What is your real world range with 40 and 62 KWH?

[Jerryr]

I did it. Traded in both the 2018 SV and 2018 Focus for a 2019 SL PLUS White/Black 2 tone.

Made the deal in the phone negotiating between 2 dealerships. Negotiated $3100 off the $44,920 Leaf SV Plus MSRP and negotiated a few thousand more for trades.

I once again I get to apply the $7500 tax credit next April. That’s the only credits available in Florida.

I’ve had Leaf Spy but didn’t use it on the new Leaf.

Drove the 38 miles home from the dealership and used 37 miles of range per the GOM, at 70 MPH. At 70 MPH the GOM was showing average 3.6 miles per kW. Arrived home with 162 miles range remaining after starting with 199 miles of range after a 25 mile test ride.

Good news is I own it outright with no lien and one less car insurance and tag renewal bills.

It has light gray almost white leather. WIFE LIKES IT! I can get in and out with no problems just like our 18 SV.

[Jerryr]

We test drove a Tesla Model 3. I have the same issue getting in and out of the Tesla. I hit my head on the door opening and have to bend my neck uncomfortably. I’m in my early 70’s and 6’ 250 lbs.

I’ll probably take another look at Tesla.

I would. If I had size problems I would focus on used Model S and dump the LEAF and Focus
Or perhaps dump the Focus and Lexus and keep a Model S and LEAF

I looked at used and new Tesla Model S’s they start at $39k and early model year used ones were $60k+. Tesla is sneaky. When you go to price it they deduct the $3,750 tax credit and the estimated gas savings. So when you go to check out is shows cost and what you pay around $10,000 more. They want $6,000 for autopilot, $1,000-$1,500 extra for most paint choices other than black. Black doesn’t work fir me especially in sunny Florida.

I’ve owned 2 Leafs. The only problem I’ve had is one tire with a soft spot causing a vibration at 65 mph which was replaced under warranty.

Now I have to install a 50 amp 14-50R receptacle at the cabin. I have an unused L14-30R twist lock receptacle at the house. I wonder if I can set the OEM ESEV to Max 24 amps?

I can’t get into a Model 3 without contorting my neck to duck under the roof line. Then there’s question about reliability and limited service locations.

[umdkevin]

I did it... negotiating between 2 dealerships. Negotiated $3100 off the $44,920 Leaf SV Plus MSRP and negotiated a few thousand more for trades.

Fantastic, good on you for getting them down further

[Baltneu]

Enjoy the new car.

I also have range anxiety on my 2018 SL.
I lease, nothing I can do about it for another 2 1/2 years.

[SageBrush]

Now I have to install a 50 amp 14-50R receptacle at the cabin. I have an unused L14-30R twist lock receptacle at the house. I wonder if I can set the OEM ESEV to Max 24 amps?

You can set a Tesla car to charge at whatever Amp you want (up to the maximum.) I'm not sure if currently or in the future, but a talked about feature is for different Amp settings by location.

[webb14leafs]

Congratulations! Although, you might have been fine with your previous car.

I'm surprised by the prices of the Leaf+. The Leaf's have a pretty clear trend of starting the new model year pretty high, and then drastically discounting by the end of the year. I hope that continues. You can get a 2018 SV for ~$27K. So $42K for a new one seems pretty crazy.

[lorenfb]

Congratulations! Although, you might have been fine with your previous car.

Very true for most of us.

So $42K for a new one seems pretty crazy.

Given the 2019 battery unknowns at that price, surprised anyone would consider buying one.

[Lothsahn]

Good news is I own it outright with no lien.

WIFE LIKES IT! I can get in and out with no problems just like our 18 SV.

This is the most important part of the entire post.

[webb14leafs]

Good news is I own it outright with no lien.

WIFE LIKES IT! I can get in and out with no problems just like our 18 SV.

This is the most important part of the entire post.

TRUTH!!!!

[Jerryr]

Congratulations! Although, you might have been fine with your previous car.

I'm surprised by the prices of the Leaf+. The Leaf's have a pretty clear trend of starting the new model year pretty high, and then drastically discounting by the end of the year. I hope that continues. You can get a 2018 SV for ~$27K. So $42K for a new one seems pretty crazy.

I was not comfortable taking a 120 mile trip at 65 mph and no charging stations along the way with the 40 kWh battery Leaf. Slowing down on a 2 lane road to increase range would create difficulties for traffic trying to pass me. Plus eventual battery degradation would make this trip more challenging in future years.

There are only 5 SL Plus Leafs listed in the State of Florida so negotiating price was a challenge. I’m used to cars being a commodity where I can negotiate between multiple dealership for the same exact vehicle. With limited stock it’s more difficult. In fact the original dealership in Orlando sold the other White SL 30 minutes after they rejected my offer of $5000 less that the original quote.

I negotiated a $3,192 discount off the MSRP on the one I bought. Did this all on the phone. They gave me $22,000 for our 2018 Leaf SV that we paid $31,887 for (5/15/18) almost exactly a year ago. If you figure the $7,500 tax credit in, that Leaf cost us $24,387. So I drove it for a year with only $2,387 in depreciation or about $200/mo. Not bad. Of course what’s not in there is the ~$1,000 interest lost by not banking the $24,387 for a year.

I traded 2 for 1 so I reduced my insurance bill by $1000 this year. I increased my monthly cash flow another $1,000/month this year by changing my Fed Tax withdrawal on my Annuity and Social security deposits to take advantage of the $7,500 tax credit again this year.

I’m 72 years old so as I tell my wife my clock is running out. I want to enjoy the fruits of my 38 years working while I’m still healthy.