Tesla Motors Club
Hi all,
Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I need some advice on car selection. I've had a Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive since 2014, and my (second) lease is up this October. The car is terrific and drives great (motor and battery made by Tesla, after all), but as an EV, it's a total compliance car and it's totally hamstrung. Range is about 85 (in the summer - way worse in the winter). No fast-charging capabilities. And worst of all, it was sold only in the CARB states, so it's utterly orphaned here in North Carolina, and getting service for it has been a nightmare (I had it shipped to me here, which I wouldn't do again in retrospect).
So, when my lease is finally up for good in October, I need another EV. I couldn't possibly go back to a hybrid (drove one for 10 years before my EV), even a PHEV. I've been a rabid Model S fan ever since I first drove one in 2013. The Model 3 is also very compelling and seems a little more fun to drive, though the extra size of the Model S seems a little more kid-friendly (love the hatchback compared to the Model 3's trunk).
My biggest problem is that financially, I can only afford $35,000 or maaayyyybe $40,000 for an EV. Because I will never again get an EV that can't be sold and serviced in NC, that limits my options to the Bolt (decent choice, but feels cheap and the seats are terrible), BMW i3 (back seat not practical for my kids, also range is lacking), LEAF (range a little more reasonable, just not that excited about the car), and of course Tesla (the obvious winner in terms of range, even in the base models). The caveat is that in 5-7 years, when my massive student loans are finally paid off, I will be able to comfortably afford a new Tesla.
Ideally, I would get a used Model S (wish they were still truly CPO). Would only consider getting through Tesla because I think the extended warranty is crucial. There are only a handful of MS in my price range, typically 60s or 2012-2013 85s. I would really love to get dual motor because I live in the mountains, but there is only occasionally a 70D around $40k on ev-cpo, definitely not $35k. Alternatively, I could wait out the standard Model 3, which seems likely to make its debut before I have to get a new car in October. I actually had a M3 early reservation, but I got it refunded in early 2018 when it was clear that I was only going to be able to get a very expensive M3 any time soon.
What's your take? Is getting a mid-mileage, used Model S from the earlier generations where a lot of bugs were still being worked out worth the extra range compared to a standard Model 3? The extra range of a 60 compared to a standard M3 won't be that much, but the extra cargo room and backseat space of an S are really desirable. Any other ideas or recommendations?
Long-time lurker, first-time poster. I need some advice on car selection. I've had a Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive since 2014, and my (second) lease is up this October. The car is terrific and drives great (motor and battery made by Tesla, after all), but as an EV, it's a total compliance car and it's totally hamstrung. Range is about 85 (in the summer - way worse in the winter). No fast-charging capabilities. And worst of all, it was sold only in the CARB states, so it's utterly orphaned here in North Carolina, and getting service for it has been a nightmare (I had it shipped to me here, which I wouldn't do again in retrospect).
So, when my lease is finally up for good in October, I need another EV. I couldn't possibly go back to a hybrid (drove one for 10 years before my EV), even a PHEV. I've been a rabid Model S fan ever since I first drove one in 2013. The Model 3 is also very compelling and seems a little more fun to drive, though the extra size of the Model S seems a little more kid-friendly (love the hatchback compared to the Model 3's trunk).
My biggest problem is that financially, I can only afford $35,000 or maaayyyybe $40,000 for an EV. Because I will never again get an EV that can't be sold and serviced in NC, that limits my options to the Bolt (decent choice, but feels cheap and the seats are terrible), BMW i3 (back seat not practical for my kids, also range is lacking), LEAF (range a little more reasonable, just not that excited about the car), and of course Tesla (the obvious winner in terms of range, even in the base models). The caveat is that in 5-7 years, when my massive student loans are finally paid off, I will be able to comfortably afford a new Tesla.
Ideally, I would get a used Model S (wish they were still truly CPO). Would only consider getting through Tesla because I think the extended warranty is crucial. There are only a handful of MS in my price range, typically 60s or 2012-2013 85s. I would really love to get dual motor because I live in the mountains, but there is only occasionally a 70D around $40k on ev-cpo, definitely not $35k. Alternatively, I could wait out the standard Model 3, which seems likely to make its debut before I have to get a new car in October. I actually had a M3 early reservation, but I got it refunded in early 2018 when it was clear that I was only going to be able to get a very expensive M3 any time soon.
What's your take? Is getting a mid-mileage, used Model S from the earlier generations where a lot of bugs were still being worked out worth the extra range compared to a standard Model 3? The extra range of a 60 compared to a standard M3 won't be that much, but the extra cargo room and backseat space of an S are really desirable. Any other ideas or recommendations?