New ID.3 vs used Tesla S

Author
Discussion

Stephen-733s2

Original Poster:

109 posts

38 months

Monday 28th June 2021
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Hi,

I am selling my ice car as am now doing 95 miles a day commuting and need something electric. I had narrowed it down to a new ID.3 and test drove one yesterday and really quite liked it. However, have now been informed it’s currently a 20 week wait from order to delivery - and a bit of Googling shows that is likely to increase rather than decrease. I’ve had a look on autotrader and for around the same sort of money you can get. 2014/15 Tesla model S E 85 with around 30-40k on them.

I’m now thinking that this might be a better bet. Available immediately. Better car to start with. Has done most of its depreciation. Better charger network.

Cons - not a new car. Might cost more in maintenance. No new car warranty.

Just thought I’d check to see if I’m missing anything please? Or anyone was going to warn against that particular model of Tesla S listed above?

Thanks a lot.

Steve

annodomini2

6,869 posts

252 months

Monday 28th June 2021
quotequote all
Would suggest searching for model S buyers guides and do a lot of research.

They have issues and can be a bit hit and miss.

At 40k you're into a new base model 3.

Stephen-733s2

Original Poster:

109 posts

38 months

Monday 28th June 2021
quotequote all
I just don’t like the look of the model 3 to be honest.

Tophatron

425 posts

222 months

Monday 28th June 2021
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Older Model S can throw big bills - personally I wouldn’t touch one that was out of warranty.

Are there no stock ID3s available that fit the bill? I’ve seen dealers on the ID3 Facebook group talking about doing great deals on their remaining stock.

Edited by Tophatron on Monday 28th June 22:12

Stephen-733s2

Original Poster:

109 posts

38 months

Monday 28th June 2021
quotequote all
What are the groups please mate? I’ve tried dtd and contacted several dealer groups directly. No joy.

manracer

1,544 posts

98 months

Monday 28th June 2021
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I wouldn't touch an I'd.3 due to the absolutely diabolical infotainment software, from experience of both owning cars with both that and Tesla infotainment

Tophatron

425 posts

222 months

Monday 28th June 2021
quotequote all
Stephen-733s2 said:
What are the groups please mate? I’ve tried dtd and contacted several dealer groups directly. No joy.
Give “VW ID.3 UK Owners” a try on Facebook.

dmsims

6,551 posts

268 months

Tuesday 29th June 2021
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Why have restricted your choice to 2 cars ?

off_again

12,349 posts

235 months

Tuesday 29th June 2021
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The Model S is generally a very reliable car, but does suffer some issues, which can be expensive. Buy the best you can it should work well. However, it was still a $65k - $75k car and will come with relevant costs for parts. A car half that is going to have significantly cheaper parts….

Depends what you want though. A new car comes with a good warranty and hassle free ownership in the case of big bills. Any second hand expensive car does carry the risk of unexpected costs. But, if it works out, the Model S is a good car.

But as others pointed out, why just those two? Why not a second hand Model 3 or maybe something Korean?

Stephen-733s2

Original Poster:

109 posts

38 months

Tuesday 29th June 2021
quotequote all
Cheers guys.

I just don’t like the looks of the 3 but might reconsider based on the feedback above.

Haven’t found anything else I like to be honest - Korean etc. I know I sound too fussy!

NDA

21,645 posts

226 months

Tuesday 29th June 2021
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Stephen-733s2 said:
Cheers guys.

I just don’t like the looks of the 3 but might reconsider based on the feedback above.

Haven’t found anything else I like to be honest - Korean etc. I know I sound too fussy!
I used to think the T3 was a fugly thing - but I bought one for a combination of tax and commuting reasons. I have grown to like its looks - it's only from front on that it looks different... but I don't mind it now.

Whilst it's fashionable to hate Tesla, I have to say I am delighted with mine - it's the perfect commuter and, as I've found out, very easy for long runs too as the charge network is so good.

Being able to give it a charge overnight is vital for easy ownership.

aestetix1

868 posts

52 months

Tuesday 29th June 2021
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Model S of that era is going to be a money pit. The 85kWh batteries had issues and tend to die after a while, best case you can get Tesla to replace under warranty but the car will be out of action for a while. Lots of other problems with the drivetrain, screens, main computer unit (the flash memory wears out, Tesla was forced to recall in the US but I think they are still charging people thousands for a fix in the UK) etc.

If you do go that route make sure you get a comprehensive extended warranty. Make sure you inspect it before taking it too, the interiors wear quite badly.

DrJFoster

90 posts

48 months

Tuesday 29th June 2021
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I don't really recognise any of the Asterixs comments being true anymore.

The 85 battery can be limited to charging speed and may have degraded so a 75 or 90 might be a better but the 85 is still as good range wise as say a BMW i3 120ah with 180 miles usable range and charges faster than it too to provide some context..

The screen issues are now all covered under Tesla warranty until 8 years old.

Drivetrain issues are under warranty too but its the performance models that tended to suffer from driveshafts as they were putting down more power.

But I'd head here for more reliable information than you're going to get from a couple of nobodies on the internet

https://tesla-info.com/guide/tesla-model-s-buyers-...

Personally I might be tempted to find a good nearly new ID.3 and save the wait, last time I looked there were a fair few around £30k. Older Model S cars just feel and look their age now


Fastlane

1,160 posts

218 months

Tuesday 29th June 2021
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I would also strongly suggest you reconsider a Model 3 - go and drive one. They are a much better car than an older S or any ID3. I've had my Model 3 for 19 months now and have really grown to appreciate it - it is just so easy to live with, enjoyable to drive and costs very little to run. My wife has a 64kWh Kona which is as efficient as my Model 3 and we both really like it, but it just doesn't compare to the Model 3.

Stephen-733s2

Original Poster:

109 posts

38 months

Tuesday 29th June 2021
quotequote all
Thanks a lot guys, I may well reconsider.

I just cant stomach paying more for a second hand ID.3 than you can get a new one for. Plus the idea with DTD discounts was I could get an ID.3 for around 28k. Quite a bit less than the model 3/S etc. Push it up into the 30k early 30k range and it doesn't seem as good value next to the Teslas. Then I'm looking at Model 3s and theyre around 36k and Im thinking well for a bit more I could get an iPace... so what started out a a straight swap for what I'd get for my current car and into an ID.3 I've now managed to make my car and another 14k!

raspy

1,516 posts

95 months

Tuesday 29th June 2021
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Given your two choices, I would wait until 2022. More EV models coming to market, more choices. Just get a stopgap car for now.

dmsims

6,551 posts

268 months

Tuesday 29th June 2021
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Zoe, E208 ?

Ipace - overpriced, unreliable, inefficient, poor charge curve.

Martyn76

637 posts

118 months

Tuesday 29th June 2021
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Electrifying.com on YouTube have just done done a video on 2nd hand Tesla Model S modela nd what to look out for, etc.

They have done one for the Audi Etron and ID3 too

https://youtu.be/RahRf96nkuo

Stephen-733s2

Original Poster:

109 posts

38 months

Tuesday 29th June 2021
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Thanks Martyn.

Can't stomach the Zoe or the E208, sorry. Thanks though.

Dave Hedgehog

14,584 posts

205 months

Tuesday 29th June 2021
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Stephen-733s2 said:
I just don’t like the look of the model 3 to be honest.
its the same as the S apart from the front bumper

the base RWD car is a hoot to drive