Why shouldn't I buy a used Leaf ?

Why shouldn't I buy a used Leaf ?

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Discussion

Patrick1964

Original Poster:

696 posts

230 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
I have a commute of 20 miles each way, doing a total of about 1000 miles a month in my daily driver, a Mk5 Golf Gti. I drive largely a mixture of A roads and country lanes. Every chance I can recharge the car at work, but if not there's no problem doing it on the drive. We have other cars in the house for long journeys, tip runs etc. I can buy a low mileage Leaf with an owned battery for about £7000. My current cost for fuel and depreciation is about £3000 per annum. What, if anything am I missing? I know the Leaf won't drive like the Gti and ca accept that.

MJ85

1,849 posts

173 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
I have borrowed a leaf a couple of times.

I'm assuming you've driven one? I found there to be a lack of headroom for the driver and space in general. On the positive side, the instant response of the motors and general quietness was great. Seemed well equipped, too. Not so taken with the looks though!

With regards to range, your journey should be fine. I did find that if you like full "throttle" regularly, the remaining charge was reduced at an alarming rate. But, if you were running low, you'd adjust your driving, so that is unlikely to be a problem! Do a readers' cars thread if you buy one wink

Edited by MJ85 on Friday 13th January 18:21

ChemicalChaos

10,360 posts

159 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
used electric car = worries about battery longevity before they need replacing at extreme expense

TooLateForAName

4,725 posts

183 months

Friday 13th January 2017
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Thats what we did.

Dynamically they are rubbish, but as a commuting appliance they make a lot of sense. My wife loves it (gen2 acenta). Evidence is that the batteries last well, main dealer service is £99 /£149 (inc brake fluid).

I think our fuel savings will pay for the car.

TooLateForAName

4,725 posts

183 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
ChemicalChaos said:
used electric car = worries about battery longevity before they need replacing at extreme expense
keep saying this - it keeps the used prices down smile

Couple of taxi firms have cars over 100K miles and batteries still good. Anecdotally gen1 cars are not so good but gen2 seem to hold up well.
There are firms that will refurb a battery at a sensible price (comparable to DPF/DMF costs)

swisstoni

16,845 posts

278 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
Given there seems to be no fun to be had here (apart from getting work to pay for the charging) the only factor seems to be boredom with the VW.
Why no run it until 'beyond economic repair' ?

Patrick1964

Original Poster:

696 posts

230 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
Swiss, I'm not bored with the Golf, just the £200 per month saving is attractive.

Gareth79

7,628 posts

245 months

Friday 13th January 2017
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I have a Leaf, bought May 2015 on PCP. I am paying I think £164/month for an Acenta 7,000pa. Final payment will be about £4k more than it's worth so it's going baack.

As mentioned it's pretty quick around town, but very average from 40mph+. I didn't have any issues with cabin space, but the back seats are quite high up because of the battery and the rear is quite rounded so load space isn't amazing.

The ride is... not exciting. The steering is what you'd expect from a modern boring car. It rolls a heck of a lot, I have a Smart Forfour as a petrol backup and it's far more fun and engaging from a driving POV.

Overall you will save a lot by buying a cheap used one, I almost wish I did myself rather than PCP. I think the used values will hold up a lot more than we expected due to increased interest in electric cars; there will be plenty of people who don't want/need (or can't afford) the latest and greatest, but want the benefits.

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

166 months

Friday 13th January 2017
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Is it cheaper to run the Golf and Leaf, rather than just the Golf?

[i] If[i/] there is a problem with the battery, how much would it cost to fix?

What is the installation cost of the charging point?

Have you the space to charge it?

Assuming the reliability of the battery is just an internet myth, it sounds like the used markets resistance to them may be your gain.

ikarl

3,730 posts

198 months

Friday 13th January 2017
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I'm also toying with the idea of getting a 2nd hand one like yourself an dive Ben looking at some mods(mainly Americans) to make them look a little better - lower suspension, better alloys etc and tbh, I quite like the look of them

kambites

67,460 posts

220 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
Willy Nilly said:
[i] If[i/] there is a problem with the battery, how much would it cost to fix?
If i'm remembering correctly, a new one is about £5k fitted. About the same as a replacement ICE, I guess. Last time I looked was before the Brexit vote though so exchange rates might have pushed that up a bit.

ETA: That's an exchange, you have to give them your old battery pack to recycle.


Edited by kambites on Friday 13th January 20:48

LasseV

1,754 posts

132 months

Friday 13th January 2017
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Leaf's battery packs doesn't last long. I read from us forum that they can last like 3 years or so... Horrible running costs for a economy car.

kambites

67,460 posts

220 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
LasseV said:
Leaf's battery packs doesn't last long. I read from us forum that they can last like 3 years or so... Horrible running costs for a economy car.
Good job the warranty is 5/8 years depending on the capacity then, isn't it? smile

AndySheff

6,630 posts

206 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
JHTFC - I'm going to mumsnet.

Flooble

5,565 posts

99 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
JHTFC?

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Friday 13th January 2017
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Flooble said:
JHTFC?
Jesus H Titty fking Christ at a guess.

Flooble

5,565 posts

99 months

Friday 13th January 2017
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Ah. The extra TF had me totally confused.

AndySheff

6,630 posts

206 months

Friday 13th January 2017
quotequote all
Mr2Mike said:
Jesus H Titty fking Christ at a guess.
yes

Modiman46

52 posts

98 months

Friday 13th January 2017
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EVs do not emit particulates,CO2, NOx and SOx into congested urban areas
It's one thing to point out that EVs require manufacturing processes that might be harmful. However Fossil Fuel powered cars are far worse.
If "life cycle" (up and down supply chain) impacts are going to be brought into play for EVs, then the same full life-cycle analysis needs to be done for combustion engine vehicles too.
End of life replacement (circa 8 years) for the life-cycle environmental-costs of EVs does not discredit their green credentials. Battery development is bringing the costs down future replacment will be far less than ICE`s

TooLateForAName

4,725 posts

183 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
LasseV said:
Leaf's battery packs doesn't last long. I read from us forum that they can last like 3 years or so... Horrible running costs for a economy car.
Come back when you know anything about the subject.

Batteries don't like temperature extremes and the leaf doesnt have lots of battery temperature management kit so yes there were a number of failures in some states with very high temperatures. Similarly there have been issues with cars in North Africa.

This is totally not an issue in the UK.