aroundlsu said:
Thanks for the replies. I've been reading on this forum and about the Leafspy app. Unfortunately, the car is about 7 hours away so I can't just drive over and check it out. When discussing the battery level with the dealer on the phone he seems to not really understand what I am talking about (or at least pretends not to understand).
For any car more than 2 hours drive away I'd want it to either be 12 or 8 or less and be under the warranty cutoffs.
12 bars and its enough charge you can assume it isn't a weak battery (assuming no reset shenanigans)
8 or less and you get a free brand new battery.
9, 10, or 11 bars and you have to wonder if you'll be stuck with a car that lost the 4th bar after the battery warranty cutoff. For those I'd want to be close enough to be able to drive over, check it out with leafspy, think about it and come back empty handed if needed.
I think that $8999 is OK but in a few months you'll be able to do better. The question is are you in a hurry enough to waste a couple of thousand up front?
You'll save money vs a gas car from the day you get it but depending on the gas car and the cost of electricity for you and the miles you drive per month the amount you save may be small.
For $8999 I'd want it to be convenient and have nothing wrong.
I don't know your zip code but on autotrader right now there are these cars:
2012 SL in FL for $6499
2011 SL in FL for $6988
4 more Leafs in FL for $6999
2 more Leafs in FL for $7499
2011 SV in WA for $7499
2011 SL in WA for $7500
2012 SL in AZ for $7573
2013 S in OH for $7663
2012 SV in OH for $7675
2011 in OH for $7700
2011 SL in CA for $7750
2012 SL in AZ for $7873
2012 SL in CA for $7950
2013 S in PA for $7979
2011 in TX for $7980
2011 SL in CA for $7991
2011 in MA for $7995
and on
and on
and on
between there and $8999
I just don't value the 2013 SV that much higher than the 2012 SL in FL for $6499
And I value that CPO status at about $50 more vs a random used leaf with the same battery health.