Process of buying a Tesla?

[pkalhan]

Hello Everyone,

Hope you all are doing well. I had a question on what is the process of buying a Tesla as I have never owned one. How does it all work? I have obviously reserved my model 3, so would the next step be to wait to configure my car? Then set up my garage with a NEMA 14-50, then get my finances in order? Car goes into production and Tesla gets my money, it is delivered, and finally, I am happy?

I believe I read on their website that a specialist would be in contact with me to inform me when would be a good time to get my garage ready and then again to get my finances in order. Do they really keep in touch with you that often...every step of the way? I think that would nice.

Thanks in Advance,

Kal

 

[Buddy]

Assuming the process doesnt change for the Model 3...

You will get an email telling you to configure your car.

You will get a call from a Delivery specialist introducing himself and he will explain the process.

Financing is done within 30 days of delivery typically. Tesla works with a bank you can finace through or you can do whatever financing you prefer.

At some point befoere delivery you should install an outlet if thts how you plan to charge daily. Prices range from $50 to $1500 depending on a multitude of factors.

You will follow your cars production process on the tesla website under "My Tesla".

During the entire process you may not receive an email/ phone call so if i were you i would contact youe DS and hopefully they are the type to respond promptly.

 

[Beryl]

To set your expectations...

Since you don't currently own a Tesla, don't work for Tesla, and appear to live in PA, don't expect to get that configuration email until 2018 (the most optimistic) after many others have announced in this forum that they've received theirs.

 

[Jason Bourne]

To set your expectations...

Since you don't currently own a Tesla, don't work for Tesla, and appear to live in PA, don't expect to get that configuration email until 2018 (the most optimistic) after many others have announced in this forum that they've received theirs.

I'd argue that the timing could depend on when the reservation was made. I am in PA, not an employee nor a current owner, but I waited in line on the morning of March 31. Based on Tesla's repeated announcement that they plan to deliver 100,000 units in 2017, I predict I will get mine in 2017.

 

[pkalhan]

Yeah, I did not reserve mine on the first day, but on April 2nd. I am hoping to get mine delivered in the summer of 2018.

 

[jonnyg]

You can set up your garage with a 14-50 outlet at any time. If you do it before the end of 2016, you can get a tax break for 30% of the cost of doing so. It's never certain if it will be available the following year, given the whims of politicians these days.

 

[pinski]

I'd argue that the timing could depend on when the reservation was made. I am in PA, not an employee nor a current owner, but I waited in line on the morning of March 31. Based on Tesla's repeated announcement that they plan to deliver 100,000 units in 2017, I predict I will get mine in 2017.

I'm in the same boat, but in NC. That said, I expect to invited to configure in late 2017 but not actually receive my car until early 2018. I'm not planning on ordering something highly-optioned, but probably above what Elon noted the average transaction price would be.

 

[ccutrer]

I'd argue that the timing could depend on when the reservation was made. I am in PA, not an employee nor a current owner, but I waited in line on the morning of March 31. Based on Tesla's repeated announcement that they plan to deliver 100,000 units in 2017, I predict I will get mine in 2017.

Heh, and here I am. A current owner, live ~12 hours from the factory (by road), reserved early in the morning on the 31st, near the front of the line, and plan to get a modestly optioned, possibly completely decked out car (depending on pricing), and I think I'm being "cautiously optimistic" to hope for 2017 delivery.

 

[Beryl]

I'd argue that the timing could depend on when the reservation was made. I am in PA, not an employee nor a current owner, but I waited in line on the morning of March 31. Based on Tesla's repeated announcement that they plan to deliver 100,000 units in 2017, I predict I will get mine in 2017.

That might happen and I love your optimism.

Yeah, I did not reserve mine on the first day, but on April 2nd. I am hoping to get mine delivered in the summer of 2018.

Sounds optimistic but realistic. You have plenty of time to sort it out.

 

[WileyTheMan]

I'm thinking the personal touch of someone calling you might not happen with the mass-produced car. It will be in Tesla's best interest to automate everything as much as possible, like ordering something from Amazon. I expect to do basically everything online (configuring, ordering, financing) until I go get the car.

And I guess I'm being really conservative, but I'll count myself lucky if I take delivery by the end of 2017. And that's me having stood in line on March 31 at the Sunnyvale service center.

 

[Darryl]

I'd argue that the timing could depend on when the reservation was made. I am in PA, not an employee nor a current owner, but I waited in line on the morning of March 31. Based on Tesla's repeated announcement that they plan to deliver 100,000 units in 2017, I predict I will get mine in 2017.

I agree that the earlier a non-employee, non-current owner living on the East Coast could expect to get a car is mid-2018. Employees will get first cars followed by current owners then West Coast reservations. The West Coast make up around 50% of all EV cars sold today. So over half the cars will go there. The next group will be central part of the country with the last group being East Coast. This is best case scenario. Right now the Tesla website says deliveries will start in late 2017. It takes Tesla several months to ramp up therefore they will be lucky to produce 50k cars in 2017. All of which will go to current employees/current owners.