Excellent observations and feedback lapolak!
I'm on the fence for exactly the same reasons as you. If I could splurge $60k, I would have configured mine already.
I can't get over the fact that for example, I can pick up a brand new 2018 Accord for about $40K CAD and it has the majority of safety features for driver assistance and safety and does not feel like a budget/econobox anymore and also supports Android Auto and Apple Car play (yes, its not a luxury BMW, Audi, Benz or Lexus, however Honda have vastly improved the materials and general feel of the car to the point that it feels so much more high end - almost luxury, than all the previous generations). The icing on the cake is that its fuel economy is pretty insane for such a big car - its definitely bigger than the M3 (I've sat in both).
At the same time, I really wanted to get the M3, but I may be forced to wait for the low range model to justify the CAD$45K + price.
The instant torque, all-glass roof, almost no maintenance is kinda hard to ignore, but as someone else pointed out, you can pick up a 2015 S-Class or CLS550 for the same coin and those cars are light years ahead in terms of luxury, fit and finish.
Now if you’re comparing a used Merc or Bimmer, then compare it to a used Model S, which is about $45k. Just some background for perspective here, I used to own a top of the line Lexus LS460 (which I loved), around $90k plus.
Before deciding on the Tesla, I test drove the preowned CLS, I’m here to say I’m so glad I pulled the trigger on a Model S instead. It blows away any other car I’ve driven including the Merc and LS460. Just recently, I drove the C-Class for 7 days, it was the most depressing 7 days of my life since getting the Model S. The darn Merc was sluggish, all the knobs and buttons didn’t make any sense, the camera was tiny, the starter stopped and started every time I stopped at a light. I had to pump gas again ($70 for the week), I honestly felt like I was in the dark ages and couldn’t wait to be back in my Model S. Tesla really changed my driving habits and my views of what luxury should be. I used to think luxury was about fine leather, now I think it’s about the tech, the thing that makes your commute more bearable.
The things Tesla thinks about to make your life more effcient that you’ve never even considered to be a big deal suddenly becomes features you cannot live without. For instance:
1. never having to click a remote to open doors, never having to push a start button (starter for my LS cost $1200 to replace), Tesla = no starter switch.
2. never having to push “off” when leaving the car. I find myself just jumping out of ICE cars walking away and then remembering that the key is still inside, most annoying thing ever.
3. pumping gas. Pumping gas early morning. Pumping gas late nights. Pumping gas when I’m tired. Pumping gas when I’m late. Gas lines...
4. Oil change on my Ls460 was $600 a year (luxury comes with a price tag unfortunately). Tesla = no oil change.
5. Radiator busted in my (lots of things go bust in ICE cars), cost me $750. Tesla=no radiator.
6. No worrying about expensive German parts when things break down (that’s why I got the Lexus, but it was still expensive for parts.
7. I go through one set of brake pads per year. Tesla has regenitive braking.
8. German luxury cars: you have to worry about the transmission going bad after 100k miles, Tesla=no transmission, minimum $5K savings.
9. I never hesitate when there’s oncoming traffic, the Tesla just takes off. Same with yellow lights (hesitation is dangerous). The C class reminded me how much I missed my Tesla.
10. Regent braking is a life saver.
11. The 17 inch screen. OMG! Own it and you’ll never want to try anything else.
12. Back up camera is superb, nothing on the market compares.
13. Safety, I don’t worry as much.
14. Music: no more commercials.
I have a dozen more example, but trust me on this, you won’t come close to understand how much the Tesla has changed my life. Only way to understand it is to own one yourself. By far the best purchase ever.
If I can sum it up I would write it like this. Once you have the iphone, there’s no going back to the flip phone, no matter how luxury the flip phone is, it’s just not cutting it anymore. Tesla’s the new iPhone, everything else are flips.
