Ways To Buy A Used Model S
If youre looking to buy a used Tesla Model S, there are a few options:
If youre looking to get the widest selection of Teslas and the best prices, Find My Electric is your best bet overall.
Shopping for a Used Tesla Online
While there are other sites such as Craigslist, AutoTrader, etc. where you can shop for used Teslas, they really arent created for electric cars, especially not Teslas. You cant search/sort/filter based on Tesla-specific options, and theyre overrun with ads that often times dont even differentiate between Model S sub-types. Even sites that claim to cater to electric vehicles or Teslas specificall dont work well, are clunky, and dont allow you to manage your own ads.
Facebook or other social media groups can be a decent place to look for a used Tesla, but its very hard to see more than the last day or so of posts, so many good deals slip through the cracks, and its really hard to find what you want as theres really no filtering beyond price.
Buying From a Dealer
Buying from a dealer is an OK option when it comes to buying a used Model S, but you need to make sure theyre a dealer who understands Teslas and has taken care of the car while they have it.
Competitors Chip Away At Tesla’s Us Electric Vehicle Share
FILE – Tesla Supercharger is seen at Willow Festival shopping plaza parking lot in Northbrook, Ill., on May 5, 2022. New electric vehicle models from multiple automakers are starting to chip away at Tesla’s dominance of the U.S. EV market, according to national vehicle registration data.
DETROIT New electric vehicle models from multiple automakers are starting to chip away at Tesla’s dominance of the U.S. EV market, according to national vehicle registration data.
But numbers collected by S& P Global Mobility show that Tesla still controlled about 65% of the growing electric vehicle market during the first nine months of this year. And the competitors made gains in the sticker price range below $50,000, where Tesla barely competes.
From 2018 through 2020, Tesla had about 80% of the EV market. Its share dropped to 71% in 2021 and has continued to decline, said Stephanie Brinley, an S& P associate director.
Tesla’s position is changing as new, more affordable options arrive, offering equal or better technology and production build, S& P Global Mobility said in a statement Tuesday. Given that consumer choice and consumer interest in EVs is growing, Tesla’s ability to retain a dominant market share will be challenged going forward.
Used Model S Vs Cpo Model S Whats The Difference
Whenever the words used Model S are thrown around, undoubtedly the term CPO Model S is tossed in alongside it somewhere. What does that mean, exactly? Well, it refers to Teslas factory Certified Pre-Owned program.
Technically, Tesla doesnt certify pre-owned vehicles anymore , but people still refer to them as CPO cars in the Tesla community. Essentially, youre buying a used car directly from Tesla that theyve taken back on a trade, lease, or in some other way and then they check the car over and issue either a 2-year or 4-year warranty on the vehicle depending upon the year and mileage . The 2-year warranty goes up to 100k miles, and the 4-year warranty typically goes an additional 50k miles above the current mileage on the vehicle, and is similar to the initial factory warranty.
The fact that you get a warranty is definitely a benefit to buying directly from Tesla, but the problem is that this comes at a higher cost, and you can often add an extended warranty to a used Model S as long as there is some remaining balance of the factory warranty. In addition to that, many used Model S vehicles for sale still have a balance of the factory warranty too. So, you might be able to get a better deal from a private party and then just add your own extended warranty direct from Tesla.
In the next few sections, well look directly at some of the pros and cons related to buying a used Model S vs. a CPO Model S.
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Range Charging And Battery Life
Under the Tesla’s floor lies a battery pack that yields a low center of gravity and evenly distributed weight from front to rear. Driving range and acceleration performance varies from model to model, with the base version’s battery providing up to a 412-mile range while the Plaid model offers up to 390. Upstart Lucid Motors says its Air luxury sedan is rated for up to 517 miles per charge.
Autocheck Vehicle History Summary
Located in San Jose, CA/ 91 miles away from Sacramento, CA
Solid BlackSun/MoonroofNavigation SystemLane Keeping AssistKeyless StartBluetooth ConnectionRear SpoilerCooled Front SeatAll Wheel Drive…
Dealer Review:
Just picked up 2022 EQS580 – the car is fantastic. I’ve been in touch with the sales people for many weeks before I actually decided to go forward with this particular car, I test drove an EQS450+ and have EQS450 SUV on order. But finally, the dealer agreed to make a deal on my dream car – the 580, which is an absolute joy to drive – it feels like I missed the last 10 year of car industry developments. I wanted to thank all the staff for their patience with me and making this happen. The actual buying process was super smooth, calm and stress free – just like the car itself. This is a second Benz I’m buying from MB of Stevens Creek and will definitely come back if need another one!
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Tesla Model S For Sale
The Tesla Model S made its debut in 2012 and was capable of 335 or 426 km of range, depending on which battery was installed. An all-wheel-drive version was introduced in 2014, with badging including a letter D for Dual Drive thanks to a motor located on each axle. The Tesla Model S has won hundreds of awards and is generally regarded as one of the most significant vehicles in the history of the automobile.
How To Buy A Used Model S2020 Buying Guide
Theres no doubt that buying a used car of any type can be intimidating to some people, and with Teslas thats no exception. How do you know if youre getting one thats been well taken care of? Are there any years, model-specific trims, or problems to avoid? Is it better to just buy a new Model S? If youre not buying new, how much should you pay for a used Model S?
These are all valid questions, and in this guide, were going to break down questions like this and much more. First, lets take a look at pricing
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Used Electric Cars Model S Vs The Competition
Most people in the electric car world know that Tesla leads the packand this isnt really up for debate. However, with that saidthat doesnt mean that there arent other interesting offerings among other car manufacturers.
Which raises the questionhow does a used Tesla Model S stack up against the competition? The TL DR answer isvery well. In fact, as Elon said during the last Tesla Autonomy Eventmost manufacturers are still struggling to keep up with the 2012 Model S and cantso thats about all most people need to know. However, with that saidlets take a look at how a used Model S compares to other relatively popular EVs like the Nissan Leaf, etc.
Lucid Air
Lucid Air vs Tesla Model S
Ah, the fabled Lucid Airit seems this long-rumored premium EV sedan will finally come to fruition in 2021. But the question ishow does the Lucid Air compare to a Model S? Although no one knows for sure, we can examine some of the early data.
With a range of 400-500 miles, and a 1/4 mile time of 9.9 seconds , this seems like it could be the first time the Model S has a true competitor. We also know just how hard it is to bring a concept to productionso in reality, theres a lot that remains to be seen.
The Used Tesla Model S Buying Guide Putting It All Together
We hope you enjoyed this ultimate guide to buying a used Tesla Model S! At this point, we cant imagine theres anything left to coverbut if youve got any questions, feel free to reach out to our team and well help you with anything that we can!
And if youre currently in the market for a used Tesla Model S, be sure to check out our current listings. Happy Tesla hunting!
Not sure which used Tesla you should buy? Wondering where to begin?
ULTIMATE GUIDE TO USED TESLAS
Everything You Wanted to Know About the Tesla Model S, 3, X & Y
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Tesla Technology And Performance
Tesla has offered its flagship Model S sedan with a range of battery sizes with the most recent long-range models capable of travelling over 630 km on a single charge. Owners are able to receive updates “over-the-air” without having to go into a service center and Tesla launched its Autopilot feature through an OTA update in 2014. The Tesla Model S received a facelift in 2016. Tesla launched the Model S P100D in 2016, before outdoing its performance with the Model S Plaid in 2021. The Tesla Model S Plaid is the world’s fastest-accelerating production car, with three electric motors and a total of 1,020 horsepower.
Used/cpo Model S Pros
Model 3 can be delivered faster in many cases Autopilot is often already included/paid for Model 3 may have better range and a fresher battery Free unlimited supercharging is often already included/paid for Model 3 battery technology is more efficient All aluminum so the body panels wont rust in winter-climate states Model 3 may be easier to park in urban areas and tight spots More options for wheels and tires Tires are typically cheaper due to their smaller size Larger interior and bigger seats Model 3 charges faster on lower amperage outlets Longer/wider rear view mirror All Model 3 vehicles are FSD-capable
As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. So, we recommend taking a look at our used/CPO Model S vs. new Model 3 blog post to dive into some nerdy specifics!
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Used Tesla Model S Frequently Asked Questions
In order to make this page the absolute, ultimate guide to buying a used Tesla Model S, we collected questions from users across the Internet and answer them allright here! If youve got a question about buying a used Model S, chances are if we havent already answered it on this page, its answered below.
Should I buy a used Tesla Model S?
We think so! A used Model S represents one of the best values in EVs anywhere, and its a great way to get an awesome performing and looking Tesla if a new Model S is outside of your budget.
Which used Tesla Model S should I buy?
This really depends on your own preference, but our favorite used Model S for the money is the P100D. The 85D is also a popular option for people looking to get into a Model S on the cheap and still have good looks coupled with decent performance and range.
Is it worth it buying a used Model S?
In our opinion, definitely! As mentioned above, it represents one of the best values in EVs that you can find today. Theres no doubt that a new Model S is expensive for most people, so buying a used Model S is a great way to get one at an affordable price.
Is a used Model S a good buy?
Definitely! As long as you do your research, make sure you arent overpaying, and find a nice Model S thats been well taken care of by its previous owner.
How much does a used Tesla Model S cost?
Anywhere from about $30k to $100k depending upon the specific trim, mileage, condition, and options, give or take about 5%.
Used Tesla Model S For Sale
If youre looking for a used Tesla Model S for sale, theres no doubt that youve come to the right place! Find My Electric is the ultimate Tesla marketplace, and were glad youre here!
We built Find My Electric to be the best, easiest to use Tesla marketplace on the web, hands down. Whether youre looking to sell a used Model S, or buy onethis is the most technologically-advanced platform in existenceso feel free to dig in and check out our listings below posted by Tesla enthusiasts and fans, just like you.
FIND THE PERFECT USED
On this page, weve also taken the time to create the ultimate guide to buying a used Tesla Model S in 2020. We cover the basics, and also the in-depth, nerdy tips and tricks that you can use to find the best deal possible on a used Model S.
Sound good? Alright, lets jump into everything youve ever wanted to know about buying a used Tesla Model S!
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Used Tesla Model S Prices How Much Do They Cost
In this section, were going to break down used Tesla Model S prices by model-specific trim to give you a better idea what price range you might be looking at when searching for a used Tesla Model S.
One thing to note is that these prices are approximations that generally fall under a bell curve, so there will be outliers on both ends.
And also, pricing can change quickly in the Tesla worldfor example, each time Tesla raises the price of Full-Self Driving , it becomes a bit more valuable on the used market. And if 2020-2021 rumors are true, they may end up offering FSD as subscription software, which could change the value of that in a completely different way.
With that said, lets take a look at model-specific pricing on the used market
First Generation Model S 2013 Model S 85 seen here
First Generation Model S 2012 2014
If youre looking for a used Tesla Model S, and funds are the biggest concern, your best chance of getting into one is by looking at the oldest generation models.
Sure, youll be sacrificing a few things like battery capacity, Autopilot, looking at an older Media Control Unit , and some other older tech, but since the exterior design of the Model S has basically remained the same from 2012-2020, youre still getting the same awesome looking car for a lot less money. You also wont be getting a D model with dual motors in this price/year range, which can affect drivability if youre in a cold climate state too.
Used Tesla Model S For Sale Near You Finding The Best Deals
Now that you have an idea of what it costs to buy a used Model S, that raises an important questionwhere is the best place to find a deal?! Were glad you asked
In our opinion, Find My Electric is hands down, the best place to buy a used Model S. We bring together private sellers, Tesla enthusiasts, and dealers in a single marketplace that allows you to search/sort/filter down to the nerdiest, most specific Tesla options in order to find exactly what youre looking for!
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Fuel Economy And Real
While EVs such as the Chevy Bolt and Polestar 2 deliver serviceable driving range the Model S remains an impressive alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles when it comes to long-distance usability. The base model receives the highest MPGe ratings at 121 city and 112 highway. In our real-world, 75-mph highway fuel economy test, a 2020 Model S we tested posted a 222-mile highway range number against its 326-mile EPA estimated driving range the Plaid managed 280 miles of its claimed 390 miles of range. For more information about the Model S’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Warranty And Maintenance Coverage
Tesla offers a comprehensive warranty package to protect the Model S’s powertrain and hybrid components but lacks the lengthy bumper-to-bumper coverage and complimentary scheduled maintenance packages of the Jaguar I-Pace.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers eight years and unlimited miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
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Interior Comfort And Cargo
With Model S prices starting at over $90,000, buyers would be reasonable to expect a certain amount of luxury inside the car. The cabin’s atmosphere is nice enough, but it’s not nearly as plush as those of our favorites such as the Mercedes-Benz E-class and the Volvo S90. The Model S’s sloped roofline cleverly hides a rear liftgate that opens up to reveal a huge 26-cubic-foot trunk. We managed to stash eight of our carry-on-size cases without folding down the rear seats. Paltry small-item cubby stowage throughout the interiorespecially in the back seatis offset by a large underfloor bin in the rear cargo area.
Ev Motor Power And Performance
With an electric motor dedicated to each of the front and rear axles, the Model S offers full-time all-wheel drive no matter which version you choose. Acceleration of the various models ranges from outstanding to ferocious. We haven’t tested the Model S Long Range or Plaid yet, but our 2020 Model S test vehicle delivered a blistering 2.4-second zero-to-60-mph time and proved endlessly entertainment thanks to its immediate power delivery. The Plaid model boasts a third electric motor, which boosts combined output to 1020 horsepower, which is enough to send it to 60 mph in just 2.1 seconds in our testing. The standard Model S has proven itself an agile sports sedan with well-controlled body motions and direct steering. Two different settings allow drivers to choose heavy or light steering effort, but neither of them enable more feedback from the road. Ride comfort is good, the handling is crisp, and it’s confident and almost tranquil on the highway.
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