LeafPowerIsIxE
Well-known member
It had to happen eventually. Still another kick in the teeth. What can you do.....
For full transparency, I have to admit I am convinced the 2011 introduction of this vehicle was a total fraud. Nissan flat out lied about several aspects of the release. That said, as an early adopter, I accepted these shortcomings as part of the trade-off.
Little back story - I was one of the original rubes to file my deposit and wait over a year for Nissan to deliver my new 2011 Leaf. Range of 99 miles - no problem - my work round trip is only 62 miles. I was stoked when I took delivery. I was driving one of the most technically advanced cars on the road. I ignored my dealer salesman handing me a couple of coupons to "take care of my first two oil changes" - while I finished the receiving paperwork. He was a nice guy. This car was cool in every respect. And I'd be styling on the HOV lane.
Within the first week, I began to realize the fraud. I was told the estimated range of the Leaf was 99 miles - I had to go a little more than half of that at 62 miles. With a little more left over to make a lunch run. Well - what we have all come to learn is the only way the Leaf gets 99 miles is if you push it off a cliff, or roll downhill. My round trip commute was 60 miles of freeway - San Diego freeways - traveling at a minimum of 70 miles per hour. When the weather warmed and I needed to use my A/C, I found I was limping home at the end of the night. No lunch. No dentist. No errands.
I got all kinds of "good" advice. Slow down to 60 mph. Crack your windows open. Find a route where you can use all surface streets. Being denied charging at a Nissan dealer because I didn't buy it there. Put a generator in the trunk. ICE cars blocking the few EV charging spots without consequence. Getting a ticket from a motorcycle cop for using the car pool on-ramp (the judge threw it out). Arg.
Within 6 months I gave up and had to buy another car. The Leaf sat parked in my garage - driven rarely if ever - for the next 5 years.
I retired in December and liquidated the commute vehicle. I'm now back in the Leaf when it fits my mileage needs. I absolutely love the concept of the EV, and will always own one. Just "#NeverNissan".
BTW: The Nissan dealers have stopped calling me to "trade-in". They know better.
I've monitored this board for the past 6 years. There are some incredibly smart people here -- I'm an engineer by education, but had to sell out for the MBA so I could actually make some money. These Leaf-technies are really good. Really.
Here are some questions I still have that have received all kinds of inconsistent responses:
1. When rolling downhill I was always told to be in "eco" for regen. Now people are saying to coast in "N" ?
2. Why do my regen bubbles appear and disappear while driving?
3. Why did Nissan put two clocks in the Leaf that are not sync'd?
4. On flat roads, should I be in "eco" or "D"? How about climbing hills?
5. What is the correct replacement wiper blade ? (Really?)
6. Is there any logic to consider the replacement batteries?
7. Why is it after 6 years on the road our insurance companies still rob us blind for collision coverage?
8. Why, after 4 years of no problem charging, do I now get the red screen on my Blink, screaming at me?
9. Why would anyone - with all we know and with the current market offerings - buy a 2017 Leaf?
I will buy a new EV in the next 12 months. If Trump comes through with his new tax plan, I'll get a Model-S. If not, the Bolt is looking fine. I'll just give it a cycle to shake out the bugs.
I truly believe EVs are the future, and I love the concept. Just #NeverNissan.
For full transparency, I have to admit I am convinced the 2011 introduction of this vehicle was a total fraud. Nissan flat out lied about several aspects of the release. That said, as an early adopter, I accepted these shortcomings as part of the trade-off.
Little back story - I was one of the original rubes to file my deposit and wait over a year for Nissan to deliver my new 2011 Leaf. Range of 99 miles - no problem - my work round trip is only 62 miles. I was stoked when I took delivery. I was driving one of the most technically advanced cars on the road. I ignored my dealer salesman handing me a couple of coupons to "take care of my first two oil changes" - while I finished the receiving paperwork. He was a nice guy. This car was cool in every respect. And I'd be styling on the HOV lane.
Within the first week, I began to realize the fraud. I was told the estimated range of the Leaf was 99 miles - I had to go a little more than half of that at 62 miles. With a little more left over to make a lunch run. Well - what we have all come to learn is the only way the Leaf gets 99 miles is if you push it off a cliff, or roll downhill. My round trip commute was 60 miles of freeway - San Diego freeways - traveling at a minimum of 70 miles per hour. When the weather warmed and I needed to use my A/C, I found I was limping home at the end of the night. No lunch. No dentist. No errands.
I got all kinds of "good" advice. Slow down to 60 mph. Crack your windows open. Find a route where you can use all surface streets. Being denied charging at a Nissan dealer because I didn't buy it there. Put a generator in the trunk. ICE cars blocking the few EV charging spots without consequence. Getting a ticket from a motorcycle cop for using the car pool on-ramp (the judge threw it out). Arg.
Within 6 months I gave up and had to buy another car. The Leaf sat parked in my garage - driven rarely if ever - for the next 5 years.
I retired in December and liquidated the commute vehicle. I'm now back in the Leaf when it fits my mileage needs. I absolutely love the concept of the EV, and will always own one. Just "#NeverNissan".
BTW: The Nissan dealers have stopped calling me to "trade-in". They know better.
I've monitored this board for the past 6 years. There are some incredibly smart people here -- I'm an engineer by education, but had to sell out for the MBA so I could actually make some money. These Leaf-technies are really good. Really.
Here are some questions I still have that have received all kinds of inconsistent responses:
1. When rolling downhill I was always told to be in "eco" for regen. Now people are saying to coast in "N" ?
2. Why do my regen bubbles appear and disappear while driving?
3. Why did Nissan put two clocks in the Leaf that are not sync'd?
4. On flat roads, should I be in "eco" or "D"? How about climbing hills?
5. What is the correct replacement wiper blade ? (Really?)
6. Is there any logic to consider the replacement batteries?
7. Why is it after 6 years on the road our insurance companies still rob us blind for collision coverage?
8. Why, after 4 years of no problem charging, do I now get the red screen on my Blink, screaming at me?
9. Why would anyone - with all we know and with the current market offerings - buy a 2017 Leaf?
I will buy a new EV in the next 12 months. If Trump comes through with his new tax plan, I'll get a Model-S. If not, the Bolt is looking fine. I'll just give it a cycle to shake out the bugs.
I truly believe EVs are the future, and I love the concept. Just #NeverNissan.