Hey all. Thank you for having this forum. I just took a look at the advice topic for first time leaf buyers and I'm covered on a lot of basics. I just thought I would make a thread for thinking out loud about my search and purchase of a used Leaf in the hope that I could get feedback and advice on the decision.
I live in California, near LA. I do not have a place at home to charge, since the garage will be full for a while (we just moved this summer and organizing junk is difficult). I need a hatchback that can fit my recumbent folding trike (I'll get the dimensions and post them here later). I have been thinking to get a Leaf for a while because I am a student, used Leaf's are well within the range of cost that I can afford, and the cost of energy is way cheaper through a battery. Plus, I really love the thought that when the car gets too old, it can be renewed with a cheap battery rather than having to replace an engine at a price that would cost close to buying something brand new. Long living and economic is what I am after. Being good to the environment is a nice bonus too.
I was advised to check edmunds for a good deal. A cursory search doesn't look bad so far. Aiming to cap at $8000, but could really use any cost reduction below that that works for what I need and is a deal.
As I said about not having a place to charge, I'm thinking I could use a ChargePoint charging station near where I live and where I work to charge, get food, and get at least a half hour of charge out of it as needed. Is that what EV life is like? Or will I be stressing myself out for not having it plugged at home over night?
I live in California, near LA. I do not have a place at home to charge, since the garage will be full for a while (we just moved this summer and organizing junk is difficult). I need a hatchback that can fit my recumbent folding trike (I'll get the dimensions and post them here later). I have been thinking to get a Leaf for a while because I am a student, used Leaf's are well within the range of cost that I can afford, and the cost of energy is way cheaper through a battery. Plus, I really love the thought that when the car gets too old, it can be renewed with a cheap battery rather than having to replace an engine at a price that would cost close to buying something brand new. Long living and economic is what I am after. Being good to the environment is a nice bonus too.
I was advised to check edmunds for a good deal. A cursory search doesn't look bad so far. Aiming to cap at $8000, but could really use any cost reduction below that that works for what I need and is a deal.
As I said about not having a place to charge, I'm thinking I could use a ChargePoint charging station near where I live and where I work to charge, get food, and get at least a half hour of charge out of it as needed. Is that what EV life is like? Or will I be stressing myself out for not having it plugged at home over night?