I Bought an Electric Car

[Freedom Invested]

One of our two cars was showing considerable problems. It was worth anywhere between $700 to $1,500 depending on dealer/private buyer and negotiation factors according to Kelly Blue Book. And it needed at least a thousand worth of work outside of my skill set to prevent it from breaking down likely some time this year (think dropping oil levels, broken engine mounts, fuel line issues, and suspension problems). It was sad to let it go, as I've had it for 9 years and met my wife while I had it, but it was time.

I have dreamed of owning a low maintenance electric car ever since I heard about them and had the pleasure of piloting a Go Go Ro while in Taiwan this year. https://www.gogoro.com/about/ I wish we would get these for sale/rental in the U.S. I heard Taiwan and Germany are the two countries that have them.

So I got a used leaf and it has 11/12 of its battery capacity left at 36,000 miles for just over $11k including taxes; take a look at Carvana y'all - I am impressed with their service. You won't get a perfectly detailed car, but the price and other service factors are top notch (they do all of the paper work for you so you receive your registration and plates in the mail). Holy hell, I don't need to go to the DMV?! And I could have likely got it slightly cheaper, but I hate dealerships with a dying passion and the DMV, you know? Thanks for reading.

PS: Yes, I was foolishly contemplating buying a Corvette, but I am not about to commit financial suicide to fulfill a misguided childhood dream. :)

[nouveauRiche]

Awesome.  Excellent work.  When our 16-year-old beast finally bites the dust, we're planning to get a used Leaf as well. 

[Freedom Invested]

Thanks. I hope you like it if you get it. :)

Hope this helps some folks out if they see this post:

For anyone looking at purchasing a used leaf... Your most important thing you want to do is count the battery bars on the dashboard. Everything else doesn't mean much compared to this. The battery is the heaviest single item in the car and the most expensive to fix or replace. You want to see at least 10-11 bars on any leaf around 30k miles (lower mileage and you are likely eating too much depreciation or there are battery issues (edit: if it is cheap and low mileage). Preferably 11. If the previous owner(s) drove it poorly or perhaps it has factory defects it will have less than that and you don't want it.

[nouveauRiche]

I think it would be ok to buy one with fewer than 9 bars if you can confirm that the battery warranty has not been voided.  Then Nissan will replace the batter for free.

I would be ok with buying one in great condition but fewer bars because I barely drive and don't need a ton of range.  Also if we can get a nice one with fewer bars for super-cheap, we can just shell out $5k for the new battery and effectively have a brand new car.

DH wants to buy a 2012 because those were still built in Japan. 

[Freedom Invested]

I think it would be ok to buy one with fewer than 9 bars if you can confirm that the battery warranty has not been voided.

True, if you've got a 2011-2013 model... I don't think the special warranty offer extends beyond those years as Nissan made this extra deal due to battery degradation issues and presumably fixed it in later models (I have a 2014 when I believe the big issue was fixed). The warranty is 5 years or 60k miles. So on the latest covered I understand it could potentially apply to a 2013 that had fewer bars than 9 at 60k miles or by 2018. Tricky these warranties, right?

My suggestion would be to pick the range you need and make sure the model and with the battery you get will cover that for a long period of time (greater than 5 years) and then you can consider replacing it.

You know what I really think is cool? Modifications to make the car go further. It is interesting to see the small companies popping up offering these options. Though I am sure it messes with the safety of the vehicles (think putting a heavy batter right on top of the rear axle).

What about a trailer with gear for whatever out door activity that has tons of battery packs and solar panels on it? Remote location? No problem.

I get your Japan point for 2012s. They truly know how to make high quality cars.

[Freedom Invested]

Oh! And you (anyone reading) might be pissed about the limited Bluetooth audio streaming capabilities if you get an S.

1. Base Model: S (no audio streaming)
2. Higher Model: SV
3. Even Higher: SL

Basically bullshit model differentiation to try and sell extra features at huge margins. Capitalism at its finest. Granted, I forgive it because it is an electric vehicle which pushes us closer to self driving cars, high speed rails, space elevators, you get the idea.

Here is some help from your friendly neighborhood mustachian, Freedom Invested and this guy skwahaes on Reddit I found with some Google searching: https://www.reddit.com/r/leaf/comments/3j1cr4/adding_bluetooth_audio_streaming_a2dp_to_an_s/

[nouveauRiche]

Oh! And you (anyone reading) might be pissed about the limited Bluetooth audio streaming capabilities if you get an S.

All good info.  Thanks.  We'll probably try for an SL (or SV at least). 

My current (16 year old) car doesn't have a working CD player (let alone Bluetooth).  So even a Leaf S would be an upgrade.