Help Me Choose S/X.....Leaf

...Ghost...

OK, time has come to needing a new (to us) second car. Brief background: My main car is a Model Y Juniper. The second car which my OH mainly uses and the older kids drive is a 2018, 40kWh Leaf which I picked up last year for pretty good money. We have had 2 other Leafs (24kWh) before.

With regards to the second car; The Leaf serves us very well. More range would be nice, but not needed. More seats would also be nice, but we manage by using the 2 cars for trips out anywhere. Our Son and his Fiancé are in need of a replacement car. They were going to get a Leaf, but finance was an issue due to timing. To cut to the chase, we offered our Leaf for token money and will need to pick up a replacement car.

A very generous boardsie has offered to help me out with a NI address, so this opens our options for bringing a car in from the UK.

Our considerations:

2017/18 Tesla Model X 90/100. Looking at around €30k.

Negatives - Have to wait 3 months before using the car. Higher risk car. Highish mileage at 100-130k miles. Travel to verify car is in good shape. More than we want to spend.

Positives - Great car, safety and performance. More seats to travel with the kids.

2017/18 Tesla Model S 75

Negatives - Same as Model X negatives, but cost would be circa €15k instead of €30k, so much more palatable.

Positives - Same as the X, but with only 5 seats. There is only 1 7 seat version for around €25k, so not worth it.

2019/21 Nissan Leaf 40

Negatives - Boring. No increase in range.

Positives - Could get easily in ROI and drive same day. Budget friendly. Very reliable car. Will upgrade to SVE model.

Looking to keep the cost below 12k if going for a Leaf.

Ruled out Leaf 60 due to cost/benefit and there are so few for sale anyway. Ruled out e-Golf due to range. Ioniq 38 I don't like. ID3 cost. Any Stellantis car because, you know why.

So, what do you think? Plan would be to buy inside the next 2 weeks.

Izy

You will end up with another Juniper…

the_amazing_raisin

Go cheap and get a Leaf

You said it yourself, you don't really need the extra range or space so why bother spending more than you need to?

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123796656#Comment_123796656

I would wait for the YL, but no, we won't be buying a new car. 😋

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123796913#Comment_123796913

It's because we work around it. If we had a 7 seater, the OH would be able to take the kids to the beach or park when i'm at work without having to leave anyone behind. It's not an absolute necessity, that's true. If we didn't have a list of other expenses around the corner over the next 12-15 months (bathroom re-model, immersion tank upgrade, Sons wedding), I would be going for the Model X. I was planning to get one next year.

The Leaf is the cheap and cheerful option and if I get a good deal on an SVE, I may well do that. The Model S is the in-between choice. More range and space, but same number of seats.

Buddy Bubs

Ill ignore 30k cars as I dont think you really want to spend that much....ioniq 5 low 20s?

vicM

Mustang:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-mustang-mach-e-estate-standard-range/40413917?modal=gallery

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123797062#Comment_123797062

Good shout. I really like the Ioniq 5. Didn't like the driving experience when I test drove one, but it's not for me. I could nab me an X for about 21k. Would be a 75D, but still in 7 seat territory…a few years older however.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123797099#Comment_123797099

Certainly caught my eye 😁

Gumbo

What about a cheap Model 3 from the Uk?
For less than the cost of a 2021 ID3 here, you’d get a 21/22 Model 3 which is a far better car.

But if I was using my heart and not my head and utilising the NI address, I’d hunt down a Model S/X Performance model and maybe something with free SuC. Might not be worth much now but as the SuC’s increase in numbers here, that option might be worth its weight in gold in the future.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123797009#Comment_123797009

Possible stretch goal, Nissan ENV200 with the 7 seats? I'm not sure any got sold in Ireland but they were available in the UK so potentially an import option

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123797244#Comment_123797244

One of the Xs I was looking at was a performance model. Looking at about 30k. I didn’t spot any with free charging, but I stopped at that price point. Hadn’t considered M3, because we need a hatchback for the dog.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123797268#Comment_123797268

The ENV 7 seater is rare enough alright. Saw one for sale in Fairview 2 years ago. But it sold before I could view it. 40kWh model too.

I would consider it were it not for the poor range. It would be a backwards step in range for the sake of the extra seats.

MojoMaker

I am also looking for that unicorn 2018 Model S 75D for €15k.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123797420#Comment_123797420

I know you ruled out Stellantis cars, but they are one of the few around with electric 7 seater cars or vans, plus 100kW charging so long trip are a bit more feasible

Unfortunately the 75kWh versions are a lot pricier, up around the £25 in the UK

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509076126531

At price point you might as well get the Model X

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123801073#Comment_123801073

Exactly my thoughts. And there are often times we would have utility for a 9 seater, but I just couldn't live with it 🤣

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123801100#Comment_123801100

Yeah, it's a lot to be looking at in the driveway. Starts to blot out the sun 😂

...Ghost...

Thanks for the input lads. So, it's been a furious search the past couple of days.

The X was a bit of a stretch and we really would have wanted a 90 or 100D.

Whenever I found something I had a real interest in, a deposit had just been paid. I narrowly missed out on a P90D with 80k miles and all the other boxes ticked. Couldn't be helped, as I had medical appointments all morning. Was a little above max budget at £15.5, but would have stretched because of bigger battery and the "P" and it looks great. It's still listed here.

We are going to see and most likely drive away in a 2017 S 75D with EAP, MCU2 upgrade, HW3, CCS upgrade, Smart Air Suspension, Sunroof and with less than 60k miles.

Price not yet finalised, but the dealer has already knocked £400 off because I told him I wouldn't need warranty. Seems like a gentleman and specialises in Teslas with great online reviews. I think it's a one man show, or family business. The discount just about covers the cost of travel, which is nice. It's not easy getting money off garage sales in the UK. Might get another hundred or two knocked off if lucky. Hard to bargain when he knows i'm flying in to buy anyway 🤣.

A special thanks to the un-named boardsie helping to make this a reality. You know who you are. I'll add pics if everything goes well tomorrow.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123810589#Comment_123810589

Best of luck.