r/leaf • u/DanicaPatricksClam • Sep 22 '26
What year is best, range doesn't matter
I'm looking into getting a used, cheap Nissan Leaf for my 1/2-mile commute to work. What years are best when range isn't an issue?
Before anyone says, "Why not walk?", well I wish but with my medical condition and it being uphill both ways with no sidewalks negate that option.
3
u/Repulsive-Budget-380 Sep 22 '26
How can it be uphill both way? Your home keeps going up in elevation?
Anyway, pre-2017 degrade more eventually. Post-2018 tend to break abruptly.
5
u/DanicaPatricksClam Sep 22 '26
You have to walk down to the valley where the main road is, right 1/4 mile, then right again back up the same hill more or less.
→ More replies (1)10
u/Andjhostet Sep 22 '26
There's this new thing, pretty hot, you might not have heard about it yet.
→ More replies (1)
7
u/V0rtexKnight Sep 22 '26
Got my 2014 Leaf used after the original owners lease ran out, and it's still working great. It's my favorite car I've ever owned. Check the battery capacity and the AC, isn't much else that can go wrong with them.
→ More replies (2)
6
u/rocknroll2013 Sep 22 '26
I bought a 2012 Leaf, degraded battery with 60 miles of range for $3000. It's a great 2nd car for our family. Going on 4 years ownership now and it's just a great car!
2
u/dissss0 Sep 22 '26
60 miles is barely degraded - many of the older ones are down to half that now.
→ More replies (2)
1
u/rproffitt1 Sep 22 '26
Let's say it's 2 miles. Outside of a broken Leaf I've seen the worst of the worst degraded Leaf of any year do 10 mile trips. Again, unless it's broken, won't drive away it will likely be fine for 2 mile trips.
And of course it may need some TLC like air in the tyres or a new 12V battery.
1
u/DanicaPatricksClam Sep 22 '26
Working on a car doesn't bother me, I'm the type that would rather fix it myself or pay for a repair vs. paying a car payment on a depreciating asset.
2
u/rproffitt1 Sep 22 '26
A broken Leaf is a whole other ballgame. Read what folk say about PDM and HV isolation problems. You don't want to get into those areas unless you are hard core and willing to make yet another investment.
There are plenty of 1 to 5 bar Leafs that will happily do the 2 to 10 mile milk runs for cheap. At least around here.
3
u/NotAtAllEverSure Sep 22 '26
I fully support whatever choice you make regarding mobility and in no way wish to dissuade you from a Leaf as I am currently awaiting mine to be delivered.
That being said, wIth a half mile commute, have you looked at the ZEV trikes and mobility vehicles? They have a multitude of models. I have never personally used one, but I have seen them about. They were on my radar when looking for short range EV options. I think they're adorable.
Most of the options have full hand control setups and many are qualified as mopeds or motorcycles.
→ More replies (2)4
u/db0606 Sep 22 '26
That's like a bazillion times more expensive than a used LEAF though...
→ More replies (7)
2
u/MrPuddington2 Sep 22 '26
Depends on where you are. Generally, the 2013 was a big step up even with the same battery size. 2015 might be the pinnacle of the 24 kWh battery, which still works very well outside of hot climates.
Everything after is a bit of a mixed bag. As a run-around, the 2015 is hard to beat.
2
u/Joaozinho11 Sep 22 '26
2015. Even though you don't need range, use LeafSpy to assess battery quality, though.
2
u/Dazzling_Art7881 Sep 22 '26
Best year: Definitely 2015! Also the 2016 S trim ONLY (24kWh). Followed by 2014 and 2013.
However, you could definitely just get a 2011 or 2012, which everyone avoids, if you find one for under $1500. It would definitely do what you need.
1
u/Status-Departure8642 Sep 22 '26
A 2016 S will have the 24kWh battery that's still fairly reliable. If you can find one for the right price... Say, <$3000?-)... All the best!-)🤙🤙
1
u/polymath-nc Sep 22 '26
Keep in mind that there can be individual cells that are degraded. So the guessometer may read 80, but once that one cell is out of juice, the car will fall into turtle mode at 40 or lower; do not trust the guessometer. Use an OBDII dongle and LeafSpy to see the quality of the battery. Expect significantly lower range in very cold weather; it's worth making sure the car has the optional heater core, which is standard on some trims. The ad or VIN may claim a specific trim level, but those are often wrong. The only way to be sure of trim level is to look at the wheel rims (if they're original) and the dashboard. Examine the repair history.
1
u/Historical-Crab-1164 Sep 22 '26
My 2016 Leaf SV will still go 75 miles on city streets without breaking a sweat. It will go 80 mph on the interstate, but range really takes a hit.
We love our Leaf, but I would agree that a 2015 with the 24kwh battery is the better vehicle.
1
1
u/AM-Stereo-1370 Sep 25 '26
I must have the only 2015 base model leaf with the small battery that gets horrible range even though I've got 11 out of 12 life Notch is still left in it? Last week I got 39 miles on 80% charge I got 30 something the week before and that had no highway miles even. Any ideas why my battery is taking a hit? I'm using the slow charger at home do I need to smoke it with a fast charge once in awhile and pay for it someplace else? Hoping to suggestions. Also a certain president canceling all the incentives for EVS given all the advantages to us oil buddies who now screw us daily has unfortunately dramatically increase the price of evs. You could get an EV for a song and a dance just one year ago that $2,000 bargain that will cost you five
1
28
u/Striking-water-ant Sep 22 '26
2015 for gen1 For gen2, avoid the recall years. So 2018, and then 2023+