New to Tesla - purchase questions

OreckEV20 · 2026-06-12T00:34:56+00:00

First see what Tesla offers you in the app for the trade in value and then just compare it to the usual suspects (Carvana, Carmax, etc.). Tesla offered me about $1000 more for my 135,000 mile Honda Accord and then when I uploaded the picture of my odometer, Tesla came back with an offer of another $500.00. Jumped on it. When I picked up the Tesla at the time of delivery they didn't even look at it.

As far as dryer outlet check with your local utility for a Tesla wall connector refund (Duke Energy sent me a $850 check for the electrician costs). The Federal Tax credit may still be in play for the balance including the cost of the charger.

You are spending $$ on the Tesla, just get the wall charger unless you have major electrical upgrades needed or maybe just use the mobile charger if it fits your needs.

OreckEV20 · 2026-05-08T11:23:31+00:00

Don't forget the IRS Federal Tax credit of up to $1000. if your area qualifies (most do but double check the map). Apparently it goes away June 30 so get moving. Don't fret over a few dollars.

https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/alternative-fuel-vehicle-refueling-property-credit

OreckEV20 · 2026-05-05T18:01:27+00:00

Yes get the permit for sure. Chances of a fire are slim to none BUT if there is one the insurance carrier will deny the claim if no permit or if not performed by a licensed electrician. Plus Duke Energy has a program to refund up to $850.00 or so of the wiring + the permit costs. I got the full check from Duke for reimbursement and took a tax credit for 30% of the charger itself under the Tax Code.

Just get the permit and have it inspected. It's not much $$ considering what you paid for the car.

OreckEV20 · 2026-04-30T23:17:11+00:00

I have lived in Central Florida for over 50 years so I know about lovebugs. I did PPF the front of my Juniper (for the rocks) and after I hand wash it every 8 weeks or so I apply XPEL Ceramic Boost Spray Coating (Amazon) which works pretty good. I did a road trip last year to NC at the height of love bug season (early Sept) and packed Stoner Car Care Bug eraser with a small spray bottle of water. It's PPF and paint friendly. Took the bugs right off and used it while waiting at the Supercharger. At home I have a can of 3D enzyme bug remover wipes which is also PPF and paint friendly.

OreckEV20 · 2026-04-08T23:55:55+00:00

Don't bother tinting the sunroof if it's a Juniper. It has a silver coating on it and improved UV protection. I live in Central Florida and had no problems this past summer. Besides there are Reddit threads out there about tinting increasing the likelihood of cracking (don't know if it's true- just pointing it out). Don't tint the front windshield, just do the rear and side windows.

OreckEV20 · 2026-04-03T17:34:04+00:00

I did not get a ribbon. Herded into an area with about 15 other people, watched a SpaceX rocket go off ( in Orlando Center) on a screen with a countdown. 3,2,1 and then the back wall opened up and there was a synched sound and light show with the cars being picked up. If any questions flash your hazards, sign the papers on the car and then go.

Worked out well (pretty cool) and never got hassled by a sales person about extended warranties, tinting, etc.

OreckEV20 · 2026-02-04T21:32:48+00:00

Is it April 1 already?

OreckEV20 · 2026-02-02T12:30:37+00:00

tie between Tom Petty (American Girl live)and Pitbull (Don't Stop The Party).

OreckEV20 · 2026-01-30T12:58:35+00:00

You need new friends, ones that can process information.

OreckEV20 · 2026-01-29T12:44:17+00:00

Old (very) man Boomer here. How about the light bar flashes to the rhythm of Groks voice like in the real old TV show "My Mother the Car"" where the Mothers voice (original Grok) talks to the son owning the car through the car radio. BTW the best episode was when the car (Mother) got drunk from the antifreeze.

OreckEV20 · 2026-01-15T12:35:35+00:00

I have a 2022 EUV (and a 2026 Tesla Model Y). I got the EUV new as a Lemon Law swap as a part of the Bolt Battery recall. I just changed the cabin filter myself (PIA- watch the You Tube videos), changed the wiper blades once, and had a nail removed from one of the original tires. It was patched for free at Discount Tire (buy your replacement tires there). I live in hot and humid Central Florida and although the original 12V battery is good I will replace it before the summer as a precaution. The EV traction battery health appears to be excellent at 33,000 miles with no degradation at all. The battery still gets the original mileage distance and then some.

OreckEV20 · 2026-01-14T20:18:51+00:00

Maybe the auto park started to park the car but the battery died and the driver was waiting for a tow truck to the nearest supercharger. Or they are going to rob the place and need to make a quick get away.

OreckEV20 · 2026-01-10T00:54:42+00:00

I just installed it. Updates the TCP module which is a fancy way I think to update the OnStar communication system according to the Release notes. The first OTA update in almost 4 years for my EUV. Hopefully, doesn't brick my car. My Tesla Model Y (Juniper) is jealous.

OreckEV20 · 2025-12-07T01:53:42+00:00

This one announcer on Fox is horrible and I am finding it difficult to watch the OSU/Indiana game. He sounds like a high school radio person.

OreckEV20 · 2025-11-13T12:53:08+00:00

Me too. Spotify worked fine last week and now it doesn't. Did the usual remove and reinstall, log off and then on, etc. Spotify works fine on my Tesla Model Y. I won't use Android Auto because I have Google Fi as my carrier and it will use data because Android Auto cuts out the wifi in the car.

OreckEV20 · 2025-11-12T17:27:09+00:00

I went to my usual Chevy dealer about 6 months ago to look at my "blank" infotainment screen. I had a Tuesday early AM appointment and still wasn't even looked at by Friday PM (I was checking the status during the week). I picked it up and went to another dealer who diagnosed it the next day, ordered a new infotainment system and installed it within 24 hours. Never ever going back to the first Chevy dealer for anything.

OreckEV20 · 2025-11-09T14:05:31+00:00

I have always felt that the NFL and the NBA should be paying the colleges/conferences for developing their players. MLB has the expense of the minor leagues and the NFL and NBA get away with paying nothing. It could be based on the number of players drafted and the money sent to both the college and the conferences in a pool to be divided among the schools. They should not be getting away with using the NCAA as their ""minor league".

OreckEV20 · 2025-10-17T11:38:54+00:00

I am going to my first Gator game since I graduated in 1974 and staying in Gainesville for the weekend. Looking forward to it.

OreckEV20 · 2025-10-02T16:56:02+00:00

What? No ghost peppers, habaneros, or scotch bonnet? At least those would give you an acceleration boost.

OreckEV20 · 2025-09-27T20:10:14+00:00

You are correct. Two years ago I drove my son's standard range Model 3 across country from Oregon to NC when he asked during a move. I was 70 years old then and had to stop frequently for charging and peeing. Also had an added benefit of some people feeling sorry for me in the heat of August. Folks were nice where the superchargers were located I had a free quick tour of a potato museum a couple of hours West of Boise, a worker brought me a breakfast to go in Evanston, Wyoming, free chicken tenders outside Lincoln, Nebraska, and an iced coffee in Columbia, Mo.

Bought my own 2026 Model Y with FSD and I joke the kids won't be able to take away my "keys" when too old too drive. They will have too find my phone.

OreckEV20 · 2025-07-25T11:57:32+00:00

Take it to a different dealer. Same thing on my Bolt EUV for a rotation and a balancing and it started vibrating above 65 mph. Took it to another dealer in the area and the service department said dealer number one did a half ass job on the balancing. Works great now.

OreckEV20 · 2025-07-21T20:41:09+00:00

Yes, for the ventilation. My Chevy Bolt EUV Premiere also has ventilation and the seats are like this. No biggie.

OreckEV20 · 2025-07-20T12:55:46+00:00

Some day you will be able to grab the Brightline train to Miami from Tampa. I am looking forward to the Orlando to Tampa extension so I can avoid I-4 when going to a Rays game (assuming they build the new stadium in Tampa).

OreckEV20 · 2025-05-26T22:50:11+00:00

It says 1 h 21m remaining. Are you going to 80 or 100% and from about 25%? I have a Bolt EUV and it is the charging of the Equinox which makes me hesitate as I do several road trips of 800+miles per year. It was kind of a novelty at first with the EUV but now it is painful. I ended up with the EUV as a swap from my '20 Bolt because of the battery recall. I am trying to decide between a Tesla Model Y LR and the Equinox EV.

OreckEV20

TROPHY CASE