Hypothetical, but highly likely

"DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By" (ducst3-red-1liter-standing-by)
10/31/2019 at 16:17 • Filed to: None

In an effort for find something that a little larger than the fiesta (bar set very low), I have two options for consideration. Both ‘13, a chevy volt with 90K for $6200 or a focus (5 speed) with 80K for $5300.

Pros for volt: Mileage (could theoretically commute both ways without using gas), looks better in my opinion, 700 lbs heavier means better freeway riding, not a strong suite for the fiesta

Cons for volt: Battery degradation, I haven’t heard too many stories, but its a variable to consider. Slightly more expensive on the outset

Pros for focus: Cheaper price, more cargo room (hatch), no batteries to worry about

Cons for focus: higher gas bill, not really much different than my current fiesta.

Thoughts?

DISCUSSION (21)

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/31/2019 at 16:32

Volt without question.

For Sweden > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/31/2019 at 16:32

But the V olt also has a hatch

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > For Sweden
10/31/2019 at 16:36

yeah, buts its smaller back there and only 4 seats, not 5

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy
10/31/2019 at 16:36

That’s where I’m leaning

CompactLuxuryFan > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/31/2019 at 16:41

Do you need more space or you just want something that drives larger? Cause 1st gen Volts are pretty cramped inside from what I recall.

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > CompactLuxuryFan
10/31/2019 at 16:45

The later, size-wise, the fiesta hasn’t been a problem fitting stuff in. It just gets blown around on the freeway and is twitchy

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/31/2019 at 16:47

Are you really going to put 5 people in a Focus though? I mean technically I can and have fit 5 people in my STi but I would never consider it a “5 seater vehicle” for further than a few miles. Even with one less seat the 5th person would probably still fit better in a Volt than in my car lol. As long as the rear seats fold down then the Volt is a proper hatchback. Otherwise yeah its a major disadvantage in practicality.

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/31/2019 at 16:54

fair point, the do fold down on the volt, but the truck floor is higher. Minor downside, but certainly not deal breaker

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/31/2019 at 16:57

Personally I’d choose the Volt. They’re neat.

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja:
10/31/2019 at 16:59

honestly, that’s whats drawn me to them, there just kinda cool

7:07 > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/31/2019 at 16:59

I had a 1st Gen Volt, 2013 I think . Loved it. Works buy another one in a heartbeat. The AC was pretty weak, so tint the windows if you live somewhere hot. Also, it requires premium fuel (though it’s like an 8 gallon tank) . It’s fun to drive and does really well especially i your commute is within the electric range. Overall miles didn’t seem to matter because the battery packs are well made and don't really degrade. I think they sandbagged the capacity to account for this.

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > 7:07
10/31/2019 at 17:01

Good to know! I think volt it is

jminer > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/31/2019 at 17:02

I had a 2012 focus 5 speed hatch. I would strongly recommend you get the Volt. I bought mine at 60k and got rid of it at 100k 3 years later, it was falling apart mechanically and physically. It was a thoroughly lousy car other than form factor.

7:07 > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/31/2019 at 17:10

I didn’t have it for too long before I sold both vehicles and leased a Pacifica. I work from home and didn’t need a commuter anymore. The S uburban needed like $6000 in work and I couldn’t trust it for long trips.

I know mpg is tricky to calculate for a Volt , but I always get a kick out of this fuelly screenshot. Just move that decimal over one spot to the right.

Kinja'd!!!

Kiltedpadre > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/31/2019 at 17:11

I’ve been very happy with my Volt. I’m at just shy of 90,000 myself and so far I’m not seeing any battery issues yet. Remember that when you do get gas it calls for premium; so be sure to factor that into your price calculations. A couple other things I hadn’t counted on that have saved me money.

Thanks to regenerative braking capability my brakes show very little wear.

Since the gas motor doesn’t run much you can go longer between oil changes.

Captain of the Enterprise > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/31/2019 at 17:17

I like the V olt a lot, it’s a genius idea in my opinion but my aunt had a civic hybrid from around that time and her batteries needed to be replaced and it was a $3000 bill so she just traded it in and got a Ford Escape. If you can accept that at some point you may need to put a battery in it or dump it, I’d say go for it but otherwise the focus might be the better long term bet. That said the volt outside of the battery will probably more reliable as it’s mainly an electric car with a generator and electric motors are pretty bulletproof.

Personally, I’d take the focus but the volt is a really compelling option.

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > Kiltedpadre
10/31/2019 at 17:20

I think I’ve been convinced. Volt it is

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > Captain of the Enterprise
10/31/2019 at 17:21

having to replace the batteries would suck, but it’s something I would be prepared for at some point just in case. I think I’m going volt, the focus is just too similar to the fiesta

EL_ULY > 7:07
10/31/2019 at 18:52

What was the avg. E milage you got on one of these things?

Captain of the Enterprise > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
10/31/2019 at 18:56

Fair enough, I’d love to hear more about it if you pick one up!

7:07 > EL_ULY
10/31/2019 at 19:06

I couldn’t remember off the top of my head, so I dug up some pictures:

Fuel mileage-wise, I s tarted off with a lifetime mpg of 187 (previous owner used it on electric most of the time) which dropped down to 170 by the time I sold it. The 80mph speed limit around here killed my freeway and lifetime mpg’s.

Electric range-wise, I was getting high 30's into the 40's electric only miles . Most I ever saw was 59 miles, but I never actually got that.

Kinja'd!!!