Mama wants a Volt

Oh my.

Oh my oh my.

Words that I never thought would escape my lips.

I want a Chevy.

Now long ago, one of the reasons I picked a Dodge Neon over a Honda was that it was an American car maker. (The biggest reason of course was that apparently I had no financially strong role model telling me to buy the frickin' Honda that I could have still been driving today because they last forever...) I've always been pro-American product whenever there is an option for an equal product at a similar price produced in America. With the Chevy Volt though, it's not just Equal - it looks better! 40 miles for no gas at all!!! Then, only limited gas used to power the electric engine after the 40 miles. I thought this was amazing until I saw an interview with the president of GM who explained that one of the options is a roof that will allow the car's electric engine to RE-CHARGE while you're busy at work or out power shopping!!! How awesome is that??? Drive TO work using electricity pulled from my house. Drive home from work using the power of the sun!

I'm a bit overwhelmed.

As much as I want a new Chevy Volt, it's not going to happen for a long time. First, it's not going to be available for several more years. Then, unfortunately, that price is a bit steep. I have a little "Mama wants a Prius" jar at home and the $38.74 saved in there hasn't gotten me any closer to that $23K car than I was when I started. How the heck am I going to get a $40K car???

Well, it's a beautiful dream. And it's great to know that the option is even going to be out there for folks! Even if it is for folks with more cash-o-la than me. A few less gas guzzling cars of the road is always a good thing. Maybe by 2015 there will be some good Electric car competition to bring those prices down. I'll cross my fingers.

Speaking of being green with your cars, I just did the most green thing I could do at quite a financial price. I fixed my current car instead of buying a new one. Timing belt, Water Pump, Struts, Breaks, New battery, Tune up, Oil change and a few other "Parts" that make things run more smoothly. $2300 later (not counting the interest I'll be paying on that credit card), I know that I've made the most Green decision I can. Keeping the car vs. sending it to the junker. Fricking Expensive, but Green. Could have been a down payment on a Prius, but no... I made the GREEN decision to keep my current car.

Gotta love that Green car smell. It's like oil, grease, Febreeze and just the faintest touch of sadness. And it's expensive, but worth it.

Just like the Volt.

That's right, Mama wants to buy American!

And I'm not talking about American Cheese either! (That's just my diet talking...)

I can't remember the last time I was this excited about an American Car. Well, unfortunately I can. I was really excited about the Dodge Neon, I bought one the first year it came out when no other car looked quite like it. Back when it was in the same price range as a Honda Civic but I really really really wanted to buy American so I got the Neon. While I loved the heck out of that thing, I didn't like that the price dropped 10K the next year, the nicer options were dropped and my nice car became the cheapo rental car. Ok, so obviously I still have a little grudge. I've learned the lesson to never buy a product it's first year out. And I've gotten a bit of a chip towards the American Car market.

But ALL of that could come to a crashing halt if GM actually brings their Volt to the market in the next few years!!! I may have to dump the change from my "Pennies for Prius" jar into a "Mama wants a Volt" jar.

Speaking it's praises for just a moment. This is NOT just an electric car, but it's not a hybrid either. It's better than both worlds. The engine completely runs via the electric motor AND the electric motor is powered by either electricity, gas, E85 or biodiesel. How cool is that? At first you may say, but isn't that a hybrid? But no. Ya see, from it's initial charge it can go 40 miles without needing to use any other source to draw in energy. So, say you live 15 miles from work so you have a 30 mile commute each day. And maybe you pick up the kids and grab some groceries on the way home. How much gas did you use? None. Yea, that's right, mister. None.

Plug it in when you get home and by the time the baby sitter gets there that night you and your special someone can make it a night on the town in the same car. Say you go 50 miles that night painting the town red? You've used a couple ounces of liquid energy to go a total of 90 miles that day. How much gas would that be even in a Prius? Now you see the genius of my baby the Volt.

Well, I know it's not coming out any time soon. And I know when it does the fact that it's sporty and can go 100 miles an hour will mean that it will be WAY above my price range but still... If they can make this technology work - how long before it's picked up to use in other cars? How a bout in a minivan - even if the "free" miles drop down to 20-30 because of the extra weight? That could work when taking the kids to school 3 blocks away and the soccer game down the street.

Yes GM. You got me. My ears are perked. I can't wait to see more. BUT - if you don't come to market with this puppy, I don't know if my faithful Buy American spirit will ever be the same again.

Ok, it will. But please, PLEASE bring this baby to market. Mama wants a Volt.