With what’s happening around the world, it’s fair to say that EVs have established their share in today’s automotive space. In fact, there are new models arriving almost every month.
However, the whole trend started with one brand, Tesla.
Tesla became one of the early adopters of the concept of EVs. They’ve spearheaded the campaign of why it’s the future. With multiple carmakers following suit, it’s pretty clear where things are headed. Quite rightly so, the idea of Elon Musk being a visionary superhero is the talking point on all, if not, most social platforms.
But, given the base price of a Tesla Model 3 is around $45,000, buying one isn't cheap. Many are left to either wait for inexpensive alternatives to arrive or buy older models from the used market. Which provides a convenient segue into our discussion at hand—buying a used 2015 Tesla Model S.
A pre-facelift is currently averaging between $38,000 and $64,000.
Considering the Tesla Model S cost between $75,000 and $105,000 back in 2015, that's roughly a 40-50% discount, depending on the trim.
2015 Tesla Model S: A Sensible Choice Of Transport
One of the advantages of owning a Tesla, or any EV for that matter, is the convenience on offer. It may sound contradictory, but if your commute doesn’t involve the highways and you pretty much stick within the city limits, having an EV is a great choice. Especially a Tesla.
Why? Well, firstly, it offers excellent fuel economy, or in EV terms, range. The 2015 Tesla Model S can get you a driving range between 240 to 270 miles depending on the trim. Also, it’s best advised you stick to the larger 85 or 90 kWh battery pack to get the most out of your car. However, that will cost you more money. On the other hand, if you are running on a budget then, the 70 kWh should prove an excellent buy.
Per Find My Electric, the Tesla’s battery is expected to last 8 years regardless of the mileage. However, they do point out a 4% average degradation rate per 100,000 miles. Also, you may want to know how much a battery would cost. In case it decides to fail. Spoiler alert! It’s not cheap.
The website reports a cost between $13,000 to $14,000, which is their cheapest estimate. However, there are incidents of Tesla charging upwards of $20,000 for a battery replacement. So, it all boils down to your luck and how complicated it could end up being.
2015 Tesla Model S: Plenty Of Power
Having an EV entitles you to instantaneous torque. That’s why Teslas have managed to amaze a lot of people with its insane acceleration. If you are considering buying one, the most fun you’re gonna get would be from the dual motor versions. Going one step further and opting for the Performance model will get you the best acceleration.
Per Car And Driver, the 2015 Tesla Model S P90D set a 0-60 mph time of 2.8 seconds. This comes courtesy of a combined 523 horsepower and a mammoth 713 lb-ft of torque. Opt for the lower trims, and figures range between 329 horsepower for the 70D to 362 hp in the Model S 85, and 422 hp in its dual-motor version.
While all this sounds mighty impressive, do note that the onboard computers run through a systems check before you can start hammering it. Plus, launching the car eats up a lot of the available charge.
2015 Tesla Model S: It’s Not All Sunshine And Rainbows
Firstly, the battery replacement could lead you to have the most expensive repair bill on a car. Secondly, Teslas are notorious for not allowing third-party repairs. While they have eased a bit, it still isn’t as repairable as a normal combustion car.
Then, there are other problems like questionable reliability and build quality. Numerous reports of the infotainment freezing, odd leaks, and panel gaps have populated several forums. But, seeing as Tesla’s only started pacing through the vast and sophisticated world of automobiles. It might take some time to level the expertise of established names in the industry.
The bottom line is that used cars can seem alluring. But, beware of the costs involved. At the end of the day, if you can live with the fear of an expensive repair bill, we’d say go right ahead. Otherwise, you might wanna double-check if the car’s in good condition, or perhaps look for something else.
With all that said, the Tesla Model S is still an impressive vehicle. The available range paired with impressive performance and fast-charging capabilities are enough to attract your attention. But, before jumping in, do your research. Or, your entire ownership experience could turn sour.
Sources: Carfax, Caranddriver, Electrek, YouTube