Posted on 08/22/2014 8:50:27 AM PDT by Roman_War_Criminal
So the wife & I are thinking on taking the plunge. I commute about 75 miles a day round trip to work & back. Based on that, I pay over $410 in gas/month on a paid car that is just getting more expensive to maintain.
Any other FReepers who are owners care to give your experiences?
Is it worth it?
Elio Motors: Ultra High Mileage Vehicle
http://www.eliomotors.com/
84-MPG Elio Motors trike preorders get limited-time 50 percent bonus
http://green.autoblog.com/2014/08/02/84-mpg-elio-motors-trike-preorders-get-50-percent-bonus/
Elio: Four Wheels Good, Three Wheels Better
http://agmetalminer.com/2014/08/11/elio-four-wheels-good-three-wheels-better/
Never heard of that—I’ll check it out.
Thank you!
Seriously? LOL!
from what I’ve experienced, the Leaf would be a great 3rd vehicle but not a good choice for anything mission critical. If you drive 25 miles to work and can charge there, it might be a good commuter.
We were thinking of getting an electric for local, daily driving but it would be useless for just about everything else. I feel it almost makes sense to get a subcompact for that purpose too.
I could care a less about the “environmental impact”. This is pure economics.
Did the math for a Prius-owning "buddy" of mine who claimed I hated Gaia since I drove an F250 diesel. By the time you account for the environmental impact of making his initial batteries, and replacing them the recommended two times for my 270k miles (every 100k miles), my super duty caused less total environmental impact than his Prius would have over the same usage.
Plus, since unibody cars are rattle traps and headed to the scrap yard by 100k miles many times, you should throw in disposal/recycling energy costs...
How much does a Leaf cost?
The The Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid sedan gets the equivalent of about 100 mpg and no limitations on range. Also not a bad looking car.
Did a polar bear really go up to them and give them a hug?
That’s fine. More power to you.
After all the incentives, it’s looking to be around $22,000-$24,000 depending on the dealer. I’m not looking for the luxury model.
Check the resale value, from what I’ve heard they don’t hold their value at all. It may end up being more expensive then a small economy car.
A new Leaf costs about $30k and gets 100mpg best case. A Honda Fit costs about $20k and gets 40 mpg all the time.
Look at some of the videos. This thing is great. Its going to be a hoot to drive around. :-)
Yeah I’d be pulled over in a heartbeat trying to take my 1 year old for a ride in an improvised car-seat :)
Battery cars don’t make economic sense IMO. In the long run they are more expensive. They cost more upfront and have lower resale value. Replacement of the batteries isn’t economically feasible.
98 Dodge Durango...we get 9 mpg city...20 hwy....BUT, I can go anywhere on or off road, haul whatever I need, and lay down rubber and smoke like a NASCAR Driver...hehehehe!
Totally worth it!
Also have 91 Saturn that gets decent mileage and is easy to fix. Considering a newer small car...mrs p6 likes the Soul...Ford Fiesta or CMAX...in the hills of PA nothing gets manufacturers mpg claims.
When I get my kids through school and finally deport myself to a small European city permanently, I am going to get a little Fiat.
How much does car cost? What is expected range and cost comparison to gasoline engine. You need to do a cost benefit analysis to determine if this is a good idea.
You can buy cars today which get 40 mpg for quite a bit less than a Nissan Lief and you also need to look a resale values, battery replacement costs etc.
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