This article is part of the GM Authority Mailbag series, where the GM Authority Crew features and replies to your questions, comments, and observations.
The following comes to us from Sam in Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Living with an ELR: a wonderful experience.
I feel compelled to give my honest opinion of driving the ELR in the NY Metro area.
This is a fantastic car! It is rock solid, beautiful, gets great mpgs and my 14 year-old fits nicely in the back seat.
We take long trips down the Jersey Shore and “hold” mode gives us over 35 mpg on the Garden State Parkway. Once we get into traffic or into town, I switch to electric mode, and I must say it is so enjoyable to be silent and optimize electron usage.
Working with the Gold Coast Cadillac staff was a stress-free and professional undertaking. Plus, the free 240-volt charger was an added bonus.
Having owned or leased BMWs (currently a Z4), Mercedes-Benz, Porsches, and an Audi, my ELR is on par or better than any of them. Plus, the dealerships of the German brands are for the most part pompous, egotistical, and greedy asses, thinking they are doing you a favor to get you into a car.
The Hamtramck facility where the ELR is produced should be proud that they assembled such a unique automobile as a bridge to the future of the transportation world.
Thank you GM.
Sam
Upper Saddle River, NJ
GM Authority Says
Those who are into bashing Caddy’s only PHEV (on account of price or its relationship to the Volt) should take note, as what we see above is an account from a real, living and breathing customer who loves his ELR… and by far and away, so do other ELR owners. Whatever you may think about the business case for the model is a totally different story. And perhaps more importantly, we’d be remiss if we let Sam’s mention of the dealer experience go unnoticed, as Gold Coast Cadillac sounds like a great dealer providing great customer service.
Sam:
Congratulations on a car well-bought! There’s no denying that it is one great vehicle. Enjoy it thoroughly!
Comments
Nice to hear some positive vibes from an ELR owner . I’ve checked out the Chevy but to small for my 6’5″ frame . If GM would produce an electric SUV that I could get in and out of I would buy it in a heart beat ! I know at one time the SRX was considered to go electric , even seen the pics on GM’s website . GM if you’re listening , build them .
The ELR is truly amazing when you consider what the designers and engineers were able to do with an existing platform. I really wanted to buy one, but waited to make a decision until pricing for the ELR was introduced. I traded in my CTS for a Volt instead because I couldn’t rationalize paying such a large premium for what was, ultimately, a Volt coupe in fancy trim. With discounts and incentives, the prices are now down to what they should have been originally. Unfortunately, I think the initial pricing at rollout doomed the car before it could get any traction, which is really disappointing given what a nice job they did with it otherwise.
Despite the sales disaster, I hope Cadillac uses the Voltec technology in another car that’s purpose built (rather than being based on the Volt), continuing the ELR nameplate or creating something entirely new to replace it. Maybe they could buy out VIA Motors or use similar technology of their own to create an EREV Escalade and large sedan, or a small CUV like Zach mentioned above. It could be tuned for efficiency by default or have a sport/tow mode that used the battery for extra power on top of what the engine could provide.
I was seriously considering a ELR purchase, but was too late. Cadillac discontinued production, so I purchase a Volt. LOVE the car, the concept, performance, and fuel economy! Now, GM discontinued production of the Volt, while Honda with the Clarity and others are introducing lookalikes.
Just don’t understand the egos at GM/ Cadillac! Guess they like gas vs electric. Looks like I’ll have to purchase a Clarity. Sad.
Is the purchase of a preowned ELR a good investment?
I do recommend buying a used ELR. Even though it will be several years old it’s a fantastic automobile. I bought a low mileage 2014 and it’s by far the best car I have ever owned. It has 50k mi on it and the car still gets 88 mpg. Over the past 6 years of ownership the maintenance required has been far less than any car I have owned. My battery range has dropped a little but mpg is still great for such a quiet comfortable luxury car. Go for it.