So I'm finally getting myself a car!

I lost my GS and my wifes 335 to hurricane sandy last year. We replaced my wifes 335 with an X5, and we also got a Suzuki Grand Vitara for my daughter, but I never got a car for myself, I just kept driving my van that survived the storm. But it was time for me to get something more practical for everyday driving, and somehow I decided on an EV. It totally works for me - I work only about 10 miles away, and I got 240 volts in my shop, where I can charge it. I think I also pay lower rate on electricity in the shop b/c its commercial zone. I also make frequent trips into Manhattan, and I believe I'm allowed to use HOV lane in an EV.

I initially wanted to get the Fiat 500e, but much to my disappointment its only available in California. So I went to the Nissan dealer to check out the Leaf. The guy that greeted us at the dealer said that they don't have any Leafs and that they don't even sell them. I asked to speak to the manager, and the manager was far more helpful. It took him a while to actually find out availability and correct paper work on this car. It appears like manufacturers simply don't want to sell these EVs - he said its only the second Leaf his dealership ever sold. In any case, we put down a deposit and he will let us know in about a week what he can get as far as colors/options. There aren't very many of these cars available.

I am super excited, and can't wait to get my EV. It also makes me the owner of almost all possible engine types - electric, gas, turbo gas, and turbo diesel.

Some pics of my wifes and daughters rides... Leaf coming soon!

 

congrats! wonder why the sales droid said they don't sell them - i'm guessing they don't make much commission or it's just a 'hassle'. glad the manager at least was more responsive. look forward to hearing how you like it. looks perfect for your needs!

 

Because pedestrian car dealerships in Brooklyn are like fast food joints. Crowded, and ofter with less and professional staff. They just interested in moving hundreds of Camcordtimas every day, and don't want to bother with something a bit more complicated.

With that being said, the Fiat dealership was completely empty. I spent close to an hour there with my wife, and we were the only people that were there. We got a quote on the Fiat 500 sport lease, and you can basically lease a G37/C class for that much. I don't suppose Fiat is going to last around much longer in the US.

 

They're actually moving a decent amount of 500s every months. The bigger variants they have planned will bring in more volume, so that will be good.

Congrats on the Leaf and X5. And honestly, I love how tough those Grand Vitaras are.

 

Fiat sells ok... there is FIAT EV, also has good lease prices... I would get it rather than leaf...

did you actually test out the leaf? and other ev's?

 

read up a bit on Fiat 500 EV on TTAC:
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...-week-day-one/

 

Thanks dude! The Grand Vitara is tough and capable - its a very unique vehicle combining both unibody and frame. Its got full time AWD with RWD bias and can tow 3,500lbs. It easily pulled my van when its fuel pump died.

And the funny thing, my old winter rims that I used on the Lexus fit the GV perfectly - same diameter, width, offset, bolt pattern and center bore! Of course I had to buy bigger tires. With winter tires, it just plowed through the snow like nothing, I couldn't get it stuck no matter how much I tried.

Here it is, on Lexus wheels pulling a big аss E350 van.

 

The fiat EV is only in Cali, the Chevy Spark EV is only in Cali and Oregon. That left in with Honda Fit and Nissan Leaf, and frankly the Fit is just too god awful fugly. Not that the Leaf is much prettier, but its certainly better than the Fit.

I haven't test driven it, no... They are barely available to buy, never mind test drives.

Manufacturers really need to push these EVs harder!

 

get the test drive! Call around and try to get a test drive somewhere close to you.... dont get into something long term without loving the car.

I dont know which one would i pick, but they had some issues with Nissan batteries and they are really cheapo inside... Just make sure you can live with it.

 

Well, its really a commuter car for me. Not having any grand plan for it, just to get me to work and errands, while costing me as little as possible. For recreation we've got the X5, and eventually I'm going to get something sporty as well.

 

So I just found out this thing has an external speaker than makes noise outside of the car under 19mph... This is something that I'm going to disconnect right away! Stealth ftw!

 

maybe also Accord Plugin? 13miles + efficient hybrid afterwards, more efficient on EV than Leaf, and a lot of real options standard like LED lights, HDD Nav, pre-clollision:
http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-plug-in/price.aspx

 

I just watched Motorweek and they reviewed a new Leaf. Looks like they made some nice updates to the car. The review was positive.

 

Och - sorry if I was being too noisy, it is your choice of course :-)

 

Congrats Bro!!! Glad for you