Anyone else considering Model S over Model 3 bc/timing?

[TrevP]

Just wondering if anyone else is considering a Model S/X over the Model 3 because of timing?

Being in Canada the current placeholder shows "late 2018" for everyone and I was really counting on spring of 2018 since I timed my lease end with what I thought was a production ramp needing 6-9 months to get up to speed. I did this on purpose after seeing the troubles they had with Model X.

Now with the Canadian prices being adjusted for the stronger dollar the Model S is getting closer to being in my price range given my estimated savings by April 2018 and especially if the provincial government does indeed remove the 13% HST sales tax in the new year.
My cost calculations show I could get a Model S and finance the balance over 60 months at the same price I'm paying for my Lincoln and that's not including the extra I pay for gas!

If Model S gets another update around that time (facelift was in April 2016), say the interior, I might just be tempted to jump into a Model S.
After experiencing the Model 3 in person I'm convinced Model S needs an interior upgrade to be competitive with it's cheaper sibling!

I love all the Tesla cars but in some ways the extra cargo space of the Model S is appealing to me.

PS. I won't cancel my Model 3 reservation, my wife might want it instead of an e-Golf

Thoughts?

 

[SoFlaModel3]

Just wondering if anyone else is considering a Model S/X over the Model 3 because of timing?

Being in Canada the current placeholder shows "late 2018" for everyone and I was really counting on spring of 2018 since I timed my lease end with what I thought was a production ramp needing 6-9 months to get up to speed. I did this on purpose after seeing the troubles they had with Model X.

Now with the Canadian prices being adjusted for the stronger dollar the Model S is getting closer to being in my price range given my estimated savings by April 2018 and especially if the provincial government does indeed remove the 13% HST sales tax in the new year.
My cost calculations show I could get a Model S and finance the balance over 60 months at the same price I'm paying for my Lincoln and that's not including the extra I pay for gas!

If Model S gets another update around that time (facelift was in April 2016), say the interior, I might just be tempted to jump into a Model S.
After experiencing the Model 3 in person I'm convinced Model S needs an interior upgrade to be competitive with it's cheaper sibling!

I love all the Tesla cars but in some ways the extra cargo space of the Model S is appealing to me.

PS. I won't cancel my Model 3 reservation, my wife might want it instead of an e-Golf

Thoughts?

It's a pretty big price jump. You'd be giving up features or stretching the budget to make that leap.

Every way I look at it it's a solid $25-30k USD jump for me to make the jump and be happy with what I'm getting.

 

[TrevP]

I'm aware it's a bigger price jump but it's not stretching my budget at all given how much my downpayment would be. I'd only be financing about 1/3 of the cost!

 

[Konstantinos Kostis]

The Model S is simply too big for me. It doesn't fit into my garage and it's not really fun to park it in a city in Europe.
I personally will rather get certain options in a Model 3 than a bare naked Model S.
If you can afford it and have no issues with the size of the Model S go for it!

 

[SoFlaModel3]

I'm aware it's a bigger price jump but it's not stretching my budget at all given how much my downpayment would be. I'd only be financing about 1/3 of the cost!

Just don't go changing the site name to Model S Owners Club when you pull the trigger

The S is awesome. If it's in budget to get it the way you want it and you think your wife may also get the 3 well that's just the best of everything!

 

[skygraff]

Aww, Trev, that would be weird for us but great for you!

If I could fit an S in my garage or could justify the extra price based on my driving habits, I'd be all over a Model S. Despite compromises in timeline and features (could get RWD earlier than you but AWD would be pretty close so...), the saving grace is what you've reported about the interior and the latest pics of the trunk suggesting there's a slim chance the pass through will actually meet my needs.

I say, if you can swing it and the refresh happens in time, you should go for it.

 

[TrevP]

Aww, Trev, that would be weird for us but great for you!

If I could fit an S in my garage or could justify the extra price based on my driving habits, I'd be all over a Model S. Despite compromises in timeline and features (could get RWD earlier than you but AWD would be pretty close so...), the saving grace is what you've reported about the interior and the latest pics of the trunk suggesting there's a slim chance the pass through will actually meet my needs.

I say, if you can swing it and the refresh happens in time, you should go for it.

For me it's a combination of timing and budget. Model 3 seems far off to me now given Canada isn't a priority now as it seems Tesla is trying to focus on the US because of the tax credit situation. That timing leaves me without a car for business and I could use some of the tax write off. Canadian prices has steadily risen since 2013 because our dollar has devalued against the USD but a few days ago the prices dropped $6K on the car and hundreds on the options. Even if the tax removal doesn't happen I can still afford a Model S since it would be the same as the Lincoln + gas costs. Without the tax is even better! The other issue is that our extremely unpopular premier in Ontario is certainly going to be ousted in a June 2018 election that *could* jeopardize our generous $14,000 provincial rebate. Without it Model S is out of the question and I would have to wait for Model 3 for sure.

I really like both cars and I'd take either, despite the Model S being bigger than can fit in our garage, but I have to confess I like its imposing size. It just looks like a solid sleek car. If the Tesla semi event next month shows any hints as to it's interior looking like Model 3 then we know what direction Tesla will take with the Model S. They kind of work that way. Remember the new look of the Model X? I said if Model 3 looked a bit like that we'd know what a Model S refresh would look like and sure enough, that's what happened a couple of weeks after the Model 3 reveal.

 

[Jayc]

I would wait till the last few weeks of your current lease to decide. Can guarantee you will have better options with a used Tesla then than now, fresh from your test drive and your brain pushing you towards a quick toy gadget impulse buy

 

[TrevP]

I would wait till the last few weeks of your current lease to decide. Can guarantee you will have better options with a used Tesla then than now fresh from your test drive and your brain pushing you towards a quick toy gadget impulse buy

Oh, it's not an impulse buy by any stretch. Lease expires in April and if I really want something to replace it when I return I will have to decide by February given Tesla says 2 months lead time but I can push it right into April if need be. I'd just hate to miss out on what I feel could be a critical change in the Model S. I'm perfectly happy with a 75D, white interior and EAP. The recent additions of the air suspension and the performance increase is more than enough for me!

 

[frozenpenguin]

If I could afford it, I would jump to an S. No such luck for me though...

 

[HOV_OK]

I've been seriously looking at the Volt, Bolt or a used Model S since the reveal. Lined up in Vancouver so was expecting to be seeing the car a year earlier than now estimated. I'll be honest, I was also hoping to pay about $10K less (CDN) for the options that would make the 3 my dream car. I've been a bit of a fanboy since the early days but now that the shine has come off a bit I'm looking at what else might represent better value for money. If I do get something else in the meantime though I may still order the basic car when the time comes. The option prices leave a bit of a bitter taste, I could stretch to $70K for AWD, 400 km range and autopilot, but doesn't look like that'll cut it. Anything more just feels too extravagant. Could never justify the cost of a new Model S.

If there's no autopilot in the cards then a used Model S 85 might represent better value as the extra space would be really helpful. We do an 800km family road trip a couple of times a year.

 

[Sitter_k]

Oh, it's not an impulse buy by any stretch. Lease expires in April and if I really want something to replace it when I return I will have to decide by February given Tesla says 2 months lead time but I can push it right into April if need be. I'd just hate to miss out on what I feel could be a critical change in the Model S. I'm perfectly happy with a 75D, white interior and EAP. The recent additions of the air suspension and the performance increase is more than enough for me!

Being self employed in Ontario as well i had the same thoughts. i was considering leasing my model 3. Hopefully these lease options are still to come.

You still have the luxury to see what the HST situation will be and if there will be a new model s redesign or refresh, but do you think this will happen at the same time as the model 3 not being fully ramped? Also you could get an even bigger discount as the Canadian dollar picks up steam against the USD, but that could be the result of higher interest rates and borrowing costs. Also i have a feeling even if the PCs wanted to eleminate the ev tax credit they would wait till the end of the calendar year or maybe the Liberals aren't going......Anywhere! *shudder*

I'll probably end up sticking with the model 3 as i am a bit more concerned about the size and don't want to have the "old" model s, but damn does a NEW model s seem tempting...

 

[dudeman]

Just wondering if anyone else is considering a Model S/X over the Model 3 because of timing?

Being in Canada the current placeholder shows "late 2018" for everyone and I was really counting on spring of 2018 since I timed my lease end with what I thought was a production ramp needing 6-9 months to get up to speed. I did this on purpose after seeing the troubles they had with Model X.

Now with the Canadian prices being adjusted for the stronger dollar the Model S is getting closer to being in my price range given my estimated savings by April 2018 and especially if the provincial government does indeed remove the 13% HST sales tax in the new year.
My cost calculations show I could get a Model S and finance the balance over 60 months at the same price I'm paying for my Lincoln and that's not including the extra I pay for gas!

If Model S gets another update around that time (facelift was in April 2016), say the interior, I might just be tempted to jump into a Model S.
After experiencing the Model 3 in person I'm convinced Model S needs an interior upgrade to be competitive with it's cheaper sibling!

I love all the Tesla cars but in some ways the extra cargo space of the Model S is appealing to me.

PS. I won't cancel my Model 3 reservation, my wife might want it instead of an e-Golf

Thoughts?

Your logic is sound. I would consider getting S as well if they refresh interior to make it more functional and ergonomic like 3.

I think they would end up selling a lot of S and X during the tax credit phase out period in US if they refresh S interior prior to that.

 

[n2scuba]

Like Konstantinos, I find the S is too big for my needs (not to mention too expensive). It's gorgeous, but I can't imagine finding street parking for it in San Francisco.

 

[JWardell]

Please remember that Tesla is only giving the very worst case for any future estimates. There is a very good chance the 3 will arrive in the great white north much earlier.
Of course converting 3 reservations into an S sale is exactly what Tesla is trying to make people do!

 

[Gerard]

Just wondering if anyone else is considering a Model S/X over the Model 3 because of timing?

Being in Canada the current placeholder shows "late 2018" for everyone and I was really counting on spring of 2018 since I timed my lease end with what I thought was a production ramp needing 6-9 months to get up to speed. I did this on purpose after seeing the troubles they had with Model X.

Now with the Canadian prices being adjusted for the stronger dollar the Model S is getting closer to being in my price range given my estimated savings by April 2018 and especially if the provincial government does indeed remove the 13% HST sales tax in the new year.
My cost calculations show I could get a Model S and finance the balance over 60 months at the same price I'm paying for my Lincoln and that's not including the extra I pay for gas!

If Model S gets another update around that time (facelift was in April 2016), say the interior, I might just be tempted to jump into a Model S.
After experiencing the Model 3 in person I'm convinced Model S needs an interior upgrade to be competitive with it's cheaper sibling!

I love all the Tesla cars but in some ways the extra cargo space of the Model S is appealing to me.

PS. I won't cancel my Model 3 reservation, my wife might want it instead of an e-Golf

Thoughts?

I prefer the smaller M3 over the MS...perhaps its a Vancouver thing..lots of city driving, smaller is better...of course I used to drive a Miata until my spouse discovered it! On the Canadian delivery delay..has there been any credible explanation out of Tesla. The Vancouver Tesla folk are 'typical' sales talk..sounds like they have not been told anything...not what I expected from Tesla.

 

[Kennethbokor]

The Model S is tempting, however I've really not spent any time in one or driven one for longer than 5 minute test drive. So I really can't comment on it as if it were to be my everyday. I would need to make sure I don't give up range that I could get by waiting for the M3 LR version and keeping pricing down. A new Model S up here in Canada starts at $94K before some options so I would still have a hard time paying $100K versus $60K for a Model 3. The $14K incentive makes a lot more of an impact for a Model 3 cost then a Model S price tag, so as tempting as a Model S may be, I personally will wait. I know its a tough decision to wait.

 

[SoFlaModel3]

Please remember that Tesla is only giving the very worst case for any future estimates. There is a very good chance the 3 will arrive in the great white north much earlier.
Of course converting 3 reservations into an S sale is exactly what Tesla is trying to make people do!

I agree, but at the same time I can't help but think Tesla is focused on the sales at home for 2 reasons...

1) US Federal Tax Credit
2) Simplest logistics

 

[jtdiddy]

Fortunately, my budget does allow me to get a S but for me, I'm replacing my prius with the M3 so the size of the 3 works great for me. Also, I hate car payments so I'd be paying in full for the 3. After tax credits, it looks like my 3 will cost around $37k or 38k (USD) so that's pretty reasonable to me.

Lastly, I've been waiting so long for this car so it would be almost a letdown to get an S now when delivery (for me anyway) is slated for Jan-Mar 2018

 

[BobLoblaw]

Trev I just went through this roller coaster. I was inches away from pulling the trigger on a CPO S today, but I just couldn't get over the idea of spending that much money on a car, let alone a used car.

I've decided that I'm going to wait for the 3. I'll probably opt for the smaller battery to keep costs down, and get the premium package. That should put me way under what I was preparing to spend on a used S.

Also - the used cars I was looking at (around 75cdn) had no autopilot hardware at all, which means none of the active safety stuff. I think that's worth the wait.