jamesh
Member
This is actually the short version:
Just purchased my Nissan Leaf yesterday (6/20/2015)
After researching for months, I went with Carlypso, a new kind of broker/dealer in the Bay Area that tells you what is coming up for auction and you tell them how much you are willing to pay. I chose a pearl white SV with LED/QC with 10070 miles (clean title) and was willing to pay up to $12,100...ended up getting it for $11,900 (before tax and lic.).
Now, I don't live near Carlypso, in fact I live 143 miles away, so when I picked up my the car (with my two daughters), my adventure began. Unfortunately, my car was not fully charged upon pick up, so our first stop, the nearest charging station (at Candlestick Point). No problems with the first charge, but while waiting, my daughter found an invoice under the seat from a collision center. The car had been in an accident, and paid for in cash from the owner (stress!). I was able to contact the collision center and confirm that it was simply a fender bender with the rear bumper panel replaced. Whew!
After suffering through stop and go traffic through San Francisco (genius to go that route on a late Saturday Afternoon) we headed to visit some family in Clayton, a bit out of the way. 40 miles, no problem. Left them to recharge for the next leg. Pulled into the Hilton (in Concord), but the site was taken by a Prius that was fully charged, but no one in site. Thought about removing the charger, but I would need to block a Disabled spot to squeeze in close enough to charge. Glad I did not, as that space was needed a few moments after I pulled up. We drove a few miles more to Nissan in Concord. The staff was very nice and I charged for free.
Next stop, Vacaville for Fenton's Ice Cream, only 36 miles, so no problem. Had a tough time finding the charger (behind the mall police station) but when I did, a nice guy was finishing up and used his NRG card to give me free charge (awesome!). He use to work for Nissan and totally went through the car with me showing me features I was unaware of. He also got under the car and verified that indeed only the rear bumper was replaced and all else was original. note: as I was finishing up, a Kia Soul EV pulled in. First time I had seen one in person. Pretty nice.
Now for the fun. After a 95% charge and some ice cream with my 8 and 11 year old (now nearly 10:30 p.m.), we set off for home. 67 miles on the freeway. Drove ~65mph for a 20+ mile stretch as I did not want to be too disruptive on the road. As soon as the path switched to 3+ lanes, I dropped down to 61mph (cruise control) and did not stress as the miles melted away from the GOM. As I came within several miles of my exit, the Low Battery warning came on (or was it Very Low??? I was pretty tired). As I exited the freeway (only 2 miles to go) the miles went to 3 blinking dashes. Not too concerned at this point. I do live up a very steep hill of about 1/4 mile with 13-17% grade, but this was my first day with my Leaf, and making it home was my destiny! Pulled into the driveway at ~11:37 p.m. with no issues. Success!
Now it is time to go get a 240v EVSE.
Just purchased my Nissan Leaf yesterday (6/20/2015)
After researching for months, I went with Carlypso, a new kind of broker/dealer in the Bay Area that tells you what is coming up for auction and you tell them how much you are willing to pay. I chose a pearl white SV with LED/QC with 10070 miles (clean title) and was willing to pay up to $12,100...ended up getting it for $11,900 (before tax and lic.).
Now, I don't live near Carlypso, in fact I live 143 miles away, so when I picked up my the car (with my two daughters), my adventure began. Unfortunately, my car was not fully charged upon pick up, so our first stop, the nearest charging station (at Candlestick Point). No problems with the first charge, but while waiting, my daughter found an invoice under the seat from a collision center. The car had been in an accident, and paid for in cash from the owner (stress!). I was able to contact the collision center and confirm that it was simply a fender bender with the rear bumper panel replaced. Whew!
After suffering through stop and go traffic through San Francisco (genius to go that route on a late Saturday Afternoon) we headed to visit some family in Clayton, a bit out of the way. 40 miles, no problem. Left them to recharge for the next leg. Pulled into the Hilton (in Concord), but the site was taken by a Prius that was fully charged, but no one in site. Thought about removing the charger, but I would need to block a Disabled spot to squeeze in close enough to charge. Glad I did not, as that space was needed a few moments after I pulled up. We drove a few miles more to Nissan in Concord. The staff was very nice and I charged for free.
Next stop, Vacaville for Fenton's Ice Cream, only 36 miles, so no problem. Had a tough time finding the charger (behind the mall police station) but when I did, a nice guy was finishing up and used his NRG card to give me free charge (awesome!). He use to work for Nissan and totally went through the car with me showing me features I was unaware of. He also got under the car and verified that indeed only the rear bumper was replaced and all else was original. note: as I was finishing up, a Kia Soul EV pulled in. First time I had seen one in person. Pretty nice.
Now for the fun. After a 95% charge and some ice cream with my 8 and 11 year old (now nearly 10:30 p.m.), we set off for home. 67 miles on the freeway. Drove ~65mph for a 20+ mile stretch as I did not want to be too disruptive on the road. As soon as the path switched to 3+ lanes, I dropped down to 61mph (cruise control) and did not stress as the miles melted away from the GOM. As I came within several miles of my exit, the Low Battery warning came on (or was it Very Low??? I was pretty tired). As I exited the freeway (only 2 miles to go) the miles went to 3 blinking dashes. Not too concerned at this point. I do live up a very steep hill of about 1/4 mile with 13-17% grade, but this was my first day with my Leaf, and making it home was my destiny! Pulled into the driveway at ~11:37 p.m. with no issues. Success!
Now it is time to go get a 240v EVSE.
