My Leaf replaces...

[Layla]

The Leaf will replace 80% of our 2010 Town and Country use.

Last year we drove 26,000 mile in it, averaging 17 MPG.

While we need the range and/or 7 passenger capacity of the van often enough, the reality is, the VAST majority of the time we do not.

After doing the math every which way, we will actually REDUCE our expenses by adding the Leaf to our family. (So long as it becomes our go-to car rather than the van.)

I had been hoping to get a Tesla and FULLY replace the van, but it looks like it will be at least another few years before a 7 passenger EV is a reality for us.

 

[redLEAF]

The Leaf will replace 80% of our 2010 Town and Country use.

Last year we drove 26,000 mile in it, averaging 17 MPG.

While we need the range and/or 7 passenger capacity of the van often enough, the reality is, the VAST majority of the time we do not.

After doing the math every which way, we will actually REDUCE our expenses by adding the Leaf to our family. (So long as it becomes our go-to car rather than the van.)

I had been hoping to get a Tesla and FULLY replace the van, but it looks like it will be at least another few years before a 7 passenger EV is a reality for us.

The closest to your 7-passenger van will no likely be the Ford C-Max Energi hopefully coming next year -- I think it has 6-seats as its really a European-sized minivan similar in size to the Mazda5 (which also has 6-seats). I'm planning to take a closer look at it but would probably go for the hybrid version which will also be out the same time as we need more range (it would replace our VW Routan which is our long trip/utility vehicle). The '09 Routan we have will get as high as 27 on the highway but 'only' 17 around town (it's the 4.0 L direct injection) so perhaps very similar to your T&C (made in the same factory with a lot of similar parts).


REVISED: I stand corrected; the Ford C-Max will actually only seat 5 as it doesn't have a third row, also the C-Max Energi is actually a plug-in hybrid (similar to the Volt) and then they'll have a separate hybrid version as well similar to the existing Fusion hybrid; it's funny they list it as a competitor to the Mazda5 which has 3-rows of 2 seats and it will have decent cargo space but 1 less passenger seat. This still works for us as we typically don't use the rear most bench much but like the extra cargo space (as with your T&C and we've had two Dodge GC's in the past, cargo space is quite good compared to just about anything else except perhaps the XL sized Suburban).

 

[Layla]

The closest to your 7-passenger van will no likely be the Ford C-Max Energi hopefully coming next year -- I think it has 6-seats as its really a European-sized minivan similar in size to the Mazda5 (which also has 6-seats). I'm planning to take a closer look at it but would probably go for the hybrid version which will also be out the same time as we need more range (it would replace our VW Routan which is our long trip/utility vehicle). The '09 Routan we have will get as high as 27 on the highway but 'only' 17 around town (it's the 4.0 L direct injection) so perhaps very similar to your T&C (made in the same factory with a lot of similar parts).

The Routan is indeed similar to our T&C. We considered it, but the deals were better on the T&C at the time. Before our T&C we had an '03 Grand Caravan which averaged 21 MPG. I really didn't research well enough and assumed "same car, later model...MPG will be the same or a little better." Nope. Not at all.

We have 7 in our family, so a 6-seater just won't cut it for us. We have actually (briefly) considered the 9 seat configuration of the Suburban (so that friends or grandparents would fit) but between vehicle cost and abysmal MPG it was quickly eliminated.

It will certainly be interesting to see where things are and what becomes available over the next couple of years!

 

[TheBiologist]

My LEAF replaces a Honda Civic Hatchback. Loved that car... but love the LEAF a whole lot more!! No regrets

 

[BrainDonor]

Our LEAF replaced a 2005 Toyota 4Runner which my wife drove. In the past year we put just over 10K miles on the 4Runner with an average 16MPG and cost of $0.23/mile. I figured we'll be safe with a 12K miles/year lease. However, in almost two weeks of driving the LEAF, we've accumulated close to 600 miles, all within a 30 mile radius from home (ie, no "long" trips). Obviously we're enjoying the LEAF a lot more than the 4Runner. Advice to those who plan to lease: plan on driving the LEAF (a lot) more than your current car!

Our running costs with the LEAF are about $0.03/mile, so we're saving about $2K per year compared to the 4Runner. If we drive more than 12K miles per year, then the cost per additional mile ($0.15 per lease terms plus $0.03 for running costs) is still less than the 4Runner. And that's assuming the price of gas stays flat, which we all know will not be the case.

Moral of the story is the LEAF is a great deal!

 

[AmpUpCO]

My 2012 Leaf (Due to arrive before EOM) will be replacing my 1997 Honda Accord / 5 Speed Manual / with over 240K on the ODO!

The Honda has been an exceptionally reliable vehicle, and a joy to own!

But I'm so excited about my new Leaf it's driving my wife, family, co-workers and friends bonkers!

I've been driving the Accord as if it were a Leaf for months now - tracking daily trips, watching my speed, cutting down on rapid starts & stops, scoping out potential charging sites, and timing traffic lights!

There have only been two occasions over the past 3 months when my road trip fell outside "Leafable" range.

"Leafable" has become a very common term in our household.

"Let's catch a movie! Sure! Totally Leafable!"

"We need to pick up our daughter this weekend from college. Dang! That trip is so not Leafable!!"

 

[Tinyscrafts]

a 2002 Prius - old school sedan style. :lol: Kind of pains me to sell it, but not sure I can justify keeping it...

 

[redLEAF]

only one of 4 cars ... (3 drivers; one the Miata is stored winters) ... an '06 Mazda3 Grand Touring 5-door hatch; had just under 60K miles but the last few years was the weekend errand and low mile commute car which the new LEAF will now be. It was unusual as it had many extras not found on 'economy' cars (xenon lights, built-in navi, heated leather seats, auto wipers/lights, sirius radio, etc.) so was a bit hard to get a decent trade-in (most people buying a 3 get the basic model and don't want to pay for the extras unless of course they go for a stick shift Mazdaspeed3) I think I did pretty good as I didn't want the hassle of selling outright and got the sales tax credit by trading it in. I'd be curious to see if it shows up on the dealer lot or they just wholesale it --

 

[Tardis]

My leaf replaced 2005 Saab 9-5. Had decent mileage 25 mpg but 130000 miles. Not to mention Saab shaky financial situation.

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

a 2002 Prius - old school sedan style. :lol: Kind of pains me to sell it, but not sure I can justify keeping it...

if you have a 2 car household, you will be fine. i got my Leaf in Jan. had my 2006 Prius until i sold it in May. never drove it one single time other than to have it detailed and to start it up every 3-4 days to keep the battery from dying.

we have a 2010 Prius so between the two, we are golden. have two commuters so cant do with one car

 

[GlennD]

With the death of my mother I decided that I could live with the Leaf range limitations. With no drive to Banning from OC, then the Leaf will do for most of my needs.

I traded in my Subaru Tribeca that was averaging 17.1 Mpg for my new 2012 Leaf orphan. With a one way commute of 19.7 miles my Leaf should do just fine.

 

[abasile]

With the death of my mother I decided that I could live with the Leaf range limitations. With no drive to Banning from OC, then the Leaf will do for most of my needs.

I traded in my Subaru Tribeca that was averaging 17.1 Mpg for my new 2012 Leaf orphan. With a one way commute of 19.7 miles my Leaf should do just fine.

Sorry to hear of your mother's passing. At the same time, congratulations on the new LEAF! It's good to learn of one more LEAFer in the Inland Empire area. We just drove our LEAF through your town a few days ago.

Several years ago, we had a Subaru Outback with a stick shift. Fun to drive and good in the snow, but not the most economic car for us. Thankfully, the LEAF actually isn't all that bad in the snow; its smooth application of power and weight distribution do help. And the ground clearance is relatively good.

 

[N1ghtrider]

I kept my '06 Civic Hybrid (42.5 mpg overall average over 113,000 miles so far, with 50+ highway mpg) because I often take trips of 250 miles one way, but the Leaf is my everyday car now.

 

[grngurl]

My Leaf replaces my 2006 Honda Civic GX (compressed natural gas). I'm committed to decreasing my impact on the environment, so that was the motivation for the GX. However, with all the negative impacts of natural gas extraction (i.e. 'fracking') I got to thinking more seriously about the Leaf. We have solar and live by the ocean where we generate a lot of electricity, so why not?! With the GX my range was about 200 miles with only one place in the entire county to refuel. So, a range of 100 miles when I can charge in my own garage with my own electricity or at 2 other spots in the area (so far) was not a tough choice! We hadn't gone through all of the steps to order when the local dealer called to say he had one in stock! I have been driving my Cayenne 2011 SL for a week now and we haven't even installed the charger! So far, so good on 110!!

 

[KLQL8N]

I've parked my Silverado truck to be used for pulling the horse trailer. My Lil Leaf is perfect for 98 0/0 of my driving needs.

 

[GlennD]

abasile, I guess my location could be read both ways. My mother lived at the Sun Lakes retirement community in Banning. I live in Anaheim near dismal land.

 

[ksnogas2112]

2002 Ford Escort ZX w/45,000 miles....truly little old lady used car purchase...well, from my dad anyway. he just drove it to the golf course and back. hoping next email has my estimated delivery date.

can't wait to start counting fill up's until there aren't any.

=)

 

[nhalber]

I am a new member with a 2010 Prius(had a 2005 Prius). Iam thinking of getting the 2013 Leaf. It fits my driving charactristics. Help convince me.

Thanks

 

[KJD]

My Leaf replaces a home built EV.

http://www.evalbum.com/3175" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As far as comparing a Prius to a Leaf. The only way to break the oil addiction is cold turkey and the Leaf provides that for me. I consider a Prius just another gas guzzler.

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

I am a new member with a 2010 Prius(had a 2005 Prius). Iam thinking of getting the 2013 Leaf. It fits my driving charactristics. Help convince me.

Thanks

read my signature for a comparison of transportation costs.

March; Leaf used $18 in electricity (slow month)

Prius used $109 in gas. (normal month for mileage)

Leaf estimated to use $26 this month (normal month about 1300 miles which is just slightly more than Prius if no out of town trips are taken)