'13 Leaf Pit Falls

I am looking for a used Leaf for my Grand-daughter to drive to school and work.

I came across a '13 Leaf that was manufactured in January of '13. It is only showing 9 bars currently and has 82,000 miles on the Odo.

I believe there was a change in April or May that improved the '13's, so I will miss out on that.

What else should I be aware of?

Thank you

The battery chemistry change happened in April - apparently April 1st, as near as we can tell. Earlier builds have also had somewhat higher defect rates in things like the A/C, I believe. Depending on how long is left on the capacity warranty of that early '13 Leaf, it may qualify for a free new pack. If it just misses the date, it may qualify for something like a pro-rated warranty replacement.

Well, I doubt Nissan would be willing to cover much at 82K miles! It’s WAY past capacity warranty expiration.

yes I was thinking there was probably a "mileage" portion of the battery warranty also.....

As a 9 bar car, she'd be lucky to get 50 miles. I'm pushing it to get 60 miles on my 10 bar '12. If she's OK with a regular 40-50 mile car it might work out OK, for a 9 bar Leaf I personally wouldn't pay over $6k, especially one that wouldn't' be eligible for a new battery.
Also being so low in SOH don't really expect much if any regen, so your breaks will wear much quicker than a normal healthy Leaf. Being a '13 it has several advantages over the '12 or '11 but not really the battery, unless it was built after 3/'13 which it was not.
My school age daughter mainly drives my 10 bar '12 and really likes it, whats not to like, free gas and no real maintenance If she needs longer range she just borrows the '13 or our ICE vehicle, her friends really like the quiet stealthy Leaf and being a SL it's loaded to the gills with lots of things I never had on my first car :lol:

Where is your gdaughter located and how far is her longest commute?

cwerdna said:

Well, I doubt Nissan would be willing to cover much at 82K miles! It’s WAY past capacity warranty expiration.

Click to expand...

Damn! I don't know I my eyes skipped over that...

My Grand-Daughter lives in Las Vegas... so there is the heat to consider and continuing degradation of the battery.

Does your grand daughter have a way to charge at 208/240 volts? Charging at 120 volts is so slow that it really limits usable miles per day (and is somewhat less efficient). If you get a 2013, get one manufactured after 4/2013. I don't know how much better they are in the heat than the older ones, but they should last longer. I do know that the "lizard" battery in my 2015 is doing much better than either the original or replacement batteries in my 2011.

Thanks Gerry...

Yes if I find the right Leaf she has the capability of using a level 2 charger in her garage... she will be parking right next to the breaker box so installing a 220 breaker and wiring a plug will be very simple.

However, I agree I need to pass on this '13 with 82,000 miles... even though looks very good, I am sure Nissan will not help out with a new battery for a car with that many miles on it.