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[Unknown Soldier]

How much was the price tag? Or is there a site where you you got it from?

The best place to get a used S is from https://www.tesla.com/used because of the incredibly generous 4-year CPO warranty, the same bumper-to-bumper limited warranty that new cars sold by Tesla get. There's also an 8-year drive train and battery warranty that starts when the car was originally sold and you get the remainder of those 8 years whatever that might be.

However Tesla's own inventory listings are horribly cumbersome and clumsy to browse. Instead I recommend you search for the car of your dreams here:
https://ev-cpo.com/hunter/

Good luck and good hunting!

Oops. Right, it depends entirely on what EVSE you have installed. It's possible to install a super high amperage fast charger in the home, but that's neither necessary, easy, nor common. At a given amperage, apples to apples, a 240V EVSE will charge about twice as fast a 120V EVSE. But yeah, 240V EVSEs tend to draw more amps since they "know" they will be installed on a dedicated circuit anyway. That said, I doubt most people are going to want to go above 30A @ 240V for a home EVSE, since to do so many would have to upgrade their home's electrical service.

An electric clothes dryer draws about 6,000 watts, and this is generally the "size" of circuit that a homeowner can easily and cheaply add to their garage. Yes, rich and/or lucky people can and do go much higher than that. They just don't gain much actual utility for their money.

But yes, a typical 25A vanilla 240V home EVSE charges about 3 times faster, not 2 times faster, when compared to a plain ol' 1,800W outlet. My apologies. That fact doesn't really affect the point that I was trying to make: That both "speeds" are still similar enough that it doesn't really change how one thinks about charging one's car:

Do I have plenty of juice for whatever driving I need to do tomorrow?

Yes: Okay, maybe I won't bother plugging in tonight.
No: Okay, I definitely gotta remember to plug in tonight.

No matter which kind of home EVSE you own, you're still probably gonna plug-in in the evening, and then likely not unplug until the following day. Because laziness. Tripling your charging speed will often just mean the charger shuts itself off at 10PM instead of 4AM. Sometimes that's important,(off peak rates!) but usually, it isn't.

I still recommend getting a reasonably beefy EVSE, if you have the means. Not necessarily a 50A one however. Diminishing returns. It'll likely cost a bunch more to install, and still won't be fast enough to do useful amounts of "oh-fuck-I-forgot-to-charge" charging.

TLDR: In the home, "fast" charging often isn't a heck of a lot more useful than "slow" charging. That's because both are still pretty darn slow, but still fast enough for most people. (People that drive 20-40 miles per day, and can charge overnight.)

If you're installing home charging, the bog-standard NEMA 14-50 outlet recommended by Tesla for your garage is the same one used by RV's (and if you are going to take your Tesla to national or state parks, you can charge your car at any campground which has these standard outlets placed here for RV's to use), electric ranges in your kitchen, and welders. There is nothing special about this decades-old standard outlet that an electrician will put in your garage for like $200-400 depending on where you live and how much wire needs to be run inside your garage's walls.

The ordinary NEMA 14-50 outlet supplies 240V and 50A, and the included mobile charging unit with the car plugs into the outlet with a supplied adapter and my car (an early 2016 pre-facelift S 90D) can draw 40A from the outlet which gives me a charge rate of 30 miles per hour. Starting in mid-2016 with the face-lifted front end Model S, the built-in charger was upgraded and can draw 48A from the outlet and newer Model S can charge at 35 miles per hour. This is such a massive increase from the measly 4-5 miles per hour you can get out of a 120V outlet that it's not even something you should think about twice. You're already blowing that much money on the car, pay the local electrician his damn $200-400 and get the NEMA 14-50 outlet installed in your garage. You'll thank me later.

PSA: Teslas sold in North America include a mobile charging unit and 3 adapters: 120V house outlet, 4-blade NEMA 14-50, and J1772 (the North American public charger standard). They do NOT include an adapter for NEMA 14-30, the 3-blade outlet used by electric dryers. You do NOT want to put a NEMA 14-30 outlet in your garage unless you enjoy buying a separate adapter just for that outlet which is dumb because the NEMA 14-30 will charge the car half as fast as a NEMA 14-50 and the electrician will charge you the same amount of money to put the NEMA 14-30 in as he will to put a NEMA 14-50 there instead.

 

[Nobody Important]

If I remember right, you "get" the $7,500 from the Feds at tax time, while you just have to fill out some paperwork after you take delivery of the car in order for the state to send you a $2,500 check. The car dealership will help you with those state forms.

The tax credit thing is trickier. You need to arrange things so that you actually owe at least $7,500, come tax season. I think I needed to reduce the amount that my employer was withholding, in order for that to be true for me. So, you need to know when you will be taking delivery of your EV, and start fiddling with your withholding up to a year prior to that. Once you've engineered that large (for me) tax bill, you'll fill out some extra forms when you do your taxes, and that tax bill will get reduced by $7,500. If you only owe (say) $3,000 in federal taxes, you can get that reduced to zero, but the other $4,500 doesn't show up as a refund, nor can it be rolled over into a subsequent year. Use it (all) or lose (part of) it.

I learned all about this on a Nissan Leaf forum back in 2009(?), so I bet similar threads exist on a Tesla forum somewhere.

I believe when the Chevy Volt first launched, with respect to the tax credits, whichever bank you financed or leased through, they would "claim" the $7500 tax credit and that amount would then be deducted from the amount that you are financing. So in effect, you we be receiving the rebate immediately at time of purchase.

 

[ascii42]

I believe when the Chevy Volt first launched, with respect to the tax credits, whichever bank you financed or leased through, they would "claim" the $7500 tax credit and that amount would then be deducted from the amount that you are financing. So in effect, you we be receiving the rebate immediately at time of purchase.

It only worked that way for leases. When you lease, whomever you leased through is the actual owner of the car, and therefore is entitled to the tax credit. When you finance, you are considered to have bought the car, there's just a lien on the title.

 

[gwarm01]

It's a credit not a rebate I thought? You would have to stregically plan to lower your taxes via payroll deduction a year in advance to get the full 7500. It's not a rebate.

You're right about it not being a rebate, but my tax liability is high enough to take advantage of it. I actually had to cut a $5000 check this year because of issues with my deductions. It's hard to balance that stuff between multiple jobs and a spouse.

Anyway, who here is happy to take a RWD model? I know the AWD Tesla's are quicker and slightly more efficient, but it's not a deal breaker for me. My current car is AWD and, while I appreciate the bonuses, I don't think it's worth waiting an additional six months for.

All I really want is white paint, glass roof, and autopilot.

 

[The Iron Yuppie]

I'm gonna be getting a RWD one ASAP. My current vehicle is on its last legs and I haven't had an AWD since high school and I've survived every Nebraska winter since then, I think I'll be fine.

 

[gwarm01]

I'm gonna be getting a RWD one ASAP. My current vehicle is on its last legs and I haven't had an AWD since high school and I've survived every Nebraska winter since then, I think I'll be fine.

Yep. Plus the feedback from RWD Model S owners has been that the heavy weight, low center of gravity, and the extremely precise control that the electric motor has for the electronic stability control all combine to make a RWD car that handles better than any FWD ICE car could ever hope for. That's good enough for me.

Also, I never used so many acronyms in my life prior to learning about Tesla.

 

[darscot]

My wife has an SUV and if we truly need AWD we can take it. That being said I have never needed it and have driven through some crazy mountain snowstorms so I am not worried at all. I'm just stoked to be able to do proper burnouts, been in FWD way too long.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

The electronic stability control in Teslas cannot be defeated other than pulling a fuse which disables most of the car's electronic systems. You won't be doing burnouts in any Tesla.

Even making a Tesla drift is exceedingly difficult for this reason, not that it has stopped Japan from trying (and succeeding).

 

[FatBaby]

Here are pictures from the very first production unit:

https://electrek.co/2017/07/09/tesla-model-3-production-pictures/

 

[hohoXD123]

Here are pictures from the very first production unit:

https://electrek.co/2017/07/09/tesla-model-3-production-pictures/

That is one sleek looking car. Undecided between black or silver but these pictures are pushing me to the dark side.

 

[Valkyr Junkie]

That is one sleek looking car. Undecided between black or silver but these pictures are pushing me to the dark side.

I'd wait until there's reports on how well the HVAC setup in the Model 3 works before considering black in a warm climate. I'm curious as to what options there will be to keep the AC running when the car is parked.

I'm in Florida, so white it will be.

 

[Mr.Shrugglesツ]

I'd wait until there's reports on how well the HVAC setup in the Model 3 works before considering black in a warm climate. I'm curious as to what options there will be to keep the AC running when the car is parked.

I'm in Florida, so white it will be.

I thought that was one of the benefits of the Tesla setup.

 

[Valkyr Junkie]

I thought that was one of the benefits of the Tesla setup.

I'm specifically referring to the new "single vent" setup on the 3. Teals hadn't been talking about it, and everyone seems to be speculating the car will be able to get away with this configuration by keeping the car conditioned even when parked.

Heating/cooling the seats is easier on the batteries than heating/cooling the entire volume of air in the car, so hopefully they'll offer that in the 3 at some point.

 

[mcfrank]

Excited to get the configuration tool. I really hope there is a battery upgrade option without having to wait too long. I can live without dual motors, but I really want range.

 

[Ty4on]

The electronic stability control in Teslas cannot be defeated other than pulling a fuse which disables most of the car's electronic systems. You won't be doing burnouts in any Tesla.

Even making a Tesla drift is exceedingly difficult for this reason, not that it has stopped Japan from trying (and succeeding).

Traction control is the bane of my existence. It's really annoying on snow having to fight the electronics.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Here's a video of Model 3 SN1 awkwardly posing for photos in the Tesla Factory parking lot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2_5-bJUEMY

Traction control is the bane of my existence. It's really annoying on snow having to fight the electronics.

For breaking the car out of snow or mud, there's "Slip Start" mode on the Model S which lets you spin the wheels all you like without traction control specifically to escape. You can't use it for drifting or burnouts though. No, I haven't tried on my car since it's AWD.

 

[Ashes]

Here are pictures from the very first production unit:

https://electrek.co/2017/07/09/tesla-model-3-production-pictures/

Front overhang still feels too short. It's a shame my eyes catch the lack of symmetry.

 

[mf.luder]

Excited to get the configuration tool. I really hope there is a battery upgrade option without having to wait too long. I can live without dual motors, but I really want range.

Yes, I think I fall into the same category. Range is my most wanted feature.

 

[Epix]

Excited to get the configuration tool. I really hope there is a battery upgrade option without having to wait too long. I can live without dual motors, but I really want range.

Every Model 3 will be delivered with the maximum range battery available, and will be software locked to a lower range for those who choose not to upgrade it. So rest assured that you will be able to purchase the maximum sized battery on Day 1.

 

[itxaka]

Every Model 3 will be delivered with the maximum range battery available, and will be software locked to a lower range for those who choose not to upgrade it. So rest assured that you will be able to purchase the maximum sized battery on Day 1.

where did you read that? Seems like a perfect opportunity to hack the car and remove the software block if true.

 

[Culex]

Every Model 3 will be delivered with the maximum range battery available, and will be software locked to a lower range for those who choose not to upgrade it. So rest assured that you will be able to purchase the maximum sized battery on Day 1.

Is this the new "on-disc DLC?"

 

[ScepticMatt]

Every Model 3 will be delivered with the maximum range battery available, and will be software locked to a lower range for those who choose not to upgrade it.

[citation needed]

I don't think this is true in such a margin-critical car as the Model 3.

 

[Donos]

Every Model 3 will be delivered with the maximum range battery available, and will be software locked to a lower range for those who choose not to upgrade it. So rest assured that you will be able to purchase the maximum sized battery on Day 1.

So unlock cracks and Denuvo in the future? We are getting closer to "downloading a car".

 

[Epix]

where did you read that? Seems like a perfect opportunity to hack the car and remove the software block if true.

I have a Model S and Tesla started doing this about a year ago with all their cars. Its drastically simplifies the battery logistics since every car gets the same battery.

They even started doing "free weekends" where Tesla will unlock the software upgrade for you for a weekend to try and entice you to pay for the permanent upgrade. Tesla will even send you the new badge for the back of the car after you pay for the upgrade...

Here's a demo of someone doing the upgrade. http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-60d-battery-range-upgrade-75d/

 

[Epix]

[citation needed]

I don't think this is true in such a margin-critical car as the Model 3.

Its much cheaper to put the largest battery available in every car then to deal with the logistics of building, storing, and managing multiple SKUs.

 

[Zaph]

Its much cheaper to put the largest battery available in every car then to deal with the logistics of building, storing, and managing multiple SKUs.

Huh, but I suppose this also gets around the issue of the cheaper, smaller capacity models having slightly better performance than the more expensive options.

 

[PabloBolivar]

I have a Model S and Tesla started doing this about a year ago with all their cars. Its drastically simplifies the battery logistics since every car gets the same battery.

They even started doing "free weekends" where Tesla will unlock the software upgrade for you for a weekend to try and entice you to pay for the permanent upgrade. Tesla will even send you the new badge for the back of the car after you pay for the upgrade...

Here's a demo of someone doing the upgrade. http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-60d-battery-range-upgrade-75d/

Had no idea about this. Very interesting.

 

[Doodis]

Every Model 3 will be delivered with the maximum range battery available, and will be software locked to a lower range for those who choose not to upgrade it. So rest assured that you will be able to purchase the maximum sized battery on Day 1.

This is 100% speculation. You may turn out to be right but no such thing has been announced regarding Model 3 at this point.

 

[ScepticMatt]

Its much cheaper to put the largest battery available in every car then to deal with the logistics of building, storing, and managing multiple SKUs.

Lets be generous and say it costs Tesla $150/kWh to produce a Model 3 pack.
20 kWh extra would still $3000.

 

[mattp]

I have a Model S and Tesla started doing this about a year ago with all their cars. Its drastically simplifies the battery logistics since every car gets the same battery.

They even started doing "free weekends" where Tesla will unlock the software upgrade for you for a weekend to try and entice you to pay for the permanent upgrade. Tesla will even send you the new badge for the back of the car after you pay for the upgrade...

Here's a demo of someone doing the upgrade. http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-60d-battery-range-upgrade-75d/

this is kind of awesome

 

[hohoXD123]

I have a Model S and Tesla started doing this about a year ago with all their cars. Its drastically simplifies the battery logistics since every car gets the same battery.

They even started doing "free weekends" where Tesla will unlock the software upgrade for you for a weekend to try and entice you to pay for the permanent upgrade. Tesla will even send you the new badge for the back of the car after you pay for the upgrade...

Here's a demo of someone doing the upgrade. http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-60d-battery-range-upgrade-75d/

Maybe I'm missing something but isn't it a bit shitty to pay for a product which has been intentionally gimped with a software lock for no other reason than to get you to cough up more money to get the full potential out of it?

 

[All Possible Ways]

I have a Model S and Tesla started doing this about a year ago with all their cars. Its drastically simplifies the battery logistics since every car gets the same battery.

They even started doing "free weekends" where Tesla will unlock the software upgrade for you for a weekend to try and entice you to pay for the permanent upgrade. Tesla will even send you the new badge for the back of the car after you pay for the upgrade...

Here's a demo of someone doing the upgrade. http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-60d-battery-range-upgrade-75d/

On car DLC uh, go figure...

 

[Kickz]

I have a Model S and Tesla started doing this about a year ago with all their cars. Its drastically simplifies the battery logistics since every car gets the same battery.

They even started doing "free weekends" where Tesla will unlock the software upgrade for you for a weekend to try and entice you to pay for the permanent upgrade. Tesla will even send you the new badge for the back of the car after you pay for the upgrade...

Here's a demo of someone doing the upgrade. http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-60d-battery-range-upgrade-75d/

What a time to be alive

 

[Sleeping Lesson]

It would be even better if the car charged to actual full capacity, but would stop running when it was "empty," instead offering you the additional, charged capacity on-the-spot if you pay up.

 

[GTI Guy]

Comparison of prototype vs production

https://electrek.co/2017/07/10/tesla-model-3-comparison-pre-alpha-prototype-new-production-unit/

 

[muu]

Maybe I'm missing something but isn't it a bit shitty to pay for a product which has been intentionally gimped with a software lock for no other reason than to get you to cough up more money to get the full potential out of it?

Doesn't seem that different from GPUs with cores disabled, or CPUs that are core locked / underclocked / whatever.

 

[therealist]

I reserved the Model 3 under my father's name but have since changed it to my name and my Texas address. I plan to move to CA this September. Are there any foreseeable issues with me doing this and getting delivery of my car in CA?

 

[LaneDS]

I reserved the Model 3 under my father's name but have since changed it to my name and my Texas address. I plan to move to CA this September. Are there any foreseeable issues with me doing this and getting delivery of my car in CA?

Sounds like you should just contact them, I'm sure they'll be more than happy to workout whatever way gets you to buy a car from them.

 

[mcfrank]

Every Model 3 will be delivered with the maximum range battery available, and will be software locked to a lower range for those who choose not to upgrade it. So rest assured that you will be able to purchase the maximum sized battery on Day 1.

Pretty sure you are breaking news if that is true. Or are you assuming?

 

[Unknown Soldier]

So unlock cracks and Denuvo in the future? We are getting closer to "downloading a car".

Hacking a Tesla explicitly voids your warranty and that's kind of a big deal on a car compared to say an iPhone.

 

[mrklaw]

Maybe I'm missing something but isn't it a bit shitty to pay for a product which has been intentionally gimped with a software lock for no other reason than to get you to cough up more money to get the full potential out of it?

Bmw do this - they have a common head unit for ICE etc but some features locked by software unless you've paid for the option.

Some require additional hardware but some are literally just software

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

Doesn't seem that different from GPUs with cores disabled, or CPUs that are core locked / underclocked / whatever.

That's not even remotely the same thing. It's quite shitty to lock legitimate features behind software update.

What a weird practice to praise.

 

[East Lake]

Maybe I'm missing something but isn't it a bit shitty to pay for a product which has been intentionally gimped with a software lock for no other reason than to get you to cough up more money to get the full potential out of it?

I don't think it's quite comparable to game DLC, where for example you get what you feel to be 3/4th's of a game for $60. Lets say hypothetically if Tesla were to do this with the model 3 the base model goes 215 miles, and accelerates slower due to software limitations. It's still a complete car. It's not as good as the software unlocked version, but Tesla would have made the calculation that they'll make back what they spent on larger batteries through the optional software upgrades. There would never be a situation where you'd get increased range without paying.

 

[GTI Guy]

Bmw do this - they have a common head unit for ICE etc but some features locked by software unless you've paid for the option.

Some require additional hardware but some are literally just software

I have a friend with a BMW would be good to have the details of this software locking so I can share with him. He is all pissy about this whole battery thing and would be nice to shove this in his face. Link please? LOL

 

[hohoXD123]

Doesn't seem that different from GPUs with cores disabled, or CPUs that are core locked / underclocked / whatever.

At least with those it's generally due to manufacturers only wanting to promise the minimum performance the GPU/CPU is safely capable of, instead of overclocking it from the get go and having a larger portion of chips failing. You don't have software limiting what is essentially a 1060 to 1050 levels pending an additional upgrade fee.

 

[Jack Scofield]

People are receiving the first Model 3s this MONTH? Where can I find the various configuration options and cost estimates? I want to know what I can reasonably expect for the cost of my specific model.

 

[SteveMeister]

I have a Model S and Tesla started doing this about a year ago with all their cars. Its drastically simplifies the battery logistics since every car gets the same battery.

They even started doing "free weekends" where Tesla will unlock the software upgrade for you for a weekend to try and entice you to pay for the permanent upgrade. Tesla will even send you the new badge for the back of the car after you pay for the upgrade...

Here's a demo of someone doing the upgrade. http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-s-60d-battery-range-upgrade-75d/

This as far as I am aware was ONLY after they re-introduced the 60kWh battery. The 60 was a software-limited 75kWh battery. Tesla no longer sells the 60kWh battery -- you can only get 75, 90 or 100kWh fpr Model S or X, and I'm pretty sure you can NOT upgrade via software once you've purchased. They are three different battery packs.

That's not to say they won't offer something similar for Model 3 -- but currently you are "stuck" with the battery pack you buy if you get a new S or X. (note that the batteries are swappable, so you CAN swap out to a larger pack but it's very expensive!)

 

[Anion]

People are receiving the first Model 3s this MONTH? Where can I find the various configuration options and cost estimates? I want to know what I can reasonably expect for the cost of my specific model.

From what I understand, you won't be able to for a while. Right now people of pre-ordered are only able to choose the rim and the color of the car. I assume Tesla is giving them the fully loaded versions as a gratitude for the first xx of preorders as it's so much cheaper for them to give one speced model model for now.

I'm sure different packages will be put out soon once the first few xxx,xxx have been shipped lol

 

[deadduck]

People are receiving the first Model 3s this MONTH? Where can I find the various configuration options and cost estimates? I want to know what I can reasonably expect for the cost of my specific model.

You can't yet, it'll come out after the handover thing on the 28th.

The SX config page has changed behind the scenes (stop the config page from loading in your browser) but don't expect it to go live on the day as the first 1000 won't be made until Sept.

This as far as I am aware was ONLY after they re-introduced the 60kWh battery. The 60 was a software-limited 75kWh battery. Tesla no longer sells the 60kWh battery -- you can only get 75, 90 or 100kWh fpr Model S or X, and I'm pretty sure you can NOT upgrade via software once you've purchased. They are three different battery packs.

I can't see 15kwh sitting behind a paywall on the 3. It's potentially 7k of batteries that might never get used, might have been ok on the S, but I think they've left that approach behind.

 

[Argyle]

This as far as I am aware was ONLY after they re-introduced the 60kWh battery. The 60 was a software-limited 75kWh battery. Tesla no longer sells the 60kWh battery -- you can only get 75, 90 or 100kWh fpr Model S or X, and I'm pretty sure you can NOT upgrade via software once you've purchased. They are three different battery packs.

I'm pretty sure that if you have a software locked 60 in a Model S it can be upgraded to 75kwh.

https://shop.teslamotors.com/products/75-kwh-battery-capacity-upgrade

I agree that it's unlikely they will do this for the 3. If they are trying to simplify their production I'm guessing they will launch with only 75 kWh batteries for the bigger margins (no 60 kWh option at launch).