You have a good grasp of the essentials already. I got mine to replace my ageing Audi Quattro Coupé, but I very quickly forgot that once I swore I'd have nothing but Quattros forever. This is the best and possibly only really good car out of the Vauxhall stable since I can remember. The electric motor is large enough to impress and might well be the fastest car to 30mph I have ever driven, and I have driven an entry level model S. The thing that is so nice about all that torque is that you can use it without drawing attention to yourself or showing off if you will. Just one minute you're there, the next you're gone. It is the most relaxing car I have ever driven on longer journeys too. It's the lack of noise that makes it more like a REALLY expensive Merc from the stress perspective.
With your 70 miles per day you will be using petrol every day but it will save you over the price of 5 liters a day. If your 70 miles is 35 each way and you can charge while at work or wherever your destination is you will need no petrol in the summer and perhaps a soupson in the cold of winter. Have a drive in one and see if you don't grin!


-- Richard Goldsmith : Ampera (2012). EVangelist & Sustainability Champion.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

P.S. I'm in Surrey and you'd be welcome to visit and try mine if you're having difficulty getting a go in one.


-- Richard Goldsmith : Ampera (2012). EVangelist & Sustainability Champion.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Pretty much as Rick says. Arguably the best car GM / Vauxhall ever released, and still the best performing PHEV on the market.
I do 80 miles round trip most days to work in mine, with longer trips thrown in every couple of weeks.
Essentially you can get in the car in the morning and drive for around 400 miles before you need to put any fuel in it.

Have done 58000 miles in 25 months, averaging just over 100mpg over that whole time.

Again as Rick offered, I'm in Cambridge if you are up this way and want to try one.

 

Yes, you will be disappointed.

My Missus had an Auris hybrid when I bought an Ampera.
I had always had cars that were fast, or interestingly different, or well engineered, or cheap to run.
Now I have an Ampera I have all of these things in one vehicle.
This vehicle is a revelation.

The disappointments?
I didn't discover it earlier.
They don't sell them anymore.
They aren't importing the new version.
Nobody makes a direct competitor.
Driving anything else is like stepping back into a 1940's tractor.
Its very difficult to explain how good it is to others without waffling on excitedly.
I have to drive 40 miles to get it serviced.
The Missus wants one now.

I am in Yorkshire and, once again, you are welcome to experience my car.

 

Yes, you will be disappointed.

My Missus had an Auris hybrid when I bought an Ampera.
I had always had cars that were fast, or interestingly different, or well engineered, or cheap to run.
Now I have an Ampera I have all of these things in one vehicle.
This vehicle is a revelation.

The disappointments?
I didn't discover it earlier.
They don't sell them anymore.
They aren't importing the new version.
Nobody makes a direct competitor.
Driving anything else is like stepping back into a 1940's tractor.
Its very difficult to explain how good it is to others without waffling on excitedly.
I have to drive 40 miles to get it serviced.
The Missus wants one now.

I am in Yorkshire and, once again, you are welcome to experience my car.

You forgot the disappointment of going outside and finding SWIMBO has already taken it, given a choice the first person out the door will definatly be taking it.

 

Take a test drive but don't blame me when youre hooked.
Happened to me!
Like the other owners if your in my area PM me.

 

Wow thanks guys. I wasn't prepared for such overwhelming support for the car.

I'm in hull if anyone is near? I attempted to view one this morning but they'd sold it already.

 

Wow thanks guys. I wasn't prepared for such overwhelming support for the car.

I'm in hull if anyone is near? I attempted to view one this morning but they'd sold it already.

Not near Hull unfortunately but live Preston way (M61/M65 junction) and work at Salford Quays. If you're anywhere in the vicinity at the right times, you're welcome to have a look etc.
As with the others, this is a fantastic car. Only drawbacks are 4 seats and a small boot (both not a problem in my case but may be a deal breaker for some). Also can't take roof bars - again, not a particular issue for me.
The positives for the car far outweigh these small things and have been listed many times above.

With regards to the 2 models available, I didn't see any particular reason to go for an Electron over a Positiv (Bose speakers aside, the sat nav is a waste of space by all accounts).

Best of luck on your hunt.

 

Can't add anything over the above. My in laws wanted to lower their petrol bill but didn't really 'get' the Ampera. It was a step too far technologically for them so got an Auris hybrid. They love it so swapped their other (fuel guzzling diesel) for a Prius.

They are just fine, although seemed to lack the instant torque of an EV. If you put your foot down, it makes a racket!

For your usage, there's nothing else to offer most of the benefits with none of the compromises, with the exception of the i3 Rex.

 

Totally agree! Had mine two years and just Love it!

Perhaps the main down side is that there are only around 25 Vauxhall Ampera dealers around the uk, so it's worth checking if there is one not too far from you. Other Vauxhall dealers are just not allowed to carry out any service or repair work to the Ampera. They can't even order any parts!

 

Perhaps the main down side is that there are only around 25 Vauxhall Ampera dealers around the uk, so it's worth checking if there is one not too far from you. Other Vauxhall dealers are just not allowed to carry out any service or repair work to the Ampera. They can't even order any parts!

Although I'm 30 miles from my dealer, they collect it and drop off a courtesy car. Do 2nd owners get this service too?

 

I did a 80 mile journey yesterday... I started fully charged and used 1 gallon of petrol so my overall mpg for the journey way 80mpg plus about £1.50 for the electricity.

The beauty of the Ampera is that you just drive and dont have to worry about a thing... the car takes care of everything. Plug in when you can (particularly overnight) and it will just work.

The lifetime mpg for my car is over 200mpg!

 

Hi all. I am new to this EV game (apart from the wife having an Auris hybrid).I like the looks of the Ampera. In fact I like the price, looks and specs.
BUT.......what is the real world like with one? Am I right in thinking these are pure EV but with a petrol generator? If so, this must be a unique thing, as I don't know of any other cars like this? I'm sure someone will correct me?
..

Hi @audi321 , welcome , it's a world of difference from other ICE cars , and 1st - 2nd gen Auris hybrids.
As for how it works It's complicated !
You have a 110 KW electric motor drive with 273 lbs of torque
you have a additional 55 KWh electric motor generator , + 1.4ltr 95 Bhp ecotec petrol engine linked in series up to a ' epicyclic ' gear assembly .

depending on the SOC of the 16.5KWh battery & the acceleration - speed you are travelling 1-2 or all 3 of the units work to deliver the most economic power to the drive shaft . most of the time you've no way of knowing as its so seamless.

there's some GM stuff online that explain. The Chevy Volt's Voltec Transaxle: A Complex but Capable Transmission
there's still a bone of contention as to whether the 1.4 engine actually drives or generates . but the closest car to it is the i3 REx .

 

Worth bearing in mind that it only has 4 seats if that is an issue for you. Also, you can only buy used, as they are no longer available new.

If it is your only car (and you don't mind the 4 seats) it is probably the best value PHEV for your needs (the BMW i3 Rex being much more expensive). If you have a 2nd Ice car, a Leaf 30kwh or other similar BEV would also meet your needs, if you can use you Ice car for your 200+ mile journeys.

 

However far your Ampera service dealer is, they are duty bound to collect and return, using flatbed if necessary in case of a fault.


-- Richard Goldsmith : Ampera (2012). EVangelist & Sustainability Champion.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

However far your Ampera service dealer is, they are duty bound to collect and return, using flatbed if necessary in case of a fault.

If they don't use a flatbed normally, does that mean they send two people in a car, and one of them drives your car back to the dealership?

In my case it would mean a round-trip of approx 120 miles - presumably those costs to the dealer will mean servicing isn't cheap?

 

@audi321
I have had mine for a year or so now and although my previous car was an M3, the Ampera is massively more fun and a much cheaper drive.
They are and will be classics as no other manufacturer apart from BMW makes a pure electric car with a big motor and back up gene.
I find the boot to swallow up everything I put in it including large 2.5 metre lengths of wood, bags of cement, bricks, tools, wheelbarrows, and the occasional luggage.
Four seats has never even been a problem as five in a car is always a squash.
I would though recommend the Electron for the Bose amp and speakers with hard disk recording. I love my music and like the best.
Buying second-hand you will have the choice of Electron or Positive for the same price so if the rest of the car is right, go for it.
The sat nav is comical though with a falsetto voice that reads out street names but does work.

BTW @Ed Straker's Car , that is the best description I have seen of the drive train yet.

 

I got my first Ampera in 2012 as a launch car and when news broke late 2014 that the replacement wouldn't be coming to UK, I decided to replace mine with one of the last few in the UK (great deal). Other than Tesla Model S I wouldn't swap it.

Until Dec 2014 new Ampera buyers got a lifetime 100K warranty (not transferable) so with nothing comparable on the horizon, I can see me keeping it until then! One good thing with Ampera compared to other EVs is that the 8 year Voltec warranty (which is transferable) covers far more than just the battery - some "debate" on exactly what though...

 

I got my first Ampera in 2012 as a launch car and when news broke late 2014 that the replacement wouldn't be coming to UK, I decided to replace mine with one of the last few in the UK (great deal). Other than Tesla Model S I wouldn't swap it.

Is yours a 2013 or 2014 model? I can't find brochure or owners manual in English for the 2014 model, I'm curious to know if the 2014 cars were supplied with correct literature or if an English version just doesn't exist?

 

I'm a little late to the thread but will only add to the general love for the car. Get one. You won't regret it. Just make sure it's a decent example!!

Derek

 

Agree with all above - bought mine last December and not one problem.
My wife uses it daily- (I love weekends - my turn)

My only advise is check the Vin number for year of manufacture

You could see a 2015 plate built before a 2013 plate .

Just my tuppenny - stick to the forum for help

Enjoy when you get one - which you probably will

 

My dealership sent one person in a Corsa that they left on my drive. I am not sure if they offer that service if you buy second hand - I suggest you check if important.

Have you managed to drive an Ampera yet?

Would be essential for me. Was the Corsa a courtesy car for you to use while the Ampera was away?

I haven't driven one yet. I'd be interested if there was one for sale nearby, but to be honest the boot's not big enough for me and the lack of a 5th seat mean that I wouldn't buy one if I liked it.

 

The boot on the Volt is surprisingly big, the only problem is it is quite low at the back, given that the LEAF is a bigger car its boot is no where near as usable as the Volts

 

I must be one of the few people that actually like the boot 'trampoline'....so much more flexible than a rigid shelf, literally.

 

Ditto! Way more convenient than solid shelf

 

Thanks in advance for any advice!

As someone who has recently bought a used car, I would offer the following (others have already addressed the charging aspects):

1. It's an exceptional car. I had done my research before buying but am still surprised by how good it is.
2. Don't rule out the Chevrolet Volts. While there are less on sale, some are cheaper than similar age/mileage Amperas, but are the same car with different bumpers and wheels.

 

Do all the stuff from the Volt Shop fit the Ampera?

 

Yes

 

Right chaps. I'm off to buy/look at this one at the weekend. Done a provisional deal at £10,250 over the phone.

One question I have is about charging. I see they come with a plug type 6 hour charger. But can I buy a faster one? Can I use these free ones at some locations which charge faster? I think they all have different interfaces/plugs by the looks of things.

Here it is, is it a decent buy at £10,250? 2012 Vauxhall Ampera Electron 5Dr Auto Electric Hatchback

 

Right chaps. I'm off to buy/look at this one at the weekend. Done a provisional deal at £10,250 over the phone.

Did you buy it? The eBay listing shows it has now ended, with a price of £12,000.

One question I have is about charging. I see they come with a plug type 6 hour charger. But can I buy a faster one? Can I use these free ones at some locations which charge faster? I think they all have different interfaces/plugs by the looks of things.

The fastest charge takes around 4 hours on the Ampera, using a Type 1 (J1772) to Type 2 (Mennekes) cable, which will cost you £150 or more. Both 16A and 32A cables & charge points will work but the charge speed is limited to the lower level.

In my experience, there's a huge variation in costs at public charge points, from 'free' (usually for a very limited time or with parking charges) to the ridiculously expensive (ie. several times the cost of simply filling with petrol and using the generator!). However, at the moment, you can still use employer-provided charging facilities without any BIK payment, so the best solution would be to convince your boss to install one .

Surely the obvious solution would have been a retractable shelf as found in most estate cars?

Agreed, that would be a much neater solution.

 

"Will post to United Kingdom", according to the ebay page. Love that idea

 

Ditto! Way more convenient than solid shelf

Surely the obvious solution would have been a retractable shelf as found in most estate cars?

 

Oh no! Had one of those on my Volvo, hateful useless piece of crap !

 

I haven't bought it yet, the listing ended and he hasn't relisted it as he thinks I'm buying it at the weekend I guess.

Thanks re the chargers. I'm still confused. Are all EV chargers the same plug?

 

Are all EV chargers the same plug?

No, there are many different plugs. Check those links for more details about type 1 and type 2 and search the forum, as there's plenty of information already posted on the subject.

 

Do you have a link to an actual picture of the cars port?

Is this one? http://it.opel.ch/content/dam/Opel/...ars/Ampera/MY_1500/768x432/Opel_Ampera_Charging_Socket_768x432_am15_e02_021.jpg

Ah I've just read your post again.....Type 1 to Type 2 connector! So what actually plugs into my normal plug socket in the garage? Confused.com sorry