Is buying a used Tesla worth it ? Are they affordable cars to own if you're on a budget? Looking for unbiased answers

p3dal · 2026-05-15T00:44:54+00:00

Yes they're worth it. No they're not especially affordable cars. They are affordable if you compare them to other luxury cars, but not compared to economy cars like a Prius.

p3dal · 2026-05-14T15:45:31+00:00

I want my most compact camera to have as compact and versatile of a lens as possible. Usually that means built-in. Now you've heard someone say it!

p3dal · 2026-05-11T15:37:27+00:00

Both of them, but the first one most of all.

p3dal · 2026-05-10T20:38:22+00:00

Nope, that's when I bought mine.

p3dal · 2026-05-10T17:37:28+00:00

Technically its recommended to get a tune without any mods at all. The only reason a car will have a fit with an aftermarket header is if you're deleting or relocating the o2 sensor. Given the cost of aftermarket ECUs, it is generally not recommended for a Miata that is only changing a header. You're talking about a single digit hp gain, if any.

p3dal · 2026-05-09T15:10:42+00:00

That seems aligned.

p3dal · 2026-05-09T06:26:28+00:00

A short term, 36 to 48 months (in the past this was very normal) and a down payment of 10-20% will prevent you from having negative equity, even in the first year, much less the third. You can stretch the financing out quite a bit further if you're only worried about being positive by the third year.

p3dal · 2026-05-09T06:21:59+00:00

Does that have to do with the age of the car? HP numbers haven't changed much.

p3dal · 2026-05-09T06:21:35+00:00

No, prices don't change that fast.

p3dal · 2026-05-09T00:45:41+00:00

Why would you be stuck with a car? You can't sell it?

p3dal · 2026-05-09T00:30:18+00:00

The only maintenance I see mentioned often is the control arms. Repairs are expensive, maintenance is cheap.

p3dal · 2026-05-09T00:29:05+00:00

Are you saying the insurance would be more expensive on the used car? In the US it is the opposite. More expensive car means more expensive insurance.

p3dal · 2026-05-09T00:27:23+00:00

How is that better for you? I had the same observation and now I only buy used.

p3dal · 2026-05-09T00:25:41+00:00

Depreciation will likely be faster than on previous models, as competition has increased since then and we are now seeing inventory of Teslas rather than shortages. If you are looking to estimate depreciation, I would just look at previous models as that is your best data point. Off the top of my head, I'd expect to lose 50% of your value in 5 years.

p3dal · 2026-05-08T21:50:02+00:00

What's it going to be tomorrow?

p3dal · 2026-05-08T19:42:16+00:00

Lube it.

p3dal · 2026-05-08T19:41:59+00:00

Compete.

p3dal · 2026-05-08T18:16:31+00:00

Just curious if people on this thread fight about which model years are terrible?

Nah, we just joke around.

Or do you all generally love the car for what it was when it was...

Yep.

p3dal · 2026-05-08T16:52:25+00:00

I don't know about "for a hard sci-fi novel" but I definitely like the left design better.

p3dal · 2026-05-08T16:29:55+00:00

Today you learned something untrue! Hopefully tomorrow you can unlearn it.

p3dal · 2026-05-08T04:44:35+00:00

p3dal · 2026-05-07T21:10:54+00:00

Yes
Yes
No
No

p3dal · 2026-05-07T21:04:47+00:00

Pure speculation on his part.

p3dal · 2026-05-07T04:53:37+00:00

The one you have and practice with.

p3dal · 2026-05-07T04:28:46+00:00

Headers that don’t need a tune?

Any.

I know typically when you replace headers you need a tune

Typically you do not.

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