Anyone able to order the Bolt in NY?

[LeftieBiker]

I'm guessing that in NY it will be like other EV rebates, and we'll have to file ourselves, not get it automatically from the dealership.

 

[Lithium]

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Drive-Clean-Rebate/How-it-Works

Here is the NY state rebate eligibility for EV. 2016-2017 models. Bolt get $2000 rebate point of sale.

 

[LeftieBiker]

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/Drive-Clean-Rebate/How-it-Works

Here is the NY state rebate eligibility for EV. 2016-2017 models. Bolt get $2000 rebate point of sale.

Cool - they made it a point of sale rebate after all. They meanly took $300 off the rebate for a 2016 or 2017 Leaf, though...

 

[PaleBlueDot]

My dealer says the rebate is available starting tomorrow (Wednesday), so I am picking up the car on Thursday!

PBD

 

[LeftieBiker]

What happened to April 1st? Did it also become retroactive?

 

[PaleBlueDot]

I don't think it is retroactive. The rebate is available the day it was formally announced, yesterday. So tomorrow I am picking up my car and the regional manager is going to be there supposedly with some sort of news crew. So I may get my picture in the newspaper/local tv. This might be a good time to dust off my old WW2 aviator costume. My wife and daughters would have a heart attack....good times...

 

[Twocv]

That I would like to see!

 

[GetOffYourGas]

Ditto. If it ends up on the online version of the paper, would you be willing to share a link?

(or maybe I'll just keep an eye on Syracuse.com )

 

[PaleBlueDot]

So News Channel 9 (Syracuse) came and did a interview that was part of the evening news. The regional manager for Chevy was there as well as a PR company. So lots of people with cameras. Sadly, it does not appear that News Channel 9 is posting the video on their website. I have gotten some good natured harassment from family and friends. Good times.

I was walking back to my car in downtown Syracuse and a random person asked me if I was the bolt guy. He recognized my hat from the interview...

PBD

 

[GetOffYourGas]

Hey, you're famous! Cool!

I went down to East Syracuse Chevy yesterday and took their LT out for a spin. It had the DCQC and the heated seats/steering wheel, and that's about it. Those are the two most important packages to me, so it seems a good fit. I wasn't in the market for a new car, but I may have them run the numbers anyway just to see.

Anyway, the car is rock solid. The steering is tight, acceleration smooth and consistent (and doesn't give up at 40MPH, like the Leaf does!). The salesman (not the same guy who sold you yours) mentioned the news crew. Apparently they sold yours, and have one more on order for a customer. And besides that, have gotten 8-9 people call/show up for test drives. Sounds like the initial interest is strong. Makes sense, since the car has gotten some prestigious awards. I hope that interest remains strong, and turns into good sales numbers.

He did say that they are selling a ton of Volts. It may not be as popular as a pickup truck, but it's clearly one of their better-selling models. I hope the Bolt becomes one too!

 

[PaleBlueDot]

Well, they did post one segment...

http://www.localsyr.com/news/chevy-bolt-arrives-in-cny/680034954

The LT you drove is the exact same car that I purchased. I like it a lot so far. The only weakness that I can see so far are the front seats. I don't experience them as being as terrible as some people do but if I don't pay attention to how I sit they become uncomfortable very quickly.

Okay, time to go and electrocute myself and finish installing the JuiceBox EVSE that I bought. No way the level 1 charger that comes with the car is going to be enough for the amount of driving that I do.

PBD

 

[Twocv]

More and more cars are showing up at dealerships. It took 2 months but I will pickup my car today!

 

[LeftieBiker]

The dealership most likely to get Bolts first here in the Capital District now shows three Bolts in stock... "in transit."

 

[GetOffYourGas]

The dealership most likely to get Bolts first here in the Capital District now shows three Bolts in stock... "in transit."

Wow, why the long delay, Albany?

 

[LeftieBiker]

Given the relatively small number of Volts sold here, I'm guessing it's very limited interest - on the parts of both the consumers and dealers.

 

[LeftieBiker]

The dealership that has been listing a loaded LT in stock for the last week, DePaula Chevrolet in Albany, doesn't really have one available. It's either yet another private order, or they sold it and are keeping it listed to troll for preorders. They also have an "Internet Sales Manager" whose reply-to email doesn't work. I've been trying - not really hard but trying - to test drive a Bolt for about a month now. At this point I'm not sure that there actually are any available to drive in my area. There are plenty of Volts listed, at big discounts. It's a shame I don't want one.

 

[scooter123]

Kigston Chevy AKA Romeo has a ton of them.
Word to the wise.. if you lease they will never mention another lease beyond 10k... this is what happened to me.
I only asked if they had something more like 12 k and took that.

i LATER found out a 15k plan option was available!!!!

It should be criminal.

Anyway .. the EV specialists don't seem to know jack sh*t about the cars , charging, tips, buying chargers... all they know if how to get you to sign the dotted line.

 

[GetOffYourGas]

Anyway .. the EV specialists don't seem to know jack sh*t about the cars , charging, tips, buying chargers... all they know if how to get you to sign the dotted line.

That's too bad. My experience with EV salesmen in Syracuse has been much better.

The specialist at East Syracuse Chevy knows the car very well (his personal car is a Volt). He came up to our company's environmental fair to give some test drives, and participated in last weekend's National Drive Electric Week event.

When I bought my Leaf in 2012, the salesman was driving the demo model as his daily commuter. This gave him first-hand experience with living with an EV (even though he didn't own it himself). It was a nice touch.

In both cases, the salesmen had personal experience driving and charging an EV (technically EREV with the Volt). This is key to selling EVs moving forward. They can no longer rely on all customers being enthusiasts who know far more about the cars than the dealers.

 

[globecanvas]

Kigston Chevy AKA Romeo has a ton of them.
Word to the wise.. if you lease they will never mention another lease beyond 10k... this is what happened to me.
I only asked if they had something more like 12 k and took that.

i LATER found out a 15k plan option was available!!!!

It should be criminal.

Anyway .. the EV specialists don't seem to know jack sh*t about the cars , charging, tips, buying chargers... all they know if how to get you to sign the dotted line.

Who was the salesman?

 

[scooter123]

Kigston Chevy AKA Romeo has a ton of them.
Word to the wise.. if you lease they will never mention another lease beyond 10k... this is what happened to me.
I only asked if they had something more like 12 k and took that.

i LATER found out a 15k plan option was available!!!!

It should be criminal.

Anyway .. the EV specialists don't seem to know jack sh*t about the cars , charging, tips, buying chargers... all they know if how to get you to sign the dotted line.

Who was the salesman?

I would rather not say. Also another dealer told me 25k a year is available which would have been even better for me.
While never presenting all lease options. they SURE do push leaseguard @ 1k!