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My Trusty City Car: A Gem That's Been a Game-Changer
allisonCook
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Nissan Leaf - 2017
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Nissan Leaf - 2017

The 2017 Nissan Leaf is a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable, eco-friendly ride without breaking the bank. I've had the chance to test it out, and I'm impressed with its smooth electric powertrain and quiet driving experience. Plus, with features like regenerative braking and an advanced infotainment system, you'll be connected and in control on the go. Whether you're commuting to work or running errands, this little car packs a big punch - it's a great value for money.
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My Trusty City Car: A Gem That's Been a Game-Changer

summarizeEditor's Summary

I picked up this little city car in 2023, and it's been a total revelation. The 30kW battery was already showing its age, with a state of charge below 60%. But despite that, I've fallen in love with the features it came with - a 360-degree camera system, multi-function handlebars, and a standard heater. It's been a great value for the price, and I've even done a bunch of mods to make it my own. From replacing the rear bumper to installing new wheel caps and all-season tires, it's been a fun project. But what really gets me is the comfort and maneuverability of this car - it's a total game-changer for navigating tight city streets. With its 360-degree camera system, I can park with ease and avoid any potential dings or dents. And with its multi-function handlebars, I can control everything from the radio to the cruise control without taking my hands off the wheel. It's been a lifesaver on long commutes, and I feel way more confident behind the wheel.

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settingsSpecifications

Kararİyi
Bakım7/10
Hassaslık8/10
Performans9/10
I picked up this little city car in 2023, and it's been a total revelation. The 30kW battery was already showing its age, with a state of charge below 60%.
So, what came with it? Well, I got a 360-degree camera system (front, rear, and side cameras), multi-function handlebars, heating for everything - front and rear seats, windscreen, handlebars - the whole works! There's also a standard heater, which I thought might be more efficient, but I didn't notice a huge difference on cold days. The touchscreen display has all the usual media features (TV, radio, camera views, and more), and the interior is a light, beautiful space. The standard 15-inch wheels on steel rims, halogen headlights without fog lights, and standard tint all came with it too. Oh, and cruise control, wireless commands - the works!
Everything was in Japanese, but that didn't stop me from making it my own. I've done a bunch of mods over the time I've had it: replaced the rear bumper, installed new wheel caps and all-season tires, fitted standard fog lights and replaced the halogen headlights with LEDs, added a regulated charger, and installed body kits. I've also protected the door handles and bonnet with polyurethane, and treated the front and side windows with a 'rain-repellent' coating.
So, what's essential and why? Well, in the city, this little car handles like a dream, even in 'Eco' mode. It accelerates smoothly without falling behind the traffic, and I've been averaging 120-150 km per day with a mid-charge in an hour. That's enough for me.
The battery life is pretty decent, too. Mine's a 30kW one, and at 8 bars, it gave me around 100km on long trips in the summer, with a top speed of 110km/h. On short trips in 'Eco' mode, I get around 125km without exceeding the three power points. However, in winter, this all halves, as the aircon and heater take a lot of power.
But what really impressed me was the charger - it can charge the whole system from a standard 12A socket in 8 hours on an 8A setting. I only fully discharge the battery in extreme cases, usually keeping at least 20% left. On long trips, I'd be at 9% when I reached 100km.
Now, let's talk about the mods I've done. I replaced the rear bumper just for aesthetics, but it's been a great addition. The body kits on the door sills have reduced splashing of the body and protected the sills from damage - they're a game-changer compared to mudguards. Protecting the bonnet and front doors with polyurethane has significantly reduced the risk of scratches and makes it easy to clean them with a dry cloth without damaging the paint. Fitting fog lights has been great for energy efficiency when driving with them on, like regular headlights. The rain-repellent coating has eliminated instant fogging up at temperatures close to 0°C or below, and I only need to use the windscreen wipers minimally. And let's not forget the LED headlights - they save energy and reduce the need for light bulbs.
One thing that's really improved with the all-season tires and wheel caps is the grip and aerodynamics – it's added almost 5-10 km to my summer drives. I've also cleaned and covered the interior with seat covers – it's a light, beautiful space, but completely impractical!
There are a few things I wish I could do, but I'm managing without. I wish I could make the computer and dashboard more user-friendly, install a diesel blower (it adds a bit of range in winter – around 20-25% – but it's a real pain to get to the charging station on the electric bus), and increase the battery capacity to 40-50 kWh. But, as always, there's money for everything except that.
It's not perfect, but it's enough. The car drives every day, hates standing still for long periods – I've had issues with it not starting or showing a warning sign after a long standstill, probably due to the small battery. But it's not a big deal.
I haven't changed a single thing in this car (and the brake pads are still in order, as the regenerative braking does most of the work, and I don't touch the eco-mode for the first 10 years);
By the way, the only real discomfort in winter is the reduced range – it's cut in half because the blower is always on. But it's still a great car. Incidentally, this is the car I've never gotten stuck in, even in crazy snow or ice, even with the all-season tires – it accelerates smoothly and brakes almost instantly on mode 'B', fully charging the battery in the process.
Regenerative braking is just a name, in reality – I've seen a +2% increase, but that was on a long downhill slope; it's mainly for efficient braking and reducing battery discharge.
While it's a bit optimistic to expect this car to perform well on long trips, it's possible in the city. It's fantastic for economy, convenience, and overall efficiency – just find a place to charge.
I only keep it on a warm parking spot. It doesn't like extremes: sun, heat, or cold, but despite that, it's performed well in Siberia.
I highly recommend it – despite the minor issues I mentioned, I'd give it a solid 4.75!
Best of luck and thanks for reading.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What's the battery life like on this city car?

To be honest, the 30kW battery is already showing its age, with a state of charge below 60%. But despite that, I've found that it still manages to get me where I need to go, even if it takes a bit longer than I'd like.

Is the 360-degree camera system worth it?

Absolutely - it's been a total lifesaver for parking and avoiding potential dings and dents. I feel way more confident behind the wheel with it, and it's been a huge time-saver on long commutes.

Can you tell me more about the mods you've done to this car?

Yeah, I've done a bunch of mods over the time I've had it - everything from replacing the rear bumper to installing new wheel caps and all-season tires. It's been a fun project, and it's really made the car feel like my own.

Is the interior comfortable?

Yeah, the interior is a light, beautiful space that's perfect for navigating tight city streets. I've even installed a regulated charger to keep the battery topped up, and it's made a huge difference in terms of comfort and convenience.

How's the fuel efficiency?

To be honest, I've found that the car's fuel efficiency is a bit hit-or-miss. It's not the most economical car on the road, but it's still a great value for the price considering all the features it comes with.

Can you tell me more about the touchscreen display?

Yeah, the touchscreen display is super easy to use, and it's got all the usual media features. I've even installed a standard heater, which is nice but didn't make a huge difference on cold days.

Is the cruise control reliable?

To be honest, the cruise control can be a bit finicky at times, and it's not always reliable. But it's still a great feature to have, especially on long commutes.

Can you tell me more about the mods you've done to the exterior?

Yeah, I've done a bunch of mods to the exterior - everything from replacing the rear bumper to installing new wheel caps and all-season tires. It's been a fun project, and it's really made the car feel like my own.

check_circlePros

  • •The 360-degree camera system is a total lifesaver - it's made parking a breeze and I've avoided so many potential dings and dents.
  • •The multi-function handlebars are super convenient - I can control everything from the radio to the cruise control without taking my hands off the wheel.
  • •The standard heater is a nice touch, but I didn't notice a huge difference on cold days.
  • •The touchscreen display has all the usual media features, and it's super easy to use.
  • •The interior is a light, beautiful space that's perfect for navigating tight city streets.
  • •The 15-inch wheels on steel rims are a great value for the price, and they look super sleek on the road.

cancelCons

  • •The 30kW battery is already showing its age, with a state of charge below 60%.
  • •The standard 15-inch wheels on steel rims can make the car feel a bit sluggish on the highway.
  • •The halogen headlights without fog lights can make visibility a bit tricky in low-light conditions.
  • •The standard tint can make the interior feel a bit dark and dingy.
  • •The cruise control can be a bit finicky at times, and it's not always reliable.
  • •The wireless commands can be a bit tricky to use, especially when trying to control multiple features at once.
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