Potentially 1st Tesla

[samuelffrancis]

Hi, everyone! Kind of new to this, so I appreciate the patience. To cut to the chase, I'm a 25 yr old mechanical engineering student that LOVES these cars. My dad got one of the first 100 Model S's in Vegas (where I grew up) and on top of my already oozing love for good engineering I was in love. I was hooked.

Now I'm finally in a place to potentially pick up my first one. There is a used one about 30 minutes from me. 2016 70D with 142,000 miles on the odometer. It still gets around 241 miles on a full charge. Clean title (see CarFax below), autopilot, premium connectivity, etc. It has a couple of dents (something that 1. I think could be popped or fixed easily and 2. At this point, I don't care that much haha) but other than that, it looks pretty good/nice (see pictures below).

My wife and I live in an apartment complex, but there is a destination charger and 4 charge points across the street. However, we will most likely move halfway across the country a year from now and even live in an apartment for another year after that or so. POINT IS: I'm very nervous that even after getting into my first one (barely), I'd be hit with a motor or battery failure or HUGE repair that I simply can't afford. It doesn't have the lowest mileage, and even though I know that there is extremely confident data/studies of high mileage Model S builds, I still get really scared that mine might be...... "the one".

I would really appreciate any wisdom or insight from anyone who has a 2016 with similar or even more miles. Or even have had experience with some heavy or more expensive repairs. Please lemme know if you think it's worth it or if I'm being young, dumb, and setting myself up for failure in just a few years haha.

Cheers, everyone. Thank you for taking the time to read/help!

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/ar20/Z1yDOH-QYNtcSAq-X_3oO1kRoCRGel43RQdyVo9NeO7zIF09NcohQ8PaZrkdcmwvx0q1jyVyq5zIA-43a-WpHloNlmWnUdON6j4

 

[jebinc]

I wouldn’t by anything from a used car dealer. Best of luck with your decision.

 

[samuelffrancis]

I wouldn’t by anything from a used car dealer. Best of luck with your decision.

Why is that? Can’t be trusted? They’re hiding something? (I agree for the most part. I’ve only bought cars from private sellers but I guess I’m willing to make the exception in this case)

 

[Unclepaul]

Set your priorities on your family and housing first. Getting an expensive car, that has the potential to become even more expensive, just because you "want it" is perhaps not the best idea.

Better off getting a used 3 or Y, with fewer miles and newer technology if you want an EV.

Rolling the dice at your stage of development may set you back if things don't work out perfectly.

Work hard, get ahead, save some $, then consider high end vehicles.

 

[brkaus]

That's insane for a car company, that is the only one I have ever seen that recommends cracking open a sealed and pressurized A/C system every 3 years to change the desiccant, to pretend like coolant doesn't lose its corrosion properties over time while in contact with metals and going through heat cycles.

It doesn’t have anywhere near the heat cycles of an ICE. And perhaps not as many metal types without the engine block.

Why is that? Can’t be trusted? They’re hiding something? (I agree for the most part. I’ve only bought cars from private sellers but I guess I’m willing to make the exception in this case)

I was sold a lemon leaf from a used Nissan dealer. Managed to get lucky and found from another dealer that the battery had a longer warranty. So ended up with lemonade.

 

[K.I.T.T.23]

I think the best advice you have here is "hold off" your at a point in your life where a purchase like this may add liability that will be problematic.

That said, I think an older S with free charging may work well for your situation and offset some of the costs. If nothing goes wrong, it will be a great buy!

That said, having driven an older Model S with free supercharging it is slow... I may be spoiled with a 2022 S, but I typically stop, hit the restroom, buy a soda/snack, and by the time I am back out my car has 100-150 miles charged. with the pre-refresh model S it had about 15-25 miles charged

 

[samuelffrancis]

I think the best advice you have here is "hold off" your at a point in your life where a purchase like this may add liability that will be problematic.

That said, I think an older S with free charging may work well for your situation and offset some of the costs. If nothing goes wrong, it will be a great buy!

That said, having driven an older Model S with free supercharging it is slow... I may be spoiled with a 2022 S, but I typically stop, hit the restroom, buy a soda/snack, and by the time I am back out my car has 100-150 miles charged. with the pre-refresh model S it had about 15-25 miles charged

I really appreciate that. If it does have free supercharging that'd be rad, but if I gotta make the drive from Utah to Texas next year, that could be extremely painful with that level of charging :/ haha. I really appreciate your insight. Thank you!

 

[samuelffrancis]

Thank you all for your wise suggestions and kind comments. I will be taking a look at the car tomorrow and really "grilling" the salesman about history, previous repairs, the front missing parking sensors, free supercharging in writing, etc. Even with all that said, if I could still upgrade for only $4K that still won't solidify my decision.
As many of you have voiced your very valid and realistic concerns, it's not looking likely unless my wife and I have a drastic change of heart, or there are some details revealed or a price that's agreed upon that changes the scene. Most likely won't happen till we get into a house. Really trying to convince myself to run this Ford Fusion into the ground (as deep down, I know that's the right path) but, I'm young, dumb, and impatient haha. Thanks again. Is there anything else I should know/ask when I go to see it?

 

[samuelffrancis]

I really appreciate that. If it does have free supercharging that'd be rad, but if I gotta make the drive from Utah to Texas next year, that could be extremely painful with that level of charging :/ haha. I really appreciate your insight. Thank you!

Not to mention public charging wouldn't be super fun from what I've seen before and read on here.....

 

[Big Toys]

Look at it this way: would you borrow 15K and go to a casino to play blackjack? Because over time, even though this is the best game in the house, the house always wins. The House Battery will fail. You got 15K cash to pay for the entertainment of losing??

Don't be fooled by the "tech". My 2015 MS is my first fancy car bought used in 2019, and I'm way older than you. Delayed gratification is worth it.

 

[jebinc]

Why is that? Can’t be trusted? They’re hiding something? (I agree for the most part. I’ve only bought cars from private sellers but I guess I’m willing to make the exception in this case)

All of the above and know someone sold them that car for a lot less than they are offering it to you. Better to go private party on something like this, IMHO.

 

[jebinc]

Thank you all for your wise suggestions and kind comments. I will be taking a look at the car tomorrow and really "grilling" the salesman about history, previous repairs, the front missing parking sensors, free supercharging in writing, etc. Even with all that said, if I could still upgrade for only $4K that still won't solidify my decision.
As many of you have voiced your very valid and realistic concerns, it's not looking likely unless my wife and I have a drastic change of heart, or there are some details revealed or a price that's agreed upon that changes the scene. Most likely won't happen till we get into a house. Really trying to convince myself to run this Ford Fusion into the ground (as deep down, I know that's the right path) but, I'm young, dumb, and impatient haha. Thanks again. Is there anything else I should know/ask when I go to see it?

“Run Forest, run….”

 

[samuelffrancis]

All of the above and know someone sold them that car for a lot less than they are offering it to you. Better to go private party on something like this, IMHO.

I only go Private party. However, I can't find any with these kind of specs under 19K on private marketplaces. Even nationwide. So the fact that this one was in my backyard is definitely hard to ignore.

 

[jebinc]

I only go Private party. However, I can't find any with these kind of specs under 19K on private marketplaces. Even nationwide. So the fact that this one was in my backyard is definitely hard to ignore.

And there is a reason for that, one which the dealer likely would share. As the saying goes, “if it’s too good to be true, I probably is…”. I second what others have said, hold off on big EV purchases at this point. And down the road, there will be many more options and alternatives.

 

[jebinc]

P.S. This might have a branded title; salvage, rebuild, etc. don’t touch that, if it does.

 

[samuelffrancis]

P.S. This might have a branded title; salvage, rebuild, etc. don’t touch that, if it does.

Unless they're blatantly lying (which wouldn't necessarily shock me) it's a clean title. I've studied the CarFax pretty meticulously even though I'm aware that's not the whole story. I still really hear you. The fact they randomly dropped the price 10K is definitely suspicious enough to suspect foul play. I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

 

[samuelffrancis]

Unless they're blatantly lying (which wouldn't necessarily shock me) it's a clean title. I've studied the CarFax pretty meticulously even though I'm aware that's not the whole story. I still really hear you. The fact they randomly dropped the price 10K is definitely suspicious enough to suspect foul play. I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

On my original post, I posted the pics and carfax if you wanna take a look at those yourself by the way. Thanks!

 

[ewoodrick]

Thank you so much to everyone that’s responded. I’ll try to get back to each one of you directly but just know how grateful I ame for everyone’s honest opinions and advice. It means a lot to my wife and I.

That said, I should probably confess that I irrationally left out pricing details because I was afraid someone in my area might see this and “snake” the opportunity from me on such a good deal before I had the time to finalize my decision. I know realize and hope that’s not the case.

It’s listed for a bit over $19K. Texting back and forth with the associate and discussing the dents I offered $17K. They said that might be doable and I should come in and talk in person and drive it. (Typical sleazy salesmen lol). My 2014 Ford Fusion Energi could optimistically be sold for $12K. At the end of the day, I’d be paying $5K out of pocket. However this is best case scenario. Please lemme know your thoughts on if this pricing is any good or if this changes anything.

Cheers, y’all. Thank you so much again for the wisdom and help.

Simply put, you get what you pay for. $19k seem mighty low. compare it against the Blue Book price.

 

[KalJoMoS]

Thanks again. Is there anything else I should know/ask when I go to see it?

Take a look at the battery sticker, right behind the RH front wheel. You need to turn the steering full left, there is the part number and the actual battery size printed on. This can be used to get to know battery manufacture date, etc.

 

[gaswalla]

This is actually way more interesting than a responsible, young adult wondering if he should buy his 'dream' car... The price of 17.5-19K is close to the salvage value with the battery functional.. I think the used car dealer would get almost the same if they just put up at Copart on auction. There is some information that is unknown by OP

 

[jebinc]

Unless they're blatantly lying (which wouldn't necessarily shock me) it's a clean title. I've studied the CarFax pretty meticulously even though I'm aware that's not the whole story. I still really hear you. The fact they randomly dropped the price 10K is definitely suspicious enough to suspect foul play. I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

Could have been a wreck that they had their body shop repair and not report, or it was reported but will take months to show up on a CarFax report…. Run Forest, run!