Newbie looking for guidance

[Notaguru]

We're planning to acquire (buy, takeover lease) a used Tesla, and are looking for help. It'll probably be a Model 3, but could be a Y. We're retired, and drive under 800 miles/month, so have great opportunities.

Which years should be avoided?
What features are most desirable? Least?
At what age (or number of charges) does the battery become a replacement issue?
Does it make sense to bite the financial bullet and buy a new one?
---If so, is it worth waiting for the 2024 model?
---If so, are the low-option (therefore low-price) models available early in the year?
---If so, does novelty create a potential risk issue?

Thanks!

 

[ewoodrick]

There isn't many differences in the Model Y and Model 3 platforms over the years. Their is a new refresh for the Model 3 coming

The Model 3 and Model Y haven't seen to have many/any battery issues yet.
Tesla doesn't really do yearly models like other manufacturers. Model can dramatically change mid-year.
There aren't many options for the cars. Go through the steps of buying a new one and you can see the options.

Look at the online inventory, look at the inventory cars on the Tesla site, their are some sales on Model 3s. Also end of quarter can bring some deals from Tesla, but we just passed the last one.

 

[E90alex]

If you qualify for the federal tax credit and other state and local incentives, it might be about the same price or not much more expensive to buy a new one.

Especially if you find an inventory car that can sometimes be an additional $1000-2000+ off the price of a new order. There’s also a referral program that gets you an extra $500 off currently (even on inventory cars). We can’t share referral links publicly on here but you can PM me or anyone else for a link.

My brother was just looking for a used Model 3 for about $30-35k and I convinced him to order a new inventory Model 3 RWD instead. After factoring in tax credits and state rebates and referral discount it will be a net price of under $30k for a brand new one.

But if buying used, the biggest change was around 2021. Model 3 got new headlights, heat pump for heating and cooling, lithium low voltage battery, faster infotainment processor. RWD Model 3 also got a new LFP battery sometime early-mid 2021? The LFP battery can be charged to 100% regularly and in theory have better longevity.

 

[RedTesY]

Test drive both Model 3 and Model Y before deciding. My wife and I are also retired and in our 70s. We went from a Model S to a Model Y because: it's higher and easier to get into and out of; with higher ground clearance we can drive on back roads to hike and XC ski; it's AWD has "Off Road Assist" mode which is awesome on snow/ice; it has a hatchback instead of a truck lid, like the 3, so is much more functional hauling stuff with the seats down; it has a tow hitch (3,500 lb towing capacity) and can tow our utility trailer (our "pickup truck"), our sailboat, and a small travel trailer. It's our only vehicle. We'd never go back to a sedan.

Improvements to ride comfort, road noise, etc, are continually being made, so get the most recent model you can afford, and the longest range you can afford. You'll save a ton of money, compared to a similar ICE, and want to take it on road trips! . EV grin!

 

[Notaguru]

Excellent information, and THANKS!
We're cash customers, but have limits. Also, due to sheltering it may not be possible to exploit the tax benefit on a new car.
We do not need FSD, performance, AWD, or other extreme options. In fact, we drive an average under 30 miles per day on city streets, so even a larger battery is unnecessary.
It appears that our best bet may be a used Y, built after Y2020. We have seen such cars with <50k miles for $35k or so, and prices may sag a bit when new models reach the market in September (?). Meanwhile, if someone approaches us with a lease takeover opportunity we'll certainly be interested.

 

[zoomer0056]

Also, due to sheltering it may not be possible to exploit the tax benefit on a new car.

What does that mean?

 

[Notaguru]

We're retirees, and most of our income comes from tax-sheltered investments. Therefore, the EV tax reduction shouldn't be considered in the purchase equation.

 

[ewoodrick]

We're retirees, and most of our income comes from tax-sheltered investments. Therefore, the EV tax reduction shouldn't be considered in the purchase equation.

Do you pay ANY taxes? If so, it can help.

 

[Notaguru]

Out taxable income varies from year to year, but never needs $7500 worth of help.

 

[unk45]

Excellent information, and THANKS!
We're cash customers, but have limits. Also, due to sheltering it may not be possible to exploit the tax benefit on a new car.
We do not need FSD, performance, AWD, or other extreme options. In fact, we drive an average under 30 miles per day on city streets, so even a larger battery is unnecessary.
It appears that our best bet may be a used Y, built after Y2020. We have seen such cars with <50k miles for $35k or so, and prices may sag a bit when new models reach the market in September (?). Meanwhile, if someone approaches us with a lease takeover opportunity we'll certainly be interested.

That sounds prudent. Model year changeovers are not a tesla thing, but despite that there is some notable price difference. Model Y and Model 3 are both pretty much bulletproof with practically zero maintenance other than tires. With your driving habits and location you'll probably have a trouble-free experience. These days there are 2020 Model Y available around $40,0000 to $42,000 from Tesla:

New & Used Electric Cars | Tesla

Find new and used Tesla cars. Every new Tesla has a variety of configuration options and all pre-owned Tesla vehicles have passed the highest inspection standards.

www.tesla.com

If you're inclined there si an easy way to have the tax benefits even if you're not eligible, by leasing instead of buying. That is worth a look too, unless you really want a cash purchase.

For used Tesla cars bought from Tesla there is an additional year of warranty added after the original warranty expires. Here is the document:

https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/downloads/tesla-used-vehicle-limited-warranty-en.pdf

As you probably know having a charger at home will eliminate almost all charging expense given your driving habits. Further, around Sarasota there are many free charging stations. The Plugshare app is the easiest way to find those. Here is the link:

PlugShare - EV Charging Station Map - Find a place to charge

Find EV charging stations with PlugShare, the most complete map of electric vehicle charging stations in the world!Charging tips reviews and photos from the EV community.

www.plugshare.com

As for actual living experience from a budgetary context it is almost unbelievable how cheap it is to operate a Tesla, and most BEV for tats matter, just not quite so cheap. Tesla has zero required maintenance, zero, nada. Many people change brake fluid after a couple fo years, but in practice ads never wear out because thanks to regenerative braking one almost never actually uses brakes.

Given that the calculus between new and used becomes less even since only new comes with new tires, while used ones can have the single greatest typical cost, new tires. /silly humor, usually true though.
With an eight year powertrain warranty with any Model Y having at least 100,000 miles the powertrain issues fade, and the odds of claims on those thus far, according to Warranty Week, are very, very low, substantially less than their accrual.