golfcart
Well-known member
SageBrush said:I'm talking about cost of ownership for utility gained. In simple terms, the Tesla is worth the extra cost up front because it is not limited to only a subset of common duties and because it will remain so for for the same duration we have come to expect from well built ICE cars. The LEAF is cheaper up front but is a local duty car in a few short years (and perhaps from day #1)golfcart said:no need to come on a Leaf forum and brag about how much better your new Tesla M3 is than the leaf.
$20 - 25k sounds good until you realize that you are up for another 20 - 25k in 5 - 10 years ... and you kept an ICE around anyway for when the LEAF was inadequate.
Utility gained is a subjective quantity. My wife has a PHEV and gas costs $1.95 a gallon where we live. We both make our regular work commutes on 100% electricity which is (net) produced by our PV array. We only use gas when we take the PHEV out of town (rarely) and it takes us 2 minutes to refuel instead of an hour when we do so. I don't know where the "another $20-$25k over 5-10 years" is coming from in your calculations (you must take a hell of a lot of road trips) but I'm tired of arguing about it. We have gotten to the point that spreadsheets or code are gonna be required soon and it'll be garbage in - garbage out because we'll both bias our assumptions in our favor. LOL.
I see your point, hopefully you can see mine. At the end of the day folks do what is best for their situation. I think the Leaf is best for me and I'm glad that the M3 works for you and the OP.