I went through all this, too.... only I did it way back in early 2014. I'd learned about Tesla about a year earlier, and was interested in driving one. My wife and I took our grandsons (one of whom knew about Tesla and thought that they were "way cool!") to Tesla in Chicago to test drive a Model S. The grandson who knew about Tesla's was 16, and he had recently gotten his driver's license. So, he was REALLY excited to see one up close, and potentially drive one. Well, we got to the Tesla Store in the mall and were able to test drive a Model S 85. We were blown away by the acceleration (even though it was a -performance model), not to mention the big screen and all the tech. And, of course, the roomy interior with the hatchback, and the big "frunk" (pre-2015 models were RWD, so the frunk's were much bigger!). Long story short, we found out that Tesla had some inventory cars (sales demo's) with a few hundred miles on each, and they were for sale, immediately! And, they were discounted $1,000 or more since they had some miles on them. In other words, we could drive a Tesla home if we wanted to. WHAT?!!! That got us really excited! There was also a $7,500 tax credit available back then. They had a Model S P85 in inventory, with carbon fiber interior, parking sensors all around (a newly added feature), a moonroof, and, of course, free, unlimited Supercharging forever. HOLY SH*T!!! We took that one for a spin and loved it! So.....we ended up buying it. Lol!!! It was a Saturday, and Tesla had recently expanded their early Supercharger network up into Milwaukee. So, my grandson drove us up there to try supercharging. Wonderful. It was full before we could finish eating. We spent the night in Milwaukee and drove it back south to Chicago and then east to Indiana and my home the next day. To this day, that was one of the most memorable days in all of our lives. I kept that Model S for years and never had any major problems with it. If I did have an issue, a Tesla Ranger (service) would drive over 100 miles to my house to make the repair in my driveway, no charge under warranty. It was incredible. I let my grandson use it for the senior prom and his graduation, and he was thrilled (he was a responsible kid; plus he knew I could see where and how fast he was driving on the Tesla app!). Anyway, that weekend buying a 2014 Tesla Model S in Chicago is legendary in our family. And, of course, I remain the coolest Grandpa on the planet! Lol!!!
@ I’m 68 and have been intrigued by EV’s and been researching them for the last six months. I agree with your philosophy and I’ll be making a purchase and all likelihood will a new Y in Spring 2025.
I 💯 agree - Picked up our tesla model Y week prior & AP4 computer died few days ago 😬…. No recall despite all cameras dead… ? Fingers crossed 🤞 - have faith…
@ Love the car and did the same mental journey. We are affected by the computer failures occurring on some new model Ys - hope they can fix sooner… Currently have Feb 3rd service date. All cameras dead - fsd dead - no backup cam - still able to drive the car. But - I still have faith - when I speak to owners and general forums it seems this is not the kind of issues tesla has often and so I believe it will get worked out. Mostly - Bit bummed cause I was waiting for the version 13 😃 - Hope they extend our 3 month trial.
Shoot! Mine glitched once I think. I just restarted it, I think. Cured it. It’s still tech. There will be some hiccups here and there. I really hope they fix it soon and you should ask for an extension. They often give you an extra month as it is. My first month was free. But they gave me a bonus on their own. I now pay the monthly fee. It’s worth it.
@ Definitely high tech - I have tried restart. It appears to be just Ys from last few months with F on 11th digit of vin which is freemont factory thus far. Service Activity Code on this one is below. “Internal short in AP4 Car Computer (Remove and Replace)” So waiting for tesla service center to get new AP4 computer to replace it. AP4 is the actual AI/FSF HW computer in the car.
Wow ! You know the factory. Sounds like it will be rectified. I hope they provide some sort of “here’s this” for the inconveniences. You sound like you are level headed about it and that says a lot. Sorry for the troubles. We all experience them. That’s for sure. 👊
I have a year and a half until my current lease ends. I drive King Ranch F150 and things are getting really expensive with these trucks and I barely ever use it as a truck. I have started looking at my options compared to those must have options. After test driving a model 3 recently I've decided that is the smart move for me. If I need a truck I will borrow or rent one. If you love technology and the Tesla fits your needs then it is a no brainer.
I wonder if your comments would be mine had I bought a truck which I wanted so bad. I still love the idea. Now, the Model Y has a lot of room back there. And I can put a hitch on it for a small trailer to do most of what I would have done with a pickup. Maybe not a pile of mulch. I don’t know?
I completely agree with your logic about the truck. I think about buying a used truck as a secondary vehicle but when I calculate the insurance and maintenance it doesn't make sense. Financially, I would be much better off renting a truck from Menards for $25/hr for those two times a year that I need a truck. I have not had a truck for the past 15 years I really don't need it.
Thank you for the video and sharing. Everything was meant to be. Did you ever thought that in a way this lady that totalled your car, somehow made you a favour, because thanks to her, you got your Tesla. And that’s a great upgrade. There is no replacement for Tesla. Even if just for your safety. But it has much more benefits than that.
Thank you for sharing. And, yes. Several good things likely came for the accident. She hit me and not a person. My car could’ve quit on its own and no insurance to cover it. Just two examples. 😎👆🎯
EV battery production and disposal vs gas consumption. I don't have the stats to support one or the other, I just hope if we go to mostly EV vehicles that it ends up helping Earth not hurting it.
In so many ways a Tesla makes a great car for somebody approaching middle-aged in retirement. That was the decision I had to make recently, do I continue with pickup trucks or do I embrace change and get into something completely different? Supporting Elon was a secondary benefit, and I'm also pleasantly surprised at how well this thing does in Michigan Winters
How great! And it takes effort to change what we are comfortable doing. Not easy for some and also depending on what the change is. Have you kept the same tires at purchase or did you equip them with winter tires? Thanks for commenting!
A much better car for someone approaching middle-aged retirement? Toyota Camry Hybrid. 650 miles of range, and just 6 minutes to fill the gas tank. Gas stations are everywhere. No range anxiety, ever. Pure peace of mind for an older gentleman.
What a video! I got my Model 3 3 weeks ago and this car is making me a better person. Thanks for sharing!
Ha! Thank you and welcome to the Tesla family. I appreciate the feedback. Again, thank you.
Do you use or have FSD?
I went through all this, too.... only I did it way back in early 2014. I'd learned about Tesla about a year earlier, and was interested in driving one. My wife and I took our grandsons (one of whom knew about Tesla and thought that they were "way cool!") to Tesla in Chicago to test drive a Model S. The grandson who knew about Tesla's was 16, and he had recently gotten his driver's license. So, he was REALLY excited to see one up close, and potentially drive one. Well, we got to the Tesla Store in the mall and were able to test drive a Model S 85. We were blown away by the acceleration (even though it was a -performance model), not to mention the big screen and all the tech. And, of course, the roomy interior with the hatchback, and the big "frunk" (pre-2015 models were RWD, so the frunk's were much bigger!). Long story short, we found out that Tesla had some inventory cars (sales demo's) with a few hundred miles on each, and they were for sale, immediately! And, they were discounted $1,000 or more since they had some miles on them. In other words, we could drive a Tesla home if we wanted to. WHAT?!!! That got us really excited! There was also a $7,500 tax credit available back then. They had a Model S P85 in inventory, with carbon fiber interior, parking sensors all around (a newly added feature), a moonroof, and, of course, free, unlimited Supercharging forever. HOLY SH*T!!! We took that one for a spin and loved it! So.....we ended up buying it. Lol!!! It was a Saturday, and Tesla had recently expanded their early Supercharger network up into Milwaukee. So, my grandson drove us up there to try supercharging. Wonderful. It was full before we could finish eating. We spent the night in Milwaukee and drove it back south to Chicago and then east to Indiana and my home the next day. To this day, that was one of the most memorable days in all of our lives. I kept that Model S for years and never had any major problems with it. If I did have an issue, a Tesla Ranger (service) would drive over 100 miles to my house to make the repair in my driveway, no charge under warranty. It was incredible. I let my grandson use it for the senior prom and his graduation, and he was thrilled (he was a responsible kid; plus he knew I could see where and how fast he was driving on the Tesla app!). Anyway, that weekend buying a 2014 Tesla Model S in Chicago is legendary in our family. And, of course, I remain the coolest Grandpa on the planet! Lol!!!
That's good stuff right there, I like your mobile studio. 😎
Thanks! It’s a work in progress. 😎
Fantastic video and philosophy.
Very kind. Anything in particular that struck you? I appreciate the feedback. I’m in learning mode! 👊
Well said. 👏👏👏👏
Hey! Much appreciation to you. Thank you. You have an EV or a Tesla?
@ I’m 68 and have been intrigued by EV’s and been researching them for the last six months. I agree with your philosophy and I’ll be making a purchase and all likelihood will a new Y in Spring 2025.
I 💯 agree -
Picked up our tesla model Y week prior & AP4 computer died few days ago 😬…. No recall despite all cameras dead… ?
Fingers crossed 🤞 - have faith…
Thank you and…. What????
@ Love the car and did the same mental journey.
We are affected by the computer failures occurring on some new model Ys - hope they can fix sooner… Currently have Feb 3rd service date. All cameras dead - fsd dead - no backup cam - still able to drive the car.
But - I still have faith - when I speak to owners and general forums it seems this is not the kind of issues tesla has often and so I believe it will get worked out.
Mostly - Bit bummed cause I was waiting for the version 13 😃 - Hope they extend our 3 month trial.
Shoot! Mine glitched once I think. I just restarted it, I think. Cured it. It’s still tech. There will be some hiccups here and there. I really hope they fix it soon and you should ask for an extension. They often give you an extra month as it is. My first month was free. But they gave me a bonus on their own. I now pay the monthly fee. It’s worth it.
@ Definitely high tech - I have tried restart. It appears to be just Ys from last few months with F on 11th digit of vin which is freemont factory thus far.
Service Activity Code on this one is below.
“Internal short in AP4 Car Computer (Remove and Replace)”
So waiting for tesla service center to get new AP4 computer to replace it.
AP4 is the actual AI/FSF HW computer in the car.
Wow ! You know the factory. Sounds like it will be rectified. I hope they provide some sort of “here’s this” for the inconveniences. You sound like you are level headed about it and that says a lot. Sorry for the troubles. We all experience them. That’s for sure. 👊
I have a year and a half until my current lease ends. I drive King Ranch F150 and things are getting really expensive with these trucks and I barely ever use it as a truck. I have started looking at my options compared to those must have options. After test driving a model 3 recently I've decided that is the smart move for me. If I need a truck I will borrow or rent one. If you love technology and the Tesla fits your needs then it is a no brainer.
I wonder if your comments would be mine had I bought a truck which I wanted so bad. I still love the idea. Now, the Model Y has a lot of room back there. And I can put a hitch on it for a small trailer to do most of what I would have done with a pickup. Maybe not a pile of mulch. I don’t know?
I completely agree with your logic about the truck. I think about buying a used truck as a secondary vehicle but when I calculate the insurance and maintenance it doesn't make sense. Financially, I would be much better off renting a truck from Menards for $25/hr for those two times a year that I need a truck. I have not had a truck for the past 15 years I really don't need it.
Thank you for the video and sharing. Everything was meant to be. Did you ever thought that in a way this lady that totalled your car, somehow made you a favour, because thanks to her, you got your Tesla. And that’s a great upgrade. There is no replacement for Tesla. Even if just for your safety. But it has much more benefits than that.
Thank you for sharing. And, yes. Several good things likely came for the accident. She hit me and not a person. My car could’ve quit on its own and no insurance to cover it. Just two examples. 😎👆🎯
EV battery production and disposal vs gas consumption. I don't have the stats to support one or the other, I just hope if we go to mostly EV vehicles that it ends up helping Earth not hurting it.
I never 2nd guessed. I did my homework.
Awesome. What model? Anything you have done to modify it or add to it? Thanks for commenting. Love the declaration! 👊
In so many ways a Tesla makes a great car for somebody approaching middle-aged in retirement. That was the decision I had to make recently, do I continue with pickup trucks or do I embrace change and get into something completely different? Supporting Elon was a secondary benefit, and I'm also pleasantly surprised at how well this thing does in Michigan Winters
How great! And it takes effort to change what we are comfortable doing. Not easy for some and also depending on what the change is.
Have you kept the same tires at purchase or did you equip them with winter tires?
Thanks for commenting!
A much better car for someone approaching middle-aged retirement? Toyota Camry Hybrid.
650 miles of range, and just 6 minutes to fill the gas tank. Gas stations are everywhere. No range anxiety, ever. Pure peace of mind for an older gentleman.
Hey, if it isn’t broke? Don’t fix it. Glad you have what works for you. I think it’s fantastic. 👊 Thanks for sharing.
Buying a Tesla is a no brainer
You're old enough to know better, never, ever believe a Salesman