Drove a Leaf today

[Ryland]

Nissan did some things to the Leaf that added more drag, like the odd shaped headlights, but they did this so the inside of the car would be quieter.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by mechman600

I don't know how it is where you live, but here in BC it seems that decent 3-5 year old imports (the only used car/truck I would buy...except for my $400 winter beater, of course!) hold their value way too well. Here they seem to depreciate at a rate proportional to the value on the odometer.

As a stereotypical American, I responded from my point of view and didn't consider that things may be different elsewhere. If one were to pay the asking price at a dealership here, then price does tend to scale in proportion to the miles on the odometer.

In the US, it is always cheaper to buy used from a private party, and often cheaper if you haggle at the dealership.

The first offer on the TSX I purchased was $23k, to which I laughed because it was 4 years old and a new one is $29k. I countered with $17k and they responded with $18k. 2 weeks later I drove it home for $17k. So the cost of not haggling would have been $6k. I could have bought the car for $16k private, if I could find one.

Originally Posted by Ryland

Nissan did some things to the Leaf that added more drag, like the odd shaped headlights, but they did this so the inside of the car would be quieter.

I learned of this as well when I took a peak at the Leaf online today. From a financial point of view, I would be less concerned with the efficiency of an electric vehicle when I am used to paying more for gasoline. In other words, the return on investment for improving the efficiency of a petrol vehicle is greater than that of an electric. However, I'd hate to fall short of my destination due to limited range caused by poor efficiency. So the question is, do I want slightly more range for the rare occasion that I need it, or less wind noise all of the time.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by drees

If someone makes some decent looking, light and aero wheels in 16" I might consider them,

No moon discs then?

Are you aware of anyone doing any aero mods to a Leaf?

The A2 is not quite the same. It's roofline is basically the same as the Prius, complete with split rear window.

Right you are. I refreshed my memory at Google Images, and it's more Prius-y than I remembered - I'd forgotten about that hatch split glass arrangement.

[user removed]

Originally Posted by Ryland

Nissan did some things to the Leaf that added more drag, like the odd shaped headlights, but they did this so the inside of the car would be quieter.

I think the headlights were shaped to reduce the drag created by the outside mirrors. Many newer cars have similar protrusions, apparently with a similar purpose. Necessary until the regulations allow cameras to replace the mirrors.


regards
Mech

[MetroMPG]

I'm embarrassed to say I've always felt that claim about the headlights/mirrors smelled to me more like styling & marketing than engineering.

I'd be happy to read some more technical information about it.

[user removed]

Tokyo Motor Show: Nissan LEAF Wins Japanese Car Of The Year | OSV Latest News

Could be you are correct Metro, but I see many other cars with somewhat similar headlight bulges.

regards
Mech

[Ryland]

From what I remember seeing on a video clip about the design of the Nissan Leaf, they were saying that the headlights were supposed to push air out and around the mirrors so they wouldn't cause as much noise, that act of pushing air out and around would cause a bubble of stagnant, quite air around the mirror but it would also increase the effective frontal area of the car.
I would hope that at some point someone might make new, after market front ends for the Leaf to give it a smoother front end, or maybe a Versa front end would bolt on?

[drees]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

I think the headlights were shaped to reduce the drag created by the outside mirrors. Many newer cars have similar protrusions, apparently with a similar purpose.

I've never heard Nissan claim that the headlights reduce drag, only that they reduce wind noise.

[California98Civic]

The Leaf has LED headlights? That's a surprise to me. I thought they did not exist. At 50w per vehicle, that beats my HID system by 20w. And apparently the whole headlamp was molded so that there is no lens, collector, or reflector... "a single thermoplastic part" (1)... so maybe the bulge is partly, also, about functionality of the light as a light?

[user removed]

The Leaf is quite an accomplishment in it's own right. A commitment many here would applaud as the first practical fairly mass produced all electric automobile in decades.

I think Nissan made compromises in the aerodynamic design to allow significant use of existing components. The market will decide whether it is a success or not. I can tell you this. It is quiet, comfortable and easy to drive. For its local commuter purpose I think Nissan felt like the aero portion of the equation was secondary to a practical 5 passenger vehicle, with capabilities most American drivers expect.

Let's see what they do next and give them a chance to refine the product. I know after driving it myself, I would seriously consider it as a vehicle that my family could use for virtually all of our local driving needs, which I believe was it's primary purpose.

With the potential for gas prices to rise dramatically due to international tensions, the appeal of a car without a gas tank, and hopefully stable electrical consumption rates, Nissan will see success in their success in providing the first alternative to liquid fueled vehicular transportation.

I wish them success.

regards
mech