[floridaorange]

Loving these discount prices - heard predominantly great feedback from associates who drive one. Any owners care to offer discussion at current values?

Please save any personal preferences for the master mind behind the co out of this discussion.

[dreamingat30fps]

I've had 3 Model 3s at this point. Bought the first one used as an EV hater bored during covid and fell in love with it. Sold it after I bought a mustang but missed it so much I ordered a new one back when you had to wait like 3 months to get it.

With the great deals at the end of last year I sold that one and this time leased the new Model 3. I think it's the best one yet IMO.

If you can charge at home I think it's one of the best daily drivers. If you can't charge at home forget about it. I charge at home with the regular 120v and given that I work from home and don't drive that much it's perfectly fine for me. I also have an adapter so I can plug it into the dryer outlet if I ever needed a faster charge, but I've only used it once or twice over all these years.

Also if you do go on longer trips the Tesla supercharger network is fantastic. I have taken it from FL to NC and back a couple times and it's very easy. Lots of chargers, never encountered any that were full or broken or anything like that. No need to enter credit cards or do anything. Plug it in and go have a snack, go to the bathroom etc.

[sygazelle]

My son has a Model 3 dual motor and he's had it for 5 years now. I've driven it a lot on trips, mostly to Lake Tahoe from the Bay Area and back. It's an amazing car. He's had zero issues. I love to drive it. I can't believe I'm even saying this, but I'd absolutely consider an EV and move away from ICE with my next purchase based on my experience with my son's Model 3.

[BWBike]

Maybe I wouldn’t mind the electric cars as much if you could go to a charging station and “fill” the battery in five minutes and get 400 miles of range. Like we have been doing for years with the petrol cars.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by BWBike

Maybe I wouldn’t mind the electric cars as much if you could go to a charging station and “fill” the battery in five minutes and get 400 miles of range. Like we have been doing for years with the petrol cars.

If you treat your EV like your smartphone and charge it at home every night, you will leave home in the morning with a full battery and likely never need to use a public charging station.....

[Pheonix]

Check the Insurance rate before you buy! Not sure about your area but Tesla are one of the most expensive to insure in our area.
If you have the ability to charge at home or work, EV is great!

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Loving these discount prices - heard predominantly great feedback from associates who drive one. Any owners care to offer discussion at current values?

I'm on my 2nd Tesla, 6th EV.
Bought TM3-Performance when they came out in 2019. It's a very quick and fun daily driver, but not a substitute for a track car. For everyday commute, Teslas have more tech and convenience than just about any other brand. And greater acceleration than anything this side of $380K Ferrari 296 GTB.
Not perfect tech (FSD is not full, nor entirely self-driving), but pretty good one.
Interior materials quality in Model 3s is pretty close to econobox level. Better in Model S's.
Forward visibility is fantastic, rear is marginal.
Handling is OK, but too soft for my preferences.

Go test drive one, and you will see.

Teslas are depreciating faster than ///M cars, so getting a 1-2 year old used one for 50% MSRP is pretty common these days. For ridiculous rate of depreciation reasons, I would recommend either leasing a new one (great deals to be had now), or buying a barely-used one.

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

If you can charge at home I think it's one of the best daily drivers. If you can't charge at home forget about it. I charge at home with the regular 120v and given that I work from home and don't drive that much it's perfectly fine for me.

I would go further and say that unless you are willing and able to install an L2 (240V, also known as EVSE) charger at home, owning EV is a burden. Not an impossibility, but a PITA.

I've had an L2 charger plugged into my vacant electric dryer outlet (upgraded to gas dryer long ago) for about 15 years now. Zero issues. Any EV will get charged to 100% overnight, though I usually charge them once a week.
L2 chargers used to cost ~$600 back then. Now they are down to ~$250 with more features.

Cost of driving a Model 3 is about 1/5th per mile that of my ///M3.
But definitely fewer smiles per mile.

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

Also if you do go on longer trips the Tesla supercharger network is fantastic.

Tesla SuperChargers have the highest probability of being in working order when you pull up. But other networks (EVgo, ChargePoint, etc.) are accessible with an included adapter. Beware that charging on the road will cost as much or more per mile as burning gas in an ICE car.
Tesla SuperChargers are particularly notorious for jacking up charging rates during rush hours by a factor of 100%, then dropping them back down off-hours.

Public Charing is a for-profit business with (yet evolving) limited competition at the present time.

Originally Posted by Pheonix

Check the Insurance rate before you buy! Not sure about your area but Tesla are one of the most expensive to insure in our area.

True 'dat.
My TM3P was as expensive to insure as my (at that time) 4-year old ///M3. Since then, ///M3 rates held steady, but Model 3's kept going up.


HTH,
a

[BWBike]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

If you treat your EV like your smartphone and charge it at home every night, you will leave home in the morning with a full battery and likely never need to use a public charging station.....

Yeah, I get that. I’m used to my car where I don’t think of refilling the energy source for days or weeks. And since my electrical panel is completely full, I cannot install a 220 VAC circuit unless I get a new panel and service. Money I don’t want to spend just to get an electric vehicle. Don’t even get me started on the extra work required to plan a 600 mile trip.

I have no issue with people who want and buy electric cars, but I don’t want one.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by BWBike

Yeah, I get that. I’m used to my car where I don’t think of refilling the energy source for days or weeks. And since my electrical panel is completely full, I cannot install a 220 VAC circuit unless I get a new panel and service. Money I don’t want to spend just to get an electric vehicle. Don’t even get me started on the extra work required to plan a 600 mile trip.

I have no issue with people who want and buy electric cars, but I don’t want one.

So why are you here? In a thread asking about Tesla ownership experiences... you know... since you don't own a Tesla or an EV and don't want one.

[BWBike]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

So why are you here? In a thread asking about Tesla ownership experiences... you know... since you don't own a Tesla or an EV and don't want one.

I apologize; shouldn’t have posted.

[ash_schwin]

We had a Model 3 LR that we got in October 2020 and ended up selling it less than a year later since we needed an SUV with the birth of my daughter and doing lot of long haul trips at the time. We had a 4Runner the past 3+ years and a month ago ended up getting a Model Y Performance. As much as I wish I could hate on EV's for being basic appliances, they are just so damn convenient and easy to drive. The performance is pretty insane for the price as well. We also setup 240V power in our garage. Pretty cool feeling to have a manual M3 and Model Y Performance in the garage now as it gives two different driving experiences.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by BWBike

Don’t even get me started on the extra work required to plan a 600 mile trip.

How often do you take that 600 mile trip? Once a year to visit family for the holidays? If so, the savings from driving an EV all year will more than cover the expense of renting a gas-powered car or SUV for a holiday weekend and putting those miles on someone else's car.

On the electric panel front, I owned a BMW i3 as my daily driver for five years. It had a published range of 81 miles per charge. I charged it at home every night with the factory's included "emergency" 120V Level 1 cord on our 100A electric service.....

[spazzyfry123]

Coincidental timing as I've been considering a Model 3 here lately. The lease rates are pretty attractive all things considered. $0 down (aside from a $695 lease acquisition fee that seems to be identical for all brands) and an all-in cost (insurance, charging, lease cost) that's about $170 more a month than my current fuel-only bill for commuting. So no "savings" with a paid for vehicle, but I drive an old truck with zero tech (okay, it has power windows) and next to zero comfort. Nothing really wrong with the truck, but I can tell the suspension is getting tired and I'll be needing tires in the not too distant future. I'm starting to think that $170 may be worth a little more enjoyment in the place I spend upwards of three hours a day in. Truck will just get converted to farm use (additional insurance savings there).

The only thing I've been able to find cheaper (by about $40/mo) is the Chevy Equinox EV - lease rate is the same, but insurance is a little cheaper than the Tesla. I've looked at buying an older F31 diesel wagon - that's $300+ more a month all-in than my current situation assuming I financed it instead of cash purchase. Hell, even a crappy Nissan Leaf is more than the Tesla as the lease rates are far from favorable and surprisingly the insurance is effectively a wash compared to the Tesla. Ford Mustang Mach E, Chevy Blazer EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, Tesla Model Y... even the mighty Toyota Prius.

I genuinely cannot find a better commuter to put 15k miles on a year in. I've never been one to lease, but I think the argument is here. Rent a heavily depreciating asset at a favorable rate that nearly makes it "free", and hand it back in before any maintenance is due? Wash, rinse, repeat. Sure, I could go get an old Corolla and drive it for half a million miles, but it would be nice to have something with a little feel of quality to it (not knocking Toyota, I've had several - the Corolla achieves the purpose it was made for).

There's the intangible if we want to get out of the spreadsheets. This thing was a hoot to drive. I took my M3 to go look at this M3 - really made me realize just how little torque is in this S65 V8 Granted, I drove it for 10-15 minutes, but the road noise was marginal. Comfort was good enough. Tech goes well beyond what I would ever need and most of it will likely be lost on me. I do wish there was not just more that could be controlled outside of the touch screen, but if ANYTHING could be controlled with a button. It started to rain on the test drive and I had to pull over to figure out how to turn on a windshield wipers as there isn't a stalk like every vehicle ever. All told, there is a tremendous amount of features/tech for what you pay.

I haven't purchased one, but I did get a peek behind the curtains on what that process and the support looks like - color me unimpressed. I had to interrupt the four Tesla employees on their conversation of who's the baddest rapper alive and only after I could get them to look up from their phones - to which I was met with an upward head jerk and "sup?" as if I were at the gas station trying to buy a bag of Cheetos. I watched patrons come in to pick up their new Tesla that resulted in the employee remaining seated to point in a general direction and tell them to scan a QR code. Like an iPhone, the car doesn't come with a way to charge itself. It seems crazy that you have to buy the cable separately to plug this thing in?? I'll probably just go with a mobile charger off FaceBook Marketplace and try that for a while with nightly charges to see if this is something more permanent to warrant tapping into one of my panels.

I'm not totally locked in on my decision, but I feel I may go for it.

[Watching The World Burn]

So we don't have a Tesla, but we have a Genesis EV. Range anxiety is a thing with that particular EV (like 200 miles range), but it is my understanding that Tesla's have way better range. Still though, you'll find yourself eyeing the range counter far more than you do in an ICE vehicle, even if the range is the same. I can't explain it, but shouldn't dissuade you from buying an EV.

The performance is excellent and makes it fun to drive, given the battery pack is low, giving it a low center of gravity due to weight of the pack so it handles relatively well for a 5000+ pound vehicle.

Really enjoy charging at home, second the thoughts on the need for a Level 2 charger though at home to make it feasible.

While somewhat against the OP's request to ignore the CEO, it does bear mentioning that given all the love and appreciation people seem to be eager to show towards Tesla vehicles as of late, it might make your ownership...interesting. It may be nothing at all, or you may get someone wanting to make a statement...who knows. But assuming he steps back from DOGE, presumably this risk lessens with time.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

I haven't purchased one, but I did get a peek behind the curtains on what that process and the support looks like - color me unimpressed. I had to interrupt the four Tesla employees on their conversation of who's the baddest rapper alive and only after I could get them to look up from their phones - to which I was met with an upward head jerk and "sup?" as if I were at the gas station trying to buy a bag of Cheetos. I watched patrons come in to pick up their new Tesla that resulted in the employee remaining seated to point in a general direction and tell them to scan a QR code. Like an iPhone, the car doesn't come with a way to charge itself. It seems crazy that you have to buy the cable separately to plug this thing in?? I'll probably just go with a mobile charger off FaceBook Marketplace and try that for a while with nightly charges to see if this is something more permanent to warrant tapping into one of my panels.

This is true. Most of the service/sales people are basically kids. The one by my house has a couple decent people, but still not great and is usually understaffed during busy times like the weekend.

Service is also not great if you have to go into the service center. I have only gone maybe once or twice usually to fix any minor issues I find during delivery. I do like the mobile service though. I have had that a couple times including when I blew my tire on a pothole and they replaced it right there on my driveway.

That being said I personally prefer the no contact sales process. I just buy it online and do everything online then pick it up on the day. No haggling, no dealing with sales people who don't know anything anyways.

But yeah if you prefer the more traditional buying process that's definitely a downside of Tesla and service isn't great either if you have to go to the service center. Fortunately I haven't had many issues and there's really no maintenance so I can live with it.

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

It seems crazy that you have to buy the cable separately to plug this thing in?? I'll probably just go with a mobile charger off FaceBook Marketplace and try that for a while with nightly charges to see if this is something more permanent to warrant tapping into one of my panels.

Honestly the mobile charger is probably all most people need. The head on that is swappable so you can plug it into various outlets including a 220v dryer outlet. This gives me around 25mi/hr charge. I also have a head to plug it into the 50amp RV style outlet we have in NC and that does like 35mi/hr charge. So you don't really need one of those fancy wall mounted chargers.

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

This is true. Most of the service/sales people are basically kids. The one by my house has a couple decent people, but still not great and is usually understaffed during busy times like the weekend.

Service is also not great if you have to go into the service center. I have only gone maybe once or twice usually to fix any minor issues I find during delivery. I do like the mobile service though. I have had that a couple times including when I blew my tire on a pothole and they replaced it right there on my driveway.

That being said I personally prefer the no contact sales process. I just buy it online and do everything online then pick it up on the day. No haggling, no dealing with sales people who don't know anything anyways.

But yeah if you prefer the more traditional buying process that's definitely a downside of Tesla and service isn't great either if you have to go to the service center. Fortunately I haven't had many issues and there's really no maintenance so I can live with it.



Honestly the mobile charger is probably all most people need. The head on that is swappable so you can plug it into various outlets including a 220v dryer outlet. This gives me around 25mi/hr charge. I also have a head to plug it into the 50amp RV style outlet we have in NC and that does like 35mi/hr charge. So you don't really need one of those fancy wall mounted chargers.

May have just been a one-off for the area, so I can't necessarily knock Tesla at large for the relatively lack-luster experience provided by some kids. I suppose it's just a different buying experience at the end of the day; it was just off-putting.

That said, I DO like that I don't have to play a game as a part of the buying experience. I've purchased dozens of vehicles and it's always a gimmick when it's done at a dealership. The amount of smoke and mirrors and knowing the secret handshake to ultimately just not get effed over is absurd. You have product, I want product, here's the appropriate money to bring the product home. The transparency in pricing with Tesla is an added bonus when you stack it up for $:value against its competition.

Good detail on the ability to utilize the standard plug in a variety of ways. The range of the Model 3 is triple of what I need in a day, so having it plugged in with lower amperage overnight won't necessarily fully replenish what I used for the day, but starting the week off with a full charge will net me plenty of surplus as long as I plug it in each night. The way it was explained to me, plugging it in to a standard 110V household outlet will net me about 6 miles/hour.

[XutvJet]

I have two friends with Telsas. One is a college professor (39 y/o) and the other a surgeon (52 y/o). Both love tech. One has a 2021 dual motor Model 3 and the other a 2023 dual motor Y. They both have home chargers and have enjoyed the cars from a driving perspective. From a build quality standpoint, neither have been overly impressed, especially the surgeon which has come from BMW and Audi. For the price point, it comes no where close to that of even a basic BMW or Audi product. Neither has been happy with the service at either of the Kansas City dealers. The techs simply aren't good and issues are rarely addressed and if they are, it takes 2+ visits to fix. Most of the issues are electronic and to a minor extent, build quality. Both cars have spent a good amount of time in the shop.

Both would like to sell because of their distaste for Musk and the constant shit they get from the public driving the car. The college professor has had his car vandalized twice (keyed badly) and neither incident occurred at the college he teaches at. He's added the "I got this before Musk went crazy" sticker and it seems to have helped. They are both shocked at the dismal resale and the fact that hardly any dealer wants the cars. The college professor can't wait to dump his Model 3 for the Rivian R3 once it arrives.

On a side note, I'm currently looking out my office window at a sea of hundreds of unsold 3s, Ys, and Cybertrucks. Tesla has been leasing 1/4 of our office complex parking for the last 4 months. The Cybertrucks look like they've been sitting at the bottom of a lake. They're all tarnished from sitting so long and not beeng washed.

I wouldn't touch a Tesla with a 10 foot pole until Musk is outed. That will probably happen by summer's end.

[Alfisti]

Putting use-factor aside re, electric vs gas, the big issue for me is if you can handle the tech. I tried driving one and lost my god-damn mind, it feels VERY much like an apple device where it forces you to do everything the way it wants wants you to do it. There's no flex, their way or the highway and the tech is exceedingly intrusive in every aspect of it's operation. Everything is done by screen, even the door handle is a button from the inside. I am a very analog type person, i just cannot mesh with this lack of feedback and screen obsession everyone else seems so fond of.

You need to know you can live with these things before you take the dive because I tried for a half hour and seriously was going to drive into a lake it was so bad.

[UncleWede]

My oldest son's T3 caught fire and is a total loss. He won't be getting a new one.

No, it didn't start the fire, the Kia in the parking lot at Disney spontaneously combusted and then spread to his.

[e4603]

Over 75k miles on my 2018 Model 3. Lowest cost of operation and maintenance of all the cars I’ve ever owned. The previous records were a pair of Honda/Acura in the 90’s. Worst was 2003 BMW 330xi which need 2 transfer case replacements. The fact that EVs don’t need oil filer housing gaskets, valve cover, oil pan gaskets, timing belt/chain make them darn good long term daily drivers in my book.
My wife commutes in a Model 3 Performance lately. In the past she cycled through a BMW 535, 330 (gone), 128, Acura NSX, Porsche 911 turbo, but she doesn’t drive them much anymore. Last time I drove the Porsche, she asked if the car is still relevant compared to Tesla. My ICE collection are still fun experiences for weekend coffee runs, but now I even consider using the Tesla instead of the 128 for my daughter’s first track day.
Can’t believe people are still arguing about charging EVs. I saved a lot of time not going to gas stations every week. And range anxiety to me is paying $7 a gallon and watching the gauge drop when taking a Tacoma for ski trips.

[Humdizzle]

looking at some used model 3 performance cars in the low 30s. the gas savings are pretty negligible with 87 octane being $2.80 gallon here with a 38mpg civic. I drive 18k miles a year all highway. i'd only save like 500 ish a year on gas, and some of that offset by the tesla's insurance.

but im sure the m3p would be more fun to drive and more refined.

[e4603]

Yeah, not a good idea to switch to EV solely based on a projected savings of $500, especially when there are talks of a $250 annual federal registration fee.
Makes more sense if you can claim a EV tax credit, have solar panels at home or free/subsidized charging at work, use of high occupancy (carpool) lanes, etc