Current Leaf owner here who is considering making a jump to the MY for the longer range and towing capacity (high performance is a plus, but not a primary factor for me). Besides the limited range, my biggest complaint about the Leaf is that you can't see out the back window very well when in reverse (particularly going uphill as I do leaving my driveway). I rely heavily on the backup camera, although I would prefer not to. It works fine during a clear day, but if it is dark or rainy the visibility is poor. Do the MY cameras work well in almost all weather conditions? Do they need to be cleaned frequently? Is there anyone here who moved up from a Leaf and can give a subjective comparison on the view out the back and side windows as well as the cameras, primarily in situations when backing up?
visibility when backing up
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I never had a Leaf but use my MY backup camera's almost exclusively vice mirrors or craning my neck. View is excellent now that it also uses feeds from the side cameras - no worries IMHO.
MikeHolliday
Member
I fully agree with Dennis above, I recieved my Model Y Vin 20,XXX two weeks ago. I love backing it up with not on with the HUGE rear video camera on the display, but also the display from the side cameras. My Model Y shares my garage with my 1972 Triumph TR6 two very large steel shelving units and a work bench... My TR6 is on a Battery Tender and on the left wall I have the Tesla Gen 3 Wall Connector... What I really love is that as I put the car into the garage the display shows the distance that I am from objects as I pull into the garage. The smile it puts on my face everytime I press the accellerator, and all of the voice commands. I can say, Turn Windshield Wipers on 2 and the wipers turn on speed 2. There as so many voice commands that I seldon every need to look at the screen. Just touch the microphone button and off you go....
MikeHolliday
Member
You can use the side mirrors also, but I think that the side cameras give a better view. I also have my Model Y Auto Fold my exterior mirrors to reduce the chance of stiking them in my garage... I was just reminder a few minutes ago how much I love Voice Commands...
I'd like to weigh in, both Leaf and Model Y owner, but not really concerned about using either the Leaf or Y camera to backup. Now it hardly ever rains here so not that helpful I guess... View out of the rear window is definitely better on the Leaf.
What I do miss more compared to the Leaf is lack of a (bumper-level) front camera / surround camera view (side cameras view on the Y is a useful improvement though but not as good) and the backup cross-traffic alert (note that these are only on the high trim level).
What I do miss more compared to the Leaf is lack of a (bumper-level) front camera / surround camera view (side cameras view on the Y is a useful improvement though but not as good) and the backup cross-traffic alert (note that these are only on the high trim level).
MikeHolliday
Member
Having just had my Model Y for 2 weeks, I am still discovering little features that amaze me... No one should ever have to fiddle with the screen while driving, just touch the microphone icon. I have learned that voice commands will do almost everything. I replaced a Mazda CX-5 with the Model Y and its voice recognition was pittiful. So far, the Model Y has not missed one command I have used which to me is impressive. I have been buying cars since 1968 and yes I am an old fart. Minored in Computer Science in College and have attempted to stay pretty abreast with technology since then.
I have a much better view through the cameras than any interior rear view mirror period. As for the view through the interior rear mirror is almost identical as my Mazda.. Also, even at my age I have no issue with the rear window...
I have a much better view through the cameras than any interior rear view mirror period. As for the view through the interior rear mirror is almost identical as my Mazda.. Also, even at my age I have no issue with the rear window...
NY_Rob
Member
@MikeHolliday .. your TR6 sure does look sweet!
I had a MG Midget and (unfortunately) a TR7 back in the day. Always loved the TR6 though.. powerful good looks.
I think you have a perfect combination of old/new tech on your hands to keep you satisfied.
I had a MG Midget and (unfortunately) a TR7 back in the day. Always loved the TR6 though.. powerful good looks.
I think you have a perfect combination of old/new tech on your hands to keep you satisfied.
Love the surround camera on the Leaf. Wasn't a feature I was looking for at the time, but it came with the car and I've found it to be very useful. I was surprised to learn in the showroom that the MY doesn't have the full surround view. Maybe they will add it via a software update? Regardless, the back and side views I've seen look pretty clear. If I get the MY I'll have to adapt my driving habits but it seems like it has enough visibility aids. @MikeHolliday, that garage situation looks pretty familiar to me. A MY would be a tight fit, although we recently sold our old ICE vehicle and currently have just a Leaf in our two car garage. With Covid-19 and working from home, we are fine with just one car and we are looking to replace the Leaf with a vehicle that can do almost everything we want. I can't imagine ever getting another ICE vehicle.
MikeHolliday
Member
Rob, The Engine is the original block and head that was in the car when it was born on March 29th, 1972, but with a few changes.
Starting at the front high flow aluminum radiator with an electric fan, all of the following are from Good Parts in Pennsylvania (Harmonic Damper Kit, Oil Seperator & PVC Kit, GP2 Camshaft, Tappets & Timing Set, Valves, Headers, Rocker Arm Bradded Oil Line, Roller Bearing Rockers, 0.20 Over Pistons, Aluminum Carburetor Shield, Misc. other parts), Twin Hitachi Custom Built by Paltech, Distributor Custom Curved by Advanced Distibutor, High Torque Starter, Pacesetter Twin Exhaust. Just for the recorder that is $13,000 in parts alone not including Polishing and Porting the Heads.
Starting at the front high flow aluminum radiator with an electric fan, all of the following are from Good Parts in Pennsylvania (Harmonic Damper Kit, Oil Seperator & PVC Kit, GP2 Camshaft, Tappets & Timing Set, Valves, Headers, Rocker Arm Bradded Oil Line, Roller Bearing Rockers, 0.20 Over Pistons, Aluminum Carburetor Shield, Misc. other parts), Twin Hitachi Custom Built by Paltech, Distributor Custom Curved by Advanced Distibutor, High Torque Starter, Pacesetter Twin Exhaust. Just for the recorder that is $13,000 in parts alone not including Polishing and Porting the Heads.
NY_Rob
Member
^ Nice, a keeper for sure! Something to be proud of...
It's funny, back in the day I never considered it, but when you look at the old sports cars from today's perspective they were tiny! I drove the Midget, and a Fiat X/19 back in the early 80's and it was never an issue.. but when you see one today, they are dwarfed by even the smallest "modern" cars.. even the smallest Mini Cooper is way bigger than my Midget or X/19 was. Not safe by today's standards, but certainly fun to drive collectors cars.
You would appreciate this Mike... I recently saw a car with a "theft deterrent" sticker on the rear quarter lite.. it was a black stick shift 4 speed H pattern inside a red circle with the diagonal line across the center (think Ghostbusters logo).. it read "Anti Theft Device Inside"
It's funny, back in the day I never considered it, but when you look at the old sports cars from today's perspective they were tiny! I drove the Midget, and a Fiat X/19 back in the early 80's and it was never an issue.. but when you see one today, they are dwarfed by even the smallest "modern" cars.. even the smallest Mini Cooper is way bigger than my Midget or X/19 was. Not safe by today's standards, but certainly fun to drive collectors cars.
You would appreciate this Mike... I recently saw a car with a "theft deterrent" sticker on the rear quarter lite.. it was a black stick shift 4 speed H pattern inside a red circle with the diagonal line across the center (think Ghostbusters logo).. it read "Anti Theft Device Inside"
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My brother and I drove cross country, NY to Phoenix (and back), to visit my sister in 1979 in my brothers green X/19. It was a great trip - plenty of room for a couple of young guys with no worries...^ Nice, a keeper for sure! Something to be proud of...
It's funny, back in the day I never considered it, but when you look at the old sports cars from today's perspective they were tiny! I drove the Midget, and a Fiat X/19 back in the early 80's and it was never an issue.. but when you see one today, they are dwarfed by even the smallest "modern" cars.. even the smallest Mini Cooper is way bigger than my Midget or X/19 was. Not safe by today's standards, but certainly fun to drive collectors cars.
You would appreciate this Mike... I recently saw a car with a "theft deterrent" sticker on the rear quarter lite.. it was a black stick shift 4 speed H pattern inside a red circle with the diagonal line across the center (think Ghostbusters logo).. it read "Anti Theft Device Inside"
MikeHolliday
Member
Lol, in a X/19, you are brave... That falls into the same category as the Fiat 850 or if you were real brave the Honda 600. I once rode in the back seat of a Honda 600 for a hundred miles in the mountains of North Carolina, first and last time...
NY_Rob
Member
^ not brave... young and dumb! IIRC I was 19 or 20 at the time, and you know how you're indestructible at that age right
MikeHolliday
Member
I’m just wondering why he needs that set of steps to get into it!
Nice TR6 !
Must be old, my spine hasn’t compressed that much yet....
Regarding weather and night-time I find its variable, but I would say the camera is way better than the rear-view mirror 80% of the time.
I think we will soon reach a point where the rear-view mirror will go the way of wind-down windows. What with all the thick C pillars and rear headrests you can hardly see anything out the back window anyway on lots of modern SUVs.
I think we will soon reach a point where the rear-view mirror will go the way of wind-down windows. What with all the thick C pillars and rear headrests you can hardly see anything out the back window anyway on lots of modern SUVs.
MikeHolliday
Member
No, I am not that old. The Steps are for a 17 year old Jack Russell. She is totally deaf and her cataracts are so bad that she stumbles during walks... The Jack Russell cannot get into our truck or SUV without the steps. As for myself, up until 5 years ago I was running sub 6 minute miles.
Uncle Paul
Well-Known Member
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