Tesla cars are more than just, well, vehicles. They have been described as a disruptive technology since they help change the way people think about driving—that is, cars can be powered by gasoline only.
Over the last few years, there has been a growing interest on alternative vehicles such as hybrids and electric cars since they are not as dependent on commercial fuel like gasoline. This means they are somehow immune to the constant fluctuations of fuel prices. But that is the only benefit of getting a Tesla:
- It helps save the environment since it does not have any carbon emission. Its power comes from specially designed lithium-ion batteries.
- It charges itself once you let go of the accelerator so you do not have to worry about finding the closest charging station.
- It is low maintenance since it does not have the parts conventional cars have such as oil filters, which have to be replaced regularly.
- It will be covered by certain government incentives. Model S’s incentive is $7,500.
- It has a sports car version, just in case you are interested.
- It has the ability to perform its own diagnostic test, the results of which will be sent to the Tesla headquarters, unless the owner does not permit it.
- It runs with the help of a software that updates itself as long as there is an Internet connection.
- It is more than 75% more efficient than cars that run on gasoline. It has also an estimated gas savings of around $10,000 a year.
- The body is made of carbon fiber so it is lightweight but very durable that it does not easily give in to corrosion and dents.
With all these benefits, however, some may still have a hard time owning one because of its price. Model S, for example, costs almost $60,000 after incentives and gas savings. The price does not include the regulatory doc fee and destination fee.
So the next best question is: is it possible to own a used Tesla car in the United States? The answer is yes. In fact, Tesla Motors itself is selling pre-owned Tesla Model S cars, although the prices can still be pretty steep compared to other used car models.
If you want to save a significant amount of money, you can try joining an auto auction instead.
In auto auctions, vehicles can be as low as 75% less their book value. Many factors can contribute to this including the demand, the competition among bidders and even sellers, and the condition of the vehicle. But perhaps the prime reason is bidders have plenty of auctions to choose from.
There is also the discussion on tax breaks. A number of states such as Utah and California provide tax incentives for driving a Tesla, but it’s generally given to the primary buyer. This may mean if you buy a secondhand, you can’t enjoy these tax breaks.
On the upside, this may bring the initial price of the car down, which can make the vehicle more affordable.
