer the go-to authority on automotive technology or anything else. That would be Lindsay Lohan.
Jefferson
November 24th, 2010
1:20 pm
The real point is who can be the pettiest neocon around? Nothing good to say about anything hopeful. More of the same, quite child like pettiness.
Hankie Aron
November 24th, 2010
1:20 pm
Adam @ 1:13- Agreed, coming from a Republican
kayaker 71
November 24th, 2010
1:21 pm
If you compare many of the models of popular cars on the market to the Volt, the electric car comes up wanting in several ways. First of all, the desires of the public for as good a ride as they can get for the money will out weigh their “green” obligation to the environment any day. The shopping public will immediately say,”What can I get for a comparable 40K”. A nice Tundra pickup, a GMC Yukon, a Ford Navigator, any number of so called “luxury” rides for the same price.
Compare the fuel savings. At a once a week fillup for a Tundra at about $55/wk, the average fuel cost for the Tundra would be about 2860/yr. Compare that with the Volt….. $20/wk or about $1040/yr. You can’t tell me that the average Joe Sixpack is going to buy a Chevy Volt to save himself 150/month and sacrifice his nice ride. Ain’t gonna happen. And where did the government get the right to spend tax payer dollars to allow GMC to develop a questionable car to sell to a doubting public? You might not like Rush but he has a point.
Mitzymy
November 24th, 2010
1:21 pm
I’m just glad someone had the cajonies to talk back to Rush, and not rush out with an apology.
Bubba
November 24th, 2010
1:21 pm
MT doesn’t exactly have a spotless record with its ‘car of the year.’ Past winners include the PT Cruiser, Chevy Malibu, Chrysler 300, Ford Thunderbird and Dodge Caravan, among other less-than-stellar motorcars. On the other hand, the Volt got impressive reviews from both Car and Driver and Road & Track, which have more credibility than MT in my humble opinion. But as C&D pointed out, it’s a $40,000-plus compact car that can’t even be used as the main vehicle in most families.
Mr. Snarky
November 24th, 2010
1:23 pm
Wooo…hooo! Serves Limbaugh right for talking out his ass as usual.
Get Real
November 24th, 2010
1:24 pm
Looks like the Nissan Leaf gets twice the miles per charge for about $10K less in price……..interesting
Hankie Aron
November 24th, 2010
1:26 pm
The car certainly has a lot of things to work out before it can ever sell realistically in volume. Rush is no judge of that, he does like the money and ratings though.
AngryRedMarsWoman
November 24th, 2010
1:26 pm
“I don’t think building cars that would be put out of commission by a small impact is a good idea. Smart people want value for their money.”
I am smart….I want value for my money….I would not buy, at any price, a tiny car that appeared to be unsafe given the area traffic and road conditions. But….if dummies and cheap people want to put their lives at risk…why not? Recall that they made the Geo Metro in a convertible…essentially two folding chairs in a box with an umbrella! Sure it passed safety standards, but if you have ever seen one out on I75 it would make you shudder – which is one reason why the thought of the Ta Ta not even being that safe makes me wonder how many people have died in them so far.
BADA BING
November 24th, 2010
1:26 pm
Before you buy a Volt, you better sit down with a calculator. Unless you are a serious tree hugger, you may not want to make that jump yet. If you have a newer car with many payments left, you are going to lose in the sell or trade in value. Then you will pay a hefty price for the Volt. You will still have tires and maintainence the same as a conventional car. No savings there. If you have an older, paid for car that gets decent mileage, you can drive for years using expensive gas and still save money over buying an electric car. Also, for you tree huggers, the Volt has been literally shipped around the World for various assemblies and battery installation, the carbon offset would take years to recoup.
Mr. Snarky
November 24th, 2010
1:29 pm
Would Limbaugh fit in a Volt? I doubt it.
Hankie Aron
November 24th, 2010
1:29 pm
Kayaker- Thank you, very informative
BADA BING
November 24th, 2010
1:30 pm
Mea culpa, my last sentence should have stated the Prius, not the Volt.
Regulations R For Wimps
November 24th, 2010
1:32 pm
Look here! It’s AngryRedMarsWoman’s birthday present from TaTa. The card just says “TaTa” in it.
Hillbilly Deluxe
November 24th, 2010
1:32 pm
The age of the American public is getting older and has been for a while. I spent many years working in car dealerships and I learned what the number one thing is that older people look for, when they buy a car. Anybody know what that is?
AngryRedMarsWoman
November 24th, 2010
1:34 pm
“number one thing is that older people look for, when they buy a car. Anybody know what that is?”
sex?
Regulations R For Wimps
November 24th, 2010
1:34 pm
I’m just glad someone had the cajonies to talk back to Rush, and not rush out with an apology
No Republican that I’ve ever heard of would do such a disgraceful thing.
False Evidence Appearing Real (FEAR)
November 24th, 2010
1:37 pm
Finally!!! Flush Flapjaw had it coming…too, too, funny.
BADA BING
November 24th, 2010
1:37 pm
What I want to know about the Volt is……how many cupholders does it have?
I hope I heard wrong
November 24th, 2010
1:38 pm
AngryRedMarsWoman@1:13 pm
There is a part of me that gets a little bit miffed by this. You see, if idiots want to drive around in a little POS car that can be put out of commission if it hits a bug, then I say let them do it and decrease the surplus population. So much time and money wasted warning against or even outright preventing stupid people from doing idiotic things that go against standard common sense….so they can survive to breed and produce a new generation of idiots.
—————————————————————–
I hope you include your kids and/or grandkids in that remark if they were to get in the car.
BADA BING
November 24th, 2010
1:40 pm
If a woman owned two of the Indian cars, could she claim that she had the best set of TaTas in town?
AngryRedMarsWoman
November 24th, 2010
1:41 pm
“I hope you include your kids and/or grandkids in that remark if they were to get in the car.”
My son would not purchase such a vehicle. But assuming he did, I have to say that I can protect him from only so much for so long — at some point a person has to start making their own choices and paying the price if they make bad ones. I do feel fairly confident that I am raising him to make better choices than to purchase an obviously unsafe vehicle.
When Hell Freezes Over
November 24th, 2010
1:43 pm
If the car is so damn great, why do the taxpayers have to subsidize it? Can’t Obama Motors sell their “Car of the Year”? Anything put together by union goons can’t be THAT great. It is nothing more than a novelty. Hang in there, Rush, and keep telling the truth – even though there isn’t a lib/dem with enough sense to see it!
Jimmy62
November 24th, 2010
1:45 pm
Does seem strange to call a car that no one can buy yet “Car of the Year.” The Oscars require that a movie actually be released before it can be considered for an Oscar, which is why you have movies showing in like 3 theaters in December, then released widely a month or two later.
JohnnyReb
November 24th, 2010
1:46 pm
Where do they sell the tickets to Fantasy Land you Lefties enjoy? As to the challenge of no Conservatives posting a worthy rebuttal, please see my previous post referencing the George Will article on the Volt in last Sunday’s AJC. I searched for a link, but can’t find one.
Limbaugh only stated the obvious. The Volt will not be financially successful, even if someone in the administration got to the Motor Trend guy. The car is only on being built to satisfy the rabbid tree huggers. Obama supports it to satisfy that same group, aka, political payback. The price is ridiculous even with the rebate taken from the pockets of taxpayers. It will not be available in 44 states. And, to top off the green saga of the day, 25% of hybrid vehicles sold have been purchased by the Barry administration. There is no market for them.
The government should stay out of “green technology” else it will be screwed up like everything else it touches.
Rightwing Troll
November 24th, 2010
1:48 pm
Soooo…. this 7500.00 tax credit is for the Volt ONLY? Or for electric cars? I wonder what dr. shopping Rush Pillbo thinks of the Tesla?
I hope I heard wrong
November 24th, 2010
1:48 pm
Jimmy62@1:45 pm
Kind of like our yet to be seated elected officials
Ragnar Danneskjöld
November 24th, 2010
1:51 pm
I see a Nobel peace prize in GM’s future, and maybe a Pulitzer for Motor Trend. But nobody will get any economics prizes for the taxpayer-subsidized loser. Forecast here – second year sales will approximate zero, sales terminate when the Volt drags GM back into bankruptcy.
I hope I heard wrong
November 24th, 2010
1:51 pm
Linsay Lohan is the new spokesperson for the ‘Smart’ car it was a tossup between her and Paris Hilton
kayaker 71
November 24th, 2010
1:53 pm
Obama Motors doesn’t know much more about the car business that it does about running the country. Billions of dollars of tax payer money invested in some questionable car that the public doesn’t want. And they are giving a tax rebate to try to get you to buy it so the average taxpayer is subsidizing the purchase of someone else’s car!! Such a deal. Is this the way Ford Motor Company gets repaid by the government for not accepting bailout money and continuing to produce a responsible product that is effectively challenging the foreign market? But corporate success is not what counts in Bozoland, is it?
moonbat betty
November 24th, 2010
1:54 pm
Every driving American should be required to buy a Volt by the year 2012.
Logical Dude
November 24th, 2010
1:56 pm
Hell Freezes says “Anything put together by union goons can’t be THAT great.”
Well, if you call people who work hard and have pride in their work “goons” then you really havne’t met very many of those hard working people, now have you?
Jimmy62 says “Does seem strange to call a car that no one can buy yet “Car of the Year.”
I completely agree. Why should it be “Car of the Year” if I can’t even buy one!?
BADA BING says ‘If a woman owned two of the Indian cars, could she claim that she had the best set of TaTas in town?”
I would hope she could proudly state such.
BADA BING
November 24th, 2010
1:57 pm
Does the Indian company make boats also? Everyone knows the best thing to do with Tatas is to go motorboating.
Pennsylvanian
November 24th, 2010
1:58 pm
“Every driving American should be required to buy a Volt by the year 2012.”
That’s the plan. If they can mandate purchase of health care insurance, they can mandate purchase of a car.
Pennsylvanian
November 24th, 2010
2:01 pm
“Everyone knows the best thing to do with Tatas is to go motorboating.”
Absolutely. Especially topless Tatas.
Logical Dude
November 24th, 2010
2:01 pm
Pennsylvanian said ” If they can mandate purchase of health care insurance, they can mandate purchase of a car”
I was reading too fast, I thought you said “Health CAR Insurance”
AngryRedMarsWoman
November 24th, 2010
2:01 pm
“Every driving American should be required to buy a Volt by the year 2012.”
And the evil rich should pay higher taxes to subsidize the purchase for “those less fortunate among us”.
BADA BING
November 24th, 2010
2:01 pm
What magazine would I have to buy to see the ‘TaTas of the Year’?
stw
November 24th, 2010
2:02 pm
Wonder if Todd Lassa is a conservative or a bleeding heart ultra left wing lib? Todd, you’ve got class, only problem is that it’s all LOW CLASS !!
Adam
November 24th, 2010
2:02 pm
kayaker 71:
Get Real: Looks like the Nissan Leaf gets twice the miles per charge for about $10K less in price……..interesting
Fair point! This is the kind of discussion to have when it comes to cars, not “who got bailed out.”
JohnnyReb: even if someone in the administration got to the Motor Trend guy
This is what I’m talking about. C’mon, really? Motor trend is a leftist conspiracy now? Why? I can only think it’s because it’s GM + Electric car = LEFTIES!
kayaker 71: Obama Motors doesn’t know much more about the car business that it does about running the country.
No such company exists.
Also could everyone please stop with the “Rush can’t fit in a Volt” thing. There are many more substantive arguments you can make as to why he has his ridiculous opinion.
Oh yeah and the mandated car buying, you’re full of crap there. Way to go fearmongering!
Adam
November 24th, 2010
2:04 pm
Sorry, this on got cut out of my last response:
kayaker 71: You can’t tell me that the average Joe Sixpack is going to buy a Chevy Volt to save himself 150/month and sacrifice his nice ride. Ain’t gonna happen
That depends. If you finance the car, you might see your monthly note go up by 100/month, and yet you save 150/month (and rising) on gas. I would say that’s a fair trade.
kayaker 71
November 24th, 2010
2:05 pm
If Obama Motors can’t sell ‘em, maybe they can give ‘em to those less fortunate in our society. Hell, they get housing, food, childcare, little to no taxes and a check once a month….. why not a car. Wonder if it’s big enough to put those big chrome wheels on and if the trunk is big enough for one of those boom boxes. Just as O’Reilly says, looking out for you.
Logical Dude
November 24th, 2010
2:06 pm
I see the VOLT as a good step in the right direction. All cars should at least be hybrids. Take JUST the regenerative braking feature and the standard losses in energy that happen just to slow down a car now becomes energy that can be used to speed the car up again. Who wouldn’t want to get some free energy in everyday driving??
As electric cars and hybrids become more prevalent, costs do come down. It was mentioned that much of the materials are rare and in limited supply. Lithium, although limited in abundance is one of the rare materials that will not be needed in future generations of automobiles. New substances that can do the same or better than the current materials are constantly being researched.
I just don’t have the space to refute all the reasons against hybrids and electrics. But for those spouting some sort of partisan reason (either for or against) are missing the bigger picture of progress of technology, in energy consumption and conservation, and personal preference.
Adam
November 24th, 2010
2:08 pm
But for those spouting some sort of partisan reason (either for or against) are missing the bigger picture of progress of technology, in energy consumption and conservation, and personal preference.
Quoted for truth
Granny Godzilla
November 24th, 2010
2:17 pm
I love progress in technology and and conservation!
May we have more please?
@@
November 24th, 2010
2:19 pm
Motor Trend goes political!!??!!
Well, opinions are like….you know….everybody’s got one. Here’s “Car & Driver’s”:
While every Volt carries a 120-volt charger (charge time: about 10 hours in our testing) in its trunk, many owners will want a 240-volt system to knock juice-up time down to around four hours. For those who want the matching set, Chevy is selling its own Voltec-branded 240-volt unit, which gets the reasonable price tag of $490.
The Voltec charger’s cost does not, however, include installation—GM estimates another $1475 for a professional to come and wire everything up for you.
In about 10 years, they should have all the bugs worked out. Maybe a recall or “two’ll” do the trick.
Fred
November 24th, 2010
2:21 pm
Chris D. :
Thanks for the safety link @ 1:02 PM (just got back from the store). I think I’ll pass. That with the 40 grand price tag is kind of a deal killer. Heck, I can get a scooter for in town stuff for 2 grand……… Most of the day to day places I go are within 5 miles of me.
BADA BING
November 24th, 2010
2:21 pm
If you buy an Indian car, make sure it an original and not a copy. Everyone knows that real TaTas are better than the fake ones.
AngryRedMarsWoman
November 24th, 2010
2:21 pm
“Take JUST the regenerative braking feature and the standard losses in energy that happen just to slow down a car now becomes energy that can be used to speed the car up again. Who wouldn’t want to get some free energy in everyday driving??”
How about we just go around and fix all of the darn traffic signals in town so they actually make traffic flow efficiently? For example, how about not having to stop at a stoplight on a main roadway at 2am when there is nobody (nobody) coming through the cross street? Think of all of the energy we could all save if we didn’t have to sit in line at a light that lets 5 cars through at a time from a line of 50 during rush hour and then sit for 3 minutes while there is a green-light for a virtually empty cross street.
Loran, Whatayagot?
November 24th, 2010
2:21 pm
Another thing Limbaugh forgot to say, ” Given all the exciting cars you CAN drive, you’ve got to be a dolt to drive a Volt.”
Fred
November 24th, 2010
2:23 pm
emo
November 24th, 2010
1:03 pm
Thanks, kayaker, I read the whole thread looking for someone who knew the Volt was not just an electric car.
+++++++++++++++++
Gee did you read the whole thread looking for someone to state they spoke English as well? The article mentioned it was a hybrid, why do we need to state the obvious?
moonbat betty
November 24th, 2010
2:23 pm
Once they can have an alternator to continously re-charge the battery, they may have something…For now, the Volt is more of a novelty.
@@
November 24th, 2010
2:24 pm
Hillbilly:
Four doors?
I look for leg room, head room and a big trunk. I would love it if they’d make cars without consoles. I hate those things.