4CloverLeaf
Active member
First off, I want to thank everyone who has been contributing to this wonderful resource. I have been doing a lot of reading on here before buying my first first EV last night. It is a 2017 Leaf SV and it is simply put, the smart decision. I don't understand why tons more people are not running out and snatching all of the things up where I live with the incentives available. My state has a $5,000 rebate, plus the federal rebate of $7,500, plus a incentives program of our power company and Nissan for another $10,000 for a total of $22,500 off. I was able to get my dealer to reduce the asking price and I feel like I just got a new car for the price of an average five year old car. In total, the car is essentially 67.23% off! I know there is a new one coming in September and lots of other great cars now on the market, but this is such an all around value when you really think about it. Added on top of that are the low running cost (I have 50 mile/workday commute), the environmental impact, and low maintenance costs. I don't even need to keep the car that long for it to pay for itself.
The past few years I have been driving a wonderful BMW 135i which I adore. Here's the thing, I am a stupid Neanderthal of a man who can't seem to own a sports car and not tinker with it to make it faster and faster. Me see fire, me want BIGGER fire. You get the idea. Sure, I go out to the track a few times a year and get to take advantage of my efforts. Mostly I just drive to and from work at reasonable speeds, in traffic, on beaten up pavement and am punished for my efforts of making the car faster. I have engineered the suspension to be wonderful on a track at the limits and at high speeds, but it is utterly startling over potholes. Also, 400+ horsepower is not so awesome in stop and go traffic. It is frustrating useless. I have come to realize that I want two cars. One for commuting and one for fun. I will no longer go with the amotmotive mullet of a daily driven track car. I also believe that I will be much better served trying to be more efficient instead of faster. This should be a much more practical way of utilizing my competitive nature.
The Leaf is quiet, smooth, clean, efficient, and cheap. Isn't that exactly what most people want in a commuter car? Most households have two or more cars which makes range limitations infrequent for most situations. It is rare that my wife and I both drive over 100 miles. The Leaf is going to suit our needs perfectly. Plus, I have been looking for an excuse to put in a 240v outlet in the garage for a welder. This just makes perfect sense and I can't see why these things are not sold out everywhere.
I look forward to learning more about the car and how I can be more efficient. Thanks again to everyone who has contributed and helped me become comfortable with the jump to electric and who have put up with my long first post.
The past few years I have been driving a wonderful BMW 135i which I adore. Here's the thing, I am a stupid Neanderthal of a man who can't seem to own a sports car and not tinker with it to make it faster and faster. Me see fire, me want BIGGER fire. You get the idea. Sure, I go out to the track a few times a year and get to take advantage of my efforts. Mostly I just drive to and from work at reasonable speeds, in traffic, on beaten up pavement and am punished for my efforts of making the car faster. I have engineered the suspension to be wonderful on a track at the limits and at high speeds, but it is utterly startling over potholes. Also, 400+ horsepower is not so awesome in stop and go traffic. It is frustrating useless. I have come to realize that I want two cars. One for commuting and one for fun. I will no longer go with the amotmotive mullet of a daily driven track car. I also believe that I will be much better served trying to be more efficient instead of faster. This should be a much more practical way of utilizing my competitive nature.
The Leaf is quiet, smooth, clean, efficient, and cheap. Isn't that exactly what most people want in a commuter car? Most households have two or more cars which makes range limitations infrequent for most situations. It is rare that my wife and I both drive over 100 miles. The Leaf is going to suit our needs perfectly. Plus, I have been looking for an excuse to put in a 240v outlet in the garage for a welder. This just makes perfect sense and I can't see why these things are not sold out everywhere.
I look forward to learning more about the car and how I can be more efficient. Thanks again to everyone who has contributed and helped me become comfortable with the jump to electric and who have put up with my long first post.
