Should we purchase our leased 2016 Leaf S?

[MikeMieka]

Hello, new to this forum and would like some opinions - our 2 year lease is about up (Jan 2019) on our 2016 S with 30kw battery. We will have $4800 into it (0 down, 200/mo) with a residual of about 12K. We live in the Seattle area which I know is good for battery life and we've had the software update on battery. The range is decent (in summer it shows 124 miles at 100% charge) and we haven't lost any bars. There is about 19K miles on it, in great condition and have really enjoyed it, pretty much serves our needs, but longer range would be nice. We were hoping the timing would be right to lease this one and then lease the new 200+ range model but it looks like it won't be out in time. Soooooo we are considering buying the 2016. What would you do?

[warrenc]

Since you know the car and it's history, and I'm pretty sure you can't replace it for that amount, I'd say go for it. Can you live with it for another 4 years or so?

[LeftieBiker]

If you are already thinking more range would be better, and have a modest amount invested in the 2016, I suggest you turn it in and lease a 2018 or 2019. You may well have range issues with the 30kwh in the future, and while the 40kwh Leaf will lose range as well, it has a much bigger cushion - more than just the extra 10kwh because of better efficiency.

[rcm4453]

Hello, new to this forum and would like some opinions - our 2 year lease is about up (Jan 2019) on our 2016 S with 30kw battery. We will have $4800 into it (0 down, 200/mo) with a residual of about 12K. We live in the Seattle area which I know is good for battery life and we've had the software update on battery. The range is decent (in summer it shows 124 miles at 100% charge) and we haven't lost any bars. There is about 19K miles on it, in great condition and have really enjoyed it, pretty much serves our needs, but longer range would be nice. We were hoping the timing would be right to lease this one and then lease the new 200+ range model but it looks like it won't be out in time. Soooooo we are considering buying the 2016. What would you do?

Why not get a lease extension until you can get into the 2019 60kwh Leaf e-plus? My dealer offered an extension to me since my 2016 Leaf SV lease ends February 2019. Was told the 60kwh Leaf e-plus would be available spring of 2019 here in Minnesota. The 2019 e-plus will be a tremendous upgrade in my opinion (More horsepower, faster charging, longer range, better battery, active TMS, more technology and isn't butt ugly like my 2016 Leaf!)

[tesleaf]

Hello, new to this forum and would like some opinions - our 2 year lease is about up (Jan 2019) on our 2016 S with 30kw battery. We will have $4800 into it (0 down, 200/mo) with a residual of about 12K. We live in the Seattle area which I know is good for battery life and we've had the software update on battery. The range is decent (in summer it shows 124 miles at 100% charge) and we haven't lost any bars. There is about 19K miles on it, in great condition and have really enjoyed it, pretty much serves our needs, but longer range would be nice. We were hoping the timing would be right to lease this one and then lease the new 200+ range model but it looks like it won't be out in time. Soooooo we are considering buying the 2016. What would you do?

Why not get a lease extension until you can get into the 2019 60kwh Leaf e-plus? My dealer offered an extension to me since my 2016 Leaf SV lease ends February 2019. Was told the 60kwh Leaf e-plus would be available spring of 2019 here in Minnesota. The 2019 e-plus will be a tremendous upgrade in my opinion (More horsepower, faster charging, longer range, better battery, active TMS, more technology and isn't butt ugly like my 2016 Leaf!)

60kwh Leaf will be $6000 more expensive, right?
When will the $7500 tax credit become $3750?

[SageBrush]

Add the Tesla Model 3 MR to your shopping list,
But decide quickly or risk losing out on half the federal tax credit

[alozzy]

In your shoes, I would probably buy out the lease residual and get a few more years use out of it.

However, if you can afford a new longer range EV then it's a possibility that Washington State could get the Hyundai Kona Electric and/or Kia Niro EV in the next 6 months. Also, the 2019 Leaf e-Plus will be out soon too.

If I really wanted to purchase a new EV and the timing wasn't quite right then I would takeover someone else's lease payments for a few months.

Here's a lease for a 2016 LEAF SV in WA that ends in 8/5/2019:

http://www.swapalease.com/lease/details ... id=1257748

That end date should be perfect timing...

Otherwise, you could takeover the lease on an ICE for a few months instead.

[rcm4453]

Hello, new to this forum and would like some opinions - our 2 year lease is about up (Jan 2019) on our 2016 S with 30kw battery. We will have $4800 into it (0 down, 200/mo) with a residual of about 12K. We live in the Seattle area which I know is good for battery life and we've had the software update on battery. The range is decent (in summer it shows 124 miles at 100% charge) and we haven't lost any bars. There is about 19K miles on it, in great condition and have really enjoyed it, pretty much serves our needs, but longer range would be nice. We were hoping the timing would be right to lease this one and then lease the new 200+ range model but it looks like it won't be out in time. Soooooo we are considering buying the 2016. What would you do?

Why not get a lease extension until you can get into the 2019 60kwh Leaf e-plus? My dealer offered an extension to me since my 2016 Leaf SV lease ends February 2019. Was told the 60kwh Leaf e-plus would be available spring of 2019 here in Minnesota. The 2019 e-plus will be a tremendous upgrade in my opinion (More horsepower, faster charging, longer range, better battery, active TMS, more technology and isn't butt ugly like my 2016 Leaf!)

60kwh Leaf will be $6000 more expensive, right?
When will the $7500 tax credit become $3750?

Nissan still has a ways to go before the tax credit reduces to $3,750, getting the full credit on a 2019 shouldn't be a problem.

The $6,000 is worth it though, will be so much better than a 2016 Leaf!

[MikeMieka]

Thank you everyone for the feedback, we didn't realize that a lease extension is possible and/or you can assume someone else's lease. We will look into that. Very good points made. We could live with our existing car for another few years AND we could afford a new one once the E plus, Kia or Hyundai are available. One side says since we've already invested $4800 into the car and it's cheap to buy out ($12K) and it serves our purposes, that's the way to go and in 3-5 years we could get a new one and who knows by then how much better they'll be, BUT in only a few months we could have a much improved one that could last much longer and be more useful for longer trips. Choices, choices. Maybe we should just flip a coin.......

[LeftieBiker]

Thank you everyone for the feedback, we didn't realize that a lease extension is possible and/or you can assume someone else's lease. We will look into that. Very good points made. We could live with our existing car for another few years AND we could afford a new one once the E plus, Kia or Hyundai are available. One side says since we've already invested $4800 into the car and it's cheap to buy out ($12K) and it serves our purposes, that's the way to go and in 3-5 years we could get a new one and who knows by then how much better they'll be, BUT in only a few months we could have a much improved one that could last much longer and be more useful for longer trips. Choices, choices. Maybe we should just flip a coin.......

If you'd have to sell the 2016 again, don't do that - the depreciation will be high. If you have someone in the family to give it to, then it's your call, obviously.