Buying a used Model S

[kuttakamina]

Buy American, be American, save the planet, and dont fund the Saudis - are all great ideas I am in bed with.
So I am seriously looking to buy a used Model S.

I have only driven ICE cars so far. I have bought used in the past, so really not sure what to look for when buying a used Model S.

- What is the best way to get a check up done on Model S's?
- Do Tesla shops do this, apprx cost?
- Any other advice you have, I've heard rumors that old cars are not getting new firmware updates, and that buying a service plan on a Model S is waste of $. There is a huge thread on maint. plans, but since the plans have changed over time, I am not sure what is the best advice on service plans.

Thanks for your help!

 

[mwulff]

My advice would be to buy a CPO car from Tesla. Easy, safe and good value. Check the CPO site: http://www.teslamotors.com/models/preowned

this could be a good one: http://www.teslamotors.com/models/preowned/p22035

 

[gaswalla]

Gotta Change those wheels on #22035!

 

[MsElectric]

I agree about CPO. Most of the private party vehicles offered for sale are way overpriced. IMHO if you are buying CPO, don't bother with a S60 or a non-performance 85 as the prices I see for those vehicles aren;t much of a deal. For just a bit more you can get a P85 and it will offer a substantially better driving experience and most of the P85s are much better equipped.

Here's a nicely loaded 2013 P85 you can buy for $66K:

http://www.teslamotors.com/models/preowned/p07872

Given that you can buy a P85 for the mid to late 60s, I would not pay more than the early 50s for an S60 and not more than late 50s for a non performance S85. The P85s are however priced reasonably as is. They will likely reduce the prices of the S60 and non performance 85s so they offer more of a value than the 70D you can buy brand new for the late 60s after the rebates.