What do we think of the Tesla model Y? Buy new or used?

[Racerbvd]

Well, I for one would be very cautious about buying a used EV, based on the battery replacement cost. But, if I was in the market for a EV, I’d like look into a Rivian. A friend who owns one, grew up with gas, oil and grease in his blood (still has his 914 from high school, has built some cool cars and has races PCA club and other races with his father in a 944) but works for Lucid, bought his Rivian so he could fully understand the EVs, and loves the truck and has taught some old dogs (his father, myself and others in our track community)that there is a place for them and more useful than I would have imagined. His management position at Lucid isn’t sales, he works with the dealers and shops that work on them. Well, Rivian has a lease deal currently.

https://rivian.com/support/article/does-rivian-offer-leasing

[sc_rufctr]

If you can afford it buy new but make sure you keep the car for a reasonable amount of time (7+ years?).

[vash]

wife and I have a Model 3. the thing that makes it great is we installed the home charger. it charges while we sleep. starts at midnight and then finishes up by the time wife needs to go to work. her commute is short, so she usually only goes to 60%. the car as been on a Tesla Supercharger once. we have lost 2 miles of range in the 3 years we owned it. tech says it is because the home charger is gentle. (?). 35,000 miles I think and all it has needed was one pair of wiper blades, a set of tires and washer fluid. zero issues.

I have a model 3 at work. work car. lost about 5% of range hitting up the super charger near the In/Out burger joint. not only did I get fat, but the battery didnt appear to love it either. you could say we both lost "Range". 18,000 miles. hard work miles.

only one flat tire, driving it thru a construction site, and only about 2 gallons of washer fluid.

they aren't fine automobiles with tight tolerances and stuff. but it is all okay.

we bought our car before the bossman lost his effen mind. that dude is Lex Luther in the making. my wife wants the VW van next. or the Rivian. we will dump ours cheap.

very polarizing car. I made a new phrase habitual because of that car. it goes like this, "Hey, don't worry about what I'm doing over here". hahah...everyone has a stupid opinion.

[Steve Carlton]

Have you thought about leasing to protect the downside, or other brands?

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

Electric cars: LEASE
I've had 3. I liked them a lot for what they are and do, but I would NEVER OWN one. Too risky, obsolete too fast, repairs are too expensive, not a long term keeper IMO.

^ this

It’s really like buying a cell phone. Battery degrades while new models increase their range. There is a glut of teslas out there and they all will hit the used market in the next few years.

Leases are also very attractive. The tax credit goes to the manufacturer and some of it decreases the lease. Less hassle trying to claim a tax credit as well.

[911boost]

Crazy how Elon was the savior for so many people and now Lex….

Hahaha

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by 911boost

Crazy how Elon was the savior for so many people and now Lex….

He still is a savior to a crapload of people. The only difference now is that the people like me that have never liked the guy are suddenly getting airtime.

As for the thread topic: I snagged a used low-mileage Model 3 a month ago when my BMW X3 died after 200k miles. I went used because of their spotty build quality policies: if you order a new Tesla, there’s a solid chance that any problems will be brushed off by Tesla - they just announce the car is within spec and send you on your way. You can do a walk-around on used car from an 3rd party, find a good one and you’re home free.

It’s… okay. EVs run a spectrum from “smartphone with wheels” to “car that runs on batteries” and Tesla is firmly the former; my next car will likely be an EV, but not a Tesla.

[Racerbvd]

[Steve Carlton]

I believe to get out of a Tesla lease (prior to its expiration), you have to pay off the lease yourself first to get the signed off title. In California (maybe elsewhere) you can sell a leased car within 10 days of receiving the title and not be liable for the tax. I would verify this if it’s important to you. If you buy it, you’ll have a firm grip on its value, good or bad. The newer Model Y will put a dent in the resale value of the older version because it’s substantially improved.

[MrBonus]

I just picked up the updated Model 3 Highland Performance. Note the Y will likely receive its mid-model refresh next year. The updated rear motor is substantially faster and more powerful - it's rated at 510 horsepower but people have seen over 600 to the wheels on dynos. The updated model range is closer to stated rather than overstated like the old models.

This is my second Tesla and I love these cars.

If you can wait a year, it would likely be worth the wait.