Anyone Else Put a Deposit Down on a Tesla Model 3 ?

[Elan]

Here's something to ponder:

If Tesla knocked $5K off the price for every 50 miles in range reduction, what range would you buy, and why?

$35K 200mi range
$30K 150mi
$25K 100mi
$20K 50mi

 

[Ken555]

Believing they have a plan is one thing. . I would like to see the plan In action. . And to be honest, comitting to a purchase without even a test drive is something I just couldn't ever bring my self to do..

Their shareholders like them. That indicates their business plan is solid.

As for a test drive, I completely understand. But, it's an individual question. There's really no rush to buy as long as you don't mind waiting. I wanted a Tesla S, but had difficulty justifying the cost. The 3 is the right price for the right size car, at least for me. Will I hate it? Doubtful, but I'm a realist...and I know if I want to sell it I suspect I would get almost as much as I paid...which I can't say about any other similarly priced car. I don't think it's much of a risk.

 

[Jason245]

...look beyond 10 years into the future.

Even 20 to 30 years is a stretch. . I would actually put natural gas vehicles as a more probable end result. Just no hype for them..

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[Jason245]

Here's something to ponder:

If Tesla knocked $5K off the price for every 50 miles in range reduction, what range would you buy, and why?

$35K 200mi range
$30K 150mi
$25K 100mi
$20K 50mi

Something else to ponder. . Once automated cars become functional, the need for individual auto ownership will end..

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[VegasBella]

Just an FYI, Elon Musk said that they will be installing Superchargers based (in part) on the locations of the people who put down their deposits.

He also said that the superchargers can and will be beefed up to go faster and in fact the ones in Germany already charge faster.

Also, some supercharger locations have a human host assisting people to make sure that people charge as quickly as possible. It's just a test program right now but it is happening.

Here's a good resource for more information on the Model 3:
https://www.reddit.com/r/teslamotors/comments/4dikl7/model_3_questions_ask_here_or_search_the/

 

[Ken555]

Here's something to ponder:



If Tesla knocked $5K off the price for every 50 miles in range reduction, what range would you buy, and why?



$35K 200mi range

$30K 150mi

$25K 100mi

$20K 50mi

Hmm...we have that question now when comparing other EVs. If they were all identical Tesla 3's and only had different capacity batteries...hmm...I'd probably go for the 150mi version, but I'd seriously consider the 100mi. I don't think a 50mi is practical. My longer common daily drives are ~80mi at most, but I'm an exception since I don't often drive far. If I bought a 100mi EV, I'd likely keep an ICE for very long drives (assuming the superchargers aren't available within the distance, which I'd doubt since it'd have to be every 80 miles...that would get tedious, as well). Probably 150-200 is the sweet spot for me, and any more is gravy. The only reason I might be tempted to buy a larger battery would be for improved resale value.

For myself, an EV is likely a financially ill advised move. I only drive ~7,500 miles per year, which includes one or two long drives (long is ~400-600).

 

[Ken555]

Even 20 to 30 years is a stretch. . I would actually put natural gas vehicles as a more probable end result. Just no hype for them..

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That's an entirely different topic. I know several who have natural gas and like them, but please start a new thread if you want to discuss that.

 

[Jason245]

Their shareholders like them. That indicates their business plan is solid.

As for a test drive, I completely understand. But, it's an individual question. There's really no rush to buy as long as you don't mind waiting. I wanted a Tesla S, but had difficulty justifying the cost. The 3 is the right price for the right size car, at least for me. Will I hate it? Doubtful, but I'm a realist...and I know if I want to sell it I suspect I would get almost as much as I paid...which I can't say about any other similarly priced car. I don't think it's much of a risk.

I remember another company shareholders liked.. pets.com

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[Jason245]

That's an entirely different topic. I know several who have natural gas and like them, but please start a new thread if you want to discuss that.

My response in partially a result of the ev being the primary car of future.. hybrid is another option that has more lt feasibility.

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[Jason245]

Just an FYI, Elon Musk said that they will be installing Superchargers based (in part) on the locations of the people who put down their deposits.

He also said that the superchargers can and will be beefed up to go faster and in fact the ones in Germany already charge faster.

Also, some supercharger locations have a human host assisting people to make sure that people charge as quickly as possible. It's just a test program right now but it is happening.

Here's a good resource for more information on the Model 3:
https://www.reddit.com/r/teslamotors/comments/4dikl7/model_3_questions_ask_here_or_search_the/

Just cause he says something doesn't mean it will happen or happen timely.

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[VegasBella]

Once automated cars become functional, the need for individual auto ownership will end..

For the majority of drivers "the need for individual auto ownership" already died or never existed. Most people live in cities with mass transportation and many families have more than one car. There are taxis and Uber and Lyft and bicycles and all kinds of options. Americans don't buy cars for need. We buy them because we want them.

Where I live has a pathetic walkability score (about 30-40/100) yet I can walk to get groceries, go out to eat, shop for clothing, go to the library, go to a gym, visit a coffee shop, see a movie, go to a park... there are schools nearby and offices too (though office rent is a bit higher than a few miles away). Point is, I live in sprawling suburbs and I don't really "need" a car. It's a luxury that I can easily afford and something I want so I have a car, like all my neighbors. And in my household we have two cars. And when our son is a teen we will have three cars. We don't _really_ need all those cars.

If Tesla knocked $5K off the price for every 50 miles in range reduction, what range would you buy, and why?

If I wanted an electric golf cart I would have bought one.

 

[SMHarman]

For the majority of drivers "the need for individual auto ownership" already died or never existed. Most people live in cities with mass transportation and many families have more than one car. There are taxis and Uber and Lyft and bicycles and all kinds of options. Americans don't buy cars for need. We buy them because we want them.

Where I live has a pathetic walkability score (about 30-40/100) yet I can walk to get groceries, go out to eat, shop for clothing, go to the library, go to a gym, visit a coffee shop, see a movie, go to a park... there are schools nearby and offices too (though office rent is a bit higher than a few miles away). Point is, I live in sprawling suburbs and I don't really "need" a car. It's a luxury that I can easily afford and something I want so I have a car, like all my neighbors. And in my household we have two cars. And when our son is a teen we will have three cars. We don't _really_ need all those cars.


If I wanted an electric golf cart I would have bought one.

I think walkabikity here is 100.
Ownership does mean you get a known quantity and availability.

I regularly remind myself that no car ownership saves me thousands a year. So when I rent, I can rent the nice car and pay a little more if I want a bmw for that trip.

I can also rent a van our truck or convertible. Right tool for the job.

Does mean the car seats are in the apartment and boy do those Britax seats get heavy. Though I can find latch points like a pro now.

 

[x3 skier]

Are the deposits placed in some sort of escrow account or are they unrestricted cash flow for general corporate purposes?

Cheers

 

[SMHarman]

Are the deposits placed in some sort of escrow account or are they unrestricted cash flow for general corporate purposes?

Cheers

Unrestricted.

 

[Jason245]

Are the deposits placed in some sort of escrow account or are they unrestricted cash flow for general corporate purposes?

Cheers

the 325k people should think of it as a $325 Million unsecured payment to Tesla to help them pay the rent ETC until the car gets delivered or they go BK and reneg on their promise.

Either way... it should be exciting... I have never in my life seen customers willing to give $325 Million for something that may come in 3-4 years with no security or interest whatsoever except a handshake and a receipt.

 

[SMHarman]

the 325k people should think of it as a $325 Million unsecured payment to Tesla to help them pay the rent ETC until the car gets delivered or they go BK and reneg on their promise.

Either way... it should be exciting... I have never in my life seen customers willing to give $325 Million for something that may come in 3-4 years with no security or interest whatsoever except a handshake and a receipt.

Now if you put the deposit down on a credit card and they don't deliver I guess you can claim it back from the issuer.

 

[PigsDad]

Now if you put the deposit down on a credit card and they don't deliver I guess you can claim it back from the issuer.

Most credit cards have a 6-month time limit to dispute a charge, so that will most likely not work. Remember Aloha Airlines? When they went BK, some people were not able to get a refund from their CC due to being too late to dispute the charge. There was a big discussion here when that happened.

Kurt

 

[MULTIZ321]

Telsa Will Let You Spec Out a Model X Starting Monday - by Richard Lawler/ Latest in Gear/ Engadget/ engadget.com

"Elon Musk confirmed it's on, so feel free to explore the options priced between $80k and $150k.



Sure, all of the excitement is around Tesla's $35k+ Model 3, but what about the Model X SUV? It's slowly starting to hit the road, and CEO Elon Musk claimed (in a since deleted tweet) that the SUV's configurator will open to all on Monday.

Until now, you needed to make a reservation (complete with $5,000 down payment) to get an invite for access, but in just a few days you can paw through all of the options and prices ranging from $80,000 for the base model to $150,000 fully loaded, before deciding to make a reservation. To get a head start on the masses, there are some videos of the configurator online, so you can have an idea of what it's like. One thing to consider however, is that those making reservations now are already expected to wait until the second half of the year. P90D performance with ludicrous mode, high-fidelity sound and/or spoiler? It's all up to you, or at least it could be on Monday..."

Richard

 

[MULTIZ321]

Telsa Model 3: The Monkey Wrench in GM's Plans for Chevy Bolt - by Mark Rogowsky/ Forbes/ Tech/ forbes.com

"You’re all set to launch the world’s first affordable electric vehicle with 200+ mile range. You’re pretty excited because reviewers call the car “attractive,” fun to drive,” and “game-changing.” But before you start getting the idea this is a story about Tesla, whose Model 3 set the automotive world by storm by garnering 325,000 preorders this week, remember that the first company to announce a mass-market, long-range EV was General Motors.

Three months ago, GM grabbed the headlines, unveiling the Chevy Bolt with a release promised for later this year. While that timetable will put the Bolt in consumers’ hands a year or more before Tesla delivers Model 3, the last seven days are the week that shook the automotive world. And they leave GM needing more than the instantaneous torque that electric cars offer to get the Bolt launch unstuck ahead of Tesla’s steamroller..."

Hexed? GM CEO Mary Barra and EVP Mark Reuss show off the Bolt in January. (Photo credit: GEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty Images)


Richard

 

[Jason245]

Telsa Will Let You Spec Out a Model X Starting Monday - by Richard Lawler/ Latest in Gear/ Engadget/ engadget.com

"Elon Musk confirmed it's on, so feel free to explore the options priced between $80k and $150k.



Sure, all of the excitement is around Tesla's $35k+ Model 3, but what about the Model X SUV? It's slowly starting to hit the road, and CEO Elon Musk claimed (in a since deleted tweet) that the SUV's configurator will open to all on Monday.

Until now, you needed to make a reservation (complete with $5,000 down payment) to get an invite for access, but in just a few days you can paw through all of the options and prices ranging from $80,000 for the base model to $150,000 fully loaded, before deciding to make a reservation. To get a head start on the masses, there are some videos of the configurator online, so you can have an idea of what it's like. One thing to consider however, is that those making reservations now are already expected to wait until the second half of the year. P90D performance with ludicrous mode, high-fidelity sound and/or spoiler? It's all up to you, or at least it could be on Monday..."

Richard

I read somewhere that they are starting to adjust language related to model 3... I am guessing that people who thought they would be getting a 35k car with autopilot and 5 star safety and supercharge capabilities will be shocked when those features probably cost 10k a piece and the 35k car turnes into a 65k car after options. Affordable eh?

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[Elan]

I read somewhere that they are starting to adjust language related to model 3... I am guessing that people who thought they would be getting a 35k car with autopilot and 5 star safety and supercharge capabilities will be shocked when those features probably cost 10k a piece and the 35k car turnes into a 65k car after options. Affordable eh?

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I doubt anyone will be shocked by much of anything when the car hits production. I certainly won't. It was simply a $1k deposit to hold a spot -- at least to me. I don't think that's going to bankrupt anyone, even if Tesla goes out of business in the interim.

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[Elan]

Telsa Model 3: The Monkey Wrench in GM's Plans for Chevy Bolt - by Mark Rogowsky/ Forbes/ Tech/ forbes.com

"You’re all set to launch the world’s first affordable electric vehicle with 200+ mile range. You’re pretty excited because reviewers call the car “attractive,” fun to drive,” and “game-changing.” But before you start getting the idea this is a story about Tesla, whose Model 3 set the automotive world by storm by garnering 325,000 preorders this week, remember that the first company to announce a mass-market, long-range EV was General Motors.

Three months ago, GM grabbed the headlines, unveiling the Chevy Bolt with a release promised for later this year. While that timetable will put the Bolt in consumers’ hands a year or more before Tesla delivers Model 3, the last seven days are the week that shook the automotive world. And they leave GM needing more than the instantaneous torque that electric cars offer to get the Bolt launch unstuck ahead of Tesla’s steamroller..."

Hexed? GM CEO Mary Barra and EVP Mark Reuss show off the Bolt in January. (Photo credit: GEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty Images)


Richard

If Chevy were smart, they'd drop the price of the Bolt by $10k. They don't have to make any money on EV's right now. As much as I don't like GM products, if I were after a simple commuter EV, I'd seriously consider the Bolt near $25k.

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[Ken555]

I read somewhere that they are starting to adjust language related to model 3... I am guessing that people who thought they would be getting a 35k car with autopilot and 5 star safety and supercharge capabilities will be shocked when those features probably cost 10k a piece and the 35k car turnes into a 65k car after options. Affordable eh?

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Only for the uninformed. I heard Elon's presentation and he was quite clear about including SuperCharger and Autopilot "hardware". That's very different than providing the full solution. Nuanced? Yes. Accurate? Yes.

 

[x3 skier]

Only for the uninformed. I heard Elon's presentation and he was quite clear about including SuperCharger and Autopilot "hardware". That's very different than providing the full solution. Nuanced? Yes. Accurate? Yes.

Misleading to non tech people? Yes. Will non tech people be interested? Who knows? So to me, it's sort of verbal "fine print". For 35k, I'd read the fine print. For $1000 deposit I hope I could sell later if things change, probably wouldn't. But it's moot to me anyway

Cheers

 

[classiclincoln]

I've had a lot of conversations about the Tesla with them and friends who are interested in them. I've been taken for a test drive and test drove a Model S. I've been to Tesla dealerships (if that's what they're called, so I think I have a bit of knowledge about them, and I'm not posting this to be sarcastic or negative, just putting information out there. There's one thing I haven't seen posted here. The fact that you are not restricted to charging your car at a supercharger station. You can charge your car with a regular 110 v outlet. The issue is that it takes twice as long. So, for those who are going on an overnight or cross country trip, all you have to do is plug in where you stop for the night and by the next morning, you'll have a fully charged car. A 220 v charging station will give you an 80% charge in 20 minutes.

Also, there are charging stations that are not operated by Tesla that are not on Tesla's site. We drove on the New York Thruway and saw charging stations. There are charging stations at the rest stops in Delaware and Maryland on 95. I also think there are charging stations on the NJ Turnpike. Not sure about other roads.

Additionally, there are charging stations at hotels, bed and breakfasts and mall parking lots. I don't know every one, but I'm sure there is a way to find out.

When you stop at a charging station, your car remembers that spot (Telsa or other) so the next time you need to charge, it knows where the closest charging station is.

And finally, Tesla plans on having a charging station within 100 miles of every major city. I can't remember the "due by" date, but I think it was by the end of either 2017 or 2018.

Personally, I don't plan on installing a 220 v line in my house. Based on the driving I do (and yes, I'm in the east coast), I'll just plug in every night and wake up with a fully charged car. The dozen times a year I drive more than 200 miles in a day, I'll just plan my trip to charge up somewhere, either at a charging station over lunch or dinner or at a hotel overnight.

Electric cars are not for everyone, just like a Maserati is not for everyone. But, I do thing we'll see more and more electric cars and charging stations out there.