Hey folks! New to the forum and I'm looking to buy the Model 3 RWD though I am skeptic about waiting until the Model 3 and Model Y upgrades (project Highland). Has anyone seen price changes when Tesla upgrades its models? I am wandering if there are any historical data with price changes out there.
Also I guess when they will put into production the upgraded Model 3 then you will no longer be able to order the old one unless there is a stock (which I assume is rare nowadays). Is my assumption valid?
I had similar considerations to yourself and the OP. I actually ordered a new M3 RWD October last year which was due to be delivered in a few weeks from now. But after ordering, as I familiarised myself with the Tesla scene, and specifically rumours about the M3, I questioned if I should receive the order or cancel/postpone and wait for USS replacement, maybe HW4, maybe this 'Highland' refresh, a price drop, etc.
I wasn't in any rush to buy, so I could be patient, but decided if I'm happy with what the car is now then get it, or I'll always be waiting for the next rumoured upgrade. Also, with Tesla I learned there's always a chance the car gets worse rather than better - maybe the 'Highland' refresh would be nothing more than making it cheaper for Tesla to make, and quite possibly adding a stupid yoke and removing steering column stalks, maybe further downgrades too. Also, I was never that into all the autonomous driving tech - I mainly wanted a good EV to mostly drive myself, so didn't place much importance on rumours of HW4, radar coming back, new cameras, etc.
Then I had an even better idea! Jumped into a 1 year old used car!
Mint condition, only 20,000 km and a LR AWD for the same money the new RWD was gonna cost me. Round steering wheel, with stalks, and USS! Couldn't be happier.
To your specific questions - to my knowledge (which isn't that extensive) Tesla pricing follows the market and/or Elon's whim/strategy rather than upgrades in spec, even major 'facelifts'. So upgrades don't automatically mean the price will go up, but you never know. Also, I would expect most/all details of the 'Highland' facelift to be revealed/leaked before it is impossible to order or get from new inventory the old model. If you're willing to go nearly new then absolutely you can still get the old model if you don't fancy the new changes. Either way you're still likely to have the choice.