It's 2017 and my 18 year old Lexus started having intermittent problems.
So, I started looking around to see what I could replace it with.
I could buy another Lexus in 5-10 thousand range, but it's a gamble as the car is only as good as it has been taken care of.
Then I came across a $2500 2011 Nissan Leaf with 75k miles. I saw it, drove it, and liked it. I was going to buy it next day, but the guy who came after me bought it already.
That started my interest in electric vehicles in general, and curiosity why used are so cheap compared to new.
After months of research, this is the conclusion I have reached.
Early Leafs had battery capacity problems - but if you can find one cheap enough, new battery costs around 6k usd. The real range of the car is like 60 miles if you use AC or freeway, so that has to be taken into consideration. There is useful space in the trunk, back seat and there are 4 doors. If I was buying a Leaf, I would look for 2013+ model as it had a 7kw charger versus 3kw in 2011 and 2012. Higher kw charger equates in faster charges from 220v line. 110v connections are limited due to low Amps supplied by the household plug.
Update 6-19-18
So I bought a 2012 Nissan Leaf with 50k miles and a bad battery. Yeah, old battery took a dive and I was able to get a new one! So far I have driven couple thousand miles, and this car is a great commuter. I can get like 60 miles if I go 65 mph on the freeway, or 80+ on the streets.
So, I started looking around to see what I could replace it with.
I could buy another Lexus in 5-10 thousand range, but it's a gamble as the car is only as good as it has been taken care of.
Then I came across a $2500 2011 Nissan Leaf with 75k miles. I saw it, drove it, and liked it. I was going to buy it next day, but the guy who came after me bought it already.
That started my interest in electric vehicles in general, and curiosity why used are so cheap compared to new.
After months of research, this is the conclusion I have reached.
Early Leafs had battery capacity problems - but if you can find one cheap enough, new battery costs around 6k usd. The real range of the car is like 60 miles if you use AC or freeway, so that has to be taken into consideration. There is useful space in the trunk, back seat and there are 4 doors. If I was buying a Leaf, I would look for 2013+ model as it had a 7kw charger versus 3kw in 2011 and 2012. Higher kw charger equates in faster charges from 220v line. 110v connections are limited due to low Amps supplied by the household plug.
Update 6-19-18
So I bought a 2012 Nissan Leaf with 50k miles and a bad battery. Yeah, old battery took a dive and I was able to get a new one! So far I have driven couple thousand miles, and this car is a great commuter. I can get like 60 miles if I go 65 mph on the freeway, or 80+ on the streets.
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