Alright, what's up with the negative responses to the Bolt?

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart) 01/07/2016 at 12:45 • Filed to: rants

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Usually, Jalopnik’s commenters are pretty decent when it comes to car talk, especially when Oppo comes in and sweeps up the place...But the responses to the Chevy Bolt have been jarring.

Here we have a 200 mile EV that greatly undercuts the next best 200mi EV option in price. It doesn’t even look bad, I’d argue it’s kinda cute with that absurdly happy face.

And heck, even Tesla responds with fanfare. A car that costs significantly less than their offerings and Tesla is like “yes, this is what we’ve been wanting someone to do for a long time!”

Yet...people are whining about the price? Even without the incentives, it’ll be what, like $38k? For a 200 mile EV, that’s an awesome price. The Bolt is something GM should be rightfully proud about, and the public should be cheering because EVs are getting even more and more practical than ever. I sincerely hope that GM sells so many that they can’t keep lots stocked.

But nope, people are making asinine comparisons...like “$30k? LOL why do that when you can get a Focus RS?” Ignoring such facts like the average car buyer will be more likely to get a Bolt than the Focus RS...and that such a comparison between two functionally different vehicles makes no sense anyway.

Furthermore, I’ve even seen people saying things like it’s not bad for people who don’t like cars.

I don’t know, I’ve driven a few electrics before...and while EVs do take away the fun of rowing through gears and listening to engine notes, the raw power of an EV is pure ecstasy. Plus when you don’t want to hoon all day erry day, they’re super quiet to a level you never expected a car to achieve.

I’m excited for the Bolt, I will drive one someday.

But yeah, I just don’t get Gawker readers’ (it’s not just Jalopnik, it’s literally every blog they have) double standards. By default, we apparently love Tesla...but we’ll be damned if GM makes a pretty decent EV for much less than a Tesla?

Wacko > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 12:48

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you know the FP has GM hate.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 12:48

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Conservation of energy, any positive is balanced with a negative response.

For Sweden > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 12:48

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It said mean things about my mother

Wacko > For Sweden 01/07/2016 at 12:50

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ha, it’s the quebec of cars, since there is also much quebec hate here too

not for canada - australian in disguise > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 12:51

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Because it’s not a Mazda/Ford ST/Volvo

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 12:52

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It rhymes with “dolt” and will undoubtedly be found going slowly in the passing lane. It’s also still too expensive for a Daewoo with a washing machine motor and a few batteries.

JR1 > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 12:52

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Looks like an economic car. That means it will be a car for kale drinking hippies. A “cool” EV car shouldn't look any different than any other car or in Teslas case it should look like a luxury car. The Tesla doesn't sell well solely because it is friendly to the environment the Tesla sells well because it looks flashy and has a great interior. The Bolt looks plebeian.

For Sweden > Wacko 01/07/2016 at 12:53

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good

CalzoneGolem > For Sweden 01/07/2016 at 12:53

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Mean but not inaccurate things.

lone_liberal > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 12:54

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It’s built by the wrong company for most of the Jalopnik commenters to get behind it. Brand snobbery is alive and well even if it’s snobbery for Wartburg or Lada.

Party-vi > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 12:54

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Because for the same price I can just buy a Chevy Sonic hatchback and drive it about 155,000 miles (assuming 33mpg combined and gas at $3.00 per gallon) before I break even with the cost of the new Bolt. That’s damn near 10 years of driving.

CB > Wacko 01/07/2016 at 12:54

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Most of my Quebec hate is in jest. It’s my duty as an Ontarian to make fun of other provinces. Except PEI, because there’s nothing interesting about PEI.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 12:54

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Bolt ot Volt? I am confuse.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 12:55

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It’s name is too close to the Volt. Other than that, It’s good.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Wacko 01/07/2016 at 12:57

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I mean, the weird French is one thing but Quebec has a lot of great things - good skiing, poutine, two Villeneuves, a world-class racing event, a legendary hockey team (that I would hate if I still paid any attention to hockey), no front-plate laws, mandatory winter tires, beer available in grocery stores/corner stores, the beer that’s available is much cheaper, there’s also montreal smoked meat sammiches, montreal bagels...

In any case, a culture that gave rise to poutine is enough to put it in my good books.

CB > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 12:57

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I’ll let you in on a little secret, from years on the internet, going to school, and working in jobs that deal with the public:

People are irredeemable fuckwits.

For Sweden > CalzoneGolem 01/07/2016 at 12:58

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grr

RallyWrench > Party-vi 01/07/2016 at 12:59

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This is a perfectly fair and reasonable counterpoint to the Bolt (or any other EV). Most are not.

crowmolly > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 12:59

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1.) Rational or not, a lot of people have hate for GM and all of their offerings

2.) It’s a weird segment of the market. Do you want to pay $30-38k for a compact EV or would you rather spend that money on a lot more vehicle that uses gasoline?

3.) If you were to buy a comparable gas car how long can you go before hitting the price of the Bolt? 100k? 150k? Life of the vehicle?

RallyWrench > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:00

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“Usually, Jalopnik’s commenters are pretty decent when it comes to car talk”

Wait, have you been there? Where does this happen? ;)

For Sweden > Party-vi 01/07/2016 at 13:00

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GM really needs to not sell the Bolt as a good-value car. It’s a trendy, useful tool that’s expensive enough to be cool but still attainable to most consumers. It’s an iPhone.

Wacko > CB 01/07/2016 at 13:02

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other than Potatoes, and still......

poking fun is one thing, but some idiots never been to quebec, or know anything about us. they think we are all separatists who want to break up canada.

but how can there be so much hate for a place that gave the world things like.

even fully dressed pics of her are NSFW

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:03

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Probably the same reason the SS hasn’t caught on (imo). Chevys are (in the minds of many) supposed to be either just cheap, or a cheap giant-slayer. A Chevy that is just as good but still expensive for some reason just doesn’t sit well.

Even if "expensive" is still relatively cheap.

Wacko > gin-san - shitpost specialist 01/07/2016 at 13:03

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ha, see my reply to CB

JustAnotherG6 > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:03

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This (and the Electric 500, E-Focus or whatever Ford calls them, and most other electric cars barring the Tesla and Leaf that aren’t offered here) would be perfect for my wife’s commute possibly even mine. If they offered a lease for less than $200 (Much like Fiat did in the middle of 2015 for CA, OR and WA) a month I would push for it. Barring that, if I’m spending $30k for a new car it is going to be our distance driver. The one that we take on road trips with the kids in back, loaded down with luggage and hopefully some semblance of comfort. Otherwise, for commuting, I would take the 2 yr old used version of what Party-vi said:

Because for the same price I can just buy a Chevy Sonic hatchback and drive it about 155,000 miles (assuming 33 mpg combined and gas at $3.00 per gallon) before I break even with the cost of the new Bolt. That’s damn near 10 years of driving.

jariten1781 > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:04

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Its looks (economy MPV) belie its price tag. That’s a fact and a problem regardless of whether it’s a good tech package.

Still, I'd take one over an i3.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:04

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I guess I didn’t read the comments - I really like it. I don’t know what the Canadian pricing will be but I fear it will be a bit out of my reach, but it’s good that EVs are now coming down in price. That whole, “LOL I can buy 1.5 V6 Mustangs” or whatever the fuck other car they mention isn’t relevant at all.

I’d love to have an EV since that would easily cover 99% of my driving needs, my main barrier now is cost of entry (despite incentives) as well as the fact I'd have to work out how to get a charge station (if it's even possible) in an underground parking lot for the building that I live in.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/07/2016 at 13:05

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You are the bottom-of-the-barrel car person this post is referencing.

Chariotoflove > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:07

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For a subcompact like this to really take off in the market, it needs to be price competitive with other subcompacts with similar functionality. I think this is a great step. Time and tech will bring price parity.

Ash78, voting early and often > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:09

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You drive a SMART, you’ve heard it all before. “Why on earth would you buy that when a Civic/Golf/Corolla has 3x the space for the same price?!”

Apples and oranges. I was a fan of the Volt and I’m sort of the fan of the Bolt, too. Progress like this in a mainstream, affordable package is good for all of us.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:09

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I think brand snobbery is one reason - there’s a lot of GM hate round these parts, though there’s a few of us who love them.

Additionally, it’s an enthusiast site, so there’s always that slant. Most of the people here do want to hoon all day, erey day, or at least pretend like they do.

What I’ve noticed is it seems like people around here, especially front pagers, are apathetic to evolutionary changes, they crave excitement. To our minds cars either need to be ridiculous, crazy, obscure, or be so absurdly bad or quirky as to be lovable. It’s the same reasons there’s always smack talk about Camrys, Priuses, etc. They aren’t bad cars, they are just not exciting.

The Bolt is the same way, when you think about it, it’s a normal, everyday, livable EV. Its the first EV that is in every way comparable to a modern car in terms of normal metrics (price, performance, range, usability, etc). I think for a lot of people here this automatically shifts it over into the Camry/Accord/Prius/Whatever category. No one is recognizing that, as an EV, this “shade of beige” is precisely what makes it special.

Übel > Party-vi 01/07/2016 at 13:09

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And if the battery goes out before then (but post-warranty, naturally), you’re boned all over again.

spanfucker retire bitch > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/07/2016 at 13:10

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Nothing you just said could be even remotely construed as a cogent argument.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:14

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Well, the first problem is that it isn't a Mazda. Also, it's not a brown diesel .

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:15

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Because they gotta prove they’re REAL ENTHUSIASTS!!

ELECTRIC CARS PAH!

Mercedes Streeter > Ash78, voting early and often 01/07/2016 at 13:18

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That’s so true! It’s just, I thought that the Jalopnik crowd was cool with innovative EVs. I stand corrected...just Tesla gets the exception because they’re batshit insane (which isn’t a bad thing lol).

For Sweden > Übel 01/07/2016 at 13:19

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Yet as someone who has stared at a partially-disassembled engine in great frustration; electric cars still appeal to me.

Mercedes Streeter > Wacko 01/07/2016 at 13:20

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But but, those visible fasteners on the Corvette! lol

I Will Always Be The Honey Badger > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:20

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Because I can’t not picture this every time i hear Bolt.

Wacko > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:21

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you still waiting to buy a new smart, or change for this??

Miss Bolt.....

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > For Sweden 01/07/2016 at 13:23

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THAT MONSTER!

Mercedes Streeter > I Will Always Be The Honey Badger 01/07/2016 at 13:23

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Muahahahaha I’m actually amazed that there isn’t a sequel with some marketing tie-in. GM loves animated movies.

Mercedes Streeter > Wacko 01/07/2016 at 13:26

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New smart...Though to be completely honest, I’m kinda romanticizing the thought of getting my smart to 200,000 miles. I’m going to hit 100,000 in a month. Still the highest mileage 2012 smart in the USA :D

I Will Always Be The Honey Badger > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:27

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Me too. It had to have come up at some point while they were naming it.

Wacko > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:28

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i have no idea what you are talking about.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > spanfucker retire bitch 01/07/2016 at 13:28

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That wasn’t the point was it?

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Party-vi 01/07/2016 at 13:30

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Bless your heart for thinking a Sonic can hit 155k and be in one piece. I ran in terror from mine at 40k because three dealers couldn't fix a coolant issue, even with a letter from Chevy talking about the issue.

Party-vi > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 01/07/2016 at 13:31

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YMMV.

spanfucker retire bitch > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/07/2016 at 13:31

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Wasn’t it?

Now I’m lost.

TheHondaBro > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:34

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Because it isn’t:

Manual

RWD

V8

A Miata

Fast

Track-oriented

deekster_caddy > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:38

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People just like to slam GM. If Tesla had released the same car everyone would be like ‘WOOO THE AFFORDABLE EV IS FINALLY HERE!!!ONE!”

I DD a Volt, and it’s amazing. I don’t think I could ever go full EV though, even if it could meet 95% of my driving needs. I like the freedom of spontaneous road trips that don’t always align with where the next charging station is... plus here in New England, the charging infrastructure scores about 3 out of 100.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 13:40

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You could get a new Prius C starting a $19,550 though.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > spanfucker retire bitch 01/07/2016 at 13:47

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No, I was semi-sarcastically making fun of a car that invites ridicule out of boredom at work.

spanfucker retire bitch > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 01/07/2016 at 13:51

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Ahh yes, work boredom. The impetus for many a thing in this world.

Tripper > Party-vi 01/07/2016 at 13:52

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pip bip - choose Corrour > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 14:35

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no love from me unless available in RHD.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 14:39

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The thing is it’s made by GM. You never know if the bean counters have started harassing the final product into a pulpy mess. And everyone’s so used to the Tesla to be the only and ultimately insanely good electric car. The Volt is underrated, just like the i3.

mazda616 > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 14:49

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According to Jalopnik commenters, there are no cars worth buying other than the Focus RS. It used to be the Focus ST and Fiesta ST, but the RS has passed those.

That's gonna leave a mark! > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 14:54

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Tesla has a huge fanboy base - much larger than they will ever sell cars to. Say anything remotely disparaging about Tesla or mention any car that might be as good as/close to/worth consideration etc. and the fan base goes wild. I would assume a lot of them live at Gawker. A huge bunch live here. Go ahead, I dare you, say something negative about Tesla and see what happens.

Amoore100 > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 01/07/2016 at 14:55

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Then go buy a Fit. Even better economy, more reliable, and available with a six speed, it’s a reminder of how Honda used to be (besides the swoopy awkward styling...)

Amoore100 > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 15:00

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Well for us the issue is we have this mentality to never pay above $5000 on a commuter vehicle. We don’t live in a particularly busy suburb and so travel distances are short and the 20 or so mpg from our two 5 cylinder Volvos doesn’t matter a lot...

deekster_caddy > For Sweden 01/07/2016 at 15:06

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As someone who has torn apart and reassembled several engines, and regularly gets elbows deep in grease for fun, I absolutely love the idea of an EV. So much so that 3 years ago I bought a Volt for my DD and it’s been absolutely amazing. I’m still not sure I could go full BEV though. EREV is about as close as I think I can get.

For Sweden > deekster_caddy 01/07/2016 at 15:07

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Oh I could definitely do a BEV. One car with no oil changes? Sign me up!

deekster_caddy > For Sweden 01/07/2016 at 15:09

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I have to change my oil about every 14 months so far. Not bad, not bad at all.

For Sweden > deekster_caddy 01/07/2016 at 15:14

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No, but it would be nice to have a car where the only oily bits are brakes and suspension.

wiffleballtony > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 15:17

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Good on GM for giving the consumer options. With that said, I have no interest in being an EV adopter when they are essentially still way over priced. I am interested in saving money. I would have to drive an insane number of miles to make up the difference between this and a Sonic for example. Then I factor in the limited range and charging drawbacks. Until these are 15k, I’ll pass.

uofime-2 > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 01/07/2016 at 15:28

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True, but somewhat ironically engines are the thing that gm has consistently been good at. Electronics are something they traditionally have not been great at. Which is to say I’d have serious reservations about their EV making it that far either.

for Michigan > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 15:33

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The main problem seems to be related to the ever-present idea that size and value are relative to one another. The Bolt is the size of a Spark for the price of a fully loaded Impala (before incentives). To the average consumer (and FP reader, it seems), that’s just not an acceptable value proposition. This could prove to be a big problem for GM.

As much as I wish it weren’t the case, I expect they would sell more $60K electric land yachts than they’ll sell $30K Bolts.

Mercedes Streeter > Party-vi 01/07/2016 at 15:44

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And bam! This is why I love Oppo. A well thought out and very logically sound response.

Unlike the fp, where everyone’s like “bruh, just buy a Focus RS”.

wiffleballtony > Party-vi 01/07/2016 at 15:46

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This. X10000

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Amoore100 01/07/2016 at 16:08

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I had a 6 speed in the Sonic. It was a great little car, except for the engine.

Amoore100 > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 01/07/2016 at 17:17

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Sounds fun! I would totally drive a Sonic if it weren't for the reliability issues drawing me more towards a Fit or Fiesta...

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 18:16

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I think it’s perception about paying above $25K for a Chevy that doesn’t even pretend to throw some GM “Luxury” at you.

I’m simply assuming and guessing here. I have no idea what the Bolt does and does not offer.

Tapas > Mercedes Streeter 01/07/2016 at 19:53

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It doesn’t look as exciting as the concept.

I know most cars dont, but the concept wasn’t crazy or outlandish to begin with.

Thats my only criticism.

nermal > JustAnotherG6 01/07/2016 at 20:07

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The scenarios where EVs make sense shrink along with gas prices.

For most of them, the sweet spot is somebody with a commute of about 25 miles each way, and a 2nd vehicle. In that case, lease a new EV of your choice for $200 / month, and spend maybe $20 in electricity charging it every night.

Bam, cost savings, and convenience. You could even charge at work if that’s available and save a few more bucks. In terms of cost-per-mile, it’s difficult to beat.

Burn-Spaz1966-Burn > Mercedes Streeter 01/08/2016 at 02:18

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“Plus when you don’t want to hoon all day erry day.”

Do you have a temperature? Sounds like a Delirious Mumbling. (JOKE)

People seem to Lose their Bloody Minds when they get on here.

They all use the Voice inside their Head with no Filter. Any debate I’ve had on here devolves into an attack on me. ( I oppose knee jerk gun control by elected officials. They don’t impress me.)

Nobody cares about Making Friends and Influencing People. Just about crushing anybody who thinks differently then you.

Mercedes Streeter > Burn-Spaz1966-Burn 01/08/2016 at 08:37

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Muahahahaha!! <3 I have to agree with you.

See but here’s the thing, I love a good conversation. It’s super hard to get that on any of Gawker’s fp articles. ALL conversations on the fp just turn into a one-way pissing match lol.

I promise that usually I am a passionate writer that’s normally avoiding drama, but this time I had to make an exception. :)

Heh I actually agree with you on that second part too. While YAY! It’s about time...If he’s had the power to do this all along, why wait? He could have helped prevent such cases like Sandy Hook.

Burn-Spaz1966-Burn > Mercedes Streeter 01/09/2016 at 04:19

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It’s against the law to shoot people, yet it happens.

There is a Law in Committee where Mental Health Professionals would be able to tell the FBI, no Guns for this Patient.

Yet our Lawmakers won’t get it passed because of Re-election. Either its Too much or Not enough.

The Background check office is backlogged. Why wouldn’t they give it more Funding to Hire more people? So there is no Backlog? Because they just want stuff that looks good when it passes.

Why isn’t the President Funding background checks?, It already Law.

Why isn’t he pushing to get the Law out of Committee, So mentally ill have less chance of getting a Gun?

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Party-vi 01/11/2016 at 14:36

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I could see my dad driving a Bolt. For the last 35+ years he’s been driving BMWs and MBs, but since retiring he doesn’t need a large car, not does he need a tremendous range. And with a roof full of solar panels that he’s already paying for, the fuel would essentially be free. If he needs to get another car it will be electric, but since he’s retired it won’t be expensive (no i3 or Tesla). A Sonic? Would not be on his radar, but then again, his situation is considerably different than those who are looking to commute on the cheap.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches 01/13/2016 at 19:57

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Someone should design an electric car and intentionally make it less efficient (i.e. worse) by replacing the single-speed transmission with a geared, manual transmission so that drivers can shift for themselves.

Axial > uofime-2 01/13/2016 at 20:39

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GM is good at chassis, brakes, suspensions, and power/drive-trains. They are hit-and-miss with styling. They are not good at creature comforts.