This car is eligible for a 30% Federal Clean Car Time of Sale Tax Credit Instant Rebate to qualifying buyers. (Can’t process for Maryland buyers yet.) For example, this means that if the sale price is $5,000, you only pay $3,500 at the time of sale. See the qualifications and buyer requirements at: https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxused.shtml and more details at the end of the listing. Remember, there are NO minimum income requirements to take full advantage of the instant rebate, as opposed to the tax credit which isn’t very useful if you have low taxable income. So if for example, you are a student, retiree, or have many deductions or business expenses that lower your taxable income to a small amount, a tax credit when you do your taxes in April won’t save you much if anything at all, depending on what your taxable income turns out to be. Not to mention having to wait for that credit until filing your taxes instead of just getting it at the time of sale right now. When shopping for and comparing electric vehicles here on Ebay or anywhere else, keep in mind that private sellers won’t be able to offer this instant rebate. |
| The following information gives a comprehensive overview of the first generation Nissan LEAF. If you are already familiar with the car, you may want to skip down to the pictures and description. And it’s best to view this listing on a desktop or laptop computer. A smartphone won’t give you the same details. |
This is a 2013 Nissan LEAF SV finished in Pearl White tri-coat paint with the light beige interior. The LEAF, an acronym for Leading Environmentally-friendly Affordable Family vehicle, is the first pure electric car to sell in significant numbers. It puts out no tailpipe exhaust emissions or greenhouse gases. This LEAF is powered by a 340 volt battery pack powering a 80-kilowatt AC synchronous electric motor putting out 110 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque, and is mated to a single speed reduction drive gear connected to the front wheels. An electric motor puts out its maximum torque at ZERO rpm, and with 210 lb-ft on tap from a standing start, acceleration is brisk to say the least. When combined with a smooth and seamless flow of power available from a transmission that never has to pause for a shift, along with the absence of noise from an internal combustion engine, you get a driving experience like no conventional cars can offer. You will have a grin on your face every time you step on the accelerator and leave most other cars in your wake. Think TESLA junior at a fraction of the price.
This is a well equipped SV model that had a sticker price of over $33,000 in 2013. If you’re looking at other first generation LEAFs, keep in mind that in 2013, Nissan improved the battery system significantly, such that it might be a good idea to avoid 2011-12 models altogether, especially when the price for a 2013 is not much more. And in fact, this is a late 2013 production LEAF, manufactured September 2013, so it’s nearly a 2014 model and likely has many updates over earlier models. Some of the key things to remember include:
1) This 2013 SV has a 6.6 kW onboard charger while all 2011-12 models and 2013 S models have a 3.3 kW charger. That reduces 240V charging times from 8 hours to just 4 hours on a fully depleted battery.
2) This 2013 SV has a heat pump for cabin heat which uses much less electricity to keep the car warm during winter. All 2011-12 models and 2013 S models have a resistive heater that significantly reduces range when used.
3) For 2013, Nissan made significant improvements to the battery pack including a change in chemistry to reduce battery degradation. 2013 Models seem to be holding up much better than previous years, and is reason enough to avoid 2011-12 models.
The LEAF’s powertrain combined with excellent aerodynamics and numerous energy saving features, allows the LEAF to get an amazing EPA combined rating of 115 mpg gas equivalent (mpge). And because of the peculiarities of stop and go driving, it gets an even higher 129 mpge in city driving. The LEAF electric motor is fed by a lithium-ion battery pack that can be recharged overnight by plugging in to any standard 110-volt household outlet with the included charging cable. And if you already have a charging station, I can take $100 off the sale price if you don’t want the included charging cable. A Dual-Mode drive system has Drive and ECO functions. In Drive mode the car provides normal forward driving, while in ECO mode the motor consumes less power, regenerative braking is increased and the range of the vehicle is extended. Other features that save energy are LED taillights, electric power steering, regenerative braking that makes use of energy that other cars waste while braking and coasting by recharging the battery pack, low rolling resistance tires and a host of aerodynamic tweaks. The headlights split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors which reduces wind noise and aerodynamic drag, a roof mounted spoiler combined with an under bumper diffuser further smoothes out airflow around the car, and under-car airflow is aided by three panels that virtually seal the entire underbody, as the aerodynamics under a car are just as important as above it. The result is a drag coefficient of 0.29, which is excellent for any passenger vehicle and one of the lowest in its class.
This LEAF makes for an excellent city and suburban car where the effects of regenerative braking and coasting can help increase range. Expect to see 60 to 70 miles in town with conservative driving techniques with the climate control off and with a small cushion so as not to enter reduced power mode. Using hypermiling techniques, I once stretched that out to nearly 75 miles. The car runs fine on the highway too and I’ve driven it over 70 mph, but it sucks power faster on the highway and much faster over 55 mph. Also, the range display isn’t very linear. If after recharging it shows 75 miles of range, it may drop down to 65 miles after having driven only a few miles. This flattens out between the 50 to 20 mile range point, while in the teens and single digits, the car may go farther than what the range display shows.
Not only is the LEAF economical to drive, it’s also economical to maintain, being as close as any car maker has come to producing a maintenance free automobile. Without a conventional internal combustion engine or multi-speed transmission, the LEAF requires no oil changes, no spark plug and plug wire replacements, no fluid filter changes, no timing belts or valve adjustments, no transmission fluid service, etc. Plus there is no exhaust system, muffler, catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, ignition coils, fuel injectors, etc. to wear out. About the only routine scheduled maintenance for the LEAF are brake fluid changes and cabin filter replacements, both of which have just been performed. And if you are into being green, then besides emitting no pollutants, the LEAF may be eligible for numerous perks such as being able to drive alone in the HOV carpool lanes without a passenger, being exempt from annual emissions inspections, free or reduced parking rates at downtown or airport parking lots, reduced annual registration fees or initial sales taxes, etc. Check your state or local government for more details.
The LEAF has many innovative features and upscale content only found in more expensive vehicles, plus a few that are not found in any others. The keyless access and start system lets you enter and start your car without ever taking a key out of your pocket or purse. When you have the remote anywhere on your person, you can open a locked door or hatch by just pressing the button on the handle. To start the car you don’t need to fumble looking for your keys either, just step on the brake and press the start button. An on-board timer can be pre-programmed to recharge the battery at a set time such as during off-peak rates to save on your electric bill. Through a smart phone app or from a computer, you can remotely turn on the air-conditioner or heater. This function can be used to pre-heat or pre-cool the car prior to use while it is still connected to a power outlet so the interior is at a comfortable temperature and less energy from the battery is used for climate control. Three bright dash-top charging indicator lights let you visually see charging progress far away from the car. The heated steering wheel and heated front AND rear seats keep you comfortable without using the more power consuming heater as much. LED taillights use less power and produce greater visibility as well as provide faster reaction times for those behind you.
This LEAF SV is fully equipped with all the desirable safety, comfort and convenience features and equipment including:
- 110 hp and 210 lb-ft electric motor
- Single speed reduction drive “automatic transmission” with traction control system (TCS)
- Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) electronic stability program
- Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) rollback protection
- Dual-Mode drive system: Drive and ECO
- Air conditioning with automatic electronic climate control and cabin air filter
- Power windows with drivers express up and down
- Power door locks
- Navigation and infotainment system with Bluetooth®, voice command, XM satellite radio, CD/MP3/WMA
- CARWINGS® telematics
- Large multi-function touch-screen display
- Auxiliary input jack and USB port for external devices
- Roof mounted Eurostyle shorty antenna
- Remote keyless entry
- Keyless access
- Keyless push-button start
- Cruise control with steering wheel mounted switches
- Tilt steering column
- Leather wrapped steering wheel
- Heated steering wheel
- 6-way adjustable drivers seat
- Premium cloth interior
- Heated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Two level electroluminescent instrument clusters with digital speedometer and multi-function displays for power, economy, range, two trip odometers, etc.
- Center console with two cup holders and storage compartment under center armrest
- 12V power outlet
- Front doors with storage pocket and cup holder
- Tinted glass
- Clear lens headlights with jewel-effect reflectors
- Intermittent wipers
- Rear window intermittent wiper and washer
- Center dome light and front driver and passenger map lights
- Auto-dimming rear view mirror
- Roof mounted passenger assist handles
- Door sill trim plates
- Dual power heated mirrors
- Chrome door handles
- Body color outside rear view mirrors
- Dual visor vanity mirrors
- Immobilizer theft deterrent system
- Aluminum wheels
- Low rolling resistance tires
- Carpeted and embroidered factory trunk mat
- 60/40 split fold-down rear seat backs
- Rear door cup holders
- Rear seatback storage pocket
- Cargo area light
- Rear child seat anchors (LATCH® system)
- Rear window defroster
- Rear spoiler
- Rear diffuser
- Electric rack and pinion power steering (EPS)
- Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
- 4 wheel disc brakes
- Anti-Lock brakes (ABS)
- Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)
- Dual-stage front airbags
- Front side airbags
- Front and rear head curtain airbags
There are nearly 200 photos ahead and if you don’t have a high speed internet connection and get an “X” where a picture should be you may need to hit the Refresh button a few times. If that still doesn’t work, contact me for a link to see the pictures individually.
CLEAR LENS HEADLIGHTS WITH JEWEL-EFFECT REFLECTORS:
BODY COLOR MIRRORS:
CHROME DOOR HANDLES AND KEYLESS ACCESS BUTTON:
ROOF MOUNTED EUROSTYLE SHORTY ANTENNA:
CLEAR LENS LED TAIL LIGHTS:
REAR DIFFUSER:
REAR SPOILER:
WHITE LED CENTER BRAKE LIGHT:
WHEELS DETAILED INSIDE AND OUT:
DOOR PANEL STORAGE POCKET AND CUP HOLDER:
SIDE AIRBAGS:
6-WAY DRIVERS SEAT ADJUSTMENT:
DOOR SILL TRIM PLATES:
STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED INFOTAINMENT CONTROLS:
STEERING WHEEL MOUNTED CRUISE CONTROLS:
FRONT HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS:
FRONT TWEETERS:
SIDE WINDOW DEFROSTERS:
HEATED STEERING WHEEL:
TILT STEERING WHEEL:
KEYLESS PUSH-BUTTON START:
SPLASH SCREEN AND AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL:
NAVIGATION:
MENU:
FM RADIO:
XM SATELLITE RADIO:
ENERGY DISPLAY:
POWERED FLIP-DOWN SCREEN FOR CD CHANGER AND SD CARD ACCESS:
CENTER CONSOLE WITH CENTER ARMREST:
UNDER ARMREST STORAGE COMPARTMENT:
SPACEBALL SHIFTER:
DUAL CUP HOLDERS:
CENTER CONSOLE STORAGE TRAY, SEAT HEATERS, USB and AUX INPUT JACKS:
LARGE GLOVE COMPARTMENT:
REAR DOOR PANEL CUP HOLDERS:
HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS:
ADJUSTABLE SHOULDER BELTS:
REAR HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS:
PASSENGER SEATBACK STORAGE POCKET:
EXCELLENT REAR SEAT LEGROOM:
HEATED REAR SEATS:
REAR CHILD SEAT ANCHORS (LATCH® SYSTEM):
FRONT AND CENTER OVERHEAD READING LIGHTS:
OVERHEAD GRAB HANDLES:
DUAL VISOR VANITY MIRRORS:
VISOR EXTENSIONS:
AUTO-DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRROR:
OVERHEAD STORAGE COMPARTMENT FOR GLASSES:
REAR CHILD SEAT TEATHER ANCHORS (LATCH® SYSTEM):
60/40 FOLD-DOWN REAR SEAT BACKS:
LARGE REAR CARGO AREA WITH BOTH SEAT BACKS FOLDED DOWN:
CARPETED AND EMBROIDERED TRUNK MAT:
CARGO AREA LIGHT:
FACTORY NISSAN CHARGING CABLE AND STORAGE BAG:
INSULATED HOOD:
LIGHTED CHARGING PORT:
CHARGING STATUS DISPLAY:
LEFT FRONT FENDER DING:
FRONT BUMPER SCRATCH:
REAR BUMPER NICKS AND SCRATCHES:
RIGHT REAR DOOR SCRATCHES:
In addition, this LEAF has all it’s underbody panels installed. If a mechanic forgets to replace a panel or you run over a curb and break one off, your economy may suffer as the aerodynamics under a car are just as important as above it. If you are looking at other LEAFs for sale as well, check underneath and make sure all the following panels are still intact as they are not cheap to replace.
The interior is in great condition as well. It has excellent carpet, upholstery, dashboard and door panels with no cracks, rips or tears or any significant signs of wear. The car doesn‘t appear to have been smoked in. In fact, it’s not even equipped with a lighter. The cargo area looks like it was never used and the motor compartment has been fully detailed and is clean enough to eat off of.
Mechanically it runs and drives excellent. The motor and “transmission” are nearly silent and silky smooth. The steering wheel is on dead center going down the road with no shakes or vibrations at speed, the brakes are firm with no pedal pulsations or pulling to one side when stopping and the suspension is tight. The A/C blows ice cold. It has a matching set of four Yokohama AVID tires all with good tread. These tires combine exceptional all-season wet/dry traction, extended comfort, excellent handling and superior tread life. They have been balanced with weights mounted on the inside of the wheel for a super clean look. The only two issues to note are the second Smartkey needs to be held near the start button to turn on the car and it doesn’t let you use the lock/unlock button in the door handle. You have to press the buttons on the fob itself to lock or unlock. Also, the navigation screen sometimes freaks out and shifts the map all over the place.
The car was fully checked out and serviced with over $1,000 worth of new or recent parts, maintenance and repairs so that only your enjoyment rather than your immediate attention will be required on delivery. Some of the items checked or serviced include:
- New Bosch cabin filter
- Recent 12 volt battery
- Recent front brake pads
- Recent front brake rotors
- Recent rear brake pads
- Recent rear brake rotors
- Recent parking brake shoes
- New Valvoline Dot 4 Synthetic brake fluid flush and change
Photos of some of the parts replaced, checked or serviced:
Cabin air filter:
12 volt battery:
Front brake pads:
Front brake rotors: 28 mm new, 26 mm minimum thickness:
Rear brake pads:
Rear brake rotors: 16 mm new, 14 mm minimum thickness:
Parking brake shoes:
Brake fluid flush and change:
The car has been dealer maintained throughout its life, and with all the above mentioned service the car has recently received, you should be good to go for many more years before requiring any maintenance or repairs.
Overall this is a super sharp car that looks absolutely fantastic in this Pearl White color. You’re sure to get many questions and complements about it at the mall or supermarket parking lot from total strangers. If you don’t want attention, or if you are the least bit shy, don’t buy this car, I warn you. The cost new of this LEAF was over $33,000 back in 2013! But because it was a hot model, most dealers were adding additional market adjustment markups (read rip off), so with tax, title and tags, you were lucky if you got ANY change back from your $40,000 bill!
This is a ONE owner southern car from Maryland which is probably why it’s so clean. CLICK HERE to see the title. It also has a 1-owner clean Carfax. CLICK HERE to see the Carfax report.
The car comes with all the books:
Two factory Smartkey fobs:
And two factory key blades:
If you are serious about buying a very clean first generation Nissan LEAF, this is about as low as they go in this condition. Sure, you can find many of these cars that look nice and seem like good deals in the $3,000 to $4,000 range, but if after getting it home you have to spend another $2,000 or $3,000 on service, repairs and tires, it’s no bargain. Remember, you can get a great deal online with prices sometimes way below retail, but nobody is going to “steal” a vehicle and no seller is going to give one away either. Also when comparing prices to the other LEAFs listed for sale, remember the things that you won’t have to spend money on soon after getting it home. With this car you won’t have to spend over $1,000 on paint and body work, you won’t have to spend $500 on a new set of tires, you won’t have to spend $300 on a complete front brake service, you won’t have to spend $300 on a complete rear brake service, you won’t have to spend $300 on a battery and brake fluid change. With many of the other listings on Ebay, Craigslist, Facebook or on dealers lots, you’re lucky if they even check the air in the tires before delivery. When comparing this car to the others, also keep in mind that this car runs great, is fully serviced, has never been wrecked, hasn’t been smoked in and is very clean. Also check if they come with both key fobs and key blades because a new pair from the dealer, with programming and cutting, is going to cost you $250. And if you lost that only fob, it’ll cost three times as much to replace the security module plus the towing charge.
If you are looking for a LEAF in beautiful condition at a great price, then this car is hard to beat. Also remember that I don’t charge dealer processing fees or document fees that many other listings have for $200 or more and bury in their fine print. Located in the Suburban Washington DC area. Delivery possible at reasonable cost. For more information email me at atikovi@email.com
FEDERAL TAX CREDIT DETAILS: Check the details, requirements and qualifications of the tax credit at: https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxused.shtml It is the buyers responsibility to verify that they qualify for the tax credit before buying. The purchase price will be the sale price listed on the bill of sale and the tax credit will be 30% of that amount. I can process the IRS 25E Used Vehicle Time of Sale Report form on the IRS Clean Energy website at the time of delivery or when the car is paid for, and provide an IRS generated receipt form 15400 for your tax records.