The majority of cars on the road are powered by gasoline, and that’s not likely to change for a long time. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t alteratives, like other combustible fluids, or electricity. Today we’re going to take a look at two small hatchbacks that don’t use a drop of gasoline between them.
We looked at a couple of low-mileage sedans yesterday, and it was no contest at all. The green Ford Taurus simply ran away with the vote. It’s not that the Mazda 323 was a bad car at all, but it wasn’t presented well, and its potential for greater reliability and better gas mileage wasn’t worth the extra price. If it were cleaner, or a manual, it would have done better, from the sounds of it.
I saw a lot of those Tauruses when they were new, and they were of absolutely no interest to me then. I got pretty sick of seeing them, frankly. But looking back at them now, I have a more sympathetic view of them; they’re nice, comfortable, handsome cars. I’d happily drive this one. I’m a huge Mazda fan, and have been for years, but that 323 is just outclassed here.
Gasoline took over as the dominant fuel for automobiles early on, but that doesn’t mean cars haven’t been powered by other things. Diesel fuel has never been as popular in the US as it is in Europe, except in full-size trucks, but it definitely had a moment in the late 1970s and early ’80s, when gas prices were high. And in recent years, thanks to advancements in battery technology, electric cars have gome from weird experiments to viable transportation. Today, gasoline is off the menu; we’re going to take a look at an old diesel survivor, and a modern mass-produced EV, available for the same low price.
1982 Chevrolet Chevette Diesel – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: 1.8-liter OHC diesel inline 4, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Odometer reading: 116,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives great
This rare little number was posted in Slack by Brian, and as soon as I saw it, I knew where it was. I’ve seen this car street-parked in Portland before – unless there’s another diesel Chevette running around with blue Panasport-style wheels on it. I suppose it’s possible, but unlikely. These little T-cars are getting really rare these days, and the diesel-powered ones were never common to begin with.
If the standard gasoline-powered Chevette is just too powerful for you, this is your car. In place of the standard 1.6-liter pushrod engine, this car features an Isuzu-built 1.8-liter diesel engine making all of 51 horsepower. A five-speed manual comes standard to make the most of the meager power band, but believe it or not, Chevy offered this car with an automatic. I can’t even imagine what that’s like. This one has the five-speed, and the seller says it runs and drives great, thanks to a lot of recent work. It just completed a road trip from Portland to Tacoma and back, averaging 50 miles to the gallon, according to the seller.
Inside, it’s typical malaise-era GM: shoddy construction, bleached plastics, and probably squeaks and rattles galore. The seller doesn’t give us a clear view of the front seats, which is probably telling. It looks like they’re wearing cheap covers, and they’re probably not in great shape unerneath. But it’s all there, and the seller says everything works.
It has been painted flat gray on the outside. It was originally light blue, and in fact, I think it was still blue when I saw it. I’m not sure why it was painted; it’s not rusty. Maybe the seller just didn’t like it in blue. It has louvers on the rear window, and a homemade spoiler that looks like garden edging. The upturned exhaust pipe is silly, but I’m curious to hear what it sounds like.
2013 Nissan Leaf – $2,500
Motor/drivetrain: 80 kilowatt electric motor, single-speed gear reduction, FWD
Location: Alameda, CA
Odometer reading: 113,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives great
There has to be a first for everything, and as far as mass-produced all-electric cars goes, that honor goes to the Nissan Leaf. Nissan wisely didn’t stray too far from typical small-car architecture or feel for the Leaf; it’s just a little hatchback that happens to have an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack in place of an engine, transmission, and fuel tank.
The problem with used Leafs is range; the old battery packs can degrade and lose range, reducing the car’s usefulness to almost nil. This Leaf’s range isn’t quite as bad as David’s old one, but it isn’t great either; the seller claims a typical range of about 60-70 miles on a full charge. It runs and drives well, though, and really, 60 miles of range is enough for most people to do some running around. I know that would get me to Costco and back, anyway.
One of the nice things about the Leaf is that it is just an ordinary car with an electric motor. This looks not unlike a Nissan Versa inside, except for the lack of a shift lever and the video game instrument panel. There’s no everything-on-the-touch-screen minimalism bullshit here. It’s in good condition, too.
It’s in good condition outside too, and it’s the best color for a Leaf. I always liked this blue. I still think the styling of the first-generation Leaf is weird, and apparently I’m not alone; the second generation was much more conservatively styled, so much so that it could be mistaken for a Versa. There’s no mistaking this car for anything else.
Can you get by without gasoline? Sure. Would you want to, if these were your only alternatives? I’m not so sure I would; I think either of these would have me missing my V8 in no time. But a V8 isn’t an option for you today – you’ve got an early ’80s diesel or an early EV to choose from. Which way are you going?
what is the crossover pipe? I did a double take, thought someone put a turbo on it lol
Chevette all the way. Nothing against the leaf. I have always liked them and even tried to get my wife to buy one a few years back, but there is just something about a shitty compact RWD manual car that makes me feel like a teenager. The whole floor it everywhere and shift like you are in a car chase while still under the speed limit feeling of learning to drive. Plus when its time, no battery swap, but maybe a really cheap swap for double the power in the Chevy. A little RWD garbage can is just too juvenile to not pick.
At least the Chevette has a cooling system LOL
Yeah, that’s why old Leaf battery packs degrade so bad: they don’t have a real cooling system like most electric cars. Nissan just *finally* started cooling the Leaf’s battery last year.
Thousands of dollars for a battery pack, and hundreds of dollars a year as a penalty registration fee because F150 tards are jealous AF.
Also, fuck the owner of that Chevette for painting a blue car gray. At least the blue is a real color. But it’s easy enough to bring it back to blue. Is that exhaust for rollin’ coal? Can you imagine rollin’ coal in a fucking Chevette?
I voted for the old car.
Oof, neither, but since that isn’t an option I will go with the Chevette – the Leaf would only get me 3/4 of the way to and from work, so it is automatically out.
I voted for the Leaf. I am a big fan of the Leaf – I miss my 2016. These cars are dirt cheap to buy and insure, as well as very efficient. If the limited range meets your needs it is hard to find a better value. They are also nice cars to drive – they aren’t exciting but they are comfortable and quiet. This car also looks to be in good condition.
Also, I presume this car has had its battery replaced at some point. It is rare to see a Leaf with 100k+ miles that still has 9 bars left. Seller also refers to this car as having a “lizard” battery – I don’t think that particular battery chemistry was available in 2013 (but I could be wrong). This battery should be good for several years.
Well spotted. Today I learned that a “lizard battery” is the 2015+ 2nd gen design that’s a lot more heat-tolerant.
Chevette. Not thrilled, but at least when the battery craps out, you can get one at AutoZone.
Maybe; but you’re not getting any Isuzu 1.8 diesel parts at Autozone!
I had no idea they made a diesel Chevette! That’s a combination of words that strikes horror into my heart and I would absolutely drive it. Surely it gets to be terrible in new and exciting ways every time I have to take it somewhere.
https://youtu.be/QQ3B9m8-mXc IIRC, it was the slowest car they ever tested….
It’s the Leaf for me! I’m not road tripping in either car, my commute round trip is about 28 miles, I can charge all day at work and / or all night at home.
Fingers crossed, here in SoCal I’d get two days driving out of it. Oh, and it’s cost is 5 lease lease payments on the Audi A6 E-tron I have now…
I drove a Leaf when they first came out and don’t have any bad memories from that, so it can’t be to terrible lol. It would make a great commuter car for me!
YMMV…
I feel the need for self mortification. Chevette it is.
The Chevette runs and drives great…I’m not sure what was true even when it was new. Voting Leaf just on principle.
I’d go for the Leaf. My son has an early one too and for his 3mile commute on suburban streets to work, it is perfect. A charge lasts a week, charges over the weekend and has lost only one bar of battery capacity.
No dummy, he also has a nice SUV for all other trips 🙂
Honestly the Chevette is in great shape for its age, and you don’t have the prospect of a multi-thousand-dollar battery replacement in a couple years just to keep it running. Plus it’s an rarely seen curiousity that will always draw attention, if that matters to you. Nobody gives a shit about old Leafs.
The Chevette is gonna win this and it’s gonna be hilarious.
Except its a Chevette. Any sane person would take the leaf. That being said, I voted Cheevette. Im not all there by human standards
I’m big on EVs but the Leaf’s battery would be cooked and end of its useful life in a car.
If I recall from contemporary reviews, the Chevette was generally well built, aside from grainy paint with drips and overspray, some squeaks and rattles, frayed carpet edges, and a lose headliner; and was quite respectable in the 0-25mph sprint, making it peppy around town and therefore was a formidable challenge to the Japanese and Germans
You just reminded me of when Consumer Reports would list all the “sample defects” in the cars they tested. Always an illuminating read.
Gotta be the leaf. Certainly won’t be a road tripper though.
Would ya really want to road trip a chevette?
Yes! Especially a diesel one.
If they’d pay for it, I’d fly back to Portland and drive it home to Michigan.
The next Autopian test car!
Road tripping in a chevette sounds like the premise for a terrible buddy comedy movie.
I’m taking the Chevette because its a plywood floorboard penalty box that makes even MORE noise thanks to being diesel. With its glacial like performance and wiffleball like traction in high winds, its a must have torture device!
It will make you appreciate modern cars, thats for sure
Have you ever driven a Chevette? Granted any 80’s car will make someone appreciate a modern car but the Chevette wasn’t a bad car for it’s time. Better than many contemporaries.
Yeah. Progress good. My 2019 mazda 2 yaris is more luxurious than an 80s Mercedes.
Fix the tailpipe and that little 5-speed ‘Vette would be an awesome little car.
The wheels on that Leaf just suck.
I can get diesel fuel three blocks from my house. There’s one charging station at a Chevrolet dealership 10 miles away, but the nearest commercial charger is 50 miles away.
’82 ‘Vette today.
The wheels on the Leaf are steelies covered with ugly hubcaps. Take ’em off and replace them with Moon discs.
Thanks. I didn’t look closely enough at the photos.
The Chevette gets better mileage than my motorcycle. But the 0-60 time is longer by an order of magnitude.
The diesel Chevette was Motorweek’s slowest car ever (or maybe it was the T1000, I can’t remembet) but I do recall it was over 30 seconds to 60 and they estimated it beyond that because they ran out of track. I’ve always been dismissive of the “Dangerously slow” takes, but I think in that case it’s actually legit.
Anyways, the Leaf but you’ll have to factor in another battery pack. I think 80-90 would be minimum for me, but that 60 is only going to drop.
I believe that was with the 3 speed auto. Car and Driver managed 21 seconds with the 5 speed.
For a contemporary malaise era reference – that is only 1 second slower than a 1982 Camaro with the Iron Duke and a 3 speed auto.
If you want to go fast, do not go in a diesel Chevette. If you want to go far, do not go in a Nissan Leaf.
For 2500 smackaroos, the Leaf seems like a great way to try out the EV thing for a bit. 60 miles is perfect as my work commuting car, and like Mark I love that blue. As I can’t stand the smell of Diesel fumes and knowing GM there is an exhaust leak, the Chevette is a no go for me.
It’s early, but I am a little surprised how close the vote is. The Chevy will probably run forever. I leased a Leaf like that one in the highest trim level. I like the first gen style- why be anonymous? I leased another one when the lease was up to gain marginally more range. It was rear ended hard, so I chose not to buy it at the end of the lease. If you have other cars in the stable, it’s a good daily driver and very little will go wrong with it.
The Chevette ad has been taken down which is likely good for my marriage as it is local. I grew up in Michigan – Chevettes were dime a dozen in the school parking lot and are actually good cars. The diesel is the cherry on top.
I feel this could provide next year’s Autopian tshirt design “yeah, I have a Vette.”
As painful as the Leaf would be, it’s still better than a Chevette with any powerplant. I don’t want to yuck anyone’s yum, but the Chevette is definitely not my yum.