Hi all - as you can see, first post here. Excited to learn from you all and get more active on the forum.
Here's the dilemma: Should I buy my '17 90D out? Or buy a new, non-S Tesla?
I have to assume I am joining other fellow 2017 MCU 1 / AP 2.0 lessees (lease-to-own) in trying to make a decision right about now.
Some facts!
*Note about charging: I hate that I need to rely on the Supercharging infrastructure, but in New York City the only real other option is to pay to use a garage that has a valet. I really don’t like using valets ever (regardless of what kind of car I own), but I’ve also had mixed charging experiences with attendants unplugging after a few hours, being charged extra to use electricity on top of astronomical garage prices, etc. I am fortunate to rent a one-car garage in my neighborhood, where I operate my own car 24/7 with nobody else in the space .. but charging not really an option. I often use the 72 kW Superchargers on a Thursday night/Friday afternoon by me before I leave for the weekend, get to my destination and charge there for the return.
Here's the dilemma: Should I buy my '17 90D out? Or buy a new, non-S Tesla?
I have to assume I am joining other fellow 2017 MCU 1 / AP 2.0 lessees (lease-to-own) in trying to make a decision right about now.
Some facts!
- I will have a Tesla. No going back now. The question is whether it is my beloved 90D or a new Y or 3.
- Car is not a daily driver, really used for weekend getaways
- AWD w all-season tires a must
- I owe about $60k on my S, if I buy it out
- Lease is up late July
- I am not considering a new S, but only for financial reasons. If I buy a new car it will be a Y or 3
- Hopefully this won’t cause most of you to turn away: I charge quite a bit on Superchargers (I am respectful and don’t hog, but the reality of charging in New York City makes charging difficult)*
- how my S looks, including its size, design, and paint quality
- 19” Slipstream wheels (not a huge fan of any of the Y/3 non-Performance wheels)
- my real leather
- to open my moonroof
- the higher-quality materials, even compared to what I read about new Model S/Xs today
- my unlimited supercharging
- my unlimited in-car internet
- my Thule Aeroblade cross bars (used for ski and bike attachments when needed), unclear if I can port those over
- my Enhanced Autopilot: I think for what it is, it’s a good value (it has all the features I care about like Navigate on Autopilot, lane changing, parking, and even the gimmicky Advanced Summon
- my air suspension
- my dual on-board chargers, maybe I’ll use them someday *
- heated everything, particularly the steering wheel
- MCU 1 doesn’t bother me that much
- AP 2.0 isn’t really limited (yet) in its core duties as an automatic pilot, so that also doesn’t bother me that much (I was thankful to get lane correction, even if it was months after others!)
- better range
- faster! (I would get a Performance model)
- new car + new warranty seems smarter, financially
- new battery: my tendency towards Supercharging has, I believe, hurt my battery (100% charge at new was 294 miles, now it’s 275-280 @ 21,000 miles, unless this is consistent degradation with what you all see?)
- Supercharging speed
- though I love my leather, my S is showing signs of stress on the front seats. For how infrequently I use the car, this is frustrating
- quieter cabin
- better build quality (minus paint job, of course), including doors that don’t sound like I just slammed shut a ’98 Honda Civic when I close my door
- better rear headroom, fold down center arm rest
- MCU 2 would be nice
- AP 3 is safer (making an assumption, based on the redundancy factors baked in)
- Latest MCU/AP means more future proof for future software updates
- sportier suspension could be fun vs. my pre-Raven air suspension
- Assuming price will be roughly equal (upgraded Y or 3 with taxes, delivery, etc.) vs. buy out my S, it’s hard to argue paying so much money for a three-year-old car is worth it. Plus, I’d probably have to go for the Extended Warranty, given I’ve had two repeaters, a door handle, and my charging port replaced in just under three years
- Given software/hardware improvements, $60k provides more value with a new Tesla than an old one
- If I buy out now, I could trade in later when a new S is more attainable for me, or any Tesla model
*Note about charging: I hate that I need to rely on the Supercharging infrastructure, but in New York City the only real other option is to pay to use a garage that has a valet. I really don’t like using valets ever (regardless of what kind of car I own), but I’ve also had mixed charging experiences with attendants unplugging after a few hours, being charged extra to use electricity on top of astronomical garage prices, etc. I am fortunate to rent a one-car garage in my neighborhood, where I operate my own car 24/7 with nobody else in the space .. but charging not really an option. I often use the 72 kW Superchargers on a Thursday night/Friday afternoon by me before I leave for the weekend, get to my destination and charge there for the return.