We picked up our new 2012 Leaf SL on Wednesday 1/9/13. I've only had it for a couple of days, but I have completely fallen in love with it. I had concerns as to whether or not an EV would work for me since I live in a rural setting about 60 miles north of Dallas. Every time we go out, it is at least a 50 mile drive round trip. I lurked here on MNL and read the range threads over and over to see what the real range I might be able to expect, and then borrowed a Leaf from the dealer to see what I would think about it.
When I first got in, I have to say I was very surprised as to how big it is inside. My wife has a 2011 Nissan Sentra, and I seem to have a tough time getting in and out of it due to back problems. When I drive her car, it always feels uncomfortable - and I was a little afraid that a small car like the Leaf would have a similar feel.
Before getting the Leaf, my regular vehicle was my 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Crew Cab Long Bed Diesel Dually. I needed the truck for transporting a tractor and livestock - and since it was such a big investment, I had no choice but to use it for smaller errands as well. I hated putting mileage on it for regular use that did not require a truck, and getting 17-19 MPG on $3.75 diesel was starting to get on my nerves. When driving around with the family, we would take my wife's Sentra, but it was not a great situation for me due to the issues with my back.
Coming from a large truck, I was afraid that any small car would seem cramped for two adults and three kids. To my surprise the Nissan Leaf felt like the perfect size. There was ample room for the three kids in the back (leg room is great for them, though a tad bit more shoulder width would be nicer), and I felt like I could sit comfortably in the drivers seat all day long (if only I could keep a charge for that long).
Performance on the Leaf surprised me as well. This wasn't the slow eco slug that I thought it would be. When I pushed down hard on the accelerator from a stop, I was shocked to feel it push me back in my seat a little. My truck has 400 horsepower and 800 ft lbs of torque, so when I read that the Leaf was equivalent to just over 100 horsepower, I really had my doubts. The high torque rating on the Leaf really gives it a nice feeling of power under acceleration.
Once I finished test driving the loaner Leaf, I realized that I would have no problem running errands with it in the local area. Before testing it, I figured the high range figures talked about here on MNL (and even the EPA estimated range of 73 miles) was not going to be attainable under normal conditions. I was surprised to find that I could do 70 miles round trip and still have another 25 miles to spare.
Fortunately for me, driving the Leaf efficiently was a simple task. I use the same driving style as I do when I drive my truck. Keep the speed down, leave plenty of room in front to prevent quick stops, and coast as much as possible. When I drive my truck, I am obsessed with trying to get the best mileage I can from it, and it seems to correspond exactly with the way I need to drive the Leaf in order to get the maximum range I possibly can. I actually enjoy constantly monitoring my driving habits in the Leaf, to ensure that I am driving as efficiently as possible. When I was a kid, I guess speed and power were everything - but now I enjoy the challenge of trying to squeak out as many extra miles as I can.
By the time I returned the loaner Leaf to the dealer, I was completely addicted to it. My wife had known about the killer lease programs on the Leafs for a while. She works at a couple of Nissan dealerships, and most of the sales guys were leasing the 2012 Leafs. She knew that I was interested in getting another vehicle so that I could park the truck, but she didn't even mention the deals going on with the Leaf and the fact that there was a run on them at the dealership by the sales guys (which means that the deals were complete steals). She figured I would have no interest in an electric vehicle, and that I would completely rule it out.
About a week ago, she mentioned what was going on with the Leaf lease deals and I told her I wanted to look at one. I found MNL and spent a few sleepless nights reading everything I could about the Leaf, so that I would be able to make an educated decision. She was surprised I was interested, and was a little reluctant about what the range might be since we live so far away from the places that we travel to.
After falling completely in love with the loaner, I went straight into panic mode - figuring I would end up missing out on such a great deal since I didn't find out about it until just recently. My wife's dealerships were sold out of Leafs (the last ones gobbled up by the employees) and we realized that there were only a few Leafs left when searching out even as far as Oklahoma City.
Fortunately one of her dealerships was able to arrange a trade and they were able to get me a silver 2012 Nissan Leaf SL. I have to admit that I was very attracted to the economics of the lease program. For me, my monthly payment is not much more than what I pay for a tank of diesel fuel. On top of that, there is no cost for diesel/gas or much maintenance on the Leaf - all extra savings. I figured I couldn't lose. I was bothered by the long charge times on the trickle charger, since I need to put so many miles on it every day, but that problem has been eliminated since installing a L2 EVSE in the garage earlier tonight.
I will say this though. Nissan is very smart for letting these things go for such a steal. I've only had mine for a few days, and I can't imagine being without it now. When it comes time to turn in my lease, it will be time for me to get my new Leaf, even if the lease deals are not even close to what they are now.
So are there any other rural Leaf owners out there? It seems we are definitely in the minority as the Leaf seems to be marketed towards those who live in urban areas. I'm happy to report that even those of us who live 'out there' can easily live with a Leaf as a primary vehicle. Now if only they would install some charging stations up here...
When I first got in, I have to say I was very surprised as to how big it is inside. My wife has a 2011 Nissan Sentra, and I seem to have a tough time getting in and out of it due to back problems. When I drive her car, it always feels uncomfortable - and I was a little afraid that a small car like the Leaf would have a similar feel.
Before getting the Leaf, my regular vehicle was my 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Crew Cab Long Bed Diesel Dually. I needed the truck for transporting a tractor and livestock - and since it was such a big investment, I had no choice but to use it for smaller errands as well. I hated putting mileage on it for regular use that did not require a truck, and getting 17-19 MPG on $3.75 diesel was starting to get on my nerves. When driving around with the family, we would take my wife's Sentra, but it was not a great situation for me due to the issues with my back.
Coming from a large truck, I was afraid that any small car would seem cramped for two adults and three kids. To my surprise the Nissan Leaf felt like the perfect size. There was ample room for the three kids in the back (leg room is great for them, though a tad bit more shoulder width would be nicer), and I felt like I could sit comfortably in the drivers seat all day long (if only I could keep a charge for that long).
Performance on the Leaf surprised me as well. This wasn't the slow eco slug that I thought it would be. When I pushed down hard on the accelerator from a stop, I was shocked to feel it push me back in my seat a little. My truck has 400 horsepower and 800 ft lbs of torque, so when I read that the Leaf was equivalent to just over 100 horsepower, I really had my doubts. The high torque rating on the Leaf really gives it a nice feeling of power under acceleration.
Once I finished test driving the loaner Leaf, I realized that I would have no problem running errands with it in the local area. Before testing it, I figured the high range figures talked about here on MNL (and even the EPA estimated range of 73 miles) was not going to be attainable under normal conditions. I was surprised to find that I could do 70 miles round trip and still have another 25 miles to spare.
Fortunately for me, driving the Leaf efficiently was a simple task. I use the same driving style as I do when I drive my truck. Keep the speed down, leave plenty of room in front to prevent quick stops, and coast as much as possible. When I drive my truck, I am obsessed with trying to get the best mileage I can from it, and it seems to correspond exactly with the way I need to drive the Leaf in order to get the maximum range I possibly can. I actually enjoy constantly monitoring my driving habits in the Leaf, to ensure that I am driving as efficiently as possible. When I was a kid, I guess speed and power were everything - but now I enjoy the challenge of trying to squeak out as many extra miles as I can.
By the time I returned the loaner Leaf to the dealer, I was completely addicted to it. My wife had known about the killer lease programs on the Leafs for a while. She works at a couple of Nissan dealerships, and most of the sales guys were leasing the 2012 Leafs. She knew that I was interested in getting another vehicle so that I could park the truck, but she didn't even mention the deals going on with the Leaf and the fact that there was a run on them at the dealership by the sales guys (which means that the deals were complete steals). She figured I would have no interest in an electric vehicle, and that I would completely rule it out.
About a week ago, she mentioned what was going on with the Leaf lease deals and I told her I wanted to look at one. I found MNL and spent a few sleepless nights reading everything I could about the Leaf, so that I would be able to make an educated decision. She was surprised I was interested, and was a little reluctant about what the range might be since we live so far away from the places that we travel to.
After falling completely in love with the loaner, I went straight into panic mode - figuring I would end up missing out on such a great deal since I didn't find out about it until just recently. My wife's dealerships were sold out of Leafs (the last ones gobbled up by the employees) and we realized that there were only a few Leafs left when searching out even as far as Oklahoma City.
Fortunately one of her dealerships was able to arrange a trade and they were able to get me a silver 2012 Nissan Leaf SL. I have to admit that I was very attracted to the economics of the lease program. For me, my monthly payment is not much more than what I pay for a tank of diesel fuel. On top of that, there is no cost for diesel/gas or much maintenance on the Leaf - all extra savings. I figured I couldn't lose. I was bothered by the long charge times on the trickle charger, since I need to put so many miles on it every day, but that problem has been eliminated since installing a L2 EVSE in the garage earlier tonight.
I will say this though. Nissan is very smart for letting these things go for such a steal. I've only had mine for a few days, and I can't imagine being without it now. When it comes time to turn in my lease, it will be time for me to get my new Leaf, even if the lease deals are not even close to what they are now.
So are there any other rural Leaf owners out there? It seems we are definitely in the minority as the Leaf seems to be marketed towards those who live in urban areas. I'm happy to report that even those of us who live 'out there' can easily live with a Leaf as a primary vehicle. Now if only they would install some charging stations up here...
