Jay Leno Garage Tesla Roadster and Model 3

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
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Dumb question... do you really think that the Model 3 succeeded in being an "affordable" electric car? They were supposed to be cost $35,000, but ones that are actually getting driven off of the lot cost more like $55,000.

It's like saying that you can get a Ford Mustang "starting" at $26,000... the one that you actually want (The GT) is a $40,000 car, and can get up to $50K depending on the options.

It seems that Chevy did a much better job producing an electric car that meets that $35,000 price point with the Bolt.
 
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rstrohkirch

Platinum Member
May 31, 2005
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Dumb question... do you really think that the Model 3 succeeded in being an "affordable" electric car? They were supposed to be cost $35,000, but ones that are actually getting driven off of the lot cost more like $55,000.

It's like saying that you can get a Ford Mustang "starting" at $26,000... the one that you actually want (The GT) is a $40,000 car, and can get up to $50K depending on the options.

Unless you can point me to some other information, the statement on the Model 3 was always base price of $35,000. Which is exactly the same as the example you used with standard marketing for nearly all car companies. I also recall Musk making comments back in June that the base models wouldn't be readily available for another 3 to 6 months. Knowing Tesla, I think that translates to early next year. By that time their tax credit should have already started the process to be phased out.

It seems that Chevy did a much better job producing an electric car that meets that $35,000 price point with the Bolt.

Maybe but I don't think most people want a compact crossover the size of the Bolt. If Chevy's Bolt was a car the size of the Model 3 it would probably cost another $3-4k...at least MSRP for that.
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
Dumb question... do you really think that the Model 3 succeeded in being an "affordable" electric car? They were supposed to be cost $35,000, but ones that are actually getting driven off of the lot cost more like $55,000.

It's like saying that you can get a Ford Mustang "starting" at $26,000... the one that you actually want (The GT) is a $40,000 car, and can get up to $50K depending on the options.

It seems that Chevy did a much better job producing an electric car that meets that $35,000 price point with the Bolt.
I don't think any Tesla is really affordable to the masses. Not yet anyway. That said, I do think the Model 3 is the first "affordable" long range electric car. 310 mile range on the Model 3 LR is absolutely fantastic at current $49,000 price. With $7,500 Fed tax credit, it's $41,500 until end of this year. If you live in California it's another $2,500 state credit, bringing it down to $39,000.

Next year when the $35,000 Model 3 SR is released, the Fed tax will be $3,750 the first half of the year and $1,875 the final second half of the year. For people in California, the $35,000 Model 3 SR will be $28,750 with the fed and state credit for the first half of 2019. I think that's affordable especially to people of California and it's going to be crazy for Tesla as they try to meet the Model 3 SR demand in California next year.

Tesla should see huge Model 3 demand once they start offering leases. Right now, Tesla is not offering leases on the Model 3 but once that happens, I expect the flood gates to be open. Lease Model 3 will be affordable to the masses. Think about all the leased BMW 3 series and Benz C class.
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
Unless you can point me to some other information, the statement on the Model 3 was always base price of $35,000. Which is exactly the same as the example you used with standard marketing for nearly all car companies. I also recall Musk making comments back in June that the base models wouldn't be readily available for another 3 to 6 months. Knowing Tesla, I think that translates to early next year. By that time their tax credit should have already started the process to be phased out.



Maybe but I don't think most people want a compact crossover the size of the Bolt. If Chevy's Bolt was a car the size of the Model 3 it would probably cost another $3-4k...at least MSRP for that.
I'm curious what the starting MSRP for the Model Y will be. There's lot of speculation the Model Y will be unveiled in March 2019. Given the popularity of crossovers and SUVs, I expect the Model Y to have even bigger preorder than what Model 3 had if it starts at the same $35,000 price point.
 

rstrohkirch

Platinum Member
May 31, 2005
2,434
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I'm curious what the starting MSRP for the Model Y will be. There's lot of speculation the Model Y will be unveiled in March 2019. Given the popularity of crossovers and SUVs, I expect the Model Y to have even bigger preorder than what Model 3 had if it starts at the same $35,000 price point.

I glanced real quick at a few manufacturers. If the Model Y is just a crossover/suv version of the 3 in that it is about the same size and overall quality then I would guess at a $2-5k MSRP increase. BMW and Volvo want +$5-6k over their car counter parts while Buick and Lincoln are around +$2-3k. Mercedes strangely enough has no price increase between a few of their comparable models.

I would probably be interested in the Model Y assuming it could tow 2500lbs. But I'll be swapping out my vehicle near the end of next year and I highly doubt they'll be available by then.
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
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126
I glanced real quick at a few manufacturers. If the Model Y is just a crossover/suv version of the 3 in that it is about the same size and overall quality then I would guess at a $2-5k MSRP increase. BMW and Volvo want +$5-6k over their car counter parts while Buick and Lincoln are around +$2-3k. Mercedes strangely enough has no price increase between a few of their comparable models.

I would probably be interested in the Model Y assuming it could tow 2500lbs. But I'll be swapping out my vehicle near the end of next year and I highly doubt they'll be available by then.
There's zero chance Model Y will be available by the end of next year. Tesla doesn't have the plant space to build it right now. We're probably looking at 2022 or so at the earliest.