Tesla Model 3

[Vman455]

I took a ride in my brother's Model 3 this morning, about 45 minutes each way. He has a long-range RWD (which they might not make anymore? I can't keep up with their changes). He uses autopilot only occasionally, when he has to reach something for the kids in the backseat, that sort of thing, but it seemed to work just fine when there were two lane markings (it refused to turn on on a street with only a center line). Fit and finish seems fine. I don't like the glass roof, or the fact that it's a sedan rather than a hatchback. And I'm not sold on the door handles, they're an awkward design.

[RedDevil]

Edmunds claims the Model 3 dethroned the 3 series as the Ultimate Driving Machine!
https://www.edmunds.com/roadnoise/#bmw-tesla-video

[ksa8907]

I'm buying one as soon as they hit the used market, maybe before if I can afford it. I have never been tempted to buy new before.

[Piotrsko]

They are out there used, just not in the more traditional places and definitely not cheaper, all things considered.

[Xist]

There is nothing more expensive than a cheap [Tesla]?

[Piotrsko]

Used prices generally mean a generous discount. There is a used car discount, just that being a "rare exotic" means the discount isn't that large. Obviously, the more desirable options increases the asking price, too. Finally, the ownership pool seems more devoted than a typical car owner.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by Xist

There is nothing more expensive than a cheap [Tesla]?

I'm scared to death on a new Tesla, without a warranty forget it. Even a new one insurance would kill and savings I'd see over a small gas car and I think that is going to get worse before it ever gets better.

[Xist]

I wonder what my families would think if I drove up in a nice car, but my brother's SLP always has new cars, and my trainer had an impressive new Cadillac.

Being 165 miles from a service center concerns me. Sure, Honda parts are also 165 miles away.

Maybe some day I will own a Toyota...

[redpoint5]

Your concerns might be overblown about the Tesla. I used Progressive rate quote to compare a Tesla vs Chevy Bolt, and found the Tesla was slightly cheaper. That said, having to carry comp/collision on an auto loan makes insurance much more expensive than liability only.

Profit is to be found taking on more risk than others are comfortable with, as people don't behave completely rationally when evaluating risk. They tend to be loss adverse, meaning it pains them much more to lose something they had than the positive emotion they feel of gaining something they didn't have. So, vehicles without a warranty sell for much less than those with a warranty even though the probability of coming out behind financially on the out of warranty vehicle is not likely.

In other words, people prefer the sure loss of paying more upfront than the remote possibility of paying more unexpectedly.

[litesong]

Originally Posted by Xist

There is nothing more expensive than a cheap [Tesla]?

Who abused the battery? Also, some outfit got their Tesla in a fender bender with left rear damage..... similar to my parking lot damage, that some hit & runner left me. After months(?), the Tesla tally was over $10,000, last I heard. My mechanic fixed my damage for $250.