Leaf too big

[IssacZachary]

On what do you base this? This is an electric car and the consideration of transmission ratios is very different than it is with an ICE... A two speed transmission would buy you VERY little in an EV...

Too tall of gear ratio for city driving, needs two speed trany, low range for up 50 m.p.h. and high for open road driving.

Again, this is all a matter of opinion. Personally I never even use the full torque of the motor as it is unless I'm showing off. So having another gear would be just extra useless weight.

[JohnKuthe]

The longer I own it the more annoying these problems become.
1. Thick windshield pillars and useless pillar windows make corner visibility difficult.
2. High roofline (fully 6 inches taller than my 03 Crown Vic), makes washing and cleaning a real pain.
3. Rear view mirrors cars aren't closer, they simply don't show when beside you.
4. Car is a rolling blind spot with high doors, small side windows.
5. Guess-O-Meter is very aptly named.
6. Fabric padding on door panels and console wears quickly.
7. Too tall of gear ratio for city driving, needs two speed trany, low range for up 50 m.p.h. and high for open road driving.
8. Far too heavy....weighs just 300 pounds less than my 03 Crown Vic.

Good points:
1. Am learning what to look for in my next electric.
2. Don't need to use wipers in moderate rain over 40 m.p.h. as windshield blows clean without wipers.
3. It is more efficient at current gas and electric prices but just barely over my Metro.
4. Learning all about momentum driving.
5. Fun car to just sit with and study to try and figure why they did what they did.
6. It's paid for and a good learning experience.

I hear THAT!! Too many damned buttons too, particularly on the STEERING WHEEL!! Can't even one handed steer while parking without BREAKING SOMETHING, normally my CD playing!

John Kuthe...

[Dooglas]

8. Far too heavy....weighs just 300 pounds less than my 03 Crown Vic.

We are dealing with some basic physics here. You can't very well have an electric car without a battery pack. And the fact is that the LEAF accelerates quite well from a standing stop. It also handles well because of the low center of gravity. I'm not understanding why the weight of the LEAF an issue.

[IssacZachary]

Maybe Nissan will eventually do with the Leaf like Toyota did with the Prius; make different models around the same idea.

It would be nice to have a subcompact economical 4 seater for those who want something small and practical for simple commuting. Don't expect a big battery for long trips though.

I like the Leaf size. It's kind of a medium. But a bit bigger with a three row front seat would be handy.

Although not popular, I think a station wagon Leaf would be very practical for many people.

Then throw in microvans, minivans, midsized vans, fullsized vans, and for those who don't like vans, SUV's and crossovers. A BEV pickup would be nice too. But it would probably be a good idea to rename those, leaving the name "Leaf" to the lineup of BEV cars by Nissan. Maybe we could do "Branch", "Trunk", "Twig", etc. for names in those vehicles.

[RonDawg]

Maybe Nissan will eventually do with the Leaf like Toyota did with the Prius; make different models around the same idea.

That was Nissan's original plan. It had announced the Infiniti LE during the early days of the Leaf. They they put it on the shelf, bring it out again, then put it back on the shelf. Last I heard the car was going to be for China only.

[Scaramanga]

In Washington State the price of gas keeps bouncing around $2.80 a gallon with more increase in gas taxes due in July.
Electricity is climbing as well as PSE just increased rates for the third time in 2017 with another on its way.
Currently when you figure the cost of electricity, basic fee and sundry taxes on electricity and the cost of gas to go the same distance electricity it comes to $1.34 gas vs 0.89 for electric for a 22 mile round trip.

I don't know how you're figuring that cost? Since April 2017 I'm paying $0.076872 / kWH in Tacoma, which works out to be $2.30 to go 100 miles, if my calculations are correct.

[powersurge]

Leaf too big?? Hah!!.. I would like it even bigger. A HOMERUN people mover EV car would be the Leaf with the body size of the Mazda 5 mini minivan, that seats 6 people (2x2x2). with a sliding side door.... That would be a hot car in the market and a hit with soccer moms, who never put gas in the car anyway....

[Scaramanga]

That would be a hot car in the market and a hit with soccer moms, who never put gas in the car anyway...

Bingo. 60kwh battery, hauls groceries and the neighbors kids, Dad recharges the damn thing on Saturday's instead of driving to Arco and checking the oil.

[IssacZachary]

Leaf too big?? Hah!!.. I would like it even bigger. A HOMERUN people mover EV car would be the Leaf with the body size of the Mazda 5 mini minivan, that seats 6 people (2x2x2). with a sliding side door.... That would be a hot car in the market and a hit with soccer moms, who never put gas in the car anyway....

>>NISSAN! LOOK! PLEASE! THIS!<<
And I'm not even a soccer mom!
And please make the 7 seat option available in the USA unlike Mazda.

[gshepherd]

So basically a Tessa Model X for the rest of us.

If you think the LEAF is too big, there are some more compact alternatives such as the Chevy Spark, Chevy Bolt and the BMW i3. I was particularly smitten with the i3 after an extended test drive (was sad to turn it back in), but a number of other factors pushed me to the 30 kWh LEAF.