adric22
Well-known member
Ok, here's the situation. I have a 2011 Leaf and she has a 2012 Volt. Both cars are leased. I drive 12 miles per day, she drives 45. The issue is that we have underestimated the number of miles she would be putting on the Volt and it appears we're going to be in the hole for a few grand at the end of the 3 year lease due to overmileage. The Leaf we plan to purchase when its lease is up in exactly one year. That is because it has a $15,500 residual. The Volt, on the other hand, is just too much money to buy once the lease is up (around $26,000 I believe). So she has decided we should trade cars so that by the time the lease is up on the Volt, it will be at the correct mileage.
Ok, so here are the reasons this would be good:
So there is my dilemma. What do you guys think?
Ok, so here are the reasons this would be good:
- Reduce miles on the Volt, eliminating lease penalty.
- Will actually eliminate our small gas bill since she'll be able to make her entire commute on electric instead of burning gas for 5-6 miles every day.
- She will need to charge to 100% every day. (see below for why) which in the Texas heat concerns me. Right now we have 12 bars, but that may not be the case by next year.
- She is not capable of driving conservatively. Also she must have climate control at all times, regardless of outside temperature. She believes rolling down or cracking the windows makes her stinky. (as though the air inside the car is somehow different than the outside air) And the Leaf even has this annoying "feature" we all know about where it will often run the heater even when you want some cool fresh air in the cabin on cool days where the sun is shining brightly.
- She has been known to forget to plug in her car when she gets home. With the Volt, no problem. She can just drive on gasoline that day. With the Leaf, it will be an issue.
- I like the Volt. I think it is a great car, and it is very attractive inside and out. It will also serve my needs just fine. However, it is not my car. I've spent the last 2 years taking care of my Leaf like it was a baby. I wash and detail it almost weekly, all by hand. I park far away from other cars. I keep the interior clean, no food, no drinks, no trash. She is the opposite. He car is always full of trash, to the point it is embarrassing. She drives very rough, and parks where ever the absolute closest spot is, even if it means she's surrounded by big trucks and shopping carts. She never washes her car . I feel pitty for it (the car) about once per month and I'll wash it after I'm done with my Leaf. Anyway, asking me to drive the Volt is not the problem. I can live with that. Asking me to give my baby over to somebody who I know will not treat it with the love and respect I have is a problem, however. If the situation were permanent, it might be one thing. I could eventually learn to have the Volt be my car. But the idea is that at the end of the lease, I'd be getting the Leaf back (in what condition?)
So there is my dilemma. What do you guys think?