Happy Birthday America!

Note about the top image: I tried to get AI to create a Silverado EV image and it would not do it, even when I gave it a starting image. I got ICE grilles, Ford headlights, and non-black bowties. It was frustrating! I liked this one with the Golden Gate Bridge and the Enterprise, so… compromise!

I have a tale to tell!

2024 Equinox EV Test Drive

My EV research has made me crave better tech in my daily driver, Elsie the Bolt. Looking at lease deals online, it looked like we could trade in the Bolt for an Equinox EV and keep our payments about the same. That lead us to trek down to our local Chevy dealer, early, to beat the heat, on the 4th of July. We were “JUST LOOKING!” I told my husband, “We are NOT buying a vehicle today!” Famous last words.

We test-drove a FWD and an AWD. [UPDATE] The FWD was gutless compared to the Bolt. I can’t recommend that one. The AWD is acceptable. A little less “snappy” than the Bolt but in a good way. [end UPDATE]

They didn’t have the model configuration that I wanted, and not being in a hurry we decided to let the dealer look around for one that might fit. If we decide to buy we will likely special order and wait. Maybe a 2025 model?

I wanted the light interior, which I guess is rare, Sky Cool Gray, Evotex seat trim.

2024 Equinox EV interior colors

2024 Equinox EV Colors

I also wanted the 3LT trim, also rare. I loved the Galaxy Gray Metalic color. It shimmers between faint purple and silvery gray. I am a purple lover but even my husband didn’t mind the color. I’d be happy with Hot Red or Rip Tide Blue Metalic. I just want an interesting color that isn’t black, white, gray, or silver. I really liked the Equinox, though I don’t need a car that big. I wish the new Ultium Bolts would come out. Lease prices would be less than my Bolt payment, but my Bolt loan is $5K more than the car is worth. Those numbers will take more contemplation in the future. 

So, as we were looking at the Equinox,  I wanted to be incognito at the dealership and not have them recognize us as that “crazy couple” who was constantly bugging them about the delivery of our Silverado EV. However, best laid plans… in chatting with the dealership staff, it came out that we had a Silverado EV on order. One of the managers, with sharp ears (there were very few people shopping on the holiday), perked up and came over. He said, “I thought I recognized you two.” Then he dropped the bomb. Their very first RST had come in the day before.

Unexpected Silverado surprise!

“Would you like to see it?” HECK YA! “It hasn’t even been PDI-ed yet.” (Pre-Delivery Inspection). Papers shuffled, “Oh, and the guy who ordered this one canceled, we might be able to let you have it since you are here!” We were in the right place at the right time!

My hubby looked like a small child on Christmas morning! Happy Birthday, America, we get the gift! We got to test drive it, but it was a short test drive, only Grampa-EV drove it. The truck was still in “Transport Mode” and not everything was working. It was not yet 11ish in the morning and already getting hot. We couldn’t get the AC to work. We cut the drive short. We couldn’t open the frunk. The bed handle was either missing or not attached yet. The truck was dirty. It still had foam bumpers on the door edges. Not ready for Prime Time.

Side view

Door bumper still attached

Grandpa-EV 2024 Silverado EV RST Test Drive

BOB and Elsie

We started the paperwork and while they worked on that, we ran home to get our trade-in ICE Toyota Sequoia. We cleaned out in a hurry. Then drove it back to the dealer. The paperwork was finished mid-afternoon. The Sequoia stayed there, and so did the Silverado. We should get him later today or Monday.

Random thoughts- It’s a huge expense. I was going to say investment but it’s not likely to hold its value. We are excited. I can’t wait to drive it myself. I can’t believe how cavernous the back seat legroom is! I’ll give more impressions as they come.

We named the truck BOB T. for Big Ol’ Black Truck. We will call him BaaaaB. It’s a Sci-Fi reference to one of our favorite book series, The Bobiverse Series.

One of the pictures above is of BOB and his little sister Elsie (L.C. – Little Car). Forgotten (almost) is all the talk of getting an Equinox EV, though I suspect the dealer will continue to search for my configuration. We will deal with that possibility when the truck excitement dies down.

Insurance

My husband had to call our insurance company to add the Silverado EV RST. We can usually add and remove cars online but they did not list Silverado EV RST. Only 4WT. It took a few minutes with a confused agent. But it’s a done deal now. $659/6 months, in NorCal. It’s about what we expected.  

First towing road trip.

The good news is that we will have the truck for our first long road trip of the summer mid-July.

Huntington Lake Road Trip