Will dealers be allowed to gouge us?

[garygid]

I did not see WHEN Lance is going to get his.
Did they give a date, or month?
Thanks

[mwalsh]

Did they give a date, or month?

September.

[garygid]

Cool, Thanks!

So, it seems that the first production LEAFs will be coming "off the line" (or almost) before October.

Perhaps there could be some early "first area" deliveries in November?

[mwalsh]

Cool, Thanks!

So, it seems that the first production LEAFs will be coming "off the line" (or almost) before October.

Perhaps there could be some early "first area" deliveries in November?

Well, at least one will. It was speculated in another thread that other cars should be coming off the line at the same time, so the possibility existed of earlier deliveries than December. To that end, I was trying to find out how long ocean freight of vehicles took from Japan, but was unable. I know from personal experience that from the UK it takes 30 days to west coast ports, and I would expect more or less the same from Japan. So my best guess is that November could be a possibility.

[DaveinOlyWA]

of course not, but paying cash or financing the car are both the same, you are buying the car outright, and are commited to the full purchase price, eventually. with Leasing the commitment is less total $, for the first 36 months, then you can decide if you want to go "all in" and buy it outright.

But when financing you aren't putting the money all upfront. Just like in lease. So, in terms of comparison, I'd compare the money paid for lease to financed buy.

Assuming 5% interest rate, doc fee of 500 - if the residue after 3 years is 11,000 - financing & lease would turn out to be the same in WA.

u need to show me the math that says risidual after a 3 year lease would be 11,000. if paying $379 for 36 months that is 13,644. if purchase price is 33K, u have at least 20 k left over. granted the terms of lease are not available and i doubt that residual would be that high, but i expect it to be no less than 15-17K

[DaveinOlyWA]

Suppose one has a relative/family working as a Nissan car sales rep, would he/she be able to sell the LEAF below MSRP at all?

Since the official statement from Nissan is the dealer sets the price, it theorectically could go + or - from MSRP right?

not gonna happen. my sister works for Ford and get an employee discount on several models. however, ones in short supply are not on the employee purchase list. she was interested in the Ford Fusion Hybrid, but it is still not on employee purchase program. i hope to sell her my Pri when i get the Leaf

[planet4ever]

u need to show me the math that says risidual after a 3 year lease would be 11,000. if paying $379 for 36 months that is 13,644. if purchase price is 33K, u have at least 20 k left over. granted the terms of lease are not available and i doubt that residual would be that high, but i expect it to be no less than 15-17K

I agree. See this thread for some estimates and calculations:
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=431

[evnow]

Assuming 5% interest rate, doc fee of 500 - if the residue after 3 years is 11,000 - financing & lease would turn out to be the same in WA.

u need to show me the math that says risidual after a 3 year lease would be 11,000. if paying $379 for 36 months that is 13,644. if purchase price is 33K, u have at least 20 k left over. granted the terms of lease are not available and i doubt that residual would be that high, but i expect it to be no less than 15-17K

Note the "if". I was comparing lease & buy - I'll post the math again.

[daniel]

In (or near) most of the "first" areas, we should have a chance to see, sit in, and even drive a LEAF before August.

Has Nissan said this? Or are you saying that you feel Nissan ought to allow us to see and test drive before ordering? If the latter, of course I agree. But I'll be surprised if it happens, because it would mean bringing pre-production cars around to all the markets, in numbers sufficient to allow many thousands of people to drive them. Note that if this is to happen before we actually order, then everyone on the $99 list will want to drive the car, whether they plan on actually ordering or not.

I speculate that those who order in August because they want their Leafs as early as possible, will have to do so without ever having driven the car. Perhaps they'll bring a pre-production car to a show in each market so the press and potential early buyers can see it, much as Toyota brought a 2010 Prius to show off in Detroit before it went on sale.

[Bicster]

I think it will be much like the EV-11 test drive events, where you get to do a couple of laps on a closed course in a parking lot, and get to fondle the car a bit. It would only require a couple of LEAFs. I doubt we'll be getting test drives on public roads.