7 Year Old Nissan Leaf- How is it? Plus car update

[@quinndeskimo4132]

I have a 2014 leaf and I have had it for 4 years now. I have some of the same pros and cons that you mentioned in the video. My range is 74 mpc. I bought the car with 50k miles and now I am at 71k miles 4 years later. I had 10 out of 12 charge bars when purchased and have not lost any bars since owning car. It is strictly a commute car and running errands around town but mostly to work and back. Speed kills the range, so I try to take smaller roads with lower speed limits. I also drive the posted speed limit when I do drive on highways, to the frustration and the anger of impatient drivers behind me. Also I slowly accelerate from a stop, which helps to preserve battery life. I drive always in eco mode. I coast on all downhill roads and I wish I could install cruise control in the car. For maintenance, I only rotate the tires and change the windshield wipers. I charge at home and never use a rapid charger because it’s bad for the battery. In cold weather, the heater is not very powerful but I deal with it. The Air conditioner is pretty good in summer, it does drain the battery so open windows are better. Overall I love my leaf and I am glad I bought it. A friend gave it the nickname “silver bullet”. It’s silver and I guess it is shaped like a bullet. 😀

[@lelandhetrick205]

I bought my 2015 Leaf-S new with five miles on the odometer. @ 131k miles, this 24 kWh battery had 83% State of Health per the dealership. Lots of fast charging and freeway speeds. However, after a six month search, an EV garage found a 62 kWh battery pack with better than 90% State of Health and they swapped the OEM for the price of $14k (March 2022). Now in the Winter it gives me about 150/180 miles range while last Summer 200/240 miles. I like the convenience of power update of a 62 kWh. FYI: My work commute is approximately 60 miles roundtrip with 60% freeway travel.

[@lelandhetrick205]

As of the end of January 2023, it has been trouble-free with the new pack. The odometer reads over 144k.

[@flolou8496]

How bad do you think the range would be in very hot driving conditions from June to August in city's like Las Vegas, or Phoenix, ie over 110 degrees in the afternoons for like 60 days straight?

[@crynne66]

I've just bought a 2017 leaf. Bought the top spec one for a few k more. My wife is so skeptical but we're hoping to keep it for years and by 2027 there should be loads of battery swap options available to keep this car motoring for years and years to come.

[@anthonymayorgarcia1735]

I want this car as my first car! My commute to work is 6.2 miles, 13 miles to and from, and I currently use an electric scooter. Don’t get me wrong I love my escooter, but it’s winter and I DREAD riding in the early mornings because of how cold it gets… it takes me about 20-30 minutes to get to my workplace. I saw one of these for cheap at a dealership near me, and I’m totally going to go for it! There’s even an ev charging station at my workplace and near my house! I’m so hyped to own one!

[@cristianoferreira4865]

Love that following/tracking shot of the car, no idea how you got it but it’s amazing!

[@Matt-Ionman]

Thanks! Just snapped the old GoPro to the bottom of the bumper of our Chevy Bolt and did some car chasing

[@pacosancho3266]

I did an upgrade from 24 kwh to 42.6 kwh with LG cells and now the range is 230/260 km per charge. 2015 year, i live in Spain (hot climate) and Very happy with the upgrade and the car, the odometer now shows 150.000 km. Congrats for the video

[@crynne66]

Amazing. How much did that cost you??

[@pacosancho3266]

@@crynne66 total costs were 10.385 euros including taxes and labor

[@arandomyoutubechannel2940]

Yo, it's so good to see you again! It's great to see Charlotte as well.

[@user-nz3xm5cl8k]

2014 Nissan Leaf with still 70% SOH and over 220.000km, so great car and has been a good car for the past, also most, 10 years.

[@Milhouse77BS]

2015. Mine’s 2012 with 49k. 59%. of original range. Had it 5 years. 2015 chemistry much better.

[@MrKillerRC]

Last week I bought a 2013 Leaf SV with 41k miles for $2k. Clean CarFax. Awesome deal. I love the car but I got a sweet deal because it’s down to 6 bars of battery. But it gets 49 miles of range, which is ok for $2k. I might do a battery swap next year

[@Matt-Ionman]

Sounds like a fun project!

[@M-TRON]

It's been a while, buddy. Nice seeing you

[@velocityacoustics]

I'm looking at buyjng a 2013 leaf, it has 28 miles of range, but only 1 WHITE bar for battery health. Should i stay away from it? Whats the worst the range can get to if you never replace the battery?

[@GavinScrimgeour]

Stay away from it 👍🏻

[@ceebo6949]

big fan!!

[@ElmerEDavis]

Well done, thanks.

[@iangardner2311]

I dont own a Leaf, am interested in buying an old gen1 as a 2nd car. What are your thoughts on buying a cheap one with heavily degradation. Then getting the battery swap through Nissan. Ending up with old EV with new 24 kwh battery.

[@captlarry-3525]

must be 24KwH battery. my '16 with 30Kw could exceed 100 miles, Charging to 85% and limiting discharge to 30% will increase battery life . I have only gone below 20% twice in 7 years. I see 4.1 to 4.5 mi per KwH and find 1% =1 mile to be a good overall range estimate. as my capacity goes down, I suppose that will change.

[@ryankailbourne3158]

Hey there I’m in charlotte actually Gastonia and I’m considering a leaf as well Irma’s a 2015 also used

[@MrKillerRC]

Great video. Do you still own it?

[@Matt-Ionman]

No, I sold it in November when values were still good. Most days I wish I still had it....

[@crystalchw]

Why? I'm a new owner of a 2011 leaf --imagine my learning curve, lol

[@Matt-Ionman]

@@crystalchw I sold it at the time since values were good, it helped me pay off my ID.4. I wish I still had it though! It was a great car for grocery store runs, trips to Lowe's, and commuting to work.

[@crystalchw]

Thx for your prompt reply. I get it. I just bought mine this weekend and already I'm thinking of selling it only because I'm not used to it and I'm not sure if I'm able to manage the limited range and all the rules about how to make the range last and learning the best places to charge, etc. I haven't given up just, yet, though, which is why I'm watching your very informative video. If I can figure out how to manage the limited range within my current lifestyle, I may keep it, including after I buy a more long-term vehicle in the coming months. Gratitude. 🙏🏽

[@Matt-Ionman]

@@crystalchw sure thing! Yes, the Leaf is very limited in most cases, and I'm sure it may even be more of a challenge with a 2011. It makes a really good "extra" car to have, but I wouldn't recommend it in most cases. One of the best cars to buy right now is the Chevy Bolt if you can get one. Finding a lower mileage, 2020 or 2021 that qualifies for the $4k tax credit would be the move. We have a 2020 and I love it, and we also have a Tesla Model 3 for our road tripper. Hope you find your groove with the car, but make sure whatever you drive works for you!