Should I Buy A Tesla? What To Consider As You Weigh EV Options
Source: Pixabay
With rising fuel prices and people becoming more conscious about their carbon footprint, buying an all-electric vehicle is increasingly becoming an attractive option for many consumers. And when it comes to electric cars, one brand name that will likely spring into your mind is Tesla. Tesla has spearheaded the EV market for over a decade and has undoubtedly popularized the all-electric movement.
Thanks to the combination of cutting-edge tech, clever marketing, and the antics of its eccentric CEO Elon Musk, Tesla became a household name, not just in the EV space but also in the entire automotive industry. If you’re reading this article, you’re likely asking yourself, “Should I buy a Tesla?”
For today’s post, we will outline some of the best reasons why you should buy a Tesla, as well as the best reasons why you should consider other EV options. Let’s dive right in.
5 Reasons to Buy a Tesla
Should I buy a Tesla? Below are some of the best reasons why Tesla remains an attractive option for EV buyers.
1. Fuel and Electricity Savings
One of the most important long-term benefits of buying a Tesla (or any EV, for that matter) is the amount of money you can save, not just on fuel but electricity costs as well. For example, a Tesla Model 3 has a battery-only range between 272 to 358 miles, a segment-leading range significantly higher than EV offerings from Hyundai and Polestar. Therefore, you can save as much as $250 per year in electricity costs than Tesla’s competitors. While these savings may seem like they could be better, they can add up over time.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP
The CoPilot car shopping app is the smartest way to buy a car. Get a curated list of the best cars for sale in your area, as well as notifications if a similar vehicle is listed nearby at a lower price. CoPilot is the smartest way to shop for used cars.
2. Supercharger Network
As one of the trailblazers in the game, Tesla has developed the necessary infrastructure for a wide-ranging Supercharger network. As of March 2023, there are 1,676 Supercharger locations in the United States, and more stations are being added as we’re writing this. These strategic Supercharger locations enable your Tesla to gain 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes of charging. This access to a reliable network of Superchargers is a massive advantage for Tesla owners.
3. Price Drops
One of the apparent barriers to entry into Tesla’s EV ecosystem is its higher price point. However, as the EV space becomes more competitive, Tesla has made several price cuts to many of its models. In fact, for this year alone, Tesla has marked down its prices a staggering six times since the start of the year. For example, the Model 3 now has a starting price of $39,990. Due to the price cuts, some Tesla vehicles are now qualified for the EV tax credit. Thus, it just got a lot cheaper to be a Tesla owner.
4. Unmatched Performance
Tesla has positioned itself not just as an EV company but also as a leader in automotive performance. Just try talking to a Tesla owner, and they won’t be able to resist mentioning their car’s impressive power and speed. For example, the 2023 Tesla Model S boasts a ridiculous 0-60 mph acceleration speed in just 2.1 seconds. Those are numbers comparable to multimillion-dollar hypercars.
5. Cutting-Edge Tech
Tesla has been dubbed a “tech company,” and there are several reasons for that. Tesla has been at the forefront of automotive technology, with vehicles packed with cutting-edge tech and safety features. For instance, Tesla has the most advanced self-driving systems in the market today and loads of safety and convenience features such as Sentry Mode, blind-spot monitoring, emergency braking, etc.
THE 10 MOST RELIABLE AMERICAN CARS
Because the car buying experience is so stressful, it’s helpful to go into the dealership with information ahead of time. Therefore, we’ve curated a list of the 10 most reliable American cars so you can approach the process from a place of empowerment.
5 Reasons Not to Buy a Tesla
Should I buy a Tesla? The following reasons may make you think twice before spending good money on a Tesla.
1. Questionable Build Quality
If you have been paying attention to automotive news as of late, you’ll have seen numerous reports about the questionable build quality of recent Tesla models. For instance, a YouTuber named Andy Slye has pointed out several quality issues with his new Model Y, including steering wheel squeaks, mismatched paint, window gunks, loose upholstery, and many more. Meanwhile, many auto blogs have also pointed out issues with the entry-level Model 3, including paint issues, touchscreen woes, and panel gaps. These quality control issues shouldn’t exist in a luxury EV.
2. Underwhelming Interior
When Tesla vehicles first came out, they were praised for their minimalistic approach to interior design, making them seem like products of the future. While a massive 15-inch screen at the center of the console is admittedly striking, there’s not much to be said about the rest of the interior. Some may say it’s the peak of minimalism, but to some, Tesla interiors will look sparse or spartan. Some other electric cars from Kia and Hyundai have better-executed interiors.
3. Tons of Recalls
Many aspects of the car-buying experience are subject to negotiation or compromise. However, safety is one aspect that many people would not be willing to compromise. Unfortunately, Tesla now ranks as one of the top two car manufacturers that recalled the most cars since 2022, with over 4 million vehicles across 21 recalls. Although Tesla does provide a warranty, it’s hard to overlook the safety concerns surrounding these recalls.
4. Hype and Overselling
Tesla used to be the foremost innovator in the EV space, but those days are now behind us. Moreover, Tesla CEO Elon Musk frequently builds hype and overselling when discussing the technologies and innovations surrounding his companies, including Tesla. From the “Cybertruck” to crewless expeditions to Mars by 2022, these overpromises by Musk, while entertaining, never came to fruition and hurt the credibility of his companies.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TINT CAR WINDOWS?
Different tints block different levels of UV light and in the long run can prevent sun damage to your skin and eyes, but how much does it cost to tint car windows? We’ve got the answer.
5. Growing Competition
Gone are the days when Tesla seems to be the only brand in the EV space. Nowadays, many of the top EVs are coming from established automakers like Chevrolet, Kia, Nissan, Hyundai, and Ford – all are out to take a bite of Tesla’s market share by undercutting it with lower-priced electric vehicles. Meanwhile, many luxury brands have been putting out their own all-electric cars and SUVs, such as the BMW iX, Genesis GV60, Cadillac Lyriq, Lucid Air, Rivian R1S, and the Audi Q4 e-tron.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
