The cheapest Model 3 is $42,490 plus destination and order fees, which makes it $44,130. Subtract the federal tax credit (which is going away) and you get $36,630 before taxes.

In what world is that “30k plus tax?”

$20K-$25K. That's the range all car companies have abandoned.

You’re well aware that a base model 3 after the tax credit is 32,500 right?

People have to be ok with what comes with affordable though. Something like the Chevy Trax is affordable, but that’s a 1.2L turbo engine. They put some upgrades in places that count though. Expectations would really have to change.

I wish I could get a car with no FSD. I don’t need an inference computer and a pile of cameras for something I never use. Cloth seats, no rear screen, smaller wheels, and roll up windows would really seal the deal for me.

I’m also told I have unique tastes…

29,999 without a dependency on Tax incentives to get to that price.

Truly 30k, not after rebates or incentives, like I can walk in with 30k + tax and get one.

61K CAD Model 3 base model in Canada and it doesn't qualify for most of the EV rebate programs because of its price..

Sits purely in the luxury class. I have done the maintenance and insane fuel cost math a few times. The 3 isn't even big enough for my family anyway. Would be more interested in the Y which starts at $82k CAD. Which is even more crazy.

Happy to be an investor, actually kind of mad as a consumer now. There is NO WAY I can justify any of the Telsa line at this point. They are all double or triple the cost of a traditional car. Not going to save that back on gas and maintenance even on optimistic terms.

I love Tesla, the stock has made me a lot of money but right now they are a rich persons car like many other new cars at the moment. Can’t drop 60k on a vehicle and justify it with saving running costs unless you truly drive a TON of miles.

Beside tesla 3 reaching 300 miles, the rest of the competition looks dismal on the driving range.

Depends how much you drive. If you need the range a Model 3 offers in Europe then you're definitely saving a lot of money on fuel alone.

If you're fine with a smaller range for daily driving then you could save money by not dragging around such a huge battery... but cost per range the M3 is definitely the best deal if you need it.

For me, the running costs are only part of the equation.

There's a reason Tesla calculates fuel savings using the cost of premium (91+ octane) fuel, the Model 3's performance compares much more directly to a luxury/performance ICE car. The RWD Model 3 is as quick or quicker than a BMW 330i, C300, or A4. The Long Range is quicker than the C43 AMG and S4 and not far from an M340i. Adding acceleration boost would make it quicker than all three. I believe the Model 3 also has more cargo space than any of the above as well.

I switched from a gas guzzler that averaged 14MPG to a Tesla Model 3 and I live in California. The cars were similar in price. I am saving a ton in fuel.

I would get the Tesla if I could. All the technology I’m looking for, and they have very good warranties. Go test drive one!

There is no greater Tesla hater on this board than I am, because I am a dyed-in-the-wool manual transmission guy who enjoys car maintenance. That being said, based on what you have written, you are the ideal Tesla buyer.

You do need to consider charging stations, any modifications you need to do to your home and garage, and if your work has free charging. If those are sufficient to meet your needs, Tesla all the way

Get the Tesla. You want tech. You’ll love it

Alfa has poor support in the US and questionable build quality. Italian parts are $$$.

Other luxury brands are expensive to repair and upkeep, gas engines are out the door within the next decade or so anyways.

Just buy the 3, you're not going to regret it.

I know a few people with a Model 3. They all love them. There are a bunch of new EVs coming out in 2020 and 2021. But, nobody has the charging network of Tesla. Tesla is an incredible company, but I wouldn't say that I think they are that much better than any other EV. They have good tech, and they are first to market. So, if you want to compare Tesla to it's competitors, you're going to need to wait for a few years.

All that said, my buddy just bought a BMW i3. It's clearly not as nice as the Tesla. But it's still a really cool car. That's not to say you should look at the i3. Just that many more EVs are coming and coming fast.

In terms of the passion vs intelligent comment. Do your research. Drive the ones you like. Make sure you buy the car you love, not the one you like. The model 3 is an awesome car. Have fun shopping

If you don't want the Tesla stigma, a used Chevy Bolt is your best bet.

Chevy Bolt is cheap, reliable, good features, long range.

I bought a 2019 Tesla 3 in 2023, and I’ve had 0 issues with it. It was like $25k cheaper than a brand new one with the same features.

If you're looking brand-new brand-new, you'll likely want to wait for the next-generation Nissan Leaf that was recently unveiled.

If you're looking pre-owned, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV is a great affordable option whose only real drawback is slower charging than most EVs from its time.

There are some amazing lease deals out there right now. My Mini Cooper SE is awesome and super affordable, if you can live with the limited range.

Exactly correct, new EVs have their values crash. This sub hates Tesla. But by far a used model 3 is the best value. You can get a low mileage 5yo one for for under 19k

https://www.tesla.com/m3/order/5YJ3E1EA7LF740222?titleStatus=used

For that you get a one year bumper to Bumper warranty from Tesla to make the car right. It will totally need this, as they are not built that well.

Model 3 and Y are perfect commuter cars, there is very little to go wrong, charging is practically free compared to ice cars and there is no maintenance other than wiper fluid and a radiator flush eventually.

I also bought mine after driving only manual cars for a decade. I do miss the Miata which was a much more engaging drive. But the Model 3 is much more practical.

Have fun with it!

Congrats ! Many km without incidents!

No shit, I was thinking...screw the pictures of the car. 🤣 She blurred out the wrong thing to preserve privacy and sanity by choosing the license plate. Love the blossoms in the back though.

Looking good. Tesla looks OK too.

Congrats on the car but the trees in the back stole the show. Beautiful.

There’s a car?

Wait, I am handsome....

For now, the model 3. When they release that quad, probably that quad.

Perhaps it is the best value car, but only for the right type of customer. You'd have to point a gun at me to touch a Tesla, I'd happily pay more for something arguably inferior.

By your logic there’s a lot of EV’s that could also throw their hat into this ring. The MG4 Xpower for example is faster and cheaper than the new Tesla model 3.

You could argue a 15k fiat 500 is better value too. Or anything of that ilk. Tesla will have probably lost at least 20k in value after 100k miles, that’s 5k more than the fiat 500 purchase price.

Point being it’s a good value car but there’s plenty of competition out there.

Given that more and more information about the known issues across the product range (that Tesla deliberately hid) emerges daily, and the shitty build quality, plus Elon Musk being a despicable cunny, I'll put my money anywhere else thanks

Seems like your entire post is just you trying to convince yourself it's good value so you can justify buying a Tesla.

If you want a Tesla and can afford it, get a tesla and buy one for the right reasons, Because you want one and you've worked for it. Which is the best and only reason to buy a new car, in my opinion.

Please don't buy in to the Tesla marketing wank though. A decent second-hand 1-2 year old car is going to be significantly better value than anything new.

And please, can we lay off the "Poverty spec" bollocks. I know it's a saying and all, but it's just counterproductive for so many reasons. it's insane to me that a car going for 25k new at any spec is considered poverty spec. Even with the minimum wage rise in April, it's still more than pre-tax, 40 hrs a week, annual income for someone working at that level.

It's cheap, but it's also built with a catapult.

I have a few friends who own Teslas, and they're all built like total shit. Rattles, leaks, misaligned panels, fucked up door seals, you name it.

Someone I know has a Leaf under lease

Most reliable car I've ever seen!

I think the regen braking really saves some wear on the brakes, as that's something they have never needed to do anything with

They keep trading in before the tires wear down enough to worry about

Range is very decent. They can get to the airport without needing to worry so much about charging stations. They charge when they can just to be safe, but they can skip that without worries

Sure, the Tesla's are nicer, but...

Correct would be that it matches the cheapest ICE vehicle in the US (if his calculation is correct).

Basically he is implying it is the cheapest car to drive, but there are probably other EVs that are cheaper

Model 3 is more efficient. Rated consumption: Leaf 166 Wh/km vs Model 3 144 Wh/km

Five years and 57,000 miles in. All Ive done is replace tires, wipers, and cabin air filter.

The cheapest new car. Most people buying a new car make above the $~68k needed to get the full rebate.

People with lower incomes aren’t the ones buying new cars to begin with.

It’s as old as the model 3 though.

Me and my 14 year old Corolla proudly dragging that number down.

How is this already at car max? Someone took an L

$53k? Yeah hard pass and buy new one.

So someone modded a Juniper and hated it so much that instead of just returning to stock they let carmax have it?

Thanks. I hate it.

Gangster? You'll fit right in at the kid drop-off at pre-school.

Can confirm, I dropped my preschooler off in the kid drop off line in a Tesla similar to this, with at least 3 others in the same line.