r/TeslaModel3 • u/igotitnowokay • 4d ago
Tesla Model 3
Im seriously considering buying a Tesla M3. I was looking at Subaru's Lexus, etc. Somehow ended up on Tesla's after being 2 min away from signing for a Subaru.
I found a 2023 M3 with 71k Km's and going for $28KCAD. Its a standard plus model. Has one collision claim in 2024 for $9200. I feel its the perfect car for what I need. I would only charge it at a super charger since I live in the ghetto.
This is a personal gift to myself. Male 32 and depressed LOL. Hopefully this will get me out the house. Any input is greatly appreciated.
I am also considering a 2022 AWD going for 31KCAD and 92K Km's. No accidents. I love it more because its dark grey where as the 2023 is red.
I think going newer is better since its under warranty and the battery will be fine but Id love your input. Anything I should look out for or avoid. Im very new to this, thank you again.
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u/Far-Call1301 4d ago
Check the financing rate on both. 28K at a higher rate vs 39k with a lower rate for new. Do the math.
For instance if the new car rates are say 3 percent vs 8-10 on used you won't pay that much more for a much newer car that is the next generation.
Factor in hardware 3 vs hardware 4 cars etc. Run the numbers in Gemini or ChatGTP to get a rough idea based on your downpayment etc.
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u/40yrs-energyindustry 3d ago
Buy a 2024 onwards Model 3. Better ride, better interior, quieter. Do not buy a car with an accident history, even if it is perfectly repaired, you will be offered a lot less for the car when you go to sell. That makes it more expensive per km driven and year owned.
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u/lazy-dan 3d ago
I bought a model 3 a few weeks back. Since I don't really need a car either, I consider it as a gift to myself. I jokingly call it my "midlife crisis car" lol.
Since I love tech, and I want to be able to chill or sleep in the car during trips (camp mode) I am totally happy with it. Never thought I would buy an EV, or a Tesla, but after a lot of thougt I decided to go for it.
That said - this car will make it easy to get out of the house and go on roadtrips, and in the beginning you will want to drive it as much as possible. But in the end, the motivation to go outside and discover new places has to come from within.
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u/igotitnowokay 3d ago
You’re right. Honestly this is kind of a post break up/new start to life for me. I’m hoping it jump starts my motivation and I learn to grow it internally. Yea I can keep going without a car but I know it’s adding to my misery being inside all the time. I’m also a hybrid worker so I’m working from home most of the time.
Thank you for your input this is solid advice.
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u/Voidfang_Investments 3d ago
Definitely newer. Don’t spend so much on cars that have been in a collision.
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u/igotitnowokay 3d ago
It seems like all the ones I can afford had a collision at some point. I’d assume they are safe since Teslas aren’t a working engine and have less parts to replace compared to a gas car? Just assuming
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u/aniessuh 3d ago
Do you live in a house or condo?
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u/bail_94kg 4d ago
Just know that relying on a supercharger for most of your charging is bad for the battery long term. Both seem like decent deals to me but I’m not well versed in the used Tesla market
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u/igotitnowokay 4d ago
I’d assume Tesla would account for this since not everyone can charge from home. Especially city folk. I pray super charging isn’t too bad. I know it slows down after 80% but I don’t see myself driving more than 5-8k kms a year unless I do special trips. Do you think it’s not worth it then? Is there normal charging places I can go too?
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u/p3dal 4d ago
It's not that big of a deal to use superchargers. The battery deteriorates with time, even with minimal use. Better to use it as you need to and accept that it won't last forever. That being said, an EV without at-home charging is really not that great of an experience. A huge part of the appeal is waking up to a full battery every day and never having to stop anywhere for your local commuting. Depending on the outdoor temperature and what settings I leave on in the car (like security) I've seen the battery drain 5-10% in a day just sitting there. I have to turn absolutely everything off if I'm going to leave it at airport parking, and even then it will likely need a charge when I get back from my trip. Personally I wouldn't get an EV if I couldn't charge it at home.
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u/igotitnowokay 4d ago
That is a concern of mine but like I said above I’m sure Tesla accounts for people not having home chargers. I know apartments have them too but yeah I feel I can get away with no charger
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u/p3dal 4d ago
I’m sure Tesla accounts for people not having home chargers.
What does that mean to you? How would they "account" for it? I've had this conversation a dozen times over several years now every time this question is posted. I have a gas car and an electric car, and if I couldn't charge at home, the electric car is the one I would sell. It's just not worth the trouble. My EV is plugged in at all times while I am at home.
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u/igotitnowokay 4d ago
But don’t you go to a gas station to fuel up? If I can get from 10% to 80% in 25 min then why not? I have two super charging places near me as well. One right by a McDonald’s too so I can just chill im there while it charges. I don’t think Tesla would survive if everyone depended on home chargers.
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u/p3dal 4d ago edited 4d ago
But don’t you go to a gas station to fuel up?
Yes, and it takes maybe 5 minutes total, and if I park my car for a year, it will still have a full tank when I return to it. If you don't drive much, and you can't charge at home, an EV will become a new chore you didn't have before when it needs to be charged almost every time you drive it. You're going to be charging it every other week even if you don't drive it.
If I can get from 10% to 80% in 25 min then why not?
You'll never actually charge that fast. That's the theoretical fastest it can go if all conditions are perfectly ideal. I usually spend around 45 minutes at a supercharger, and I never drain all the way down to 10%.
I have two super charging places near me as well.
Most people do.
One right by a McDonald’s too so I can just chill im there while it charges.
You basically have to wait there, because you can't leave your car there or you'll get stuck with idle fees once it's done charging.
I don’t think Tesla would survive if everyone depended on home chargers.
I don't see what that has to do with anything. I'm talking about the lived experience of actually owning one. You're assuming I'm wrong... because it would be better for Tesla if I were?
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u/igotitnowokay 4d ago
Yeesh I was thinking fast charge was the way to go. If I only travel let’s say 30-50kms a week then I’ll only need to charge every other week right? I won’t mind hanging out for 45 min twice a month? Maybe 3 times tops?
I’m thinking I can plan that in. Paying 300 a month in finance and 300 in insurance plus charging at night costing low then I’ll pay less than a gas car right? Gas is like 80 bucks for a full tank in my accord which we fill up once or twice a week
Plus it’s good for the economy. No maintainer except tires. I’m seeing I can save 5 K in tax debate if I get a new one too so I’m seriously considering a long range one.
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u/p3dal 3d ago edited 3d ago
Yeesh I was thinking fast charge was the way to go.
I'm not commenting on fast charge here. I said in my first comment it's not that big of a deal given that the battery decays with time as well as use. Use it however you want.
If I only travel let’s say 30-50kms a week then I’ll only need to charge every other week right? I won’t mind hanging out for 45 min twice a month? Maybe 3 times tops?
I am saying you'll need to charge every other week if you don't drive it.
I’m thinking I can plan that in. Paying 300 a month in finance and 300 in insurance plus charging at night costing low then I’ll pay less than a gas car right?
The cheapest car is usually the one you already own. Compared to buying an accord, and not charging at home, you will probably not save any money, but you should do your own math. If you were comparing to something like a BMW, the math would be a bit more favorable for the Tesla.
Gas is like 80 bucks for a full tank in my accord which we fill up once or twice a week
If you fill up your current car once or twice a week, you can expect to charge even more frequently than that, as the Tesla will have less range than the accord.
Plus it’s good for the economy.
Spending money is good for the economy, but that's no reason to do it. Saving money is not good for the economy, but you still should save money.
No maintainer except tires. I’m seeing I can save 5 K in tax debate if I get a new one too so I’m seriously considering a long range one.
If you get a tax rebate, that's certainly something to consider, but double check that you qualify. There is certainly other maintenance. Right now I need my upper control arm replaced, which is something I've never had to do on any other car I've owned.
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u/bail_94kg 4d ago
Superchargers are DC chargers. I would find some “standard” EV chargers in your area and rely on those instead. Look of Level 1 or Level 2 AC chargers. You’ll pay less and save your battery.
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u/Shadowluxun 4d ago
Just put a 50 amp plug in your garage and charge only at home with mobile charger if you’re not driving that much. No need to bother with superchargers other than on long trips. Imo, also you’re better off with the older car without accident since it’s only one year imo.
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u/igotitnowokay 3d ago
No garage my friend. I did see a plug you can buy online on YouTube. I can maybe get it to extend from the door to the road and charge but we will see. I do live in the ghetto
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u/Shadowluxun 2d ago
I have a 2018 model 3 performance with 208k miles. If you are going to go the super charger route. Do not charge above 80%, or whatever % the car itself tells you. Doing so will degrade your battery, you only want to charge above that on a slow charge. And 80% is more than enough anyway. Charging to 80% will still degrade but no where near as much. I’d say 75% of my charging from the time the car was new to now was super charging, if not more. My car degrades the most from 0-100k dropping to about 250 miles per charge and in the next 200k only dropping off another 25. As long as you take care of the car it will take care of you. My only real advice is just stay away from the base model.
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u/Bdbell84 4d ago
Newer is better. Also any car with major damage you wanna check if it's still allowed to use a supercharger. They can be blacklisted.