Possibly buying a 2019 Leaf

"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
10/26/2019 at 21:23 • Filed to: None

Overnight test drive to see if my wife likes it. Any thoughts from Oppo?

My test drive thoughts are mostly positive. I think it’s overpriced compared to an equivalent gas car. The NVH though, is Lexus good. In fact, it compares very well vs the ES350 I recently rode in. Driving character is very good. Good enough handling and Very Good acceleration. Honestly, I really enjoyed driving it, even as a fun car.

UPDATE: She likes it, but we'll be checking out a Niro plug-in tomorrow. 10k cheaper and no range anxiety, but normal maintenance and filling it with gas, which she wanted to get away from. Kona EV is on my list to show her, but it's only available in Oregon! Luckily, we could make the drive back home on a single charge.

DISCUSSION (24)

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
10/26/2019 at 21:27

We looked at a Bolt also. Very nice driving dynamics and range would absolutely fill my needs but just too darn expensive.

Under_Score > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
10/26/2019 at 21:32

Definitely get a used one. They’re nice cars, but they take a major depreciation hit even after one year. The SL trim especially is super nice with the surround view camera, ProPilot, etc.

Spanfeller is a twat > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
10/26/2019 at 21:37

What version?

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
10/26/2019 at 21:41

Does the second generation actually have cooling for the battery pack? Because the first generation didn’t and it caused some crazy degradation in battery range in just a few years.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Under_Score
10/26/2019 at 21:54

The first gens are cheap because Nissan neglected to cool the batteries and the packs are all basically destroyed now due to the heat.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > MiniGTI - now with XJ6
10/26/2019 at 21:58

A bit too small. The Leaf is right at the lower limit for size.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Spanfeller is a twat
10/26/2019 at 22:03

Plus for the extra range, and any trim with heated seats.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Under_Score
10/26/2019 at 22:07

Pretty concerned about this. Need the extra range of the 2019, though.

Spanfeller is a twat > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
10/26/2019 at 22:09

Hmmm, so thats the 220 hp version. Nice!

Considering the price point, have you considered a bolt or a Model 3?

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/26/2019 at 22:11

That other reply was duplicated by Kinja, but I don't think they added liquid cooling to this gen. I'm worried about the range dropping, for sure.

wafflesnfalafel > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
10/26/2019 at 22:16

you gonna get the extended range one? They aren’t bad looking little hatchbacks - super useful.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
10/26/2019 at 22:20

Even some air cooling would probably be enough if done right. The first generation battery pack was a sealed box with 0 cooling other than the air flowing over the smooth bottom of the pack.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Spanfeller is a twat
10/26/2019 at 22:20

Should look closer at a Model 3, but the bolt was too small.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > wafflesnfalafel
10/26/2019 at 22:20

Yeah, we want at least 200 miles range.

Maxima Speed > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
10/26/2019 at 22:23

So, I’m curious what is attracting you to the Leaf? You mentioned that it’s on the bottom end of size so why not a really good hybrid like the Chevy Volt? Those things get incredible efficiency, and very good range.

Spanfeller is a twat > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
10/26/2019 at 22:29

Engineering Explained complained about the RWD Model 3 (which is the one in the comparable price point), he said that even if it had more than 200hp, since the electric motor is a permanent magnet affair, the torque is limited at the beginning to avoid some sort of condition that makes the power delivery uneven. So give it a good test drive, and if you get one make sure it’s the latest build day possible.

If you do get the Model 3, let me know so that we can use the referral link, it gives each of us (well, my grandfather actually) 900 miles of free supercharging.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
10/26/2019 at 22:50

Have you tried a Chevy Bolt?

I’ve been tracking used prices, and it’s interesting to see that a used Bolt with ~60 to 70k miles on it is fetching a similar price to a slightly newer Leaf, but way more range.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/26/2019 at 22:52

I thought the second gen also had air cooled batteries - not liquid cooled. I thought the new Leaf was really more of a version 1.5 Leaf. The battery pack is basically the same shape and size, but the motors, inverters, body work (mostly) etc. are new.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > BaconSandwich is tasty.
10/26/2019 at 22:56

The thing was that the 1st generation batteries weren’t even properly air cooled. The pack is completely sealed and the only “cooling” it gets is the air flowing under the car across the smooth bottom of the battery pack. Air cooling batteries works if you are actually flowing air over the batteries and not around the box the batteries are in.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > BaconSandwich is tasty.
10/26/2019 at 23:24

I really like the bolt, but she said it's too small.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Spanfeller is a twat
10/26/2019 at 23:25

Thanks for the info, and will do on the referral.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Maxima Speed
10/27/2019 at 00:49

I like the Bolt, but she vetoed it.

Under_Score > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
10/27/2019 at 08:11

I thought there were gonna be used ones, but I guess not. Here’s a new one for a good price.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/791439044/overview?aff=share_other

Under_Score > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/27/2019 at 09:59

Yeah, I haven’t noticed as much of a depreciation drop for the Bolt and the new Leaf.