mlapratt
Member
Help me decide what to do!
In late March I test drove a 2013 "S" from a local Nissan dealer to my workplace. Is this "too close to call" for me to consider leasing this vehicle? PLEASE ADVISE! Here is what happened:
I started at Nissan Dealership with 98% charge.
I drive 5.5 miles to my home and had 89% charge upon arrival.
After trickle-charging for 45 minutes I had 91% charge.
I drove 35.4 miles to my workplace (half freeway/half sidestreets) and had 43% charge upon arrival.
After trickle-charging at my workplace for 45 minutes, I had 49% charge.
I began my return commute back to the original Nissan dealership (38.8miles). But after just 17.1 miles of this, I was down to 20% charge.
I happened to be passing another Nissan dealership at this point, so I pulled in and charged for 25 minutes into a 240 charging station.
After charging there for 25 minutes, I had 31% charge.
With 5.5 mils remaining in my commute, my miles remaining indicator went from "3" miles to "- - -". Scary!
I don't know how, but I made it back to the original Nissan Dealership.
**SPECIAL NOTE** I drove in "ECO MODE" the ENTIRE time. I NEVER used the heater system (it was totally off). I ONLY used the radio sparingly (for a few seconds every ten minutes to listen for traffic reports on my commute route).
I know there are many factors to consider. But I'm still optimistic that the 2013 Leaf could work for me.
After explaining my route to the salesperson (including the chargings), he tried to explain to me that the 2013 SV or SL would have a longer range than the "S" due to a different heating system. I could not verify this ANYwhere online. Is this true?
Also, I know that cold temperatures affect range. My testdrive happened to be on a cold March day in Michigan. The temperatures during my testdrive ranged from 14-28 degrees farenheit. And the final 12 miles of the commute were in a strong headwind with blustery snow!
If I did not have the option to tricklecharge while at work, I would definitely not consider this. But, I do have that option. And though I only tricklecharged at work for 45 minutes during my testdrive, I would normally be able to tricklecharge for at least 2 hours while I'm at work.
Also, during my testdrive, I started from my home (at 91% charge) and drove a total fo 73.5 miles (including 45 minutes of tricklecharging and 25 minutes of 240 charging) to my workplace then back (past my home 5.5 miles) to the Nissan Dealership. A realistic option for me (if I choose to lease it), would be to leave my home at 100% charge, drive 64.3 miles roundtrip from home to work and tricklecharge at work for at least two hours.
Finally, another factor, is the temerature. I do have an ICE vehicle that I could drive to work on days when I know the temperature will severely impact the range of the Leaf.
So, what to do?
Should I be convinced by the salesman that the SV or SL would give me longer range?
Should I testdrive again and convince the dealer to allow me to start at my home on 100% charge and take ONLY the shortest distance option (64.3 miles roundtrip) AND allow me to charge at work for at least two hours?
Should I give up on the 2013 and wait for a 2014 with (hopefully) longer range?
For me, I'm considering the Leaf for cost-savings. I have calculated the "S" would cost me about $300/month. Any gas-car lease would cost me at least $200/month PLUS the gas of approx. $170/month = $370/month. I leaf would save me $70/month or $1,680 over two years of a lease.
Help. I don't know what to do.
I can provide more details about my testdrive if the above info is not sufficient to seek advice.
THANK YOU in advance!
In late March I test drove a 2013 "S" from a local Nissan dealer to my workplace. Is this "too close to call" for me to consider leasing this vehicle? PLEASE ADVISE! Here is what happened:
I started at Nissan Dealership with 98% charge.
I drive 5.5 miles to my home and had 89% charge upon arrival.
After trickle-charging for 45 minutes I had 91% charge.
I drove 35.4 miles to my workplace (half freeway/half sidestreets) and had 43% charge upon arrival.
After trickle-charging at my workplace for 45 minutes, I had 49% charge.
I began my return commute back to the original Nissan dealership (38.8miles). But after just 17.1 miles of this, I was down to 20% charge.
I happened to be passing another Nissan dealership at this point, so I pulled in and charged for 25 minutes into a 240 charging station.
After charging there for 25 minutes, I had 31% charge.
With 5.5 mils remaining in my commute, my miles remaining indicator went from "3" miles to "- - -". Scary!
I don't know how, but I made it back to the original Nissan Dealership.
**SPECIAL NOTE** I drove in "ECO MODE" the ENTIRE time. I NEVER used the heater system (it was totally off). I ONLY used the radio sparingly (for a few seconds every ten minutes to listen for traffic reports on my commute route).
I know there are many factors to consider. But I'm still optimistic that the 2013 Leaf could work for me.
After explaining my route to the salesperson (including the chargings), he tried to explain to me that the 2013 SV or SL would have a longer range than the "S" due to a different heating system. I could not verify this ANYwhere online. Is this true?
Also, I know that cold temperatures affect range. My testdrive happened to be on a cold March day in Michigan. The temperatures during my testdrive ranged from 14-28 degrees farenheit. And the final 12 miles of the commute were in a strong headwind with blustery snow!
If I did not have the option to tricklecharge while at work, I would definitely not consider this. But, I do have that option. And though I only tricklecharged at work for 45 minutes during my testdrive, I would normally be able to tricklecharge for at least 2 hours while I'm at work.
Also, during my testdrive, I started from my home (at 91% charge) and drove a total fo 73.5 miles (including 45 minutes of tricklecharging and 25 minutes of 240 charging) to my workplace then back (past my home 5.5 miles) to the Nissan Dealership. A realistic option for me (if I choose to lease it), would be to leave my home at 100% charge, drive 64.3 miles roundtrip from home to work and tricklecharge at work for at least two hours.
Finally, another factor, is the temerature. I do have an ICE vehicle that I could drive to work on days when I know the temperature will severely impact the range of the Leaf.
So, what to do?
Should I be convinced by the salesman that the SV or SL would give me longer range?
Should I testdrive again and convince the dealer to allow me to start at my home on 100% charge and take ONLY the shortest distance option (64.3 miles roundtrip) AND allow me to charge at work for at least two hours?
Should I give up on the 2013 and wait for a 2014 with (hopefully) longer range?
For me, I'm considering the Leaf for cost-savings. I have calculated the "S" would cost me about $300/month. Any gas-car lease would cost me at least $200/month PLUS the gas of approx. $170/month = $370/month. I leaf would save me $70/month or $1,680 over two years of a lease.
Help. I don't know what to do.
I can provide more details about my testdrive if the above info is not sufficient to seek advice.
THANK YOU in advance!