What do you think when you see those long lines at the Costco gas pump?

I have had my PP for five years this month and am still very happy that I bought it. I had planned to replace it with an EV by now; that might take one or two more years before one that I want will be available at a reasonable price. So the Costco gas lines are just another reason for me to smile to myself as I drive by.

 

I say Im glad Im not in that long line waiting for poor fuel quality that ruins fuel filters.

Use gas apps and credit cards with cash back.

I use the GetUpside and GasBuddy apps.

 

Time to trade in my PP, get a new PP with full tank! Well there is another line at the dealership

 

Yes, but where else can you buy 2 jars of peanut butter and a piano at the same time.

 

I think: boy, am I glad I switched to a Leaf in 2019.

 

Costco is good quality gas. Top Tier.and always the cheapest available in my area. The lines at my Costco aren't that bad, usually no more than four cars.

 

The reports of long Costco gas lines seem to all come from California.

 

Our Costco is a bit of a drive (~20 mins), and sad to say we spend more there than we should… but I do buy gas there when I can, if the lines are reasonable (i.e. max of about 6ish cars in line at a pump). That may sound Iike a lot, but with 3 pumps per island and strictly pay at pump, the lines do move quick, so it is often ~10 minutes or less wait for 2x groups of 3 vehicles.

I do laugh when I see people idling in big SUVs at long gas station lineups (non-Costco) to save a few pennies per litre. Sure they take more fuel thus larger savings, but but how much did you burn waiting 30 minutes in line, and is your time not worth anything?

Even better, sometimes I prefer just to beat the game and take the LEAF and get FREE fuel, as there is a free ChargePoint L2 just across the parking lot from my Costco.


As an aside, does anyone know what vehicle is the most expensive vehicle in the world to operate…?
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… The Costco shopping cart! It costs several hundred dollars every time you drive it!

(I’ll see myself out…)

 

Waiting in line for an hour to save $5 after paying an annual membership for the privilege????

I think that people arguing for a higher minimum wage are missing the point.
SOME people aren't even capable of earning the federal minimum wage that we already HAVE.

 

Our area has a lot of discount gas stations attached to supermarkets and big box membership stores. They almost always have a line of some sort. The local Costco just put in a 32 pump (4 two sided pumps x 6 lane) station that is across the street from the store. They move pretty quick. There is even an electric leader board to tell you when an inner pump is available. Those of us with smaller cars can easily get to the inner pumps. Not so much for the bigger trucks.

Even so, the Costco stores near the freeways used for commute are always packed during rush hour. The commuters gas up every day or two on a schedule. I once commuted 200 miles a day and had to fill up my Chevette Monday morning, Tuesday evening, Thursday morning, Friday evening and so on.

So what do I think about the long lines? I don't really notice them.

 

We have several Costco centers about 40-45 minutes away but do general shopping there as well, so don't mind the trip (and need to don't fill up too frequently). We combine the trip with other shopping stops along the way where three stores have free chargers (drive out on battery juice & charge back up coming home... woo hoo, free, free, free trip).

On another note, we've received warnings that some despicable reprobates have been drilling holes into gas tanks to steal the go-juice. Geeze, reminiscent of earlier shortage days when siphoners and hole-pokers stalked the lots.
Soon a cat-shield AND a tank shield will be needed (arrrrrgh)!

 

I just bought a battery for my Tacoma. $100 at Costco, $180 elsewhere.

 

costcos usually have lines during peak hours. not just california. Location also matters even within the same region. I live in the bay area between two costcos. both 15 mins from me, one will have 50% open pumps most of the day while the other one usually has a line 4-8 cars deep. I usually only get gas from Costco if its convenient or I just go during nonbusy hours.

 

it's 50 cents cheaper at costco per gallon when compared to other big brand stations in hawaii.

 

How's your battery holding up

 

My 2019 40 kWh Leaf was at 89% when it was 2 years old and 50k. My 2020 62 kWh was at 94% and 23k when it got in an accident. The 2nd Gen Leafs battery don't degrade as much as before. I DC charged my 2019 over 300x due to free charging and my 2020 sat on the lot for almost a year. The average Leaf owner will have better battery health than me.

 

When the LEAF came out 12 years ago it was little more than a DOT approved golf cart with climate control, but they have improved upon them a LOT.
I still would not buy one, but then again I would not try and use a GMC 2500 4x4 in the city either.
It's the only real-world EV with an under-30K MSRP, and it doesn't look like it was designed by a 12-year-old K-pop junkie.

 

My plan is to trade in (or sell) my 2021 PP Ltd and get a BEV this year. I stopped at our local Nissan dealer and had the number lined up. The price of smaller 40kWh battery S trims they had in stock was ~$30K OTD. I could actually purchase one, and the dealer would pay me for the difference from the trade-in value of the PP. The only reason I did not pull the trigger then was that S trim did not have some features I have to have... heated seats and wheel and hybrid heat system. I'd much rather use the check they were going to cut me and upgrade to LEAF SV. Unfortunately, they did not have an SV trim in stock. Otherwise, I would have been driving a LEAF right now.

Nissan LEAF: Is It Still Relevant In 2022?