Should You Buy a Tesla? 5 Reasons Why and Why Not to Get One

Tesla is incredibly popular right now. Emerging from a niche electric car maker into the mainstream market, Tesla has quickly become a successful American car manufacturer–something that has not happened for many decades. 

As the world transitions to electric cars, there are many options now for buyers. Nearly every automaker has a few electric vehicle (EV) options and are slowly adding more and more models each year. 

Tesla, on the other hand, has only sold EVs since their inception in 2008. With nearly a decade of experience above any other car maker, Tesla has a massive knowledge lead when it comes to making a good electric car. 

Because of this, all of Tesla’s vehicles are full of great value including long range, plenty of tech, and a private charging network. Additionally, Tesla have scaled their battery production to a point where they are producing 500,000 EVs per year with goals to eclipse over 2 million in just a few years. 

Because of all of this, a Tesla is usually on many people’s car interest list, especially if they want an EV. In fact, nearly two of three EVs sold in the U.S. were a Tesla. Evidently, many people decided to buy a Tesla. 

So if you have ever thought if you should buy a Tesla, check out the below for five reasons why and why not to get one!

Should You Buy a Tesla?

Plenty of Range (Pro)

One of the most attractive features of any Tesla is that range is plentiful. Even with the cheapest trim of the Model 3, Standard Range Plus, the range is 260 miles. On the upper range is over 500 miles with the newly refreshed Model S Plaid+. 

The competition also have long range EVs, however, when stacked side by side to the comparable Tesla, more often than not Tesla takes the crown as the “Range King”.

Very Fast Charging (Pro)

One of the biggest concerns people have about electric cars is charging time. Many people do not want to wait a long time for their car to charge when their current gas vehicle can refuel in a matter of a few minutes. Of course, many EV drivers charge their car overnight the vast majority of the time. 

Nevertheless, Tesla has developed technology in all of their cars to charge as quickly as possible. While using the private Supercharging Network (more on that later), the typical Tesla can charge in as little as 20 minutes. 

After a quick pit stop or cup of coffee, you’ll be back on the road before you know it. 

Entry Luxury Price (Con)

One critique of Tesla is that their vehicles are considered “near luxury”. That means their prices are a bit more expensive than non-luxury cars. If this is not a concern for you, feel free to skip to the next section. 

However, if cost is something you need to consider, its worth noting a Tesla will cost more than some other EVs such as the Volkswagen ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevy Bolt, and several others. Additionally, Tesla and GM are no longer eligible for the Federal Electric Vehicle Tax Credit.

So effectively, non-Tesla and GM EVs are $7,500 cheaper. 

All that being said, Tesla has worked hard on driving down their costs. The Model 3 starts at $37,990 and the Model Y starts at $41,990 before any state or local incentives. 

Supercharging Network (Pro)

As aforementioned, the Tesla Supercharging Network is a private charging network only for Tesla vehicles. This charging network spans coast to coast and is very well built. 

Each station typically has over 5 stalls with some over 40. Altogether, there are over 2,000 sites with over 20,000 stalls in North America. 

Check out the map below to see where they are. 

It is worth noting that there is a public charging infrastructure composed of several companies such as Electrify America, EVgo, and Chargepoint. Altogether, there are more of the public chargers than Tesla. Some of the public charging stations are even capable of 350 kW, while the fastest Tesla Supercharger is currently at 250 kW. 

Expensive Repairs (Con)

All machines break. It is just a matter of time when components wear down over time and need to be fixed. Additionally, auto accidents happen–though hopefully few and far between. 

In the event a Tesla needs servicing, Tesla’s tend to be on the more expensive side. This is not just because they are “near luxury” vehicles, but because a lot of their parts and components are intricately designed for style or features. 

For example, the door opening mechanism is a tad bit more sophisticated than a typical car’s door handle. There are numerous reports that the cost to fix this electronic door latch can cost around $1,000. 

Additionally, while very distinguishable, the center console screen that controls nearly everything in the car can cost a few thousand dollars to replace. 

For some, this may be a deal breaker.

Closing Thoughts

So, should you buy a Tesla? There are many options now for EV shoppers, though as sales show, Tesla is still on top. Depending on your situation a Tesla may or may not be in your future. At the very least, Tesla does deserve some thought as there is a reason why they are as successful as they are today. Of course, there are many more decision factors on if you should buy a Tesla, however, these are at least the most important in our opinion. 

If you are thinking about getting a Tesla (or any other EV for that matter), but need a little help along the way, feel free to contact us as your own EV consultant. We have lots of experience on every EV-related topic such as charging, battery technology, available models, and more. We’ll guide you through the process of getting your first EV to make sure it is matched for your vehicle wants and needs. 

Get started today with a free consultation!