Tesla Buyer's Guide: Which Tesla Is Right For You?

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• published: 13 Jul 2017
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So, you know you want a Tesla. But, which model is right for you? In this week’s episode, we’ll review the pros/cons, features and differences between the Model S, X and, of course, the Tesla Model 3. There are some universal principles you should understand before choosing which Tesla model is right for you. First is knowing the difference between the Model X and S. The Tesla Model S is the full-size sedan, while the X is the SUV. Both are both great electric vehicle options. However, besides body style, there are additional key differences between the two. While the Model X costs more, being that it’s an SUV, it’s a good fit if: - You have a big family (over 5) - You need tons of storage - And, like to command the road from a higher vantage point Depending on where you live, the Tesla Model X may present parking challenges, especially for city dwellers. While the Tesla Model S is smaller than the Model X, it still offers spaciousness. It comes optionally equipped with two unremovable rear-facing child seats. The Tesla Model X offers alternative seat configurations that vary by model. These include seating configurations with 5, 6 or 7 seats. Next, you’ll have to consider battery size. Tesla batteries come in kilowatt-hour (kWh) sizes. A kilowatt-hour is a measure of electrical energy equivalent to a power consumption of 1,000 watts for one hour. Battery size is directly related to the range your Tesla can go per charge. The 75 kWh battery is the smallest available. It can go 237 miles on the Model X and 248 miles on the Model S – making both EVs practical for everyday use. However, if you frequently travel long distances, you likely want a bigger battery to reduce the number of times you’ll need to stop and charge. In fact, most Tesla owners will tell you to get the biggest battery you can afford. For example, during the holiday season, I drive from San Diego to Phoenix. My Model S 60 gets about 200 miles on a single charge. The trip is generally just under 400 miles. However, I end up needing to stop about three times. This adds about two hours to the journey and presents challenges when you have a toddler on-board. The good news is, if you do need to stop and charge a fair amount, Tesla has a robust supercharger network. These superchargers can take a Tesla from 0 to 80% charged in about 30 minutes. Getting to 100% charged requires an additional 30 minutes of charging, because of the way Tesla batteries absorb energy. Price will likely be your key consideration when choosing your Tesla. Tesla.com has a great affordability calculator to help you with this. Just enter your budget, and the site will show options within your budget. The Model X will always be the more expensive option, but it can still be affordable without all the bells and whistles. The least you’ll pay is in the low $70,000s, whereas more inclusive options could be in the $150,000s. The next thing you’ll need to figure out is your charging setup. Most Tesla owners have an at-home setup - which is the best option, but it can be expensive to install. For instance, at my house, I had to run the electrical lines almost 90 feet into my garage – which costed $1,800. To setup up charging in your garage, you have two primary options. You can install a 240-volt outlet, called an NEMA 14-50a, and plugin the connector that comes with your Tesla. The other option is to install a Tesla wall charger; it costs more but provides faster charging and looks a bit nicer. If you live in a condo or apartment building, setting up a charging station may be more difficult. So, talk with your building and/or homeowners association about your options and any additional costs. If you’re still concerned about cost, consider buying used. Tesla.com has a pre-owned site with various available models and allows you to search by color, battery size and features, like autopilot. Inventory is updated regularly. However, vehicles get picked up quickly - so don’t wait once you’ve found “the one.” Another option is the Tesla Model 3. While it isn’t available yet, we do know some basics. - It will go at least 215 miles on a single charge - It can go from 0-60 in under six seconds - It’s a five-seater - It’ll be supercharger enabled, have autopilot and is designed to have a five-star safety rating - The price will start at $35,000 There are already 400,000 Tesla Model 3 reservations, so if you’re reservation-less don’t expect to be able to get one anytime soon. However, I built an estimator that can help give you some idea of timing. Try it out here: https://teslanomics.co/model-3-delivery-estimator Shoot me a note teslanomics.co or leave a comment below once you’ve picked your Tesla. A BIG thank you to Wunder Capital for supporting the show. Wunder Capital helps people like you and me invest as little as $1,000 in solar projects. Check them out at https://teslanomics.co/wunder