Get LEAF Now or Wait for Focus Electric

[NYelectric]

Obviosuly Nissan is a little bit ahead of Ford with its LEAF electric car already being delivered.

I am on the list for this car but I really want the Ford. Love the brand, love American cars, and prefer the styling.

Anxiuos to get off gas the question is do i get the LEAF or wait for the Ford?

[randyd]

Which car will you be happier owning in 2 years? 5 years? 8 years? Rather than obsessing over 6-9 months of delay getting into an EV, take the long view.

Which car will make you prouder to own?
Which car better represents you, your personality, your values, etc.
Which car has better utility for you and how you drive?
Which car will be more "handy" or less inconvenient? Do you need to haul things in addition to people?
Which dealership is closer to home or work?

I know these are more question (not answers) but my answers to these questions lead me favor the Focus EV over the Leaf.

[haworthl]

"already being delivered" is a bit of an overstatement for the LEAF. They've delivered a small number of cars, and then there's been no further deliveries (or even scheduled deliveries).

I've got a confirmed order for a LEAF, but may be holding off and waiting for the Focus.

[derwood]

I'm on the list for a Leaf as well. At the earliest, I suspect the car won't be in my hands until June-July if I decide to go for it. The Focus will be out in late 2011, which is another 4-6 months.

I'm willing to wait that long to get a car that I'll probably keep for 3-5 years. The questions I have are more about availability, price, warranty, lease terms, etc. I love the Focus EV's styling compared to the Leaf and that alone will probably tip the balance in favor of the Focus if everything else is equivalent.

[Sasparilla]

If you are in New York (judging by your online identity here), you'll probably have to wait either way. All the truly colder states weren't supposed to start the process of getting them (actually converting reservations into orders until the Fall 2011 / Winter) and those plans were before Nissan had production issues - making me think folks will be lucky to order in the Fall 2011 for the cold states.

Right now, its not a decision you have to make - just keep your reservation with the Leaf and see how the year progresses. We'll get pricing, actual production volume targets for those first few months from Ford and a better handle on how Ford is going to roll out the Focus Electric (they going to do it like GM, where some of the Dealers are asking $10k over retail, or something like Nissan where the vehicles are allocated to the buyers and the dealers get to compete for the deliveries giving retail or less prices).

Then you can make your decision knowing things alot better. The Leaf's the northern states get will almost certainly be 2012's, so it'll be interesting to see what tweaking occurs with those as well.

I'm interested in both as well and will be waiting to see how this year unfolds with regards to both vehicles - and with 2012 there are other plug-in vehicles that will be landing as well.

[derwood]

Just got an email from Nissan saying the Leaf I reserved will be here in April. It's awfully tempting to go for the non-ideal car now rather than wait for the lovely Ford Focus EV and its rather nebulous price/delivery date.

Talk me down here.

[FocusSkeptic]

Unfortunately these kind of decision trade-offs are more & more common with a technology purchase. These days as soon as you buy a device, it's outdated. "Should I get my Verizon iPhone4 now and get better voice quality? or wait for the iPhone5 and get a (possibly) better device & voice calls in 6mo?"

If you can get your Leaf in April/May you are in a desirable position, especially since it appears Nissan may not even empty the current reservation list before the end of the year. My guess is that it will be at least a year before you'd be able to get a Focus. While the Focus might be better for most people, it is not a lock that it will be better (see http://www.plugincars.com/buy-nissan-le ... 06740.html) and certainly doesn't look like a good hatchback usage if that is important for you.

I am waiting because I want an electric car that is prepared for cold weather and the Leaf cold weather package isn't available (or documented) yet.

[derwood]

Canceled the Leaf. I figure I can wait a bit to see how this all shakes out. If for some reason I don't like the Focus EV, Leafs will be readily available by the end of the year.

Obviosuly Nissan is a little bit ahead of Ford with its LEAF electric car already being delivered.

I am on the list for this car but I really want the Ford. Love the brand, love American cars, and prefer the styling.

Anxiuos to get off gas the question is do i get the LEAF or wait for the Ford?

You know, until I bought the Volt I had never bought an American car. The Volt has not disappointed. I think the quality of American cars has come way up. Right now there is still this perception among some that the Europeans and the Asians do it better, but I'm not buying it.

I firmly believe EVs will be the future of transportation. And obviously the Chinese do too. People complain about the US offering 7.5k tax credits. Meanwhile there are reports of the Chinese offering 20-30k per car in subsidies and credits. The obviously feel EVs are the future and want to insure their piece of the pie.

I'm proud to see GM and Ford leading the early charge on this front.