Let me start by saying this forum has been a fantastic resource for prospective buyers. Thank you to everyone who posts and help others around here.
I've been interested in moving to a Leaf for the last year or so after learning about the relatively low prices for used 2011-2012's. My work commute is only 15 miles round trip and our around town driving needs would rarely, if ever, be more than 50 miles in a day. So I've been casually looking for Leafs the last year and more earnestly for the last 3 months.
The great debate for me was whether to go as inexpensive as possible ($5-6k, 2011 SV or SL, higher miles, battery degradation) or slightly higher priced with more bells and whistles ($7-9k, 2012 SL white or silver, heated seats, lower miles, replaced battery or near-winner battery lottery). I've been eyeing the Phoenix listings for a few months (almost no Tucson listings) and a great opportunity came up. I purchased a 2011 SL with QC but no cold weather package from the original owner. Here are the details.
$5,500
2011 Leaf SL blue
80,000 miles
Battery replaced July 2014
Tires replaced at 55k, probably 20-30k left on current tires
Near mint cosmetically on the exterior, like new interior
Tinted
Current battery stats:
10 bars
AHr - 46.38
SOH - 70%
LeafSpy calculates about 75 miles total range at 5.3 mi/kWh
I received it on Monday and have been very happy with the Leaf so far. I understand that battery degradation will be much higher in the Arizona heat but with shipping (I have a great contact for those needing shipping in the SW), title, registration, and running a new electrical line, I'm looking at less than $6,000 total. With almost no maintenance and electricity costing a fraction of gas, this works out pretty well financially even if I buy a new battery in a 4-5 years.
I know many people have longer daily commutes and higher range needs but I write this in part as an encouragement to other prospective buyers to let you know that if you don't need 80-100 miles of range every single day, there are some great deals to be had.
I've been interested in moving to a Leaf for the last year or so after learning about the relatively low prices for used 2011-2012's. My work commute is only 15 miles round trip and our around town driving needs would rarely, if ever, be more than 50 miles in a day. So I've been casually looking for Leafs the last year and more earnestly for the last 3 months.
The great debate for me was whether to go as inexpensive as possible ($5-6k, 2011 SV or SL, higher miles, battery degradation) or slightly higher priced with more bells and whistles ($7-9k, 2012 SL white or silver, heated seats, lower miles, replaced battery or near-winner battery lottery). I've been eyeing the Phoenix listings for a few months (almost no Tucson listings) and a great opportunity came up. I purchased a 2011 SL with QC but no cold weather package from the original owner. Here are the details.
$5,500
2011 Leaf SL blue
80,000 miles
Battery replaced July 2014
Tires replaced at 55k, probably 20-30k left on current tires
Near mint cosmetically on the exterior, like new interior
Tinted
Current battery stats:
10 bars
AHr - 46.38
SOH - 70%
LeafSpy calculates about 75 miles total range at 5.3 mi/kWh
I received it on Monday and have been very happy with the Leaf so far. I understand that battery degradation will be much higher in the Arizona heat but with shipping (I have a great contact for those needing shipping in the SW), title, registration, and running a new electrical line, I'm looking at less than $6,000 total. With almost no maintenance and electricity costing a fraction of gas, this works out pretty well financially even if I buy a new battery in a 4-5 years.
I know many people have longer daily commutes and higher range needs but I write this in part as an encouragement to other prospective buyers to let you know that if you don't need 80-100 miles of range every single day, there are some great deals to be had.
