I've purchased 30+ new automobiles in as many years. In the early days, it used to take hours to days to buy a vehicle - driving around to find a vehicle I wanted, negotiating, and driving back and forth between dealers until I reached their lowest price.
Now that we have internet and email, I spend a few minutes locating the vehicle I want and a few more minutes researching invoice, holdback, and incentives to determine how much I'm willing to pay for that vehicle. I then send an email to every dealer that has the vehicle I'm looking for that says something like, "I'm sending this email to every dealer within a reasonable driving distance from me. I will pay $x for the blue SUV stock number 12345. After work, I will be driving to the first dealer who accepts my offer to pay for the vehicle and pick it up." Some won't respond at all. Some will try to counteroffer. One or two will say, "We'll have the vehicle ready when you get here!" This has been my successful method for more than a decade. No stress and no waiting.
With Tesla, I ordered nearly two months ago and still have no idea if the vehicle will arrive next week or months from now. The estimated delivery date is a wildly random moving target. It often takes hours or days to get a response from a human. I have no idea if there will still be a $7,500, $3,750, or no tax credit when it does arrive and because I'm in Texas, I have to pay for a vehicle I've never seen before it will be available for delivery. Because I can't see the vehicle before I buy it, I have no idea what kind of condition it will be in. Despite the fixed, non-negotiable purchase price, this Tesla purchase has already been the longest, most stressful vehicle purchase I've ever made - and it's not over yet.
Thank you for the information and analyses you provide.
Can you explain what seems to be a discrepancy between your statement the following statement on the
IRS website that appears to state that the new requirements will take effect "the day after" guidance is issued rather than after some 30 to 60-day delay?