# Now that a Tesla is marked down $15K, would you do it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 14, 2023, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239 "2023-01-14T22:07:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/21 "2023-01-15T02:26:24Z")
No. I don’t want to give Ely Cologne any of my money. I’d probably go for a plug-in hybrid Toyota RAV4. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/22 "2023-01-15T03:06:48Z")
The over the air updates are not sent without notice. Nor are they mandatory. Every one I’ve received has improved the car. I am also not interested in autonomous driving, so like most Tesla owners, I didn’t pay for that very expensive option. Even if it was installed, it doesn’t force anyone to use it. Anyway that’s not what sets Tesla apart from the competition. That would be the huge Tesla charging network, which competitors cannot access. It’s proprietary, not mandatory. Tesla owners are not “tied to” this network, we can use any EV network, including the spotty and slow ones that other EVs _are_ tied to. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/23 "2023-01-15T03:12:56Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > Yeah–the whole screen only control thing bugs me. Me, too. Also, although I’ve never driven a Model 3 (or any Tesla) I’m thinking that I’d be bugged by the fact that the only instrumentation is on the center-mounted display. At least the Model S has basic instruments in a conventional format in front of the driver. In any case, my desire for a Tesla has dropped pretty much to zero since Elmo revealed his true self with his ridiculous antics at Twitter. I currently have my eye on the upcoming Chevy Equinox EV, which will be relatively inexpensive and have about the same range as a Model S, plus it looks like a practical, roomy SUV. I’m not impressed either by the particular shade of blue in the picture or by the two-tone treatment, but it looks fine in other colours (I particularly like it in white). The console instrumentation includes both a large display screen and conventional instruments. Ticks all the right boxes for me, but I’d want to see it establish a track record before I spring for one. GM says “limited availability starting fall 2023. Full lineup available starting spring 2024”. > **[The First-Ever Equinox EV: Electric SUV | Chevrolet](https://www.chevrolet.com/electric/equinox-ev)** > > The first-ever all-electric Chevy Equinox EV is built with a balance of SUV capability, modern technology, & convenient features for your everyday life. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/24 "2023-01-15T03:16:15Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > No. I don’t want to give Ely Cologne any of my money. > > I’d probably go for a plug-in hybrid Toyota RAV4. I really like the idea of the PHEV RAV4 as well. Of course they’re available in limited quantities so getting one might require paying above MSRP. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/25 "2023-01-15T03:17:31Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Of course they’re available in limited quantities so getting one might require paying above MSRP. I can’t afford a new (or fairly-new) car anyway. I’ll have to keep using my 2005, totalled, Prius. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/26 "2023-01-15T03:30:39Z")
There is a zero chance I would buy a Tesla due to my repulsion to Musk regardless of any other factors. I just sold my old car awhile back so I’m not really in the market, and honestly, I kind of hope to never own a car again, but we’ll see. In any case, it won’t be a Tesla. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/27 "2023-01-15T05:41:55Z")
a) I’m 64 and so far have yet to pay more than $500 for a car. All used, of course. b) I like the idea of the Tesla — a nonapologetic electric that can freaking move when you tell it to — but I’m kind of worried about the range. I’d like a future Tesla that I can drive for 18 hours nonstop and only _then_ need to recharge, hopefully not for longer than I need to sleep. So perhaps I’m craving a future Tesla, which is okay, since I only buy cars after their used-car price dives pretty low, like, say, $500. c) By that point, maybe charging stations will be so ubiquitous that I won’t need to go chase them down. On the other hand, by then the era of freebie charging stations may have gone. I’ll deal. d) I don’t currently own a car and haven’t since 1992 so I’m in no hurry overall. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/28 "2023-01-15T06:10:18Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > I like the idea of the Tesla — a nonapologetic electric that can freaking move when you tell it to — but I’m kind of worried about the range. I’d like a future Tesla that I can drive for 18 hours nonstop and only _then_ need to recharge, hopefully not for longer than I need to sleep. So perhaps I’m craving a future Tesla, which is okay, since I only buy cars after their used-car price dives pretty low, like, say, $500. A car driving, say, 60 mph for 18 hours will travel over 1,000 miles. That is almost three times the distance of the longest range Tesla even when brand new, and there is no expectation that electrochemical batteries will improve energy density by a factor of three notwithstanding that the battery in a used BEV (especially one that would be sold for ~$500) would be substantially degraded regardless of how well the vehicle is maintained. Replacement costs on a Tesla battery pack start at about $13k which is what you would need at a minimum to get the like-new range performance, and as @Balthisar notes, some of the teardowns done on various Tesla models would seem to indicate that quality control is not great and longevity in a used vehicle is anything but guaranteed. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/29 "2023-01-15T06:38:21Z")
Nope. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/30 "2023-01-15T07:20:21Z")
No. Nothing to do with Musk, really. It’s more that I still very rarely do all-day trips a little off the beaten path. Not enough infrastructure for me to be comfortable with full electric yet with a single vehicle and I’m not a multiple vehicle kind of guy at this point. It will probably be a hybrid for me. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/31 "2023-01-15T11:53:27Z")
Nope, zero interest in a Tesla. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/32 "2023-01-15T12:01:32Z")
I would rather buy a vehicle from an automobile manufacturer, not from a tech company. mmm ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/33 "2023-01-15T12:08:49Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I think if we all had as much awareness of the private lives and private thoughts of the other Fortune 500 CEOs, we’d be hard pressed to label Musk the worst of the lot. My thoughts exactly. In our current culture, decent people rarely (if ever) rise to the top, so I’m indifferent to the antics of the C-suite. If I want a product, I’ll buy it even if the CEO is a practicing Nazi and convicted pedophile. I assume they’re all subhuman scum, but just that particular one got caught. Due to another woman\* on a cell phone, I’m actually shopping for a new vehicle now, but no EV can meet my requirements and I doubt they ever will. As to the Tesla question: I’m intrigued by these cars and would love to have one, much like I’d love an old Jaguar or 60’s muscle car. Mostly as an interesting hobby and/or toy, since they can’t fulfill any mission for me as of yet. I wish I could spare the money for one. \*Third one so far. All have rear-ended me hard enough put my truck in the shop. All were women. All were on iPhones at the time (no Androids yet). But this one managed to actually total my diesel crew-cab pickup, putting me in various forms of traction, MRIs, PT, etc. I’m still hobbling around but off my cane at least. If I understood correctly, she was doing something called “facetiming”, whatever that is. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/34 "2023-01-15T12:45:54Z")
It really doesn’t work for me yet. For one thing my breaker box is full, and I would want a dedicated circuit for one. And I don’t know how in the heck I would run power cords considering the rediculous amount of snow we get and have no place to build a garage (it’s all to steep, it would be a MAJOR construction project). And I need an SUV type vehicle, no crossover, an SUV. ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/35 "2023-01-15T13:17:49Z")
I was stunned when he was saying he wanted to “own the libs” a few months back. Someone pointed out (prob. on Twitter), “Who do you think buys your cars?” Not anymore. He lost me for good at that point. This price drop is, at the very least, a tax on this business owner who insults his customer base. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/36 "2023-01-15T13:53:08Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > If I understood correctly, she was doing something called “facetiming”, whatever that is. A video phone call where it’s very important / courteous to be looking directly at the phone screen the whole time you’re talking. Which does make the rather more important task of “driving” much more difficult and accident-prone. Sorry to hear what you’re going through. Hope she is not indigent and her insurance is picking up the tab for whatever metal or medical can be fixed by money. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/37 "2023-01-15T14:02:05Z")
Tesla has some of the exact thing I try not to get in my life, basically subscriptions. If I buy a car I do it because I don’t want recurring fees, and don’t want updates that can break things that are working just fine. All and all I do like the price cut as price for EV’s in a competitive market should go down. With all the talk of lithium pricing, one thing I learned from my conservative days, is such a supply of a mineral if market demand is high will increase over time despite what the right is claiming. Add to that the amount of lithium per cell (battery) is being reduced and alternatives are being worked on. I think we may be over the initial bubble and prices can float down to a more affordable level across all EV’s. But we are not looking specifically for a EV at this time, but a plug in hybrid, which could easily meet most of our driving on battery only and no need to augment our electric service as a standard plug would work fine, but also allow extended trips using conventional gas infrastructure. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/38 "2023-01-15T17:44:27Z")
Nah, not really. The aforementioned controls being almost entirely on the touchscreen is enough for me to ignore the car. My current car already has too much controlled by the touchscreen for my taste, but at least the climate controls are physical controls. If I can’t adjust things like that without taking my eyes off the road, I’m going to have to pass. Really, I’m planning on selecting my next vehicle based on how much is controlled through the touchscreen, because a touchscreen is the worst interface for a car that was ever conceived. It’s not even really acceptable for radio controls. Adjusting the radio as a passenger: yay! we hit a bump and the resulting tiny inadvertent touch made my finger change the station (oh, and the backs of my fingers trigger it more easily than their calloused tips). We’re listening to this crap until the road smooths out enough. If nothing seems to be acceptable or appealing, I’ll probably just rebuild my 2012 WRX to the point where I’d trust it enough to daily drive it. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/39 "2023-01-15T18:03:24Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I think if we all had as much awareness of the private lives and private thoughts of the other Fortune 500 CEOs, we’d be hard pressed to label Musk the worst of the lot. Well, maybe. Certainly there are a preponderance of CEOs who are dedicated to increasing speculative value over the actual health of their companies or responsible stewardship of the land and resources they use. But very few of them engage in [one-sided petty feuds against former minor government officials](https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musks-tesla-asked-law-firm-to-fire-associate-hired-from-sec-11642265007), [actually promote far-right conspiracy theories](https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/30/business/musk-tweet-pelosi-conspiracy/index.html), and [are openly supportive of proto-fascist influencers](https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2022/12/elon-musk-twitter-far-right-activist/672436/). They may think bad things and do them in private but most are canny enough to engage in such opprobrious behavior and advocacy in public. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2023, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239/40 "2023-01-15T18:19:39Z")
Hence my comment about private lives and private thoughts. Musk is just wacky / entitled enough to think his words only have the results he wants, not the results everyone else will visit upon him eventually. Most such folks know to keep their mouth shut & their pants zipped in public. Although there is a pretty steady parade of folks who flunk that low test. The recent Wells Fargo exec fired for pissing on a flight attendant in flight comes to mind. Actually, I misspoke a bit. Lotta Fortune 500 CEOs are psychos, but they’re mostly self-controlled psychos. After all, they’re just employees; fancy employees but employees nonetheless. It’s the tycoons, large and small, who can be real wackos. Whether it’s Musk, or Mr. Pillow Guy, or some dude with four Ford dealerships in Ohio and more money than sense, those folks are the worrisome ones. Absolute power at work, plus spending power beyond 10x their wants tends to corrupt absolutely throughout their moral fiber. And loosen their self-control about blabber-mouthing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-a-tesla-is-marked-down-15k-would-you-do-it/978239.md?page=3)