kzapanta
Member
Hello wonderful folks. Looking to first time purchase a Leaf: It would either be a SV or SL model.
I would very much be indebted if you guys can share your wealth of knowledge and wisdom. I have learned so much in here the last week and read the concerns, deals, incentives, opinions: I have a few last questions:
1. Battery: Am I correct in my conclusion that the biggest factor most have is the battery? It's distance capacity and longevity. For the SL or SV model, I am reassured I won't have to spend (considerably more $$ than a new transmission in a conventional car) after a few years because of the 8 yr/ 100k warranty on the battery of 9 out of 12 bars which is 75%. If that is correct, then the 55 mile roundtrip daily commute will be a perfect fit for us not just when brand new, but years into it.
2. Longevity of the whole car: We are value minded vehicle owners that keep a vehicle until it dies, at least over 13 yrs, 200k miles. I'm hoping the Leaf can last that long and some feedback and facts from long term owners specifically on that point would be wonderful. I'm very concerned so many Leafs come back from the lease and there is a surplus of 3 yr. old Leafs out in the secondary market. Is there something I don't know about the would be incompatible to my plans on daily use of the Leaf for many years???
3. Lease vs. Purchase: If we are happy with the battery concern and no need to "see what's new 2 or 3 yrs" to update battery capacity or update to the newest models, we would like to purchase instead of lease. Especially with all the incentives going on this time. I have been advised multiple times to just lease and have the option to turn it in when the battery poops out in 3 yrs. and get the updated versions. But again, IF the distance capacity stays around 80 miles (below the marketed 107 mile range) for the LONG life of the battery due to its warranty, and IF the electric motor doesn't dramatically underperform after just a few years, we accept the distance of the current battery so why lease instead of buy?
Are those IFs not reliable for the Leaf??
4. Upholstery SV or SL: We can't go cloth due to kids spilling stuff, sweaty and muddy activities, furry golden retriever. It would get too dirty, stained, and smelly fast. All our vehicles have leather and it costs premium but it works perfect in keeping the stain, stink, and fur off.
I am very disappointed that the leather option on all Leafs only comes in black. I live in So.Cal and its hot most of the time and blazing the rest. Black interior is considerably hotter compared to a light interior, both in cabin air temp. and to the touch (sometimes, black leather can't even be sat on when parked outside in the sun). Because of that, I am now considering the PET "suede" light tan SV option instead of the SL.
Based on my reasoning for the needs of a leather I wrote above; is the synthetic plastic suede material stain resistant, considerably impermeable so that it hold spills, mud, ketchup up so so that it can be wiped off and not seep into the interior padding, and durable like leather so that it can be a good solution??
All I know of "suede" is that it absorbs liquids, stains easily, and is the "delicate" underside of leather.
Sorry, I know I'm being very specific but just my luck, the dealership I went to to test drive the LEAF didn't have a single SL or SV model to compare to!!
Thank you in advance to any and all replies and wisdom to allow me to make an informed decision.
Ken
I would very much be indebted if you guys can share your wealth of knowledge and wisdom. I have learned so much in here the last week and read the concerns, deals, incentives, opinions: I have a few last questions:
1. Battery: Am I correct in my conclusion that the biggest factor most have is the battery? It's distance capacity and longevity. For the SL or SV model, I am reassured I won't have to spend (considerably more $$ than a new transmission in a conventional car) after a few years because of the 8 yr/ 100k warranty on the battery of 9 out of 12 bars which is 75%. If that is correct, then the 55 mile roundtrip daily commute will be a perfect fit for us not just when brand new, but years into it.
2. Longevity of the whole car: We are value minded vehicle owners that keep a vehicle until it dies, at least over 13 yrs, 200k miles. I'm hoping the Leaf can last that long and some feedback and facts from long term owners specifically on that point would be wonderful. I'm very concerned so many Leafs come back from the lease and there is a surplus of 3 yr. old Leafs out in the secondary market. Is there something I don't know about the would be incompatible to my plans on daily use of the Leaf for many years???
3. Lease vs. Purchase: If we are happy with the battery concern and no need to "see what's new 2 or 3 yrs" to update battery capacity or update to the newest models, we would like to purchase instead of lease. Especially with all the incentives going on this time. I have been advised multiple times to just lease and have the option to turn it in when the battery poops out in 3 yrs. and get the updated versions. But again, IF the distance capacity stays around 80 miles (below the marketed 107 mile range) for the LONG life of the battery due to its warranty, and IF the electric motor doesn't dramatically underperform after just a few years, we accept the distance of the current battery so why lease instead of buy?
Are those IFs not reliable for the Leaf??
4. Upholstery SV or SL: We can't go cloth due to kids spilling stuff, sweaty and muddy activities, furry golden retriever. It would get too dirty, stained, and smelly fast. All our vehicles have leather and it costs premium but it works perfect in keeping the stain, stink, and fur off.
I am very disappointed that the leather option on all Leafs only comes in black. I live in So.Cal and its hot most of the time and blazing the rest. Black interior is considerably hotter compared to a light interior, both in cabin air temp. and to the touch (sometimes, black leather can't even be sat on when parked outside in the sun). Because of that, I am now considering the PET "suede" light tan SV option instead of the SL.
Based on my reasoning for the needs of a leather I wrote above; is the synthetic plastic suede material stain resistant, considerably impermeable so that it hold spills, mud, ketchup up so so that it can be wiped off and not seep into the interior padding, and durable like leather so that it can be a good solution??
All I know of "suede" is that it absorbs liquids, stains easily, and is the "delicate" underside of leather.
Sorry, I know I'm being very specific but just my luck, the dealership I went to to test drive the LEAF didn't have a single SL or SV model to compare to!!
Thank you in advance to any and all replies and wisdom to allow me to make an informed decision.
Ken