Has anyone traded in for a new or preowned Tesla?

5985 Views 34 Replies 17 Participants Last post by Runion, Mar 4, 2017

V0ltastic

Discussion Starter · Feb 27, 2017

I'm sure this has been asked plenty of times by now, but I'm curious if anyone has traded up to a Telsa? If so, any regrets/caveats/etc? Unfortunately, even their pre-owned/lease trade-ins are still expensive. $50K+

https://www.tesla.com/preowned

Can you use the tax credit on a pre-owned vehicle or is it only applicable to a new purchase? Any feedback is welcome.

Thanks!

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V0ltastic

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 28, 2017

GSP said:
I lurched a "pre-owned" Model S last year. It did not replace my Volt, it replaced my second (ICE) car that I use for long vacation trips.

It is a wonderful car and I am so happy to own and drive it.

GSP

Bummer on the tax incentive but I sort of expected that given it would be a used car. The wife primarily drives the G2 Volt we currently have to/from work and weekend running around. Similarly, I currently have a 12 year old pickup truck that doesn't get the best gas mileage so I was contemplating parking it and picking up another PHEV. I still need the pickup truck for yard work, Home Depot/Lowes trips/etc. The entry level used Tesla model S are not much of a stretch from a new Volt but the tax incentives would have been nice. That aside, the biggest benefit of the Tesla is the added room for our family of 4 given the back seats in the Volt are a bit cramp as the kids get bigger and the significantly longer ranger. Yeah, I'm not filthy rich so picking up one of the new 100Ds with all the bells and whistles @ $150K+ isn't going to happen. However, there are plenty of P85+ models in the $50-$60K range with 30K or less miles on them on their certified preowned page. We are still happy with our Volt and even after 6K miles we have only manage to use about 10 gallons of gas since June of 2016 so it certainly meets our needs as a commuter car. It's just too bad Chevy doesn't offer a full size sedan with the Volt tech in it to compete with the likes of Tesla. I did look over the Bolt as well but it's a bit funky in the looks department and still smaller than we like to have for our family. There is no immediate need to run out a buy another vehicle right now so I'm just kicking the proverbial tires for now.

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V0ltastic

Discussion Starter · #19 · Mar 1, 2017

P_L said:
I actually have owned a Tesla Model S85D for two years now and I love the car. But to replace my wife's "ice" vehicle I convinced her to get a 2017 Volt in December. I have been driving the Volt more than she has, and I must say I am very impressed with it. Use the Tesla for long distance driving so the Volt is almost totally used in ev mode.

We are in the same exact situation except we bought our Volt first.

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V0ltastic

Discussion Starter · #20 · Mar 1, 2017

firehawk72 said:
Interesting what is a long trip for some and not for others. Where I live, it is 35 miles to go to Krogers (ONE WAY).

70 or 80 miles is still considered a short trip. Hundreds of miles, now that is along trip

For us it would be 200+ miles round trip when we visit family about a dozen times a year. Right now, we just take the Volt as it makes economical sense given 44+ mpg we have been averaging when on the highway. We certainly deplete the battery on those trips and have to L1 charge at family homes. However, I have been trying to convince some family members to install a 240V outlet for us as L1 charging is painfully slow. We are more than willing to take our charger with us if someone could accommodate us with a 240V outlet.

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V0ltastic

Discussion Starter · #21 · Mar 1, 2017

RoRo said:
I seriously considered a CPO Tesla back in November. I worked with a salesman at the West Palm Beach service center, where they also keep the CPO vehicles. I test drove a P85+ and a S85 and had my desired list of required and nice to haves along with pricing. I had my financing lined up. I was ready.

Then I drove one. Other than being fast, the "wow" factor was not there for me. I've had lots of fast cars, and now I'm just over it. LOL

I've had a Voltec vehicle for nearly 5 years now. Driving electric is nothing new to me, it is normal. I expect the quiet, the smooth, the not going to gas stations.

When I considered the price (62-68k) for a used Tesla and thought about if I really needed the additional cost and range, I changed my mind. I picked up a 17' Volt earlier this month and now I'm a happy camper once again.

Good luck with your decision.

I'm in no hurry and honestly have yet to drive one. However, I am interested and don't want to discount them entirely based on price. Although, I can certainly understand why others do and I agree there has to be compromise somewhere. I really wish GM would make a full size sedan with the Volt Tech in it as I'd seriously consider it. I'm just afraid that may not happen with the launch of the Bolt. I have also seen some chatter that the Volt may not see a version 3 depending on market demand/etc. As for Tesla, EV is all they do and to some extent most other manufactures are chasing them which is certainly a turn of events.

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V0ltastic

Discussion Starter · #22 · Mar 1, 2017

BAZINGA said:
After reading threads on how expensive it is to repair a Tesla (after a minor accident) or out of warranty, insurance costs and parts unavailability rendering a MS inoperable for weeks, my LUST for a Tesla is waning. And the more I think about I really want a Chevy/GM EV. My guess is it won't be so "finicky" to operate or repair.

Yup, it's not cheap but the Volt is no exception either. It has sensors all over the place so a minor bumper accident can be significant. EV cars and the future of cars with tech are complicated to repair so the cost trend will be upward regardless of the manufacture. GM does have size of scale though so they more than likely can source parts far cheaper and more frequently than Tesla.

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V0ltastic

Discussion Starter · #23 · Mar 1, 2017 (Edited)

P_L said:
A really important advantage that Tesla has in regards to distance driving i.e. Hundreds of kms, has to be their ability to charge quickly. This is why the Bolt is not really a competitor to Tesla. As to being "finicky " to drive.... just not true; and definitely no more so than the Volt, and, of course, the performance is very, very good. Your point about the the repair problems however is spot on from what I gather. Luckily I have not had to repair either my Tesla or Volt yet. My experience is that the Tesla Model S and the Volt are both just very good vehicles in their own ways, and totally make any return by me to an "ice" vehicle the last thing I would ever consider, God willing and the creek don't rise. I try to get anyone who will listen to consider these cars. Have so far had one family get a Tesla and one seriously looking at the Volt.

I like the idea of fast charging (80% in 1/2 hour?) but for me this would only happen at home. Their supercharging network is essentially non-existing where I live. However, their range is more than enough to get me to my extended family homes and plug in there. I just need to convince them to install a 240V outlet to make it work for us.

I also believe Telsa gives loaner cars out should you need service that takes a significant amount of time?

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V0ltastic

Discussion Starter · #30 · Mar 2, 2017

saghost said:
They promised to double the number of locations this year, which will probably include filling out I-80 in PA (Bloomburg just came online a month or two ago,) and possibly more further north (I-86? US6?)

That would be great...the more the merrier.

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