-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
This simply isn't true, and is often overstated. I've owned several ICE vehicles in this price range, that I drove to 150K miles with only brakes, tires, and oil changes as necessary maintenance. I performed my own maintenance which kept my costs low. Tesla isn't a big fan of people working on their own vehicles, hence the lack of parts, information, and tools. Don't forget to include taxes, insurance, and registration fees as part of TCO, as well as installation of your home charging infrastructure.
Haxster
Member
And also consider depreciation. Will the M3 be more like the relatively low depreciation rate for an MS or MX or more like the high rate of a Leaf?
In several years, the "first generation" 2018 M3s may look a lot less appealing to buyers than then-current similar models from Tesla and others. And, with ~400K reservations and high volume production planned, there may be a ton of used M3s on the market.
On the other hand, in 50 years, if they can be kept running, M3s may have quite the collector value.
In several years, the "first generation" 2018 M3s may look a lot less appealing to buyers than then-current similar models from Tesla and others. And, with ~400K reservations and high volume production planned, there may be a ton of used M3s on the market.
On the other hand, in 50 years, if they can be kept running, M3s may have quite the collector value.
Last edited:
I suspect these cars have too much tech to ever become classics. It's hard enough to get a 5 year old phone or laptop to function let alone a 50 year old car that runs on 50 year old computer programs. These things are more likely to be gigantic paperweights than classic cars. The level of expertise required to repair every little fancy tesla gizmo that breaks is going to make that inevitable. I doubt telsa will be interested in servicing them after 8-10 years either, just like apple with their hardware. They want you to throw it away and buy a new one. There is no financial incentive to make high tech gadgets last a long time.
If you take a lot of road trips and only have 1 car, the corolla is better. The supercharger network is already struggling and the 3's aren't even on the road yet.
The TCO on a 3 is going to vary tremendously depending on how Tesla handles service, and what you are willing to do yourself on it or an ICE. If Tesla uses the same cost structure for service on the 3 as on the S (which would make sense since every thing they service on the S is on the 3) then its likely the TCO will be comparable to a reliable fuel efficient ICE since the high service cost will offset the low fuel cost.
The supercharger network is far from "struggling" there are a few locations (in CA) that are overcrowded due to locals using them. Pretty much the entire rest of the network is very very underutilized.
The supercharger network is far from "struggling" there are a few locations (in CA) that are overcrowded due to locals using them. Pretty much the entire rest of the network is very very underutilized.
TexLaw
Member
I'm curious how anyone can have any confidence in any estimates on the TCO of a vehicle that has not even entered production. It's speculation that is based on speculation that is based on assumptions that are based on a few years' data related to other cars.
roblab
Active Member
I don't understand your viewpoint. Maybe on a TCO, but as was stated earlier, "I do my own maintenance" ... and I am not worth paying myself minimum wage. I have spent many many hours under the car or under the hood. Do you price dumping your oil?
I go on road trips. I have owned Crayolas and Prii. The Tesla is better. FAR better. Power, traction, steering in emergencies or around wet mountain roads (where I live), and room and looks. Some things are not measureable with TCO,
As to Tesla maintenance, my second gen car has been to the service center once, free, for a 15 minute fix of a squeak in the pano, in 40,000 miles. I had 82,000 miles on my first gen Tesla, with only a few teething problems at no cost. Tires aside, zero maintenance.
Supercharging network is expanding. I have only once waited at a SC, for less than 5 min, in 4+ years. Usually there are no cars whatever in the SC, over the western half of the US.
They might have been referring to this issue, where increasing numbers of Superchargers are breaking down / behind on maintenance.
UltralightBeam
Member
I must have missed this but have there been talks of owning a Tesla actually having a significant dent in insurance costs per year as compared to comparable vehicles? As opposed to insurance cos saying,"oh you drive a tesla... premium car = premium insurance rates!"
FlatSix911
Porsche 918 Hybrid
Take a look at this article as a guide ... Tesla Model S True Ownership Cost, Including Depreciation - Video
SageBrush
REJECT Fascism
Out of warranty repair costs and Insurance are the big unknowns. I'm cautiously optimistic that high volume production and more diverse service strategies will let the Model 3 compete favorably with ICEVs
alseTrick
Active Member
If Tesla's are cheaper it's due to fuel costs. It's not due to manufacturing reliability and repair costs/service plans.
Yes, you're right. It's the main feature for all the electric car.
For exemple, for the life of the car, I will save 20 000$ in gas at minimum!!
Note, that I drive near 50 000km/year with a 6L/100km car.
One of the real pleasure of ownership is to never stop again at a gas station
Keep in mind that the fuel savings may not be all that substantial depending on where you live and what gas prices do.
Currently our S is running an average of 325Whr/mile, which works out to an equivalent cost of 39mpg where I live. Keeping in mind the size of the S thats still pretty good, but even if the 3 is significantly lower, its quite possible that it won't be significantly cheaper to fuel than a good hybrid ICE.
Course gas prices could also sky-rocket.
TexLaw
Member
Wow, man! How much are you paying for gas and power? I see you live in New Jersey, but I didn't think it was that bad.
I assumed 325Whr/mi for a MS, 30MPG for a comparable full-sized sedan (a number chosen after a cursory look at average numbers), $2.10/gal for gas (about the average in the Houston area), and $0.07145/kWh for home electricity (my contract price if I spread the fixed portion of the delivery charge over 1000kWh). With those assumptions, I get about 88MPGe.
CmdrThor
Active Member
The Model S rear wheel drive costs approximately $580 per year for annual service if you buy the 4 year plan. Model X is nearly $690. I am going to venture out and guess Model 3 maintenance will run in the $400 per year range or just over $0.03 / mile if you drive 12,500 miles per year. Tires will likely run another $0.02/mile or so. That would put 5 year maintenance at around $3,125.
This is likely going to be cheaper than similar sized sedans (Edmunds lists an Audi A4 5 year maintenance as $5,906), but it is not going to be as cheap as some people hope.
This is likely going to be cheaper than similar sized sedans (Edmunds lists an Audi A4 5 year maintenance as $5,906), but it is not going to be as cheap as some people hope.
Similar threads
