Tesla Model 3 Total Cost After 6 Years: The TRUTH

Total Tesla Model 3 ownership cost after 6 years and 144,000+ miles!

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[Nate_Wentwhere]

the fact 2018 is 6 years time is flying.

[coffeeisgood]

When I drove a gas car the periodic maintenance was performed every 3 or 4 months (depending on the miles) and cost $350 per visit, over $1000 per year. Since purchasing my electric car my maintenance costs are now in line with yours. A tremendous saving.

[rsxbulma]

I have free charging at work and I car pool with coworkers and one person I pick up on carpooling app. My 2 coworkers pay me $50 a week and the other person $12 per day. I used to drive to work in my Toyota Tacoma paying around $100-$120 a week. The money that I was paying for gas in my Tesla model 3 payment plus insurance and some left over for any extra expenditures in the future. I have only paid for charging on road trips.

[alexius]

I own a red 2021 Model 3 Dual motor long range. There were several Tesla “talking heads” who helped me make up my mind to buy my car. You were the Most influential of the bunch. Thanks!

[PatrikMT]

Great video, but the breakdown cost feels a bit incomplete.
We should also put car resale value in the equation. Let's say the current value of the 2018 Tesla model 3 would be $17000
So, total out of pocket cost for 6 Years ownership with 144k miles would be: 75175-17000= $58175
Cost per year - $9696
Cost per mile -  $0.40 (the most indicative data)
Cost per mile with the BMW mentioned in video could be easily $0.60 which is 50% more compared to Tesla.

[GrandpaJeffrey]

I bought a comparable Mitsubishi lancer new 13 years ago, full leather interior with a ten year manufacturers warranty. It cost 27, 000 CDN new. I have come NO where near $75, 000 total cost of ownership yet. Including fuel, tires, two gas trunk lid openers and one steering control bar replacement. But then again, I live in a walkable city where I don’t need to drive if I don’t want to. And I usually don’t drive. A tremendous savings over a new electric car.

[patrickwiersma]

Damn, this guy made a whole review just to tell us about our cars extended warrenty.

[acma]

The main problem people worry about that is one of the biggest issues is having to replace the battery outside of warranty. That can run people over 10k and that can be a big reason why people hesitate to switch to a Tesla car.

[superwonderfullness]

I like the idea of the Model 3, but long term reliability and quality has me worried. Currently drive a Civic that we have owned for 10 years. Nothing has broken on it. Maintenance costs have been minimal, and it feels like it will go another 10 years and 100k miles no problem. All the fiddly little problems your Mode 3 has had are concerning. I know yours is an early car, so I’m hoping the 2024s have much better quality. What is a better buy for someone who wants to keep their car for 15 years? A Model 3 or something like a Civic Hybrid?

[trumpshare]

This defies every other video I've seen regarding EV costs. BTW I own a BMW 5 series and I fill it on regular gas and haven't had a problem with the car in the 10 years I've owned it.

[USUG]

in fairness, you should add 10-15% to the energy used to account for charging losses, that you pay for anyway. Besides, I believe the reported energy used by Tesla doesn't take into account for climatization energy used

[Riceblox]

What happened with the low battery health rating you got when you tested it?

[ronolson]

Back in 2018 I bought a used 2012 Toyota Prius V with 28, 000 miles on it for $14, 000. Now I've got 133, 000 miles on it & total cost have been $29, 000 over the same 6 years of ownership. It's running great, & will more than likely run past 300, 000 miles. I've hauled water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners, etc. all while getting over 40 MPG with over a 400 mile range, summer or winter. Love it. I think there will be a lot more hybrids in the future because there are no sacrifices owning one.

[mipmixchannel]

hope to hear an answer :
what about the battery degradation ?
how it is after all this time & distance ?
thanks !
good roads to have, I wish you !

[laughremixsquad]

No one out here talking about depreciation. Buy 2 years used and save a bundle.

[Trust_but_Verify]

My 5.5 years Model 3 91k miles haven't had as many issue you encountered. Replaced the charging door and passenger seat sensor (wrap insulation) under warranty. 12v battery was replaced after 4.5 years. Yes I switched from BMW SUV.

[maxvel]

What state is giving you $0.08 a kilowatt? And are you factoring in taxes and fees because that's the real cost per kilowatt. Sounds too good to be true. I see public charging stations charging $0.40-$0.70 per kilowatt in NYC Tri-State Area. We're in Central NJ and we pay $0.16 per kilowatt that's with taxes and fees.

[jazziez]

so i bought a 2011 jeep liberty in 2016 for $1, 300. had it in the shop a few times for oil pan, trans pan, waterpump, brakes, brakes again, one set tires that were $100 each. One battery couple years ago. Still going strong even thou I complain about money spent on it. Oh and full coverage insurance is $310 for 6 months. Now what about that, no matter how much gas I use, at least I don't have to worry about it going dead in the middle of nowhere and gas stations are everywhere and only take 5 minutes to fill up

[JimQuinn-tbuq]

Extended warranties are a scam. There have been dozens of reports on them. They don't usually cover what you would expect and the contracts are full of exceptions to coverage. Don't buy them unless you want to be ripped off.
Another thing, for most of us, a car is transportation not a status symbol. You don't have to buy a $60, 000 car unless you want to buy an EV. Comparing a Tesla 3 to an expensive import car is misleading the public. I bought a Toyota Camry and used it for 14 years and 240, 000 miles. I sold it after that and got back some of the cost. Not much because cars with 240, 000 miles do depreciate. I believe the cost was around 20, 000 or so when I bought it. Also the maintenance on this car was minimal. Just oil changes, tires, etc. No major expenses.
If you like buying fancy cars then by all means buy a lamborgini, Mercedes, Tesla, etc. I will pass on that. Also don't buy new cars every three years like a good friend of mine does.

[callmebigpapa]

Great video ! Many of the costs could have been much lower but still a great illustration of the cost savings. Now imagine if you bought a used Model 3 for 15k and charged it on some 35 dollar solar panels. That said the total cost of ownership seen @9:05 is why Tranportation as a service will crush individual car ownership in urban areas.