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Buying A Used Tesla Not Recommended

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Despite reading all the stories, I went ahead and ordered online. The actual card that was delivered had a number of issues. At that point, I was torn between sending it back and moving my deposit and just keeping it. My delivery advisor assured me that the issues will be fixed. Some of them have been fixed and still going back and forth about other fixes.

Overall, I would not recommend used car based on my experience. I love the car but hated the buying experience.
 
I somewhat agree. The used buying experience absolutely sucks. My MS came with some issues and most have been addressed or are waiting for parts to be addressed. Overall Im very happy with the car, but agree 100% that buying used is not enjoyable, at all.
 
Ive said it before and I'll say it again... how anyone could drop $50,000 or any significant amount on a used car and not spend a day to go look at it before they buy - then complain they were duped in some way is just beyond my comprehension.

The only "saving grace" is the ability to transfer deposit onto another car if the car you ordered does not live up to your expectations. Also, I really don't think it would to hard to get the $2500 deposit back if you dont want to deal with trying to get another used tesla.
 
Despite reading all the stories, I went ahead and ordered online. The actual card that was delivered had a number of issues. At that point, I was torn between sending it back and moving my deposit and just keeping it. My delivery advisor assured me that the issues will be fixed. Some of them have been fixed and still going back and forth about other fixes.

Overall, I would not recommend used car based on my experience. I love the car but hated the buying experience.

Let us know how this is going and where you land on this.

What was the specific model you ordered?

What issues did the car have?
 
I kind of disagree. We were previous Tesla owners 10/13 build P85 that had some issues so we sold that car back to Tesla and we stepped back for a bit. In May we bought a 12/14 build and everything went well. I was 100% up front with the order specialist that I wanted an update every other day and had it in writing from them. Every other day I had an email showing me the current location of my vehicle until it landed at the service center locally.

The part that Tesla can do better with the used cars is to have one of their service specialists to take the pictures of the vehicle prior to it being sent to the Mannheim lot. As it stands now THEY both take the pics once they have them and they store/protect the vehicle from the general public.

Our car was delivered as advertised and we didn’t have any issues...I don’t know if it was my order specialist in used cars that was on top of things or...but...I would 100% do it again.

I also despite their verbiage in the document stating you have three days from order think you could easily get that back or transferred. I was told that if you purchase from another state you have three days from the time you set eyes for the first time either in your state or if you go to the car.

Whether it be CPO or used whatever you want to call it. It’s still a used vehicle. Most cosmetic issues can be corrected for less than $1000 but with used program they factor that into the price.

This is just my two cents.
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: darxsys
I attribute this to the fact that the oldest Teslas (excluding roadster of course) are only 7 years old. Tesla hasn’t matured into used-car selling. That’s not to let them off the hook for under-performing, though.

But you never know. Whomever buys my car from Tesla after my lease is up will be very lucky; it will be immaculate and under its mileage allotment, and unless they refresh the body style, could be mistaken for new by the untrained eye.
 
Despite reading all the stories, I went ahead and ordered online. The actual card that was delivered had a number of issues. At that point, I was torn between sending it back and moving my deposit and just keeping it. My delivery advisor assured me that the issues will be fixed. Some of them have been fixed and still going back and forth about other fixes.

Overall, I would not recommend used car based on my experience. I love the car but hated the buying experience.

Thank you for all of the details. It was very informative.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jamesus
I may have been lucky but I had limited to no issues. I got a 2016 in December, deposit December 11, pickup December 30. No issues, no problems with communication, pictures detailed everything I needed and when I had questions I got more pictures to answer.

There were times where I waited a day or two for a response, but no big issues.