2 Years Driving a Fully Electric Nissan Leaf // My Review // Is Electirc Better?

[@AndroidAndr3w]

This is the most informative video I have seen on 1st gen Leafs.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

thanks! I spent some time thinking about how to convey the experience of switching from gas to electric

[@kroynenno]

An honest, realistic review. Thank you.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Thanks- this was the video I was looking for when I was thinking about buying electric 👍

[@nigglenoo]

@@LetNewAdventuresBegin as a former leaf owner I am curious what specific work you have needed that required taking it back to the dealership. The only thing I had done by the Nissan dealership was the annual service which was alternately either about $175 or $225 and I only had that done to keep the warranty going. Even then the work they do for the service is very ordinary and totally possible for a competent mechanic, except for the data download re the battery, which is not actually necessary maintenance and tells you much less than you can find out yourself with a $40 Bluetooth dongle and the Leafspy app on your phone.

[@nissanleafproject4914]

Great video! I got my 2013 leaf in 2016. Using 80% of the battery everyday increased my electric bill by 30 dollars each month. Zero problems with the car after 4 years the best decision I have ever made. I actually powered my house for 4 days using the car. The battery pack alone is worth more than the resale value. It's a life style change but I wouldn't have it any other way.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

that is so great to hear! We didnt notice much of an increase in our electric bill- for sure saving money over what I had been paying for gas. I dont think I will go back to a gas vehicle, but I am interested to see how the electric cars do as they get older

[@Fairy_Huntert3t3]

Great to hear that you are able to charge your house for 4 days. May I ask, how did you convert your lease to charge your house?

[@nissanleafproject4914]

@@Fairy_Huntert3t3 I simply hooked up a 1,500 watt inverter to the battery which turns 12 volts dc into 120 volts ac and ran an extension cord into the house. You will need to leave the car in the on mode which will use the battery pack to recharge the 12 volt battery. I also use the inverter to run a 250 watt ac electric heater to heat my feet in the winter instead of the 5,000 watt heater that comes with the car.

[@Reddylion]

Nice ev.

[@cnvrtbl5]

Best Leaf review I have watched so far. Thank you for the real take on owning an electric car.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

thank you! glad you found it helpful 👍

[@brianmellinger7981]

Welcome aboard I’ve got a 2014 Nissan Leaf had it for six years charge at home trickle charge all the time 65,000 miles

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

wow that is awesome Brian! I am so happy to hear that 😁 I hope my car does that well

[@Electruver]

@ferkemall [crickets] :D

[@TuanLe-yq7vx]

Did u have to do any maintenance on it?

[@shaneboone5911]

Can you make it 350000 on the battery 🔋

[@NewSkiwi]

Thanks, that was incredibly helpful. I test drove a Leaf today, and I must admit the limited range did freak me out a bit!

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

it really depends on how much driving you do on a regular basis 😳 it can be tricky! but if it works for you it can be a great vehicle 👍

[@zackarasyd2493]

This is the kind of review that all future ev would like to know. Truthful and transparent without any influence from the car dealer that borrowed the car for review like most car reviewer. Thumbs up 👍

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

thanks Zack- this was the type of video I was looking for when thinking about buying my leaf, so I figured I should make one 👍

[@calvinclimie]

A very thoughtful and honest review. Thanks! We have a 2016 Leaf and really like it, especially the acceleration capacity from a standing start. However, like you said, the range really drops in winter weather. In -18 Celsius temperatures, the range is 40% of normal; a summer time range of 150 km turns into 65 km in the cold.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

I feel like I have a lot in common with my car 😂 when it is warm we are happy...when it is cold- not so much

[@amr2399]

Interesting! I also heard it's much less in range in the scorching hot weather!

[@danielpadilla1537]

Very informative and insightful - I just received my used Nissan Leaf last week so videos likes these are very helpful.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

very exciting - congratulations! I hope you enjoy your electric car

[@philipdutton9831]

Great honest review! I can tell your comments come from real life experiences. Thank You!

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

thanks Philip 👍

[@effincurmudgeon7377]

Thank you for your info. I am days away from purchasing my first EV. Your review has answered many questions I’ve had. I plan to use the vehicle as my commuter. ( 40 miles per day ). You have reassured me that I’m making a good choice.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

glad the video helped you in this process! good luck with the new EV 👍

[@Asylum5g]

Having just bought the same model that was a really useful review thank you. Only problem being my wife has decided she wants it. But you are spot on with hybrid model of one EV and one gas!

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

haha you will have to switch back and forth- share the leaf. it really is a fun car to drive 👍 enjoy it

[@Barrybristle]

You have certainly helped me to focus my thoughts over here in Scotland. Thanks for the very well put together video.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

glad to hear this helped Peter- thanks for watching 👍

[@alsernaiii7845]

Thank you for the useful information. I am patiently waiting for a new adventure take care.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

More to come! thanks for watching 😊

[@GaryCrowellSr]

I've had a 2012 Leaf for about 18 months now. Fortunately, it has a 2015 battery replacement so it's at 11/12 bars (over 80% SOH). I never need to drive more than about 50 miles a day, so I've never really had a problem with range. I charge overnight with L1 and I've never needed to use any other charger. Nevertheless, I was aware of range anxiety and suffered from it for a while. However, when I finally got over it, I also realized that I was released from all the other vehicle anxieties that had always been there. I thought back over the 50+ years of driving I've done, and totaled up all the times that a car breakdown has stranded me somewhere. (Not counting flat tires, I could change those; or just out-of-gas-my-fault.) And the list came down to mostly busted starters, water pumps, and alternators, plus a busted piston ring, timing chain, fan belts, and CV joints. Of all of those, the only thing that's in a leaf is the CV joints. (Yes there are water pump(s) in the Leaf, but they are much simpler than the water pump of an ICE vehicle.) All (most) of the anxieties of ICE vehicle failures are gone! I'm free! I sort of suspect that you haven't had enough years with cranky ICE cars to really appreciate the feeling of freedom of an EV. The second thing I wanted to comment on was the heater. Yes, it's weak, and I live in Idaho. But with the car on the charger in the morning, I go out and start the heat 15 minutes before I expect to leave. Since it's plugged in, it doesn't take any range off the battery, and the car is toasty warm when I leave. I don't even have to scrape the windows. Same for the AC in the summer. And finally, you mentioned the cost of having to take it to the Nissan dealer for maintenance/repair and how you couldn't use your local friendly mechanic. Except for the battery/motor/charging system, the Leaf is really just a regular car. Suspension, wheel bearings, CV joints, brakes are nothing special at all and can be easily handled by any competent mechanic. I am not a mechanic, not an auto hobbyist, but a decent driveway mechanic, and I managed to replace a water pump in my Leaf myself. Saved about $900 over letting the dealer do it. (Funny thing about the water pumps in the 2012 [and some other years]: There are two water pumps working in series. When one failed it just gave a 'warning'. I was still able to drive it just fine for a week until the replacement pump came in.) Actually, I guess I've probably replaced 8 or 9 water pumps over the years, and the one in the Leaf was far and away the easiest to do. Let your local mechanic take a look before you take it to the dealer.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

It can be a great vehicle once you get used to the switch & some of the day to day details of having an EV. I found that 3 years ago mechanics were not excited about touching an EV, but more recently have had no issues. In the past couple of years EVs have become so common i think most mechanics realized that they will have to work on them to stay in business. Thanks for sharing your experience 😁👍

[@alanfurlong-drummer4419]

Lovely video post. I’ve just purchased a 2013 one with 60,000 kilometres. I fully agree it’s a bit nerve wrecking until you get over range-anxiety. I just love the quietness and the super cheap running costs.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

once you get to know your car's range and how temperature impacts it - the leaf can be a great vehicle with lots of benefits 👍

[@jessica44120]

I am still very nervous but excited at the same time I just purchased a Nissan leaf from carvana and will be getting it delivered today! Thanks for the video

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

that is very exciting- best of luck with it! Give yourself some time to get used to it - there is a bit of a learning curve but I think you will be happy with your purchase

[@peteowens3033]

Enjoyed your video. I just bought my first electric vehicle a few months ago so I can relate. 2019 Leaf SL Plus and I am loving it! We still have ICE vehicles too but I drive the LEAF about 95% of the time. ;-) Mine has a 214 to 225 mile range. ;-) I do a 25 % ish to 85% charge at home only a couple times a week.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

It takes some adaptation, but they can be great vehicles!

[@AnalogueKid2112]

Nice review. I drive a Ford Focus Electric and love it. Similar range to the Leaf, but has liquid heating/cooling for the battery and does better in the cold. We currently have a gasoline car as well, but with so many long range EVs coming out and quickly improving DC Fast Charging, I don’t think I’ll ever buy another gasoline car. You may already know about it, but PlugShare is a great resource for planning trips.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

with the improving range of the new EVs it is totally possible for many households to switch to 2 EVs & not need a gas vehicle anymore- that is exciting!

[@BRS5]

Great video! We have a gas car and a Leaf. The gas car is used only a few times a year for long trips. Like you said, having one gas car and one EV is a great balance and very practical. Our Leaf is very fun to drive and easy to park. It is very peppy! This was a nice video, thanks for sharing.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

It is a good balance, especially because the EVs are limited on long term travel...and we like to travel 😁

[@hernantrujillo2947]

This was a great review. Very practical, honest, and informative.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

thank you Hernan 👍

[@sharonreinblatt9790]

Interesting video. Thanks for making it. We bought a new car last year and ended up with a hybrid because of range anxiety amongst other things. Happy with our purchase as we think its the best of both worlds. No range anxiety and get 600 miles off of a tank a gas. For a mid size car, we think that’s fantastic.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Hi Sharon, yes my parents have a Prius (about 12 years old) and they have done very well with it. I looked for a used one when I was car shopping, but people seem to hold onto them so there weren't any around in my budget. A hybrid is a great option in the car market right now, especially if you need to do longer distances

[@gregorybarned1837]

As you said "range anxiety" and "extreme range anxiety" are real things. I had the same year leaf 2015 that you do. I've played beat the needle as people do in ice vehicles, when the gauge says E but you try and stretch it to see how far you can make it. I've ran out of juice twice just a couple miles from home. The 1st time I had a friend tow me home, after that I always kept the trickle charge cable in the car. The 2nd time I ran out, I was able to push the car myself close enough to a building with a 110 outlet outside and let it charge for an hour. The miraculous thing was that after running out of electricity I never had range anxiety again. To charge at home- I found a chord on the internet for $350 that plugs into my dryer outlet , 50 ft. out to my car for 2nd level charging. That saved hiring an electrician and buying a charging station.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

I guess you could say It is a bit more of an adventure having an EV 😂 at least you get some good stories out of it 👍

[@marcgrondin65]

@Laura : I completely understood being an early adopter myself (kia soul ev 2015/16) then an e-Golf. Of course - the range anxiety not so much with the latter than does an average of 200km : which means at least 120-130 wintertime (in Quebec !) and over 260 during the summer. The only part that surprised me is this - the heat : I found they all generated hot air much faster than my previous ICE cars (which when the finally got hot I was 1/2 to work !). Also, I would recommend you preheat (vents, steering & seats) before you leave ... that way there is much less drain. Thanks for producing this to address many concerns that those considering them might have. But, as you can see, there are not tons of them that now do > 300 km. We've come a long way in about 5 years !

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

we really have come a long way in the past few years- looking at the new models my car is rather out dated...but that is ok- it still works really well for my needs. Glad you are doing well with your EVs!

[@buddycollier5056]

Good video I’m getting one in December (2021). I found this video helpful

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

very exciting...it will be here soon 😁

[@deaconstjohn8643]

Great job on this video, really enjoyed it . Very informative and the pace/presentation was fantastic. Im looking at buying a used Leaf. Your video was very helpful. Again great job.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

thanks, glad to help- it can be hard to make the jump to all electric, but it can be done & I am glad I did 😁👍

[@jamescorrigan7999]

Enjoyed your video. I recently purchased a new 2020 Chevy Bolt Premier. I have less range anxiety, as I have 259 miles of range. Because of Covid 19, I have not been able to take any long trips. I am still hanging on to my other car, a 2012 Toyota Camry hybrid, for the winter ski trips to Vermont,

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Hi James, that is great to hear! I think the chevy Bolt is something I would consider for my next car- especially as they continue to improve the range driving an electric becomes more realistic- Let me know how it goes as you get to drive it more 👍

[@jamescorrigan7999]

I live in Pennsylvania, west of Philadelphia, but purchased my Bolt from A Chevy dealer in Somerset Co., NJ. If I had been a NJ resident, I would have paid about $7,000 less for the car - no sales tax on EV's in NJ + a $5,000 state rebate on EV's that cost under $60,000. And, the rebate is taken off by the NJ dealer at the time of sale - no need to file any forms and wait for your check. I just had a 240 volt home charger installed, today, and the package ran me over $2,000. But I see that you have already solved the home charging issue, Plus, you live in Atlantic County. You can take advantage of all of the New Jersey EV goodies. By now, you must be very tempted to purchase a new Chevy Bolt, so that you can enjoy the benefits of an electric car, without any range angst issues. Remember the words of the great Irish poet, Oscar Wilde " The only way to deal with temptation - is to give in !" All the best, Jim.

[@GTSCommander]

Took delivery of a 2018 Leaf with the 40KWh battery and got to "enjoy" the concepts of range anxiety and pre-planning trips but I have NO regrets! I am enjoying my electric pet! I trickle charge for now, planning to get a 220 circuit in the garage in the future, but I know when to charge and don't let it get below 30% The car is rated at 151 miles but I hyper mile and drive ECO mode only and can go well over a hundred local miles between charges. Hopefully your next EV is a CPO Leaf Plus, that will lessen the range anxiety.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

that is exciting! enjoy your leaf- it is a fun learning experience switching to an EV and it sounds like your 2018 has good range!

[@WolvesInferno]

Great video. I haven't taken the electric car plunge yet. However last May I bought a late 2012/2013 Toyota Auris Hybrid. It's a truly fantastic car. I get about 65 to 70 + mpg in this weather, and it's so smooth and fun to drive. The range is about 480 to 520 miles. It's also great fun sneaking up on people as both electric and Hybrid cars are great for this. One chap did actually step out in front of me because he couldn't hear any engine sound and apologized to me! What I also love is no idling at traffic lights, smooth drive, torquey pull when you drive, very low tax, and no manual gear stick. My previous car was a 2003 1.6 Golf, and it was a good car but the tax was high at €514 per year, and per fill up each time was €78 compared to the Auris which is only about €40 to 45 to fill up completely.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Hybrids really are a great option right now- there are more on the used car market, you get some benefits and cost savings without the sacrifice of the short range with some EVs

[@randomdodads]

For the range "issue", if you need to, there are companies now that upgrade the battery to larger models for the Leaf.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

I think I may end up doing that in the future- for now the range is working well for my normal driving 👍 thanks Peter

[@jackallen6261]

I have been looking at total electric cars for a few years, the discussion on range at highway speeds is VERY helpful! Thank you! I have an older VW diesel new beetle that gets about 43 miles to the gallon and I live in a VERY rural area of western Oklahoma where EVERYTHING is 20 to 40 miles away, lol. I think for now at least I will stick with the bug. Namaste.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Hi Jack- glad the video was helpful- my car would have a hard time in a rural area, but the newer EVs have much improved range and would handle that type of driving well. In a few years there should be some better EVs on the used market so keep an eye out & you may find something that will work for you 👍 thanks for watching!

[@psmh4]

I had a 98 diesel beetle loved it, I have 2006 Jetta tdi 435,000 on it

[@high1voltage1rules]

Thank you for telling us your life with the Nissan Leaf. IV just purchased one the 2021 model and it’s a bigger battery if I’m correct lol. It’s 40kw battery. And I’m glad IV made the correct choice, thank you for taking the time make the video. Bless you 👍👍👍👍👍THUMBS UP👍👍👍👍👍

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

that is very exciting- yes you will have better range for sure 👍 and they really are fun to drive 😁 enjoy!!

[@johnnyrosenberg9522]

I sold my last car in 2017 to never buy a car again. I go to work and go errands using my electric moped, which has a range of about 55 km. I bought an extra battery, so I can charge one at home and use the other one at the same time. When I need to go further I rent a car, and when I do that I rent a car suitable for my needs, so sometimes it's a small car, sometimes it's a bigger one and once we even rented a motorhome. So far we needed to rent a car (or go by train and bus) approximately once a month, which has been a lot cheaper than owning a car, though a few of the cars we rented were the Tesla Model S. I'm not saying everyone should do this, but it works very well for me.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

that is awesome! glad to see you are making it work without having to own a car - that is inspirational & something I would love to work toward one day

[@bextar6365]

So do you put chains on the Moped in the winter ? Personally I could never imagine not owning a car/SUV for convenience, freedom and just pure pleasure to travel anywhere. To each his own, the majority would never give-up their vehicles for the reasons I stated........

[@johnnyrosenberg9522]

@@bextar6365 Well, last winter we didn't have much snow, almost nothing at all, so I was able to take the moped to work every day (the winter before that I took the bus a couple of times), but I have an extra rear rim and front wheel on which I think I will put snow tyres if necessary this winter, so I can just switch wheels like on a car. That's one of the things that I really like with my moped, that the rear wheel, which is the motor, has a removable rim, which the moped I had before that didn't have, making it much more complicated to switch tyres. I can go anywhere too, I just have to plan it a little beforehand, since I need to rent the vehicle I need. That's not a big deal for me, and it makes it all more interesting… ;) And, I can obviously rent the car I need, which might be different from time to time. And I don't need to worry much about the car I rent. For instance, if the display says that it needs service in 2000 km, I don't have to worry about it.

[@xxwookey]

@@bextar6365 It depends where you live too. I'm in the UK and it hardly ever snows in the bottom half of the country, and if it does it's an inch that's melted by the afternoon. 2010 was the last time it was icy for more than a couple of days. I still have a car but we use it increasingly rarely. It goes nowhere for months on end. Especially this year it's not moved since March. Almost all transport is by bike: work, food, beer, shopping, events. Or use train+bike for longer weekend trips/holidays. The car is 21 years old now so a new one would be a good idea soon - that will almost certainly be electric - I'm just waiting for someone to make a 200-mile range van, but it'll be brand new and thus very expesnive.

[@jeremy1548]

Delighted to made it work so well. Quick note in the UK (rules may be different where you are) really no need to have minor services done at a Nissan dealer. It's just tyre check, washer fluid and pollen filter change. Shouldn't be more than $50 so your mechanic friend would be fine for that. The only thing they add for the 2 yearly service is a brake fluid change which I've seen others say is not necessary but if it is then any mechanic can do that too. The only the thing you dealer brings to the show is the ability to check state of health for your battery which you can do yourself with LeafSpy on a phone. If they're charging you more for your e-services than a gas car - I'm afraid they're pulling a fast one.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

The owners manual says brake fluid every 3,ooo miles, but from what I have read online many people think that is excessive. Ive been staying away from the dealership lately as they do like to charge extra & I am finding other mechanics are getting more comfortable with working on normal things (not battery related) like tires and such. I havent used the LeafSpy but I will check that out- thanks Jeremy!

[@RIPStefany]

I’ve been watching EV videos for months now as I will (hopefully) be buying my first one soon. I happened upon your video and was thrilled to see that not only were you a jersey girl like me, but also south Jersey! Haha I’m near the shore area! Most EV videos I’ve found are either based in the UK or basically anywhere else in United States (if at all) lol So this was particularly exciting to watch! Great video!!

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Hi Stefany, yes i had the same issue when I was looking to get an EV- most videos are from the UK as they have been utilizing EV's longer. Sough Jersey is not the greatest with public chargers, but there are some so it is possible! Good luck with your car shopping!

[@NAY2GAS]

Stefany, I have a LEAF since 2013 in NJ as well, 82,500 miles and I have 60% of my range because the LEAF battery (2017 and below) are the worst EV batteries in the world. They degrade very much very quickly. I can only drive 26 miles now on a full charge. My recommendation is not to buy a LEAF. My next EV is a Tesla. They are the best and have the best technology. If you have questions, we have a Facebook group with 1600 NJ EV owners who can help you, go to NJEVA dot org on your browser. Sal Cameli aka UBUYGAS

[@_BAD_MERC_]

I appreciate this follow up owner experience and not some random car review. I own four cars including a small truck, a V8 luxury sedan, a V8 performance sedan, and a V6 Ford Taurus. The Taurus is my daily commuter and work car/grocery getter. I drive 6 miles a day and generally a tank of gas lasts about a month to/from work. It's getting tired (159,000 miles) and the transmission is threatening to fail. My next daily looks to be a Leaf now that I see stuff like this. I believe it would have more than 12 hours' charging time nightly although even with the short range - may drive all week on a charge.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Hi Kenny, it sounds like switching to an EV would work well for your lifestyle. I was glad to upgrade from my 15 y/o subaru to a more reliable vehicle- once I got over the initial discomfort of switching to electric 😁

[@NickAlati]

With the connect APP, you can heat your car while it is still plugged into you house power,before heading out into the cold , nice option lol

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

I wasnt able to get the app to connect to my car last time...I should give it another try as that really is a great feature!

[@DanT10]

I thought the older leafs (leaves?) had too low a milage. the 2017 has more (which I own) and the 2020 even more. I find it handles about 95% of my needs. My wife loves it too.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

it is amazing how the milage has increased over the past few years - the new EVs are very functional for daily driving. Most of the time my range is between 75-95 miles based on the weather and that works well for getting to work and around town 👍

[@anthonymalovrh2912]

Bought a used 2016 Nissan Leaf SV in August 2019 with 23490 miles. Plug it in and charge at home. Have solar so electricity is essentially free, though electric company gives me a credit for surplus at less than 3 cents per kWh. Now have 30,590 miles on it - it is our main vehicle for around town here in Prescott Valley AZ. We do have a 2017 Prius for long trips, but rarely use it. Helps that we are retired and live nearby to shops, library, etc.. Hope to get a longer range EV at some point, but for now we love the car. Have needed zero maintenance. Usual miles per kw ranges between 5.2-5.4.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

what a great area you live in- my brother lives in Prescott and I got to visit a few years ago & really enjoyed the downtown - that is a great area for an EV 👍

[@aaronbounds1336]

I did the rough math the other day and figured over 40K miles, I have not spent about $2,200 in gas. This varies considerably with the comparison vehicle (10 mph vs 50 mpg). Then there are all of the other savings of all of the time associated with all of the maintenance things like oil changes, etcetera. Plus the convenience of having the car ready each morning, that's nice.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

I havent done the math on it, but I know it has been good for saving money over the past (almost) 3 years now

[@putheflamesoutyahoo1503]

surprised cover is not designed to close for elec connection on the car hood in case it is blowing rain. Where is this camp sight? What is cost for tiny home park rent? Where I live the town added 5% franchise fee on elec bill.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

We live in NJ- the rent depends on which loop you live in (how close you are to the lake). Electric is a bit more expensive in the campground, but give it time as NJ will put a fee on anything they can (another reason we are trying to move out of state) 😎

[@jimmcdonald6465]

This is really helpful, thank you. It's good to see a review from someone who seems vaguely sceptical about all the claims and still sees real world positives. I was leaning toward a similar vintage Leaf so will probably think again. Thanks again!

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Hi Jim, glad it was helpful- it all comes down to how much you drive in a day and where the chargers are located in your area

[@robinbond8240]

So you don't really feel the need for a home charger?

[@lanceareadbhar]

I just bought a Leaf and am in the middle of that buyer's remorse period. I love everything about the car except the battery, but I know it was a good deal and will work out overall.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

it is a good car overall & hopefully you can make it work for your lifestyle- it does take some extra thought and planning 👍 good luck with your leaf

[@roccosteven8731]

InstaBlaster...

[@duartejose93]

Congratulations 🍾🎊🎈🎉, I hope you pass this fase soon and enjoy the new ride!!

[@macdaddywdf]

What’s wrong with the battery?

[@kylereese4822]

The battery is upgradeable all the upto 62kw.....

[@dexterdog10100]

I’m so glad I happened across your channel. I’ve contemplated getting an electric car for a long time. Especially the Leaf since it’s so much like a regular hatchback car. I have yet to actually go electric but I really like the Leaf. Also, I’m always curious where people live when I watch their videos. I was excited to see that you guys live in NJ too. We live in Toms River. My wife is Puerto Rican and we have yet to vacation to Puerto Rico so I was really happy to see all of your videos of your trip there. I look forward to watching all of your PR videos and future Leaf updates.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

The leaf is a great car as long as the range of the battery fits your lifestyle. When travel is safe you should go to Puerto Rico!! - it is such an awesome place and a short flight from NJ, we keep talking about when we can go back 👍

[@ThisisTiff10]

Thank you for explaining everything in such detail! And for giving your honest opinion! This is great information. I drove a 2017 Leaf S today and I'm really thinking it'll be a great addition to our household. My husband has a Forester, so that can be our long range car. :)

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

a Forester & a leaf sounds like a good combo! I bet the 2017 has better range too 🚗 it is all about how much you drive in a day and where/when you can charge

[@TheMrjetdoc35]

Wow! Awesome review. Thanks for taking the time to make a great video.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

thanks, glad you found it to be helpful

[@wcg66]

It's worth mentioning that new EVs have longer range than early models like this and is getting better each year. The alternative is plug in hybrids where short drivers are covered by EV mode, longer trips are in hybrid mode.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

yes- there really is a big difference in the milage of the newer EVs- but there is also a big price difference so it all depends on what you need...the plug in hybrids are a really nice mix of both- i wonder if there are any on the used market

[@wcg66]

@@LetNewAdventuresBegin there are the occasional used Prius Prime but the used market seems messed up at the moment. The incentives are good for PHEVs too. I think if you had to start over today a PHEV might have been better to alleviate your EV anxiety. Full disclosure we have a Prius Prime and love it.

[@djgate]

Preheat the car while its plugged in to help the range, Move the drive selector twice for low which is not a low gear but gives extra braking when releasing the accelerator pedal which in turn uses the cars enertia to put power back into the battery. This also saves the friction brakes. With a bit of practice you will find you hardly use the brake pedal.

[@jamesburian5203]

Enjoyed watching the review. I have a 2015 white SV leaf that I bought new. No maintenance issues. Use it also as daily work commuter (30-40 miles per day). Only charge level 1 overnight. I live in the deep south (Shreveport), so thanks to the lizard battery, I still have 12 range bars (about 11 percent capacity lost) at close to 60k miles. Have ICE vehicle for out of town trips. Works for me. One extra plus with the Leaf and most other electric cars (it's a guy thing). Love the quiet 100 percent torque acceleration from a green light. The ICE cars have to get into drag race mode just to keep up with you (rev their engines and make lots of noise). And it doesn't cost much in battery drain to accelerate like this all the time as compared to driving over 50mph. My overall efficiency is 4.3 miles per kwh. FYI the newest plus leafs have twice the horsepower and almost 3 times the battery capacity and you can pick them up right now for around the same price I paid for mine 5 years ago.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Hi James, I think people find it hard to believe, but the leaf is really fun to drive- I like driving the leaf more than our jeep (as long as we arent going far) 😁 that acceleration is really nice & so smooth because no shifting. One day I will upgrade to a longer range vehicle, but for now the leaf is doing a good job 👍

[@rivermccaughey6933]

Something interesting I notice in the comments is that most people mention they already have a Leaf yet are still watching. Then again, my family also has one and I’m still here watching. Anyways, great review!

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

that is funny! I guess people want to see how others are managing with their Leaf 😂

[@leaflover9625]

Hi Laura. My name also is Laura and I also own a 2015 Leaf. Mine is black instead of white. I had a 240 plug installed in my garage and plug in at night. Not many charging stations around me. Maintenance is negligible. I’ve only taken mine to the dealer twice. It’s much cheaper to own an electric car. I’m retired now and don’t drive too much to worry about the range. But getting a Tesla is a dream of mine.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Hi Laura! it is nice to talk to another Laura driving a leaf 😁 the owner of our campground has a tesla & it is beautiful. They put in a free tesla charger at the clubhouse so we thought if we could get one in the future there is free power. Glad to hear your cost of ownership with the leaf has been low- I have seen some other videos of people having battery issues so I guess that is what I worry about...but maybe that is not so common & hopefully Penelope the leaf keeps on rolling for a good few years 👍

[@richardhobbs9038]

@@LetNewAdventuresBegin "Penelope Pit-Stop" ? ? ? Ha ha . Should keep rolling for a bunch of years !

[@richarddeason1845]

I like your honest viewpoint I thinking about getting one

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

as gas prices get higher I am even happier with my little electric car to get around 😁

[@ProgomotoID]

Leaf just got launched today in Indonesia ... Going to hear your full review here

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

that is great- the leaf is growing!

[@jamescalbert4958]

I was blown away that, as a second owner, Nissan would tow me up to 50 miles for free! I used it a few times in the 3.5 years I had a 2011 Leaf! I traded up to a 2nd gen, 2018 leaf that was WAY sportier and never had to get a tow. Now I have a Chevy Bolt with nearly 260 miles range. I only bought it because I couldn't find a Leaf Plus in the time frame I was buying. I knew the tech and charging infrastructure would only get better and better! I met SO many cool people at charging stations with my 2011! I kinda miss that really!

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

thanks for the insight James! the Bolt is one of the vehicles I would consider for my next EV- closer to my price point compared to Tesla

[@danielroden9424]

sadly the tech hasnt gotten better. they are still air cooled batteries with a max of 220 miles. the bolts are 259. leaf batteries will suffer horribly if you fast charge them due to the heat generated - the same isnt true for batteries in other cars. with the tax credit you can get one for under 20k but 170 miles of range really sucks and the battery degradation is very high. the 220 mile one is near the bolt and even with the leaf tax credit the bolt is the better buy.

[@niviad4497]

I am currently in the market for a new car and I’m very tempted to purchase another “Nissan”. I live in Nevada. I travel often but I’m only 15 min. from the airport. Downside, I live in a mid rise. We don’t have a private garage and I’m in the 4th. floor. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

it is so nice that you are close to the airport! but not having a set parking spot can be tricky...especially if you are thinking about an EV

[@niviad4497]

@@LetNewAdventuresBegin I know 😕

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

My current car (a 2016 Kia Soul EV+) is not only my first electric car, but the first time I had even sat in one. I bought it sight unseen (except photos and description) from California and had it shipped all the way across the country to Florida. Even with all said and done my total price for everything was under $18000. And I regret absolutely nothing! I'm glad I took my time though. Five or six months of heavy research that was well spent. I had been wanting one for years and years but they were always out of my reach, price-wise. But then I started researching used EVs and discovered that this is an excellent option, especially if you find one with low miles that is in good shape. If you get one with low miles that has not been abused they fair much better than gas cars in almost every way, and you will not regret it! It is a pleasure to drive in every sense of the word. Quiet, smooth and yes, snappy. Even though mine is rated at about 109hp equivalent, from zero to about 40mph or so it is quite peppy and surprises people, due to instantaneous torque. Costs me about $2.50 to "fill it up" maximum. Love it, love it, love it!

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

I am so glad to hear you are happy with your purchase! I never even considered having a car shipped- I was just looking at the inventory the dealers in my area had- that was very smart of you 😁👍 I will keep that in mind for future car purchases

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

@@LetNewAdventuresBegin There were local dealerships and private owners that I could have bought from, but most of them were either slightly more than I wanted to spend (even when shipping was factored in) or had a lot of miles on them, etc. I started on Cargurus and Carvana and found it there. I definitely do not regret my purchase, especially for the money.* Best car I have ever owned or even driven. And spending only $2 or $3 to "fill up" at home is definitely a huge plus. * I would definitely like to have more range, but for my own personal situation (I live only 10 miles from where I work), 90-ish miles has not been a hinderance so far.

[@02mgnm]

Clear, concise, informative. Other reviewers should watch this to see how it's done. Thanks.

[@asitmc]

concise?

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

as concise as I could be while hitting all the important points 🙈

[@02mgnm]

@@LetNewAdventuresBegin Good job! I just bought a Leaf and been watching videos the last few weeks. Honestly, I think this one is the best for newbies....

[@ARSciandra]

after 22 years my beloved subaru forester is giving up the ghost, and now i'm thinking of making the move to electric. thanks for this informative video

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

I was so sad to get rid of my subaru (so many fun trips together!) but I am happy with the leaf & it really has saved me money over the past few years 👍

[@ARSciandra]

@@LetNewAdventuresBegin , right now the car market is horrible. dealers are not making great deals right now. i need to keep my ol'buggy on the road for at least another year.

[@ARSciandra]

@@LetNewAdventuresBegin how many miles per year do you put on your LEAF?

[@peteandtessTube]

I am really enjoying your video. I am really psyched about buying an all electric vehicle and the Leaf seems the most attractive at this point because we’ve been leasing and trading 2 cars, a Honda Fit and CRV for years. You point out some real life realities that I’ll have to keep in mind. Thanks for doing the video from a regular persons rather than a salespersons point of view. I wonder how many miles and years you eventually put on your 2015 which should now be about 7 years old. Did it hold up well and are you going to buy a newer model electric?

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

my leaf is 7+ years old now and doing well- I lost one bar on my battery health, but dont notice any difference in my milage so far- its still a great little commuter car 😊

[@coastcafeequipment]

Great review, I'm thinking of the 30kw battery model, so hopefully I won't have to borrow Patrick's car 😀 😉

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

sounds like a good plan 😁

[@terryoakley6217]

We live in New Zealand which is a very rural area and we have owned a Nissan Leaf for three years which we bought secondhand we are absolutely delighted as pensioners it saves a lot of money and servicing and is totally reliable and safe if we had enough money I would buy another one today and recommend it to anyone anywhere it’s a great little car with every facility you could wish for including self locking

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

it can really be a great little car if it fits your needs- especially to save time and money on maintenance 😁 glad to hear it is working so well for you in New Zealand

[@philipwaters]

Just bought my first leaf... thanks for the info.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

congrats! enjoy your leaf!

[@rocksfire4390]

thank you for this video, good information. in 20 more years, people will gasp at the thought of owning a gas car. i can't wait to make the switch whenever my ICE car finally kicks the bucket.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

i know- it is neat to be part of the transition 👍

[@rydh945]

We have been driving our 2015 leaf for a year in cold sweden, and it hase been great. I would say that we drive alot more with the electric car sice gas i expensive and electricity cheap in sweden, and we have acces to a extensive nerwork of chademo fast chargers almost everywhere we travel.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

that is great to hear Peter- glad you are enjoying your leaf. It would be really nice to see more Chademo chargers here- hopefully in the next few years the infrastructure in the US will catch up 👍

[@robinbond8240]

Thank you x3!! I just bought my 2013 Leaf and have gotten past the buyers remorse and now am hunkering down to learn and enjoy it. Your tips and pointers are great and yes my 2nd trip in the car I got stranded!! The VA did not have a charging station like I was soooo sure they would. But lesson learned and I am now saving up my coins for a Tesla!!

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

you dont really know until you test it 🙈 but you will get the hang of it & then you will be happy to have a low maintenance vehicle...not to mention the money you save on gas! good luck with your new leaf Robin!

[@splatbubble]

You seem pretty darn balanced and capable. I just had a quick look at a typical Nissan Leaf service manual. For most inspections and bigger ticket items, you may be able to do most of it yourself, if you are interested. It might also have another effect of being more "in tune" with your car; I know sometimes when I get a new vehicle or used one, if I hear rattles, or see a light, or whatever... it can be off-putting, but if you have spent a little time under the hood then it can really really set your mind at rest at these times. Be warned though, once you start messing with that stuff it's a slippery slope of fun :) BTW I only brought this up because you mentioned the "Leaf Certified Mechanic," and the slight inconvenience that may come with that. You're probably already on top of all this. Thank you for the video :)

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

this is so true- it takes time to get to know a car- and especially when making the switch from gas to electric I was unsure of what ownership would be like. We have done a few small things like change the batters, tires, wipers and I feel more comfortable with that stuff now (3 years later 😂)

[@johnrhodez6829]

We bought a 2014 Leaf and yes you have the initial concern about range. As with you we soon got used to it. Recently I had charged the car and before I drove it I reset the odometer. The Battery range read 98 miles We were doing local trips , not using main highways and I found that the odometer read 110 miles.....the battery meter still said that I had 15 miles to go. So on that occasion 125 miles...... But the battery meter is controlled by the onboard computer so if you have been driving fast the day before the meter will give you a lower reading the following day. And as with you we have another car, a Volvo diesel estate 760 miles on a tank full....literally horses for courses.

[@JacanaProductions]

My leaf was from FL, 2012 with a replacement battery Lizard. Full bars so far in Nov 2020 - range has taken a bit of a hit about 72 miles or so. Add the resistive heating in the winter and range drops like a stone. Still love it and we only paid $4000 + $1000 shipping :) in 2018. 2 cars though. Maintenance - windshield wipers, just replaced the window switch panel on drivers side (common issue $40 eBay) and a more serious issue is a parasitic drain on the 12v battery, I am dreading taking it to the dealer. I believe the drain issue is fairly uncommon though.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

at that price it was a great investment for a vehicle that gets you around town! even if it has a few things to fix here and there

[@richardhobbs7107]

On my 2015 SV it asks every so often if I want to turn on/off the communication with Nissan. I figure if it is 'on' that means the car communicates via wi-fi ? with Nissan with mileage & other data for warranty/maintenance purposes. My car is NOT going to see a Nissan dealer/service-center for as long as I own it, so I leave that feature OFF. If left 'on' the car may communicate with Nissan at pre-programmed times whether 'on'/driving or 'off'/parked. Since the 12 volt system battery is only charged from the traction battery while the car is 'on' (driving mode), this could drain the 12 volt batt. a bit more than usual. ALSO, while not 'on' the battery is also slightly drained when doors are opened/etc. as it's computer checks any activity before going back to 'standby' mode. I pay attention to the 12 volt system battery with a meter and have added a slow (low-power solar panel) trickle charge to compensate for all this 'off-power' activity. I think my Leaf's 12 v. battery is the original & is only now showing signs of losing capacity & I have owned the car for 4.5 years. Lead acid batts want to stay at 100% charge to avoid sulfation for a long life. Since I have 'rattled - on' this long I might as well throw in one other helpful hint : To lower my own power-drain / stress & tension I have found it beneficial to review almost any one of Angelina Jordan's performances on KZbin at no additional charge. Take care, RH

[@laronis]

Great review, thank you! But I am confused. I have a 2013 Leaf and I can plug it in anywhere there is an electric plug (I also use 110v, or trickle charge). Why would you have to hire an electrician (unless your tiny home has no power, lol)? I bought a spare power plug because they are so cheap, and keep one at home, and one in the car to plug in on the road, super easy and convenient. Great to relieve the range anxiety thing. Is your Leaf 24Kw? You did not say. And why do you have to take the Leaf into the dealership for repairs. I have not heard of anyone taking the Leaf in for repairs, what does the mechanic do? There is no engine, no transmission, no lubrication system, no cooling system, no exhaust system, no drive shaft, etc. Basically it is just a battery and electric motor with a BMS. All I have ever had to have done was tires and brakes. Actually the “Lizard Battery” it the better Leaf battery, it has improved quality in cold and heat than the early 2011 and 2012 models. It is the “Good” battery that replaced those in the early models that really wore out quickly in hot places like Arizona (that is why it is call "Lizard", it can take the heat like a lizard (and cold) better than the original). But yes, all Leafs perform better in mild climates, the batteries do not like the cold or the heat, but they are getting better. When I bought my Leaf, I made sure that it had the much improved “Lizard Battery”.

[@TechFan]

@laronis I think she used the words trickle charge vs DC fast charge as a comparison, however you are right. Trickle L1 is 120V (Normal Outlet - NEMA 15), in her RV park they have a NEMA 14-50 Outlet (50 AMPS). The Nissan comes with a dual L1/L2 charger which allows to charge up to 7.2 kw vs 1.3 kw (120V).

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

thanks for clearing that up for me 😂 you are correct the charging is different because of the RV power tower we use

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

thanks for watching! - I had the brake fluid changed at the dealership- that is all so far. Tires and minor things besides that were easy...so I really enjoy the ease of ownership!

[@TheHighlanderprime]

She was referring to the quicker charging which requires 220 electricity set up. Most people don’t have that. I’m sure she knows that 110 takes way too long to charge.

[@ricr.4669]

Was gonna say that too. There are many videos on KZbin that glorify Tesla and diss the other brands.

[@nikonmark37814]

Excellent review! I drive a 2019 Honda Insight hybrid and I average 54 mpg per fill up which means driving 525 - 550 miles on a little less than 10 gallons . I have gotten 69.3 mpg on short 100 mile trips on Tennessee State Highways where the speed limit is 55 mph. I plan to get an EV for city driving and the Nissan Leaf is on my radar and so is the Honda e if it ever comes to the USA. I'm glad you pointed out range anxiety, that's something I'd worry about with an EV because I live in rural east Tennessee and mostly travel on back roads. The best solution for me at least may be a Plug-in Hybrid or PHEV so I'd have 30-40 miles of electric range and then use the gasoline engine to charge the Li-ON battery and drive it as a hybrid. Honest videos like yours are hard to find and is greatly appreciated! Will your next car be an EV? IMO, I'd love it if everyone would drive something that doesn't use petroleum exclusively, just look at air pollution and global warming as an example. Everyone I know that drives a petroleum powered also known as ICE vehicles buy and drive them because gas is currently cheap because of the Wuhan Pandemic and they think their cars, trucks and suv is cheaper and faster than EV, PHEV or hybrids and DON'T CARE about the environment. I'm hoping my children and their children will someday live in a world of inexpensive electric vehicles.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Hybrids are a great option- especially to avoid range anxiety- my parents have been driving a prius for about 12 years & really like it- I couldnt find any hybrids that were in my price range so I had to make the jump to all electric- I think everyone else was afraid to buy a used electric car so it had to be me (even though I was scared too!) but now I am glad I took the chance 😁

[@skepticalmechanic]

Great video… I drive 100+ miles a day… glad I bought a Subaru Forester… full gas powered! Maybe when I retire… full electric for me!

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

the leaf would not be able to do that! but Subaru is a great car...loved my old subaru- we had many adventures together!

[@S.M.214]

I do not have range anxiety with my Kona Electric 2019. Over 500kms summer and 400kms winter. I only need a public charger when I travel.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

that is great range- so glad to see the technology is advancing quickly to become more practical for daily life

[@nickborrrego]

Thanks for facing down that nervousness a few years back. I'm looking forward to getting this one before my Tesla in a few years.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

I think this is a good starter car to get into the world of electric before moving up to a tesla- that is what I hope to do one day...hopefully there will be some used teslas on the market by that time 👍

[@xperyskop2475]

You can setup pre heating schedules in options . So you use main power while car is connected instead of battery

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

that is a really good point- get the car ready without draining the battery 👍 thanks!

[@TechFan]

I want to know how an inspection sticker got applied in the first place? Note that you are charging at 7.2 kw (32 AMPS) L2 at home. Trickle would be using the 120V L1 which is a normal outlet. The Nissan Leaf comes with a L1 and L2 charger, but I gather you know that by now :). Nissan does not have TMS or BMS (Battery Management System), I have the 2018 40kw battery and I get about 120 to 145 depending on conditions, however you are right the Leaf has it's own mind. The only issue with what you are saying is that it's based on the older LEAF's. The newer ones are much better but still lags behind other MFG's in range. However after this year the Leaf will sunset from Nissan. Also Chademo DC Fast chargers are no longer the standard and being replaced with CCS so that will even lessen the already less value of the Leaf. Not my best purchase but oh well, live and learn. Waiting for delivery of my MACH-E which gets 300 miles. Anyway good video, I am in NJ as well.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

the inspection sticker was on when I purchased from the dealer. It is so tricky when you buy "new technology" as things change so fast you know it will be outdated soon, but Ive enjoyed my leaf for 3 years- most importantly it gets me to work :) Thanks for watching 👍

[@TechFan]

@@LetNewAdventuresBegin Same here, gets me to work and at my workplace they have a chargers if I needed (Rutgers).

[@fuadtayeh1082]

What is the way to raise the Nissan LEAF bars from 10 bar to 12 bar and increase the kilometers traveled by 20 km Is there a specific way, my friend, after making software through Consult Plus 3 by opening the battery ???

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

In England they are starting to replace older EV batteries with newer ones to extend the range- I have not seen anything like that in my area yet, but hopefully as EVs get more popular this will be possible

[@lukegraham7561]

Just a quick tip if your use the 220 volt outlet on the power tower with a fast charger you an purchase for about 200 dollars you can charge your car in half the time

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Hi Luke, I was thinking about getting one when I first purchased the car, but since I usually just charge over night I never got around to it- It would be interesting to see how a faster charge time would change the way we use the car

[@lukegraham7561]

@@LetNewAdventuresBegin I would definitely recommend it

[@ssum7733]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences it was very informative

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Thanks- glad it was helpful!

[@myhobbyguitar4117]

Thanks for a great review on leaf. I'm considering to buy one . so your review is very helpful.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

glad to help- there is a lot to consider, but it can be a great choice if it fits your lifestyle

[@davidburns5988]

Hi Great beginners video. I think the sales person who sold you the car was remiss in not giving you all the information you need to drive an EV. I have a Kia E Niro in the UK. In the summer I was getting up to 350 miles and more because It was never allowed to go below 20% charge. Now it’s getting something like 250 miles so all told I don’t get range anxiety. Mind you I watched a lot of videos before deciding.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

the whole process of buying a car was aweful- the salesman I ended up buying the Leaf from was pretty up front that he didnt know the car well & I needed to do my own research (he worked at a chevy dealer) - I was just happy to get a little honesty after the other dealerships we dealt with 😬🙈 250 miles is awesome- no range anxiety there 👍

[@jamesdubben3687]

Well done. Very good "life with electric". Your outlook will change dramatically with your "next" electric car, my prediction. We took a step up from our leaf (still have the leaf) and wow, what a change in outlook. The costs are coming down.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

thanks James, there are some really good options out now that were not there when I was looking for a car- it will be interesting to see what we end up with in the future

[@NickAlati]

It really shouldn't cost too much to have a 14-50 (220 volt 40 Amp) service. The outlet could be placed right next to the plug you are currently using, differs is 4 hour full charge vrs overnight charging. Anyway, great video, thanks Nick, owner of a 2019 SL Plus

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

we were lucky to have a power tower at our lot already- that has been working well for over night charging so far 👍

[@Sneaker_Net]

What sort of expensive maintenance? I have had 0 maintenance on my 2015 Nissan LEAF. I love my LEAF. BTW the Lizzard Battery is a good thing, 2015 Chem is better than previous year models. Good Video.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

It really is a good car if the milage works for your personal driving habits- the owners manual states to change the brake fluid every 3,000 miles and that is more expensive compared to a typical oil change in an ICE car- Ive also replaced tires, wipers and I need to replace the rear shocks. The maintenance is lower compared to my old Subaru for sure- but there are some considerations as you cant have your average mechanic work on anything related to the drive battery system ...and all things need maintenance eventually - so time will tell.

[@brandonferrey8861]

What maintenance does the dealer want you to do? Should just be tire rotations cabin air filter and coolant change at 75000 miles. I'm just asking because I drive a fiat 500e and it's been basically maintenance free.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

brake fluid change- but many owners say that it is not necessary to do it every 3,ooo miles as indicate by the owners manual

[@Ignatius98]

Thank you so very much for your honest review of your experience with your car. I want to get a leaf because I want to shrink my carbon foot print. We are planning on keeping one petrol vehicle and EV. Your review has helped us more than you know! Cheers!

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

glad it helped- it really works out well for us having one EV and one Gas vehicle- the perfect mix for our current situation

[@aaronbounds1336]

It's funny that you used the term "Poor Man's Tesla" I have a window sticker on my Lizard LEAF that reads the exact same thing.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

that is great 😂 I need a sticker like that 👍

[@syedrabby1027]

the tesla and leaf has almost same price for the similarly matched range

[@jd3shaw]

Have you tried scheduling the climate control to come on and warm the car whilst it's still plugged in? This may help you in the winter esspecially if you have regular work hours.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

I tried to do that when I first got the car, but the app wouldnt link to the car for some reason...I should try again because it would be really nice to get into a warm car!

[@richieannarelli5714]

I have a 2017 Nissan Leaf S just put four new tires on it have 76000 miles best car I have ever owned it's my work car buying that car is a no-brainer after all the incentives they will offer end ended up paying 17000 new 10000 off the MS with a 8-year 100000 mile warranty I just have to keep an eye on the price of windshield wiper fluid

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

that is awesome- so had to hear your leaf is doing well 😁

[@lonelyp1]

Gee, I love the heater in my Leaf. It gets hot enough, so I want to crack the window. And it starts heating almost instantly. You don't need to wait for the engine to heat up before you get ANY heat.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

the heat in the leaf is pretty good overall- especially if you preheat when plugged in, but still not the same as my old subaru...I would be sweating!

[@jimmyandkathyharrell]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Thanks for watching! 👍

[@RealButcher]

"Zero emission" is a lie, but super for in cities. AND finally a woman discussing. Sooo nice to hear your feelings. Thanks! The leaf does not have any cooling for the battery :-( But I like this concept of Nissan, batteries are not hard to change or maintain and it's a car with all the essentials for a nice price (secondhand too).

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

yup it is a nice little piece of marketing putting "zero emission" on the side - there should be a subtext that says "zero emissions here" - I hope to have property with a solar & wind set up one day so that it will actually be closer to zero

[@RealButcher]

Let New Adventures Begin Thanks. :-)

[@gwarlow]

8:50 Why is servicing your electric car more expensive if there are fewer parts to service? The drive motor and the main battery don’t require regular servicing so it leaves just those elements common to both EV and ICE vehicles. How is this more expensive? Great video though. Thanks for sharing your experience. Cheers.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

so far in my experience of ownership it has been a cost savings for sure! My concern is more about the long term expenses if something went wrong with the main battery or drive components it would be more challenging to get that work done compared to a gas vehicle in the area where I live...but that is just my concern as the technology is newer , we will see how things unfold with time 👍

[@uni4rm]

@@LetNewAdventuresBegin Despite the battery degrading over time due to lack of cooling/warming for optimal temperatures, Nissan Leaf overall has a reputation of being very reliable. They put Tesla to shame.

[@gregcoates9763]

One of very few honest reviews. Thanks for your obvious honesty. I think I will buy one, we have a moderate climate, garage and even a second car option. Thanks again. Nice vid. Lockdown Video?

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

That is great- as long as you know what to expect & you think it will work well for your lifestyle it can be a fun experience. This was actually done right before the lockdown started, but it is helping me to catch up on editing

[@ourcolonel1685]

Very informative. I wanted a Tesla Model 3 but I don"t have $60,000 A brand new Nissan Leaf is $20,000 with the rebate.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

Leaf is waaaay more affordable 😁👍 Patrick calls it the poor mans Tesla 😂

[@pbarriga8292]

Thanks for your honesty. I will stay with hybrid vs electric.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

glad to help with the decision- it has to fit your driving needs 👍

[@kernzilla]

I wanted to find this video informative but have a few questions where I thought you were going to expand on. Re: maintenance, was hoping to hear what issues you’ve seen for this long-term review. You mention it’s more expensive, without context though it’s tricky to draw a conclusion from that. Also wondering what is the why behind not being able to stop off at a super-charger and charge the car for slightly Longer trips? I understand highway speeds deplete the range more, but is there some specific issue with driving 60-70 miles then stopping off to replenish the battery and continue driving? Or you trying to indicate it’s not worth it to you, to stop and charge along the way for longer trips? Appreciate the input, we’re considering purchasing a used one for mostly local-use 2nd car, but you’ve brought up some good points and some addl context would be helpful to me (and prob others ). Thanks!

[@TransitAndTeslas]

Get to know other options like public transportation etc very well. I find that I can drive a few miles, charge and hop on the bus while the car charges at the park and ride etc. it all in the end works. Electrify America has stations now.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

I watched a video from a leaf owner in the UK and he said you get lots of exercise with a Leaf because you can park it to charge & walk a bit of the way 😁 but using public transit as well is a good option to get where you need to be

[@ilovebigwaves96]

I currently own a 2008 Prius and am considering a 2013-16 Nissan Leaf for my next car. My Prius has higher mileage (160K miles) and with high mileage, comes more unexpected and potentially expensive maintenance problems. I did find some great deals on 2013-16 Leaf's on Carvana and most examples have 40K or less miles

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

it will be a pit of an adjustment moving from a prius to a Leaf due to the range limitations, but if it seems like that would work with your daily schedule like it does with mine you can find some good deals. The leaf was the least expensive car I looked at over my 3 months of car shopping

[@mxmillia]

Well said. I currently drive a hybrid vehicle but my next car would be an electric. It’s the future and it’s getting quite affordable.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

it is getting better & better- especially with improved range so that it works for a wider range of drivers

[@Mazel_Tov_888]

thx for sharing this. I think if I were to go the E route I'd get a plug in hybrid with 50 mi E range. That's enough to go on E to work errands etc. Then when I go on road trip just run on gas. And if I run out of E no biggie no anxiety the gas is there.

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

the plug in hybrids are a great option for sure- the advantages of electric without the anxiety 😁

[@jcnr371]

You’re sooo cool & brave to have taken the plunge “back then” you’d love a model 3... gor mine a few months back and seriously doubt I’ll ever buy an ICE vehicle again. Kudos to you!

[@LetNewAdventuresBegin]

haha - thanks! wasnt feeling super brave at the time, but looking back I am glad I made the decision to give it a try! enjoy your model 3- maybe one day I will upgrade

[@jcnr371]

@@LetNewAdventuresBegin go for it Take advantage of the NJ clean energy rebate!