Tesla Model 3 Performance vs Model S Plaid | Which To Buy?

⬇️Must Have Tesla Accessories⬇️ Code: CYBEREGG for 15% OFF and Free Shipping over $200 at Tesstuff until 4/21/25!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Socials

The Tesla Model S Plaid is starting to get really cheap on the used market, so much so that they are now in the same price range as a New Refresh Model 3 Performance. In this video I'll be comparing the two, explaining why I went with the New Model 3 Highland, and what to look for buying a used Tesla Model S Plaid!

Topics Covered:
Model Y Refresh
Model Y Juniper
Model 3 Performance
Tesla PPF
Tesla Cost
Tesla Settings
Tesla Loan
Tesla Accessories
Tesla Build Quality
Tesla Model Y Worth It
Tesla New Owners
Tesla Model Y
Model Y Tesla
Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model Y
Tesla Performance
Tesla Tips & Tricks
Model 3 Ludicrous
2025 Tesla Model 3
2025 Tesla Model Y

#Tesla

[JremiahJones]

⬇Must Have Tesla Accessories⬇ Code: CYBEREGG for 15% OFF and Free Shipping over $200 at Tesstuff until 4/21/25!

















As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[Robert-jdxc]

Just picked up my 2025 M 3 this week.
First time Tesla owner.
I love it! I love it! I love it!

The lack of cargo space is solved by keeping around my older vehicle - which has plenty of it.

[rbs]

I sold my previous generation model three performance and purchased the plaid. But I purchased it new, because the price dropped to $89, 000 at the time. While it was a huge stretch to purchase it and it took a loss on a model three. I felt like I was getting $140, 000 car for $89, 000 and I thought it was a good opportunity to have the fastest car on the street.
I also worked for my car. So instead of keep him a model three and purchasing a work van, I decided to brisket into everything in the plaid
I can fit a 6 foot ladder in it and it won’t even reach the third console in the front. I can put all my tools in it and go do my AV work all day, every day
The only concern is tire wear. The Michelin’s have come with it at the most 15, 000 miles. And they cost $2000 to replace.
The last set lasted 9000 miles because Tesla service center messed up the alignment and had to rear wheels massively toed in.
So my regular shop realigned it with the new set of tires. I am now at 37, 000 miles and it has been a great car. Best car I have ever owned. The massive torque is always there, even if I rarely floor it.
I have taken to the track a handful of times and it runs 9.3’at 150+ all day long
That’s at Cecil County. With the 21 inch wheels.
My next set of tires will be all season tires because I need to be able to get more wear out of them. It’s too expensive to keep putting tires on it every 15, 000 miles.
I love the new three performance and I think it would’ve been a better financial decision but how often do you get to drive 1000 hp car ?
life is short

[Fezzent]

Im picking up my 2025 M3 on Monday. Returning my fancy bmw purely in exchange for FSD. Its just magic. No more excuses for not wanting to leave the house during rush hour. It's like having a chauffeur.

[diymitchsgarage]

I got n M3P a little over a month ago. Last weekend I test drove a MS. I wanted to test drive a plaid, but the Tesla guy said they don't do test drives on plaid anymore because people were getting tickets in them! LOL But I did test drive a MS. Regardless of the fact it wasn't a plaid, needless to say I was not impressed, enough impressed over the 3 to justify the extra cost. I'm just glad I got a Tesla the will still outperform my Hellcat Redeye. Now, that's just crazy. I think a lot of guys who are not that familiar with Teslas think my M3P is a plaid with the badge on the rear. To this day a little over a month in I've yet to have any othjer muscle car or sports car challenge me at a stop light! LOL Most guys who know, know not to mess with a Tesla on the street. When I'm in my HC, every gearhead and non-gearhead wants to challenge me, literally to a race!

[mr.whomoney]

I upgrade from my 3 and y to S and x last 2 months on the used market 2-3 yrs old and they are better great upgrade for the used prices right now

[omaroliverenriquezascencio]

Recently bought a 2021 plaid 64k mi with FSD for $44, 600.
I did because of the 1020HP period.
I don’t bother about HW3 as Elon mentioned he will be updating FSD HW for free eventually.

[kirkwcowgill]

I hear you, brother. 6:03. I wish I had an extra inch all the time.

[WirzWorld]

Drove both and the new Model 3 Performance handles so much better and is so nimble. Much more fun to drive IMO.
Speed feels almost as fast too. S needs a facelift inside and outside bad too.

[BTheInstaller]

I went with the S Plaid... love it, the 3 is great but the daily ride over all types of roads and highways is definitely better on thr S. air suspension is legit...put custom 19s on, rhe 21s are rough.. even the regular S is really nice. Used prices make the S plaid more of reality. Good video

[markanderson]

I sold my 2 year old Model S Plain and bought a 2024 Model 3P. The S build quality isn't great and I got tired of the dash rattling. Easy decision.

[dify]

I chose the Plaid over the new model 3 primarily for the hatch opening. You can haul a lot more plus other benefits mentioned on this video.

[nihongobenkyoshimasu]

4:14 The Model 3 not been a hatchback was a very sad design choice. A hatchback Model 3 would have otherwise certainly oversold the Model Y.
The new Model 3 even has now a bolted rear speaker shelf, so it would have been very easy to make the new Model 3 as a hatchback.
The new Prius and Polestar 2 are exactly the same size as the Model 3 but are both hatchback, so I don't see why the Model 3 could not have been a hatchback.

[janoleolsen]

I've changed from Model 3 performance for a model S plaid. Reason was simply Autobahn. Acceleration 0-120 mph is much better on Plaid. If I did not exceed US speed limits, I would have kept the Model 3 performance. Plaid was simply not available in Europe when I decided to drive Tesla for the first time, so model 3 was something to use while waiting. Still much better than any gasoline car within a "reasonable" price range.

Also the mode 3 was throttling at 120 mph, meaning any speed above this, would quickly drop down to 120 to avoid overheating. Plaid is less sensitive to this, but cuts supercharging to just 70kW if driving for some time above 120 mph. While model 3 stuck to 250kW as peak charging speed. These driving conditions I assume that very few Tesla drivers experience, as most Tesla drivers are a bit slow on the road even if allowed to roam free in Germany :-).

As the model 3 I drove was older, it had parking sensors and an indicator stalk, which is really handy in European roundabouts. I often don't get to signal as I somehow press incorrectly on the arrow buttons on the upside down steering wheel when exiting their roundabouts. Tesla vision is a joke when parking in tight European parking garages with a Plaid size car.

I've used the Yoke as it feels like a better grip when driving at higher speeds, like close to 200 mph. No problem using the Yoke for parking, as I just use one finger - but this puts too much pressure on the faker leather it seems. So after just one year and 15000 miles, the "leather" is worn out on the little yoke upper peeks.

I also appreciate the longer range as EPA range numbers gets crushed on Autobahn, would be nice for a refresh to increase the range - like the old Plaid+ that was cancelled. And Tesla should watch out for those 1000kW supercharging cars from BYD at half the price and similar to Plaid performance...

Better suspension and space feels less important to me. HW4 is not important to me, I hardly use autopilot - except in traffic jams, as it's limited to only 87 mph + 6 mph above the stated speed limit.

I've also tried out the carbon ceramic brake kit. Have yet to reach top speed due to too much traffic where I drive in Germany. Those brakes are sensitive to rain it seems, you have to brake a bit crazy hard when the brakes are wet - even at low speed, so good with regen braking.

I love the performance, I would consider any gasoline hypercar a downgrade.

[garymofo]

Can't go wrong with either. I test drove the M3P and it is a "go-kart" compared to my Plaid. The steering is a lot more precise and instant. More aggressive ratio imo. Handling was very good and the new suspension in the M3P impressed me. Power is decent but to me its good enough to 80-90 only then it starts dying off fast. My Plaid pulls all the way past 100+. The air suspension is softer and rides just slightly better compared to the M3P. Sound insulation is better in the Plaid as well and it has a lot more room. It really depends on what you're doing. The M3P is an excellent buy rn because of the tax credit and its new.

[bmwhp]

First time Tesla buyer, and I just purchased a new MSPlaid. It was a tesla showroom demo and had 200 miles. The best thing it was 21 inch wheels. Black on black. standard steering wheel. They posted on website at $5220 reduced price. Then my military gave me $1000. How can it be a bad deal with free supercharging for life of car and $6220 off $106K car. I get FSD for 3 months and then maybe there will be some promotion or, if not, I have drove a another 2025 demo MSP already 100 miles with FSD and I would not have the car without this feature. I have a GMC Denali with SuperCruise and I love it too. Mine is the Pro series so I can tow a 30 foot trailer and the SuperCruise works still. I got the MSP because I have a Corvette ERAY too. My Tesla better be faster in that 0-60. So far it does feel like it. I didnt put my RaceBox in it yet.

[rsamd]

for the same price a used plaid s or x any day over new 3 and y. bought a x plaid and had 3P before, even the x plaid which feels alot bigger is on another level.

[SilentnessSC]

As you mentioned, everyone's buying a Model 3. So I went against the grain and got a used 2021 Red Model S Plaid w/ Ultrasonic Sensors. It looks amazing, however, I hate how expensive managing 21' tires are! I might downgrade to 19' wheels eventually. Also it sucks paying over $1, 700 for car registration because Nevada DMV is based off the original MSRP... which in my case was $148, 290 based on the trim.

[RDash]

I got my Model S soley for the storage space like you said, dead on!

[SuperShawn]

I was in the same exact position last year. I chose the performance 3 because I wanted the latest and greatest Tesla had to offer. It will be interesting to see a refreshed S - if that ever happens.