Daily drive the Z or get a Leaf for commuting

fonzo179 · 07-31-2013, 08:37 AM

NISSAN Leaf FTW!

My Z is my DD, but I am trying to save in preparation for starting a family. My GF has already given me the "...uh, yeah. Just let me know which vehicle you choose" look.

XiP · 07-31-2013, 08:41 AM

Get the leaf.

Chuck33079 · 07-31-2013, 08:47 AM

If you drive enough miles to have to fill the Z up every three days, is a Leaf even going to work for you? It seems like you do a lot of driving, and a range-limited electric only car may not fit the bill. Maybe a Volt would work better since you've got the gas backup to the electric?

XiP · 07-31-2013, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

If you drive enough miles to have to fill the Z up every three days, is a Leaf even going to work for you? It seems like you do a lot of driving, and a range-limited electric only car may not fit the bill. Maybe a Volt would work better since you've got the gas backup to the electric?

That's a good point. What about something like a Versa?

ZBro16 · 07-31-2013, 08:55 AM

I drive far too much for a Leaf myself, otherwise I would consider it for a DD. I bought a Mazdaspeed3 for my DD because I wanted a manual and a hatch to carry hockey gear and drums. (Would have gotten a Skyactiv, but I couldn't find a stick and it was only 2k less than what I bought the speed3 for)..

If manual wasn't a requirement, I would have gotten a base 2.5 Altima and put a stereo in it. You can haggle one down to say 19k, which wouldn't be a high payment, and get 38 MPGs, and have a nice quiet commuter. They're super nice cars.

Unless you're just putting your foot through the firewall at every green light, your refilling frequency suggests you'd find yourself on the side of the road with a dead battery waiting to get towed home in a Leaf.

critical · 07-31-2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XiP

That's a good point. What about something like a Versa?

I'll almost shot myself having a versa as a loaner.

Liquid_G · 07-31-2013, 09:21 AM

My daily is a VW Golf TDI. Close to 50mpg and still a pretty fun car to drive, has plenty of cargo room, and the best thing is its not a Prius.

fonzo179 · 07-31-2013, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XiP

That's a good point. What about something like a Versa?

That Leaf was popular in Seattle when it was released. Puget Sound Energy started putting charging stations throughout the city, and they were well-recieved. The older crowd 65+ loved it because they didn't travel much further than 15-20 miles away from town.

The Reuters poll from December 2011 showed that it made 78% of the 1000 surveyed would feel "up-to-date" with an electric car. Well, to each their own, I guess

lt_370z · 07-31-2013, 09:33 AM

By your OG post you already kind of made your decision for yourself. Of course most of us will be bias to tell you to DD the Z but there is a reason why you thought of the idea of leasing a leaf. It suits your needs so I say go with it.

DIGItonium · 07-31-2013, 09:38 AM

/thread

Cmike2780 · 07-31-2013, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

I like daily driving the Z, but it gets old to have to fill up every three days and the car is noisy as hell. I am thinking about leasing a Leaf so I can get to and from work in quietness and not have to worry about racking up miles and be able to carry the baby in the backseat instead of the front. What do you guys think?

Your kid shouldn't be in the front seat. Period. I'd seriously think about getting something safer with a back seat.

The Leaf is pretty nice, but lets face it, it's still new technology. You really need to think about your average daily commute and how long it would take to charge up. You'll never have to stop at a gas station, but expect having to plug-in every night. My total daily commute for example, adds up to around 55-60 miles. With an EPA range of 75 miles and no place at work to plug into, it's doesn't really work for me just yet. It would be perfect for my dad that works 8 miles away though. He'd only need to charge it fully once a week.

Great thing about Electric cars over a hybrid or normal car is that there isn't really a whole lot of moving parts. No oil changes, ever. Just regular maintenance stuff like inspections and tire rotations. Depending on your electric rate and tax savings, you can usually offset the initial price premium too.

1st · 07-31-2013, 10:06 AM

All I have to say is THANK YOU for not getting rid of the Z just because you have a baby!!! If you can afford a commuter by any means do so. A nice gas efficient one at that. Consider a Honda FIT (like somebody on the forum has. I forget who its white). Or consider a Honda Civic Si like myself and 6mt has. Great on gas, cheap to maintain and fun to drive with a lot of aftermarket support.

XiP · 07-31-2013, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st

All I have to say is THANK YOU for not getting rid of the Z just because you have a baby!!! If you can afford a commuter by any means do so. A nice gas efficient one at that. Consider a Honda FIT (like somebody on the forum has. I forget who its white). Or consider a Honda Civic Si like myself and 6mt has. Great on gas, cheap to maintain and fun to drive with a lot of aftermarket support.

I think kenchan has a fit? Not sure

Nice little cars for saving gas as a DD

Mt Tam I am · 07-31-2013, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by critical

I'll almost shot myself having a versa as a loaner.

As did I

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st

All I have to say is THANK YOU for not getting rid of the Z just because you have a baby!!! If you can afford a commuter by any means do so.

I agree.
I 'll let the rest of the gang give suggestions on car choice. What I like about the Leaf is no fuel starvation.

Leuz · 07-31-2013, 11:25 AM

You can get a 10 yr old Civic or Accord, low cost, still good mpg and they last forever. So you don't have to worry about parking, dents, bumping etc. insurance should be quite low too. Btw, I would not be able to drive my Z only once a week....

07-31-2013, 08:37 AM	#16 (permalink)
fonzo179 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: A Fantasy World Posts: 1,707 Drives: 2014 Audi Q5 3.0T Rep Power: 20	NISSAN Leaf FTW! My Z is my DD, but I am trying to save in preparation for starting a family. My GF has already given me the "...uh, yeah. Just let me know which vehicle you choose" look. __________________ You want a motorcycle, but can't drive a manual? Please tell me you're joking...

07-31-2013, 08:41 AM	#17 (permalink)
XiP A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: no clipping Posts: 11,096 Drives: ↑ ↓ Rep Power: 533	Get the leaf. __________________ I <3 Frost!!!

07-31-2013, 08:47 AM	#18 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	If you drive enough miles to have to fill the Z up every three days, is a Leaf even going to work for you? It seems like you do a lot of driving, and a range-limited electric only car may not fit the bill. Maybe a Volt would work better since you've got the gas backup to the electric? DEpointfive0 and fonzo179 like this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

07-31-2013, 08:55 AM	#20 (permalink)
ZBro16 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 370 Drives: A Z. Rep Power: 14	I drive far too much for a Leaf myself, otherwise I would consider it for a DD. I bought a Mazdaspeed3 for my DD because I wanted a manual and a hatch to carry hockey gear and drums. (Would have gotten a Skyactiv, but I couldn't find a stick and it was only 2k less than what I bought the speed3 for).. If manual wasn't a requirement, I would have gotten a base 2.5 Altima and put a stereo in it. You can haggle one down to say 19k, which wouldn't be a high payment, and get 38 MPGs, and have a nice quiet commuter. They're super nice cars. Unless you're just putting your foot through the firewall at every green light, your refilling frequency suggests you'd find yourself on the side of the road with a dead battery waiting to get towed home in a Leaf. DEpointfive0 likes this.

07-31-2013, 09:21 AM	#22 (permalink)
Liquid_G A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago Burbs Posts: 1,439 Drives: 09 370z Supercharged Rep Power: 44	My daily is a VW Golf TDI. Close to 50mpg and still a pretty fun car to drive, has plenty of cargo room, and the best thing is its not a Prius. IMWEZL, Vertigo and DEpointfive0 like this. __________________

07-31-2013, 09:33 AM	#24 (permalink)
lt_370z Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: HTOWN Posts: 233 Drives: Nismo 370Z Rep Power: 14	By your OG post you already kind of made your decision for yourself. Of course most of us will be bias to tell you to DD the Z but there is a reason why you thought of the idea of leasing a leaf. It suits your needs so I say go with it.

07-31-2013, 09:38 AM	#25 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	Leaf NISMO RC /thread DEpointfive0 and 1st like this. __________________

07-31-2013, 10:06 AM	#27 (permalink)
1st A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: I 80 Biz U.S. 50 Posts: 1,708 Drives: Platinum Z Rep Power: 1616	All I have to say is THANK YOU for not getting rid of the Z just because you have a baby!!! If you can afford a commuter by any means do so. A nice gas efficient one at that. Consider a Honda FIT (like somebody on the forum has. I forget who its white). Or consider a Honda Civic Si like myself and 6mt has. Great on gas, cheap to maintain and fun to drive with a lot of aftermarket support.

07-31-2013, 11:25 AM	#30 (permalink)
Leuz Track Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NorCal Posts: 555 Drives: Bunny Rep Power: 14	You can get a 10 yr old Civic or Accord, low cost, still good mpg and they last forever. So you don't have to worry about parking, dents, bumping etc. insurance should be quite low too. Btw, I would not be able to drive my Z only once a week.... __________________ 2013 PW 370Z Touring+Sport, NAV Tint 35% side, 18% back \| RJM clutch pedal \| ZSpeed SS lines \| Stillen Gen3 CAI \| Fast Intentions HFC and TDX 12'' CF CBE \| UpRev

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