TESLA MODEL S (2014) //Should I buy an old Tesla?

The original Tesla Model S. Extended road test and review. A real watershed car when it came out but how has it stood the test of time? The pace of change in the EV world is ferocious but this is an old car now. When it first came out it stunned us with amazing off-the-mark acceleration and great performance, but the goalposts have moved a lot in a decade. Let's find out how it stacks up. Has it been reliable? And would it make a good used car? Come for a ride with Stu (and the very knowledgeable owner) and let's see find out.
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[DS-pkeh]

We just bought this model for my wife with free Supercharging for 19k CHF ( that would be a 33K in AUD), it is full option and feels great.
She is very happy after a big Chevrolet SUV that she was driving everyday. 500 monthly for gas just is no more.

[slartybartfarst]

Great video. Ive run a P85 from new since 2015 now 138, 000 miles. It had a replacement drive unit n motor at 35, 000 (known issue drive output bearings are subject to greater than anticipated side loads so replacements have ceramic bearings) and at 75, 000 miles a battery fault (overheating due to a coolent leak) was detected by the factory at 2 am LA time and again a replacement sorted within 2 days both under warranty. Now outside of warranty I just love the way the P model goes 0-60 in 4 seconds and being RWD only it steers nice compared to AWD. Im quite capable of looking after 90% of maintenance and to be honest enjoy the cheap parts (thanks ebay) and the free for life supercharging i reckon ill be heading 250, 000 next. These cars are not indestructible and I do preventative maintenance, suspension parts (not brakes ) will get "tired" so I just replace them and enjoy the refreshed handing. My recommendations in order of 4 handles with V2.5 and get the car upgraded on the software, just bite the bullet and solve this stupid problem (no moving wires or micos witches) upgrade to fun its free!

[aussietaipan]

Thanks for the video, I just purchased a March 2015 model S 85 with 36k on the clock for 60k, will pick it up this week from the dealer. New Continental tyres and the high level rear brake light replaced (no working). MCU 2 upgraded and CCS2 charging adaption. This is my first EV and I already love it even though it is not with me. I've installed 30amp Tesla wall chargers at my home and holiday home.

[dupaacct]

The longer I own my 2013 Model S the less happy I am about it. There have been more issues then I care to deal with. Nav system updates not working (MCU1), passenger side door popping open, headlight bulbs, alignment issues, sway bar, power window issues, battery (no not the cheap one...the 14k one) ac issues, heat issues, environmental air direction issues. Thats in 10 months from Dec 2022 to this month 9/2023. It may not cost anything for supercharging or LTE data, savings on gas, but the repairs are far more costly then I had anticipated and is triggering my "is this bs worth it" question. Id say this will be my last tesla unfortunately unless something changes with reliability drastically. The 1 service center in the area has alot to be desired. There is an alternative place called EVOLVE but I have never tried them

[johnduxbury]

What a good report! Very informative. Also, great to see you driving on my local roads... wasn't a corner I didn't recognize 😁

Perhaps you should do a follow up with a newer model 3 owner. I'm available...

[hrhkee]

Thank you for convincing me to keep mine.

[THPDA]

no engine noise, no squealing tyre corners...so unusual for you Stu. great insight Mark, thanks.

[DeMobBoss]

Very nice to meet you at Wahroonga village today. Look forward to seeing more videos from you. I must concur that my Tesla 8000 kilometres into ownership is considerably cheaper to operate than my wife’s late model BMW X4 35d. Also practically no servicing costs. You’re welcome to come drive my Model 3P and please pop along to our go at the Eastern Creek dragway with some sticky rubber and modest weight reduction. Let’s keep in touch!

[becky]

Thank you for the video and info. We're looking at a 2014 Model S soon with 130k miles on it. My biggest worry is the battery. It's under warranty until December, but still. Any input? Are the horror stories few and just very loud to scare people? I live in Indiana so winters can be cold and I've read that winter temps can cause the battery to go bad faster. Clean title though.

[Docoslo]

My model.S p85+ from 2013 is still going. Some updates time to times but normal. We do not know yet how long the car can go to the end, but not know for sure😊

[ozozi]

Nice, relaxed review, did enjoy it of the old Model S. It's my favorite Tesla ever! Being that old, it's important to know how long and how they behave in the far distant down under world

[dupaacct]

So 7 months later the car now has 132k miles. I fixed the sway bar and aft links and the price was reduced from 1500 down to 995. However now the air suspension is now a problem and $2500 to fix. I still cant get the alignment bc of the air suspension. I firmly believe if I fix the air suspension something else will deny me getting the alignment. I repaired the rear passenger window.$400. The humidity in Delaware is brutal and driving in the morning the defroster decides if it wants to work or not. I have put a very large towel on my dash to prevent any air from hitting the front windshield which has worked flawlessly. posts I said that no matter what is selected on the directional comes out all 3 no matter what. I have now cracked 7 rims and wheeler-ship offers warranties and I now have 4 rims under warranty and a spare front rim not under warranty if I crack a front. Of course with how this car has performed I know 100% ill crack a rear bc thats how it goes. My 14k battery is 2k from being out of warranty when I purchased at 84K in 6/2023. Tesla warranties replacement batteries at 50k or 5 years. My front driver power seat has failed and Tesla wont replace the motor on the chair control they want to replace the whole thing, frame leather chair and all. I didnt even waste my time asking for a price. I was going to ask Evolve to look at it but their diag is $140 and theres a chance they tell me the same thing. The motor part is sold for $50 from EV Parts Online but is currently out of stock. There is a clicking sound from the rear of the car idk wtf that is. Only happens when I pull away from a stop. Not a constant noise. Updates to come at a later date....provided I havent driven off the Delaware Memorial Bridge from frustration 😡🤬

[stuckinchaselandia]

Great video. Im considering getting an older one. BTW, passenger looks a bit like Angus Young. LOL

[nova-oyqy]

great content! always wondered how Teslas hold up

[eddjordan]

you can get a 2020 model 3 dual performance in the uk now for 14k i don't see this as a real problem surly the whole point was for the price of these car to come down so they could pass into the hands of mortal people like me. I'm in my 40s and have never owned a car more expensive than 5k thats not because I'm skint but watching and waiting for good car to drop in price. maybe its time to turn tesla.

[driversteve]

Would you buy a used 6+ old Tesla to drive for Uber and Lyft in? That battery pack losing its ability to charge is my biggest concern as I drive 50k+ miles per year!

[AWESEM]

Actually models that still have free supercharging are worth a lot more..

[douglasdangelo]

The biggest issue is Teslas complete disinterest in performing repairs vs replacements of the battery. If one of your 7000 18650 cells fails in your tesla the computer will completely shut down that bank of cells. That in turn will shut down the entire pack. Teslas solution is to replace the entire pack resulting in a 20k USD bill. Thats why the resale of older teslas are plumeting in the US

[Svevid]

I wonder if they will support upgrading batteries for these old moddels so one can have more range on them. I'd like to buy the older model so being sure that tesla would do something like that would be much appreciated..

[tgmotz]

Losing a little less than half the range in battery capacity when older than 7 years, hmmm. So what is the cost of a battery replacement? They can be replaced but it will cost you. The estimated cost years ago when I looked into it was $7500 for a new battery pack. What is it now?