Nissan Leaf

Soarer · 11-01-2017 12:53pm

DB01 wrote: »

You mean I could pay with a visa debit card? Do they give any discount for cash?

Yeah to the card.

I'd say it depends on where you buy.

Back street dealer, probably.
Main dealer, probably not.

isnottheword · 11-01-2017 1:35pm

Use transfermate (or similar - but transfermate tend to have consistently the best rates much of the time). Don't depend on the banks for fx.

DrPhilG · 11-01-2017 3:12pm

I couldn't use debit card, can't remember why to be honest. I think it was a transaction limit.

I was dealing with a main Nissan dealer and had an email trail for everything so I actually paid the full amount in advance. I had already haggled and brought him down a bit by that stage.

Have you tried these guys;

http://www.electricautos.ie/used-cars.php
Based in Kildare. I have bought cables and other accessories from here and the service is top notch. Sources and imports from the UK but does all the work and registration etc for you. There are a few excellent cars there that are better value than the one you described.

http://www.electricautos.ie/vehicles/nissan/leaf/kildare/1646493
This one has higher mileage and is a year older, but it's the newer generation (better heater and battery life) and has the 6.6 charger. It's also the SVE/Tekna spec so leather seats, 360 surround camera etc.

http://www.eco-cars.net/aboutecocars.php
Based in Orkney but delivers to Ireland, or to the handiest Ferry port for you to collect there. I almost bought from him but ended up buying in Leeds, although Jonathan did offer advice on the car I was buying which was very friendly of him given that he was losing the sale.

isnottheword · 11-01-2017 5:37pm

DrPhilG wrote: »

I couldn't use debit card, can't remember why to be honest. I think it was a transaction limit

Some car sales dealerships won't accept that method of payment. Where they do, there's often a limit. If you do go down that road, Revolut would offer the best rates (so long as you carry out the fx Monday to Friday rather than at weekends. However, there's a limit of I think £7000 (or somewhere close to that figure).

Here's a comparison someone buying a car in the UK did last year => LINK

With regard to the 2 specialist Dealers that import UK EVs to Ireland for customers - both Phil and Jonathon are well respected amongst the Irish EV community. However, naturally, they have to get paid i.e. they need to add their margin.

If you are time poor and/or your time makes considerably more money if spent working your day job, then maybe its worthwhile going that route. If you are not a high earner and you need to achieve the best price you possibly can, take a day or two off - and drive the car back yourself.

grogi · 11-01-2017 5:41pm

DrPhilG wrote: »

Have you tried these guys;

http://www.electricautos.ie/used-cars.php

I really like what I see in those guys' website... They at least know what they are selling.

KCross · 11-01-2017 5:54pm

grogi wrote: »

I really like what I see in those guys' website... They at least know what they are selling.

They also seem keen on the 6.6kW charger as all 4 Leaf's have it! Thats very unusual and shows they are hand picking their cars and not just taking the cheapest thing they can find.

cros13 · 11-01-2017 7:09pm

I've met both of them and certainly I'd recommend going that route if you want to be certain you are getting a car that's fully checked out and with a battery in A1 condition.

They add their margin, but for an EV novice that margin could be worth every last cent.

Balmed Out · 11-01-2017 11:05pm

isnottheword wrote:

With regard to the 2 specialist Dealers that import UK EVs to Ireland for customers - both Phil and Jonathon are well respected amongst the Irish EV community. However, naturally, they have to get paid i.e. they need to add their margin.

Anyone know would they take trade ins and is it possible to trade in an Irish car in UK?

isnottheword · 11-01-2017 11:40pm

Balmed Out wrote: »

Anyone know would they take trade ins and is it possible to trade in an Irish car in UK?

I'm sure Phil would - not sure about Jonathan. Both will engage if you're of a mind to make a purchase. I got in touch with Jonathan myself when I went Leaf shopping. He was helpful - but my budget was too tight for him in the end. Phil I was referred on to by a UK dealer that I contacted on autotrader. Traded a couple of mails with him but it was clear that the pricepoint (which I ultimately got myself) wasn't achievable from his perspective.

Don't get me wrong - there's very much a place for these guys. Some can't afford the time/effort of sourcing themselves - and deal with the logistics of importing the car. I had been through the process before so wasn't bothered about doing it myself. Moreso with an EV than an ICE. Not saying that you can't buy a lemon - but there's less scope for issues with an EV.

As regards trading in an Irish car to an actual UK dealer, I don't think that would be a runner. Phil is based over here so he would do you a deal. Jonathan is based between Orkney and Leicestershire - but has contacts over here - so again, I'd imagine he could facilitate that also.

Balmed Out · 20-03-2017 9:38am

Probably a stupid question but anyhow:

If an EV has lost 50% of its battery capacity.
Would it then charge to its new limit in half the time and do so using half the electricity it would have before?

grogi · 20-03-2017 10:33am

Balmed Out wrote: »

Probably a stupid question but anyhow:

If an EV has lost 50% of its battery capacity.
Would it then charge to its new limit in half the time and do so using half the electricity it would have before?

No. It will charge faster, but not in half the time.

TBi · 20-03-2017 12:30pm

grogi wrote: »

No. It will charge faster, but not in half the time.

and use about half the electricity.

Calahonda52 · 20-03-2017 12:30pm

josip wrote: »

Just in case anyone had any lingering doubts about attaching a towbar to a Leaf.
http://newatlas.com/nissan-self-driving-leaf-imv-oppama-tow/46778/

From an Irish Towbar company this morning:

"As the Nissan Leaf is not homologated for towing so there is no towbar manufactured for this vehicle. What this mean is that the vehicle manufacturer in this case Nissan, have specified that a towbar cannot be fitted to this vehicle."

listermint · 20-03-2017 12:41pm

Calahonda52 wrote: »

From an Irish Towbar company this morning:

"As the Nissan Leaf is not homologated for towing so there is no towbar manufactured for this vehicle. What this mean is that the vehicle manufacturer in this case Nissan, have specified that a towbar cannot be fitted to this vehicle."

I have to say Irish people have some fascination with toe bars.

Toe bar on a leaf... I've seen it all

Balmed Out · 20-03-2017 12:42pm

grogi wrote: »

No. It will charge faster, but not in half the time.

TBi wrote: »

and use about half the electricity.

Cheers just before buying want to be reassured that after its no longer suitable for my commute it will still be perfect for my wife's needs.

josip · 20-03-2017 12:45pm

Calahonda52 wrote: »

From an Irish Towbar company this morning:

"As the Nissan Leaf is not homologated for towing so there is no towbar manufactured for this vehicle. What this mean is that the vehicle manufacturer in this case Nissan, have specified that a towbar cannot be fitted to this vehicle."

listermint wrote: »

I have to say Irish people have some fascination with toe bars.

Toe bar on a leaf... I've seen it all

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYuFHRm4lyc

Soarer · 04-04-2017 12:49pm

Afternoon all.

Quick sanity check.
Gen. 1 Leaf. Can use the public FCP to get up to 80% in around 30 minutes?
If I were to install a 32A charger at home, it could be quick charged there too?

04-04-2017 12:55pm

Yes if the battery temperature is in optimal range, i.e. not too cold. No, as the gen 1 did not have an option for charger over 3.3 kW. Still 16A charger easily charges LEAF from 0->100 while you sleep.

Soarer · 04-04-2017 12:59pm

Perfect samih.

So the only reason to get a 32A charger for the house would be to futureproof myself for a newer EV?

unkel · 04-04-2017 1:00pm

30 minutes to 80% on DC FCP, but at home, even with a 32A charger, charging up to 80% would take about 7 hours. The gen 1 only comes with 3.3kW AC charging

And yes, 32A is only needed for faster charging cars. But if you have to pay for the charge point yourself, it will only cost you a tiny bit more for a 32A charger and materials, so you might as well go for it.

cros13 · 04-04-2017 1:02pm

No reason not to go 32A... They cost the same as the 16A plus a few euro for a bigger cable

BoatMad · 04-04-2017 1:06pm

I have 32A charging at home as does my friend in his 24kWh leaf ( both have onboard 6.6kW chargers )

Mine will recharge 20'% to 100% in about < 4 hours excluding cell balancing ( which is not charging )

His will recharge his 24 kWh in about 3 or som hours for similar conditions

Double this for 3kW charging ( 16A) with the onboard 3kW charger

Soarer · 04-04-2017 1:07pm

Cheers lads.

I go through phases (pardon the pun) of getting an EV, and then backing out. But the car tax is up this month (€150 a quarter) and I'm using around €80 per month in diesel, so the numbers are starting to soften my cough a little.
Don't want to borrow big as I've no loan at the minute, and a loan would only eat into potential savings. But there are a few cheap(er) first gens coming online in the UK that'd probably be had for well under €8k all in.
That I could live with.

unkel · 04-04-2017 1:29pm

Soarer wrote: »

But the car tax is up this month (â‚¬150 a quarter) and I'm using around â‚¬80 per month in diesel

My numbers are €422 a quarter tax and €50 per week in petrol

KCross · 04-04-2017 1:32pm

unkel wrote: »

30 minutes to 80% on DC FCP, but at home, even with a 32A charger, charging up to 80% would take about 7 hours. The gen 1 only comes with 3.3kW AC charging

You must be thinking of a Tesla there! :P

For every hour on a 32A charge point (assuming the car has the ability to fully utilise it) will add 6kW+ so less than 4hrs is required to get 0-100%

Soarer · 04-04-2017 1:40pm

unkel wrote: »

My numbers are €422 a quarter tax and €50 per week in petrol

Not for long though!

unkel · 04-04-2017 2:14pm

KCross wrote: »

You must be thinking of a Tesla there! :P

For every hour on a 32A charge point (assuming the car has the ability to fully utilise it) will add 6kW+ so less than 4hrs is required to get 0-100%

His car will be a gen 1, so only 3.3kW charging

(see post #218)

Soarer · 04-04-2017 2:21pm

Sorry lads, another quick question.

On the ESB Chargepoints Map, which one(s) is.are suitable to the gen.1 Leaf?

zilog_jones · 04-04-2017 2:29pm

CHAdeMO and Type 2 - you'll need a Type 1 to Type 2 cable for the latter (were they standard equipment?). All UK models have CHAdeMO, right?

KCross · 04-04-2017 2:37pm

unkel wrote: »

His car will be a gen 1, so only 3.3kW charging

(see post #218)

its still only about 5hrs to 80% but I wont fall out with ya over a few hours!

cros13 · 04-04-2017 2:38pm

zilog_jones wrote: »

CHAdeMO and Type 2 - you'll need a Type 1 to Type 2 cable for the latter (were they standard equipment?). All UK models have CHAdeMO, right?

And of course the "Other" is all Type 2 as well.

Until 2016, the Visia spec in the UK (equivalent to XE) lacked rapid charging as standard (it could be specced as a factory option).

Gumbo · 04-04-2017 3:55pm

Soarer wrote: »

Cheers lads.

I go through phases (pardon the pun) of getting an EV, and then backing out. But the car tax is up this month (â‚¬150 a quarter) and I'm using around â‚¬80 per month in diesel, so the numbers are starting to soften my cough a little.
Don't want to borrow big as I've no loan at the minute, and a loan would only eat into potential savings. But there are a few cheap(er) first gens coming online in the UK that'd probably be had for well under â‚¬8k all in.
That I could live with.

One of the lads on the FB EV page was selling a Gen 1 for under 7k recently.

peposhi · 04-04-2017 4:51pm

kceire wrote:

One of the lads on the FB EV page was selling a Gen 1 for under 7k recently.

Ron Byrne was his name afairc

ELM327 · 04-04-2017 5:07pm

There's a couple of gen1 leafs on donedeal for below 7k right now.
I'm waiting (as is anyone looking to purchase a used leaf) for the gen 1.5 6.6 kW to drop to that price before becoming a 2 EV household.

Hopefully a 2 Tekna 6.6kW household!!

BoatMad · 04-04-2017 6:14pm

ELM327 wrote: »

There's a couple of gen1 leafs on donedeal for below 7k right now.
I'm waiting (as is anyone looking to purchase a used leaf) for the gen 1.5 6.6 kW to drop to that price before becoming a 2 EV household.

Hopefully a 2 Tekna 6.6kW household!!

awesome , thinking the same thing myself

goz83 · 04-04-2017 6:39pm

BoatMad wrote: »

awesome , thinking the same thing myself

As am I. Although I am thinking I might jump to a 30KW version if the price is right. Will be waiting about a year.

Gumbo · 04-04-2017 11:09pm

goz83 wrote: »

As am I. Although I am thinking I might jump to a 30KW version if the price is right. Will be waiting about a year.

What would stop me jumping to the 30kw version is that it's practically the same car with a bigger battery. My plan is to stick with the current 24kw version until I can afford the new version that comes out this year.. or a tesla model S, whichever comes first

The Black Oil · 05-04-2017 10:29pm

Autonomous Leafage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfRqNAhAe6c

Mope · 05-04-2017 10:42pm

I am amazed, really

05-04-2017 11:04pm

It would kill you in it's current form but might take the sting out of motorway commutes. It will be improved by the time it's available.

Mope · 05-04-2017 11:08pm

I was never big in to this all auto this and auto-that... I like driving, but the idea that car can do this type of driving in unknown conditions, basically learning on the go is truly amazing

GatsbyGal · 05-04-2017 11:17pm

I am driving to Dublin next week from Galway and hoping to drive in our gen. 1.5 leaf. I've done the journey once before and we were advised that time that three stops was standard.. Ballinasloe, Kilbeggan and Enfield. I'm hearing that the charger in Ballinasloe is acting up so we may have to bypass it. Do you think we could comfortably make it to Kilbeggan without having to charge in Ballinasloe and Athlone or am I just asking for trouble not stopping in either of these locations?

n97 mini · 05-04-2017 11:42pm

GatsbyGal wrote: »

I am driving to Dublin next week from Galway and hoping to drive in our gen. 1.5 leaf. I've done the journey once before and we were advised that time that three stops was standard.. Ballinasloe, Kilbeggan and Enfield. I'm hearing that the charger in Ballinasloe is acting up so we may have to bypass it. Do you think we could comfortably make it to Kilbeggan without having to charge in Ballinasloe and Athlone or am I just asking for trouble not stopping in either of these locations?

Where in Dublin are you coming from? I can make it leaving Leixlip with ~100% to Kilbeggan comfortably on about 70%. I don't use the M4 (thus avoiding the toll and the FCP at Enfield), instead I use the old road. Driving at 120km/h zaps the battery so why pay for motorway speeds if not using them.

isnottheword · 05-04-2017 11:44pm

GatsbyGal wrote: »

I am driving to Dublin next week from Galway and hoping to drive in our gen. 1.5 leaf. I've done the journey once before and we were advised that time that three stops was standard.. Ballinasloe, Kilbeggan and Enfield. I'm hearing that the charger in Ballinasloe is acting up so we may have to bypass it. Do you think we could comfortably make it to Kilbeggan without having to charge in Ballinasloe and Athlone or am I just asking for trouble not stopping in either of these locations?

Check the chargers on emaps and plugshare before you leave. Leave with a full charge and work on the basis of using Ballinasloe. If it's down/unavailable, ramble in to Athlone. I guess if Ballinasloe is working, you'll know if you can skip Athlone on the way back.

05-04-2017 11:53pm

I always allow for 110 Kms in the current gen 24 Kwh at 100 Kph.

The older national routes are great for increasing range not only because you might be driving slower but they can be shorter distance. FOr instance, If I go the M9 all the way to work it will be about 7 Km more than driving the old N9 through Castledermot. That's about 7% battery saved one way.

Soarer · 05-04-2017 11:53pm

Well I've agreed to buy a Leaf. Should hopefully have her collected by Monday at the latest.

Have also ordered the LED pack that kceire linked to in his thread, and a pair of LED replacements for the high beam halogens. Don't know what they'll be like, but in for a penny....

Now to organise a home charger.....

05-04-2017 11:54pm

Excellent hope to read your review soon !

Gumbo · 06-04-2017 12:02am

Soarer wrote: »

Well I've agreed to buy a Leaf. Should hopefully have her collected by Monday at the latest.

Have also ordered the LED pack that kceire linked to in his thread, and a pair of LED replacements for the high beam halogens. Don't know what they'll be like, but in for a penny....

Now to organise a home charger.....

Did you go for the black one in the end?

unkel · 06-04-2017 12:13am

Well wear Soarer! What did you get? Where did you buy it? Year, spec, price, etc.! You know the drill!!!

Soarer · 06-04-2017 7:24am

kceire wrote: »

Did you go for the black one in the end?

I did kc, yeah.

unkel wrote: »

Well wear Soarer! What did you get? Where did you buy it? Year, spec, price, etc.! You know the drill!!!

I'm like ShefWedFan now, and not wanting to say anything until the deal is done, but...

2011, so only one spec!

Black, with a light grey interior.
New front tyres. Wind deflectors, which is a big thing for me!
Public and granny cables.
Taxed til November, passed the nct last week until March 2019. The ol fella had a look at it last night while he was in Dublin, and he said she's immacculate. He thought it very weird not to check oil levels and stuff!
The mileage is high @ 89k miles, and she dropped her second cell back in October, so the range is down. I'm gonna give a worst case range of 80kms. But my daily round trip is about 25kms, with the odd 40kms round trip for a game of footie, so the range doesn't bother me.

It came down to money in the end, and I didn't want to be reducing my fuel/tax savings on a big car repayment. So I got her for what I think is a fair price. I can let he know that once money changes hands. Everything's agreed on word only, and you just never know.

Thanks to everyone I annoyed via pm. This has been brewing for around 2 years!:eek:

https://www.donedeal.ie/adview/view/15023386

Nissan Leaf

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