DaveinOlyWA
Well-known member
dmacarthur said:DaveinOlyWA said:dmacarthur said:We drove VW diesels for years, averaging close to 50 MPG. At $3/ gallon, cost about $.06 per mile. Our Leaf averages about 4.2 m/kw, which costs us $.17, or about 2/3 the cost per mile for fuel alone so it saves $$. Add in oil changes every 5K miles and the Leaf is getting even better in comparison...... but the biggest factor is initial cost: we always bought older models and never paid more than $3500 even for the best TDI we ever owned, and they lasted us well into the 250K mile range even with the worst abuse imaginable. Not complaining, I love the Leafs, but do not expect to see the same number of miles per dollar that the old VWs gave us.
Ok, my Corolla cost "all in" was under 20 cents/ mile. My best LEAF the 2016 S30 which was in the mid 20's (the only LEAF to hit the twenties but only due to favorable insurance payout which happened during the "Nissan discount bubble")
But it was a $2100 beater that had other issues. My Sister is a service advisor and my BiL is a tech so repairs were done cheaper than normal. But it became obvious to me that it wasn't worth the savings to drive old cars when a new car was only a bit cheaper. So the problem becomes the quality of the car verses the cost and that is where the value diverges considerably. Even a well kept used gasser 5 years old for $10,000 costs simply keep spiraling
As the owner of a 2019 Plus I am always encouraged to see owners of much older Leafs stating that the only repairs they have made are wipers and tires- this sounds good! and I am also always looking for high mileage Leafs- do they hold up decently for 150K miles? (and corrolary; will the newer battery hold up better in northern US...) Only time will answer these questions.....
I drove Steve Marsh's 2011 with over 160 K on it. It was still in very good shape. The interior (despite the cream colored interior) held up very well. The paint is the only weak spot really. Its nose definitely showed the miles.