Considering reserving a model 3. Timing

[Webeevdrivers]

Hi folks. Angela and I are about 4 years from retiring at 60. We both currently drive EV’s. Smart ED and a Nissan Leaf. In our current lifestyle they suit all our needs. However things will change a lot when we retire. We will be looking for a 400 -500 km range solution. I am sure there will be lots of offerings by then with that criteria but it might take a while to get a Tesla so..... We wouldn’t mind buying the car 6 months to a year before we retire. If we were to put in a reservation now or maybe January when we can take a test drive, what is the concensus on when we would get a model 3. Just in case it makes a difference we live in British Columbia Canada. We will be taking a Test drive in Palm Springs though.

I know it’s long term planning but am hoping to benefit from those more in the know here on this very helpful forum.

Thank you in advance from both of us.

John and Angela.

 

[dragonxt]

Optimistically Early 2019. More likely Mid-End 2019

 

[Webeevdrivers]

Optimistically Early 2019. More likely Mid-End 2019

Ok. So that’s sooner than I thought. I think we should wait till later in 2018 for a 2020 delivery.

 

[dragonxt]

Ok. So that’s sooner than I thought. I think we should wait till later in 2018 for a 2020 delivery.

I would reserve asap, you can always delay production to a later date. Never know if your situation might change, or Tesla has some sudden delay where the car will be majorly delayed

 

[igotzzoom]

I reserved night of reveal, and realistically, I'm thinking probably May 2018. A lot will depend on how quickly the production ramps up.

 

[Webeevdrivers]

I would reserve asap, you can always delay production to a later date. Never know if your situation might change, or Tesla has some sudden delay where the car will be majorly delayed

I did not know that you can delay production. Are there limits?

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

I did not know that you can delay production. Are there limits?

I recall the option to defer once but, by not more than about 6 months.

I think you'd be fine with making the reservation in early-2020.

 

[McHoffa]

I recall the option to defer once but, by not more than about 6 months.

I think you'd be fine with making the reservation in early-2020.

If I understand correctly, you can only defer once (after order placed) but if you just never place your order, your reservation money just sits there until you click purchase. So if I get my config email next month and just don't place my order, I am basically just letting people flow ahead of me until I jump in and send them my configuration and $2500.

 

[Webeevdrivers]

I recall the option to defer once but, by not more than about 6 months.

I think you'd be fine with making the reservation in early-2020.

So roughly two years.

We visited the showroom in Palm Springs yesterday.
What’s starting to swing us towards the Tesla from the new Leaf is the supercharger network. We want to be able to tow something like an Aliner trailer (1700 pounds dry) and we are not convinced the non Tesla charging infrastructure will be sufficient in 4 years.

Time will tell.

 

[igotzzoom]

So roughly two years.

We visited the showroom in Palm Springs yesterday.
What’s starting to swing us towards the Tesla from the new Leaf is the supercharger network. We want to be able to tow something like an Aliner trailer (1700 pounds dry) and we are not convinced the non Tesla charging infrastructure will be sufficient in 4 years.

Time will tell.

I would say if you're planning on towing, I might hold out for the Model Y (smaller SUV). Although early on, a hitch and/or towing capability was announced for the 3, early indications are that it will not have any built-in hitch, and no ratings have been announced. My guess is the Model Y will probably be rated between 2,000-3,500 lbs.

 

[WileyTheMan]

If I understand correctly, you can only defer once (after order placed) but if you just never place your order, your reservation money just sits there until you click purchase. So if I get my config email next month and just don't place my order, I am basically just letting people flow ahead of me until I jump in and send them my configuration and $2500.

This is my understanding as well. And you don't lose your priority. Otherwise they are not allowing those who wanted dual driver or the performance editions to keep their reservations.

 

[FlyingKiwi]

Do nothing now and re-assess in two years. There will be a lot more options then, and far more information on what a model 3 actually is capable of then.

 

[Webeevdrivers]

Do nothing now and re-assess in two years. There will be a lot more options then, and far more information on what a model 3 actually is capable of then.

I think that will be the plan. In the new year of 2020 we will make our reservation so our options are open the following year.

Thanks all.

 

[NCAviator]

Question: Can you reserve a model 3 and if/when the model y is announced convert to that? Does that get you any earlier in the schedule for model y?

 

[ElecFan]

I think that will be the plan. In the new year of 2020 we will make our reservation so our options are open the following year.

Thanks all.

I'm in a similar situation waiting until 2020 to buy an EV. Right now model 3 is my outstanding favorite and I don't see that changing easily. However, things might be completely different in two to three years. The CCS charging network might be expanded which benefits other EV's, there might be many more <€50k models with 400-500 km range available, in fact the whole EV landscape might have changed.

So, in this fast developing world it is better to wait and see what happens. A CPO might also be a good choice at that moment. So I'm forcing myself not to reserve a model 3 now and instead join this forum and learn a lot about Tesla's crown jewels for times to come.

 

[dragonxt]

Question: Can you reserve a model 3 and if/when the model y is announced convert to that? Does that get you any earlier in the schedule for model y?

The Model Y is nowhere near. There are no details and nobody knows what the car is going to be like.

The $1,000 is refundable so it doesn't matter if you can convert. And there probably will not be any sort of priority for model Y if you are a model 3 owner.

 

[daniel]

Hi folks. Angela and I are about 4 years from retiring at 60. We both currently drive EV’s. Smart ED and a Nissan Leaf. In our current lifestyle they suit all our needs. However things will change a lot when we retire. We will be looking for a 400 -500 km range solution. I am sure there will be lots of offerings by then with that criteria but it might take a while to get a Tesla so..... We wouldn’t mind buying the car 6 months to a year before we retire. If we were to put in a reservation now or maybe January when we can take a test drive, what is the concensus on when we would get a model 3. Just in case it makes a difference we live in British Columbia Canada. We will be taking a Test drive in Palm Springs though.

I know it’s long term planning but am hoping to benefit from those more in the know here on this very helpful forum.

Thank you in advance from both of us.

John and Angela.

You are 4 years out from wanting the car. In two years the long waiting list will have been served and your wait time to get a Model 3 will probably be between two weeks and two months. In three and a half years, when it's really time for you to start planning, there may be other cars to consider, including from Tesla. And by then there will be reliability data to help you decide. Personally, I expect the Model 3 to have good reliability, but I am a total Tesla fanboy. Objectively, in three years you will have actual data.

My advice: Forget about it for now, and when you are six months or a year from purchase, do your research on all the EVs available and their specs and reliability history. If the Model 3 still best fits your needs, you will be able to get it on your schedule. The long waiting list only exists because this will be a landmark vehicle, announced years ago, with very high demand, and still being produced very slowly as Tesla works out the kinks in the supply chain. In a couple of years buying a Model 3 will be like buying any other car. You might even be able to walk into a Tesla store and drive away in your new car.

 

[Webeevdrivers]

You are 4 years out from wanting the car. In two years the long waiting list will have been served and your wait time to get a Model 3 will probably be between two weeks and two months. In three and a half years, when it's really time for you to start planning, there may be other cars to consider, including from Tesla. And by then there will be reliability data to help you decide. Personally, I expect the Model 3 to have good reliability, but I am a total Tesla fanboy. Objectively, in three years you will have actual data.

My advice: Forget about it for now, and when you are six months or a year from purchase, do your research on all the EVs available and their specs and reliability history. If the Model 3 still best fits your needs, you will be able to get it on your schedule. The long waiting list only exists because this will be a landmark vehicle, announced years ago, with very high demand, and still being produced very slowly as Tesla works out the kinks in the supply chain. In a couple of years buying a Model 3 will be like buying any other car. You might even be able to walk into a Tesla store and drive away in your new car.

I never thought of that sceenario. Yah I suppose they could catch up .

 

[Barklikeadog]

So you live in Canada and want to tow something?
Get an F150

 

[Webeevdrivers]

So you live in Canada and want to tow something?
Get an F150

Interesting response. I guess my response would be..why? And pulling a 1700 pound load with any truck...again...why. I can’t imagine why anyone would buy something like an f150 to pull a 1700 pound trailer to a campground for the weekend. Isn’t that like super overkill? And what does living in Canada have to do with it. Really curious here.