Now I am at a cross road

 I really don't like the hub caps but I can always replace them at a later date

 So Nissan is standing by their $199 per month for the model S. But I have no clue as to how much down. I guess I need to walk into the dealership and do the dance (thank you Tesla for getting rid of this archaic way to sell a new car. Lets leave car salesmen where they belong... selling used cars) 

Why do I need to deal with this guy when buying new?

Anyway, my problem here is a simple one. All I want is the 6.6 charger on a 2013 Nissan Leaf S but according to what I have read and been told you cannot add anything to the S.... like a 6.6 charger or LED lights cause if you do the $199 deal goes out the electric window.
So now what I really need to do is sit down with a greasy sales man and try to make them give me the 6.6 charger and not remove the $199 per month. Only way I can see this is by telling them that you want the S at $199 and that you will... wait a minute! Why would I give away my only ammunition to make the deal? I know there is a car salesman out there reading this...
Anyway if they say no, then the lease automatically jumps to $400+! but I am ready for that. I will just say "thank you... you just lost a sale and Ford just gained one"... I will walk on over to Ford and get the Ford Fusion Energi Plugin (man that is a mouthful) How about "Fusion EPI"

I mean really? $400+ for this or the Leaf? no brainer...

Now I know each and everyone of you will raise the flag and call me on all my other posts that say I rather go all electric, and to be honest.... I do, but the numbers just don't add up here. Why would I pay $400+ for a hatchback with 80 mile range when I can get a midsize sedan with a 650 mile range, 21 of those electric. And who knows? I am sure Ford will have some deal as well, it might even be lower than $400. Just to compare the Volt was at $350. Now do I wish the Fusion had a few more electric miles under its belt like the Volt? Hell yeah.... but I have to deal with 21miles per charge the good news here is that you can drive up to 85 mph on electric (but doing this will diminish the range).... 30 would have been much much better.... Again the Volt only has 4 seats and I need 5 that is why the Volt is not on the list.

So I did my calculations and I figure that if I buy the Ford I will be filling up that tank around 5 times a year or say $400. Compare to the $5000 I spend on fuel right now. Just for fun... if the Fusion had a 30 mile electric range I would fill up the tank once a year or $80. Makes you think... Ford are you listening?

So what am I saying here... simple... Nissan, let me keep the $199 per month with the added 6.6 charger and you will have a new customer... Don't and Ford gets the sale. Sucks that I have to say it but it is the reality... But having the ford will still make me "feel" good, well Okay... maybe if I do go Ford I will change my driving habits to use less fuel. I will have to set a new goal two tanks a year!  In either case I have to wait till spring to make my choice. So stay tuned... I still have hope that Nissan will see it my way....

That is it for today... and as always... Please don't Text and Drive.
Stay safe!

You can have my SUV when you pry it from my cold dead hands!

Money to spend SUV to buy

Some of us are SUV addicted. Trust me I understand. I really like my SUV it solves all my issues minus the gas guzzling one... but NOW you can have your SUV and eat it too!

So you want to  keep your SUV and be green... you can! but your gonna need about 80K. Just go to Via motors and get yourself the SUV and you are good to go. This truck gives you around 40 miles electric range then the engine comes on...
I will tell you that this truck fits my bill perfectly but for 80K I rather get the midrange Tesla and save 15k or get the 85KW 265 mile range for $80K, but it does make me think twice...

Its a hard choice especially since I have been driving an SUV for so long. But to be honest I rather go all electric... its just me. Others on the other hand might think twice about getting the Tesla if VIA SUV's are out there... absolutely no range anxiety, but you are still burning fuel which does bother me somewhat.

It will all come down to leasing and who has the best rates... lets see what the future holds for VIA. I think they need to bring the price down to really compete, but Bob Lutz is a hard headed man. Only time will tell. I do like them they fit a niche in the market especially the commercial one...

Enjoy the ride and don't text and drive...

Where have you been?

I have been in the wonderful world of green car limbo... Patiently waiting for March and the new 2013 Nissan Leaf so I can start my green car life... but in the mean time I have meetings to attend, errands to run and places to be.
For example Last Saturday I decided to do another test when I went to see Penn and Teller at the Hardrock hotel up in Hollywood. Side note Mr Penn Jillet of Penn and Teller (the tall one) drives a Nissan Leaf. It was a 67 mile round trip via Highway/turnpike traveling around 60mph average.
So if I want to gambling or to see a show... I am good to go.
On the way there I passed by the Football stadium, and now I know I can go see the Dolphins kick field goals and have more than enough juice to do a detour to the best pizza in town on the way home... Where is the best pizza? Steves Pizza on US1 and 123rd st (well close to 123rd street)

Everyday that passes I see more and more how well the Leaf will fit in my family circle...

So I decided to do some math and this is what I came up with:

My truck in all its I don't care about the environment glory

Gas Guzzeler: 

$375 Per month in gas

$4493 Per year in gas

$31,451 gas bill after seven years of ownership (no oil change, filters etc in this calculation)

Nissan Leaf:

$40 per month in electric bill (number is really around $37)

$480 Per year in electric cost

$3,360  electric bill after seven years of ownership


Now to put things into perspective

Soon to be mine

Nissan Leaf Lease

$3000 down (this number might be a bit lower they have yet to announce the exact number so I will just plug in worse case)

$199 per month

$2.388 per year

$7,164 for three years

$10,164 total cost for a 3 year lease

Lets add the cost of the electric bill in three years

$11,604

Now in those three years if I where to drive my gas truck I would be spending:

$13,479 in gas

SO if I lease a leaf I will have saved $1875

Now what happens if I buy the leaf (go to bank grab 25K in $1 bills and slide the suitcase under the table) over a 7 year period?

$25,000 to purchase car (Modle S with LED lights, 6.6 charger plus tax etc including tax rebate (rough number but close)

$3,360 electric bill over 7 years

$28,360 total cost over

In gas over 7 years I will have spent:

$31,451

So I would have saved:

$3,091

Just imagine that... I can buy a New car and actually make money!

Drive safe, and please don't text and drive...