Hello everyone. Just sharing my experience reg. buying used Model S. I have been doing my research for a month or so understanding the nitty-gritty stuffs. There is a very wide spectrum in terms of the overall experience already shared online. Unfortunately, I also had bunch of hiccups along the way. I live in California(bay area). Placed an order for 2018 Model S with FSD. Scheduled delivery for next week.
Hiccups along the way:
1. Specs based on which the Tesla site filters show a car didn't match with the specs shared by the assigned rep. after "Buy".
2. No communication from the assigned rep. other than just one text saying "Please give me a call if you don't hear back from delivery before so and so".
3. Tried texts, voice messages, emails - No answer.
4. Surprised to see even the folks who work at Tesla aren't super aware of all the features and terms.
What worked:
1. Scheduled a test drive. and met a rep. and exchanged emails. Kept in contact.
2. I was transparent with him that I am not here to buy a new one and not here to waste anyone's time. Told him that if he could help me confirm the specs at least for the used model S, I can proceed forward. He helped me a lot.
3. Also reached out to the "chat" on the used inventory page two or three times to confirm finance and related stuffs about the spec as well.
Suggestions:
1. Double + triple check specs.
2. Don't pay anything other than the deposit online before seeing the car - the ordering process itself was pretty much NNF online (Next - Next - Finish).
3. Understand the feature set evolution per module (MCU, Autopilot, Sound system, ... ) and correlate with model year - Helps a lot.
4. To ensure peace of mind, schedule a test drive, step in and kickstart a conversation with some rep. over there. Definitely helps.
5. Mindset about the process - Works both ways - We walk away with losing the deposit if it doesn't work out well.
Super stoked for the Model S. Will keep this thread posted reg. if I am actually driving the car out on delivery day. Hope this helps. Apologies if any info seems redundant. Please ping if any info is needed reg. specs or anything else. Thanks![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Hiccups along the way:
1. Specs based on which the Tesla site filters show a car didn't match with the specs shared by the assigned rep. after "Buy".
2. No communication from the assigned rep. other than just one text saying "Please give me a call if you don't hear back from delivery before so and so".
3. Tried texts, voice messages, emails - No answer.
4. Surprised to see even the folks who work at Tesla aren't super aware of all the features and terms.
What worked:
1. Scheduled a test drive. and met a rep. and exchanged emails. Kept in contact.
2. I was transparent with him that I am not here to buy a new one and not here to waste anyone's time. Told him that if he could help me confirm the specs at least for the used model S, I can proceed forward. He helped me a lot.
3. Also reached out to the "chat" on the used inventory page two or three times to confirm finance and related stuffs about the spec as well.
Suggestions:
1. Double + triple check specs.
2. Don't pay anything other than the deposit online before seeing the car - the ordering process itself was pretty much NNF online (Next - Next - Finish).
3. Understand the feature set evolution per module (MCU, Autopilot, Sound system, ... ) and correlate with model year - Helps a lot.
4. To ensure peace of mind, schedule a test drive, step in and kickstart a conversation with some rep. over there. Definitely helps.
5. Mindset about the process - Works both ways - We walk away with losing the deposit if it doesn't work out well.
Super stoked for the Model S. Will keep this thread posted reg. if I am actually driving the car out on delivery day. Hope this helps. Apologies if any info seems redundant. Please ping if any info is needed reg. specs or anything else. Thanks