Help me fact‑check the 250,000‑mile myth with REAL‑WORLD data 👇 Drop in comments: Car make/model & year Current mileage Biggest repair AFTER 100,000 miles and what it cost I’m especially interested in: • High‑mileage Toyota / Honda owners • Tesla / other EVs over 100k • Anyone who actually hit 250k on the original engine/transmission I’ll go through these and use the best examples in a future video comparing real‑world ownership stories to the math in this one.
I also had a 2001 Toyota Corolla with the 1.8 1zz engine, died at 75k miles! This was my second Toyota, major disappointment. Interested in going the EV route for cost savings and reducing the time and money for maintenance.
Bought my 1985 long Toyota Landcruiser HJ62, 4Liter, 6-cylinder diesel back in 1992, never had an issue and sold it with 182,000 miles in 2012. It´s still running fine.
See my comment to vincecarlo below. I'm currently driving an 09 Fit 5spd with 285,000 km. It purrs like a kitten, I add no oil between changes and the only thing I've replaced in the 3 years I've owned it are the brakes and a sway bar link from a super hard pothole hit. I paid $3500 for the car and insurance is $700/year. The depreciation of an electric car in a couple of years is more than I have spent on cars in 30 years. One major thing that makes me not want to own an ev is it takes the spontaneity out of road trips. Everything has to be planned out, you can't really see a road sign and take a detour because that little out of the way spot probably doesn't have chargers, or ones that work.
Have a 2nd gen Prius with 230k miles, but it needs a new high voltage battery (used to get 40-44mpg, now 33 is my average). Had 5 Ford explorers between 1992-1996. Two died at 160k miles, three were sold above 230k with one of those at 268k miles. One v8 in the lot. Two Tesla, a 2016 S 75D 85k miles and a 2018 M3P with 131k miles. Rear passage side knuckle on the 3 at 128k miles.
How many parts did you replace? How many times did you change the oil? How much did you spend on fuel? Would it be cheaper to replace it now? No, but if you have to buy a car probably it would be cheaper, long term, to have an EV...
kiss the ground you drive on, dont complain and buy a lottery ticket....lol. you will always get the odd one that dies after 50miles or goes on for ever...its a lottery. if you listened carefully, your in the 10% class. i am happy for you but the next one you buy could tilt the averages the other way...hahahahaha
@TheStork1981why dont Tesla offer a no questions asked 300,000 mile battery and drive train warranty backed by an independent insurance company backed by Gold Bullion then? It would sell a lot of EVs, save a lot of polar bears and defeat evil big oil that is polluting our skies.
Yes but even doing oil changes and maintenance myself, I save by having a model 3. No 40$ oil + filter ever 4-6 months. No 100$ in brake pads every 3-4 years. No transmission fluid changes every 30k miles. No coolant flushes every 100k miles. No spark plugs every 100k miles. No engine air filter every 15k miles. Over 250k miles, thats 2000$ in oil changes, 2000$ in brake pads alone (not including rotors or calipers and etc), 1000$ in transmission fluid, another 50$ in coolant, 100$ in spark plugs, and 300$ in air filters. Total saved on maintenance alone even if you DIY - $5500, not including the 1000-1500$ per year saved on gas. If you have the dealer do the maintenance, your maintenance cost triples, and now you have saved $16,500 in maintenance alone lmfao. You have to be stupid to pick ICE at this point.
But ice maintenance has benefit of decades of right to repair. Now trying gets parts for modern electronics on an ice is just as difficult as electric due lack of repair manuals
"If you learn to repair/maintain an ICE car yourself..." This is no longer the 1960s. Repair/maintain any new car with extensive, complex electronics controlling virtually every function? That's just silly. Even technicians, needing proprietary tools, are finding it difficult.
I'm almost at 250,000 miles on my model 3 performance. Original battery with 20% degredation. My real world maintenance costs were like $3k. I use cheap tires that can still go 50k miles.
Holy moly! That is incredible! Has had overall maintenance been? Have you had to replace any motors? Thanks for your comment and support- we appreciate you.
That's awesome and seems to be the consensus on NCA batteries vs NMCA. I'm hoping to get the same on my 24' long range since it uses NCA as well. Fingers crossed.
Top Models Likely to Reach 250,000+ Miles According to iSeeCars, these models are the most likely to reach the 250,000-mile mark: Toyota Sequoia: 39.1% (Top-ranking model) Toyota 4Runner: 32.9% Lexus IS: 27.5% Toyota Tacoma: 25.3% Toyota Avalon: 18.9% Lexus GX: 18.3% Lexus RX Hybrid: 17.0% Honda Ridgeline: 14.7% Honda Pilot: 13.1% Honda Odyssey: 13.0% and this is just single owner. many reaches million miles after they were sold to africa or middle east. how many tesla even reached 250k miles, few 1000s ?
Teslas haven’t been out for enough time to reach 250k miles. 2018 and later cars are at most likely barely passing 100k miles right now. We have to wait 5-7 more years to get enough info as they reach 200-250k miles
@ElevateMotorCosorry for late reply. All original parts. Motors flawless. They feel as smooth as when new. The entire car drives like new. Had to replace front suspension due to squeaking. I have owned and loved Japanese cars for decades but ev simplicity makes Japanese look overly complicated. No leaking oil or gaskets. It just works. I'm expecting the battery to fail at some point but even then the overall cost to maintain won't be bad.
No gas - Electricity prices are generally regulated so the cost is kept down to benefit the consumer. In some places it's municipally supplied (Socialism) so it's cheaper still.
@daniellarson3068He is referring to the fees that you pay when you renew your plates or tabs, or whatever you call it in your neck of the woods. It's funny, but he doesn't refer to the gas tax that you pay, which raises your fuel cost per mile. I did a comparison, and for the average driver, the taxes make what you pay about equal in my state. Because I drive an ev, I pay for it all up front
Low stress normally aspirated engines back then were great. Not the case anymore. Everyone has gone to high stress ultra efficient small displacement engines that simply aren't reliable.
In England there are alot of electric repair garages popping up,,tesla wants $ 20k for a new battery, and independent repair shops kost around 2-3k for repair, and they look at everything else that can go wrong and tell you in the next months to repair/replace these components,.
That’s awesome. We’re getting them here stateside as well. Slowly but surely. It’s going to take some time for us to have the level of 3rd party service options that ICE vehicles have but we’ll get there. Have a blessed weekend TA9080
Repair of an old pack is not always a winning solution. If it's due to degradation, then it's a bad idea since all of the batteries are the same age, so if you lose enough cells due to degradation, then replacing them won't help with all of the old cells. If it's due to total pack failure, if the batteries are not too used (charge cycles) then that's great.
@GOLFandWRX Given the list of short-term and long-term problems with the modules - swapping modules with a failed cell / cell temperature sensor is relatively easy - as the content can be refurbished from wreck/salvage cars - modules can also be tested outside the car a lot simpler and they have a universal shape/configuration for replacement. You can also hybridise the pack and use packs with the same manufacture date and age - or replace the old modules with new cells - by testing the module capacity is capable. Not everyone wants a full retrofit - some people just want to replace their failed or older modules with salvaged units so it's still within OEM/Warranty and the range is restored - as failed modules can affect charge balance and range estimations. The older modules separated and tested away from the pack don't need special storage requirements - making the tertiary / salvage market useful. Also, dating the batteries and merging them with similar aged refurbished modules and packs can help with balancing the pack to a suitable capacity level - then clearing the BMS of faults to resettle the pack and coolant. The problem comes with dealing with damaged / swelled modules and cells - there isn't a clean way to deal with failed / leaking cells in these shops without having a disposal drum or oil bath to keep the lithium from being exposed to air in the cells/modules/packs when damaged or bulging due to failure. Breaking a module to deal with a battery fire is part of the risk in dealing with battery refurbishing - i.e. the rapid onset fire and containment handling with tongs/lifts to seal the fire and move the content outside quickly for disposal in oil, not water.
I went through tires quickly on my model S for the first set. But once I stopped flooring the accelerator, tires last just fine. Got over 64k miles on my last set.
Holy cow 64k miles! You went to acceleration rehab. I don’t know if I can give it up. My wallet wants me to. But my brain says - “no, smash that accelerator”, you haven’t smiled enough today.
So do I, but if I lived in an apartment where I couldn’t charge an EV, I’d prefer the Hybrid Toyota. If you can’t charge at home, your convenience factor will, except in rarest circumstances (e.g., your employer provides charging at the workplace), go out the window. And the energy cost advantage of an EV is also diminished to nothing if you must only use Superchargers.
@ElevateMotorCo - My 2¢ … For anyone that would be remotely interested in the self-driving feature, Tesla is currently the only game in the US. My wife thinks the Equinox EV is a fine looking vehicle - unlike you, she likes the conventional CUV-styling (and utility). When I point out to her that the SuperCruise doesn’t hold a candle to FSD, she claims that GM will offer a comparable system soon. She also points out that many don’t care about self-driving, and the entry-level Equinox is a good value for such customers. Ironically, she’s eager for “robotaxis” to be available everywhere …
Hey Chris, Thank you for the comment. I’m so sorry that happened to you. Is it safe to assume you had a LR AWD and it was covered under warranty? I really hope so. That is far too young. Have a blessed weekend Chris
@kyle8380 I didn’t actually notice or see anything, I was signing up for an extended service contract with a 3rd party for piece of mind, and they did a remote inspection with toolbox where they saw repeated sensor errors. I took it to Tesla for them to look at it just in case and they confirmed it and just said it needs a new main battery. Covered under warranty and they gave me a loaner for the week it took to get the new battery shipped and installed.
@ElevateMotorCo. Yep thats correct, LR AWD, covered under warranty. It’s a great car even with that. They gave me a loaner for the week it took them to ship and install the new main battery
My 2000 Toyota Camry LE V6 5speed manual is reaching 300k miles on original engine, cluch, & transmission. Only needed a new radiator, timing belt and water pump. And it'll outlast every newer car.
Here in Germany that seems to be normal. I took my Mini Cooper in to get ~50k km scheduled maintenance, assuming I'd just wait in the waiting area for it to be done like in the US....nope. Literally took them ALL DAY for a maintenance service that ended up being ~$200. They didn't even have a waiting area because I guess it's normal for every service to take a say minimum.
Tyres in an EV: You mentioned "you have regen coming up to the lights". Well, an ICE car weighing the same as an EV puts exactly the same strain on the tyres to bring a car from day 30mph to a stop as an ICE car. (The tyres don't know what the power train is.) There are many cars in the USA that weigh the same or more than many EVs.
@sprockketsthe Kia is substantially smaller though. 6 inches shorter length , 4 inches shorter in height and 1 inch shorter in width. All of that is fairly significant difference in size. But yeah the Kia uses smaller weaker electric motors and a small weak battery than alot of other EV and so it's kinda the exception than the rule.
Toyota's hybrid system is the loudest most rattle-iest garbage on the planet. You can't hear anyone talk next to you when you pull away from a light lol.
@shannon6876 You have no idea what I don't know. With the amount of research and mechanic experience I have, I'm sure I know enough about Toyota's hybrid system and the systems of other car manufacturers to teach your mechanic a few things. Tell me the downsides I may not know about. My hybrid Lexus was the most reliable car I've owned other than my current Tesla. It's been almost a decade without a single repair.
Why no mention of insurance costs? I believe that Tesla may be 2X the premium due to the huge costs associated with collision repairs. Its a significant $ consideration you didn't bring up.
We have a fleet of EVs from Tesla to GM and at most we’ve seen the same pricing as ICE at most maybe 10-15 percent higher. I currently have a Model 3 and it’s $100 a month. This is slightly more than the Kona EV I owned previously but was nearly half the price of the Model 3. Taking into account driving history, age, vehicle make model trim, and state requirements makes creating meaningful comparisons between vehicles such as wash as the numbers vary so wildly. I’ve registered EVs over the past decade in 3 separate states. People blow up the insurance issue to be so massive when it’s literally less impactful than buying an ICE vehicle which takes regular vs. premium fuel.
The insurance premium I pay on my Tesla Model 3 LR is 15% LOWER than what I paid from the same company for the BMW 330i it replaced… two very comparable cars! What is this BS about EV premiums being higher???? That is pure disinformation!
@ElevateMotorCo I put a down payment on a Model 3 dual motor, lease was $550/month. Went to my insurance company and they told me insurance would be $650 full coverage. I can't afford that. It's double my new SUV, and I had to lose my down payment because I can't afford that insurance. IDK where you find such low insurance rates. I am an older driver with no tickets or accidents for >15 years, but my insurance rates were beyond me.
@st-ex8506 I'm an older driver, no accidents, no tickets, no claims I have a new SUV slightly more expensive than a new model 3 AWD. The lease on my new M3 was $550/month and my full coverage insurance AAA was $650/month, I had to surrender my reservation ($200) because the insurance cost is higher than the car. The Tesla model 3 is half the price of my BMW 330i, so your insurance should be half not 15% less
First time viewer and loved the channel. Just enough tech talk and details but simple enough to easily comprehend and appreciate. Good job guys. I’m smarter for watching this episode and will likely subscribe.
Hey thank you for the kind words 1Jamaican it means a lot. Your support in watching and your encouraging words mean a lot in a sea of usually kind but sometimes “interesting” comments. Appreciate you, have a blessed week
70 year old here. Planning to purchase a new FSD Model Y this year. Likely the last auto I will ever buy. Funny how people are driven (pun intended) by anecdotal experience rather than data. Thanks for the content.
I wish when the pro Tesla RUclips channels talk about Teslas long lasting high voltage battery. I wish they would talk about years instead of miles. A lot of these boasts concerning 250,000 miles is done in a relatively short period of time. I tend to keep my cars 10 to 12 years.
Exactly. Batteries will degrade over time, regardless of mileage. This is guaranteed going to happen, even if your car is sitting in your garage. There is no reason why EV batteries couldn't be designed to slide right out and a new one slid in. Well, except for greed, because that might take a $100 chunk out of the profit of building the car and would eliminate the possibility of a huge service center bill down the line.
@markpfeifer1402 Model S was designed that way. Tesla even built battery-swap stations. The utilization was so low they gave it up as a waste of effort.
Ive worked on cars that required transmission replacements costing more than any EV battery. Dropping a pack and reconnecting 2 hoses and the HV wire is also 10x faster than all the connections and linkages etc of a transmission.
Thanks GD. Another mechanic commented something very similar. Having torn down a small number of transmissions during my days as a tech it blew my mind how complicated a basic automatic transmission is. The general public really have no idea. The other mechanic made an excellent point on core reimbursement for battery packs as well. Obviously this exists for engines and transmissions but it was an excellent point that we added which I missed in the video. Thank you for your comment. Have a blessed weekend.
Not included in the analyses is the high cheat factor in ICE cars. I have caught repair shops trying to sell me unnecessary repairs 4 of 5 times I've gone in. There are so many parts that there are lots and lots of opportunities to make up false problems.
@Rick-n7g I would disagree. Plenty of people don't do God or prayer and have amazing lives. Just saying. But.... I do appreciate the good vibes of the prayer.
@iamrambo99 Hi, yes, I hear you. The truth is we better hope our lives get difficult and we get to know God and how to be saved. If life is great and we never do, we will wish we did. One day we will all die and that could be the biggest problem we have. Or, it might be the best thing ever. I've experienced the other side and my life has been really ruff. All I can do is to say, you don't want to die and take the next steps counting on vibes. If my life hasn't gone the way it has, I would agree with you but I know better.
Someone in my small group said this and I think about it often: “If I lost everything but i still had Jesus, I would still have everything” He was homeless.
Very informative. I'm currently in the market for a new car and this video helped alot. I have decided now to go with a Tesla Y premium. Considered other EV brands but the value that the current state of FSD adds can no longer be ignored.
You sound like a person that has taken one for a test drive. It’s hard to convey what driving a Tesla is like. And it’s nearly impossible to convey how incredibly FSD has become. People just need to experience that magic moment for themselves. Congratulations in advance. I hope it treats you and your family well for many miles and smiles to come. If you have a friend with a Tesla that introduced you to the brand - use their referral code to get a few months of FSD for free. Thank you for the comment and have a blessed weekend
Model 3s and Ys are Tesla's best products BUT the depreciation the first 2 1/2 years is VERY high. Find a nice USED newer Y that can still run FSD 14whatever.
@ronaldlenz5745 Good! Then search CarGurus/Autotrader to find one you like. I went 380+ miles to get mine and have no regrets. I bought EXACTLY what I wanted AND got a good overall deal on it. My 2018 Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor with 115,000 miles was $16,500 OTD. That's a LOT of good car for the money!
Great video guys! I really liked the visuals and information on screen. I got a 2025 Tesla model 3 about 9 months ago and it’s been amazing so far. I don’t miss doing oil changes or going to the gas station couple times a week.
Congratulations! Hope it treats you well for many miles and smiles to come. It’s a fantastic car - even the older pre-facelift models were great. There’s nothing like having a “gas station” at your house!
I bought a 2023 Model 3 last year and absolutely love the car as well. I rented a 2026 Model 3 for Thanksgiving road trip to see what I was missing. I like the smoother ride and the ambient lights! Having owned gas cars for my entire life, EVs are much easier to car for. It's mostly tire rotations, cabin filters, wipers, and tires. I love not having to change the oil every 5K miles which I use to do myself. The other HUGE benefit Tesla offers is the option to use FSD- that is a game changer that is hard to describe to someone who hasn't experienced it. When I take 500 mile road trips, I'm much more relaxed when I get to destination since the car did 80% of the driving!
Just replaced my factory Michelin tires on my 2023 Model Y Performance at 55,500 miles. Found good Falken tires for 1300ish (staggered wheels). I do not have a heavy foot, so I really think replacing tires more frequently just depends on the driver. I replaced the cabin filter and Hepa filter once. No other issues, no other maintenance besides topping off the windshield wiper fluid.
55k on OEM Michelins in a Performance?! 🔥 This is the real-world data people need. How's the Falken set treating you? Driving style clearly matters more than the hype suggests. Thanks for the actual numbers!
So much depends on where you live and what kind of miles you put on. Super hot areas wear more on batteries and I would think super cold areas do the same to some extent as well
Don’t forget one of the major reason you were when I see particularly evs is getting more than quarter million miles will be they will be totaled because of insurance company will not pay for repair or rebuilt. But then again that statement is truthful to all cars and not just EV’s.
You've made valid points in this video. I own a 2000 E150 conversion van with 198,432 miles that I've owned for 25 years now. The only headache I've had was replacing the OEM radiator 3 times. If it happens again, it will be all metal one. I'm a senior citizen who's finding it harder to let go of a Van that's been faithful to me. BUT, I must come to terms with a vehicle that could self-drive me to my medical appointments or errands around town.
Pretty awesome that it’s only been radiators! Seems like it’s treated you pretty well! How hard is it getting in there to do spark plugs and things - do you have access in the cab? We have a video on an elderly couple who picked Tesla for the Full Self Driving technology. Maybe you’ve seen it. But it is really neat to see how it’s given them back so much mobility. Thank you for the nice comment and support. Have a blessed week.
Ok, I just finished this episode and now I subscribed. You guys are not only well informed, you’re praying for your audience as well!?!?!? I’m so impressed! God bless this channel and all your efforts. Represent Him well!
We are trying! We pray every day that he would give us the courage and use us in some way - not just to help people make decisions around cars… but to help people make THE single most important decision of their lifetime - to accept Jesus.
Ebay is full of low mileage used Tesla batteries. Saw batteries for Model 3s up to 2025. All were less than $5k. Low demand means low prices. And you can put a long range battery in a standard car.
Yes it'll bolt in and fit but that doesn't mean the car will benefit from it. You have to configure the car to let it know it has a bigger capacity pack in it. You can't put the car into the basic service mode to do this. Requires special credentials, ie service technician
@sleepy_ipl My research would seem to indicate changing a battery is not plug and play. Some amount of programming initialization is required no matter what. But I can see what you're saying. Just changing wheels on a Honda requires reprogramming car to accept new ones. This is a job I would hire out, and it absolutely could be a shop that had the software equipment and skills to replace like for like, may not have the software and skills to replace with upgraded battery. The first time I heard of this, was a person who received a warranty battery from Tesla. They replaced with an upgraded larger battery.
@pathfolloweryes legacy model s owners with 75kwh packs were often given an option to upgrade to a 90kwh when pack replacement was needed. Requires tesla software to update the vehicle configuration afterwards
@singular9repair manuals yes, but you have to pay a subscription for software, have your own laptop and buy a diagnostic cable. These parts aren't provided.
Great piece. As for tires, one really has to compare apples to apples. To compare a Camry to a Model 3 is silly. One performs really well while the other doesn't. The valid comparison is a Model 3 to a BMW 3. As for weight, there's hardly any difference between a Model 3 and BMW 3. I've been driving a Model 3 for the past 6 years, and it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned. Oil changes are a thing of the past. I owned a 2016 Prius for 2 years and sold it to my sister 6 years ago, so I'm well versed in the long term with these things. So far the car has suffered a couple of catastrophic failures. First was the complete failure of the HVAC system. Then there was the catalytic converter, which apparently had some relationship to the HVAC problem. Since then it's had 12V battery issues. Basically, substantially more issues than the Tesla.
Thanks Dan, I totally agree. Many shoppers compare the Model Y and Model 3 to the likes for Camry and RAV4. But the performance is not even in the same stratosphere. I’m sorry to hear about the issues you ran into. I’ve had 4 or so Teslas at this point. Are they perfect, no. But they have served me darn well. I don’t miss keeping up with scheduled maintenance. Or planning my road trips around it. Have a blessed weekend Dan, stay warm wherever you are.
Love the video guys. My wife and I recently purchased a Genesis gv60 to replace her totaled Lexus ES350. We primarily use the gv60 now for local errands and nights on the town, while we use our other internal combustion vehicle (a 2017 Lexus IS with 140k miles) for road trips or as a second vehicle if we have separate places to be. We have observed a significant reduction in our combined vehicle operating and maintenance costs since we've replaced the Lexus. I'm still split on whether we will replace our internal combustion vehicle with an EV, but I don't see us replacing our EV with an internal combustion vehicle or a hybrid at any point.
You have quite the list of beautiful cars. The Lexus IS has always been 👌 so handsome! Especially the 2009 IS-F! I love the look of the GV60 I think it looks so cool and futuristic. I’d be excited to hear about what direction you go next. I know many EV folks that would never go back to ICE, but I don’t really know many people that are EV and looking to go back to ICE. Most EV converts I meet change their entire driveway to EV within the first 36 months of getting their first one. Self selecting group I suppose 😂
Interestingly there’s a RUclipsr under the High Mileage Tesla channel that only SC his Model S now having over 340000 miles with the original hov battery and drive units.
BS. It costs you more the electricity for a today's EV than the gasoline for an economical hybrid for the same driven distance. Also the EV tires are much more expensive, the insurance is much more expensive, etc.
@mikel4879 My 2011 Altima cost $110/month to insure. My 2018 Tesla Model 3 costs $120/month to insure. Same coverage both cars, major known insurance company in USA.
@Nick-k3p1w Agreed, there are some areas in the USA that have really cheap gas, combine that with using level 3 charging at peak times and it's easy to pay more per mile for the EV. That being said charging at off peak overnight on level 2 (or even level 1 if you have a short commute) is laughably cheaper than buying gas and doing ICE maintenance.
2005 Toyota Corolla S Traded it in around 175,000mi Biggest repair after 100K: none! It was our first car and survived many dumb mistakes we made. It was nearly totaled after hitting a deer at 25K miles plus several other fender benders.
@T1Oracle Yes, but those are expected maintenance items, not repairs. And yes, EVs have far fewer maintenance items than cars with engines. Repair = things not listed in the car's maintenance schedule. I'll be fair, after ~150K mi the driver side window on the Corolla acted up on occasion :)
My 3rd gen Mazda 3 was the exact same way. So much abuse and was great. My current 11th gen civic witht the 1.5t mated to the cvt has been great as well.
@limezinnia the Tesla glass cracks on early models after a few years, the front suspension tie rods squeak after a few potholes (you have to replace them), the trunk lining falls off, the air intake needs constant cleaning if you live near trees, and the weather seals are uneven. The drivetrain, batttery, and electronics are solid. Although, I have had to reboot the screen a few times over the past 8 years. After 90k miles I still have my original brakes and wipers. I expect to get 300k miles out of this car.
I have the model 3 perfromance 2024 and, i been using the lx twenty and they lasted me above 30k. 450 on walmart website for 4 plus install a little over $500
$500 installed for 30k+ miles on a Performance?! 🤯 This is exactly the real-world data people need. How's the performance/noise vs stock? Thank you for the actual numbers!
I live in Texas and with my energy provider I get free electricity every night starting at 8pm. So my teslas are all set to automatically start charging at 8pm. So yeah, I have FREE charging. My cost of ownership besides the car has been just tires and air fresheners and occasional car washes. The savings has been massive for me as I pack on a lot of commuter miles.
My eyes are starting to go downhill… Did I read FREE?!? As the sweet four letter word that brings joy to everyone who reads it? That is unbelievable. Are you adopting adults - because this 18 cents per kWh is starting to add up in Virginia! 😂 Have a blessed weekend.
I also live in TX and I get free night time electricity from 9pm-7am, so we charge our 2 Teslas and our home backup batteries every night. We pay $0 in electricity because we also have solar panels. So far our cost of ownership has been 1 set of tires, nothing else.
You guys have a great video and you pulled a lot of interesting data together. it’s obvious there’s no bias. After having over 100 cars, trucks, and motorcycles over the years, I can safely say that my Tesla model Y is the best vehicle I’ve ever had. I do not want to go back to an ice vehicle.
Thissss! May I make and assumption and venture a guess that you are indeed a car person? I thought I was up there with 20 or so cars. But wow. So many folks have opinions on EVs and no experience behind the wheel! There are many of us who love the joy of driving (sorry FSD). I had my years of tinkering and modding. I would rather take a 1000 mile last minute road trip without thinking through what maintenance I need to do as prep. The Model 3 and Y and insane value for the performance and economy. Have a blessed weekend thank you for your comment and support
Hey Joe, From the bottom of our hearts here at EMC - thank you. You will go down in history as our first Superthanks. We appreciate you. Have a blessed week Joe
This was very informative. I’m new to learning about Teslas but when I was an F&I manager for Subaru in Wisconsin, many customers (including myself!) changed out their All weather stock tires to Winter driving tires - ranging from WRX to Forester drivers. In Winter driving conditions changing out tires twice a year will extend the lifetime of the standard and winter tires, and it is much safer in really bad weather. Cheers, Michael Albuquerque NM USA
Thanks Michael - appreciate your kind words and wisdom. You guys get crazy winter weather. For us in the milder states we try to make it on all season despite them not being ideal for snowfall.
@ElevateMotorCoI’m in New Mexico now - 18 years in Siberia was enough! One year there was snow on Easter and Halloween! Cheers, Michael Albuquerque NM USA
People that don't believe good winter/snow tires make a big difference have never tried them. I had Blizzaks on inexpensive Legacys and Imprezas and that combination was great! Trust me, the Snowrocket would know.
Good video guys. I think overall the comparison is pretty fair, but the one thing to also consider that would be depreciation. I think the Tesla would still be the cheapest to own, but it would make it a little bit closer as it would lose more value than the other two.
On tire wear, I have seen videos where people go to different tire brand/models and get much longer life. I think the key thing people are missing is how soft is the compound of the tire. I have had performance cars that would eat through tires in 30k miles. Next set last much longer. Difference? One set was a much softer tire compound that gives better traction than the other. I think companies like Tesla use tires with softer compounds to get maximum acceleration and braking performance. A lot of customers probably try to stay with the same tire thinking that is what they are supposed to do. If you compare the weight of 2025 Tesla Model 3 to 2025 Honda accord hybrid, the model 3 is about 500lb heavier. Does that explain some of it, probably but cant be that significant. There are a lot of variables, how aggressive do people drive, are they hammering their Tesla/EVs pushing them to the limits all the time... if so then i wouldnt be surprised yes that the insta-torque would wear tires faster. If you drive your car more normally, then wouldnt think that torque would be an issue.
This is true across EVs. I know for me personally I go through tires quickly in my Model 3. A relative of mine has a Mach-E GT and even though it is a faster and heavier vehicle the tires lasted nearly 50k miles on the original set. The compound and wear rating do matter a ton. Until solid state batteries come out at scale there is no getting around the increased weight and the insane torque combined with the regenerative braking. These factors compound to (generally) necessitate EV owners replacing tires more frequently.
EV tyres are usually designed for 2T vehicles - but the extra wear is the acoustic profile/sidewalls and the solid tread for high traction/road adhesion, aka rolling tyres. They're rated for 20k to 30k miles in some cases - depending on brand i.e. michelin pilot sport 4/5 have 30-40k miles range. e.Primacy and Pirelli P Zero 5s, Pilot sport 4/5, et al. Some people use the same brand(s) but there's a fair amount of competition on 17" / 18" / 19" / 20" EV tyres since they made EV specialist tyres for heavier cars. tyrereviews generally cover the new products - if you're prone to checking tyres before someone else - wether that's a mechanic / registration, etc. Tread checks aren't always obvious unless you pay attention or have them rotated to notice the wear/tread - or it's part of your regular process.
It’s not my cup of tea either. Toyota does a heck of a good job. The reliability data for Toyota is astounding, essentially double the industry for reliability on the original power train to 250k miles. However, EV OEMs are just getting started I am confident that the reliability data a decade from now for EV powertrains is going to be unbelievably reliable due to the simplicity of the components and massive reduction in moving parts.
It's why I didn't want a hybrid, if i was forced i would get a toyota hybrid but I went straight from an ICE toyota to an EV. Not only do you have two systems but to keep costs low hybrid batteries are usually not as good as EV batteries so they're more often replaced even though obviously cheaper.
Hybrid batteries are significantly smaller than BEV batteries usually 35kWh or less, so the battery replacement cost is less as well as total vehicle weight so replacing suspension items is less frequent.
Many PHEVs are similar in weight to EVs in the same class but i don't disagree on non-plugin hybrids. Batteries are less than 2kwh are usually easy and cheap to fix. @GOLFandWRX
@GOLFandWRX Smaller to the point that the early Hybrid Camry/Corollas often use Nicad or non-lithium packs with a higher temperature tolerance - but then put them in the boot compartment / rear seating area - where the vents get clogged. Guess which part fails frequently - the fan in the passenger compartment
Excellent video Keep up the great work I have owned all the vehicles you compare. The Tesla is a game changer. It makes ice and hybrids obsolete in most cases.
Every ICE owner who tells me their car has over 200k miles has had at least ONE engine or transmission replaced. Anyone in the comments is literally lying. Some claim to have 350k miles on the original clutch, which is just physically impossible. I don't care how well you drive stick, the average lifespan of a clutch is 50-60k miles. Past that point, if you are on the original clutch, enjoy replacing not only the clutch but also the fly wheel, pressure plate, the works, when it fails. People here are just so stupid it blows my mind. I have had nothing but toyota's in the family, and just got two tesla's because they were better value than the marked up camry with no features. So what. Its just a car, its going to last what ever it lasts and thats it.
Great video. Thanks, guys. What are your thoughts on Chinese EV vehicles? Are they reliable? How’s the battery technology? Canada will be importing them from China … 49,000/year, rising to 70,000 vehicles over five years. 😊
We would love to get more seat time with these! Since mainstream Chinese EVs aren’t available in the US yet, we can't give a definitive verdict based on first-hand experience. However, the new trade deals in Canada mean we’ll finally get to see how they perform in a North American climate. For brands like BYD and Xiaomi, reliability is our biggest question mark. We've seen mixed reports from overseas, and American/Canadian drivers tend to be much tougher on their vehicles. It’ll be fascinating to see if that advanced battery tech holds up to our long distances, extreme weather, and 'utilitarian' driving habits.
I own a 2023 Tesla MYLR. This is a fantastic car, even without FSD, which I don’t use. I’ve had one visit from Tesla mobile service to rotate my tires and change cabin filter. I charge mostly at home. I would never even consider an ICE or hybrid car again. I realize that having a home charger makes all the difference. Also, maybe your comparison costs should include insurance. I think it’s a little higher for a Tesla. They might total the car if you have relatively minor damage. Then again, most new cars have cameras and radars that require recalibration even after a fender bender.
That is awesome, we have a 2023 in the fleet here at EMC. It is incredible how much Tesla improved the MY from even 2021 to 2023 - it is truly an incredible, capable and convenient car. You make some fantastic points, we may touch on insurance in a future video but there are so many personal, geo and other favtors that go into insurance which can make that video a challenge. For me personally my Tesla is only marginally better than my previous ICE vehicle - I pay about $100 a month.
I work in automotive the average cost of replacing a transmission Or engine is $5,000 to $10,000 + just the other day a guy paid $15,000 for a new truck engine, also can cost $15,000 - $25,000 if you put wrong gas in I see that a few times a year! We also have replaced EV battery and the cost was much lees than most people in part because the true cost is not passed to the customer if the CORE is returned. Also engines and transmission are going bad here often 5-10+ a month or more!
Thank you for your work in keeping people moving. I spent a few years as a tech - it was a thankless job - you guys are heroes in your own regard- thank you. Thank you for sharing from your personal experience and for making an excellent point in the core returns! Pack prices have plummeted over the past decade (and few years alone) so i suspect we’ll continue to see the affordability gap widen favoring EVs. Would love to get your take on experience and personal perspective with Hybrids.
Thank you for your kind words and your comment. We are a little team with big aspirations. Your words and support mean the world to us. Have a blessed weekend.
Mazda is the underrated silent beast when it comes to reliability. They’re always talked about less than Toyota and Honda while having consistently high scores. Great vehicles and I have always loved the Mazda 3 - it handles better than any of its ICE counterparts. Gasoline vehicles do not like to sit however! That is the only downside. Gasoline gets stale. Oil drains to the oil pan making cold starts more damaging to sensitive components like valves and lifters. But generally it’s not something you worry about with less than 100k on the clock.
You’re welcome. Thank you for watching and for your kind words. Also, awesome profile name - despite the data from this video the Supra is still one of our all time favorite vehicles. Be blessed.
That’s great happy to hear it’s treated you well. That particular generation was still on belts not chains for timing. The recommended interval was 90k. Which means that in your vehicle alone the belt must have been done at least twice. Add in spark plugs and coil packs. Serpentine belts. 12v battery replacements. Add in oil changes. We don’t even need to add in the difference in energy costs to make a clear case maintenance comparison. By the time you tally those expenses up it becomes clear why EVs help people save money and more importantly… time.
I think ICE vehicles used to hold the ultimate upper hand when it came to maintenance over long term. But my god are modern vehicles proving this wrong. The amount of "oh the part is 40$" followed up by "the labor is 500$ though" is too high because the manufacturer decided a consumable should require half an engine disassembled to replace.
its one of the failings of modern engine design...its designed to fail. The knowledge on how to make them last hasnt been lost, just sidelined. I mean plastic components in critical "hot" zones on a motor are failure points as they age. EV manufactures are doing all they can to be the best they can as a contrast. They are eager for your business...OEMs are sloppy and unconscionable bastards.
After 6 years I have higher than expected battery degradation at 18% on my Model 3. In a long road trip all my stops are at the same places for recharging.
Great video, guys! I appreciate the work that went into making it. As you know, I’m a fan of both EVs and hybrids. I’m curious if adoption will speed up with more larger vehicles like the Kia EV9 available, given our propensity to select SUVs over cars. That’s one area I feel that hybrids still have an advantage over EVs due to the efficiency loss. We’re getting there!
Hey Beefwe, Hope all is well! It’s an interesting thought exercise. My brother has had his EV9 for a year now and loves it. He was frustrated that there were not more 3 row EV options available. It’s hard to say with many OEMs pulling back on larger BEVs or going Hybrid/Range Extended. Only time will tell here in the USA.
@VVB@VVBros1 VV, Because EVs are so reliant on efficiency for their range, any loss in efficiency results in much greater percentage drop in range than in a gas car. Gas cars are already so inefficient and reliant on energy density of gas that things like air drag and cold weather affect them less as a percentage of their overall range, even though they also lose efficiency due to these issues. Hope this makes sense.
@BeefweThanks for the reply. Both lose effiency in the same ways, but because EVe are so efficient to begin with the loss is a higher percentage. A fully charged EV only has the approximate "fuel" capacity of 2-2.5 gallons of gasoline equivalent.
@VVBros1 yes, exactly! I appreciate EVs for their efficiency, but it is exactly the reliance on that efficiency that makes it difficult to have larger, long-range EVs (at least at an affordable price)… gas cars, for good and bad, can afford the efficiency loss better. Even the waste heat from the engine can be useful for warming the cabin! I’m sure we’ll get there with EVs. I appreciate our hybrid and EV for different reasons, but I’d say I enjoy my EV much more. I enjoy sharing that with everyone, and I think that is what this channel is about!
What was mentioned in the beginning of the video was correct. My wife has a 2021 Model X and we had to replace the battery pack twice due to failure. Once at around 70k and again at 93K miles. My daily beater is a 2013 Lexus ES300h (fancy hybrid camry) with 220k miles. Not. A. Single. Issue.... Just oil changes, filters and rarely brakes. We're selling the Model X before it hits the end of warranty. Edit: You guys break down the complexity of the other two cars but failed to mention all the other things that can go wrong with EV's. We've also had to deal with trunk latch issues, falcon wing door sensors, drive line vibrations.
I did not find much value in the video, sounded more like excuse making for EVs. I have a 17 Highlander with V6. So far, flawless. We do the reqd maintenance and oil changes at 5k. Other car 24 Corolla Hybrid. Really like how it drives, mileage between 51-62 mpg, one time the car said it got 72 mpg. Its agile, like my old TR4, and comfortable too. I buy extended warranties on my cars with 0 deductible. If TSLA offered such a thing it would be a big plus for me.
I"m glad you and the commenters under ya are saying what they are saying. I was hoping for something informative but they just shilling for the EV. I want one. I do. Not for the earth. but for the fun geek factor. But they aren't where they need to be yet for joe smoe . Until costs go down and available repair peeps go up, it's still a sketchy purchase. AND GOSH I wanted one so bad when they started getting big in the market. EV, that is.
I have a Model X that sits outside in the harsh elements, hot and freezing. I believe you guys just had bad luck, and most common issues have warranties for several years, even if you bought it used.
toyota and tesla owner here: my FJ has 250k on odometer, I take it to the mud pit, to home depot, work and once a year is the car to go vacations, the tesla is for my wife’s trips to soccer games, school trips and that’s it. As happy we are with the tesla I can tell that the minute I have to replace a $15k battery is the time I look for another car, but I would not risk it, in 3 years I replace it. electric cars are just an appliance.
@ElevateMotorCo I love the tesla as well, and you may be right about the battery, but I refuse to be the one finding out. keep posting, the dialogue is important.
I guess I've had good luck with ICE vehicles, Mazda protege 350 k miles no engine or transmission, Acura MDX 225 k miles no engine or trans (still own it), 99 Celica 335k miles no engine or transmission (still own it), VW Jetta (2.5 liter) 275k miles no engine or transmission, Honda Prelude 300k miles no engine or transmission. BEV's - I am an engineer and have worked on many L3 charging stations for many vendors (Tesla, EVGo, Charge Point, Electrify America, PG&E), there are a number of people, IDK the rate but I have met them personally, that have had failed battery packs out of warranty. Complete failure (30 mile range or less) not degradation. I am not claiming that most cars will fail before 200k miles but that dumb study that said the AVERAGE was 200k miles means that half of ALL of the cars checked didn't make 200k miles. ALL electric cars will need a battery replacement at some point, it's a baked in failure point. On the plus side, the price of replacing a Model S 75 battery in 2022 was $25k, the same battery pack now is $15k, but it's still $15k. Note about batteries: The battery manufacturers don't guarantee batteries for miles, they guarantee them for full charge cycles. The current quality lithium batteries are good for 1500 charge cycles. So, if you get lucky or if you can manage your batteries for more than this, that's good on you. I do not want to manage my battery, really - I don't want to think about it. A good friend has a 3 year old M3 performance, he supercharges daily and charges 70-100 percent because his car is only fast at 70% and above charge. His 3 year old car now has 19 % battery degradation and he's trading it in on a new M3 performance. He doesn't care, but the person who buys his car may be a bit disappointed at the battery degradation. Instead of asking people to post their glowing reviews on how well they've managed their batteries, I suggest you ask people who buy used Tesla's how their batteries are doing, because that would go a lot further to reinforce the idea that a used Tesla is not heading for the junk yard due to a $15k battery replacement.
This data presented doesn't seem accurate. You're saying 10% of vehicles will be on their original drivetrain when they reach 250,000 mi. But that's not 10% of Toyotas and Hondas, that's 10% of all vehicles. I would wager, that much more than 50% of Toyotas and Hondas if they reach 250,000 mi they are still on their original drivetrain
2019 model 3, 110k miles...replaced the 12v battery. tires last about 50k miles, nothing remarkable about them wearing out. battery degraded about 8%. otherwise still drives like new. you don't mention exhaust/mufflers for ice versions which are sure to wear out several times over. (our best was a 1990s honda prelude that died at 299k miles. so close!)
Congratulations Richard. That degradation is super low, holy cow! You’re right- exhaust components are perhaps the worst. Anyone that’s had to replace an o2 sensor on a 100k or higher original exhaust knows the pain of PB Blasting that sensor and praying to God that the whole pipe doesn’t crumble to dust. Horrible feeling - replacing a $100 dollar part to end up doing a $1200 dollar entire exhaust 😂
@ryandgarland The old Nissan leafs had only passive temperature control for their batteries, which is why they wore out so much quicker than everyone else. The new Leaf has active cooling
@pdxmarinethat's good to hear, but last time I checked (been a few years, maybe 5), they were still using passive cooling! 😮😅. At the time, I had already bought a used Tesla and I was worried about the battery. 😂😊
I have a 2018 Ford Fusion hybrid that I bought a few months ago with 71k miles. I have 74k miles on it now and I'm absolutely love having a hybrid with the better fuel economy and smoothness of a planetary gear set vs a transmission.
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV; it's about luggage heavier than a Honda Accord. I've replaced 1 set of tires, 2 of the 12V batteries, coolant flush, brake fluid flush, cabin filter.... Basic stuff. 125k miles.
Recently bought an '06 Camry with 253K miles on it of $4400. Engine and trans still original. Replaced the original starter myself, very easy. Nicest car I ever owned, and expect a lot more miles out of it. Should it die before me (I'm 75), I'll get another used ICE Camry.
My first car was an 02' Camry. Those cars were absolute tanks. I bought it at 178k miles with one previous owner. Ended up driving it to around 240k miles before replacing it due to rusted engine mount and bent control arms (I live in the rust belt). Mind you I had an accident in the car when I slipped on bald tires on the way to work one day, gave the side of the front end a nice smack and bended the rim so I'm sure that didn't help things. The 2.4 naturally aspirated inline 4 paired with the 4 speed will not quit.
@carlmelville this is exactly right. I’ve learned to listen to people with experience rather than just people with opinions. People tend to hate what they don’t understand
Congrats on the M3 LR AWD - awesome car. F150 is hard to beat. Especially with that Godzilla engine! Well, aside from the 11MPGs or whatever it is. My brother just moved from an F250 SD to a F150 Tremor - he was tired of taking up 4 parking spots 😂
You also have to think that 10 years from now, replacement batteries are going to be much less. Heck 5 years ago the replacement batteries were 2-3x now. And if they allow aftermarket battery refurbishers it’ll get even cheaper.
It’s unbelievable how much more affordable pack replacements have come. We still have a ways to go but the trajectory is certainly healthy. So many people still don’t realize, the buy the the Facebook article saying they’re $30k to replace a Nissan Leaf battery.
Older battery packs may not be supported in the future, same with all the electronics in current BEV's. If you have a software issue in a 10 year old Tesla, there isn't a fix for it. How about FSD for 10 year old Tesla's? Their computers aren't good enough and they don't have enough cameras and the cameras they do have aren't high enough quality. Due to all the software patches, the screen on a 10 year old Tesla is sluggish. I don't have confidence in old BEV's for this reason.
@ElevateMotorCo This is very manufacturer dependent. Tesla has dropped from $25K to $15K since 2022 for a model S battery pack replacement, that's great, but go hit up BMW and make sure you ask for the total replacement cost for a 2018 I3 - in 2022 total replacement cost was $25k, this year it's $20k, that's crazy. Ask why and they'll tell you they have to replace a bunch of other parts too plus the rising cost of labor, so even if you have a warranty, you will still have $10k+ worth of parts and labor that is not covered under the warranty. This is bad design.
A lot of fallacies are repeated on social media regarding EVs. A model Y weighs the SAME as a BMW X3 so tire wear should be the same. Granted instant torque can contribute to more tire wear, but you can only accelerate as fast as the traffic in front of you so it's a moot point. My model y had 52k miles on it when i brought it in for state inspection and it still had 5/32 tread left. At this point i am looking at replacing the tires at about 75k miles. This is for OEM tire with UTQ rating of 520. At 54k miles, all i did was greased the brakes myself and had a bad rear shock. No other cost incurred. I didn't even bother rotating the tires and believe it or not, the rear tires are more worn than the front. Crazy stuff
Regen braking in EVs like a Model Y means friction happens at the tire-road contact, not the rotors like in the X3's hydraulic brakes. This shifts wear from brake pads to tires, causing faster tire wear due to constant longitudinal stress, even with your 52k miles on OEM tires. EV torque and weight add to it-physics still favors regen taxing tires more. Your case is cool, but doesn't debunk the physics.
@VAspeed3wrong! Those ICE have much harder lives compared to EVs, go to Africa or South America or even Asia and see how ICE vehicles are absolutely abused, overloaded, driven on the worst roads possible…
If you drive < 8k mi/yr, get a base model gasoline car If you drive 8-15k mi/yr and a fair amount of the trips are > 300 mi and you do not have a 2nd car, get a higher trim gasoline or hybrid car If you drive very long distances, get a hybrid or diesel If you drive a lot but it's mostly short distances, or you are a two-vehicle household, at least get an EV as your 2nd vehicle Also know that any car that has coolant and brake fluid (which is all of them) needs that fluid changed on some sort of interval. For gas/hybrid/diesel that's 5-8 years for coolant, 3-5 years for brake fluid, even if the manufacturer says it lasts longer or "lifetime". Same deal with transmission, differential, and transfer case fluids, except EVs typically don't have any of that. Taking this advice will make the car last 50-250k mi longer depending on brand, versus ignoring all those fluids.
I sold my 2012 Prius V a couple of months ago right before it hit 200,000 miles. It had 198,000 miles with zero major issues I put just around 100,000 miles on the car and all I did was routine maintenance. I’m now the proud owner of a 2022 Tesla model Y I do miss my Prius. That car was amazing but this Tesla is out of this world.
Depending on your range requirements and willingness to negotiate you can certainly get a 3 row beast like the Kia EV9 for under 60k. Does it have to be a minivan?
Bit of a problem in the US but the UK or Europe or countries that have Chinese EVs may have some options. Otherwise, it's mostly just Kia/Hyundai you're looking at. Maybe a Volkswagen.
A used VW ID Buzz would fit that criteria. They did NOT sell well and are being discontinued so I'm sure used ones are really cheap. The range wasn't particularly great though.
I just replaced my tires on my model Y, it had over 50,000miles on those tires and still could have gone longer. I only changed all of them becuase I ran over some screws and needed to replace at least 2.
That is awesome. I have a relative that got 70k miles on their OEM Mustang Mach-E tires. I think my right foot is just too heavy. I daily my car and drive in my local drivers club so that definitely doesn’t help my situation. I still get at least 30k or so. But I replace them early if I happen to be heading into winter. Have a blessed weekend- thank you for the comment and support - I appreciate you.
I have a 2019 model 3 standard plus with 102,000 miles. - real world driving I can only get 100miles now from 95percent to about 10 percent. which 100 miles real world driving is not that much. Esp because not everyone charges their car past 90 percent and you would have to plan your next charge at least between 10-15percent. So more realistically can get about 90miles per charge. Not sustainable for those who don’t have a level 2 charging. We use it as a daily driver and charge level 2 at home. - even then if we have unexpected errands that add to our daily drives we end up having to stop at a super charger which is crazy because the full or near full charge should last all your trips throughout the day. It’s giving modern day Nissan leaf status. Additionally, we stopped using our Tesla for road trips and switched back to using our ice car for road trips. - with roads trips usually have more people and gear, inclines, wind, varying temperatures and traveling at a higher speed due to the highways - all this significantly affects range to the point where we would not have enough charge to make it to the next supercharger unless we charged to 100 percent at every stop. if you’re a Tesla owner you know the charge time increases the higher charge percentage you’re trying to achieve. So this significantly added time to the road trip with frequent and way longer stops than it needs to be even after going to the restroom, eating, buying snacks and taking the dog out. Most times we needed to charge before needing to do all of that again. Not sustainable. Super Charging costs almost the same as gas now too. I bought it from Tesla with 30k miles. 2 sets of tire replacements now at 102k miles costing about $1200-$1500 each time, front control arm broke/failure at 101k miles costing $2300 including alignment. Other things include 12 volt battery replacement, air filters. Also the wind noise inside a 2019 model 3 is crazy. Super loud. Overall, we still like it, daily driver cheap to operate. Though I’ve only had it with access to level 2 charger at home. Not sure if I would like it if I didn’t have a level 2 charger. Just sharing my real world experience with my 2019 model 3
Wait so you haven't contacted tesla to get your battery replaced under warranty during that time? You sir, are stupid AF. Tesla gave you a 8 year 100k mile warranty on a silver platter and you didn't take it...
After 140k miles on my model 3 the battery is showing 7% degradation. My old gas car cost me $10500 to drive 54k miles. I would happily pay replace my battery if it failed tomorrow. I'm never going back to ICE.
@alanmay7929 I take it you've never tracked your fuel expenses before 😂 Do the math numb nuts: 54643 miles @ 20.3 mpg x $3.93 average price per gallon.
@tjts1which “gas” vehicle were you driving before that’s all what I need! You’re comparing tesla model 3 to which vehicle? Are you drunk? 20mpg is for which car?
Nice video, thanks! Now to my vehicles: #1 2012 Toyota Prius C Two Hybrid purchased new, now at 80,000 miles, two sets of tires, no problems, it just keeps going and going. Maintenance has been routine oil changes tire rotations, state emission & safety inspections. Vehicle #2 is a 2018 Nissan Leaf SL (SL has all the options) 45,000 miles now. Maintenance - replaced tires once, no problems, annual battery checks, tire rotations and state vehicle safety checks. Bought a Level 2 EVSE so that I could do home charging and have done that since the car was two weeks old. It took that long to have the EVSE delivered and an electrician to run a 50 amp circuit to the garage. I have done 9 charging station charges total, 2,500 home charges, with most of those done at 3KW because I charged overnight. No need to charge it fast so it can set there fully charged for several hours. The Leaf has a battery life gauge that looses a bar for every 12% decrease. Mine is still full bars, has yet to loose a bar... I have no expectation to replace either of these until something major happens. I'm 77, they well may be working fine the rest of my life. Then my son can have them🙂 He has a Malibu Hybrid he bought new.
I own a Model 3. 160,000 plus miles, loss 15% battery range. No maintience cost except $1,500 for tires once. Had car for two years driving Uber. Car is a tank. I charge at home for $30/mo. which is about $1 a day everyday. Car cost me $42K. In the 2 years Ive owned it it has made me $158k with Uber. Before it, i blew up a Honda Accord @ 250k miles, a Toyota Camary @ 312k. Both cars lasted 4 years doing Uber each. Im in my 10 year with Uber and The Tesla seems like the day i bought it. I did have to buy washer fluid alot. Seems to use alot of it. So about $120 a year in washer fluid.
💯 I love my model 3 over 100k miles in 2 years and I am not gentle on this car. Three young drivers and two adults, this car has seen it all. Tires, wipers, cabin filter and yes a shit ton of washer fluid. Still on the second set of summer tires, but Michelin from Costco, they last 4ever
Nio make cars with easily replaceable batteries. Not structural battery packs that you can't remove, but ones that take 5 minutes to swap the battery for a new one as you would your phone battery. Batteries are getting cheaper every year, every month in fact. That means swapping out a battery in 10 years will be very cheap indeed.
NIO is the answer to all EV problems, you rent the battery for $104 per month and you have no battery anxiety. You get a different fully charged EV battery every time, they swap the battery in 3 minutes.
3:50 The problem is people are comparing tire wear on BEVs with much less powerful ICE cars, and people (like me) do love to take off at the line. I guarantee that anyone driving a Dodge Demon goes through tires quicker than most other car owners. Weight is a factor but many ICE cars are of near equal weight. Regen has no greater effect than if you brake from the same speed to say 0. When you buy a Model 3 and go from 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds you will wear out tires compared to a Camry that takes >5 seconds
Great video- I would say (and this applies to any car, ICE or EV), as the mileage accumulates as do the years, parts scarcity becomes an issue. I drive 2 old cars (both ICE)- a 1993 Nissan 300ZX (125K miles on it) and a 2004 Toyota MR2 (precats removed at 6K miles- currently at 48K miles)- both very reliable cars despite age. Sometimes finding parts can be a challenge depending on what’s needed. For EV’s the concern would be if a battery pack is simply not made any longer. I recall reading about the Chevy Spark EV that the battery pack replacement is no longer available, so it is effectively a brick if you can’t swap the pack. Funny story- my Dad when he was alive got my sister’s old Honda Accord (1995 model year)- drove it and didn’t take great care of it- gave up the ghost at ~ indicated 240K miles (odometer broke at that point so likely had another 20K miles on it) when the ORIGINAL timing belt sheared teeth and went out of time- those cars back in the day could not be killed and if it was well maintained and garaged would have likely gone well beyond 350K miles I suspect.
Teslas are not heavy compared to gas cars of the same size. The big difference is the Tesla Dual Motor or Performance has a lot more power and if you use it your tires will wear faster.
@sheaangnos3830the fact that you drive a golf cart does not make a Tesla heavy in comparison to gas cars of similar size and performance, or even considerably inferior performance.
I am a professional sales rep and I have a multi-state territory in the West. I am really considering getting a used Tesla Model Y. That will definitely put it through a test
A Tesla Model Y is a great choice. Easy to charge and you'll save money on maintenance. Plus, on those long road trips, you can activate FSD to help reduce fatigue. Thank you for watching!
Help me fact‑check the 250,000‑mile myth with REAL‑WORLD data 👇
Drop in comments:
Car make/model & year
Current mileage
Biggest repair AFTER 100,000 miles and what it cost
I’m especially interested in:
• High‑mileage Toyota / Honda owners
• Tesla / other EVs over 100k
• Anyone who actually hit 250k on the original engine/transmission
I’ll go through these and use the best examples in a future video comparing real‑world ownership stories to the math in this one.
I also had a 2001 Toyota Corolla with the 1.8 1zz engine, died at 75k miles! This was my second Toyota, major disappointment. Interested in going the EV route for cost savings and reducing the time and money for maintenance.
Bought my 1985 long Toyota Landcruiser HJ62, 4Liter, 6-cylinder diesel back in 1992, never had an issue and sold it with 182,000 miles in 2012. It´s still running fine.
See my comment to vincecarlo below. I'm currently driving an 09 Fit 5spd with 285,000 km. It purrs like a kitten, I add no oil between changes and the only thing I've replaced in the 3 years I've owned it are the brakes and a sway bar link from a super hard pothole hit. I paid $3500 for the car and insurance is $700/year. The depreciation of an electric car in a couple of years is more than I have spent on cars in 30 years. One major thing that makes me not want to own an ev is it takes the spontaneity out of road trips. Everything has to be planned out, you can't really see a road sign and take a detour because that little out of the way spot probably doesn't have chargers, or ones that work.
@Tyler-v2s7t I had a 2001 1ZZ MRS, went through 2 engines in 150k mikes.
Have a 2nd gen Prius with 230k miles, but it needs a new high voltage battery (used to get 40-44mpg, now 33 is my average). Had 5 Ford explorers between 1992-1996. Two died at 160k miles, three were sold above 230k with one of those at 268k miles. One v8 in the lot.
Two Tesla, a 2016 S 75D 85k miles and a 2018 M3P with 131k miles. Rear passage side knuckle on the 3 at 128k miles.
My 2000 Accord 2.3L with 390k on the clock
STILL RUNS PERFECTLY
How many parts did you replace? How many times did you change the oil? How much did you spend on fuel?
Would it be cheaper to replace it now? No, but if you have to buy a car probably it would be cheaper, long term, to have an EV...
@TheStork1981
UTTER 🐂💩 n PURE STUPIDITY
Start a BRAND New Loan n PAY INTEREST on It
LOL
kiss the ground you drive on, dont complain and buy a lottery ticket....lol. you will always get the odd one that dies after 50miles or goes on for ever...its a lottery. if you listened carefully, your in the 10% class. i am happy for you but the next one you buy could tilt the averages the other way...hahahahaha
Preventative maintenance 🤡
@TheStork1981why dont Tesla offer a no questions asked 300,000 mile battery and drive train warranty backed by an independent insurance company backed by Gold Bullion then? It would sell a lot of EVs, save a lot of polar bears and defeat evil big oil that is polluting our skies.
If you learn to repair/maintain an ICE car yourself, costs go way down.
True. Too many people are scared to learn new skills
True but how do you get to work while your repairing it? Your logic requires having a second vehicle.
Yes but even doing oil changes and maintenance myself, I save by having a model 3.
No 40$ oil + filter ever 4-6 months.
No 100$ in brake pads every 3-4 years.
No transmission fluid changes every 30k miles.
No coolant flushes every 100k miles.
No spark plugs every 100k miles.
No engine air filter every 15k miles.
Over 250k miles, thats 2000$ in oil changes, 2000$ in brake pads alone (not including rotors or calipers and etc), 1000$ in transmission fluid, another 50$ in coolant, 100$ in spark plugs, and 300$ in air filters.
Total saved on maintenance alone even if you DIY - $5500, not including the 1000-1500$ per year saved on gas.
If you have the dealer do the maintenance, your maintenance cost triples, and now you have saved $16,500 in maintenance alone lmfao.
You have to be stupid to pick ICE at this point.
But ice maintenance has benefit of decades of right to repair. Now trying gets parts for modern electronics on an ice is just as difficult as electric due lack of repair manuals
"If you learn to repair/maintain an ICE car yourself..." This is no longer the 1960s. Repair/maintain any new car with extensive, complex electronics controlling virtually every function? That's just silly. Even technicians, needing proprietary tools, are finding it difficult.
I'm almost at 250,000 miles on my model 3 performance. Original battery with 20% degredation. My real world maintenance costs were like $3k. I use cheap tires that can still go 50k miles.
Holy moly! That is incredible!
Has had overall maintenance been? Have you had to replace any motors?
Thanks for your comment and support- we appreciate you.
That's awesome and seems to be the consensus on NCA batteries vs NMCA. I'm hoping to get the same on my 24' long range since it uses NCA as well. Fingers crossed.
Top Models Likely to Reach 250,000+ Miles
According to iSeeCars, these models are the most likely to reach the 250,000-mile mark:
Toyota Sequoia: 39.1% (Top-ranking model)
Toyota 4Runner: 32.9%
Lexus IS: 27.5%
Toyota Tacoma: 25.3%
Toyota Avalon: 18.9%
Lexus GX: 18.3%
Lexus RX Hybrid: 17.0%
Honda Ridgeline: 14.7%
Honda Pilot: 13.1%
Honda Odyssey: 13.0%
and this is just single owner. many reaches million miles after they were sold to africa or middle east. how many tesla even reached 250k miles, few 1000s ?
Teslas haven’t been out for enough time to reach 250k miles. 2018 and later cars are at most likely barely passing 100k miles right now. We have to wait 5-7 more years to get enough info as they reach 200-250k miles
@ElevateMotorCosorry for late reply. All original parts. Motors flawless. They feel as smooth as when new. The entire car drives like new. Had to replace front suspension due to squeaking. I have owned and loved Japanese cars for decades but ev simplicity makes Japanese look overly complicated. No leaking oil or gaskets. It just works. I'm expecting the battery to fail at some point but even then the overall cost to maintain won't be bad.
You forgot to add state level extra taxes or fees for EV.
No gas - Electricity prices are generally regulated so the cost is kept down to benefit the consumer. In some places it's municipally supplied (Socialism) so it's cheaper still.
@daniellarson3068He is referring to the fees that you pay when you renew your plates or tabs, or whatever you call it in your neck of the woods.
It's funny, but he doesn't refer to the gas tax that you pay, which raises your fuel cost per mile. I did a comparison, and for the average driver, the taxes make what you pay about equal in my state. Because I drive an ev, I pay for it all up front
They did a national average. Specific regional stuff is getting into the weeds.
It really isn't that much. Mine are 60$ a year. Less than what I spend to charge in 2 months.
@singular9 mine is $150. They also charge $100 for hybrids
My 1999 Lexus just crossed 375k miles
Low stress normally aspirated engines back then were great. Not the case anymore. Everyone has gone to high stress ultra efficient small displacement engines that simply aren't reliable.
They definitely don't make them like they used to.
Toyota has 4 open class action law suits right now from engines to transmissions.
Lexus what model?
@singular9on what ones Camry?
@garlandgarland940rx300
In England there are alot of electric repair garages popping up,,tesla wants $ 20k for a new battery, and independent repair shops kost around 2-3k for repair, and they look at everything else that can go wrong and tell you in the next months to repair/replace these components,.
That’s awesome. We’re getting them here stateside as well. Slowly but surely. It’s going to take some time for us to have the level of 3rd party service options that ICE vehicles have but we’ll get there.
Have a blessed weekend TA9080
Repair of an old pack is not always a winning solution. If it's due to degradation, then it's a bad idea since all of the batteries are the same age, so if you lose enough cells due to degradation, then replacing them won't help with all of the old cells. If it's due to total pack failure, if the batteries are not too used (charge cycles) then that's great.
@GOLFandWRX Given the list of short-term and long-term problems with the modules - swapping modules with a failed cell / cell temperature sensor is relatively easy - as the content can be refurbished from wreck/salvage cars - modules can also be tested outside the car a lot simpler and they have a universal shape/configuration for replacement.
You can also hybridise the pack and use packs with the same manufacture date and age - or replace the old modules with new cells - by testing the module capacity is capable. Not everyone wants a full retrofit - some people just want to replace their failed or older modules with salvaged units so it's still within OEM/Warranty and the range is restored - as failed modules can affect charge balance and range estimations.
The older modules separated and tested away from the pack don't need special storage requirements - making the tertiary / salvage market useful.
Also, dating the batteries and merging them with similar aged refurbished modules and packs can help with balancing the pack to a suitable capacity level - then clearing the BMS of faults to resettle the pack and coolant.
The problem comes with dealing with damaged / swelled modules and cells - there isn't a clean way to deal with failed / leaking cells in these shops without having a disposal drum or oil bath to keep the lithium from being exposed to air in the cells/modules/packs when damaged or bulging due to failure. Breaking a module to deal with a battery fire is part of the risk in dealing with battery refurbishing - i.e. the rapid onset fire and containment handling with tongs/lifts to seal the fire and move the content outside quickly for disposal in oil, not water.
I went through tires quickly on my model S for the first set. But once I stopped flooring the accelerator, tires last just fine. Got over 64k miles on my last set.
Holy cow 64k miles! You went to acceleration rehab.
I don’t know if I can give it up. My wallet wants me to. But my brain says - “no, smash that accelerator”, you haven’t smiled enough today.
What tire brand got that long mileage?
Could I ask did you rotate the tires at the 6,250 miles Tesla recommends ?
@jobe8764^^^ yes please
@ElevateMotorCo nothing like the rush of pinned in your seat, only a faint whin of the gears, and all those lethargic gassers in the rear view.
I own both and so far, I prefer the EV.
Nice when you say both is the other car a Hybrid or ICE?
Which EV do you own and would you recommend it to other viewers?
Lol!!!!
So do I, but if I lived in an apartment where I couldn’t charge an EV, I’d prefer the Hybrid Toyota.
If you can’t charge at home, your convenience factor will, except in rarest circumstances (e.g., your employer provides charging at the workplace), go out the window. And the energy cost advantage of an EV is also diminished to nothing if you must only use Superchargers.
@ElevateMotorCo - My 2¢ … For anyone that would be remotely interested in the self-driving feature, Tesla is currently the only game in the US.
My wife thinks the Equinox EV is a fine looking vehicle - unlike you, she likes the conventional CUV-styling (and utility). When I point out to her that the SuperCruise doesn’t hold a candle to FSD, she claims that GM will offer a comparable system soon. She also points out that many don’t care about self-driving, and the entry-level Equinox is a good value for such customers.
Ironically, she’s eager for “robotaxis” to be available everywhere …
27:18 Model 3 with 130k miles, had a warranty battery replacement at 115k, not due to a pack failure but a temperature sensor issue.
Hey Chris,
Thank you for the comment. I’m so sorry that happened to you. Is it safe to assume you had a LR AWD and it was covered under warranty? I really hope so. That is far too young.
Have a blessed weekend Chris
What was your symptom?
All these ICE fan boys need to show me a toyota product that has a 150k mile power train warranty lmfao. They can't.
@kyle8380 I didn’t actually notice or see anything, I was signing up for an extended service contract with a 3rd party for piece of mind, and they did a remote inspection with toolbox where they saw repeated sensor errors. I took it to Tesla for them to look at it just in case and they confirmed it and just said it needs a new main battery. Covered under warranty and they gave me a loaner for the week it took to get the new battery shipped and installed.
@ElevateMotorCo. Yep thats correct, LR AWD, covered under warranty. It’s a great car even with that. They gave me a loaner for the week it took them to ship and install the new main battery
My 2000 Toyota Camry LE V6 5speed manual is reaching 300k miles on original engine, cluch, & transmission. Only needed a new radiator, timing belt and water pump. And it'll outlast every newer car.
Especially all the new toyota's that are being sued into oblivion.
I've never taken a day off for car maintenance. Weird statement
Here in Germany that seems to be normal. I took my Mini Cooper in to get ~50k km scheduled maintenance, assuming I'd just wait in the waiting area for it to be done like in the US....nope. Literally took them ALL DAY for a maintenance service that ended up being ~$200. They didn't even have a waiting area because I guess it's normal for every service to take a say minimum.
How do you go to work without a car? Uber?
Tyres in an EV: You mentioned "you have regen coming up to the lights". Well, an ICE car weighing the same as an EV puts exactly the same strain on the tyres to bring a car from day 30mph to a stop as an ICE car. (The tyres don't know what the power train is.) There are many cars in the USA that weigh the same or more than many EVs.
Yes, exactly. And if you regularly rotate the tires, that would even out any wear if one end or the other of your EV regens more than the other.
The same model car as an EV weighs more than the ICE version. More weight = more tyre wear even with rotation.
But an EV of the same size as gas car will usually weight around 50% more.
@yt_hatescrime_data4301 my kia niro ev weighs about 50lbs more than the same contemporary mazda cx5.
@sprockketsthe Kia is substantially smaller though. 6 inches shorter length , 4 inches shorter in height and 1 inch shorter in width. All of that is fairly significant difference in size. But yeah the Kia uses smaller weaker electric motors and a small weak battery than alot of other EV and so it's kinda the exception than the rule.
I have a Tesla, but I love Toyota’s hybrid system.
Toyota's hybrid system is the loudest most rattle-iest garbage on the planet. You can't hear anyone talk next to you when you pull away from a light lol.
@singular9 You had a defective unit. I had a Lexus Hybrid and it was silent
@singular9I have the Corolla hybrid it's not that noisy, non of my rideshare passengers complain about it.
That's because you don't understand the downsides of a hybrid system.
@shannon6876 You have no idea what I don't know. With the amount of research and mechanic experience I have, I'm sure I know enough about Toyota's hybrid system and the systems of other car manufacturers to teach your mechanic a few things. Tell me the downsides I may not know about. My hybrid Lexus was the most reliable car I've owned other than my current Tesla. It's been almost a decade without a single repair.
Why no mention of insurance costs? I believe that Tesla may be 2X the premium due to the huge costs associated with collision repairs. Its a significant $ consideration you didn't bring up.
We have a fleet of EVs from Tesla to GM and at most we’ve seen the same pricing as ICE at most maybe 10-15 percent higher.
I currently have a Model 3 and it’s $100 a month. This is slightly more than the Kona EV I owned previously but was nearly half the price of the Model 3.
Taking into account driving history, age, vehicle make model trim, and state requirements makes creating meaningful comparisons between vehicles such as wash as the numbers vary so wildly. I’ve registered EVs over the past decade in 3 separate states.
People blow up the insurance issue to be so massive when it’s literally less impactful than buying an ICE vehicle which takes regular vs. premium fuel.
@ElevateMotorCoGreat video and it's accurate! Super rare these days!
The insurance premium I pay on my Tesla Model 3 LR is 15% LOWER than what I paid from the same company for the BMW 330i it replaced… two very comparable cars!
What is this BS about EV premiums being higher???? That is pure disinformation!
@ElevateMotorCo I put a down payment on a Model 3 dual motor, lease was $550/month. Went to my insurance company and they told me insurance would be $650 full coverage. I can't afford that. It's double my new SUV, and I had to lose my down payment because I can't afford that insurance. IDK where you find such low insurance rates. I am an older driver with no tickets or accidents for >15 years, but my insurance rates were beyond me.
@st-ex8506 I'm an older driver, no accidents, no tickets, no claims I have a new SUV slightly more expensive than a new model 3 AWD. The lease on my new M3 was $550/month and my full coverage insurance AAA was $650/month, I had to surrender my reservation ($200) because the insurance cost is higher than the car. The Tesla model 3 is half the price of my BMW 330i, so your insurance should be half not 15% less
First time viewer and loved the channel. Just enough tech talk and details but simple enough to easily comprehend and appreciate. Good job guys. I’m smarter for watching this episode and will likely subscribe.
Hey thank you for the kind words 1Jamaican it means a lot. Your support in watching and your encouraging words mean a lot in a sea of usually kind but sometimes “interesting” comments.
Appreciate you, have a blessed week
70 year old here. Planning to purchase a new FSD Model Y this year. Likely the last auto I will ever buy. Funny how people are driven (pun intended) by anecdotal experience rather than data. Thanks for the content.
Thank you for watching! We agree on data - it never lies 😊
I wish when the pro Tesla RUclips channels talk about Teslas long lasting high voltage battery. I wish they would talk about years instead of miles. A lot of these boasts concerning 250,000 miles is done in a relatively short period of time. I tend to keep my cars 10 to 12 years.
Exactly. Batteries will degrade over time, regardless of mileage. This is guaranteed going to happen, even if your car is sitting in your garage. There is no reason why EV batteries couldn't be designed to slide right out and a new one slid in. Well, except for greed, because that might take a $100 chunk out of the profit of building the car and would eliminate the possibility of a huge service center bill down the line.
@markpfeifer1402 Model S was designed that way. Tesla even built battery-swap stations. The utilization was so low they gave it up as a waste of effort.
Fair. 250k can be put on a car in 5 years. Whereas that same car that did 250k in 15 years is probably gonna be much more worn.
@JClarkeCT1334 Is that the actual reason?
@justinluttrell8990 Yes. Over a period of several years something like 4 people used it.
Ive worked on cars that required transmission replacements costing more than any EV battery. Dropping a pack and reconnecting 2 hoses and the HV wire is also 10x faster than all the connections and linkages etc of a transmission.
Thanks GD. Another mechanic commented something very similar. Having torn down a small number of transmissions during my days as a tech it blew my mind how complicated a basic automatic transmission is. The general public really have no idea.
The other mechanic made an excellent point on core reimbursement for battery packs as well. Obviously this exists for engines and transmissions but it was an excellent point that we added which I missed in the video.
Thank you for your comment. Have a blessed weekend.
You've replaced $40k transmissions?
Not included in the analyses is the high cheat factor in ICE cars. I have caught repair shops trying to sell me unnecessary repairs 4 of 5 times I've gone in. There are so many parts that there are lots and lots of opportunities to make up false problems.
@AnimeBeefRandoms
Unless you're replacing a Hummer EV battery, it doesn't cost as much.
Typically Tesla battery replacement cost is $10-16k
@snaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake Also hummer EV battery cost 60k so you would be lying even then. 70k for some models like the EQS.
Love the prayer part at the end. Subscribed due to that
We can all benefit from some prayer and I know many people are in the thick of it right now.
Thank you we appreciate you
Without God and prayer, we have nothing.
@Rick-n7g I would disagree. Plenty of people don't do God or prayer and have amazing lives. Just saying. But.... I do appreciate the good vibes of the prayer.
@iamrambo99 Hi, yes, I hear you. The truth is we better hope our lives get difficult and we get to know God and how to be saved. If life is great and we never do, we will wish we did. One day we will all die and that could be the biggest problem we have. Or, it might be the best thing ever. I've experienced the other side and my life has been really ruff. All I can do is to say, you don't want to die and take the next steps counting on vibes. If my life hasn't gone the way it has, I would agree with you but I know better.
Someone in my small group said this and I think about it often:
“If I lost everything but i still had Jesus, I would still have everything”
He was homeless.
Very informative. I'm currently in the market for a new car and this video helped alot. I have decided now to go with a Tesla Y premium. Considered other EV brands but the value that the current state of FSD adds can no longer be ignored.
You sound like a person that has taken one for a test drive.
It’s hard to convey what driving a Tesla is like. And it’s nearly impossible to convey how incredibly FSD has become. People just need to experience that magic moment for themselves.
Congratulations in advance. I hope it treats you and your family well for many miles and smiles to come.
If you have a friend with a Tesla that introduced you to the brand - use their referral code to get a few months of FSD for free.
Thank you for the comment and have a blessed weekend
Model 3s and Ys are Tesla's best products BUT the depreciation the first 2 1/2 years is VERY high. Find a nice USED newer Y that can still run FSD 14whatever.
Fsd is now cheaper because you can only subscribe to it, not buy it outright
@snowrocket A later '23 has hardware 4 and will run v14.2.2.
@ronaldlenz5745 Good! Then search CarGurus/Autotrader to find one you like. I went 380+ miles to get mine and have no regrets. I bought EXACTLY what I wanted AND got a good overall deal on it. My 2018 Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor with 115,000 miles was $16,500 OTD. That's a LOT of good car for the money!
Really good breakdown. Thank you
Appreciate you and your kind words! Have a blessed weekend and stay warm
Great video guys! I really liked the visuals and information on screen.
I got a 2025 Tesla model 3 about 9 months ago and it’s been amazing so far. I don’t miss doing oil changes or going to the gas station couple times a week.
Congratulations! Hope it treats you well for many miles and smiles to come.
It’s a fantastic car - even the older pre-facelift models were great.
There’s nothing like having a “gas station” at your house!
I bought a 2023 Model 3 last year and absolutely love the car as well. I rented a 2026 Model 3 for Thanksgiving road trip to see what I was missing. I like the smoother ride and the ambient lights! Having owned gas cars for my entire life, EVs are much easier to car for. It's mostly tire rotations, cabin filters, wipers, and tires. I love not having to change the oil every 5K miles which I use to do myself.
The other HUGE benefit Tesla offers is the option to use FSD- that is a game changer that is hard to describe to someone who hasn't experienced it. When I take 500 mile road trips, I'm much more relaxed when I get to destination since the car did 80% of the driving!
Just replaced my factory Michelin tires on my 2023 Model Y Performance at 55,500 miles. Found good Falken tires for 1300ish (staggered wheels). I do not have a heavy foot, so I really think replacing tires more frequently just depends on the driver. I replaced the cabin filter and Hepa filter once. No other issues, no other maintenance besides topping off the windshield wiper fluid.
55k on OEM Michelins in a Performance?! 🔥 This is the real-world data people need. How's the Falken set treating you? Driving style clearly matters more than the hype suggests. Thanks for the actual numbers!
Only getting 150,000 to 200,000 miles out of a car is pretty lousy. If I dont get at least 250,000 I'm gonna be pissed!
So much depends on where you live and what kind of miles you put on. Super hot areas wear more on batteries and I would think super cold areas do the same to some extent as well
Don’t forget one of the major reason you were when I see particularly evs is getting more than quarter million miles will be they will be totaled because of insurance company will not pay for repair or rebuilt. But then again that statement is truthful to all cars and not just EV’s.
@wminglam Yes, it is true for all
You've made valid points in this video. I own a 2000 E150 conversion van with 198,432 miles that I've owned for 25 years now. The only headache I've had was replacing the OEM radiator 3 times. If it happens again, it will be all metal one. I'm a senior citizen who's finding it harder to let go of a Van that's been faithful to me. BUT, I must come to terms with a vehicle that could self-drive me to my medical appointments or errands around town.
Pretty awesome that it’s only been radiators! Seems like it’s treated you pretty well!
How hard is it getting in there to do spark plugs and things - do you have access in the cab?
We have a video on an elderly couple who picked Tesla for the Full Self Driving technology. Maybe you’ve seen it. But it is really neat to see how it’s given them back so much mobility.
Thank you for the nice comment and support. Have a blessed week.
This video was very helpful and has great information. Love the Walking Dead clip making fun of the old cars !! 😂
Thank you Shannon, we may have gotten a bit carried away with the edit. Glad you enjoyed it.
I loved that clip too!!! It’s how I see cars that are very old(a little bit of a hooptie) lol.
Hooptie is such an underrated phrase.
@E@ElevateMotorCo🤣🤣 I see them all the time around DFW, sadly new and old vehicles apply lol.
Funny enough older ICEs are still significantly better than new EVs, just look at videos in Africa how heavily overloaded those ICE gets on daily base
Ok, I just finished this episode and now I subscribed. You guys are not only well informed, you’re praying for your audience as well!?!?!? I’m so impressed! God bless this channel and all your efforts. Represent Him well!
We are trying! We pray every day that he would give us the courage and use us in some way - not just to help people make decisions around cars… but to help people make THE single most important decision of their lifetime - to accept Jesus.
Ebay is full of low mileage used Tesla batteries. Saw batteries for Model 3s up to 2025. All were less than $5k. Low demand means low prices. And you can put a long range battery in a standard car.
Yes it'll bolt in and fit but that doesn't mean the car will benefit from it. You have to configure the car to let it know it has a bigger capacity pack in it. You can't put the car into the basic service mode to do this. Requires special credentials, ie service technician
@sleepy_ipl
My research would seem to indicate changing a battery is not plug and play. Some amount of programming initialization is required no matter what. But I can see what you're saying. Just changing wheels on a Honda requires reprogramming car to accept new ones. This is a job I would hire out, and it absolutely could be a shop that had the software equipment and skills to replace like for like, may not have the software and skills to replace with upgraded battery. The first time I heard of this, was a person who received a warranty battery from Tesla. They replaced with an upgraded larger battery.
@pathfolloweryes legacy model s owners with 75kwh packs were often given an option to upgrade to a 90kwh when pack replacement was needed. Requires tesla software to update the vehicle configuration afterwards
@sleepy_ipl Tesla provides all parts and repair manuals and software. No other auto maker provides this much level of help to DIY
@singular9repair manuals yes, but you have to pay a subscription for software, have your own laptop and buy a diagnostic cable. These parts aren't provided.
Great video supported with data and facts
Thank you Austin - appreciate you and your kind words / support.
Have a blessed week brother.
Great piece. As for tires, one really has to compare apples to apples. To compare a Camry to a Model 3 is silly. One performs really well while the other doesn't. The valid comparison is a Model 3 to a BMW 3. As for weight, there's hardly any difference between a Model 3 and BMW 3.
I've been driving a Model 3 for the past 6 years, and it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned. Oil changes are a thing of the past. I owned a 2016 Prius for 2 years and sold it to my sister 6 years ago, so I'm well versed in the long term with these things. So far the car has suffered a couple of catastrophic failures. First was the complete failure of the HVAC system. Then there was the catalytic converter, which apparently had some relationship to the HVAC problem. Since then it's had 12V battery issues. Basically, substantially more issues than the Tesla.
Thanks Dan,
I totally agree. Many shoppers compare the Model Y and Model 3 to the likes for Camry and RAV4. But the performance is not even in the same stratosphere.
I’m sorry to hear about the issues you ran into. I’ve had 4 or so Teslas at this point. Are they perfect, no. But they have served me darn well. I don’t miss keeping up with scheduled maintenance. Or planning my road trips around it.
Have a blessed weekend Dan, stay warm wherever you are.
Love the video guys. My wife and I recently purchased a Genesis gv60 to replace her totaled Lexus ES350. We primarily use the gv60 now for local errands and nights on the town, while we use our other internal combustion vehicle (a 2017 Lexus IS with 140k miles) for road trips or as a second vehicle if we have separate places to be. We have observed a significant reduction in our combined vehicle operating and maintenance costs since we've replaced the Lexus. I'm still split on whether we will replace our internal combustion vehicle with an EV, but I don't see us replacing our EV with an internal combustion vehicle or a hybrid at any point.
You have quite the list of beautiful cars. The Lexus IS has always been 👌 so handsome! Especially the 2009 IS-F! I love the look of the GV60 I think it looks so cool and futuristic.
I’d be excited to hear about what direction you go next. I know many EV folks that would never go back to ICE, but I don’t really know many people that are EV and looking to go back to ICE.
Most EV converts I meet change their entire driveway to EV within the first 36 months of getting their first one. Self selecting group I suppose 😂
In Poland there is a guy (Daniel Grzyb) with 500.000 km (310.000 miles) Tesla. If you don't supercharge them they last longer.
Interestingly there’s a RUclipsr under the High Mileage Tesla channel that only SC his Model S now having over 340000 miles with the original hov battery and drive units.
BS.
It costs you more the electricity for a today's EV than the gasoline for an economical hybrid for the same driven distance.
Also the EV tires are much more expensive, the insurance is much more expensive, etc.
@mikel4879 My 2011 Altima cost $110/month to insure. My 2018 Tesla Model 3 costs $120/month to insure. Same coverage both cars, major known insurance company in USA.
@mikel4879 In the USA this could be true. We have cheap gas compared to the rest of the world
@Nick-k3p1w Agreed, there are some areas in the USA that have really cheap gas, combine that with using level 3 charging at peak times and it's easy to pay more per mile for the EV.
That being said charging at off peak overnight on level 2 (or even level 1 if you have a short commute) is laughably cheaper than buying gas and doing ICE maintenance.
2007 Toyota Tundra 262k replaced a radiator and battery
2005 Toyota Corolla S
Traded it in around 175,000mi
Biggest repair after 100K: none!
It was our first car and survived many dumb mistakes we made. It was nearly totaled after hitting a deer at 25K miles plus several other fender benders.
You needed spark plugs and transmission service. EV's don't have those. They don't even need oil and rarely need brakes.
@T1Oracle Yes, but those are expected maintenance items, not repairs. And yes, EVs have far fewer maintenance items than cars with engines. Repair = things not listed in the car's maintenance schedule. I'll be fair, after ~150K mi the driver side window on the Corolla acted up on occasion :)
My 3rd gen Mazda 3 was the exact same way. So much abuse and was great. My current 11th gen civic witht the 1.5t mated to the cvt has been great as well.
@limezinnia the Tesla glass cracks on early models after a few years, the front suspension tie rods squeak after a few potholes (you have to replace them), the trunk lining falls off, the air intake needs constant cleaning if you live near trees, and the weather seals are uneven. The drivetrain, batttery, and electronics are solid. Although, I have had to reboot the screen a few times over the past 8 years. After 90k miles I still have my original brakes and wipers. I expect to get 300k miles out of this car.
I have the model 3 perfromance 2024 and, i been using the lx twenty and they lasted me above 30k. 450 on walmart website for 4 plus install a little over $500
$500 installed for 30k+ miles on a Performance?! 🤯 This is exactly the real-world data people need. How's the performance/noise vs stock? Thank you for the actual numbers!
I live in Texas and with my energy provider I get free electricity every night starting at 8pm. So my teslas are all set to automatically start charging at 8pm. So yeah, I have FREE charging. My cost of ownership besides the car has been just tires and air fresheners and occasional car washes. The savings has been massive for me as I pack on a lot of commuter miles.
My eyes are starting to go downhill…
Did I read FREE?!? As the sweet four letter word that brings joy to everyone who reads it?
That is unbelievable. Are you adopting adults - because this 18 cents per kWh is starting to add up in Virginia!
😂
Have a blessed weekend.
@E@ElevateMotorCo18cent/kwh is still cheap as hell compared to gas here in europe😂
I also live in TX and I get free night time electricity from 9pm-7am, so we charge our 2 Teslas and our home backup batteries every night. We pay $0 in electricity because we also have solar panels. So far our cost of ownership has been 1 set of tires, nothing else.
Wow! cool!
Nothing is free. You have to factor in the cost of your solar system and expected useful life.
You guys have a great video and you pulled a lot of interesting data together. it’s obvious there’s no bias. After having over 100 cars, trucks, and motorcycles over the years, I can safely say that my Tesla model Y is the best vehicle I’ve ever had. I do not want to go back to an ice vehicle.
Thissss!
May I make and assumption and venture a guess that you are indeed a car person? I thought I was up there with 20 or so cars. But wow.
So many folks have opinions on EVs and no experience behind the wheel!
There are many of us who love the joy of driving (sorry FSD). I had my years of tinkering and modding. I would rather take a 1000 mile last minute road trip without thinking through what maintenance I need to do as prep.
The Model 3 and Y and insane value for the performance and economy.
Have a blessed weekend thank you for your comment and support
Thanks!
Hey Joe,
From the bottom of our hearts here at EMC - thank you. You will go down in history as our first Superthanks. We appreciate you.
Have a blessed week Joe
This was very informative. I’m new to learning about Teslas but when I was an F&I manager for Subaru in Wisconsin, many customers (including myself!) changed out their All weather stock tires to Winter driving tires - ranging from WRX to Forester drivers. In Winter driving conditions changing out tires twice a year will extend the lifetime of the standard and winter tires, and it is much safer in really bad weather.
Cheers, Michael Albuquerque NM USA
Thanks Michael - appreciate your kind words and wisdom.
You guys get crazy winter weather. For us in the milder states we try to make it on all season despite them not being ideal for snowfall.
@ElevateMotorCoI’m in New Mexico now - 18 years in Siberia was enough! One year there was snow on Easter and Halloween!
Cheers, Michael Albuquerque NM USA
People that don't believe good winter/snow tires make a big difference have never tried them. I had Blizzaks on inexpensive Legacys and Imprezas and that combination was great! Trust me, the Snowrocket would know.
Good video guys. I think overall the comparison is pretty fair, but the one thing to also consider that would be depreciation. I think the Tesla would still be the cheapest to own, but it would make it a little bit closer as it would lose more value than the other two.
Thank you for watching. Buying a used Tesla will definitely help to buffer that depreciation impact.
On tire wear, I have seen videos where people go to different tire brand/models and get much longer life. I think the key thing people are missing is how soft is the compound of the tire. I have had performance cars that would eat through tires in 30k miles. Next set last much longer. Difference? One set was a much softer tire compound that gives better traction than the other. I think companies like Tesla use tires with softer compounds to get maximum acceleration and braking performance. A lot of customers probably try to stay with the same tire thinking that is what they are supposed to do. If you compare the weight of 2025 Tesla Model 3 to 2025 Honda accord hybrid, the model 3 is about 500lb heavier. Does that explain some of it, probably but cant be that significant. There are a lot of variables, how aggressive do people drive, are they hammering their Tesla/EVs pushing them to the limits all the time... if so then i wouldnt be surprised yes that the insta-torque would wear tires faster. If you drive your car more normally, then wouldnt think that torque would be an issue.
This is true across EVs. I know for me personally I go through tires quickly in my Model 3. A relative of mine has a Mach-E GT and even though it is a faster and heavier vehicle the tires lasted nearly 50k miles on the original set. The compound and wear rating do matter a ton.
Until solid state batteries come out at scale there is no getting around the increased weight and the insane torque combined with the regenerative braking. These factors compound to (generally) necessitate EV owners replacing tires more frequently.
I agree with you entirely. My research indicates it's bad alignment of Teslas, plus driving style contributing to extra tire wear.
EV tyres are usually designed for 2T vehicles - but the extra wear is the acoustic profile/sidewalls and the solid tread for high traction/road adhesion, aka rolling tyres. They're rated for 20k to 30k miles in some cases - depending on brand i.e. michelin pilot sport 4/5 have 30-40k miles range. e.Primacy and Pirelli P Zero 5s, Pilot sport 4/5, et al.
Some people use the same brand(s) but there's a fair amount of competition on 17" / 18" / 19" / 20" EV tyres since they made EV specialist tyres for heavier cars. tyrereviews generally cover the new products - if you're prone to checking tyres before someone else - wether that's a mechanic / registration, etc. Tread checks aren't always obvious unless you pay attention or have them rotated to notice the wear/tread - or it's part of your regular process.
@snowrocket Which matters for all cars - alignment. But a huge component is driving style, no doubt if the wheels are all aligned fine
on a hybrid /EV we usually refer to "Electric Motor"
and use the word Engine for gas ⛽
that was the problem that I realized in Hybrids, two systems means you will have two systems to maintain.
It’s not my cup of tea either.
Toyota does a heck of a good job. The reliability data for Toyota is astounding, essentially double the industry for reliability on the original power train to 250k miles.
However, EV OEMs are just getting started I am confident that the reliability data a decade from now for EV powertrains is going to be unbelievably reliable due to the simplicity of the components and massive reduction in moving parts.
It's why I didn't want a hybrid, if i was forced i would get a toyota hybrid but I went straight from an ICE toyota to an EV. Not only do you have two systems but to keep costs low hybrid batteries are usually not as good as EV batteries so they're more often replaced even though obviously cheaper.
Hybrid batteries are significantly smaller than BEV batteries usually 35kWh or less, so the battery replacement cost is less as well as total vehicle weight so replacing suspension items is less frequent.
Many PHEVs are similar in weight to EVs in the same class but i don't disagree on non-plugin hybrids. Batteries are less than 2kwh are usually easy and cheap to fix. @GOLFandWRX
@GOLFandWRX Smaller to the point that the early Hybrid Camry/Corollas often use Nicad or non-lithium packs with a higher temperature tolerance - but then put them in the boot compartment / rear seating area - where the vents get clogged. Guess which part fails frequently - the fan in the passenger compartment
Excellent video
Keep up the great work
I have owned all the vehicles you compare. The Tesla is a game changer. It makes ice and hybrids obsolete in most cases.
Thank you for watching! We agree 😊
Live in an apartment with no EV charger. Just not a practical option. A hybrid is.
Best argument there. If you can charge at home, the cost of owning an EV goes way down.
Fair point, and one that must be solved before we get wider adoption.
My grandfather had a totoya pickup with 550k miles on it but the engine was replaced 3 times.
Every ICE owner who tells me their car has over 200k miles has had at least ONE engine or transmission replaced. Anyone in the comments is literally lying. Some claim to have 350k miles on the original clutch, which is just physically impossible. I don't care how well you drive stick, the average lifespan of a clutch is 50-60k miles. Past that point, if you are on the original clutch, enjoy replacing not only the clutch but also the fly wheel, pressure plate, the works, when it fails. People here are just so stupid it blows my mind.
I have had nothing but toyota's in the family, and just got two tesla's because they were better value than the marked up camry with no features. So what. Its just a car, its going to last what ever it lasts and thats it.
Great video. Thanks, guys. What are your thoughts on Chinese EV vehicles? Are they reliable? How’s the battery technology? Canada will be importing them from China … 49,000/year, rising to 70,000 vehicles over five years. 😊
We would love to get more seat time with these! Since mainstream Chinese EVs aren’t available in the US yet, we can't give a definitive verdict based on first-hand experience. However, the new trade deals in Canada mean we’ll finally get to see how they perform in a North American climate.
For brands like BYD and Xiaomi, reliability is our biggest question mark. We've seen mixed reports from overseas, and American/Canadian drivers tend to be much tougher on their vehicles. It’ll be fascinating to see if that advanced battery tech holds up to our long distances, extreme weather, and 'utilitarian' driving habits.
Get BYD or Geely only. Because they're easier to find parts. Chery is cheaper but lower quality.(From Malaysia)
I own a 2023 Tesla MYLR. This is a fantastic car, even without FSD, which I don’t use. I’ve had one visit from Tesla mobile service to rotate my tires and change cabin filter. I charge mostly at home. I would never even consider an ICE or hybrid car again. I realize that having a home charger makes all the difference. Also, maybe your comparison costs should include insurance. I think it’s a little higher for a Tesla. They might total the car if you have relatively minor damage. Then again, most new cars have cameras and radars that require recalibration even after a fender bender.
That is awesome, we have a 2023 in the fleet here at EMC. It is incredible how much Tesla improved the MY from even 2021 to 2023 - it is truly an incredible, capable and convenient car.
You make some fantastic points, we may touch on insurance in a future video but there are so many personal, geo and other favtors that go into insurance which can make that video a challenge. For me personally my Tesla is only marginally better than my previous ICE vehicle - I pay about $100 a month.
I work in automotive the average cost of replacing a transmission Or engine is $5,000 to $10,000 + just the other day a guy paid $15,000 for a new truck engine, also can cost $15,000 - $25,000 if you put wrong gas in I see that a few times a year! We also have replaced EV battery and the cost was much lees than most people in part because the true cost is not passed to the customer if the CORE is returned. Also engines and transmission are going bad here often 5-10+ a month or more!
Thank you for your work in keeping people moving. I spent a few years as a tech - it was a thankless job - you guys are heroes in your own regard- thank you.
Thank you for sharing from your personal experience and for making an excellent point in the core returns!
Pack prices have plummeted over the past decade (and few years alone) so i suspect we’ll continue to see the affordability gap widen favoring EVs.
Would love to get your take on experience and personal perspective with Hybrids.
not bad but I bought Prius 2007 at $7000 in 2015 and now in 2025: I spent totally 8000 dollar max on repair + maintenance; Prius is great!
I have a 2016 Honda Stepwagen in Hong Kong. We just hit 100k miles. It still runs, but the engine is vibrating crazy
Why did this guys engine fail?
Comparing trucks to small vehicles!!!!
This was so well done! KUDOS to both of you!
Thank you for your kind words and your comment. We are a little team with big aspirations. Your words and support mean the world to us.
Have a blessed weekend.
It would take me about 70 years to put 250,000 miles on my new 2026 Mazda3 sedan, since I only tend to drive twice per week.
Mazda is the underrated silent beast when it comes to reliability. They’re always talked about less than Toyota and Honda while having consistently high scores.
Great vehicles and I have always loved the Mazda 3 - it handles better than any of its ICE counterparts.
Gasoline vehicles do not like to sit however! That is the only downside. Gasoline gets stale. Oil drains to the oil pan making cold starts more damaging to sensitive components like valves and lifters. But generally it’s not something you worry about with less than 100k on the clock.
Sounds like you would be a perfect candidate to drive an EV.
Thank you for this video. It’s very informative and helpful to know which is my next vehicle to purchase.
You’re welcome. Thank you for watching and for your kind words.
Also, awesome profile name - despite the data from this video the Supra is still one of our all time favorite vehicles.
Be blessed.
I have a 2007 Honda CRV with 268488 miles on it and it has never had to have the transmission rebuilt still going strong
That’s great happy to hear it’s treated you well.
That particular generation was still on belts not chains for timing. The recommended interval was 90k. Which means that in your vehicle alone the belt must have been done at least twice. Add in spark plugs and coil packs. Serpentine belts. 12v battery replacements. Add in oil changes. We don’t even need to add in the difference in energy costs to make a clear case maintenance comparison. By the time you tally those expenses up it becomes clear why EVs help people save money and more importantly… time.
I think ICE vehicles used to hold the ultimate upper hand when it came to maintenance over long term. But my god are modern vehicles proving this wrong. The amount of "oh the part is 40$" followed up by "the labor is 500$ though" is too high because the manufacturer decided a consumable should require half an engine disassembled to replace.
its one of the failings of modern engine design...its designed to fail. The knowledge on how to make them last hasnt been lost, just sidelined. I mean plastic components in critical "hot" zones on a motor are failure points as they age. EV manufactures are doing all they can to be the best they can as a contrast. They are eager for your business...OEMs are sloppy and unconscionable bastards.
After 6 years I have higher than expected battery degradation at 18% on my Model 3. In a long road trip all my stops are at the same places for recharging.
That is awesome.
Great video, guys! I appreciate the work that went into making it. As you know, I’m a fan of both EVs and hybrids. I’m curious if adoption will speed up with more larger vehicles like the Kia EV9 available, given our propensity to select SUVs over cars. That’s one area I feel that hybrids still have an advantage over EVs due to the efficiency loss. We’re getting there!
Hey Beefwe,
Hope all is well!
It’s an interesting thought exercise. My brother has had his EV9 for a year now and loves it. He was frustrated that there were not more 3 row EV options available.
It’s hard to say with many OEMs pulling back on larger BEVs or going Hybrid/Range Extended.
Only time will tell here in the USA.
What is this "advantage"? "efficiency loss"?
@VVB@VVBros1 VV,
Because EVs are so reliant on efficiency for their range, any loss in efficiency results in much greater percentage drop in range than in a gas car. Gas cars are already so inefficient and reliant on energy density of gas that things like air drag and cold weather affect them less as a percentage of their overall range, even though they also lose efficiency due to these issues. Hope this makes sense.
@BeefweThanks for the reply. Both lose effiency in the same ways, but because EVe are so efficient to begin with the loss is a higher percentage. A fully charged EV only has the approximate "fuel" capacity of 2-2.5 gallons of gasoline equivalent.
@VVBros1 yes, exactly! I appreciate EVs for their efficiency, but it is exactly the reliance on that efficiency that makes it difficult to have larger, long-range EVs (at least at an affordable price)… gas cars, for good and bad, can afford the efficiency loss better. Even the waste heat from the engine can be useful for warming the cabin! I’m sure we’ll get there with EVs. I appreciate our hybrid and EV for different reasons, but I’d say I enjoy my EV much more. I enjoy sharing that with everyone, and I think that is what this channel is about!
I putt Michelin defender 2 on my model 3 and so for there great more responsive than ev tires little less range however they last longer
What was mentioned in the beginning of the video was correct. My wife has a 2021 Model X and we had to replace the battery pack twice due to failure. Once at around 70k and again at 93K miles. My daily beater is a 2013 Lexus ES300h (fancy hybrid camry) with 220k miles. Not. A. Single. Issue.... Just oil changes, filters and rarely brakes. We're selling the Model X before it hits the end of warranty.
Edit: You guys break down the complexity of the other two cars but failed to mention all the other things that can go wrong with EV's. We've also had to deal with trunk latch issues, falcon wing door sensors, drive line vibrations.
I think they are underplaying the likelihood of a EV battery pack making it to 250K.
I did not find much value in the video, sounded more like excuse making for EVs. I have a 17 Highlander with V6. So far, flawless. We do the reqd maintenance and oil changes at 5k. Other car 24 Corolla Hybrid. Really like how it drives, mileage between 51-62 mpg, one time the car said it got 72 mpg. Its agile, like my old TR4, and comfortable too. I buy extended warranties on my cars with 0 deductible. If TSLA offered such a thing it would be a big plus for me.
I"m glad you and the commenters under ya are saying what they are saying. I was hoping for something informative but they just shilling for the EV. I want one. I do. Not for the earth. but for the fun geek factor. But they aren't where they need to be yet for joe smoe . Until costs go down and available repair peeps go up, it's still a sketchy purchase. AND GOSH I wanted one so bad when they started getting big in the market. EV, that is.
I wonder if having an EV in outdoor cold climate also influences lifespan?
I have a Model X that sits outside in the harsh elements, hot and freezing. I believe you guys just had bad luck, and most common issues have warranties for several years, even if you bought it used.
I am considering buying my company tesla with 350k miles on it. I kind of want to see how far it goes before the battery gives up.
Dude, you are brave! Keep me posted I would love to see what you run into.
toyota and tesla owner here: my FJ has 250k on odometer, I take it to the mud pit, to home depot, work and once a year is the car to go vacations, the tesla is for my wife’s trips to soccer games, school trips and that’s it. As happy we are with the tesla I can tell that the minute I have to replace a $15k battery is the time I look for another car, but I would not risk it, in 3 years I replace it. electric cars are just an appliance.
Thank you for watching! Love the FJ! 250k is no joke 💪 Fun fact:
@ElevateMotorCo I love the tesla as well, and you may be right about the battery, but I refuse to be the one finding out. keep posting, the dialogue is important.
Good debate, sparked great comments. Makes people think, a good thing
Thank you for watching and being open-minded! 😊
I guess I've had good luck with ICE vehicles, Mazda protege 350 k miles no engine or transmission, Acura MDX 225 k miles no engine or trans (still own it), 99 Celica 335k miles no engine or transmission (still own it), VW Jetta (2.5 liter) 275k miles no engine or transmission, Honda Prelude 300k miles no engine or transmission.
BEV's - I am an engineer and have worked on many L3 charging stations for many vendors (Tesla, EVGo, Charge Point, Electrify America, PG&E), there are a number of people, IDK the rate but I have met them personally, that have had failed battery packs out of warranty. Complete failure (30 mile range or less) not degradation. I am not claiming that most cars will fail before 200k miles but that dumb study that said the AVERAGE was 200k miles means that half of ALL of the cars checked didn't make 200k miles. ALL electric cars will need a battery replacement at some point, it's a baked in failure point. On the plus side, the price of replacing a Model S 75 battery in 2022 was $25k, the same battery pack now is $15k, but it's still $15k.
Note about batteries: The battery manufacturers don't guarantee batteries for miles, they guarantee them for full charge cycles. The current quality lithium batteries are good for 1500 charge cycles. So, if you get lucky or if you can manage your batteries for more than this, that's good on you. I do not want to manage my battery, really - I don't want to think about it. A good friend has a 3 year old M3 performance, he supercharges daily and charges 70-100 percent because his car is only fast at 70% and above charge. His 3 year old car now has 19 % battery degradation and he's trading it in on a new M3 performance. He doesn't care, but the person who buys his car may be a bit disappointed at the battery degradation.
Instead of asking people to post their glowing reviews on how well they've managed their batteries, I suggest you ask people who buy used Tesla's how their batteries are doing, because that would go a lot further to reinforce the idea that a used Tesla is not heading for the junk yard due to a $15k battery replacement.
The ioniq EV has battery issues and a specific year Tesla also, but other than that not much complaints from owners on the respective forums.
Very well done and well explained.
Thank you for watching!
This data presented doesn't seem accurate. You're saying 10% of vehicles will be on their original drivetrain when they reach 250,000 mi. But that's not 10% of Toyotas and Hondas, that's 10% of all vehicles. I would wager, that much more than 50% of Toyotas and Hondas if they reach 250,000 mi they are still on their original drivetrain
I had a Saturn Vue, original drive train, traded in at 248k miles... You DO have to do the maintenance.
2019 model 3, 110k miles...replaced the 12v battery. tires last about 50k miles, nothing remarkable about them wearing out. battery degraded about 8%. otherwise still drives like new. you don't mention exhaust/mufflers for ice versions which are sure to wear out several times over. (our best was a 1990s honda prelude that died at 299k miles. so close!)
Congratulations Richard. That degradation is super low, holy cow!
You’re right- exhaust components are perhaps the worst. Anyone that’s had to replace an o2 sensor on a 100k or higher original exhaust knows the pain of PB Blasting that sensor and praying to God that the whole pipe doesn’t crumble to dust. Horrible feeling - replacing a $100 dollar part to end up doing a $1200 dollar entire exhaust 😂
This idea that an EV battery just stops working at 100,000 miles is laughable.
not bad but I bought Prius 2007 at $7000 in 2015 and now in 2025: I spent totally 8000 dollar max on repair + maintenance; Prius is great!
Unless it is a Nissan leaf...then battery replacements are scheduled into the service. Who would buy one of those? 😅
@ryandgarland The old Nissan leafs had only passive temperature control for their batteries, which is why they wore out so much quicker than everyone else.
The new Leaf has active cooling
@pdxmarinethat's good to hear, but last time I checked (been a few years, maybe 5), they were still using passive cooling! 😮😅. At the time, I had already bought a used Tesla and I was worried about the battery. 😂😊
Yeah Nissan was still using passive cooling until 2025 when they refreshed the Leaf. Thankfully it’s now active cooling.
I have a 2018 Ford Fusion hybrid that I bought a few months ago with 71k miles. I have 74k miles on it now and I'm absolutely love having a hybrid with the better fuel economy and smoothness of a planetary gear set vs a transmission.
That’s awesome. Congratulations. May it provide you years of reliable service!
Have a blessed weekend Jim.
🤣 That jump-scare Honda Accord, I cannot stop laughing.
😂
Timing belts on interference engines are no joke! 🤣😂
2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV; it's about luggage heavier than a Honda Accord. I've replaced 1 set of tires, 2 of the 12V batteries, coolant flush, brake fluid flush, cabin filter.... Basic stuff. 125k miles.
Fantastic vehicle - we love the Chevy bolt.
Please pray for my sister Nahila.
Lifting Nahila up in prayer starting now. Thank you 🙏
Recently bought an '06 Camry with 253K miles on it of $4400. Engine and trans still original. Replaced the original starter myself, very easy. Nicest car I ever owned, and expect a lot more miles out of it. Should it die before me (I'm 75), I'll get another used ICE Camry.
My first car was an 02' Camry. Those cars were absolute tanks. I bought it at 178k miles with one previous owner. Ended up driving it to around 240k miles before replacing it due to rusted engine mount and bent control arms (I live in the rust belt). Mind you I had an accident in the car when I slipped on bald tires on the way to work one day, gave the side of the front end a nice smack and bended the rim so I'm sure that didn't help things. The 2.4 naturally aspirated inline 4 paired with the 4 speed will not quit.
DON'T try to argue with a Tesla fanboy.
How long have you owned your Tesla?
And Kool Aid drinking Bitcoin holders.
And you have owned how many EVs? I've owned two, along with over 30 ICE cars. Don't let facts sway you. LOL.
@carlmelville this is exactly right. I’ve learned to listen to people with experience rather than just people with opinions.
People tend to hate what they don’t understand
@ShowMeWhatINeedToKnow what is your prediction for Tesla and bitcoin for the next 10 years?
2024 tesla model 3 awd. I got 21k miles on it. Bought it used with 15k on it. Also a 2011 ford f150 with 252k on it.. still pulls the boat no problem
Congrats on the M3 LR AWD - awesome car. F150 is hard to beat. Especially with that Godzilla engine! Well, aside from the 11MPGs or whatever it is. My brother just moved from an F250 SD to a F150 Tremor - he was tired of taking up 4 parking spots 😂
You also have to think that 10 years from now, replacement batteries are going to be much less. Heck 5 years ago the replacement batteries were 2-3x now. And if they allow aftermarket battery refurbishers it’ll get even cheaper.
It’s unbelievable how much more affordable pack replacements have come. We still have a ways to go but the trajectory is certainly healthy. So many people still don’t realize, the buy the the Facebook article saying they’re $30k to replace a Nissan Leaf battery.
15 years ago we bought two 55" LED flat screen Samsung TVs for $2,000 each. Today you can get one for $250.
Mature technology gets cheaper over time.
not bad but I bought Prius 2007 at $7000 in 2015 and now in 2025: I spent totally 8000 dollar max on repair + maintenance; Prius is great!
Older battery packs may not be supported in the future, same with all the electronics in current BEV's. If you have a software issue in a 10 year old Tesla, there isn't a fix for it. How about FSD for 10 year old Tesla's? Their computers aren't good enough and they don't have enough cameras and the cameras they do have aren't high enough quality. Due to all the software patches, the screen on a 10 year old Tesla is sluggish. I don't have confidence in old BEV's for this reason.
@ElevateMotorCo This is very manufacturer dependent. Tesla has dropped from $25K to $15K since 2022 for a model S battery pack replacement, that's great, but go hit up BMW and make sure you ask for the total replacement cost for a 2018 I3 - in 2022 total replacement cost was $25k, this year it's $20k, that's crazy. Ask why and they'll tell you they have to replace a bunch of other parts too plus the rising cost of labor, so even if you have a warranty, you will still have $10k+ worth of parts and labor that is not covered under the warranty. This is bad design.
A lot of fallacies are repeated on social media regarding EVs. A model Y weighs the SAME as a BMW X3 so tire wear should be the same. Granted instant torque can contribute to more tire wear, but you can only accelerate as fast as the traffic in front of you so it's a moot point. My model y had 52k miles on it when i brought it in for state inspection and it still had 5/32 tread left. At this point i am looking at replacing the tires at about 75k miles. This is for OEM tire with UTQ rating of 520. At 54k miles, all i did was greased the brakes myself and had a bad rear shock. No other cost incurred. I didn't even bother rotating the tires and believe it or not, the rear tires are more worn than the front. Crazy stuff
Regen braking in EVs like a Model Y means friction happens at the tire-road contact, not the rotors like in the X3's hydraulic brakes. This shifts wear from brake pads to tires, causing faster tire wear due to constant longitudinal stress, even with your 52k miles on OEM tires. EV torque and weight add to it-physics still favors regen taxing tires more. Your case is cool, but doesn't debunk the physics.
Goes to show you people who don't own an EV don't know crap about EV.
🙃
So true, but they think they know more about your Tesla than you do.
Lame joke! People who owns ICE most of them litteraly doesn’t even care about them! You’ll be surprised by lack of care some of the vehicles gets
@VAspeed3wrong! Those ICE have much harder lives compared to EVs, go to Africa or South America or even Asia and see how ICE vehicles are absolutely abused, overloaded, driven on the worst roads possible…
Guys don't know what they are talking about 😊ICE car. I think they are paid for EV advert.
Just replaced the original 12v battery on my Ford Escape 2017! Yes, 10 years!
That is awesome. Your 12v is like the terminator. Hopefully the replacement treats you just as well.
, and few repairs as well.
If you drive < 8k mi/yr, get a base model gasoline car
If you drive 8-15k mi/yr and a fair amount of the trips are > 300 mi and you do not have a 2nd car, get a higher trim gasoline or hybrid car
If you drive very long distances, get a hybrid or diesel
If you drive a lot but it's mostly short distances, or you are a two-vehicle household, at least get an EV as your 2nd vehicle
Also know that any car that has coolant and brake fluid (which is all of them) needs that fluid changed on some sort of interval. For gas/hybrid/diesel that's 5-8 years for coolant, 3-5 years for brake fluid, even if the manufacturer says it lasts longer or "lifetime". Same deal with transmission, differential, and transfer case fluids, except EVs typically don't have any of that. Taking this advice will make the car last 50-250k mi longer depending on brand, versus ignoring all those fluids.
I sold my 2012 Prius V a couple of months ago right before it hit 200,000 miles. It had 198,000 miles with zero major issues I put just around 100,000 miles on the car and all I did was routine maintenance. I’m now the proud owner of a 2022 Tesla model Y I do miss my Prius. That car was amazing but this Tesla is out of this world.
Thank you for watching! Curious, what do you miss most about your Prius?
I need a EV minivan to carry my family and kids and under $60k.
Depending on your range requirements and willingness to negotiate you can certainly get a 3 row beast like the Kia EV9 for under 60k. Does it have to be a minivan?
Bit of a problem in the US but the UK or Europe or countries that have Chinese EVs may have some options. Otherwise, it's mostly just Kia/Hyundai you're looking at. Maybe a Volkswagen.
A used VW ID Buzz would fit that criteria. They did NOT sell well and are being discontinued so I'm sure used ones are really cheap. The range wasn't particularly great though.
I just replaced my tires on my model Y, it had over 50,000miles on those tires and still could have gone longer. I only changed all of them becuase I ran over some screws and needed to replace at least 2.
That is awesome. I have a relative that got 70k miles on their OEM Mustang Mach-E tires. I think my right foot is just too heavy. I daily my car and drive in my local drivers club so that definitely doesn’t help my situation. I still get at least 30k or so. But I replace them early if I happen to be heading into winter.
Have a blessed weekend- thank you for the comment and support - I appreciate you.
my 1996 honda accord $19K is now 500K miles original engine and trans. still runs like a champ.
Used 50k$ in Gaseline
@thayalansuntharalingamand another 20k in extra oil it’s burning lol.
My old civic burns a quart a week. Has to have about 300k miles on it.
not bad but I bought Prius 2007 at $7000 in 2015 and now in 2025: I spent totally 8000 dollar max on repair + maintenance; Prius is great!
@brandonott7258 you should have use Lucas oil additive, it slow the burning like 80%
Runs like a champ in Paralymics
I have a 2019 model 3 standard plus with 102,000 miles. - real world driving I can only get 100miles now from 95percent to about 10 percent. which 100 miles real world driving is not that much. Esp because not everyone charges their car past 90 percent and you would have to plan your next charge at least between 10-15percent. So more realistically can get about 90miles per charge. Not sustainable for those who don’t have a level 2 charging. We use it as a daily driver and charge level 2 at home. - even then if we have unexpected errands that add to our daily drives we end up having to stop at a super charger which is crazy because the full or near full charge should last all your trips throughout the day. It’s giving modern day Nissan leaf status.
Additionally, we stopped using our Tesla for road trips and switched back to using our ice car for road trips. - with roads trips usually have more people and gear, inclines, wind, varying temperatures and traveling at a higher speed due to the highways - all this significantly affects range to the point where we would not have enough charge to make it to the next supercharger unless we charged to 100 percent at every stop. if you’re a Tesla owner you know the charge time increases the higher charge percentage you’re trying to achieve. So this significantly added time to the road trip with frequent and way longer stops than it needs to be even after going to the restroom, eating, buying snacks and taking the dog out. Most times we needed to charge before needing to do all of that again. Not sustainable. Super Charging costs almost the same as gas now too.
I bought it from Tesla with 30k miles. 2 sets of tire replacements now at 102k miles costing about $1200-$1500 each time, front control arm broke/failure at 101k miles costing $2300 including alignment. Other things include 12 volt battery replacement, air filters.
Also the wind noise inside a 2019 model 3 is crazy. Super loud. Overall, we still like it, daily driver cheap to operate. Though I’ve only had it with access to level 2 charger at home. Not sure if I would like it if I didn’t have a level 2 charger.
Just sharing my real world experience with my 2019 model 3
Wait so you haven't contacted tesla to get your battery replaced under warranty during that time?
You sir, are stupid AF. Tesla gave you a 8 year 100k mile warranty on a silver platter and you didn't take it...
My Nissan Rouge transmission cost $6400 and the car was only 5 years old I believe it was around 100,000 miles
Oh man, William I’m sorry that happened to you. Hopefully you’ve got a new transmission or new car that’s treating you better now.
After 140k miles on my model 3 the battery is showing 7% degradation. My old gas car cost me $10500 to drive 54k miles. I would happily pay replace my battery if it failed tomorrow. I'm never going back to ICE.
Curious which year is your model 3 and if it’s non lfp battery.
@mdubb92541 22 LFP
Bullshit! Which “gas” car!? A v10 ford excursion!? 😂😂 why precise tesla model and not the “ gas” car?
@alanmay7929 I take it you've never tracked your fuel expenses before 😂 Do the math numb nuts: 54643 miles @ 20.3 mpg x $3.93 average price per gallon.
@tjts1which “gas” vehicle were you driving before that’s all what I need! You’re comparing tesla model 3 to which vehicle? Are you drunk? 20mpg is for which car?
I own a Fusion Hybrid and I absolutely love having a hybrid.
That’s awesome Jim
You forgot to factor in the camry cost of hideousness
Nice video, thanks!
Now to my vehicles: #1 2012 Toyota Prius C Two Hybrid purchased new, now at 80,000 miles, two sets of tires, no problems, it just keeps going and going.
Maintenance has been routine oil changes tire rotations, state emission & safety inspections.
Vehicle #2 is a 2018 Nissan Leaf SL (SL has all the options) 45,000 miles now.
Maintenance - replaced tires once, no problems, annual battery checks, tire rotations and state vehicle safety checks.
Bought a Level 2 EVSE so that I could do home charging and have done that since the car was two weeks old. It took that long to have the EVSE delivered and an electrician to run a 50 amp circuit to the garage. I have done 9 charging station charges total, 2,500 home charges, with most of those done at 3KW because I charged overnight. No need to charge it fast so it can set there fully charged for several hours. The Leaf has a battery life gauge that looses a bar for every 12% decrease. Mine is still full bars, has yet to loose a bar...
I have no expectation to replace either of these until something major happens. I'm 77, they well may be working fine the rest of my life. Then my son can have them🙂 He has a Malibu Hybrid he bought new.
I own a Model 3. 160,000 plus miles, loss 15% battery range. No maintience cost except $1,500 for tires once. Had car for two years driving Uber. Car is a tank. I charge at home for $30/mo. which is about $1 a day everyday. Car cost me $42K. In the 2 years Ive owned it it has made me $158k with Uber. Before it, i blew up a Honda Accord @ 250k miles, a Toyota Camary @ 312k. Both cars lasted 4 years doing Uber each. Im in my 10 year with Uber and The Tesla seems like the day i bought it. I did have to buy washer fluid alot. Seems to use alot of it. So about $120 a year in washer fluid.
💯 I love my model 3 over 100k miles in 2 years and I am not gentle on this car. Three young drivers and two adults, this car has seen it all. Tires, wipers, cabin filter and yes a shit ton of washer fluid. Still on the second set of summer tires, but Michelin from Costco, they last 4ever
How far can you go with just $1 worth of electricity to charge your car each day?
Nio make cars with easily replaceable batteries. Not structural battery packs that you can't remove, but ones that take 5 minutes to swap the battery for a new one as you would your phone battery.
Batteries are getting cheaper every year, every month in fact. That means swapping out a battery in 10 years will be very cheap indeed.
NIO is the answer to all EV problems, you rent the battery for $104 per month and you have no battery anxiety. You get a different fully charged EV battery every time, they swap the battery in 3 minutes.
3:50 The problem is people are comparing tire wear on BEVs with much less powerful ICE cars, and people (like me) do love to take off at the line. I guarantee that anyone driving a Dodge Demon goes through tires quicker than most other car owners. Weight is a factor but many ICE cars are of near equal weight. Regen has no greater effect than if you brake from the same speed to say 0.
When you buy a Model 3 and go from 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds you will wear out tires compared to a Camry that takes >5 seconds
Stop already you're making too sense for most
"Weight is a factor"
Can you point me to any "light" EVs?
There are plenty of lower weight ICE vehicles.
Great video- I would say (and this applies to any car, ICE or EV), as the mileage accumulates as do the years, parts scarcity becomes an issue. I drive 2 old cars (both ICE)- a 1993 Nissan 300ZX (125K miles on it) and a 2004 Toyota MR2 (precats removed at 6K miles- currently at 48K miles)- both very reliable cars despite age. Sometimes finding parts can be a challenge depending on what’s needed. For EV’s the concern would be if a battery pack is simply not made any longer. I recall reading about the Chevy Spark EV that the battery pack replacement is no longer available, so it is effectively a brick if you can’t swap the pack.
Funny story- my Dad when he was alive got my sister’s old Honda Accord (1995 model year)- drove it and didn’t take great care of it- gave up the ghost at ~ indicated 240K miles (odometer broke at that point so likely had another 20K miles on it) when the ORIGINAL timing belt sheared teeth and went out of time- those cars back in the day could not be killed and if it was well maintained and garaged would have likely gone well beyond 350K miles I suspect.
Teslas are not heavy compared to gas cars of the same size. The big difference is the Tesla Dual Motor or Performance has a lot more power and if you use it your tires will wear faster.
The Honda I drive weighs 2094 lbs compaired to a tesla that weighs 4400 lbs.
@sheaangnos38302000 pound Honda barely holds anything, has what, under 100HP? My Tesla weighs 4040lbs and has lots of room for 5, AWD and 500HP.
@VAspeed3 My Honda is a 5 seater with 5 seatbelts and will hold 85 MPH up a 6% mountain pass, what else do you need?
@sheaangnos3830the fact that you drive a golf cart does not make a Tesla heavy in comparison to gas cars of similar size and performance, or even considerably inferior performance.
Excellent data driven content
Thank you for watching!
now run the same comparison for 2020 and 2015 models for those that cannot afford a 2025
2012 Toyota Venza with 165k miles and the only repair it needs is oil changes every 5kmiles. Wait, I have replaced the brake pads twice.
Not bad! May it take care of you for many miles to come.
Thank you Juan - have a blessed weekend.
I’m in a model X at 200k. Still at 80% of original SOC capacity
Impressive! Any major repairs that you had to cover out of pocket?
The accord also has a hybrid model but only the full gas model was mentioned
Toyota was selected due to it's hybrids proving more popular over the last 15 years in sales. Meaning statistically, there are more stories to tell...
I am a professional sales rep and I have a multi-state territory in the West. I am really considering getting a used Tesla Model Y. That will definitely put it through a test
A Tesla Model Y is a great choice. Easy to charge and you'll save money on maintenance. Plus, on those long road trips, you can activate FSD to help reduce fatigue.
Thank you for watching!