My 2011 Leaf needs a new battery - CPO or repair and wait?

[EldestOyster]

The California law doesn't affect any EV whose sales agreement says, "We don't cover the 'gradual' loss of capacity".

So, replacing the battery will raise the value of the LEAF in many ways. But insurable value isn't one of them. I wish Nissan would be as nice to me as they were to you. But it will be next year before the capacity hits the 8-bar level. My car was on the ship after yours. Now that I've learned how to read the Gid meter and push to the limits, I would be a kick to have a new battery. But, in reality, the current 50 mile limit doesn't affect my daily driving.

 

[Dave EV]

How did you get Nissan to pay for 2/3rds the cost of a new pack? I also dropped to 8 bars 2 months past capacity warranty and they just gave me the finger. Dealer wouldn't do anything, EV hotline denied any out of warranty assistance. Going to try BBB arbitration but have been dragging my heels.

Like the others - absolutely take Nissan's offer and wait. A new battery will make the car feel new again and will last at least another 5 years.

 

[CA_Fabien]

Get the battery, all other option are still open after. A 2011 with a new battery will have a good resale value! ( here a used 2011 is above $8K ($12000 CAD) in QC, Canada. )

 

[abasile]

I voted to pay the $2K, as that's not much to pay for a restored LEAF. That would buy you some time.

However, I also like the option of trading in (or selling) the LEAF as-is and buying a CPO Tesla if that's something you could comfortably afford to do in the near future. You could even keep the LEAF (like we are doing with our LEAF) as a second car. Here, the question is whether you'd be happy with an older Tesla without the latest features. We are very happy with ours, a 2012 S-85 purchased a couple of months ago from the Buena Park, CA store.

 

[SageBrush]

I find it hard to believe that OP's LEAF with a new battery is not worth at least $2,000 more than it's present value so this is not a difficult choice:

1. Upgrade the battery and sell now, pocketing the difference
2. Upgrade and sell at your convenience
3. Upgrade and use to car's end of life -- Cheap!

The only reason I can think to do different would be if the car is ready for the junker unrelated to the battery but OP does not write as if that is the case.

 

[cdub]

Why are you even asking this question?

Because I've wanted to own a Tesla since the Roadster and the Leaf was my "poor man's Tesla". The CPOs are getting into the "affordable" range.

I am surprised that Nissan decided to pony up $4K of the $6k new battery cost. I wonder how you managed that?

How did you get Nissan to pay for 2/3rds the cost of a new pack? I also dropped to 8 bars 2 months past capacity warranty and they just gave me the finger. Dealer wouldn't do anything, EV hotline denied any out of warranty assistance. Going to try BBB arbitration but have been dragging my heels

My dealer said I should ask.. and I asked. Strange that they're not helping you out. I wonder how they make their determinations. I reserved the Leaf the day it was first available... maybe that factored in but that doesn't make sense. I dunno. The dealers here in Los Angeles have been fine.

 

[BluestarE3]

$2,000 for a new Leaf battery is a great deal. I paid around $3,500 last year to replace the measly battery on my first generation Prius. I had my heart set on getting a Model 3, so I did not want to have to buy some other car. I typically keep cars for over a decade, so it was a no-brainer for me to repair the Prius rather than forgo my dream of getting a Tesla.

 

[ReddyLeaf]

Take the new battery and I will trade you for mine for $1000. That way you get to keep driving electric and I get a new leaf

 

[Dave EV]

My dealer said I should ask.. and I asked. Strange that they're not helping you out. I wonder how they make their determinations. I reserved the Leaf the day it was first available... maybe that factored in but that doesn't make sense. I dunno. The dealers here in Los Angeles have been fine.

Yeah, I have no idea how they're making their determinations, either. Also reserved the first day, April 20, 2010. The rate of capacity loss is the only thing disappointing to me in the LEAF (Well, OK, I've noticed that the headlights are already starting to lose their clearcoat and the spoiler / solar panel are also showing signs of sun damage, too. Didn't expect that for another couple years at least, but at least those issues are cosmetic and not functional.)

Take the cheap battery, enjoy the car until your next one - $2k is just about a no-brainer, IMO.

 

[SmartElectric]

If it was me, CPO S85 all the way. That's what we did. Our gas SUV was losing value by $5K per year, and I didn't want to wait for the Model 3, so we got a Tesla CPO S85, no auto-pilot, but great car! Could not imagine driving anything else on a road trip.

 

[cdub]

I pretty much decided even before I posted this thread that I was going to do the $2k repair.... however part of me wants a Tesla NOW! But I need to control that part of me and be realistic and prudent.

 

[cdub]

Our gas SUV was losing value by $5K per year,

Yeah but I'm already driving electric so that's not a huge reason. If I had a gas car I hated now I'd probably get an 85 for sure. I can't ever own a gas car again.

 

[cdub]

Yeah but I'm already driving electric so that's not a huge reason. If I had a gas car I hated now I'd probably get an 85 for sure. I can't ever own a gas car again.

Of course I could always try to convince my wife to trade her Odyssey in for one... but that's never going to happen. At least anytime soon.

 

[rw86347]

I own a 2013 leaf with a like new battery, however it is leased. If I was you I would repair the battery and keep it as a second car for my wife.

 

[cdub]

I own a 2013 leaf with a like new battery, however it is leased. If I was you I would repair the battery and keep it as a second car for my wife.

My wife is sick of getting sloppy seconds cars from me. She's in charge of her own wheels now. (she got my civic hybrid when i got my leaf)

 

[garsh]

Of course I could always try to convince my wife to trade her Odyssey in for one... but that's never going to happen. At least anytime soon.

Another Leaf + Odyssey household. Welcome to the club!
My 2012 Leaf is down to 9 bars. I'm waiting for that next bar to drop so I can call Nissan. I'm well out of warranty though - 71,000 miles.

 

[cdub]

Another Leaf + Odyssey household. Welcome to the club!
My 2012 Leaf is down to 9 bars. I'm waiting for that next bar to drop so I can call Nissan. I'm well out of warranty though - 71,000 miles.

Yeah I love my Leaf... I just wish the range was better. Their battery really sucks when it comes to degradation (at least the original one) - hopefully the newer batteries are better.

 

[cdub]

Well I pulled the trigger and signed the docs for the new battery with Nissan. It has the same 5 year 60,000 warranty btw.

 

[Twiglett]

Well I pulled the trigger and signed the docs for the new battery with Nissan. It has the same 5 year 60,000 warranty btw.

congratulations - I would have done the same.
My dilemma coming up in April/May is the end of lease for my Leaf. I can't bear the thought of driving ICE again, but am not about to get another lease until my ☰ arrives.
Used Leafs are really cheap (well, 7-8K around here) but when Bolts and M☰'s are common, the value of a used Leaf will really tank.

 

[BluestarE3]

Well I pulled the trigger and signed the docs for the new battery with Nissan. It has the same 5 year 60,000 warranty btw.

Much better deal than I got for my replacement Prius battery. Not only was it more expensive than yours, but the replacement was only warranted for 12 months, even though it's a brand new Toyota unit.