3 years with the Leaf - options

Mancomb Seepgood

So I've just received the letter from RCI outlining my options after my three year PCP expires in almost 3 months.I'm currently undecided as to what to do.

Option 1 - try to go for the new Leaf.It looks like a nice enough car but it would tie me into another 3 year PCP.I could probably afford it but I'm not sure whether it's such a sensible move.While the new Leaf would represent a big range improvement over my 24kwh (and there is something nice about a new car!), is it worth it? All this assumes I'll be able to get one.

Option 2 - I've been trying to keep an eye out for a used Zoe 40.This seems to make a lot more sense than PCP.I'm not a badge snob and the car would be big enough for just the two of us.I like the idea of being able to use standard chargers to their full potential.I have exceeded my mileage on the Leaf by about 8000km so Nissan would hit me for that if I simply hand back the car, plus no doubt they'll find a few scratches.

Option 3 - Keep the current Leaf for approx €9k. I can afford to buy it out and be done with credit, for now.I really like the car, it's served me well and I don't need to use the public charging network too often.

I suppose I'm trying to think out the most logical option.The Leaf does serve me well for most of my journeys but the extra range would almost entirely eliminate any anxiety I feel about taking longer trips, particularly in winter where I've had one or two close shaves.

Added to this I'm starting a new job in a fortnight.I'm either going to be travelling by train, in which case my use will fall dramatically, or I can drive.If I do drive, my Leaf will easily be able to handle the commute (80km round trip,in traffic).I don't know whether the new job will involve travelling for work purposes so that would probably inform my thinking.

Shefwedfan

Electricautos have a Zoe 40 coming in, would be worth giving them a shout and see what it will cost. That will decide if that is option or now.

New car would be nice, it always is but without the terms of the PCP not sure anyone can tell you if good option. The credit rating could be shocking etc etc so hard to recommend.

Not sure of Spec etc to see if 9k is good value for current Leaf. Again when talking to Phil might be worth asking him how much he thinks your is worth.....

goz83

I'm assuming you have an Acenta? If it works for you, then get out of the PCP and buy the car. 9k is about right for a 3 year old Acenta and you know the car from day 1, which is a bonus.

I personally don't like the Zoe, so I won't discuss my opinion there, other than to say that any long journey can't be comfortable in one of those.

The temptation to get the new Leaf would only make sense if your current one is not going to work for you anymore....so, if your new job requires some extra travel, the new Leaf might be a better option. Work charging would be nice too

Mancomb Seepgood

goz83 wrote: »

I'm assuming you have an Acenta? If it works for you, then get out of the PCP and buy the car. 9k is about right for a 3 year old Acenta and you know the car from day 1, which is a bonus.

I personally don't like the Zoe, so I won't discuss my opinion there, other than to say that any long journey can't be comfortable in one of those.

The temptation to get the new Leaf would only make sense if your current one is not going to work for you anymore....so, if your new job requires some extra travel, the new Leaf might be a better option. Work charging would be nice too

Yes, it's the SV model (which I think is the same as the Acenta?).I have the cold pack and 6.6kw charger.

Mancomb Seepgood

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Electricautos have a Zoe 40 coming in, would be worth giving them a shout and see what it will cost. That will decide if that is option or now.

New car would be nice, it always is but without the terms of the PCP not sure anyone can tell you if good option. The credit rating could be shocking etc etc so hard to recommend.

Not sure of Spec etc to see if 9k is good value for current Leaf. Again when talking to Phil might be worth asking him how much he thinks your is worth.....

Yeah, I'm aware of Phil (I live in Naas) and given his reputation he'd be my first port of call if I do decide to change.

Lantus

Review all options, get a quote on a new leaf and a new or nearly new Zoe if they do PCP. The dealer can clear your finance.

Buying out seems good as you know the car and it meets your needs. Again you can cost re loan and interest.

goz83

Mancomb Seepgood wrote: »

Yes, it's the SV model (which I think is the same as the Acenta?).I have the cold pack and 6.6kw charger.

Yes, Acenta is SV.

It would cost 10k to bring from the UK what you have....mileage depending. I brought in a 142 Acenta 6.6 which will have cost ~€12k after everything is totted up. Mileage was under 9k miles and the car is immaculate. So 9k isn't bad to pay off if the car will still suit you.

waynegalway

goz83 wrote: »

Yes, Acenta is SV.

It would cost 10k to bring from the UK what you have....mileage depending. I brought in a 142 Acenta 6.6 which will have cost ~€12k after everything is totted up. Mileage was under 9k miles and the car is immaculate. So 9k isn't bad to pay off if the car will still suit you.

That would be my thinking too. €9k is good value compared to what someone would have to pay for a 3yo SV with 6.6.

Plus, you've taken the depreciation hit by this stage. Buying new again will only put you back into paying max depreciation again.

ewj1978

Imho I'd stick with the car. If it suits your needs why change.

Mancomb Seepgood

Thanks for the advice, it's all been a big help.

The depreciation aspect is one which hadn't really occurred to me, but should. If I do make the balloon payment and own the car outright, I'll be fully free to trade it or sell it on if my needs change with not a huge amount of extra loss.

waynegalway

Mancomb Seepgood wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, it's all been a big help.

The depreciation aspect is one which hadn't really occurred to me, but should. If I do make the balloon payment and own the car outright, I'll be fully free to trade it or sell it on if my needs change with not a huge amount of extra loss.

Yep.

Plus if you do decide to trade it or sell it on after paying the balloon, you'll probably get a fair bit more than the €9k it will have cost you. Have you looked at the value for similar age/spec/condition LEAFs on the usual sites? My guess is they're probably in the €12-13k range.

thierry14

Mancomb Seepgood wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, it's all been a big help.

The depreciation aspect is one which hadn't really occurred to me, but should. If I do make the balloon payment and own the car outright, I'll be fully free to trade it or sell it on if my needs change with not a huge amount of extra loss.

If your going to sell on soon depreciation will kill your running coats

Its depreciated more than half its value in 3 years, 100e a week for 3 years

Its madness selling now, keeping it 10 years plus is the way to go with EVs if they are as reliable as people say

Different with ICE as modern diesels etc are time bombs out of warranty, EVs shouldnt be

Calahonda52

ewj1978 wrote: »

Imho I'd stick with the car. If it suits your needs why change.

My thoughts also

Get an I3 Rex, I love it , no range anxiety and free if I want from the public network ! It's a lot of fun !

ELM327

Madlad thats your answer to everything.

80sDiesel

ELM327 wrote: »

Madlad  thats your answer to everything.

Did he buy a Rex? You would have never known !

oinkely

Deleted User wrote: »

Get an I3 Rex, I love it , no range anxiety and free if I want from the public network ! It's a lot of fun !

a nice option if you don't need 3 seats in the back! Should have kept it in my pants ;-)

KCross

oinkely wrote: »

a nice option if you don't need 3 seats in the back! Should have kept it in my pants ;-)

A nice option to reduce dependence on the public infrastructure but apart from that its lacking from a practicality perspective.... 4 seats (thats me out), the rear doors are just silly if you have kids and the price is even more silly.

Who said you can't have 3 seats in the i3 ?



https://twitter.com/multimacseat/status/578217070984298496

Great to hear mad_lad. Let's all buy a i3 REX now.

So because I now drive an I3 I should never recommend one ? or is there something else the matter with me owning one and talking about it ?

Cop on lads.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

So because I now drive an I3 I should never recommend one ? or is there something else the matter with me owning one and talking about it ?

Cop on lads.

The REX is the new BOSE.

samih

samih wrote: »

The REX is the new BOSE.

What ?

The Rex is at least useful, BOSE was utter shyte in the Leaf.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

What ?

Not going to get on this, just that you have tendency to sound like broken record sometimes. Peace man, just please we all know that the Irish network is not the best but this thread or the tesla thread or the Leaf 40 kWh threads are not about i3 REX.

Just so that I don't appear to derail this thread fully: In my opinion whatever you do don't just hand in the car. If it suits you going forward and you don't really fancy a change (which I feel might be the case), the balloon payment is the way to go. Nissan are probably going to offer you a better trade in than say Hyundai or BMW so this is another alternative.

beauf

Deleted User wrote: »

So because I now drive an I3 I should never recommend one ? or is there something else the matter with me owning one and talking about it ?

Cop on lads.

It's not a viable alternative for many due to cost. Just like the the answer to what 500 laptop should I buy is not always a 1500 MacBook...

beauf

Man this mobile site with multi quotes is a pita

beauf

Mancomb wrote:

Added to this I'm starting a new job in a fortnight.I'm either going to be travelling by train, in which case my use will fall dramatically, or I can drive.If I do drive, my Leaf will easily be able to handle the commute (80km round trip,in traffic).I don't know whether the new job will involve travelling for work purposes so that would probably inform my thinking.

The decision really sounds like it's down to range anxiety for occasional longer trips..

samih

samih wrote: »

Not going to get on this, just that you have tendency to sound like broken record sometimes. Peace man, just please we all know that the Irish network is not the best but this thread or the tesla thread or the Leaf 40 kWh threads are not about i3 REX.

Get over it, you don't like what I type there are other forums......

beauf

beauf wrote: »

It's not a viable alternative for many due to cost. Just like the the answer to what 500 laptop should I buy is not always a 1500 MacBook...

Ok so from now on I'll just talk about the Leaf ? good enough ? lol

By the way, the 171 High Spec i3 Rex I got on PCP will only cost me roughly 4000 Euro's more than the Leaf so it's not that out of reach !!! and it's a far higher quality nicer to drive car.

grogi

Deleted User wrote: »

https://twitter.com/multimacseat/status/578217070984298496

What does the VRC say? If it is 4, no matter how many Mutlimac magic one is going to do, the approved number of people doesn't change.

ELM327

Deleted User wrote: »

Ok so from now on I'll just talk about the Leaf ? good enough ? lol

You won't be able to do that....

See you couldn't even make it through that post without mentioning the rex

Deleted User wrote: »

By the way, the 171 High Spec i3 Rex I got on PCP will only cost me roughly 4000 Euro's more than the Leaf so it's not that out of reach !!! and it's a far higher quality nicer to drive car.

Mancomb Seepgood

Mancomb Seepgood wrote: »

So I've just received the letter from RCI outlining my options after my three year PCP expires in almost 3 months.I'm currently undecided as to what to do.

Option 1 - try to go for the new Leaf.It looks like a nice enough car but it would tie me into another 3 year PCP.I could probably afford it but I'm not sure whether it's such a sensible move.While the new Leaf would represent a big range improvement over my 24kwh (and there is something nice about a new car!), is it worth it? All this assumes I'll be able to get one.

Option 2 - I've been trying to keep an eye out for a used Zoe 40.This seems to make a lot more sense than PCP.I'm not a badge snob and the car would be big enough for just the two of us.I like the idea of being able to use standard chargers to their full potential.I have exceeded my mileage on the Leaf by about 8000km so Nissan would hit me for that if I simply hand back the car, plus no doubt they'll find a few scratches.

Option 3 - Keep the current Leaf for approx €9k. I can afford to buy it out and be done with credit, for now.I really like the car, it's served me well and I don't need to use the public charging network too often.

How come your GFMV is 9 k ? mine was 12,400 ? what were you paying per month and how much did you put down in the beginning ? I paid about 458 PM with 5K down 30,000 Kms a year.

If you're not going to use it much then buy it if it's only going to cost 9K then you can choose what to do later on. My GFMV was 12,500 so I was not prepared to put that in to buying it with such limited range and slow charging on DC.

I would never buy a Zoe, it's quiet underpowered but that's me, and I am not a fan of Renault interiors.

You have a lot more options now than in 2015. I would never have put the guts of 10 K into the Leaf, never mind 12,400 to own it not with the driving I do + I really wanted to change.

ELM327

As it stands if I were buying a brand new EV I'd find it hard not to get an Ioniq, as it's quite simply the best EV out there on the mainstream (ie non-tesla) market.

Something like this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201711020884707?sort=price-asc&make=HYUNDAI&advertising-location=at_cars&radius=1500&fuel-type=Electric&postcode=ig61lu&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&page=1

Cheaper than a Zoe/Leaf and a much better car to boot.

beauf

Deleted User wrote: »

Ok so from now on I'll just talk about the Leaf ? good enough ? lol

By the way, the 171 High Spec i3 Rex I got on PCP will only cost me roughly 4000 Euro's more than the Leaf so it's not that out of reach !!! and it's a far higher quality nicer to drive car.

...any memes...yes there are...



...in fairness if I could I would....

KCross

Deleted User wrote: »

Who said you can't have 3 seats in the i3 ?

First off, thats another €1500.... for child seats!!!

And as others have said, I'd be concerned about invalidating insurance by putting that in.

Deleted User wrote: »

I would never have put the guts of 10 K into the Leaf, never mind 12,400 to own it not with the driving I do + I really wanted to change.

You're funny sometimes Mad_Lad! You put €22k into your Leaf and handed it back after 3 years.

The €9k he has an option on, is a good choice based on what he has detailed.... new job coming up which could change his commute, the car is worth more than €9k and by owning it he has more flexibility on when and how he changes rather than being forced to make a decision based on PCP dates.

ELM327

ELM327 wrote: »

You won't be able to do that....

See you couldn't even make it through that post without mentioning the rex

Well put it like this, I've no intentions being dictated to what I should say , do , write, etc.

Before the EV section was created I got a lot of abuse, bit of an understatement really, from people for me even mentioning the Leaf. I wanted to spread the word and low and behold after a long time pestering we now have an EV section here on Boards. Some of these people are now actually EV owners and are here in the EV section !

So I'm entitled to talk about whatever I want thanks.

ELM327

Deleted User wrote: »

Well put it like this, I've no intentions being dictated to what I should say , do , write, etc.

Before the EV section was created I got a lot of abuse, bit of an understatement really, from people for me even mentioning the Leaf. I wanted to spread the word and low and behold after a long time pestering we now have an EV section here on Boards. Some of these people are now actually EV owners and are here in the EV section !

So I'm entitled to talk about whatever I want thanks.

Ah chill out man I'm only having a laugh. Sure I get accused the whole time of dragging threads off topic etc.

Go on about the rex if you want or whatever you deem necessary

beauf

PCP seems to have worked then for the Leaf anywway...

KCross

KCross wrote: »

First off, thats another €1500.... for child seats!!!

And as others have said, I'd be concerned about invalidating insurance by putting that in.

A phone call is all it takes to find out !

KCross wrote: »

You're funny sometimes Mad_Lad! You put €22k into your Leaf and handed it back after 3 years.

The €9k he has an option on, is a good choice based on what he has detailed.... new job coming up which could change his commute, the car is worth more than €9k and by owning it he has more flexibility on when and how he changes rather than being forced to make a decision based on PCP dates.

I paid 22 K to drive the Leaf 3 years beats spending 31K to drive it 5 years like people would do if they went HP or normal bank loan. Why would I have done this ? when I never intended to keep it in the first place.

It was nice to have more options this time around.

beauf

beauf wrote: »

PCP seems to have worked then for the Leaf anywway...

PCP just works whatever way you look at it, I went in with the worst intentions that being I'd have no deposit going forward, however, if I had bought via bank loan I would have paid higher interest + suffered the full depreciation of the car and most likely have to have driven it 5 years or pay 800 PM. No thanks.

grogi

grogi wrote: »

What does the VRC say? If it is 4, no matter how many Mutlimac magic one is going to do, the approved number of people doesn't change.

Doesn't matter though as the seat is designed for carrying Children not Adults. If you have to carry 3 Children then there's a solution for it. If not then get a 5 seater. Though a lot of 5 seaters in Europe shouldn't really be classed as 5 seaters anyway.

ELM327

ELM327 wrote: »

As it stands if I were buying a brand new EV I'd find it hard not to get an Ioniq, as it's quite simply the best EV out there on the mainstream (ie non-tesla) market.

Cheaper than a Zoe/Leaf and a much better car to boot.

I'd have the Ioniq any day over the Zoe 40, Zoe 40 will beat the Ioniq particularly at slower speeds but at high speeds the Ioniq won't have a huge amount less range.

Ioniq is a lot nicer than the Zoe inside too and more powerful, larger, that's a no brainer.

Zoe is dead above 80 Kph would hate to drive it with the extra weight of the 40 Kwh and imaging they now have a 75 Hp version too ? Christ !

Zoe reminds me of an Old Skool Non turbo diesel, apart from the rattle and noise of course, but it's like renault think that low power means more range saving energy, while that's true to a point, if they gave it 120 HP it wouldn't get less range it would just mean it's a lot nicer to drive !

Renault just don't get it !

It's laughable that they have no other EV model either same as Nissan. Joke.

thierry14

Mad_Lad

For the money you paid on the i3 people have bought Teslas with 400bhp and 4 year/80k warranties for cash in the UK

They are nearly 40k now for S85 which blows the doors off an i3 and nearly everything else on the road

i3 is a grand little yoke but it's not without its flaws

Its top speed for instance is a ****ing joke

170bhp and a 98 Micra has a higher top speed

Thats just embarrassing

Know way would I buy one for that reason alone

Mancomb Seepgood

Deleted User wrote: »

How come your GFMV is 9 k ? mine was 12,400 ? what were you paying per month and how much did you put down in the beginning ? I paid about 458 PM with 5K down 30,000 Kms a year.

If you're not going to use it much then buy it if it's only going to cost 9K then you can choose what to do later on. My GFMV was 12,500 so I was not prepared to put that in to buying it with such limited range and slow charging on DC.

I would never buy a Zoe, it's quiet underpowered but that's me, and I am not a fan of Renault interiors.

You have a lot more options now than in 2015. I would never have put the guts of 10 K into the Leaf, never mind 12,400 to own it not with the driving I do + I really wanted to change.

I put in the maximum deposit at the start (can't remember the exact amount) and went for 20,000km a year.It cost me approximately 20000 a month.Bear in mind I had the SV model whereas yours was the SVE (I think).

I do like the i3 well enough actually but it wouldn't offer me enough extra to justify the extra expense.The biggest gain would be the convenience of the range extender but it just doesn't make a lot of sense for me.

grogi

Deleted User wrote: »

Doesn't matter though as the seat is designed for carrying Children not Adults. If you have to carry 3 Children then there's a solution for it. If not then get a 5 seater. Though a lot of 5 seaters in Europe shouldn't really be classed as 5 seaters anyway.

Solution is simple - Don't buy an i3.

Carboard seats, Multimac or putting them in the boot - doesn't matter. You cannot have five people in an i3. Period.

Mancomb Seepgood

beauf wrote: »

The decision really sounds like it's down to range anxiety for occasional longer trips..

Yeah,pretty much.Most of my longer trips have been to visit family in Tipperary,which involves a stop on the way and a stop on the way back.I can live with that.If the new job requires me to travel to meetings or anything like that it will be a different story but I'll wait and see first.

grogi

Mancomb Seepgood wrote: »

Yeah,pretty much.Most of my longer trips have been to visit family in Tipperary,which involves a stop on the way and a stop on the way back.I can live with that.If the new job requires me to travel to meetings or anything like that it will be a different story but I'll wait and see first.

Absolutely. If it suits your needs, it would only be snobbery that could justify getting a newer car.

KCross

Mancomb Seepgood wrote: »

So I've just received the letter from RCI outlining my options after my three year PCP expires in almost 3 months.I'm currently undecided as to what to do.

.
.
.

Added to this I'm starting a new job in a fortnight.I'm either going to be travelling by train, in which case my use will fall dramatically, or I can drive.If I do drive, my Leaf will easily be able to handle the commute (80km round trip,in traffic).I don't know whether the new job will involve travelling for work purposes so that would probably inform my thinking.

It sounds like you can't make any decision really until you know your work situation. If your mileage drops significantly you will have wasted a huge amount of money on Option 1.

Option 3 seems the sensible thing if you are forced to make a decision on the basis that the car is worth at least what you are paying for it. You said you are happy with it and you know its history. You then have flexibility on what your next move is later in the year or next or whenever.

Maybe go for option 1 in 191 where you will have the ability to pick/choose from all the options whereas now you can only order the 2.zero spec which isn't cheap!

Shefwedfan

Deleted User wrote: »

Ok so from now on I'll just talk about the Leaf ? good enough ? lol

By the way, the 171 High Spec i3 Rex I got on PCP will only cost me roughly 4000 Euro's more than the Leaf so it's not that out of reach !!! and it's a far higher quality nicer to drive car.

You have broken the golden rule on here.....talk about a car that is not a Leaf!!!!!

Shame on you:P