Something very exciting happened the other weekend. Now this was not years in the making nor was it a spur of the moment decision. And yet, I am stoked about it.
We ordered a new Tesla Model Y!
Before I get any further, here’s my referral link: https://www.tesla.com/referral/niklaus72480
Quite frankly, I was not in the market to buy a new car. My 2013 Kia Optima Ex is fully paid off with 51,000 miles on it – never had an issue. It’s basically that rare car driven by a grandma to church and back in really good condition.
So why give up the Kia life and buy a (not so cheap) new car? Let me explain.
I’m not a stranger to the Tesla brand. My parents leased the original Model X when it was first released and have been driving it for the past 3 years. From the X wing doors, to the hidden easter eggs, and the speed of this machine make it an unreal vehicle. And for the past 3 years, I keep hearing about how the car is getting better over time. Let me repeat that. The same car is actually improving and becoming more impressive the older it gets. My Kia, while well maintained, is aging like an open can of Coca-Cola compared to this bottle of wine Elon is squeezing out.
My sister-in-law stumbled her way into a situation where a friend left their Model 3 at her house to hold onto while they live out of state. I don’t understand it either but it has only benefitted me. Since the public park down the street from our house has free charging, she drove it over on a Saturday afternoon. Naturally, I bullied my way into giving it a test drive. Ooh wee that thing has some giddyup. On top of that, it’s also just enjoyable to drive and so minimalist on the inside. Stark contrast to the my Kia which has more buttons on the steering wheel than Tesla has in an entire car.
So after getting this crazy idea in my head that maybe I wanted a Tesla I dove into the research. Y or 3? What color? Upgraded wheels? Ultimately it came down to range and size. When we go on roadtrips, I like to be driver. So we need an SUV that can sit 4 people and a dog seat along with luggage and beach chairs for our trips to Charleston. This pushed my to the Model Y and I’m not mad about it.
The range has greatly improved since the original release of the cars. Anything under 300 miles of range made me very hesitant to consider an electric car. I just know how often my parents stop in the Y on any road trip. That life just isn’t for me. The Model Y Long Range is listed at 326 miles – an increase of 2 weeks ago of 312 (or something like that). The craziest part is those extra miles were gained through a software update. Let that sink in. An over-the-air software update changed improved the range of the car. That is flat out amazing.
Lastly and, probably, most importantly – the buying process. I am not a great negotiator for cars mostly. I’m generally less educated about pricing, incentives, financing, etc., so often feel outmatched which is an uncomfortable situation to be in. The best part about buying a Tesla is the no-haggle approach. Everyone pays the same price for the car. The reps at the service center are hourly employees and not commission based (I asked). To buy the car you simply open up the website, build your dream car, put down a $100 deposit and you’re off to the races / charging station.
Literally that simple. To get financing or trade in value of your car, you do it all through the website too. It was easier to buy this car than it was to find a contractor to fix our back deck. Less haggling, price comparison, second guessing. I would not have bought a new car if I had to invest any more time or energy in to this process.
So now we wait. We wait for the elusive text messaging saying ‘Your car will be ready on xx date.’ Will make an update once we receive the car. Considering filming the process and jumping on the Model Y YouTube bandwagon.
In the meantime, use my code to order your car! https://www.tesla.com/referral/niklaus72480
The race among electric SUVs might be more interesting if the Model Y faced serious competition. But it doesn’t. Compared to would-be rivals — the Audi E-Tron, Jaguar I-Pace — the Tesla wins on matters large and small. ( The Ford Mustang Mach-E is next up, but is still months away from showrooms). Let’s give the E-Tron the swanky-interior trophy. Let’s grant that the Jaguar looks the sexiest. But most everything else falls in the Tesla’s ledger, often by wide margins.
Love the analysis! Thanks for reading. Definitely agree the Model Y is in a class of its own. I’d be somewhat tempted if some of the other luxury EVs would connect to the SuperCharger network but they don’t so I’m Tesla all day!