Pajero to Leaf?

Yawlboy

Yes or No, what do people think?

I do a commute to the office in Cork maybe 3 or 4 days a week that is exactly 100kms and drive to Dublin once or twice a month.

I currently drive an 08 Pajero Auto 3.2 7 seater and the wife has an 06 Landcruiser.

I am tempted to trade one of the 4x4's for a new Nissan Leaf, which I would use for commuting and I could take the other one to Dublin when I need to.

Financially it makes a lot of sense as I hate paying over $3k for tax on the two 4x4's and getting less than 25MPG

However I love me big cars and wonder if the Leaf is a step too far.

The head says yes but the heart isn't convinced.........

colm_mcm

There's a lot of middle ground between a pajero and a leaf.

dr.fuzzenstein

colm_mcm wrote: »

There's a lot of middle ground between a pajero and a leaf.

It's like saying "rare steak, bloody on the inside or tofu" ;-)

Yakuza

From what I've read, 100km is at the upper end of the range of a fully-charged battery that's a few years old. If you want to go semi-green, sell one of the 4x4s and get a Prius. At least you won't be sh1tting yourself when the Leaf says your range is less than the distance to your house because you've had to put the heating/demisters/Wipers/full headlights on some dismal day in November when you had to come home early and didn't get time to fully charge the car.

The newer model claims a longer range but I wonder if these figures are as applicable to the real world as the quoted MPG or l/100km figures quoted for ICE engines.

For me, if I were in your shoes I'd go for a smaller petrol car for the short trips but keep the most comfortable cruiser for your Dublin trips.

What are the profiles of your trips to the office and to Dublin - what are the percentages of back roads / national roads/ motorways / city driving would there be?

Yawlboy

commute is Youghal to Cork - N25 all the way.
Dublin is Youghal, Waterford - N9....

Eric Cartman

530d touring would be my oick if you dont need 4wd , or a subaru legacy if you do.

A lot better on fuel, lower tax bracket , and by no means as insuferable as an electric car

Yawlboy

Thanks for the comments but I have no interest in a 530/Legacy etc - would prefer to keep the Pajero.

Renegade Mechanic

Get a pajero with a manual? Might save the majority of the 1500 quid tax bill on it with the relatively lighter fuel consumption, depending on mileage per year.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Just get a rover 75 diesel estate for the commute.

[shameless plug] or a 535d [/shameless plug]

Days 298

Anything but a Leaf! If your looking for something of a similar size a golf 1.6tdi or a 2.0 GTD. The 1.6 Tdi would get you 60 mpg on the motorway. 45 around town. Won't win any races but it won't be left behind in normal commuting. Can't comment on the GTD fuel economy.

Loads of other cars to choose from though. Insignia 2.0 CDTI for around €10000 would get you a 2011.

Theanswers

Change the Pajero to commercial and your tax bill disappears over night.

Less Useful, but I imagine your on your own most of the time.

Eric Cartman

Theanswers wrote: »

Change the Pajero to commercial and your tax bill disappears over night.

Less Useful, but I imagine your on your own most of the time.

Cant imagine too many passengers would want to get into a leaf anyway , so no odds on it ha

BMJD

:rolleyes:

I'd consider a Prius Plug-In

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Prius-Plug-In/Plug-In/36613739906698990/advert?channel=CARS

Sesshoumaru

Yawlboy wrote: »

Yes or No, what do people think?

I do a commute to the office in Cork maybe 3 or 4 days a week that is exactly 100kms and drive to Dublin once or twice a month.

I currently drive an 08 Pajero Auto 3.2 7 seater and the wife has an 06 Landcruiser.

I am tempted to trade one of the 4x4's for a new Nissan Leaf, which I would use for commuting and I could take the other one to Dublin when I need to.

Financially it makes a lot of sense as I hate paying over $3k for tax on the two 4x4's and getting less than 25MPG

However I love me big cars and wonder if the Leaf is a step too far.

The head says yes but the heart isn't convinced.........

I think it's a good idea. You're a 2 car family either way, so you keep one jeep for long journeys. I'd recommend doing a search for "Irish EV Owners" on Facebook and ask your question there. Over 120 members and most own an EV, so a lot of useful experience there. Best of luck with your decision

Scottie99

HandsomeDan wrote: »

Only gays drive EVs. Do you want to be a big gay?

Yawlboy, as a Leaf owner and raving heterosexual I think its a good idea.
They're pluses and negatives to the Leaf..

Negatives -

Wintertime, the range can be affected, but your 100km range is well within the max. You have to be sparing when it comes to using your heating because it does affect your battery.
Speed, if your looking to reach the 100km range, you'll have to reduce your top speed to 90/100km

I give you positives later, "Idris Elba : Kind Of Speed" BBC2 has just come on..:D

HandsomeDan

Scottie99 wrote: »

Yawlboy, as a Leaf owner and raving homosexual I think its a good idea

1: Buy Leaf, Prius Edition 200hWMVA CHamdeO II



2: ...

veetwin

Renegade Mechanic wrote: »

Get a pajero with a manual? Might save the majority of the 1500 quid tax bill on it with the relatively lighter fuel consumption, depending on mileage per year.

I'd love to see the figures on the money saved between trading in a perfectly good car for one not quite as good to save a few pennies on fuel.

Scottie99

HandsomeDan wrote: »

Please don't put your own photos up..:D

HandsomeDan

Scottie99 wrote: »

Please don't put your own photos up..:D

This is my photo

dr.fuzzenstein

^^^
Well played, Sir, well played.
One can't help but be impressed.

Scottie99

HandsomeDan wrote: »

This is my photo

I think you pick the wrong actor.......he WAS a raving homosexual

Positives with leaf, I've done 18000km and spent at most €250 in electricity.

I personally bought the car knowing I was doing 115km a day. I've the Mrs 7 seater car if I need to do a long journey but I tend not to use it.

TestTransmission

HandsomeDan wrote: »

Only gays drive EVs. Do you want to be a big gay?

Take a week off motors

Yawlboy

Yawlboy wrote: »

Yes or No, what do people think?

I do a commute to the office in Cork maybe 3 or 4 days a week that is exactly 100kms and drive to Dublin once or twice a month.


However I love me big cars and wonder if the Leaf is a step too far.

The head says yes but the heart isn't convinced.........

The best thing you'll do is go and test drive a Leaf, you will be impressed.

My brother is a die hard Audi fan and drives a 12 reg A6 and he was very impressed with it.

There is a man in Seattle who recently hit 100,000 miles in his leaf in 2 years and has lost 20% capacity.

He was doing 130 miles a day and required 2 charges per day. So this is the extreme and longer than most commutes. There is no reason the Leaf couldn't do 150,000 miles before loosing the same capacity with less cycling of the battery.

If you need a top up each day this is not much of a problem but he was cycling his battery fully twice a day which you won't be doing at all as you're doing half the journey.

Even with a 20% loss in range with fast charging or plugging in somewhere at your destination still makes it pretty practical.

It's no problem charging frequently just don't allow it to sit at 100% charge for more than an hour if possible and never allow it sit at less than 10% charge and don't store it for a week or more above 60% charge.

If you're getting a new MK 1.5 Leaf then get the middle spec i think it's sv ? as it has the heat pump and more efficient regen.

Also get the optional 6 kw charger as it will charge at home or at non fast public points twice as fast.

Oh and the basic leaf has no fast charge port as standard.

The Leaf would save you a lot of money over the equivalent ice car. IMO it's worth serious consideration.

Enjoy your week off HandSomeDan , you "deserve" it !

Jonnykitedude

Bought a used Leaf in the UK before Christmas and I love it!

My commute is 140km per day, now it wont get me in and out on the one charge (yet) but a quick stop off at Topaz for a FREE charge and I'm away again in 20mins.

I had a Honda accord estate and there is more room in the back of the leaf than the Honda!

I hope to make savings of 4500k per year!

Jonnykitedude

Jonnykitedude wrote: »

Bought a used Leaf in the UK before Christmas and I love it!

My commute is 140km per day, now it wont get me in and out on the one charge (yet) but a quick stop off at Topaz for a FREE charge and I'm away again in 20mins.

I had a Honda accord estate and there is more room in the back of the leaf than the Honda!

I hope to make savings of 4500k per year!

Excellent stuff Jonny, what year is it ?

90 odd miles a day is pretty good, but how long do you think you'd actually need to spend on the QC to get home ?

What were you driving before ?

What was your experience bring it home like ? where in the U.K did you get it ? How did you activate the chargers ?

Remember to NOT leave your Leaf charged to 100% and sit all weekend at 100% charge or at a very low charge either, ideal storage for a lithium battery is 60% but 80% shouldn't be too bad.

Don't charge over 80% when you don't need the range. Use the charge to 80% function.

@1

If you get 40 mpg then 140 kms over 5 days 48 weeks a year will need 2,372.8 litres of fuel costing €3,725 @1.57 per litre. This is for work only driving excluding all the other run-a-bout trips, holidays etc.

50 mpg diesel would need 1,898 litres costing @ 1.48 €2,809

Leccy , average consumption of the Leaf is 30 kwh/100 miles EPA rating. Some will get more per charge than others.

so 21,600 miles a year divide by 100 = 216 multiply by 30 (kwh) = 6,480 Kwh per 21,600 miles @ 9c /kwh = €583 a year.

€ 583 a year (EXCLUDING) the (for now) free public charging.

Remember the savings over motor tax and maintenance also.

The Nissan Leaf needs very little maintenance, and consists mainly of inspections.

Scottie99

Also Axa are doing deals with electric insurance - 20% off
http://blog.axa.ie/2013/09/20-discount-electric-vehicle-motorists/
Although Chill Insurance who have dealings with Axa can get you even cheaper...
https://www.chill.ie

Scottie99

Deleted User wrote: »

If you get 40 mpg then 140 kms over 5 days 48 weeks a year will need 2,372.8 litres of fuel costing €3,725 @1.57 per litre. This is for work only driving excluding all the other run-a-bout trips, holidays etc.

50 mpg diesel would need 1,898 litres costing @ 1.48 €2,809

Leccy , average consumption of the Leaf is 30 kwh/100 miles EPA rating. Some will get more per charge than others.

so 21,600 miles a year divide by 100 = 216 multiply by 30 (kwh) = 6,480 Kwh per 21,600 miles @ 9c /kwh = €583 a year.

€ 583 a year (EXCLUDING) the (for now) free public charging.

Remember the savings over motor tax and maintenance also.


The Nissan Leaf needs very little maintenance, and consists mainly of inspections.

I'm working out about €9 a week for around 600km. Im getting that figure from when the off peak lecky bill comes in.

Jonnykitedude

Deleted User wrote: »

Excellent stuff Jonny, what year is it ?

90 odd miles a day is pretty good, but how long do you think you'd actually need to spend on the QC to get home ?

What were you driving before ?

What was your experience bring it home like ? where in the U.K did you get it ? How did you activate the chargers ?

Remember to NOT leave your Leaf charged to 100% and sit all weekend at 100% charge or at a very low charge either, ideal storage for a lithium battery is 60% but 80% shouldn't be too bad.

Don't charge over 80% when you don't need the range. Use the charge to 80% function.

Only really 20mins...if even but I have been letting ti get to 80%........must stop that!

Was driving a Honda accord estate 2.2, was costing me over 400 a month just to get to work!

Brining it home was grand, picked it up from Birmingham and drove to Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool. Some of the points on the direct route where out of order, I also borrowed a ecotricity card from one of the guys over on the FB ev owners.

My insurance was up on the 22nd Dec, called Axa then Chill, Chill gave me a quote of 390 and Axa was near 500!!

Jonnykitedude

Scottie I presume that's charging every night? I'm still on the 3pin charger that came with the car, I'll probably use it for the foreseeable future.

Scottie99

Jonnykitedude wrote: »

Scottie I presume that's charging every night? I'm still on the 3pin charger that came with the car, I'll probably use it for the foreseeable future.

Yea I usually get home with 2/3 bars left. I charge 5 days a week, at weekends I fast charge at the local garage to 80% for weekend use

Scottie99

Jonnykitedude wrote: »

Scottie I presume that's charging every night? I'm still on the 3pin charger that came with the car, I'll probably use it for the foreseeable future.

How long does it take with the three pin? Where are you based?

Jonnykitedude

Scottie99 wrote: »

How long does it take with the three pin? Where are you based?

Living 8km past navan on kells side, Work in the City.

Ah it gives you the time on the dash at 11hrs but it never is, I have the timer set to come on at 11pm then off at 8am (Im gone at 6am) and its fully charged when I get into it.

Scottie99

Jonnykitedude wrote: »

Living 8km past navan on kells side, Work in the City.

Ah it gives you the time on the dash at 11hrs but it never is, I have the timer set to come on at 11pm then off at 8am (Im gone at 6am) and its fully charged when I get into it.

I'm in Navan, I'll PM you my number if you need emergency lecky, that's if Navan FC is out

Scottie99

Scottie99 wrote: »

I'm working out about €9 a week for around 600km. Im getting that figure from when the off peak lecky bill comes in.

The figures I gave are exact based on 9c /Kwh and 30 Kwh /100 miles,

However people will get better Miles /Kwh than others some will beat the EPA test and other's won't.

But either way it's going to be much cheaper than petrol/diesel.

Interestingly I worked out that a 9.5 Kw/P solar set up would give me enough power to supply house + leccy driving for 1 year and 20,000 Miles !

This is based on the solar calculator data, yes solar does work for Ireland. Of course you need the ESB network to export @ 9C/Kwh and then buy back at the same on night rate, of course the ESB can cut the feed-In-Tariff rate at any time.

Jonnykitedude

Jonnykitedude wrote: »

Brining it home was grand, picked it up from Birmingham and drove to Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool. Some of the points on the direct route where out of order, I also borrowed a ecotricity card from one of the guys over on the FB ev owners.

How do I get access to the FB EV page, ?

Did you buy private ? did you pay a deposit before you went over to look at it ?

Scottie99

Deleted User wrote: »

How do I get access to the FB EV page, ?

Did you buy private ? did you pay a deposit before you went over to look at it ?

You just apply for access and one of the members will sign/accept you in

Jonnykitedude

Jonnykitedude wrote: »

I'm still on the 3pin charger that came with the car, I'll probably use it for the foreseeable future.

IS it true that with the U.K leaf that you get the portable EVSE (charger) and no type II to plug into non fast chargers on street ?

Scottie99

Scottie99 wrote: »

You just apply for access and one of the members will sign/accept you in

What's the link ? or what's it called ?

Scottie99

Deleted User wrote: »

What's the link ? or what's it called ?

Irish EV owners

Scottie99

Deleted User wrote: »

The figures I gave are exact based on 9c /Kwh and 30 Kwh /100 miles,

However people will get better Miles /Kwh than others some will beat the EPA test and other's won't.

But either way it's going to be much cheaper than petrol/diesel.

Interestingly I worked out that a 9.5 Kw/P solar set up would give me enough power to supply house + leccy driving for 1 year and 20,000 Miles !

This is based on the solar calculator data, yes solar does work for Ireland. Of course you need the ESB network to export @ 9C/Kwh and then buy back at the same on night rate, of course the ESB can cut the feed-In-Tariff rate at any time.

How much is the Solar set up before the grant. Didn't realise you could sell back to the grid..

No idea how much, my partners parents paid I think 20 k euros for 13 kwp in Germany.

I'm guesstimating about 10-11 k euros. There is no grant.

The problem in Ireland of course is getting the job done right and at a reasonable cost.

But don't forget the ESB could reduce the cost of the tariff any time and maybe eliminate it altogether Though I'm not sure if they can legally do this ?

Even if they guaranteed the night rate cost for life it would always make it at least viable.

However one problem, they will not allow more than 5kw on single phase.

I don't know how the got 13 Kwp in the house in Germany so bloody easy there is always an excuse not to do something in Ireland, always.

September1

I drive it for 2 years now and 100 kms is a bit too much on a very cold day for LEAF 2011-2012, you would have to compromise comfort or charge. There is Outlander PHEV coming but I think price would be outlandish, though nice car.

What's cold ? what would you get at say 5 C at 100 kph mostly level ground ?

It's a pity Nissan didn't include a battery heater to maintain optimum range in cold conditions. Silly oversight but I guess they never imagined people would venture past the local shops in the Leaf and considered it's range enough as they believe the range of the Leaf is enough for most people which it is I suppose especially when you can charge at your destination.

To the non Leafers this may sound ridiculous but there are heated jackets people can get with batteries which I think along with a hat and gloves would be the best thing for just the driver.

A battery heater and a gas (lpg) heater would have been really good. perhaps Leaf 2 in 2016/17

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Deleted User wrote: »

To the non Leafers this may sound ridiculous but there are heated jackets people can get with batteries which I think along with a hat and gloves would be the best thing for just the driver.

A battery heater and a gas (lpg) heater would have been really good. perhaps Leaf 2 in 2016/17

Is this 2013/14 or 1913/14?

September1

Deleted User wrote: »

To the non Leafers this may sound ridiculous but there are heated jackets people can get with batteries which I think along with a hat and gloves would be the best thing for just the driver.

A battery heater and a gas (lpg) heater would have been really good. perhaps Leaf 2 in 2016/17

In other thread you say:

Of course if you want the crappiest lowest power car with 0 gadgets then that's fine but not everyone wants to drive such a thing.

(..)

When I created this thread I did so because anyone buying a new car should consider the leaf because its the cheapest car to fuel by far that is available. It's great to drive.

when OP proposes buying cheap Polo vs LEAF. Now you think that in all coolness and gadgets of LEAF people would like to spend 25k to drive in heated jacked? I think your opinion of EV drivers is extremely low.

On less serious note, any garage that can install that:
http://brainssparks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/zany-swiss-man-installs-wood-burning.html
would it pass NCT?

September1

September1 wrote: »

when OP proposes buying cheap Polo vs LEAF. Now you think that in all coolness and gadgets of LEAF people would like to spend 25k to drive in heated jacked? I think your opinion of EV drivers is extremely low.

What ? I don't understand what you're saying ? I wasn't having a go at Leaf MK 1 drivers, I was merely making a point that the heated jacket is a good idea V running out of power and would most likely be quiet adequate.

Failing that I'm sure one of the Webasto heaters could be fitted in a Leaf maybe they have ones that run on gas ?

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Deleted User wrote: »

What ? I don't understand what you're saying ? I wasn't having a go at Leaf MK 1 drivers, I was merely making a point that the heated jacket is a good idea V running out of power and would most likely be quiet adequate.

Failing that I'm sure one of the Webasto heaters could be fitted in a Leaf maybe they have ones that run on gas ?

You mention in another thread that a bluemotion polo was less preferable to a leaf because it had less gadgets - but now you say that you should drive a leaf in a hat and gloves rather than use the heater?
I think you are the one that is not making sense, true to your name you are a mad_lad sometimes :P

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

Is this 2013/14 or 1913/14?

I'm sure the Mk 1.5 with optional heat pump (on basic trim) makes a difference in fact reading reviews on Leaftalk.co.uk seem to indicate it does.