Used Performance for $55k or New LR AWD for $54,400?

[jjrandorin]

Our December 2018 Performance 3 has an 81xxx VIN so the one you found could be a lot newer than you think. Hard to tell since they don't build them in VIN order. See if you can check the build date on the driver's door frame.

my November 15th 2018 manufactured Model 3 performance has a vin of 106XXX. Interesting to me that your december made vin is a lower number (picked up 12/04/18)

Also interesting is the fact that my current car is the second one. since I rejected the first one when I went to go pick it up. The delivery center had another build of exactly my car build (not hard with model 3 limited options, especially on the performance model) and they offered to swap me into that car, which was pretty much flawless (and the one I have now).

The first car had a vin of 144XXX and a born on date of 11/21/18. the second car had a vin of 106XXX and was born on 11/15/18 (I asked the delivery specialist for the specific born on date.

OP, in early december of 2018 my total bill for my model 3 performance was 78k (including EAP, destination, taxes). If I could get the same car with under 4k miles for 55k I would jump at it, provided it was in good shape visually. Thats enough of a discount for me to consider gently used. Only question I would have is, why is it there? Was it a return, demo car and if demo car why did it last this long? unless its fairly recent, then that changes things.

 

[brkaus]

Very tough decision. I've avoided driving the performance model 3 so I don't have to reconsider our AWD LR.

 

[jjrandorin]

Very tough decision. I've avoided driving the performance model 3 so I don't have to reconsider our AWD LR.

Good choice. The reason I have one, is pretty much because I was excited about a tesla that I could possibly afford (read under 90k), and I went to go for a test drive at my local tesla store. The only model 3s they had were the performance models. The salesperson (or whatever tesla calls them) who was riding with me said "why dont you step on it a bit.... " with a smile, as I was getting on a freeway onramp that was open in front of me in a straight line.

I did......


For about 3-4 seconds......

I had this huge grin on my face, and he said "right?!?!?!?" My wife was in the back seat for the test drive. I said "I want it... I need this car..."

Went back to the store, and put down a deposit. Im sure I would have been "fine" with the LR RWD (what I originally planned on buying since it was more in my budget, and I am used to driving RWD BMWs.. and we dont need AWD here in southern california. All that went out the window when I drove the performance.

 

[kirbo20]

I decided to go new LR AWD and delivery is Friday. Buying used sight unseen and paying $2k for delivery put me off a little bit. I'll probably go performance when I buy the Model Y.

 

[mswlogo]

20’s are good because they are sexy AF and fill in the wells better.

View attachment 420768

19" look perfectly fine to me.

BTW, when are you going to save up enough money to put some paint on that prime coat of yours

I do like your red lingerie though.

 

[Knightshade]

20’s are good because they are sexy AF and fill in the wells better.

View attachment 420768

I mean- the overall diameter is the same for the 18s, 19s, and 20s, so they literally fill the wells by exactly the same amount... only the % of sidewall vs rim doing the filling differs.

 

[Knightshade]

In fact I wish there was power level (limit) equal to RWD or AWD. Because it is, so insanely powerful, I leave it in chill. If I had RWD or AWD I probably wouldn't leave in chill. I consider it a "safety" to leave it chill. It normally does not bother me a bit. But occasionally I wouldn't mind a little more power, but I don't want full performance always "available" at my toe tip.

FWIW, the Model S anyway actually had a secret menu to do exactly that.... they left it turned on when I had a 24 hour test drive of a P100D, you could go into the menu and basically tell it "Make this car an S75D" or whatever other version you wanted it to do.... was disappointed when I test drove a P3D and they told me the 3 had no such thing.

 

[TT97]

I mean- the overall diameter is the same for the 18s, 19s, and 20s, so they literally fill the wells by exactly the same amount... only the % of sidewall vs rim doing the filling differs.

The P has 1 cm lowered suspension which in theory "fills the wells" better but it is pretty minimal and you can get lowered suspensions aftermarket for any version.

 

[Knightshade]

The P has 1 cm lowered suspension which in theory "fills the wells" better but it is pretty minimal and you can get lowered suspensions aftermarket for any version.

Sure- but 18s (that fit on a P+ hub) on factory-size tires with the same drop would "fill the well" exactly the same amount as the factory 20s do- since the total diameter is identical.

 

[Blitz3RS]

Performance so you won't have any buyer's remorse!

 

[TT97]

Sure- but 18s (that fit on a P+ hub) on factory-size tires with the same drop would "fill the well" exactly the same amount as the factory 20s do- since the total diameter is identical.

I agree, I was trying to make the point that the visual has to do with the lowered suspension and not 18" vs 20".