Tesla Model 3 Buying Advice
Discussion
Afternoon all, have recently got a new job that will mean 500 miles a week of commuting (100 miles per day 5 times a week). Have narrowed car choice down to a Tesla Model 3. I test drove a 2021 Model 3 Long Range on 19" wheels last week and was happy enough, now just need to find one but have some questions.
On the test drive I focused on how the car felt to drive rather than playing around with the central screen. I have been doing some research and understand that 2021 cars have the intel atom processor whereas the 2022 cars have the ryzen processor. First question is does this really make a big difference? Is it a big enough difference to justify paying another £2.5k for a 2022 car with similar mileage to a 2021?
Second question is related to the first, £2.5k difference for similar mileage cars between 2021 and 2022 seems quite a jump, is this just because of the processor and because the cars effectively still have manufacturer warranty until some time in 2026 (4 years warranty when new) whereas the 2021 cars will all be out of warranty by the end of 2025. I am referring to the car warranty rather than the longer battery warranty.
Third question is because I am going to be putting 25k miles a year on whatever I buy, do people think it is a better strategy to pay less for a higher mileage car (up to 60k miles) and then put 25k on and sell after a year with mileage on 85k so the car is still worth something with battery warranty intact. Or should I get a lower mileage car (up to 35k miles) that will cost more in the first place but I can keep it for 2 years and put 50k miles on it in that time then sell around 85k miles for the same reason as above.
Finally, regarding wheel sizes. I don't really feel precious about how the 19" or 18" wheels look but I do care about ride quality. The ride quality on the car I drove didn't seem too bad with 19" wheels so wouldn't discount 19" wheeled cars, but if the ride quality is noticeably better on the 18" wheel cars that may push me to seek one out. The only thing that puts me off with the 18" wheels is the removable aero covers and concern over them getting pinched and then having to pay to replace them.
Appreciate any advice.
On the test drive I focused on how the car felt to drive rather than playing around with the central screen. I have been doing some research and understand that 2021 cars have the intel atom processor whereas the 2022 cars have the ryzen processor. First question is does this really make a big difference? Is it a big enough difference to justify paying another £2.5k for a 2022 car with similar mileage to a 2021?
Second question is related to the first, £2.5k difference for similar mileage cars between 2021 and 2022 seems quite a jump, is this just because of the processor and because the cars effectively still have manufacturer warranty until some time in 2026 (4 years warranty when new) whereas the 2021 cars will all be out of warranty by the end of 2025. I am referring to the car warranty rather than the longer battery warranty.
Third question is because I am going to be putting 25k miles a year on whatever I buy, do people think it is a better strategy to pay less for a higher mileage car (up to 60k miles) and then put 25k on and sell after a year with mileage on 85k so the car is still worth something with battery warranty intact. Or should I get a lower mileage car (up to 35k miles) that will cost more in the first place but I can keep it for 2 years and put 50k miles on it in that time then sell around 85k miles for the same reason as above.
Finally, regarding wheel sizes. I don't really feel precious about how the 19" or 18" wheels look but I do care about ride quality. The ride quality on the car I drove didn't seem too bad with 19" wheels so wouldn't discount 19" wheeled cars, but if the ride quality is noticeably better on the 18" wheel cars that may push me to seek one out. The only thing that puts me off with the 18" wheels is the removable aero covers and concern over them getting pinched and then having to pay to replace them.
Appreciate any advice.
Have rummage through here, a wealth of good information for any Tesla…
https://ev-inventory.com/guide/buy-used-tesla.php
https://ev-inventory.com/guide/buy-used-tesla.php
I am in exactly the same position and only last week I got a 2021 Model 3 Long Range AWD delivered for my 70 mile daily commute (previously in an ID.3 but for the same/similar price, it was a no brainer for me)
I can't talk about the processors, but my car is absolutely gorgeous to drive. It's still got all those driver interferences that plague all cars these days but other than that, it's a great 'white goods' car.
Wheel size, mine came with the 18" alloys but I'd not rule out the one with the wheel covers... having them stolen never crossed my mind. Who would steal them, another Tesla owner? They're £20 on eBay anyway.
One thing I did notice is that it took me ages to get the seat into a position that my back could take. I'm a lanky 6'3" and the seat is waaaaay back but took me a good week to eventually settle on the position.
I can't talk about the processors, but my car is absolutely gorgeous to drive. It's still got all those driver interferences that plague all cars these days but other than that, it's a great 'white goods' car.
Wheel size, mine came with the 18" alloys but I'd not rule out the one with the wheel covers... having them stolen never crossed my mind. Who would steal them, another Tesla owner? They're £20 on eBay anyway.
One thing I did notice is that it took me ages to get the seat into a position that my back could take. I'm a lanky 6'3" and the seat is waaaaay back but took me a good week to eventually settle on the position.
We had a 2020 M3 and currently have a 2022 MY. I didn’t really notice any difference with the newer processor, but the software has moved on quite a lot since then, so the older processor might be struggling to keep up by now. I only use basic Autopilot, so no EAP or FSD.
I would stick with the standard 18” wheels with aero covers for best ride and range. I’ve never had the covers stolen, but I live in a small rural village with off-road parking.
Tesla typically do a lot of incremental updates on their cars with no distinct model years, so a 2022 car will likely have a few useful improvements over a 2021 car. The updated processor is just a more obvious upgrade. For £2,5k I think it’s worth getting a year newer car.
Make sure you get an end of warranty inspection as Tesla are pretty chilled about warranty work and they won’t bat an eyelid at changing a whole set of suspension arms if the bushes are a bit worn. Note that the 4 year warranty has a 50k mileage limit too.
I would stick with the standard 18” wheels with aero covers for best ride and range. I’ve never had the covers stolen, but I live in a small rural village with off-road parking.
Tesla typically do a lot of incremental updates on their cars with no distinct model years, so a 2022 car will likely have a few useful improvements over a 2021 car. The updated processor is just a more obvious upgrade. For £2,5k I think it’s worth getting a year newer car.
Make sure you get an end of warranty inspection as Tesla are pretty chilled about warranty work and they won’t bat an eyelid at changing a whole set of suspension arms if the bushes are a bit worn. Note that the 4 year warranty has a 50k mileage limit too.
As a model 3 owner of 5 years I can tell you this
The chip will make a massive difference. I have the older chip and it’s so slow when you need it.
High mileage can sometimes be better. Low mileage may mean it was never used so early charged so battery may not be the best. Mine is 25k miles already lost 11% battery because I rarely charged it. Thats just in 5 years
18 wheels are more comfortable. A lot more if your in a city. I used to live in London and I changed to 19 one time just for the looks. You definitely feel it over pot holes and speed bumps. Maybe the tires made a difference too, but I felt it and went back
The chip will make a massive difference. I have the older chip and it’s so slow when you need it.
High mileage can sometimes be better. Low mileage may mean it was never used so early charged so battery may not be the best. Mine is 25k miles already lost 11% battery because I rarely charged it. Thats just in 5 years
18 wheels are more comfortable. A lot more if your in a city. I used to live in London and I changed to 19 one time just for the looks. You definitely feel it over pot holes and speed bumps. Maybe the tires made a difference too, but I felt it and went back
HarryW said:
Have rummage through here, a wealth of good information for any Tesla
https://ev-inventory.com/guide/buy-used-tesla.php
Thanks for that, have had a good read through. Confirms a lot of what I already knew I think.https://ev-inventory.com/guide/buy-used-tesla.php
p4cks said:
I am in exactly the same position and only last week I got a 2021 Model 3 Long Range AWD delivered for my 70 mile daily commute (previously in an ID.3 but for the same/similar price, it was a no brainer for me)
I can't talk about the processors, but my car is absolutely gorgeous to drive. It's still got all those driver interferences that plague all cars these days but other than that, it's a great 'white goods' car.
Wheel size, mine came with the 18" alloys but I'd not rule out the one with the wheel covers... having them stolen never crossed my mind. Who would steal them, another Tesla owner? They're £20 on eBay anyway.
One thing I did notice is that it took me ages to get the seat into a position that my back could take. I'm a lanky 6'3" and the seat is waaaaay back but took me a good week to eventually settle on the position.
Thanks for the info, I did get the impression on the test drive it would be a reasonable car for the commute.I can't talk about the processors, but my car is absolutely gorgeous to drive. It's still got all those driver interferences that plague all cars these days but other than that, it's a great 'white goods' car.
Wheel size, mine came with the 18" alloys but I'd not rule out the one with the wheel covers... having them stolen never crossed my mind. Who would steal them, another Tesla owner? They're £20 on eBay anyway.
One thing I did notice is that it took me ages to get the seat into a position that my back could take. I'm a lanky 6'3" and the seat is waaaaay back but took me a good week to eventually settle on the position.
With regard to the wheel covers it's like anything really, if it's easily removable then scrotes will probably try to take them at some point. Not guaranteed to happen but just something I'm aware of.
I think with any car with electric seats where the adjustments can finely be tuned it does take a while to get comfortable, I know in my current car it took me way longer than a week to find the right spot.
uktrailmonster said:
We had a 2020 M3 and currently have a 2022 MY. I didn t really notice any difference with the newer processor, but the software has moved on quite a lot since then, so the older processor might be struggling to keep up by now. I only use basic Autopilot, so no EAP or FSD.
I would stick with the standard 18 wheels with aero covers for best ride and range. I ve never had the covers stolen, but I live in a small rural village with off-road parking.
Tesla typically do a lot of incremental updates on their cars with no distinct model years, so a 2022 car will likely have a few useful improvements over a 2021 car. The updated processor is just a more obvious upgrade. For £2,5k I think it s worth getting a year newer car.
Make sure you get an end of warranty inspection as Tesla are pretty chilled about warranty work and they won t bat an eyelid at changing a whole set of suspension arms if the bushes are a bit worn. Note that the 4 year warranty has a 50k mileage limit too.
£2.5k is a lot really for a year newer car, struggling to justify that at the moment. It's more than 10% extra on the price of the car and from what I can see the only difference seems to be the faster processor and a different type of low voltage battery.I would stick with the standard 18 wheels with aero covers for best ride and range. I ve never had the covers stolen, but I live in a small rural village with off-road parking.
Tesla typically do a lot of incremental updates on their cars with no distinct model years, so a 2022 car will likely have a few useful improvements over a 2021 car. The updated processor is just a more obvious upgrade. For £2,5k I think it s worth getting a year newer car.
Make sure you get an end of warranty inspection as Tesla are pretty chilled about warranty work and they won t bat an eyelid at changing a whole set of suspension arms if the bushes are a bit worn. Note that the 4 year warranty has a 50k mileage limit too.
I'll bear in mind the end of warranty inspection, is this something you can just call to book in even if nothing is wrong with the car? Do they charge for it?
Callum.mullac675 said:
As a model 3 owner of 5 years I can tell you this
The chip will make a massive difference. I have the older chip and it s so slow when you need it.
High mileage can sometimes be better. Low mileage may mean it was never used so early charged so battery may not be the best. Mine is 25k miles already lost 11% battery because I rarely charged it. Thats just in 5 years
18 wheels are more comfortable. A lot more if your in a city. I used to live in London and I changed to 19 one time just for the looks. You definitely feel it over pot holes and speed bumps. Maybe the tires made a difference too, but I felt it and went back
Interested to know what you mean when you say it's so slow when you need it. Need it for what? If you are referring to watching youtube or playing games I'm not really fussed about having to wait longer when using those apps.The chip will make a massive difference. I have the older chip and it s so slow when you need it.
High mileage can sometimes be better. Low mileage may mean it was never used so early charged so battery may not be the best. Mine is 25k miles already lost 11% battery because I rarely charged it. Thats just in 5 years
18 wheels are more comfortable. A lot more if your in a city. I used to live in London and I changed to 19 one time just for the looks. You definitely feel it over pot holes and speed bumps. Maybe the tires made a difference too, but I felt it and went back
Interesting regarding the wheels. The car I test drove was on the 19" wheels and on the 20 minute test drive I did deliberately seek out some rougher bits of road and pot holes and didn't really find it that bad to be honest. It might be where I have had some stiffer cars before.
Ryzen is meant to be faster and this will put you in good stead in future proofing as it’s more capable with the regular OTA updates.
Is the Intel car an early 2021? As I think there were some other improvements with the Intel cars towards the end of their production. Eg I have a standard range plus from Nov21 and for a little while, these came with the additional rear seat heating.
Yes get the 18” wheels, no one will nick the covers as there isn’t a second hand market for them.
Is the Intel car an early 2021? As I think there were some other improvements with the Intel cars towards the end of their production. Eg I have a standard range plus from Nov21 and for a little while, these came with the additional rear seat heating.
Yes get the 18” wheels, no one will nick the covers as there isn’t a second hand market for them.
Al U said:
The only thing that puts me off with the 18" wheels is the removable aero covers and concern over them getting pinched and then having to pay to replace them.
Appreciate any advice.
Mine live in the garage and I haven't noticed a difference in range. People have said it is maybe 5%.Appreciate any advice.
KPE said:
Ryzen is meant to be faster and this will put you in good stead in future proofing as it s more capable with the regular OTA updates.
Is the Intel car an early 2021? As I think there were some other improvements with the Intel cars towards the end of their production. Eg I have a standard range plus from Nov21 and for a little while, these came with the additional rear seat heating.
Yes get the 18 wheels, no one will nick the covers as there isn t a second hand market for them.
May 21 cars also lost radar which gives them a parking blind spot on the front as the camera cant see below the front bonnet Is the Intel car an early 2021? As I think there were some other improvements with the Intel cars towards the end of their production. Eg I have a standard range plus from Nov21 and for a little while, these came with the additional rear seat heating.
Yes get the 18 wheels, no one will nick the covers as there isn t a second hand market for them.
Tycho said:
Mine live in the garage and I haven't noticed a difference in range. People have said it is maybe 5%.
To be honest I have seen several cars for sale with the aero covers missing and assumed they were missing as they had been pinched. Didn't really occur to me people might be taking them off and forgetting to put them back on come resale time.Dave Hedgehog said:
KPE said:
Ryzen is meant to be faster and this will put you in good stead in future proofing as it s more capable with the regular OTA updates.
Is the Intel car an early 2021? As I think there were some other improvements with the Intel cars towards the end of their production. Eg I have a standard range plus from Nov21 and for a little while, these came with the additional rear seat heating.
Yes get the 18 wheels, no one will nick the covers as there isn t a second hand market for them.
I worry if you need parking aid at the front. The best carIs the Intel car an early 2021? As I think there were some other improvements with the Intel cars towards the end of their production. Eg I have a standard range plus from Nov21 and for a little while, these came with the additional rear seat heating.
Yes get the 18 wheels, no one will nick the covers as there isn t a second hand market for them.
I had measured the parking space and you just steered it in using sensors or cameras as you liked.
May 21 cars also lost radar which gives them a parking blind spot on the front as the camera cant see below the front bonnet
Al U said:
To be honest I have seen several cars for sale with the aero covers missing and assumed they were missing as they had been pinched. Didn't really occur to me people might be taking them off and forgetting to put them back on come resale time.
No, some people simply prefer the look of the underlying alloy wheels. If you are really concerned about theft then you could simply cable tie then on. Not that I’ve ever done that myself. Al U said:
£2.5k is a lot really for a year newer car, struggling to justify that at the moment. It's more than 10% extra on the price of the car and from what I can see the only difference seems to be the faster processor and a different type of low voltage battery.
I'll bear in mind the end of warranty inspection, is this something you can just call to book in even if nothing is wrong with the car? Do they charge for it?
I think that’s entirely your personal call. It’s just natural depreciation with an older plate. I would upgrade the 12V battery if you get the older car. It’s worth it on an EV as a failing low voltage battery will leave you stranded. I'll bear in mind the end of warranty inspection, is this something you can just call to book in even if nothing is wrong with the car? Do they charge for it?
TheBinarySheep said:
Interior build quality is that good on the early American made ones. Not sure what year they switched to making them in China.
You meant not that good I assume. They switched production to China in early-mid 2020. Build quality was much improved, especially panel fits and paint. TheBinarySheep said:
Interior build quality is that good on the early American made ones. Not sure what year they switched to making them in China.
Yes, know about this. Had read 2021 onwards were the ones to go for. Thought that was all that mattered then found out about the Intel/AMD processer thing. Al U said:
I'll bear in mind the end of warranty inspection, is this something you can just call to book in even if nothing is wrong with the car? Do they charge for it?
Yeah you can book in a general inspection. Unlike a traditional franchised main dealer, they won’t baulk at doing warranty work. But if you don’t trust them, there is an independent who offers a mobile warranty inspection (Cleevely). I’m about to get mine inspected as it’s coming up to 50k miles and has never been serviced. Although it did pass it’s first MOT in March with no advisories. Gassing Station | Tesla | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff