Ah, yes, I have one of those too, and this is the other reason I caved on getting the Tesla.
She wanted me to get a higher battery level, but I had to put my foot down somewhere!
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She wanted me to get a higher battery level, but I had to put my foot down somewhere!
I rarely use AP. It's still too squirrelly. Tesla is a great car with or without it though.No Autopilot? What's the point then?
SW2Fiddler
We Are Cognitive Dissidents
I totally get this. Then I actually looked at my investments and realized I had some in OIL companies, and bonds for Fracking properties... Selling those got me out of what turned out to be loser investments, got me enough cash to fund an S85, and gave me a really good feeling about where my assets were now working.
I'm still on a honeymoon with this car, and it's been two years this May.
CapeOne
Active Member
Yes, and leasing is especially popular with many 'luxury' cars and with EVs. I'd be curious to know what percentage of new Teslas are leased.
CapeOne
Active Member
JCLeonard
Member
I think many of us suffer the same disease. My Model 3 reservation induced more excitement for EV and the Tesla brand. I have also gone through a couple cycles of Model S near purchases.
What we settled on:
Step 1: Buy a new-old-stock 2015 Leaf. It is now our primary family car for around town and after a month we love it.
Step 2: Design and install a home solar system. (in process)
Step 3: Follow the Model 3 developments. (we have 2 reservations)
Step 4: When "released" decide if Model 3 will fit our family travel needs (Minneapolis to Chicago road trips, camping, etc.)
Step 5: Commit to a Model 3 or Model S (likely CPO/used) and don't look back.
My wife and I both realize there is a good chance we dump the Leaf after the 3 comes out and we end up with a Model 3 and a Model S for our long term EV setup.
Either way, these are good "problems" to have. Philosophically speaking I like to think that supporting Tesla is the best way to be an EVangelist and help push the tech to more broad spread adoption.
Good luck with your turmoils and decision. I am sure you will do the right thing for you. Analysis paralysis can sometimes be a good thing.
What we settled on:
Step 1: Buy a new-old-stock 2015 Leaf. It is now our primary family car for around town and after a month we love it.
Step 2: Design and install a home solar system. (in process)
Step 3: Follow the Model 3 developments. (we have 2 reservations)
Step 4: When "released" decide if Model 3 will fit our family travel needs (Minneapolis to Chicago road trips, camping, etc.)
Step 5: Commit to a Model 3 or Model S (likely CPO/used) and don't look back.
My wife and I both realize there is a good chance we dump the Leaf after the 3 comes out and we end up with a Model 3 and a Model S for our long term EV setup.
Either way, these are good "problems" to have. Philosophically speaking I like to think that supporting Tesla is the best way to be an EVangelist and help push the tech to more broad spread adoption.
Good luck with your turmoils and decision. I am sure you will do the right thing for you. Analysis paralysis can sometimes be a good thing.
...I actually ordered an 85D and she talking me into a P85D. She's the same one who actually bought me a Ferrari 308GT4 in the UK years ago. I had had emergency surgery following medical evacuation from Yemen. While I was in a coma the surgeon was twirling the Ferrari keyring while advising my spouse I might die within a few hours. I did not, but I did ask the surgeon if the keyring connected to a real Ferrari whereupon he said it was for sale. A few days later as I left the hospital the car was there for me to drive home.
OT I know. But enablers are great when they sensibly make certain they are spending money we can afford. Mine does, but she's pretty frugal in many respects.
Maybe the OP should pay attention to his wife.
mikeash
Active Member
Asking this crowd whether you should buy a Model S is like asking a bunch of wolves whether eating meat is OK.
If you're smart, you've already decided to buy it, and are just looking for validation here. Because that's what you'll get!
And I might as well add my voice to the crowd: if you can afford it, do it!
If you're smart, you've already decided to buy it, and are just looking for validation here. Because that's what you'll get!
And I might as well add my voice to the crowd: if you can afford it, do it!
mspohr
Well-Known Member
If you can save $1105 a month, you can make the payments.
You will drive the car a lot more than you think. We've put 2-3 times the miles on our S than on any previous car.
I never thought I would spend this much money on a car. It just didn't mean much to me to have a fancy expensive car. However, the S is so much more and so much better than any ICE car that it has been completely worth the money. Absolutely no regrets.
ahahaha... so true. Like asking the village idiots to help you not be an idiot. We have all spent way too much on a car and we all love it!
Mike
STbreaker
Member
Looks like you've got plenty of support already, but I'll throw in my $0.02...
Like you, I make enough money that I can make the payments, without stretching but I certainly don't have the means to buy it cash. Some would argue that you shouldn't carry any debt, but I think you have to live a pretty charmed life to be able to buy houses and $80K cars cash all the time.
It's true that it probably "not a smart investment" to buy a car that costs this much. But clearly you want one, and if people only bought practical cars we would all be driving a Kia Rio or something. You only live once and you're not promised tomorrow. It sounds like you can afford the payments, so I say throw that 20% down/cash only crap out the window. If you have good credit, you can make a very modest (or close to no) down payment and finance the rest painlessly (1.49% with Alliant for instance). You gonna wait 5 years for a net savings of $5000? It's so inexpensive to finance that it makes more sense to apply extra funds to other higher interest debt (e.g. mortgage payment, student loans, etc). Or keep your investments gaining 4% in a mutual fund if you've got it like that I suppose
Also, my wife was the one that pushed me to actually buy the car after talking about it for so long.
Like you, I make enough money that I can make the payments, without stretching but I certainly don't have the means to buy it cash. Some would argue that you shouldn't carry any debt, but I think you have to live a pretty charmed life to be able to buy houses and $80K cars cash all the time.
It's true that it probably "not a smart investment" to buy a car that costs this much. But clearly you want one, and if people only bought practical cars we would all be driving a Kia Rio or something. You only live once and you're not promised tomorrow. It sounds like you can afford the payments, so I say throw that 20% down/cash only crap out the window. If you have good credit, you can make a very modest (or close to no) down payment and finance the rest painlessly (1.49% with Alliant for instance). You gonna wait 5 years for a net savings of $5000? It's so inexpensive to finance that it makes more sense to apply extra funds to other higher interest debt (e.g. mortgage payment, student loans, etc). Or keep your investments gaining 4% in a mutual fund if you've got it like that I suppose
Also, my wife was the one that pushed me to actually buy the car after talking about it for so long.
Phew, I was on pins and needles there!
But in all seriousness, glad to hear you're fine.
That's funny, mine is pretty frugal in many aspects too...
It's not an investment at all.
You need to view the car is a depreciating asset, not an investment.
STbreaker
Member
I meant that buying anything of value may be thought of as an "investment" of your hard earned money. Thus, "wisdom" says that shouldn't make a significant "investment" on a depreciating asset. So I would like to further revise my car of necessity to a used Kia Rio!
I was going to post this in response to your earlier post about buying a condo in miami to house the Model S you aren't driving much b/c you live mostly in Brazil.. but i thought i'd keep my mouth shut..
then came yr second post on the matter which I quoted here...
you and your wife sound SO SO SO SO SO much like my parents...
they have all the money in the world. and their lifestyle often reflects this, but in so many ways they are frugal to the core, particularly my mom. it's like a game they play...
then came yr second post on the matter which I quoted here...
you and your wife sound SO SO SO SO SO much like my parents...
they have all the money in the world. and their lifestyle often reflects this, but in so many ways they are frugal to the core, particularly my mom. it's like a game they play...
WannabeOwner
Well-Known Member
In UK worth thinking about current government incentives ... if, as seems reasonably likely, they tail off before M3 arrives then that's £5,000 towards the Model S pot now ... plus save £100 a month per 10,000 miles p.a. that you drive (my figures comparing Economy-7 to Petrol and an average MPG ICE) between now and M3 arriving ...
... or just fall back on "Couldn't afford not to have it"
theslimshadyist
Active Member
If you only make $150K/year, I wouldn't even think twice about purchasing a $100K car with a $1000-$1400 monthly payment but that's just me.
If you only make $150K/year, I wouldn't even think twice about purchasing a $100K car with a $1000-$1400 monthly payment but that's just me.
