Wow it's been a while - and I've since gone electric!
Well, I haven't personally purchased an all-electric car but I have completely fallen for all things Tesla. And what better way then spotlight a nice pre-owned base Model S.
Tesla has SHAKEN the automotive world. They have proved that electric cars can be fast, beautiful, efficient AND better performing than their filthy, polluting gasoline counterparts. This is a revolution happening before our eyes.
I admit I was a skeptic. At first I was dismissive. I thought they looked like a ripoff Jaguar. Then I started seeing them in person and realized they have the magical presence that older BMW and Mercedes used to have. I also read about the engineering - the brilliant flattened floorplan battery, the availability of all-wheel drive (or 'Dual Motor' as they put it). Air-suspension. Panoramic roof. Computer updates. And then the Model 3 came out, and it all clicked. These cars are the real deal, they are here to stay and I hope they succeed.
It helped that Tesla chose the Model S as their first big mass-produced car. What a car! 1 giant battery, 4 doors, 1 rear liftback, seating for up to 7 persons, available all-wheel drive, 200+ mile range, available huge glass roof...and zero emissions! It's a dream come true. The car does everything, does it well, and does it in style.
The tremendous power of the electric motor meant that they could make the car generously large, and it is easily as big as an S-Class or A8. But it looks more like a Citroen meets Maserati, with the long hood, sharp headlights, chiseled nose, big perfectly sloped back and broad rear. The wheels sit just right in the wells. The car looks good in every color from every angle. It's a widely agreeable idea of a sexy, powerful, commanding car. It's present, yet futuristic.
Range anxiety is completely addressed with two major factors: 1) the car's huge battery that can power most models (depending on driving and weather) for at least 200 miles and 2) the Tesla supercharger network all across the country that can rapidly charge the battery in 30 minutes. This means that, as long as you are careful (as you have to be with a gasoline car), you'll never run out of power.
The one issue with the Model S was the price. It's very expensive, and out of reach to all but the 1%. Fortunately, pre-owned models are starting to turn up, most with low miles and in excellent visible condition. This makes owning a Tesla far more attainable for lots of people.
I picked this 2013 Model S because it seems to be the lowest priced on eBay right now. White/black is an excellent color combo - clean, crisp and futuristic. Apparently it's the base model, which I didn't even know existed. It lacks AWD, the glass roof and leather seats, but has the 85 battery - which is key, as it's one of the more powerful ones that increases range. The only concern left is the 100k mileage. I think the warranty is out. That could present huge challenges in ownership. It should be priced about $5-10k less. Otherwise, it's an exciting opportunity to get into the Tesla door.
Sounds like I am convincing myself more than anyone else...
Available here for $33k, with Make Offer option.