Clarity or Leaf SV

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ukon

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Tldr: Anyone chose between clarity and leaf? What made you chose one over another. Would you do the same of clarity cost ~8K more.(for equal equipped)

We were set on clarity to be purchased during thanksgiving until we heard additional incentives for Leaf. In addition 7,500 federal, 2,500 CA state, our utility provider is giving 3K +1K + 500 stackable rebates. Total adds up to 14,500. With a small dealer discount(because some incentives from Nissan cannot be used) a leaf SL package come to net cost of 18,500 inclusive of taxes and everything.

The clarity comes to 26,000. Now I am torn between them. On one hand, clarity is pretty much long term family car that falls in correct place to be held for 10-15 years. I feel I should just lease a leaf and get an off lease clarity for much cheaper/buy new in 3 years; when it is more refined/first battery expansion is done.
 
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The only difference is the extra $3000 PGE special and additional $1000 CA for the leaf. The $500 PGE and $1500 (vs 2500) CA work on the clarity as well. I'm not sure what the other 1k from PGE is so maybe that one doesn't apply to the clarity.

But you are comparing a 150m Leaf to a 400m+ Clarity, or if you are looking at the electric Clarity then it qualifies for the full 2500 from CA, and the fuel cell version $5000.

But they are quite different... go drive them both and see what you prefer :)
 
If price is your defining factor you have an easy decision. But they are two radically cars; one being a BEV and the other a PHEV.

If it were me I'd have to factor in the 47 mile EV range of the Clarity. If my long commute would force me to use gas then I'd lean towards the Leaf because of it's longer EV Range. If your daily drive(s) are within the 47 mile EV Range of the Clarity then it gets more difficult to choose.
 
jdonalds said:
If price is your defining factor you have an easy decision. But they are two radically cars; one being a BEV and the other a PHEV.

If it were me I'd have to factor in the 47 mile EV range of the Clarity. If my long commute would force me to use gas then I'd lean towards the Leaf because of it's longer EV Range. If your daily drive(s) are within the 47 mile EV Range of the Clarity then it gets more difficult to choose.
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And if you do any longer driving a leaf won't go very far for road trips / travel options while the Clarity can since you can just get gas if needed.
 
I actually have both of these vehicles in my household! My wife has a 2015 Leaf SV and I have a 2018 Clarity base.

The combo works really well for us -- we mostly use the Leaf for errands and around-town driving due to the longer EV range, and the Clarity for my commute and for out of town trips.

The Clarity is much bigger and has a more upscale interior, which makes it better for longer trips (of course, the fact that it has a gas engine means it's the only option for trips longer than an hour or so anyway!). I also like that it has more active safety features, though if you're looking at a new Leaf it's probably more on par than my 2015. Also, Android Auto is nice to have for listening to podcasts/audiobooks. Waze is 10x better than the Nissan navigation, which chooses some very strange routes.

The Leaf is a bit smaller, but it's also a hatchback, which makes it a little more practical in some ways. I have the package with the Around View camera, which is amazing for parking and well worth the extra money! It makes fitting into tight spaces and navigating around garages & parking lots WAY easier. Not to mention parallel parking!

If you have any specific questions, let me know and I'll be happy to answer them for you :-)
 
I'm also deciding between these two cars. Will watch this thread. My electric company also have a $3000 on the Leaf but not the Clarity.

OP you mentioned the SV, but you said SL later, are you comparing the SL to the Touring?
 
I think I know the answer. I am just fine with leaf for next 3 years given we will be mostly home bound due to baby arrival. This makes perfect sense to wait for clarity update. On the other hand, I can own the clarity through for the next 10 years and probably go BEV automated cars if they are in existence. However partial worry is, I do not think tax credits will be around or at least in the present form.

Clarity is pretty much unique and one of the best car for most folks who run short commutes/errands through and take once a month/week long trips. I do 3 -four mile trips a day, 1-30-45 mile trip on weekends and 2-100+ mile trips per month.(With leaf these will be in my other car which is a gasoline.) Changing the car makes perfect sense due to very low operating costs, lower overhead cost. I couldn't believe they beat my 5 year old Hyundai in total costs. I am just wondering if I can do complete BEV and escape ICE maintenance part as well.

I guess this is one of the instance where I should not let tax tail wagging the dog. I have until year end to pull the trigger or just wait and delay purchase for another year and manage with just 1 ICE car.
 
Electra said:
I'm also deciding between these two cars. Will watch this thread. My electric company also have a $3000 on the Leaf but not the Clarity.

OP you mentioned the SV, but you said SL later, are you comparing the SL to the Touring?
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Sorry I was comparing SV to the base model.
 
For what it's worth, I was considering buying a 2017 Leaf last year instead of the 2015 I ended up buying. I wasn't able to find a dealer willing to meet me on price, so I ended up buying a used 2015 online via Carvana. It was shipped from GA, and I paid just over $12k. The prices on a used 2015 have actually gone *up* a little in the last year!

All together, it was a great decision, and I don't regret buying used rather than new. Plus I didn't have to wait for the tax credit, since it was already figured into the depreciated price.
 
ukon said:
I feel I should just lease a leaf and get an off lease clarity for much cheaper/buy new in 3 years; when it is more refined/first battery expansion is done.
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Have you seen any good lease deals on a Leaf? I think they're still somewhat high. It may be cheaper for you to buy it and sell it in three years. This only works if you get a fantastic deal when you buy it new. Used 2016 Leaf SVs are selling for $14k, so trade in about $12k, you might get $13k private party. Resale prices for the 2018 may be higher because you have 40 more miles of range. So add up the total price of the lease and compare it to buying new then selling and see which one is better.
https://www.cars.com/for-sale/searc...&trId=25195&yrId=58487&yrId=30031936&zc=90210
 
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Waiting to see what the long range Leaf is going to be like. That could lower demand of the standard Leaf and possibly it's sales prices.
 
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