The 3LT has standard memory seats and mirrors, dual zone climate control and ventilated seats? I think I know which model I’ll choose.

 

The 3LT has standard memory seats and mirrors, dual zone climate control and ventilated seats?

Yes, it boils down to Seats, Tires, A/C, Garage Door Opener, Exterior Lights with a lot of emphasis on the front and rear seats, Jim.

It's an extra $2k. Over 12 years (which is how long I''l keep it) that's an extra $14/mo. or $167/year. Still, it's $2k. I may compromise by going 3LT FWD without the $2700 Super Cruise.

Then I look at AWD and it's a $3300 bump. My FWD Volt and Bolt have winter wheels/tires. Both cars do well in the snow with the winter setup. Looking at Tirerack, 21" snow tires with TPMS are $1425 to $2100 and the wheels are $1000 to $2500. Plus putting them on, taking them off, storage. So, $3300 vs. $2425-$3100 for snow tires/wheels.

Arg. On the other hand, I paid almost as much for my Volt 13 years ago, and my Bolt 7 years ago.

 

Don't forget the tire pricing (prices for LRR at TireRack.com)

1LT/2LT LRR tires run from $220 to $300 each
2RS/3LT/3RS LRR tires run from $330 to $560 each

For high mileage drivers this can be a huge difference in routine maintenance costs.

 

I figure I'll buy new (smaller) wheels the first time I get new tires and it'll be a good investment. If I could option a 3LT with the 2LT wheels, that would be ideal.

 

Which one to get?

The 3LT is US$2,000 more than the 2LT.

At purchase it's $2000 more. It's probably about $200-300 more per year on maintaining more expensive 21" tires (Maybe $120 if you only have to keep All-Season...)

 

Guess it depends on a few factors like your local climate and if you share the vehicle. I would like the heated wiper park and ventilated seats, and dual climate helps keep the peace. I don't need the memory settings though, and heated rear seats are good when I do have passengers, but it isn't often. I wonder if it will have power folding mirrors - that seems to be a big miss on GM vehicles while other brands have it standard. With the memory for the mirrors, you would think it would be a standard item on the 3LT/RS.

Until they actually put pricing in for the available options, I won't know for sure which to go for. A loaded up 2LT AWD, or a lower optioned 3LT FWD... Or maybe neither if it is too much of a jump from the Bolt EUV.

 

Looks like GM Authority has a pricing list that looks legitimate. My dealer said they won't promise the pricing will be accurate until they can actually place my order, but it looks right to them, and GM Authority tends to get the details right.

 

The 3LT is ideally for the person who wants to impress their new girlfriend with more lighting bling, front motorized passenger seats to make her more comfortable, and a fancier AC setup.

The 2 LT is for the person who is already married and settled in and doesn't need the fancier lighting, seating, or AC. She already knows what he's about, lol.

Joke.

 

The 3LT is ideally for the person who wants to impress their new girlfriend with more lighting bling, front motorized passenger seats, and a fancier AC setup.

The 2 LT is for the person who is already married and settled in and doesn't need the fancier lighting, seating, or AC.

Joke.

The ventilated seats are for me, though.

 

I don't care about the exterior lighting animation (I might even turn it off is there's a setting for that), but the heated rear seats for passengers is better than carrying around a plugin electric blanket (what I use in the Volt and Bolt).

My wife and I have different temperature needs, so the split A/C solves that issue.

The memory driver seat and sideview mirror are also a plus as is the universal remote. Here again my wife's setup for both is different than mine.

Anyway, after getting a dealer quote, I saved $2150 today by having my Volt serviced by a vocational tech auto school I'm going to repurpose the savings for the 3LT bump. I've already done the math on snow tires/wheels vs. AWD and am going AWD for the first time.

 

Great news!

 

My wife is similarly unimpressed with the 3LT extras. As long the front seats and steering wheel are heated, she's OK with it. Gadgets are mostly my thing...

I'm keen about the heated wiper park. It's something I never had and certainly could live without, but it seems to make so much sense for our climate.

My wife acts like she doesn't care. Until I have the AC on too cold for her. Or until she wants to grab items from the rear and gets dirty grabing the tailgat

That's a Blazer thing, though.

It is still a let down. When even Hyundai added it as standard to most of their vehicles 5 years ago, I expected it to become standard for domestics as well. GM is way behind on this simple addition.

 

Manually folding the driver's side mirror is easy, it's right there. But I can see where power folding the passenger sideview mirror would be handy compared to walking around the car doing it manually.

Regardless, the Equinox EV doesn't sport power-folding as an option. The Blazer and Cadillac do, along with HUD, rear-view camera display.

 

Power folding is most-valuable in the full size truck/ SUV market where vehicle girth + wider mirrors for towing are common. The Hummer owners appear to use it a lot when pulling into their garage. The only time my Volt’s side mirrors need folding is at the car wash, and the attendants do that.

Power side mirror adjusting from the driver position is vital, though. I trust that is standard?

 

Power folding is most-valuable in the full size truck/ SUV market where vehicle girth + wider mirrors for towing are common. The Hummer owners appear to use it a lot when pulling into their garage. The only time my Volt’s side mirrors need folding is at the car wash, and the attendants do that.

Power side mirror adjusting from the driver position is vital, though. I trust that is standard?

I do touchless... So no need to fold the mirrors.

 

I was commenting on the volt's mirrors in the carwash.