I agree, I looked for used vehicles first. It was when dealers were overcharging in 2023 and my sonata was burning 3 quarts of oil per oil change so I needed to dump it. It was about 25k for anything decent that was used. Ended up paying 30k (after rebates) for a new 2023 model 3. It’s the best dealership experience I’ve ever had. I test drove a few models with zero sales pressure what so ever.the price is the same price for everyone and if you want to buy you use your phone and their app. You go pick up and inspect your vehicle when it’s delivered and drive away. You don’t need to talk to anyone which is what I prefer.
My old house I set up a 30 amp 220V circuit, charged at 24amps. I had already run a sub panel out to my garage so it was really simple to an another outlet. I had extra wire, conduit and just bought a hubbell 220v 30 amp outlet (do not buy a standard drier outlet it’s not rated for continuous use). I only used it like 3-4 times since I can charge up to 4 hours a day at work. I didn’t notice any difference because I don’t charge at home. You can set the car to charge at night if your plan is cheaper at night off peak hours.
I’ve been getting by at the new house with 120v, I only needed to charge at home 1 time at Christmas (20% to 100% took 36 hours on 120v 15amps). I commute about 20-25 miles a day with going out to lunch. I charge my car generally 2-3 times a week for 2-4 hour increments usually 7-10 hours a week. 30 miles of range is like 10 hours charging on 120v-15 amp circuit. I’m supposed to have 271 miles, never went more than 150 on a trip yet. Range is better in town, super efficient from 20-45mph, faster you go the worse your range is. You can charge fast at the superchargers but they are more expensive and it’s worse for your battery long term to exclusively do that.
I have a unique situation that really aligns with an EV’s best use case . My wife and I carpool so she’s not spending gas money either and I have a flat monthly charge fee. Plus I just plug in and go in to work so I’m not waiting around. If you can’t charge at work home is the best option to not waste your time. You can get a rebate for installing a charger at home and possibly something from comed.
Thanks for the feedback. Definitely something I had not considered before but will look more closely into this.
I am very partial to RWD and have been looking at:
o 2013+ Hyundai Genesis Coupe Premium 2.0T,
o 2018+ Infinity Q60 3.0T
o 2019+ Dodge Charger GT 3.6 w/navigation
o Stinger GT-Line 2.5T (Drove one and the interior is cramped and seats are uncomfortable - no go).
Everything I had put in my like lists to do further research upon have sold out from under me in the past 3 weeks - even while searching at 0400 in the mornings - people are buying up reasonable deals like crazy right now from all over the country - thank you Mr. Tariff man.
I have the base model RWD version. It has tidal integration too. Stereo is pretty solid. I like having no dash gauges in front of me, the cameras and 360 view are nice, you can watch Netflix/youtube etc while in park if you are waiting for someone or charging, autopilot is pretty decent. The rental car companies were selling a lot of model 3’s not to long ago. It’s worth a test drive for sure. The regenerative braking is tricky to get used too on the test drive. It’s essentially 1 pedal driving once you get good at judging when to let off the pedal at the correct distance. You don’t coast in an EV it essentially reverses polarity of the motor to send power back to the battery and slows you dow in the process. I actually get irritated now when someone makes me have to use the brake pedal.
They keep adding features with updates too that they don’t charge for. My charge port can heat now, turn signals turn on cameras on screen in the direction you use the signal, cross traffic alerts, the car will ding when the light turns green if you aren’t moving. All stuff that wasn’t a feature when I bought the car.
@D1PP1N said:
My old house I set up a 30 amp 220V circuit, charged at 24amps. I had already run a sub panel out to my garage so it was really simple to an another outlet. I had extra wire, conduit and just bought a hubbell 220v 30 amp outlet (do not buy a standard drier outlet it’s not rated for continuous use). I only used it like 3-4 times since I can charge up to 4 hours a day at work. I didn’t notice any difference because I don’t charge at home. You can set the car to charge at night if your plan is cheaper at night off peak hours.
I’ve been getting by at the new house with 120v, I only needed to charge at home 1 time at Christmas (20% to 100% took 36 hours on 120v 15amps). I commute about 20-25 miles a day with going out to lunch. I charge my car generally 2-3 times a week for 2-4 hour increments usually 7-10 hours a week. 30 miles of range is like 10 hours charging on 120v-15 amp circuit. I’m supposed to have 271 miles, never went more than 150 on a trip yet. Range is better in town, super efficient from 20-45mph, faster you go the worse your range is. You can charge fast at the superchargers but they are more expensive and it’s worse for your battery long term to exclusively do that.
I have a unique situation that really aligns with an EV’s best use case . My wife and I carpool so she’s not spending gas money either and I have a flat monthly charge fee. Plus I just plug in and go in to work so I’m not waiting around. If you can’t charge at work home is the best option to not waste your time. You can get a rebate for installing a charger at home and possibly something from comed.
Plus a "repaired" cracked windshield - I didn't even lift the hood nor trunk but it drove nicely and very well powered/handling over the 3 mile round test drive we took - front end rattled hitting small pot holes.
(None of this was disclosed in the sale and conditions - just a few small indiscernible paint chips).
We'll see how they treat me on my refund since I did not accept it at delivery - no keeping it for a week and getting screwed.
It's amazing what you can't buy for a mere $31K saved over 10 years these days . . .
At least in Oz, experiences with Teslas are mixed: some have had a good experience, others not, with build quality, fit and finish and electrical gremlins the main issues.
A neighbour has a dual motor version and swears by it, a friend of my sister's has one and swears at it, for example, she was once locked inside for 20 minutes.
Depreciation here has been heavy, resale generally poor.
For a fun, more practical alternative to our Miata, I'd like - but cannot buy here - a Mazda CX-30, 2.5l turbo AWD with the manual gearbox.
The older ones definitely went through some growing pains. 8 year battery warranty is nice peace of mind. Our last 4-5 cars (all purchased new had high oil consumption) so I wanted something that wasn’t going to do that. You cannot get trapped in a dead Tesla every door has a mechanical release at the front of the armrest. It’s very obvious where it is my coworkers always pull it accidentally instead of pushing the button to open the door.
@jr@mac said:
High risk of derecho happening here tonight - might be a basement kind of evening.
Funny, not funny. I assumed you were referring to some alcoholic beverage, mentioning the basement and all. Then I searched what you were going to be "drinking".......🫢
Fingers crossed for you, JR! Tie down anything outside that might sail away. We found our glass patio table top shattered up on the roof when one came through here.
We're relatively lucky with extreme weather in Victoria (Oz), although Queensland and northern NSW in particular can suffer from severe floods and cyclones. Our major problem is drought.
Comments
I agree, I looked for used vehicles first. It was when dealers were overcharging in 2023 and my sonata was burning 3 quarts of oil per oil change so I needed to dump it. It was about 25k for anything decent that was used. Ended up paying 30k (after rebates) for a new 2023 model 3. It’s the best dealership experience I’ve ever had. I test drove a few models with zero sales pressure what so ever.the price is the same price for everyone and if you want to buy you use your phone and their app. You go pick up and inspect your vehicle when it’s delivered and drive away. You don’t need to talk to anyone which is what I prefer.
How did you set up at home for charging and what did that add to your monthly utility bill if I may inquire?
What kind of trip milage did you average?
My old house I set up a 30 amp 220V circuit, charged at 24amps. I had already run a sub panel out to my garage so it was really simple to an another outlet. I had extra wire, conduit and just bought a hubbell 220v 30 amp outlet (do not buy a standard drier outlet it’s not rated for continuous use). I only used it like 3-4 times since I can charge up to 4 hours a day at work. I didn’t notice any difference because I don’t charge at home. You can set the car to charge at night if your plan is cheaper at night off peak hours.
I’ve been getting by at the new house with 120v, I only needed to charge at home 1 time at Christmas (20% to 100% took 36 hours on 120v 15amps). I commute about 20-25 miles a day with going out to lunch. I charge my car generally 2-3 times a week for 2-4 hour increments usually 7-10 hours a week. 30 miles of range is like 10 hours charging on 120v-15 amp circuit. I’m supposed to have 271 miles, never went more than 150 on a trip yet. Range is better in town, super efficient from 20-45mph, faster you go the worse your range is. You can charge fast at the superchargers but they are more expensive and it’s worse for your battery long term to exclusively do that.
I have a unique situation that really aligns with an EV’s best use case . My wife and I carpool so she’s not spending gas money either and I have a flat monthly charge fee. Plus I just plug in and go in to work so I’m not waiting around. If you can’t charge at work home is the best option to not waste your time. You can get a rebate for installing a charger at home and possibly something from comed.
Thanks for the feedback. Definitely something I had not considered before but will look more closely into this.
I am very partial to RWD and have been looking at:
o 2013+ Hyundai Genesis Coupe Premium 2.0T,
o 2018+ Infinity Q60 3.0T
o 2019+ Dodge Charger GT 3.6 w/navigation
o Stinger GT-Line 2.5T (Drove one and the interior is cramped and seats are uncomfortable - no go).
Everything I had put in my like lists to do further research upon have sold out from under me in the past 3 weeks - even while searching at 0400 in the mornings - people are buying up reasonable deals like crazy right now from all over the country - thank you Mr. Tariff man.
I have the base model RWD version. It has tidal integration too. Stereo is pretty solid. I like having no dash gauges in front of me, the cameras and 360 view are nice, you can watch Netflix/youtube etc while in park if you are waiting for someone or charging, autopilot is pretty decent. The rental car companies were selling a lot of model 3’s not to long ago. It’s worth a test drive for sure. The regenerative braking is tricky to get used too on the test drive. It’s essentially 1 pedal driving once you get good at judging when to let off the pedal at the correct distance. You don’t coast in an EV it essentially reverses polarity of the motor to send power back to the battery and slows you dow in the process. I actually get irritated now when someone makes me have to use the brake pedal.
They keep adding features with updates too that they don’t charge for. My charge port can heat now, turn signals turn on cameras on screen in the direction you use the signal, cross traffic alerts, the car will ding when the light turns green if you aren’t moving. All stuff that wasn’t a feature when I bought the car.
Throwing this out there for safety's sake.
Looks like a diy ev charger plug install may be a no for 2026nec guidelines.
https://diysolarforum.com/threads/u-s-electric-code-will-soon-ban-diy-ev-charger-installs.107020/
Been looking at used Teslas lately as I generally have a lot of unused solar gen ability.
A 1200hp Lucid Air or 1000hp Rivian would also be nice ...
Carvana delivery of Stinger . . .
Plus a "repaired" cracked windshield - I didn't even lift the hood nor trunk but it drove nicely and very well powered/handling over the 3 mile round test drive we took - front end rattled hitting small pot holes.
(None of this was disclosed in the sale and conditions - just a few small indiscernible paint chips).
We'll see how they treat me on my refund since I did not accept it at delivery - no keeping it for a week and getting screwed.
It's amazing what you can't buy for a mere $31K saved over 10 years these days . . .
At least in Oz, experiences with Teslas are mixed: some have had a good experience, others not, with build quality, fit and finish and electrical gremlins the main issues.
A neighbour has a dual motor version and swears by it, a friend of my sister's has one and swears at it, for example, she was once locked inside for 20 minutes.
Depreciation here has been heavy, resale generally poor.
For a fun, more practical alternative to our Miata, I'd like - but cannot buy here - a Mazda CX-30, 2.5l turbo AWD with the manual gearbox.
Geoff
The older ones definitely went through some growing pains. 8 year battery warranty is nice peace of mind. Our last 4-5 cars (all purchased new had high oil consumption) so I wanted something that wasn’t going to do that. You cannot get trapped in a dead Tesla every door has a mechanical release at the front of the armrest. It’s very obvious where it is my coworkers always pull it accidentally instead of pushing the button to open the door.
High risk of derecho happening here tonight - might be a basement kind of evening.
Please no......
Be safe JR and Amanda, and Nick!
Yep, the twin cities look to be in the path as well. Stay safe everyone.
Funny, not funny. I assumed you were referring to some alcoholic beverage, mentioning the basement and all. Then I searched what you were going to be "drinking".......🫢
Fingers crossed for you, JR! Tie down anything outside that might sail away. We found our glass patio table top shattered up on the roof when one came through here.
Fingers crossed for all to be safe.
We're relatively lucky with extreme weather in Victoria (Oz), although Queensland and northern NSW in particular can suffer from severe floods and cyclones. Our major problem is drought.
Geoff
Currently 3 large storm cells building and moving to the east with rotations along with baseball sized hail.
Yep, one of the three already tornado warned.
Two touchdowns already confirmed. Might be a long night.
Oh wow! Not good.
Now multiple confirmed. Scary stuff.
I live about 30 min north of Minneapolis, and it's supposed to hit us at 11:30pm.
Batten down the hatches, me harties!
Stay safe!
InDIYana Event Website
We just had a storm roll through, bunch of thunder and lightning, luckily no hail this way. Literally just cooled off 12 degrees before it came.
Phoenix is wild, 85 is the norm in a 60.
Looks like storms should hit us around 2:30am.
Quad Cities should see it by 3:30-4:00.
Stay safe out there everyone.
What is a 60, John? I'm lost, trying to understand . . . Tx.
I was lost on a few pages back talking about driving to fast.
Gotcha - thanks.