New Guy Q

[scottflys]

So trying to decide a few things on buying/leasing a Tesla.
Here are my choices:
1. New Inventory car with almost everything I want on it vs a used Demo with the oder AP and no 21 inch wheels.
Comparing those two cars on a 3 year lease, the Demo comes up $10K cheaper. If I added the 21's Tesla is going to charge me about $4500 on the side to get them so the difference becomes about $6K vs the loaded New car.
So the question is do I get the Demo as is without the self driving AP and 19 inch wheels, or do I get it and upgrade the wheels or do I get the fully loaded New car with the updated AP and self driving??
2. The 36 month lease is about $1300 for the New car, plus about $11K down. It appears that you don't get the federal tax credit in a lease. So my question is would it be better to finance the New car and put $11-15K down and get the tax credit back thus reducing my overall down payment.
Thanks

 

[Ormond]

The lessor (financing co) gets the advantage of the tax credit and they pass the savings on to you.

I leased an Model X with AP 1.0. I was worried that the tech would change fast (it did) or that I'd get a lemon.

If I were buying, I'd want the new car with the new hardware. I tend to only keep a car 2 years. If I have a good Tesl a experience, I'll probably buy my next Tesla. Ordered Teslas, like mine, aren't offered incentives. The lease are expensive.

There are numerous lease vs. own threads here. You'll get a variety of advice.

 

[fallen888]

Keep in mind that the 21s will be less cost effective as well.

 

[number12]

So trying to decide a few things on buying/leasing a Tesla.
Here are my choices:
1. New Inventory car with almost everything I want on it vs a used Demo with the oder AP and no 21 inch wheels.
Comparing those two cars on a 3 year lease, the Demo comes up $10K cheaper. If I added the 21's Tesla is going to charge me about $4500 on the side to get them so the difference becomes about $6K vs the loaded New car.
So the question is do I get the Demo as is without the self driving AP and 19 inch wheels, or do I get it and upgrade the wheels or do I get the fully loaded New car with the updated AP and self driving??
2. The 36 month lease is about $1300 for the New car, plus about $11K down. It appears that you don't get the federal tax credit in a lease. So my question is would it be better to finance the New car and put $11-15K down and get the tax credit back thus reducing my overall down payment.
Thanks

If you are considering AP 1.0. Buy a slightly used one from someone trying to move to ap2.0. Tax credit is baked in.

I'd skip 21s if you need/like range.