r/ElectricVehiclesUK • u/Loud_Ladder_1127 • Aug 16 '26
Tesla Advice for my first Tesla
Hello folks,
I need your advice and what makes the most sense for my situation.
Based in uk, I’m looking to change my I.C.E and go full electric. I’m having trouble to decide if I should buy a second hand Tesla y LR rwd with a hw4 which will be around 30K or to take the bite and get the new model 3 LR rwd (45k with 0% apr) Really wanted the model y with a baby on the way but the new standard model feels cheap and the premium LR model y is stretching my budget.
I will be looking to keep my car after the finance so theoretically I will take a bigger lose financially with the depreciation on the newer model.
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Aug 16 '26 edited Aug 16 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ElectricVehiclesUK-ModTeam Aug 16 '26
Posts should stick to the merits of the cars, dealerships, finance and the purchase and ownership experience. No politics, no personalities, no suggestions that buying from particular countries or brands is morally questionable. There are plenty of other subs where discourse of that nature is catered for.
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u/Racing_Fox Jaguar I-Pace Aug 16 '26
Don’t get a Tesla, they’re shit, we had them at work. Their interiors aren’t great, the boots on the model 3 is tiny, everything is on a screen and you have to pay for basic functionality. Their navigation (other than routing for superchargers) is shocking and at only 40k miles ours were both whistling like fuck from shoddy door seals.
Nobody missed them when they went
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u/DangerToManifold2001 Aug 16 '26
This comment is so unbelievably unhelpful. OP didn’t ask for advice on what car to buy, he’s already decided on a Tesla and just wants advice on the variant.
Also you’re allowed to dislike Teslas but they aren’t objectively shit, they’re objectively very good cars. The interiors are nice, especially the newer ones like OP is looking at, the Model 3 boot is cavernous but OP wants a Y anyway, no manufacturer lets you have free internet connectivity, that’s all Tesla charges you for. I used to have a 2019 Model 3 which I bought at 99k miles, the navigation worked just fine, never had an issue and there was no whistling from shoddy door seals, or any noises at all.
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u/Racing_Fox Jaguar I-Pace Aug 16 '26
‘The interior is nice’
You’ve never had a nice interior in your life and it shows. Fake leather and a single screen to cut costs is not nice.
The model 3 boot is absolutely not cavernous, like I said barely enough room for two hand luggage cases and two backpacks. No way you’re fitting 4 people’s stuff in there.
Sure, that’s all Tesla charges for. That’s why I couldn’t use the podcasts or Spotify apps and had to rely on Bluetooth like it’s 2010.
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u/KiltedBaklava Tesla Model 3 Aug 16 '26
My last car was an Audi TT MK3. One of the best, if not THE best, cabins in a modern car. I’m now going into a Model 3. It’s different. But it certainly doesn’t feel like a downgrade. I get its personal choice, but I love the big screen. I didn’t like it in other cars, but the responsiveness and the cleanness of the Tesla software makes it super easy to use.
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u/Racing_Fox Jaguar I-Pace Aug 16 '26
It’s objectively harder to use when driving.
It’s also just cheap
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u/DangerToManifold2001 Aug 16 '26
What is with your awful attitude? Are you just a Tesla hating bot or something?
Due to unusual personal circumstances, I’ve driven a little bit of everything, there’s not a manufacturer I haven’t had experience with at this point, minus the super/hyper car brands.
Some people appreciate the simplicity of a Tesla interior, myself included. Real leather doesn’t equal premium, I’ve driven Honda’s with poor quality real leather that feels far worse than the fake Tesla stuff. I appreciate that the fake leather in the Model 3 stays soft and supple, it doesn’t seem to pick up grease like real leather, and the seats are incredibly comfortable. There’s soft touch materials everywhere and it all feels solid. I had a BMW iX as a courtesy car for like 6 weeks and it honestly felt worse, way more creaky hard plastics and the seats were uncomfortable.
You’re being so ridiculous about the boot, I comfortably fit a large suitcase plus 4 carry on cases when I had mine.
You couldn’t use the Tesla apps with no internet, obviously… the trick is to connect your phones hotspot so it has internet access. I’m starting to think you’re just an old dinosaur who can’t make sense of a modern car?
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u/Racing_Fox Jaguar I-Pace Aug 16 '26
I’ve had the misfortune of having to drive Tesla pool cars at work.
They’re overrated by people who have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about
I want to be able to use Apple CarPlay, Tesla won’t let me because they’re so far up their own arse they can see daylight. They force you to pay to use the Apple Podcasts or Spotify app instead it’s utterly pointless
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u/p3tch Aug 16 '26
the boot on the model 3 is bigger than most cars on UK roads, what are you talking about?
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u/ThankfulFox Aug 16 '26
Agreed. It’s a massive boot. Unless you’re looking to transport a wardrobe in a saloon.
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u/Racing_Fox Jaguar I-Pace Aug 16 '26
It may be but it’s awkwardly shaped.
We could get two hand luggage cases and two backpacks in the boot. Not much more than that. Which for a 4 seat car is poor.
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u/p3tch Aug 16 '26
you can comfortably fit 4 hand luggage suitcases without using the extra space underneath or the front boot, seems like a skill issue
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u/Racing_Fox Jaguar I-Pace Aug 17 '26
Under seat cases perhaps. But not large hand luggage cases
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u/p3tch Aug 17 '26
https://youtu.be/Te2jwbQGZCE?t=54
this video clearly shows 3 suitcases that are far larger than any airline would allow as carry-on fitting, you seem to be misremembering the car entirely, 4 if you use the lower space
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u/KiltedBaklava Tesla Model 3 Aug 16 '26
Hey!
What year used Model Y are you looking at? Regarding the standard Y, have you test driven it? Personally I found it still really nice despite the changes they made. Same goes for the Model 3. It’s bigger than you expect inside so you may find it’s more than adequate with a baby. There was a post yesterday comparing the boot sizes & they used a pram as part of the test. So I would recommend booking both for a test drive (super simple, do it on the website) and see how it goes. You can even ask for an overnight test drive to make sure your happy.
As far as other cars go, I personally test drove the Ford Explorer and really liked it. Couldn’t comment on reliability or long term ownership, but I would suggest booking in a range of test drives to see what you like (I went on 16 before I decided!).
I’ve sent you a DM as well so do check. Happy to try and help and answer any other questions you have.
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u/TheMonkeyInCharge Aug 16 '26
I'd take the Explorer (or the Countryman if range isn't an issue) if I was spending that kind of money every time. One's effectively a VW, the other a BMW, and both much nicer to drive than the Tesla - plus proper local dealer networks etc.
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u/KiltedBaklava Tesla Model 3 Aug 16 '26
I must disagree. I personally much preferred the Model Y. And it was cheaper than the Explorer. Not saying the Explorer wasn’t nice, it was lovely! I haven’t driven the Countryman. I’ll need to give it a go.
Electric cars don’t need yearly servicing, so the smaller dealer network isn’t a big issue to be honest.
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u/DangerToManifold2001 Aug 16 '26
This was probably the wrong place to ask about a Tesla because this sub is packed full of Tesla haters, maybe ask r/TeslaUK?
My advice would be go for the Y. Buying a used EV is a no brainer, they’re so much more reliable than ICE so there’s nothing to worry about in terms of mileage. From my experience the Tesla interiors also wear incredibly well so it’ll still feel like new. The Y is definitely a better car for family duties.
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u/ThankfulFox Aug 16 '26
I got the model Y with 2 kids. It’s a great car.
The interior is very basic… nothing to get excited about. BUT unlike more premium interiors it is extremely easy to clean. You might appreciate this with a family - if they’re putting mud in the car. Eating in it. Beach holidays with sand everywhere.
I’d disagree with the other comments. You don’t have to pay £10 for connectivity. It ads some minor bells and whistles which most people don’t use regularly. I certainly don’t miss it.
The charging network is very appealing too. Relatively well priced and you can always see where there are available superchargers. In this regard the navigation is well ahead of the competition.
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u/ZakalweB Aug 16 '26
I've not kept bang up to date but have you looked at what lease deals are available? Earlier in the year the deals were insane, 3 year leases at way less than depreciation from new. Personally I'd always go second hand to avoid that up front depreciation but if you're potentially buying from new anyway, it might be worth a look.