"Orange Exige" (OrangeExige)
07/23/2017 at 10:09 • Filed to: Nissan Leaf, Practicality, Rationality, Commuting
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"Orange Exige" (OrangeExige)
07/23/2017 at 10:09 • Filed to: Nissan Leaf, Practicality, Rationality, Commuting | 1
| 14 |
Some backstory: last week some marketing folks for Nissan came to my work to offer free test drives and push a special $10k promo (on top of $10k federal and state incentives) for the 2017 Leaf which they’re doing mainly to clear inventory I’ve heard - makes sense. I did a test drive just to experience an EV, got a $10 gift card for it, and didn’t think much about it (besides the fact that it accelerates stupidly smoothly). Honestly, the main thing going for it as a car for me is that at least it’s a hatchback. If it were a 3-door or even just a subcompact 5-door, I woulda been more tempted.
Fast forward a few days and my over curiosity takes over and I find it that, until the end of the month, Nissan is also offering another $4k off as well as 0% financing for 6 years. All said and done, we’re talking $24k off a brand new Leaf that goes for about $34k originally (mid tier).
So now I’m very seriously considering getting this new Leaf as a second commuter so that my 02 Cooper S (with an ever increasing 156k miles and ever decreasing value) can actually be used for more fun driving - and to keep me sane if I owned a silent 107 hp manual transmission-less Leaf.
I saw myself getting an EV eventually, but this/these offer(s) just sprang up and I can’t help but think how crazy they are and how much practicality there is in going for it - having a cheap and reliable commuter for quite a few years to come and not worry about my Mini as much. I too never thought I’d consider a brand new car, but with the bonus incentives, depreciation isn’t even a legitimate issue.
I’m guessing many Oppo parents and others fully engrossed in adulting have had similar dilemmas where you have to look past your inner gearhead and just go with the (perhaps too) rational decision. Anybody at least have good words for the Leaf...?
pip bip - choose Corrour
> Orange Exige
07/23/2017 at 10:12 |
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buy the Leaf, do an LS swap
8)
ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
> Orange Exige
07/23/2017 at 10:27 |
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You should probably get it. That’s like $140/month for a superb commuter car that would cost you almost nothing in daily running costs.
G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
> Orange Exige
07/23/2017 at 11:05 |
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$10k for a brand new car that doesn’t suck with a warranty and relatively low TCO? I’d go for it, that’s well under $200/mo all-in.
diplodicus forgot his password
> Orange Exige
07/23/2017 at 11:51 |
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Who told you the tax credit was 10k? According the irs website it maxes at 7500 and that’s dependent on how many kwh the battery is rated for. I know nothing about the leaf and if it reaches that max, just saying.
https://www.irs.gov/irb/2009-48_IRB/ar09.html
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Orange Exige
> diplodicus forgot his password
07/23/2017 at 12:43 |
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Federal AND state. $7500 federal tax credit + $3000 state rebate (CT).
The Leaf has a 30kWh battery and easily reaches the $7500 max.
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diplodicus forgot his password
> Orange Exige
07/23/2017 at 12:52 |
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Ahh I missed the state part.
f86sabre
> Orange Exige
07/23/2017 at 12:53 |
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If you have a good use case for it then do it. Sounds like a good deal. I’ve been trying to talk my wife into a used Leaf for her driving.
Captain of the Enterprise
> Orange Exige
07/23/2017 at 13:19 |
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As long as the range isn’t an issue for commuting I say go for it. I’ve heard some things about the batteries going but that is inevitable with electric cars. Plus you still have the mini for road trips.
phenotyp
> Orange Exige
07/23/2017 at 13:19 |
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That’s a pretty hangin deal. A friend of mine is thinking about replacing his 9-year-old Cubes with one. I have to say that after a week of driving electric, I never wanna go back.
Alex B
> Orange Exige
07/23/2017 at 15:34 |
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As a Leaf owner I must say, it’s been a pretty positive experience. I have a 2013 SL with 44k miles. Love the smooth and effortless drive it provides. It’s the perfect around town car. By no means is it the best EV, but in its price range it’s one of the better ones. About how many miles do you drive in a given day?
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Orange Exige
> Captain of the Enterprise
07/23/2017 at 22:47 |
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Ha! The gf’s Prius (C) is and always will be the road trippin car ;P
Still have the Mini to start driving leisurely again :)
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Orange Exige
> Alex B
07/23/2017 at 23:08 |
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30-40 miles roundtrip to work. 75% highway, cruise control 65, chilling in the right lane - my Mini is doing a job that can be done much better by many other cars and is not doing itself any justice. Effective enough, but you could almost see it as wasted potential.
“Smooth” has been my main descriptor of it, but effortless is another good one.
I’ve been looking at the SV trim myself. Don’t like leather seats but also don’t feel comfortable not getting the 6 kW charger (the base just has the 3 kW one without the package at least). And I feel like having that heat pump heating will keep range as high as possible in New England winters.
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Alex B
> Orange Exige
07/24/2017 at 18:12 |
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I usually drive no more than 40 miles on a given day, though my miles are mostly around town. Those 40 miles take about 50% of the battery (starting from 100%). Highway miles do drain the battery quicker, especially depending on the terrain and temperature. Maybe see if the dealer would let you have an extended test drive and take it on some of those roads to get a better feel for how it would affect range. Having a gasoline car around just in case is key, but you’ve got that covered.
My family and I considered the SV, but sprung for the SL because of the leather and I believe the SV doesn’t have the heated steering wheel (not totally sure), minor stuff though. I wouldn’t go for the S, some key interior pieces are switched with cheaper materials, and it doesn’t have the LED headlights or heat pump.
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Orange Exige
> Alex B
07/25/2017 at 07:49 |
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Not trying to sound like a snob but the SV does have a heated steering wheel (leather too) but not the LED lights I’m almost sure. I just saw one yesterday. I actually didn’t want leather at all if I had a choice and I was pretty happy with the SV package overall - my instinct told me that it’s not worth getting the base model.
In the end, I couldn’t actually get the price I wanted so I’ll be holding off on an EV purchase for a little bit and may just end up going the lightly used route in a year or two, whether it’s the Leaf or not.
I didn’t care for the Leaf before, but I’ve grown a soft spot for it these past few days so it may be a possibility - at least before a Mini EV (which had seriously better be a 3-door...).