I started a thread in the Model S forum talking about why I decided to cancel my Reservation and to start looking at other cars. Here's the link....http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/10216-Cost-Anxiety-Mitigation-Program-(CAMP)
So I started looking at the available fully EV options out there as well as the Volt. I'm not considering the Prius PHV as the range is an embarrassing 11 miles in EV mode. The primary contenders were the Leaf, the Volt, and the Focus Electric.
The current Leaf is out for me due to the charger size and the lack of liquid cooling on the battery. It was however the leading contender after I had test driven the three due to the relatively roomy inside. I'm not as concerned with handling (2008 Prius driver = lowered standards), and the controls interface was pretty intuitive (for me). Was thinking that I would wait for the MY2013 to see if Nissan improves the charger and battery.
The Volt is essentially ruled out because it would be tough for me to do my 42 mile daily commute in pure EV mode without needing to use the ICE to extend the range. Also, the controls interface is just plain ugly and sees like it would be a pain to get used to and train the other driver in my house to use.
The Focus Electric has probably the best controls interface, but the tiny interior rules it out as my 8 year old son isn't going to get any smaller.
The problem with all of the above is that they are all impressions based on Internet reading and limited test drive time. I decided that I would try and find rentals, if possible, to do more of an extended test drive. After nearly two weeks of trying to find a rental in SoCal, I was starting to get frustrated. The rental options are pretty limited, if available. I found one place in Hollywood that would rent a volt to me for $140/day plus taxes, etc. and the Nissan dealer would rent me a Leaf for $100/day. My cheap bone was aching while considering these options and on a whim, I called the Toyota dealer near my house to see if they had any RAV4's available for test drives.
The agent replied that they didn't have any for test drives yet, but have one available for rent if I'd like to do that. The rate he quoted over the phone was $35/day for the rental. Oh hells yeah! Sign me up. I arranged to pick it up this morning and have been driving it today for my commute. I'll use this thread to document my observations, post some photos, and answer questions that might come up.
I had a nice start to the adventure this morning. About 2 minutes after I pulled out from the dealership, I saw a gyt driving the first Gen RAV4EV in front of me on Harbor Blvd in Costa Mesa. He waved and I gave him a thumbs up. A nice start indeed.
Overall, it drives like a car. The ride is a little rougher than I'm used to in my Prius, but I definitely like sitting higher and having exta headroom. In Sport mode it accelerates like m it's EVs and generates that EV grin. Not to the same level as a MSP, but still a grin.
My biggest complaint so far is about the way the rental vehicle doesn't come with the 110V charger. The rep at the dealer said that this was because of two reasons: the charger is a thousand dollar item that they don't want to replace, and that they are worried someone will plug into crummy wiring at home and burn their house down. The first reason seems more plausible, and the second is frustrating because I think it shows ignorance about charging, breaker boxes, etc.
I had hoped to use level 2 charging stations near my house and the use the 110 to trickle charge over night to take advantage of at-rest time. However, now I've got to sit at a charging station while the car "fills up". Oh we'll, cost of doing business I guess.
I'll post more info later tonight or tomorrow, hopefully with some photos.
-Chris
So I started looking at the available fully EV options out there as well as the Volt. I'm not considering the Prius PHV as the range is an embarrassing 11 miles in EV mode. The primary contenders were the Leaf, the Volt, and the Focus Electric.
The current Leaf is out for me due to the charger size and the lack of liquid cooling on the battery. It was however the leading contender after I had test driven the three due to the relatively roomy inside. I'm not as concerned with handling (2008 Prius driver = lowered standards), and the controls interface was pretty intuitive (for me). Was thinking that I would wait for the MY2013 to see if Nissan improves the charger and battery.
The Volt is essentially ruled out because it would be tough for me to do my 42 mile daily commute in pure EV mode without needing to use the ICE to extend the range. Also, the controls interface is just plain ugly and sees like it would be a pain to get used to and train the other driver in my house to use.
The Focus Electric has probably the best controls interface, but the tiny interior rules it out as my 8 year old son isn't going to get any smaller.
The problem with all of the above is that they are all impressions based on Internet reading and limited test drive time. I decided that I would try and find rentals, if possible, to do more of an extended test drive. After nearly two weeks of trying to find a rental in SoCal, I was starting to get frustrated. The rental options are pretty limited, if available. I found one place in Hollywood that would rent a volt to me for $140/day plus taxes, etc. and the Nissan dealer would rent me a Leaf for $100/day. My cheap bone was aching while considering these options and on a whim, I called the Toyota dealer near my house to see if they had any RAV4's available for test drives.
The agent replied that they didn't have any for test drives yet, but have one available for rent if I'd like to do that. The rate he quoted over the phone was $35/day for the rental. Oh hells yeah! Sign me up. I arranged to pick it up this morning and have been driving it today for my commute. I'll use this thread to document my observations, post some photos, and answer questions that might come up.
I had a nice start to the adventure this morning. About 2 minutes after I pulled out from the dealership, I saw a gyt driving the first Gen RAV4EV in front of me on Harbor Blvd in Costa Mesa. He waved and I gave him a thumbs up. A nice start indeed.
Overall, it drives like a car. The ride is a little rougher than I'm used to in my Prius, but I definitely like sitting higher and having exta headroom. In Sport mode it accelerates like m it's EVs and generates that EV grin. Not to the same level as a MSP, but still a grin.
My biggest complaint so far is about the way the rental vehicle doesn't come with the 110V charger. The rep at the dealer said that this was because of two reasons: the charger is a thousand dollar item that they don't want to replace, and that they are worried someone will plug into crummy wiring at home and burn their house down. The first reason seems more plausible, and the second is frustrating because I think it shows ignorance about charging, breaker boxes, etc.
I had hoped to use level 2 charging stations near my house and the use the 110 to trickle charge over night to take advantage of at-rest time. However, now I've got to sit at a charging station while the car "fills up". Oh we'll, cost of doing business I guess.
I'll post more info later tonight or tomorrow, hopefully with some photos.
-Chris
