The feature I value the most is the cell phone app that communicates
with the car. The base model (without navigation) deletes this app
and I can't imagine life without it. You can check on your car from
anywhere in the world. Don't get a Leaf without navigation.
You can turn on the heat (or A/C) while you are eating breakfast and
the car is still plugged in. If you wish, the app will message you
when your Leaf is; Full, Unplugged, Charger On, Heat Off, Heat On,
etc. You can also tell the state of charge and how long until it is
full, remotely. I've used this feature when my Leaf was parked at the
airport and I was flying in from another state. I checked the SOC
with my tablet to be sure that the parking folks had plugged my Leaf
in and it would be full when I arrived to pick it up. (Canape
Parking. Great outfit.
http://canopyairportparking.com/green-parking/juice-bar-ev-charging-stations/)
I would hesitate to get a 2011 Leaf unless you get a _smoking_ good
deal. Nissan was still learning to make EV's in 2011 and they needed
a "learner" model. 2012 is better, with a battery heater and some
improvements. 2013 is better yet, with a _much_ more efficient heater
and still more improvements. Every year newer is better, with 2016
making a big leap with a 30 kWh battery.
I could never hope to convert a car that would be anywhere as nice as
a Leaf. I definitely could not get the same features as the Leaf in a
conversion for the same money, for sure.
What I also find particularly pleasant is the total absence of
scheduled maintenance. No tune ups. No oil changes. No nothing. You
rotate the tires and that is it.
Bill Dube'
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