Let me preface this by saying my post may seem slightly irrational (call me out on it if you want) and I may just be typing for my own cathartic reasons to get these thoughts out there in the universe (my apologies). I also apologize if this is a bad place to jump into a specific thread on the MY RWD for my rambling. Here it goes anyway... We're going to need to buy a vehicle in the next 6 months-1 year. We've wanted a Model Y since launch, but as Elon has noted, it's currently just not affordable for many/most folks (including my fam). However, if the touted MY RWD is actually released and can cost $45k or less, then we can pooooossibly make a huge stretch with financing to order it. Is this a wise financial decision? NO! But we might do it anyway. After a test drive and many Youtube videos later, this seems like a dream car for us, especially if a RWD will offer even more range. Ideally, we would've gone with a cheaper standard range model Y, but it seems that is definitely not going to be released. Sure, there would've been compromise in range but it's all about looking at what we can (barely) afford and a RWD might be right there on the edge. We've looked at the model 3 standard range plus as an alternative, but for our family size (my wife and I have 3 young kids) the sedan-style trunk space and some other things will not quite work for our regular needs. So for us, <$45k is the magic number for a MY RWD.
I know they just mentioned at battery day that in a few years (Elon time?) a $25k vehicle will be available, but we can't wait for a couple reasons. One, we're a one vehicle family and our current van is on its last legs (we've owned it for the past 12 years as a single-vehicle family). Two, based on our finances, I'm pretty sure that whatever vehicle we'll need to buy in the next 6 months-1 year will probably be our vehicle for the next 10-12 years or so.
Here's where it gets weird. I strongly believe that our alternative (based on affordability, trunk space, etc.) will be a Honda CR-V. I know, completely different animal. Maybe even purchase a certified used one with not many miles on it. This is obviously extremely different than a Model Y, but for our family needs either will do. As I mentioned though, if we do buy a Honda then we probably won't be buying another vehicle (such as a Tesla) in the next decade. Hopefully when we'll need a new car again 10 years from now (circa 2030) we'll be in an even better financial situation, Tesla will be booming as a company, and there will even be a lot of used (2025?) Model Ys in the market.
Obviously we'll wait the next few months to see what happens with MY RWD. But I've got a couple backup plan questions (sorry for hijacking the forum with this side-thread). A model S (with the lift-gate) would work for us too, but those things are so much more expensive. If you were me, does it make sense to start looking at Model S used cars (around $37k-$42k) on Tesla's webpage or would you not settle for a Tesla that wasn't your dream vehicle? I guess I'm asking: is any Tesla better than no Tesla? Fingers crossed for the MY RWD (as cheap as it can possibly be).