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I ordered a Tesla Model Y

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307K views 3.3K replies 153 participants last post by  longboat  
#1 · (Edited)
Two weeks ago, I had no exit strategy for either my '21 Ridgeline or '19 Miata. The Miata will probably be with me for a long time and I planned to keep the Ridgeline until the third generation went on sale.

Then, I read about Tesla dropping the price on the Model Y by 20% on the 13th and it qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit. Knowing that my brother-in-law planned to buy a Model Y in the future, I let him know that now might be a good time and he placed an order on January 15th.

I was tempted, but I hovered over the "place order" button for several days before finally clicking it on January 20th.

My original estimated delivery date was "Jan - Mar 2023". This was unnerving because the $7,500 tax credit is only guaranteed until March 1st at which time is may be reduced to $3,750.

The Model Y currently qualifies for the full $7,500 credit because it is made in the US. The Panasonic 2170 cells it uses are also made in the US. What might prevent it from qualifying for the full $7,500 credit as soon as March 1st is if less than 40% of the critical minerals used in those cells are sourced outside the US or a free trade partner. In this case, the credit will drop to $3,750. There is also a possibility that details will be delayed and the full credit will remain in effect.

This evening, the estimated delivery date was updated to "March 3 - March 31" making this even more suspenseful. Since the vehicle is unlikely to arrive before the March 1st, it may or may not qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit.

While the 20% price drop alone may be enough to encourage some buyers to order one, it was the price drop and the $7,500 tax credit that prompted to do so. Without the full credit, I'm less interested in taking delivery. If I don't, the most I'm out is a $250 nonrefundable order fee.

If I end up with the Model Y, I'll likely sell my Ridgeline since I only have space for two vehicles in my garage.

To be continued... :)
 
#3 ·
When I finally decided to click the order button, I had the bottom line number in my mind as:

$52,990 Model Y
1,390 destination
250 order fee
-7,500 tax credit
$47,130 TOTAL (excluding TT&L)

If I have to pay $50,880 due to the credit falling from $7,500 to $3,750, I'll feel like I'm paying $3,750 too much - that same feeling you get when you pay more at a traditional dealership than you initially expected. ;)

Now, when you consider that hundreds of thousands of buyers paid at least $66,630 for a new Model Y in 2022 before Tesla's price drop the the federal tax credit, even $50,880 may seem like a good deal.

The tax credit of at least $3,750 is likely here to stay for the next ten years, but a lot can change during that time. Manufacturing locations and material sourcing can change, Tesla can raise the price above the $55,000 cap, the rules can change, etc.

I've obviously been aware of Tesla for years, but I've never paid much attention to them primary because I wasn't willing to spend as much money as they wanted for a vehicle and because they don't have press cars.

I started paying a little attention to Tesla when the Cybertruck was announced in 2019. At that time, I was very interested, but it still hasn't materialized. It does look like it's finally going to enter production this year, though.

And, it's hard to avoid being exposed to news about Elon Musk when he agreed to buy Twitter. But, it wasn't until the recent price drop and federal tax credit that prompted me to take a serious look at buying my first EV.

Since then, I've learned more about the vehicles and the company that makes them. My jaw hit the floor last night when I learned that Tesla sold more Model Ys than Honda sold CR-Vs (their best-selling model) last year - and that was when the Model Y was twice as expensive as the CR-V. That truly blows my mind.

The Tesla Model Y and 3 are now cheaper than the average new vehicle.

In Tesla's earnings call yesterday, Elon stated that orders are now coming in at twice the rate of production capacity. A couple of days ago, they raised the price of the Model Y back up a little bit to slow demand - an increase which greatly reduced the number of permutations of colors and options that still qualified for the tax credit. Production of batteries and vehicles is ramping up quickly. Elon restated in a web meeting last night that he never intended Tesla to be a brand limited to the wealthy and that his ultimate goal is affordable EVs for the average person. Also, according to analysts (and Tesla may have confirmed this in the earnings call), Tesla is still making far more profit per vehicle even after the recent price cuts than any other automaker.
 
#5 ·
zroger73 said:
When I finally decided to click the order button, I had the bottom line number in my mind as:

$52,990 Model Y
1,390 destination
250 order fee
-7,500 tax credit
$47,130 TOTAL (excluding TT&L)

If I have to pay $50,880 due to the credit falling from $7,500 to $3,750, I'll feel like I'm paying $3,750 too much - that same feeling you get when you pay more at a traditional dealership than you initially expected. ;)

Now, when you consider that hundreds of thousands of buyers paid at least $66,630 for a new Model Y in 2022 before Tesla's price drop the the federal tax credit, even $50,880 may seem like a good deal.

The tax credit of at least $3,750 is likely here to stay for the next ten years, but a lot can change during that time. Manufacturing locations and material sourcing can change, Tesla can raise the price above the $55,000 cap, the rules can change, etc.
Click to expand...
Sure, things can change, but it really does look like you're in at the right price point....great timing. Always nice to have a lower-cost property in an upscale neighborhood - built-in exit strategy.
 
#6 ·
A truck has been a poor financial and efficiency decision my entire life, yet I've owned several of them. I like the appearance, driving position, and having the capability of an open bed, but it's very rarely a necessity for me. I also have an emotional attachment to Ridgelines that I've been clinging to for 15 years. I never tow, I never go off-road, and I rarely (but occasionally) put anything in the bed that wouldn't fit in the back of a hatchback or SUV. I really don't even need AWD, either. I have quit the Ridgeline a few times and ended up coming back each time.

At this point, there's too much doubt about when an all-new Ridgeline will arrive and having owned six of them and been in the latest one twice as long as I normally keep a vehicle, I'm bored with it. I've always been near the cutting edge of technology and have appreciated EVs for years, but only now has the pricing fallen to a range that I'm remotely comfortable with.

There's a very real chance that I'll buy a Model Y and end up not liking it and end up with another Ridgeline. I was actually very pleased with my CX-5 - the main reason I traded it for another Ridgeline was because of Honda's financial contribution. I'm well aware of Tesla's crappy quality, but crappy quality has been normalized by Honda the last several years for me so my expectations have been lowered even if my hopes have not.

I assure you that this decision is based on a lot of thinking and research...and it's still at least a couple months away from being a done deal. I can walk away at any time with only a loss of a $250 order fee.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Will any traditional automaker really be able to compete with Tesla and win?
 
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#9 ·
The Model Y is one of the best EVs you can get. Excellent charging network and range.
Based on your needs stipulated above. It should be a great fit.

Make sure to set up the wall charger in advance or you will have to deal with slow charging times at home for a couple of days/weeks.
At least in Central FL, the wait time was long for many local installers.
 
#11 ·
I'll put more thought into a charging solution the closer I get to a delivery date. I'll probably buy the Wall Connector to use at home and the Mobile Connector to keep in the vehicle for charging from any 120 or 240 volt outlet.

Fortunately, my breaker box is just a few feet away from where the vehicle's charging port will be in my garage and I have the capability to install the Wall Connector myself. I have space in my panel for one more 2-pole, 60A breaker.

There are no Superchargers in my area and that's okay since have no plans to use them for a few reasons:

  • Fast charging can reduce the life of batteries.
  • The cost per mile of using a Supercharger is often as much or more than the cost per mile of gasoline for an ICE vehicle.
  • Even a 120 volt, 15 amp outlet will meet my charging needs.
 
#12 ·
Tesla makes $16K profit on each EV they sell depending upon the model. That compares to Ford that loses money on each EV produced. One of the issues for Ford is that they have much greater legacy costs (retirement, healthcare, etc) built into every Ford product than Tesla. Tesla has not been around long enough to have many retirees and they may not even offer retirement plans other than the standard 401K, which are funded mainly by the employees.
 
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#14 · (Edited)
The folks at YAA had a video today saying that Tesla makes a staggering 16k on average per car. Second Place was VW in the 8k range. Ford on the the other hand currently loses per EV unit mainly due to legacy costs of servicing it's pensions.

Musk certainly has a stranglehold on the EV market but I've always said to short that stock. My guess is that the mainstream manufacturers can gain with making the ownership experience better and their overall better build quality.
 
#15 ·
Purchased a Model Y in December when they offered $7500 discount and free 10000 supercharger miles. Mainly driven by the wife to haul around the son. Great in town car for that type of driving. It looks like that she likes my Ridgeline more than the Tesla because of better driving position and comfy rides. Tesla has that awfully firm suspension and not so forgiving driving dynamics. For me, I enjoy the acceleration and handling but the suspension is not something I can be used to. Also I don't like the design philosophy of the Tesla. They disregarded everything from 100 + years of automobile evolutions. I wonder how come there are no wide spread safety complaints and reactionary regulatory interventions. If we purchase another electric car in the future it will be from one of the ICE car makers.
 
#17 ·
I got 20" induction wheels. A sales rep told me that new model Ys come with upgraded comfort suspension so no reason to go with the ugly 19" wheels. However, the ride so stiff it feels like I am riding on a rigid metal plate. I drove M1 Abrams a few times in my Army days and 65ton metal rides better than this.
 
#18 ·
I've heard Tesla softened the suspension as well, but I'm unclear when that occurred (Tesla makes changes on the fly instead of waiting for model years like virtually every other automaker). My brother-in-law ordered the 20" wheels and his Model Y should arrive a few weeks before mine. I ordered the 19" poverty wheels with hub caps based on price and ride. I figure for the $2,000 that Tesla wanted for the Induction wheels that I can find some decent-looking 19" wheels - or at least the center caps and lug nut covers that Tesla sells for the less-ugly aluminum wheels behind the plastic wheel covers. It'll be interesting to compare the ride between our Model Ys since they should be identical other than the wheels.
 
#19 ·
All 2023 Model Y comes with the new "comfort" suspension. The switch over date was sometime October and our Model Y mfr'd in Dec 2022.
It feels to me that an inch or so of tire sidewall difference won't be the solution. It must be the suspension design plus the rigid frame due to the heavy battery. Have fun with your new Tesla.
 
#20 ·
I can't see another 0.5" of air and rubber between the wheel and the pavement making a significant difference, either. I grew up on tricycles, bicycles, go-karts, and ATVs with no suspension at all and have no problem spending hours behind the wheel of my Miata, so I'm used to firm rides. They don't seem to bother me, so hopefully it won't be a problem. I've never paid much attention to wind noise, either, but it seems to really bother some people. Squeaks, rattles, ticks, pops, clicks, taps, creaks, and buzzes seem to be what drives me to insanity in most automobiles.
 
#21 ·
Ours is relatively defect free plus no noticeable rattles so far. However, road noise and wind noise is definitely worse than Ridgeline particularly on highways. You may enjoy superior sound system of Tesla masking some of the noise if you crank up the volume.
 
#24 ·
SVT said:
However, road noise and wind noise is definitely worse than Ridgeline particularly on highways.
Click to expand...
Something I've noticed when driving EVs in general is that they all seem loud at speed even if they're not according to instrumented testing. I attribute this to EVs being nearly silent while stopped and at low speeds - and with a lower noise floor, there's a larger noise delta from slow to fast.

OmahaJeff said:
He works for Google and doesn't like Musk personally at all, but he's very tech-oriented and likes the Teslas quite a bit.
Click to expand...
I never knew much about Musk or paid much attention to him until the Twitter ordeal. I knew he was...different...than a typical CEO, but not always in a bad way. I wasn't particularly interested in the Twitter ordeal, but couldn't help hear news about it. It wasn't until very recently that I started to pay attention and learn more about him, Tesla, and the vehicles they make. I still don't know enough to form a firm opinion about him - and that may be best. :)
 
#22 ·
My son and I tested a Model 3 Performance a few months ago in the San Fran area. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would.

If I could get by with a sedan, that's probably what I'd go with, but I do need a truck, and (like Roger) have a Miata for fun driving. I didn't notice the firm suspension, maybe because I am used to small cars like the Miata and WRX that teach you to avoid road imperfections at all costs.

My son is on the fence about the Model 3. He works for Google and doesn't like Musk personally at all, but he's very tech-oriented and likes the Teslas quite a bit. He currently drives a several-year-old Civic SI, which is a great driver's car and one of the real bargains out there in bang for the buck--with a manual transmission. At least it was when you could get them. He was thinking of the new Type R, but they're fairly unobtainable right now and have an outrageous dealer markup.
 
#23 ·
I just traded in my Audi A4 with manual shift for my Ridgeline last July and I used to drive Contour SVT with lowered suspension and stiff springs. The rigidness of Model Y is another level of firmness. It feels the whole body frame is moving as one piece without any dampening at each corner.

I was on the same boat as your son. I didn't want to contribute to an arrogant billionaire with a mental issue. However, I concluded Tesla is only proven EV mfr at this point in terms of mass production/sales and charging network. I am looking our Tesla as an interim EV till other mfr's catch up.
 
C
#27 ·
Elon is a genius and like most at his intelligence level, a bit eccentric. I have no doubt that he's giving guidance to Tesla on a daily basis. What he's achieved not only with Tesla but also SpaceX is amazing. When he said he was going to safely land booster stages after a space vehicle launch I thought he was nuts. Now it's routine. Surely he's out to make money with Tesla but I think it's the mission of making affordable zero emission vehicles that drives his passion. His Twitter involvement is related in that Tesla uses social media for most, if not all, of its advertising. I think he saw a danger of getting canceled off Tesla's main source of PR so he decided to take control of it.
 
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#28 ·
Steve Jobs was a bit...different..., too, and look at what he accomplished. The products he and his company made have brought immeasurable joy, utility, entertainment, productivity, and comfort to my life.
 
#37 · (Edited)
Eccentric is a word thrown around a lot…Jobs was definitely eccentric. He wasn’t political at all as I recall. He had a very complicated family life, and caused a lot of pain for those around him, not to mention being an ass to his colleagues and employees. If he hadn’t had “eccentric” ideas about his cancer, he might still be alive today.

Musk is eccentric as well, but has an even more grandiose Idea of himself than Jobs.

There are a lot of other innovators and CEO’s and successful people who are not uber-flamboyant, and most of them are not out there in the political extremes. Even those who are tend to become really outspoken AFTER they have finished innovating and made all their money. Money is certainly an amplifier of eccentricity.

That said, Tesla is a mature company, and I separate out the product from the CEO, so I would consider a Tesla if they made a product that fit my needs.
 
#31 · (Edited)
I actually think he cares, or he wouldn't have been so rattled by the Chappelle appearance. He has that personality (and a disorder) that maybe helps him not be torn up and retrain his thinking and maybe that is a blessing in disguise. The guy is brilliant as he established no less than three things that large conglomerates couldn't...
1) Green(ish) energy initiative [I don't need the political commentary, just stating that's what he believes in and pushes] with Cars, Solar, and Battery packs (for the home and solar).
2) Better reusable space exploration tech. Which just blows my mind, regardless.
3) And the boring (as in tunnel) transportation system.

Elon is probably the modern era disrupter like Ford, Edison, or whomever and he will go into history books probably as such an individual. He was monetarily involved with evolution of ChatGPT (you need to play with that if you haven't). His early company X.com is what started PAYPAL.

Just one of these achievements for anyone, even in a subset is quite impressive. Twitter is simply because a person with the resources was unhappy with a medium and decided to try something. I say fine... have at it, that's what makes America pretty great... if you can, then do. The dude likes cool things. Not to mention that he donates a good amount to charity.

I still don't want one of his cars, yet. But it has zero to do with him. I like new, underdogs... so I placed my reservation with Mullen at this time, we'll see if that is a wise choice. Maybe not. Unlike Elon's success, I can barely make a ham sandwich work. :)
 
#33 · (Edited)
I've not hear of anything in tires but I heard at some time ago they added some sort of sound deadening treatment on wheel wells and I do see the liners are felt like fibrous sheet that attracts road debris and leaves. My guess is that liners are added or changed to felt type to quiet road noise.

One thing sure is that our Ridgeline feels more premium in overall driving experience. Maybe the sound deadening work I did on all four of my doors helps on noise and door closing feel/sound. I saw one of posting that Ridgeline with factory default is quieter than Mercedes S class.
 
#36 ·
Yesterday after dinner, my BIL said that he will have to pick up his Model Y 127 miles away at the nearest Tesla store. I was hoping mine could/would be delivered to the nearest service center which is only 36 miles away. Texas is one of several states where Tesla is not allowed to sell a vehicle directly, so the vehicle has to be transported to a state that can sell direct, registered in that state, then sold to a Texas resident and transported back into the state.

I went ahead and ordered a Mobile Connector ("charger") yesterday and will install a receptacle for it this weekend. If I end up not getting the Model Y for some reason, I'll sell it to my BIL. He started with the Wall Connector, but I'd rather start with a solution that will work anywhere - not just at home - even though it charges somewhat slower. The Wall Connector charges at 48 amps instead of 32 amps, looks nicer, is wall-mounted (instead of hanging from a plug), and keeps track of charging via a Wi-Fi connection, but is currently $425 vs. $230. It was $350 the day I ordered my Model Y - I should have ordered it then.

There's a 120-volt outlet near a flag pole at work that could add a full day's distance while I'm there, but it would cost the company an extra $5.18 per week in electricity - an amount that they'd never even notice (our electric bill is several thousand dollars per month and fluctuates by hundreds of dollars). I could more than offset this by flipping the lights off in an employee break room when I walk by when the room is empty.

I would lobby for an EV charger at work (for employees and visitors), but I'll be the first person with an EV at work and will probably be the only person for the next decade or more.
 
#61 ·
zroger73 said:
I would lobby for an EV charger at work (for employees and visitors), but I'll be the first person with an EV at work and will probably be the only person for the next decade or more.
Click to expand...

What I find amusing is that our work place is about 200 feet from a Tesla showroom... yet there are no provisions to charge any EV in our garages (that were built in 2013 or later), nor are there really any charging stations that do not require a garage access or a pay to enter, on top of the charge costs. I had considered slapping on a green leaf next to "AWD" so I can stealth park in the "eco car" parking, but I wouldn't fit anyway.

SVT said:
I heard from people talking about high property tax in Illinois, Texas etc that easily doubles our rate in Washington. Here in King County most cities have about 5000/yr for half million or so valued homes.
Click to expand...
I think more so than the tax rate per se, is the insane valuation of homes. Unless you're in South King County where the average list price is closer to 500k than 1M, most other areas averages are 1M+. Property tax for us in Snohomish County has nearly doubled in the last 6 years, not because the rate has gone up, but rather the county accessed value of the property has nearly doubled.
 
#38 ·
Steve Jobs is what Musk hopes he'll be when he grows up if that ever happens. The man offered to fist fight Putin over Ukraine issues while people are being killed, then takes constant polls to satisfy his ego such as which charities he should donate too, how about he just quietly donates to deserving causes like Paul Newman, Danny Thomas and Norman Schwarzkopf did ? This post will prob get deleted but I'm honestly sick of hearing about Musk.

On the other topic of ride quality, wind noise, etc.. I'm with the OP; never bothered me much and I guess I'm just insensitive or don't notice such things unless they exceed a certain threshold.
 
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