GregH
Well-known member
Last Friday I was in an accident on the northbound 57 in O.C. which it turns out was fatal to my Leaf (so Mercury has informed me this morning). I was traveling in the fast moving carpool lane when someone in 10mph traffic decided to merge about 100ft in front of me. With barely enough time to reach for the break (from cruise control), before I knew it the airbag was in my face and my forward momentum was cut in half. Those airbags stink btw. The windshield fogged up and I had no power but just enough momentum to get to the right edge of the freeway. I must say I was incredibly impressed with how well the Leaf protected me. Not a scratch or bruise to be found and for that I am extremely thankful!
My Leaf on the other hand didn't fare so well. I'll try to get some pictures posted. Bumper, hood and right front quarter destroyed. Right headlamps popped out but did not break. Charge port completely intact. When I saw it at the body shop with the panels off I was impressed how little damage there was (I was very surprised they totaled it). A few dents on the AC evaporator but the power electronics were completely untouched. The motor and battery were well away from the damage zone.
I had JOULEE 3 for about 18 months and had about 17k miles on it. Blue SL. Battery charged to about 245 gids at full. It was a 39month lease. Mercury is going to pay off the car to Nissan for about $22k which is about $1500 LESS than they estimated the replacement cost at so they're sending me a check for the $1500 (!) Also they noted that if I had wanted to pay off the lease it would have only been $21k.... So why does Mercury have to pay more?? Something in the Nissan lease agreement they say. mercury suggests I should go after Nissan for the difference.
So now what? Get a great deal on a new SL? Wait a few weeks for the 2013s? (Oooh 6.6kW!) Try (gasp) a non Nissan EV? Decisions decisions....
My Leaf on the other hand didn't fare so well. I'll try to get some pictures posted. Bumper, hood and right front quarter destroyed. Right headlamps popped out but did not break. Charge port completely intact. When I saw it at the body shop with the panels off I was impressed how little damage there was (I was very surprised they totaled it). A few dents on the AC evaporator but the power electronics were completely untouched. The motor and battery were well away from the damage zone.
I had JOULEE 3 for about 18 months and had about 17k miles on it. Blue SL. Battery charged to about 245 gids at full. It was a 39month lease. Mercury is going to pay off the car to Nissan for about $22k which is about $1500 LESS than they estimated the replacement cost at so they're sending me a check for the $1500 (!) Also they noted that if I had wanted to pay off the lease it would have only been $21k.... So why does Mercury have to pay more?? Something in the Nissan lease agreement they say. mercury suggests I should go after Nissan for the difference.
So now what? Get a great deal on a new SL? Wait a few weeks for the 2013s? (Oooh 6.6kW!) Try (gasp) a non Nissan EV? Decisions decisions....