Buying CPO Tesla

[Seetwobyte]

Hey guys thanks in advance for your help. I wanted to reach out to the most informed Tesla experts "The Motors Club Community". I am finally going to pull the trigger on a CPO. My drive is 120 miles a day so a 60 kWh model S will be sufficient.

I am looking at a 2014, multi-patern black seats, Piano Black Decor with over 50K miles there's another with 35K miles for $4000 more I am also considering. My current ICE has 278K miles so I am expecting my tesla should be able to get 300K miles.

However your insight on the following is appreciated:

1. Is there a big difference between 2013 and 2014?
2. Do you see value in paying $4,000 for 15K less miles?
3. What about multi-patern black seats vs all leather. (Note: I have no little kids and probably no backseat occupants 85% of the times)
4. I am in New Jersey so I was considering the Winter Package but not a big priority.

Thank you all for taking the time to share your knowledge.

SeeTwoByte.

 

[mblakele]

Is the 2014 vehicle late enough to have AP HW1? That started in late 2014, and AP would make a big difference to me. But probably you'd have said if it did, and the price difference would be larger.

An extra $4k for 15k fewer miles sounds like a good deal to me. I figure full depreciation at 100k, which implies about 60 cents/mile. Others may model it a different way.

I'm a fan of the multi-pattern seats. They're comfortable to me, and mine have held up well for the first 24k miles. From what I've seen they hold up better than leather, and anyway I prefer fabric seats. I realize that's an unusual preference.

Can you see either vehicle before committing? The condition of CPO vehicles seems to vary quite a bit, and that might help you decide.

 

[Seetwobyte]

Thanks mblakele for the feedback. I am waiting on a call from my CPO rep and will definitely try to get some pictures. Hopefully someone does not jump on the opportunity and buy it before I commit. I will take your advise and pay for the fewer miles. The Model S I am looking at does not have any AP HW1 and I am okay with that.
S

 

[tccartier]

Thanks mblakele for the feedback. I am waiting on a call from my CPO rep and will definitely try to get some pictures. Hopefully someone does not jump on the opportunity and buy it before I commit. I will take your advise and pay for the fewer miles. The Model S I am looking at does not have any AP HW1 and I am okay with that.
S

Get all the information you can now BEFORE you plunk down $1K deposit. I've been very pleased with the level of communication from the CPO rep/s until the day I pulled the trigger "which I did not hesitate to do based on previous and ongoing dialog with several CPO reps".

Since then the only communication has been 1. from me to them and 2. the CPO Model S I placed the deposit on has appeared on the "My Tesla" page when I login.

"UPDATE" Strangely enough within about a half hour after I typed the above comments wouldn't ya' know.. I got an email from my CPO rep. stating he would have detailed pictures to me tomorrow of the car (in it's current condition) he was VERY quick to point out that what I would be seeing are the raw images from when the car was traded in at the store where it currently is.

To me that is actually a good thing as the "before images" if of sufficient detail will allow me to perhaps see to what extent and where repairs needed to be made. So I won't bash my CPO rep. too badly lol! However as has been said elsewhere, selling used cars is NOT a Tesla strong point BY FAR!!

 

[KL670]

I'm in the middle of going through my CPO process. Actually I took delivery already and there were problems with the car and they took it back and are working on it now.
Maybe I should wait until I get get car back to further comment but so far I've been pleased with what they've done for me since I "complained" about the condition if the car at delivery.

 

[whitex]

For a 120 mile commute you may want to consider 85 battery to have a little extra buffer, in case you end up stuck in snow somewhere having to drive a detour. Remember that cold reduces your range, both when driving in it and parking in the cold, especially if it's outside and it's windy. Not an issue if you can charge back to full at work btw.

2013 vs. 2014 doesn't tell you much unless you know the actual production date. Late Dec 2013 vs. early January 2014 are probably identical, but Jan 2013 would be different than November 2013.

 

[Seetwobyte]

Get all the information you can now BEFORE you plunk down $1K deposit. I've been very pleased with the level of communication from the CPO rep/s until the day I pulled the trigger "which I did not hesitate to do based on previous and ongoing dialog with several CPO reps".

Since then the only communication has been 1. from me to them and 2. the CPO Model S I placed the deposit on has appeared on the "My Tesla" page when I login.

"UPDATE" Strangely enough within about a half hour after I typed the above comments wouldn't ya' know.. I got an email from my CPO rep. stating he would have detailed pictures to me tomorrow of the car (in it's current condition) he was VERY quick to point out that what I would be seeing are the raw images from when the car was traded in at the store where it currently is.

To me that is actually a good thing as the "before images" if of sufficient detail will allow me to perhaps see to what extent and where repairs needed to be made. So I won't bash my CPO rep. too badly lol! However as has been said elsewhere, selling used cars is NOT a Tesla strong point BY FAR!!

Great to know its working out for you. I still have not received a call back. I called again today to get a CPO assigned to me. Hopefully soon I will get a call.
Thanks
Seetwobyte

 

[Seetwobyte]

I'm in the middle of going through my CPO process. Actually I took delivery already and there were problems with the car and they took it back and are working on it now.
Maybe I should wait until I get get car back to further comment but so far I've been pleased with what they've done for me since I "complained" about the condition if the car at delivery.

KL670
Are you in a loaner while it's (CPO Tesla) in the service center for repairs? What kinda problems were you experiencing?
S

 

[Seetwobyte]

Get all the information you can now BEFORE you plunk down $1K deposit. I've been very pleased with the level of communication from the CPO rep/s until the day I pulled the trigger "which I did not hesitate to do based on previous and ongoing dialog with several CPO reps".

Since then the only communication has been 1. from me to them and 2. the CPO Model S I placed the deposit on has appeared on the "My Tesla" page when I login.

"UPDATE" Strangely enough within about a half hour after I typed the above comments wouldn't ya' know.. I got an email from my CPO rep. stating he would have detailed pictures to me tomorrow of the car (in it's current condition) he was VERY quick to point out that what I would be seeing are the raw images from when the car was traded in at the store where it currently is.

To me that is actually a good thing as the "before images" if of sufficient detail will allow me to perhaps see to what extent and where repairs needed to be made. So I won't bash my CPO rep. too badly lol! However as has been said elsewhere, selling used cars is NOT a Tesla strong point BY FAR!!

What features did you select for your Model S?

 

[tccartier]

Great to know its working out for you. I still have not received a call back. I called again today to get a CPO assigned to me. Hopefully soon I will get a call.
Thanks
Seetwobyte

Well Not exactly... the CPO Sales team went dark again after that communication, then about a week later I got "one" picture of the car via email and now radio silence again. Oh well .. Hopefully things are progressing and I will be able to take delivery in a reasonable amount of time

 

[KL670]

KL670
Are you in a loaner while it's (CPO Tesla) in the service center for repairs? What kinda problems were you experiencing?
S

Yes I got a loaner form Tesla and while my car is still being worked on (it's been 2 weeks now), I have no complaints because they're taking the time to do a good job. My list of problems consisted of more than 15 items ranging some somewhat petty (dirty cabin) to safety related (tire system malfunction). Although I've not received my car, I feel hopeful they're taking care of it this time around.

 

[AcidTest]

Hi @Seetwobyte, I went through the CPO process earlier this year (contacted CPO rep in mid Mar, deposit placed in late Mar and took delivery May 10). The CPO reps have access to a lot of inventory which isn't going to show up on the website so they can really target a specific profile for you and find a car that matches as closely as possible to what you want. I ended up getting a 100% match to what I was looking for, at a price that was actually lower than most comparable models when looking just at the CPO website.

Note that if you're still looking and comparing and haven't put down a deposit yet, I would check out www.teslainventory.com which is a much more comprehensive search tool than Tesla's site. It won't have cars that Tesla has recently re-acquired, like the one I got, but it keeps a price history so you can see some big price drops on some inventory. If nothing else it gives you a bigger comparison of what's available rather than the geographically limited Tesla site. Of course TI also allows you to register and save searches with automated email alerts. I did find that even after a couple of months there were very few vehicles that came up which matched the options and mileage on mine for the price.

2014 biggest difference would be as mentioned, late in the year the introduction of AP but you'll find the prices rise a good bit for those vehicles. You didn't mention a budget but with the year & mileage numbers you mentioned I suspect it's out of your range. (It was mine, too.) For 15k less miles, if everything else is exactly equal I would probably pay that difference but it depends on your wallet.

Seats is of course a personal preference. Fabric breathes a bit more so some find it more comfortable especially for longer drives such as your commute.

If you're at all inclined I would look for the winter package - the extra cost for options on a CPO depreciates much more than the value of the overall car so you can probably find one with it at not much of a price delta.

 

[tccartier]

What features did you select for your Model S?

What I was looking for was 1... 85Kwh battery pack 2.... Dual "or high amperage charger/s" 3.... High fidelity sound package 4... 19" wheels 5.... Pano roof "needed for native XM" 6... Free Supercharging "enabled and included" 7... As few miles on the odometer as I could afford with the options wanted.

 

[iluvmacs]

If you're at all inclined I would look for the winter package - the extra cost for options on a CPO depreciates much more than the value of the overall car so you can probably find one with it at not much of a price delta.

Boy I wish this were true in the lower cost vehicles... I have a CPO on order and the one thing we couldn't get was the Sub-zero Weather package. Any units that had it cost at least $3k more than other comparable units we were considering. No way I'm paying 3x the cost of that package. Once you get much higher in the price range, it seems to not matter, but they basically never offer any sub-$45K S85's with it (right now the cheapest one is $52K!).

 

[Brass Guy]

1) I think it really depends on when the 2013 was built.
2) IMO, mileage is no issue; but the 35k mile still has the original warranty so you can pick nits if you desire.
3) I'm also partial to the multi pattern seats. The car handles great for its size and weight, but you slide around in the leather. This as well as I find leather uncomfortable especially in the summer.
4) The earliest version of the cold weather package did not come with heated steering wheel, which is the biggest reason I would've wanted it. Check on that before you decide. Rear seat heaters would've been used rarely.

 

[tccartier]

My BIGGEST concern about buying a CPO Model S is that they are now "used" cars (let me explain). People like me (of lesser means) who could not buy a $100K car are now seeing these cars show up in the $40-50K range "some less" that I can "arguably" afford, and we are the early adopters of taking these cars into (out of warranty territory). The 2012 I just bought is already 5 years old .. I have financed it for another 5. (the decision to do that could take up a thread all it's own as many would say I can't afford it) "well I probably should not have but I did"!. That said, We will be the first generation of Model S owners to have to begin to actually foot the bill for repairs on these things as our cars age beyond the 8 year warranty that covers the BIGGIES!! which is the traction battery pack and the Motor / Inverter and all sorts of things that can and do fail such as "air struts" used in the smart air suspension that my car has. I got an estimate the other day and though not surprised at the cost to replace all four "approx. $9k" it got me wondering Hmmmm. I've got two years to drive this thing with a safety net after which if I have a major component failure which renders the car un drivable I had better get ready to have them mill off a few thousandths as they run my credit card through the reader lol!!

Speculation abounds but does anyone really know what we might likely have to pay to replace an out of warranty battery pack or motor inverter? I I don't regret the decision to purchase as I'm both a tech geek and a gearhead and wanted a Model S from day one. Now that has been realized along with the sobering thought of being a "TRUE EARLY ADOPTER" ... Those of us who are going to take these cars and press them into service as daily drivers beyond warranty into uncharted territory without the safety net.

Let the adventure begin !!!

 

[HankLloydRight]

Congrats on your classic Red Sig!

I think by the time older cars start to have non-warranty drive unit or battery failures, there will be a burgeoning service industry to salvage smashed cars for these parts and install them for you -- outside of Tesla's Service centers, and at a much reduced cost.

We already know at least five individuals who can this already, but I don't think it's to the point where I can call up "Bubba's EV Repair Shop" and schedule a DU or battery replacement tomorrow. . But it will be soon enough for older cars like yours.

 

[tccartier]

Get all the information you can now BEFORE you plunk down $1K deposit. I've been very pleased with the level of communication from the CPO rep/s until the day I pulled the trigger "which I did not hesitate to do based on previous and ongoing dialog with several CPO reps".

Since then the only communication has been 1. from me to them and 2. the CPO Model S I placed the deposit on has appeared on the "My Tesla" page when I login.

"UPDATE" Strangely enough within about a half hour after I typed the above comments wouldn't ya' know.. I got an email from my CPO rep. stating he would have detailed pictures to me tomorrow of the car (in it's current condition) he was VERY quick to point out that what I would be seeing are the raw images from when the car was traded in at the store where it currently is.

To me that is actually a good thing as the "before images" if of sufficient detail will allow me to perhaps see to what extent and where repairs needed to be made. So I won't bash my CPO rep. too badly lol! However as has been said elsewhere, selling used cars is NOT a Tesla strong point BY FAR!!

Update! Things are more confused now than before and communication is minimal. Was told car was being reconditioned in Buena Park, then Palm Springs, and today was told partial work was completed in Palm Springs but the car is going to be trucked to Tempe az. for completion of the reconditioning. Still no substantive information on the car itself, nor any photos (sans one) besides stock images. My Tesla page offers nothing and only says I'll be contacted "soon" ... must mean in "Tesla Time" lol!!

Tesla had better get better at selling their pre owned cars because the honeymoon is coming to an end. People like me are still "I think" considered early adopters and are buying on the leading edge of the bell curve, and thus are still more tolerant than Joe "mainstream car buyer" or the laggards on the ebb of the bell curve. Thus far my CPO experience has left MUCH to be desired and does not offer the transparency to which I'm accustomed. CPO purchases are still a leap of faith for now, and require a level of patience probably not seen in the market at large.

 

[iluvmacs]

Update! Things are more confused now than before and communication is minimal. Was told car was being reconditioned in Buena Park, then Palm Springs, and today was told partial work was completed in Palm Springs but the car is going to be trucked to Tempe az. for completion of the reconditioning. Still no substantive information on the car itself, nor any photos (sans one) besides stock images. My Tesla page offers nothing and only says I'll be contacted "soon" ... must mean in "Tesla Time" lol!!

Tesla had better get better at selling their pre owned cars because the honeymoon is coming to an end. People like me are still "I think" considered early adopters and are buying on the leading edge of the bell curve, and thus are still more tolerant than Joe "mainstream car buyer" or the laggards on the ebb of the bell curve. Thus far my CPO experience has left MUCH to be desired and does not offer the transparency to which I'm accustomed. CPO purchases are still a leap of faith for now, and require a level of patience probably not seen in the market at large.

Agreed. My experience so far waiting for my CPO has not been nearly that bad, but I really have gotten annoyed with my salesperson's lack of communication. No updates unless I inquire, sometimes I have to ask the same thing 3 times, and then she doesn't always get back to me by promised times. I was originally told 4-5 weeks for delivery, and I am now at 5.5, with still a week estimated. The information requested by my lender (which should not be hard) was requested 3 weeks ago and is still unfulfilled (so I fear that something that diddly will now delay delivery for no good reason). Should know more in a few days.

To be fair, my advisor is clearly overworked and simply can't keep up with the number of customers and requests. Not a good spot to be in, and I feel badly for her, but I also feel like I should still be able to ask questions and get updates in a reasonable amount of time. Tesla is supposed to be known for the best buying experience ever, and so far that has not been my experience.

 

[Seetwobyte]

Wow... so I finally found something that works in my budget and has most of the features that I wanted... you all are correct lower priced cars go really quick. I worked with my CPO who seems to be very busy however I was always prepared to get the most out of her when she called.
I finally selected a s85, black leather, air suspension (I didn't want but for the price oh well) all glass pano roof. 45k miles late 2013. Now I'm going through the process for insurance and working with a delivery specialist. I'm so anxious it's crazy. I feel like a little kid again. I'm also actually thinking about scheduling a test drive while I wait.
My wait should not be more than 4 weeks since the car I bought was the Tesla company marketing vehicle of my CPO rep.

@AcidTest you are correct, all the cars she, my CPO sent me was not on the tesla site or third party sites.