Teetering on the edge

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Discussion

ruggedscotty

Original Poster:

5,606 posts

208 months

Friday 27th November 2015
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So I stand here about to make a decision - do I get rid of the cars and buy a Tesla. Yes the base model I know but when I looked at the life cost and such it starts to look very attractive.....

But Im pausing - do I or do I not.... when you factor in the fuel maintenance and tax into it then it starts to look like around £450 a month for 6 years ? is that mad ?

Motorrad

6,811 posts

186 months

Friday 27th November 2015
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450 quid for 6 years is a lot of commitment.

I'd have itchy feet after 6 months as usual and would probably end up buying some old shed to keep me entertained (replacing parts, breaking down etc etc) biggrin

LordFlathead

9,641 posts

257 months

Friday 27th November 2015
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You posted this in the wrong forum, Ask the mods to move it to the EV forum where you can speak to people that own one smile

gangzoom

6,251 posts

214 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
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If you can afford it go for it. I've been EV motoring now for 9 months, I honestly don't understand why only so few manfactures got battery EVs. My only complaint about my Leaf is the lack of range, which a Model S solves. If you read owner reviews/feedback your see hardly any EV owner wants to go back to a petrol car, both the Leaf and Model S have some of the highest owner satisfaction reports.

EVs are the future, yes a Model S is costly, but no more so than a M3/M5, but why live in the past when you can experience the future now?? Isn't the point of money is to allow you experience more things in life?? Been the richest man in the graveyard isn't my aspiration in life smile

I'll be ordering our Tesla in 12 months time, maybe even the X, so not at all envious of all those who are getting their Tesla's now wink

ruggedscotty

Original Poster:

5,606 posts

208 months

Saturday 28th November 2015
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Yes this is the thing - I can get it down to around a manageable price - and after driving it and experiancing it Im smitten. What a great package indeed.

TooLateForAName

4,727 posts

183 months

Sunday 29th November 2015
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At this point I'd be looking to lease.

I've just bought a leaf, but only because the price was very very good. For something like a tesla, the technology risk would push me to lease. Even if you lease for 2 years the pricing and available range will have shifted dramatically.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 30th November 2015
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If you can justify the cost and live with the range go for it.

Having had a close look at a Tesla S, it's not for me yet. I don't think the overall experience offers me as much as a well specced 5 series does, especially as the range is so limited. Nice and quiet, interesting dynamically but really just different, and given that I understand there are changes to come in a year or two in terms of range, braking systems and feel, it's too early IMO.

I would definitely lease, too. Big risk to buy outright at this stage.


gangzoom

6,251 posts

214 months

Monday 30th November 2015
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TooLateForAName said:
At this point I'd be looking to lease.

I've just bought a leaf, but only because the price was very very good. For something like a tesla, the technology risk would push me to lease. Even if you lease for 2 years the pricing and available range will have shifted dramatically.
It's cheaper to buy cash and than sell/px back to Tesla at 3 years - they guarantee 50% base value + 47% of options if you take up their finance.

Current lease deals are MORE expensive, even if you take into account putting £60K into a savings account earning 2.5% interest.

I did the numbers earlier in the year, but its still pretty much the same.

Cheapest options is buying used. 12 months old used 85S is now approaching £50K, which is decent saving compared to new - but clearly they don't come with the latest auto-pilot/battery/motor hardware revisions.


JonV8V

7,175 posts

123 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
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Depends where you live in Scotland and how many miles you do but there's not much infrastructure to keep you afloat up there. Zapmap will show charging options just make sure they're Chademo/DC or Tesla points as the others are pretty slow when on the move. Cold weather also hits range so practically speaking the range could be a lower figure than you think.

And 6 years is a long time to own a car like that. I'd be basing my maths on 3 years max and if it turns out I was happy to keep it longer then great as there's plenty of substantial change going on.


TooLateForAName

4,727 posts

183 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
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gangzoom said:
It's cheaper to buy cash and than sell/px back to Tesla at 3 years - they guarantee 50% base value + 47% of options if you take up their finance.

Current lease deals are MORE expensive, even if you take into account putting £60K into a savings account earning 2.5% interest.

I did the numbers earlier in the year, but its still pretty much the same.

Cheapest options is buying used. 12 months old used 85S is now approaching £50K, which is decent saving compared to new - but clearly they don't come with the latest auto-pilot/battery/motor hardware revisions.

Fair enough. Although with that buy back scheme it is similar to a PCP.