Obligatory fuck elon before I write the rest of the comment.
I have had a Tesla for 4 years now and as a car they are quite good (newer models got worse).
Super cheap to run, no oil, no filters other than cabin air, no yearly dealership maintenance to keep the warranty. And you charge it at home, super cheap and convenient. (yeah, same applies for any other electric car).
Repair costs (had a few fender benders) are comparable to my old BMW, maybe a bit lower. A door handle never broke on mine, but I just looked and found one on ebay for 15 EUR in case it breaks in the future. Can’t say it’s unreasonable. There’s simply less mechanical things to go wrong with the car, and over time the 3rd party shops can do almost everything, for a similar price to any other car. And if/when the battery ages (8 years warranty), you can still use it at home.
Fun to drive, too, and quite efficient, more than most electric cars.
Nowadays I would never buy one new, and even used it somewhat does rise the price of other Teslas, but I’m not planning to sell mine, I would lose quite a lot of money to end up with a similar car. I am in the market for a second car and it’s definitely going to be electric, but no chance for a Tesla.
There’s a lot of hyperbole out there about quality and repair costs. I know people want to devalue the brand any way they can, I don’t fault that. But, my first-release Model 3 was a really great car. I’m really going to miss it.
As I was walking away after selling it, I couldn’t help but say “it’s not your fault, buddy. You didn’t deserve this and I will always have a place in my heart for you. You were merely a victim of evil beyond our control. Good night, sweet prince.”
Benefits of specifically Tesla is that they’re dirt cheap comparatively, especially if you actually want a car and not some giant honking SUV or pickup truck. You can get a car with a 360+ mile range (3rd parties tested and got slightly more) for ~$35k after federal rebate. No one can compete with that and it’s not even close.
I can’t argue with that, at least in the US that’s always been a strength of their’s.
I initially held the view that range was irrelevant if it’s a massive battery but even on that score Tesla seemed to be ahead of the game for a long time on the efficiency (miles per kw). Not sure if the market has caught up as I’m not at that end of the food chain so speak.
Tesla seemed to be ahead of the game for a long time on the efficiency
Yes, the Model 3 is pretty much the most efficient vehicle you can buy (next to a Lucid)
I initially held the view that range was irrelevant if it’s a massive battery
The efficiency is actually WHY it’s so inexpensive (less money spent on batteries, which comprise a huge portion of their cost) and WHY it drives me absolutely bonkers that the only EVs anyone wants to make anymore are fucking Tonka trucks.
They’re also ahead of just about everyone in terms of their charging network.
Obligatory fuck elon before I write the rest of the comment.
I have had a Tesla for 4 years now and as a car they are quite good (newer models got worse).
Super cheap to run, no oil, no filters other than cabin air, no yearly dealership maintenance to keep the warranty. And you charge it at home, super cheap and convenient. (yeah, same applies for any other electric car).
Repair costs (had a few fender benders) are comparable to my old BMW, maybe a bit lower. A door handle never broke on mine, but I just looked and found one on ebay for 15 EUR in case it breaks in the future. Can’t say it’s unreasonable. There’s simply less mechanical things to go wrong with the car, and over time the 3rd party shops can do almost everything, for a similar price to any other car. And if/when the battery ages (8 years warranty), you can still use it at home.
Fun to drive, too, and quite efficient, more than most electric cars.
Nowadays I would never buy one new, and even used it somewhat does rise the price of other Teslas, but I’m not planning to sell mine, I would lose quite a lot of money to end up with a similar car. I am in the market for a second car and it’s definitely going to be electric, but no chance for a Tesla.
There’s a lot of hyperbole out there about quality and repair costs. I know people want to devalue the brand any way they can, I don’t fault that. But, my first-release Model 3 was a really great car. I’m really going to miss it.
As I was walking away after selling it, I couldn’t help but say “it’s not your fault, buddy. You didn’t deserve this and I will always have a place in my heart for you. You were merely a victim of evil beyond our control. Good night, sweet prince.”
I can understand why your next one will be electric as pretty much all the benefits you describe are benefits of an EV not a Tesla.
I drive an old beater of a leaf and have the same list
Benefits of specifically Tesla is that they’re dirt cheap comparatively, especially if you actually want a car and not some giant honking SUV or pickup truck. You can get a car with a 360+ mile range (3rd parties tested and got slightly more) for ~$35k after federal rebate. No one can compete with that and it’s not even close.
I can’t argue with that, at least in the US that’s always been a strength of their’s.
I initially held the view that range was irrelevant if it’s a massive battery but even on that score Tesla seemed to be ahead of the game for a long time on the efficiency (miles per kw). Not sure if the market has caught up as I’m not at that end of the food chain so speak.
Yes, the Model 3 is pretty much the most efficient vehicle you can buy (next to a Lucid)
The efficiency is actually WHY it’s so inexpensive (less money spent on batteries, which comprise a huge portion of their cost) and WHY it drives me absolutely bonkers that the only EVs anyone wants to make anymore are fucking Tonka trucks.
They’re also ahead of just about everyone in terms of their charging network.