It seems odd to suggest that buying a used Tesla could get you into the future of the automotive industry. When you hear the word “used,” you immediately think of the past. However, buying a used Tesla is like going back to the future, discovering style, performance, and savings you have never imagined. Since Tesla premiered the Roadster sports car in 2009, this upstart company has demonstrated that a battery electric vehicle (BEV) could perform just as well as, if not better than, a similar model with a conventional gas engine.
Tesla was the first to demonstrate that you could get zero greenhouse gas emissions and savings on fuel from a BEV without sacrificing the speed and acceleration you look for in a vehicle. In addition, this company went on to build bigger, more luxurious models with all the latest safety and infotainment features, showing that BEVs could compete with the high-end of the automotive industry. Still, there was one issue, and that was the fairly high MSRP for a new Tesla. For example, a new 2022 Tesla Model 3, the least expensive model available, will cost you a minimum of $46,990. This has created a barrier for many drivers to afford to buy a Tesla. However, as the years have gone by, more Tesla drivers have sought to replace their existing models, creating a pool of used Teslas. These used models are now available for folks like you who want to get the top performance from a BEV but are also conscious of sticking to a budget.
Say Yes to a Used Tesla Model S
If you look hard enough, you can still find a few used Tesla Roadsters on sale. But because they didn’t build too many of them, only about 2,500, they can fetch a pretty high price among collectors. This is especially true if you find one in great condition.
With the success of the Roadster, Tesla set out to make a larger, more luxurious vehicle. The result was the Tesla Model S, a BEV midsize sedan with all the bells and whistles a driver could want. A massive 17-inch tablet in the center console provides all the information any driver could need while giving the person lucky enough to be riding shotgun a chance to choose their favorite music to listen to on the drive. The seats are ergonomically designed to give you the most comfortable ride you’ve ever enjoyed.
While the first Tesla Model S featured a single electric motor powering the rear axle, Tesla began upgrading the motor and battery over time. For example, if you choose a 2016 Model S, you can choose between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, along with an almost bewildering array of battery pack sizes ranging from 60 kWh to 100 kWh. The 2016 Tesla Model S P90D has 270 miles of range and introduced a “Ludicrous Mode” that allows it to go from 0 to 60 mph in an eye-blinking 2.6 seconds. This is definitely not a glorified golf cart.
A Used Tesla Model X Marks the Spot!
The third Tesla model to hit the road was the Model X in 2016. This three-row BEV SUV is probably most famous for its Falcon Wing doors. I guess Elon Musk must have liked Doc Brown’s DeLorean DMC-12 time machine? While the Model X doesn’t come equipped with a flux capacitor, it does seem to have practically everything else. For one thing, the Model X has always been all-wheel drive standard, with a 60 kWh to 100 kWh lithium-ion battery pack feeding a pair of electric motors driving the front and rear axles. The range and performance on the 2016 Model X go up as you choose a larger battery. As a result, the 75 kWh battery will give you 259 miles on a full charge, the 90 kWh battery has a range of 257 miles, and the 100 kWh model can go 289 miles. Just like the Model S, there is an available Ludicrous Mode that will get you from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3.3 seconds.
The Tesla Model X also hits the spot with a very roomy and comfortable interior, with plenty of space for up to seven passengers. Just like the other Tesla models, everything is controlled by the 17-inch tablet, saving interior space from annoying switches and buttons. The oversized windshield on the Model X seamlessly extends to the roof, providing you with an inspirational panoramic view. In addition to the rear trunk space, the Tesla replaces the engine compartment with a frunk––a front trunk that gives you more room for your stuff.
A Used Tesla Model 3 Is Company Too!
For its fourth model, Tesla decided to name it the Model 3. Either the folks at Tesla are using some new math, or they don’t count the Roadster in their vehicle lineage. Nevertheless, for whatever reason it got its name, the Model 3 provides drivers with the most affordable Tesla model yet, a BEV compact sedan that works wonders as a commuter vehicle. If you want to be able to commute to work without watching your hard-earned money fly out the window to pay for gasoline during your daily drive, then a used Tesla Model 3 is the one for you.
The first model year for the Model 3 was 2017, and Tesla has given this BEV a variety of different powertrains to choose from. The least expensive is a rear-wheel drive model with a single electric motor in the rear axle powered by a 54 kWh lithium-ion battery. There are also dual-motor versions that give you all-wheel drive, powered by a 75 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. For those with a need for speed, the Performance model has dual motors and the 75 kWh lithium-ion battery but provides a blistering 3.1 second 0 to 60 mph time.
A used Model 3 will give you seating for up to five passengers. As with all Tesla models, there is a center console tablet to control all vehicle features, as well as the infotainment system. It also has one other feature that was pioneered by Tesla. The vehicle is constantly having its internal software updated by Tesla through a cloud network. This means that you won’t have to bring your used Model 3 into a dealership to get an update since the car is doing that all by itself!
A Used Tesla Model Y Asks Why Not?
With the success of the three-row Model X, Tesla decided to give drivers who wanted a BEV crossover what they were looking for in the Model Y. With a name seemingly inspired by Norah Jones, the Model Y arrived in time for the 2020 model year. The Model Y has seating for five passengers in a very roomy interior. As the newest Tesla model, you may not find as many available on the used market, but if you find one, you will be rewarded with a roomy crossover with the performance and savings you desire in a BEV.
You can find a used Tesla Model Y with two different powertrains. The Long Range model exchanges performance for longer range. This has a pair of electric motors powered by a 75 kWh lithium-ion battery pack providing a range of 330 miles on a full charge. The Performance model reduces the range to a still respectable 303 miles while giving you the ability to get from 0 to 60 mph in your used Model Y Performance in a breathtaking 3.5 seconds.
Going Back to the Future in a Used Tesla
A used Tesla will give you plenty of technological advances, many developed by Tesla before becoming more common on other vehicles. This is like going back to the future in a Tesla. For one thing, you can use one-pedal driving on your Tesla, which reduces wear-and-tear on your vehicle’s brakes and uses regenerative braking to recapture kinetic energy and charge the battery. Finally, some used Tesla models feature the hands-free Full Self-Driving Capability pioneered by Tesla. This allows you to reduce fatigue from constantly steering your vehicle, allowing the advanced driver assistance features to take over the handling of the Tesla. No matter which used Tesla model you decide on, you are going to appreciate no longer being a slave to the gas pump.
