Good

Electric car attempts London-to-Edinburgh in a day

 

So next week I'll have had the LEAF 6 months.

 

Done 10,500 miles in it so far and it terms of running costs it's great.

With all the free charging I doubt I've spend more than £100 on "fuel".

 

However, and this is where it get's mildly interesting.

Do not under any circumstances buy a new one.

 

The list price on my car was £30k+options which took it to around £32k.

Government gives you £5,000 so the real list price is £25k. (£27k for mine).

 

I bought through drive the deal and saved £4,000.  By far the best deal around at the time when I bought last year.

 

Now for the kicker...

 

I've saved £1,500 roughly on fuel and the car is now worth..............

 

Achievable private sale: £15,000

Trade in price £13,000.

We Buy Any Car: £11,700

 

So if I sell it privately to get the best price I can it's only depreciated by £12,000 against list price after 6 months and 10k miles.

My actual depreciation is £8,000.  Ironicaly exactly what I paid for a two year old Fabia VRS with 20k on the clock a few years ago.

 

What does this mean?

 

Well, as it's such a nice car to drive about in and costs very little to run, this means that a second hand LEAF is an absolute bargain.

Because the initial depreciation is almost cliff like.

So you get something 1 year old with 2 years warranty and 4 years battery/motor warranty still remaining.

The battery has shown no real capacity loss at all after 10k miles.

Buying used ones a year or two old looks like a winner if the car fits your usage profile.

I wonder what price those nearly new LEAFs are on a forecourt.

Off to autotrader....

I wonder what price those nearly new LEAFs are on a forecourt.

Off to autotrader....

 

Me too

 

With a 14 mile round trip to work and back 5 days a week and a bit of weekend running around into town etc being my only real needs for a vehicle and charging points at my work (yes they can pay for my "fuel"!!) I can't see a much better car to put in the garage.

Especially with a Fabia VRS (or similar) in the garage to take on long trips back to Cornwall etc if necessary.

 

However i just can't make the sums balance in my head.

I could buy an awful lot of car for £5500 and use the £5500 left over from not buying this second hand Leaf to keep it going for long long time.....

Buy a leaf, then with what you would spend on fuel buy a little fun car. Maybe an XR2i etc etc

Or buy a doer upper project car

Buy a leaf, then with what you would spend on fuel buy a little fun car. Maybe an XR2i etc etc

Or buy a doer upper project car

I like your idea but doesn't this defeat the whole point of going electric? i.e Having a car with green credentials by not using up fosil fuels etc but going out and buying a fun car possibly using a large engine is surely adding to the problems that a LEAF is trying to combat? 

I like your idea but doesn't this defeat the whole point of going electric? i.e Having a car with green credentials by not using up fosil fuels etc but going out and buying a fun car possibly using a large engine is surely adding to the problems that a LEAF is trying to combat? 

 

I doubt many buy Leafs for the green credentials. A few of us driving around in electric cars is not going to save the planet, just look at the pollution from China, India and other developing countries. Personally I would only drive an electric vehicle to save money.

 

I have enjoyed this thread and from crunching the numbers I agree with Richard that these only make sense if you are actually doing quite high mileage. If I could get one for £5k then I would be all over it, although we are some years from useable second hand fully electric cars for this price.

I have someone coming to look at the LEAF tomorrow who sounds quite keen.

So I may soon be out of an EV (although I can use one of the work ones) and back in an ICE.

 

Said ICE due to arrive in three weeks...

 

I'll definitely have another EV, once a few years of competition has increased the range and a few bits of spec.

What happened to the Nismo bodykit?

What happened to your nismo kit?

Lol good thinking greenstripe!

It's due to arrive at the end of the month.

 

In other words, too late.

You could always try fitting it on the ST

Richard, why the sudden decision to get rid of the Leaf if you don't mind me asking? The depreciation, range, or just boredom?

I think he just needed to change his socks... 

Richard, why the sudden decision to get rid of the Leaf if you don't mind me asking? The depreciation, range, or just boredom?

The sale proceeds pretty much pay for the Fiesta ST and I still have work LEAFs I can use.

Can't really justify another car without letting one go.

As much as I like the LEAF, a few comfort issues have shown themselves.

Mostly due to my height.

The seat has no lumbar support adjustment and the steering column has no reach adjustment.

Both of which mean I'm not finding it as good for spending hours in.

Is the Fiesta ST likely to be much better in terms of comfort due to height than the Leaf though? Granted it's going to be a crap load more fun, so maybe that makes up for it

Is the Fiesta ST likely to be much better in terms of comfort due to height than the Leaf though? Granted it's going to be a crap load more fun, so maybe that makes up for it

Yes, it's got a fully adjustable steering column and figure hugging Recaro seats.

So you sit in it, rather than on it.

It'll do me for a bit.

Anyone want a Fiesta ST about August....

.... for How Fast?   Fiesta ST           

 

 

 Those Leafs attract idiots in black Audi's blasting the horn anyway, you are best shot of it IMO. 

Yes, it's got a fully adjustable steering column and figure hugging Recaro seats.

So you sit in it, rather than on it.

It'll do me for a bit.

If you are serious, I could be interested

 

The Mondeo is going to pensioned off about that time & I'd like another Ford in my life.

 

DC

Anyone want a Fiesta ST about August....

The nissan leaf does make financial sense but as richard says buying new is absolute stupidity better going second hand

Apparently there are many players coming in BMW , kia , vw egolf and many of these will have 150-200 mile range

Yeah Audi E tron and the new volvo on fifth gear last week come to mind!

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Apparently there are many players coming in BMW , kia , vw egolf and many of these will have 150-200 mile range

Not in EV only spec.