Trade in for a Nissan Leaf or stick with my Prius?

You'll probably never save as much money on gas as you will lose swapping one car for another. Among the cars that meet your needs, get the car you want and stick with it.

 

In your situation, the next time I needed a car I would get a Leaf.

 

I haven't ever driven the leaf but I did notice this on the maxima that I drove at one time. Nissan's come with 3 catalytic converter, I know you are thinking...man 3 those don't ever go out. Well I had one go out at 79K miles and the national warranty covered it 80K miles. Well the 2nd one went out at like 83K miles, that is is 1500 dollars. Also they come with 3 oxygen sensors...according to a toyota dealer. I have driven Toyota's since the nissan was traded in.

 

Since the Leaf has no engine, I am betting they have no catalytic converters and no oxygen sensor. Hey, I could be wrong!

 

I think the leaf is cool(I like how it looks personally) and might buy one myself next time. I go back and forth on it all the time, here are my thoughts.

1-The cost of installing a high powered charger and the price of electricity, probably does not save you any money. (unless you have solar panels)

2-I could go with it as a main car, but would probably need to rent a car for my few longer trips a year.

3-I have a similar distance commute so a volt might be in my future, plus it would eliminate reason #2. I would have to use gas for a few miles on the return trip home. No charging at work.

 

Everyone is pointing out costs differentials in the swap. I'd be more concerned with your own feelings of unrest. You just bought a 2012. A year later, you're thinking you want something else? Chances are pretty good you'll want another car next year. I suggest before you go any deeper on thinking if the Leaf is the right car is why you are changing your mind so quickly. If the car previous to the 2012 Prius was owned less than 2 years, that's a warning sign that you won't be happy with the Leaf for long either.

Another member here, F8L, could probably give you more insights. He switched from a 2012 Prius to a better 2012 Prius... somewhat to his detriment. I suggest you read his posts.

PS There's also the woman who went from a Lamborghini to a Prius and hated it. Prius Chat is an awesome tool for learning from someone else's mistake. Don't take it for granted.

 

Realize that you will never recover the cost of your mods. I would stick with the Prius.

 

When hurricane Sandy hit here last October- I suddenly started seeing a Leaf at the only public charging station in town every morning for over a week straight. I struck up a conversation with it's owner- He got there at 5:30am every morning cause the power to his block was out for over a week and that was his only option to charge his car. I couldn't imaging sitting in the car for 3-4+ hrs just for a recharge. What a waste of time....

When he asked me about the PIP- I mentioned it's gas and or electric. He thought that was an outstanding idea.
Guess some Leaf drivers count on always having electricity available for a recharge

 

Just like all those people waiting in line for hours to get petrol eh?

 

I would hate to re live the 70's but I suppose it could happen. However, I haven't waited in line for gas since then. Have you?

 

I think he was referring to this:
http://money.cnn.com/2012/11/01/news/economy/gas-stations-supply-sandy/index.html

 

That's funny. My first reaction, too, was "who waits in line for gas?" Until I put the comment in context.

 

I think you need to pencil it out.

My 2012 Prius IV dropped $6,000 in value when I signed the sales contract and another 3K I paid in sales tax put's me 9K down or negative equity minus my down payment. You need to figure out each year what you car's worth to sell and what your loan balance is and then decide to pull the trigger or delay. In 6 Years when the car is paid in full from TFS I'll have about 10K in equity than I roll that into a new purchase. Anything before that may have some equity or negative equity the first 3 years.

So have 2 columns.
A = Car's Value
B = Loan balance
C= (B-A) Owners Equity

I can guess you probaly have negative Owners Equity which makes selling the car a fools paradise. car sales people have a saying. "A fool and his money is soon parted" they prey on fools.

 

Oh Yeah, when you go through this exercise the Sales Rep may say , that's Ok just roll it over into the next purchase. That build's up more negative equity. So you will be more upside down. Just saying ignore the gas versus electric savings since it will be a few dollars a month, almost impossible to overcome negative equity with the gas savings when you go from a Prius which is effficient to a Leaf .