ugh... loaded question. Here's a rambling answer: I love not buying gasoline. I love how quiet the car is. I love how quick the car is. I don't love how ugly the car is. I don't love how expensive the insurance is. I don't like the unknown of the future... Who knows how durable and reliable it will be in the long run? How will the battery do in the long run? I don't like the idea that for the foreseeable future, the ONLY place that I can get it serviced (in Colorado) is the dealership. So I leased it. When it comes down to the financial incentives and the unknowns of the long term ownership - it seemed the logical choice (despite not usually being a lease type of a guy). On balance - I love the car. I can't say it has been a huge savings for me - I was driving a beater before, so insurance was cheap - and I had no payment. But if you were, say, driving a corolla, or some other newish compact car.. the LEAF is an AWESOME replacement. The increased cost of insurance would be more than offset by the gas savings. I haven't even noticed the change in my utility bill - but the calculation is easy - I pay $.049/kW. the Leaf has a 24kw/h battery. So if I depleted the battery and charged it EVERY day (which I don't) I would pay $1.18 per day - so $36/month? that's cheaper than gas.
So I take it if things work out well for you, you might consider another electric car down the road? Personally, I wouldn't mind getting one myself, but I want something sporty to drive. Life's too short to drive something boring. Unfortunately, right now the only option is the Model S or maybe a used Tesla Roadster, both out of the question for price. I probably wouldn't worry too much about long term reliability. Both batteries and electric motors are easy to replace, or so I've heard, and as electric cars become more common the components will become cheaper too.
I would ABSOLUTELY drive another EV. I would love to. The LEAF is a great daily driver... but I am spoiled. I've got a van for the family and I also have a third fun car for road trips. So I have the luxury that range is never an issue. If this were my only car? well then - you'll never leave town without borrowing/renting a car. Range is the ONLY real hurdle that remains. The BMW has a range extender that is pretty cool. But at $50-60k.... it's not too much further to buy the Tesla.
The whole range thing is a huge issue right now, which makes the Chevrolet Volt a decent compromise. Though to be fair, an EV is perfect for many daily commuters. It'll be interesting to see how charging infrastructure pops up over the next five to ten years, as that'll really cement EVs as a viable option. I do have to comment though, that the size of the Leaf would be a non issue for me. 99% of the time my car is empty. But when I need to, I can always rent a truck for any big moving.
the LEAF is surprisingly roomy. 4 adults no problem. plus - tons of stuff in the hatch. In fact - I think they could make a smaller one and be fine. Another vehicle to consider is the Ford... crap - I forget the model. A guy at work drives one. It has like a 20ish mile EV range - and then it's gas. So it's a really solid performer. He can drive to work and home on a charge (and charge at work) but still take it on road trips. A really nice compromise.
You're probably thinking of the Ford C-Max Energi. Like the Toyota Prius Plug In it can run independently off the battery alone for a short distance. As for the LEAF, I'll have to go see if I can't find a Nissan dealership and poke around one for a minute or two. I'm not in the market for a new car just yet, but it's fun to see what's out there from time to time.
You know, that was going to be my second guess actually. I know Ford has a fully electric Focus, but I haven't really read one thing about it one way or another. It really seems like the Leaf, Volt, and Model S get all of the EV attention even though there are other brands out there with their own offerings.
the BMW i3 is a really cool (kinda ugly to most) EV, but kinda spendy. Fiat has an EV if you live in California. And there are more... but yah - the tesla for those with money. The LEAF for the rest of us. There have been rumblings of a $35k Tesla... but then again, the Tesla SUV was going to launch this year too... What I'd really like to see would be more EV retrofit options. That may never happen - but it would be cool.
That's actually a thing in certain circles, from drag racing to general hobbyists. I think it was kleinbl00 that has worked on an electric drive train Rx7. Personally, if I ever had the expendable income, I'd jump at the chance to have an EV converted Chevrolet El Camino.What I'd really like to see would be more EV retrofit options. That may never happen - but it would be cool.
Don't even joke about gremlins. Just because Azteks are uglier does not mean that they aren't among the most hideous affronts to automotive engineering. One of my obsessions is the Steyr Daimler Puch Pinzgauer 710m or K. 4 wheel independent suspension, hydraulically-locking differentials, portal axles, geared hubs, and a 2.5l air-cooled inline 4 at 45 degrees. This makes it virtually impossible to swap the engine because (A) it's a cab-over (B) it has no facilities for the fitment of a radiator (C) there's literally nothing in the realm of internal combustion that will fit in the hole. BUT. Ohhh yeah. A Tesla model S mill and engine controller will strap on there just fine, thanks. And, since one of the most common Pinzgauer modifications is the addition of 1000lbs of ballast in the back (they're designed to ride correctly with a platoon of Swiss conscripts in the back), there's no doubts that batteries could be added without hurting the functionality whatsoever. And since a Pinzgauer redlines at 4800 rpm (90HP bitchez!) which limits their absolute top speed to 65mph, a 16,000 rpm, 300HP electric mill will virtually guarantee that you'll have the first and only Pinz capable of freeway speed. It'll probably have a range measured in feet, considering the aerodynamics of a Pinz are right up there with Tuff Shed, but "peak torque at 0 RPM" is a rock crawler's fantasy. Looking forward to having a garage again.
Dude, compared to turds like the Ford Edsel or the Fiat Multipla I, the AMC Gremlin looks downright tame. That said, if you ever build that thing, you might have just made a dream car for my wife. A woman who thinks something like a Nissan NV would make for a good daily driver and that the bigger and more obscure a truck is, the better it is. Seriously, a guy two towns away was selling his Mack U615 and she wanted to go look at it. I don't understand the fucking logic.
The Edsel gets a bad rap. Aside from the toilet seat on the front it was actually a pretty rippin' rig. The Fiat? Yes. Unloved worldwide, even where they were never sold. The Gremlin, on the other hand, wasn't just ugly, it was also a piece of shit. Find your wife a Nissan Patrol. They're like Landcruisers but not generic, and like Land Rovers but reliable.
That's mostly why I love Musk's work with Tesla. Sure, the cars themselves are a bit expensive - but it proves that you don't need to make your electric cars a different (and not always pleasant) shape - because electric cars are still cars.