[IanTat]

Test drove a used Ampera today at a dealer. It was advertised as a Positiv model but had sat nav and the Bose speakers which I believed were only fitted to the Electron? Are they available as options - I don't believe they are? Queried this with the dealer but he confirmed it as a Positiv model. Was a car sent from Vauxhall HQ so did they alter the build spec? Anybody seen similar?
Relly enjoyed the test drive - battery showed 31 mile range at the start of the test drive - drove it 10 miles - battery range 28 miles at the finish - not bad at all!

 

[Chris]

Not available option I am aware of......put the registration into an insurance or valuation website to see what it classifies it as

 

[h8ten]

If it was from Vauxhall HQ it may have been upgraded. Or it was incorrectly registered as a Positiv.

 

[Brooktop]

Yep sounds like an Electron; that's to your benefit if they are going off the 'book' values. Forget that 31 miles figure; someone has been driving like they stole it!

If I drive 'normally' I get 45 miles. If I were to drive Miss Daisy I'd be getting over 50 mpg if I kept under 70 and had a/c off or very low.

 

[IanTat]

When I queried it with the dealer he did a HPI check on it which confirmed Positiv model. I thought here's a bargain then but even though the car was cheap in the first place I couldn't get quite what I wanted for my car so had to walk away. The Ampera was not quite in A1 condition either so that put me off a bit as well even though it was low miles.

 

[Brooktop]

Someone has been leathering it with an estimate of 31 miles, but that probably shouldn't matter.

 

[IanTat]

Is the sat nav and Bose option worth paying extra for? I thought the sat nav has been criticised as poor on this forum? I have a stand alone Garmin one anyway. Is the Bose system magnificent?

 

[Brooktop]

I didn't think it was worth it on a new one, but if it's not much more on a used one, then go for it. The standard audio is REALLY good in my opinion.

 

[semach.the.monkey]

I don't know if it is the same with the Positiv/Electron versions, but with the Chevy Volt the option with the Sat Nav also includes a hard disc in the stereo and fancy graphics on the reversing camera. Being able to put my MP3s on the HDD and free up a USB port is worth it to me, and although the Sat Nav isn't fantastic, it has come in pretty handy a few times.

 

[h8ten]

That's right the Electron has the built in HDD. Are you sure you don't have the reversing camera graphics on the reversing camera? I know they can be switched off within a menu.

 

[Brooktop]

I have the Positive and although there's an option in the menu for camera graphics...it makes no difference. No graphics :-(

 

[Derekosb]

When I queried it with the dealer he did a HPI check on it which confirmed Positiv model. I thought here's a bargain then but even though the car was cheap in the first place I couldn't get quite what I wanted for my car so had to walk away. The Ampera was not quite in A1 condition either so that put me off a bit as well even though it was low miles.

Not sure what price the used Ampera was but remember a new one can still be had for £20,995 so might be worth buying new.

Derek

 

[Phillip Smith]

Sat navigation is atrocious don't pay much more for the electron. You can plug up a hd to the usb port and I use one of the 3 lighter ports as a double usb port . however If you can get a cheap electron for the same money you may as well.

 

[AndyG]

I really don't understand the terible reviews for the sat nav, I know it is not the greatest but I paid £1500 for a sat nav upgrade in my firsts BMW that only had 6 digit imput as well. It works perfectly you just need to know the road name rather than just the postcode.

 

[Phillip Smith]

Personally, and it's just my opinion, I don't know why anyone gets built in sat navs unless they come free with the model. Why pay a grand for something free on a phone, Google navigation or waze. Or get a cheap tom tom which will be better and about £100.

 

[Brooktop]

Exactly Phillip. Even with an in car system you will have to pay for updates. Also, it keeps the screen free for infotainment or power status.

 

[AndyG]

Personally, and it's just my opinion, I don't know why anyone gets built in sat navs unless they come free with the model. Why pay a grand for something free on a phone, Google navigation or waze. Or get a cheap tom tom which will be better and about £100.

Manufactures most of the time make them come as part of a package that also give better phone connectivity and radio upgrade etc. The reason I like the Volts is it also gives you DAB and a better sound system

 

[LK13]

I really don't understand the terible reviews for the sat nav, I know it is not the greatest but I paid £1500 for a sat nav upgrade in my firsts BMW that only had 6 digit imput as well. It works perfectly you just need to know the road name rather than just the postcode.

I agree! Not having postcode input is regrettable but street name and numbers does the job in most cases. The convenience of not having to plug in other devices and remove them when parked is a real plus. Also the "places of interest" is extensive and has business buildings in addition to the normal stuff.
As an aside, the Bose sound system which comes with the Electron is superb!

 

[PRO-AMPERA]

I have to agree with @LK13 the Bose sound system is fantastic in the Electron. When the wifes not in the car I cant resist turning up the volume to very loud to hear the quality of the sound!