Tesla True Cost of Ownership

[Dr. Detroit]

#1 supercar (roadster)

#3 compact, inexpensive commuter vehicle for the rest of America (???)

I think #3 is where it gets really interesting in the electric vehicle game.

They are no longer making the Roadster - I think they halted production in 2011 to focus on the Model S.

Tesla is in a very niche market - if they can produce a better Nissan Leaf with 250+ mile range while keeping it under $35K I think they might have some buyers. Problem is, for $23K I get a Prius and $12K to spend on gas.

Actual price of the above car will actually be $55K as they will saddle it with a gorgeous interior and laden with tech features.

Tesla motors is for the 3%'ers -

 

[Apex]

I was talking with one of the Tesla people at the showroom in the Galleria in Houston last weekend (they have a model S setup there to checkout if anyone local is interested). Anyway she was telling me they're planning a 3-tier strategy

#1 supercar (roadster)
#2 luxury sedan (model S)
#3 compact, inexpensive commuter vehicle for the rest of America (???)

I think #3 is where it gets really interesting in the electric vehicle game.

Bizarre they didn't mention the Model X in their strategy, which is already right on their website.

http://www.teslamotors.com/modelx

 

[sdifox]

nice driver profiles so it remembers all your settings...

That is on a lot of cars.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

At 3% financing it's double of what I'm paying; the rest of the stuff is a bit irrelevant since I don't drive to work.

Same here.

 

[Doppel]

I wanted to like the Nissan Leaf but it just doesn't have the range to make it a viable alternative. I'm wondering if this car gets anywhere near the claimed range.

I think technically the Leaf gets its claimed range--as long as the same kind of conditions are used when they came up with the numbers (there is a 100 miler club for those who've gotten that in their Leaf). If Tesla is using the same kind of optimistic driving cycle for their numbers, you can modify similarly. In the Leaf's case Nissan says 100 but EPA says 73. Real-world the leaf is really more like 73 +/- 20 depending on weather and speeds.

 

[madoka]

My effective net cost for the 60kWh is -$1,991 per month. Sounds like a fishy number.

Edit:

There must have been some sort of bug in the website. I switched between models and now it reads -$324 per month.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I think technically the Leaf gets its claimed range--as long as the same kind of conditions are used when they came up with the numbers (there is a 100 miler club for those who've gotten that in their Leaf). If Tesla is using the same kind of optimistic driving cycle for their numbers, you can modify similarly. In the Leaf's case Nissan says 100 but EPA says 73. Real-world the leaf is really more like 73 +/- 20 depending on weather and speeds.

I commute 60 miles a day to and from work and if I take the less congested route, which I frequently do, it is closer to 69 miles round trip. That is too close for comfort for me. Also, it is quite hilly here and I do use the A/C a bit but usually on the lowest fan setting because that is plenty to keep me comfortable in the Camry Hybrid I have now.

Unless I could charge it at work, and I cannot at this time, the Leaf is not a viable option.

I've seen a few of these Nissan electric cars stranded on the side of the road lately too.

 

[zoiks]

The wait for these cars is very long. I would love to get one but don't know if I'd like to wait a year (10 months is what the rep told me but it's likely the duration will get prolonged). Also the condo that I live in doesn't have a plug nearby my parking space that I could use to charge.

 

[sgrinavi]

I can think of many cars I'd rather have for the $1500 / month the car would cost me. Besides, I don't want to be labeled.

 

[JTsyo]

right about 1K for me. Don't think it's meant to be compared to my '13 fusion hybrid though.