Thứ Năm, 2 tháng 2, 2017

So How Much Does It Cost? (my most hated question) part 1

  • Feb 10, 2014
    AudubonB
    I know some don't feel uncomfortable with using a dollar figure upon being asked that, but I also know that at least some others feel as awkward as I do when this comes up.

    I've taken to saying "About the same as a Mercedes S-class, Audi A-class, or a comparable BMW". But I know that's not only a goofy answer but quite misleading, and wouldn't work with someone who knows more about Mercs, Audis or Bimmers than I do, which is just about everyone (to say the least, which S-Class, A- or 5/7 series?).

    So a little help here, please:

    I'd like to continue that answer, but with which of those marques is, say, my P85 most comparable in price? And most comparable in class?

    Thanks!
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    palmer_md
    Could just give the Range that Tesla uses of $65k to $124k depending on options.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    HHHH
    That's what I do, I typically say $70k-140k depending on options...then if they continue with a comment of that being a lofty price for a car, or some notion that cars shouldn't be that expensive, etc. I can continue on that the $30k car that they're driving, they pay $4k a year for gas, plus $2k a year for maintenance = $6k x 5 years is another $30k, so there's $60k right there, in a nice way of course. To which they usually reply, "oh that makes sense" It's all about how far you are willing to go to prove the point, if they still aren't convinced you can always end the convo by saying, "maybe it's not for you" and walk away politely of course.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    MassX1317
    I'm already getting slack for this and I don't even own the car.

    I just say "It's not a cheap car but you have to factor in gas saving, tax credits, maintenance, etc.� ... I�m also going with a middle of the road option, so I add �some people thing they are all over $100k but options can literally double the price of the car� ...basically I have been dancing around the question and I don�t think anyone is going to grill me to get more information.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    AudubonB
    Right. I know there are other ways to provide answers, but I'm asking specifically how to avoid dollar reponses. In other words, my preferred sub-answer avoids that by saying in effect "Well, if you know how much a Mercedes WWWWWWW, Audi XXXXXXXX, BMW YYYYYY, or Lexus ZZZZZ costs, well then, there you go".
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    ckessel
    My line is similar to MassX1317. I say "Well, if you go all out it's pretty crazy expensive. Though, if you tally up the tax credits and 15-20k gas savings over 100,000+ miles then while it's still expensive, it's not quite in the crazy range anymore. Especially if you're already in the luxury car market."

    I can note that I never really was in the luxury car market and I've got a story to tell behind my purchase, but that's specific to me.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    brianman
    For many Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc. represented an childhood aspiration to wealth that wasn't seen as achievable for most. The attraction wasn't practical, it was the thrill and enjoyment of such a vehicle.

    For many the Prius represents one of the first steps that could be made toward extreme practicality / responsibility on the environmental part of the spectrum. It also captures the "I just can't go fully electric yet because ..." buyer.

    Comparing to both expresses that the compromises of the past are obsolete, and you can have it all. Not everyone will agree, but it's a good way to frame the discussion, IMO.

    For some, the follow-up though bubbles will include "that's a wide range, so where..." but many won't ask the follow-up question. For those that do, they have a bracket to think within immediately rather than assume we're talking about supercar pricing territory.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    Mayhemm
    Price/performance-wise, the car compares reasonably to the high-spec variants of the models you listed. So, I guess that would be Merc E63/S63 AMG, Audi S7/S8, BMW M5/M6, etc.

    Note that the base price of these models may seem a bit lower, but becomes much closer to the Model S when you actually option them up in a similar way (due to the restricting package/configuration limitations of these brands, spec'ing them identically to Model S is nearly impossible). Sometimes you end up with a more loaded car for the price, sometimes a less loaded one. Pricing was also much more in Tesla's favor before the price increases of last year (back then it was almost a bargain for what you got).
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    ElSupreme
    Meh. I got over myself and say they start around $70k. That is about the most fair answer I could come up with. I could care less what strangers think of me. If I say more than that my next comment is the $7.5k Federal, and $5k state rebates. Which helps a bunch.

    My coworkers, and others I see more than once in my life. I work on them a little more. I say that MY (85kWh, with lots of options) is about the same cost as a $40-50k car over 5 years. And actually considering how much I am driving it will probably be more like a $35-40k car after 5 years. Surprisingly most of them get it after talking 2-3 times.

    Considering I am planning on keeping this car until my kids can drive (and I don't have kids yet). It will be the same cost as buying a Toyota Camry, if it actually makes it that long.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    Crispix
    I just say, "eighty". And in response I always get a polite head nod like that's exactly what was expected.

    (But I lie. It was more. I hate that question, too.)
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    palmer_md
    If you have to give them a model to compare to these are probably pretty good.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    Chipper
    I always just say it is base priced in the $60's but you can go online and price it with the options YOU want.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    Alysashley79
    We took our battery Badging off just because of this question. I don't mind when a true tesla enthusiast comes up and asks this question. The people that are die hard tesla people and know everything about teslas and come up and want to take a look in person etc. Then I don't mind telling them what the car is what the features are and how much it cost. It's the people that are I would consider acquaintances that drives me nuts and I find it quite rude IMO. In come the reason for the stealth badging. So now when one if them ask I say "well it's the most amazing car I have ever owned or driven and it's the only car I've driven that I'm sad when I reach my destination. If you want more information on the car check out teslamotors.com" then I change the subject or start to tell them something else about the car. They usually get the point.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    pbleic
    It is base priced at $71,000 but you get a $7,500 federal tax credit.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    AMPd
    Base price of the s63 AMG is just under 140K.

    I think BMW M5 is the closest competitor in terms of price/performance
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    Chipper
    According to the website base price is $62,400 for a Model S. I am not sure where you are coming up with the $71K number.

    Edit: I see what you are saying, but I still stick with "in the $60's" for a base price.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    Al Sherman
    I just tell the truth. Which I think is that it's about the same as a BMW 7 series. If they want to know what mine actually costs I tell them. My feeling is that people who ask price just actually WANT to know how much it costs. The folks that are judgmental already have their preconceived notions. Rich tree hugger, Yuppie show off, etc... take your pick. If they're prejudging they already have their opinion (even though they don't know ANYTHING about me) so I just tell them the exact dollar amount I paid. Someone that really wants to know might ask further questions and then I can get into the range of options, Model X, and the ultimate goal of Gen 3. Don't sweat it, just tell them.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    ElSupreme
    $71,000 minus $7,500 credit is $63,500
    $63,500 minus $1,170 delevery is $62,330.

    That is where $71,000 comes from. It really is the fairest way to say the price.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    tomas
    This question doesn't bother me. Most people who ask are trying to judge whether it's in their league because they think it is flashy. I just say less than half a Lamborghini, but it's faster. If they press, I'll say starts at 70. Most people react with a shrug that says, "love it but outta my league".
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    DingDingDao
    I completely agree with this. I'm not going to lie or gloss over how much money I paid for my car just to make people feel better, especially if they're asking. What I do with my hard-earned money is entirely at my own discretion.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    40percent
    I'm pretty sure the 62K price is including the $7,500 tax credit so if you add those together you get to the 70K number. I say that the car starts at 70k, but has some rebate incentives of up to 10K in CA brining the cost down to the low 60's, please the gas savings. I also think it's helpful to prospective buyers to know that monthly payments can start at around $600, but $800 is probably more realistic with options and then from that number you can subtract the cost of your monthly gasoline bill to get to the actual effective cost for you.

    I'm not sure there is a simpler way to communicate this.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    GlennAlanBerry
    I suppose it is a little rude for friends and acquaintances (much less complete strangers) to ask you how much your car cost. If they really want to know, they should be able to figure it out by going to Tesla's web site. On the other hand, giving them a price range, depending on the battery size and options, seems pretty safe and easy.

    I think we have to admit that a Model S is not going to be affordable for everybody, which is why the Model E is going to be the "crossing the chasm" vehicle. Depending on your audience, trotting out the operating and maintenance cost savings, and the Federal and State tax credits may not help your argument. There are a lot of people who get angry when they hear about the tax credits. They think they are "subsidizing rich people with expensive toys".

    Just as the Roadster owners kept Tesla going to make the Model S possible, the Model S and Model X owners will fund the SC build out and make the Model E possible. I think it is silly to remove your battery badge because you are worried that people will know roughly how much you spent on your car. I could care less what strangers think, and your friends are going to judge you by how you act and behave in general, not by the badges on your car.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    PV4EV
    " $20k"

    Tell them you couldn't justify a top spec car, but have always believed in the companies mission, so you bought TSLA stock a year ago instead.

    After a 600% rise and rising, you sold some shares, paid the tax, bought the car, and don't ever need to buy gas again because you now charge it from your roof top solar.


    Or would this be unpopular as haters are gonna hate, no matter what ?!
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    tomas
    Wrong to assume that anyone who asks is a hater. Most are not. I've found people who ask about price generally don't know much about it, might vaguely understand it's electric, but mainly think it's about the coolest thing they've ever seen, and wonder if it's in their ballpark. When they realize not, they are not surprised. I used to get exactly the same question all the time with my Jaguar XF.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    ViperDoc
    Cost

    Whether it is our Model S or Roadster that brings the question, I usually say something like "well it was pretty pricey but the company's goal is to bring out more affordable models in 2017 and needed to put the expensive ones first to get the system running."

    DJ
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    kevincwelch
    I just tell them I spent $95,000 on it. I also say you can get one for much less...or much more.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    PV4EV

    I agree with you !! But I speak as a Brit who faces negativity daily from people who tend to be jealous of others success, believe high priest J. Clarkson speaks the truth, and generally think EVs will keel over after 10 miles and take 3 days to recharge !!

    Luckily 99% of the more curious people I've taken out for a ride get out the car wondering whether to put the wife on ebay to raise enough money to get one. I suspect I've caused half a dozen people to put down a deposit on an MS.

    And all this from a country where 'gas' is $10 a gallon and rising at 8% a yr !!
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    SwedishAdvocate
    I don�t know if I can really add something after PV4EV�s post (#23) above. But if you still want do make an Merc/Audi/Bimmer comparison; doesn�t the following:

    �mean that you don�t have to go into S-class/S63AMG/E63/S8/A8/S7/A7/7-series/M5/M6 territory.

    Doesn�t the argument ElSupreme makes mean you can just say E-class, A6, 5-series instead? And if you did pay a premium for your Tesla compared to those cars, can�t you justify that by going either:

    1. The environmental route: Say that it was worth it to you to pay a little more to:

    - reduce your carbon emissions &/or

    - do what you personally can do to help prevent another Mexican Gulf Oil leak, especially under what�s left of the arctic ice sheet (And that�s not that far away from where you live part of the year) &/or

    - [pick any reason from the Gasland-movies] &/or

    - fund the Tesla mission (funding the gen3 as others have already stated).


    2. The stick it to the Oil Corporations/Iran/OPEC route


    3. The National Security route: You don�t want to give any more money to Al-Qaeda & [insert other fundamentalist Islamist terror group here] a la this reasoning:

    Motor Trend | Interview - Former CIA chief James Woolsey says if you want to beat Bin Laden, buy a Prius (Note the date of that article though)


    ...or any combination of the above.


    - - - Updated - - -

    And here are nineteen more pages if someone's interested� :wink:

    OWNERS! - do you get awkward questions about price tag?
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    AudubonB
    All good items, SwedAdv - but you're venturing more into the What Justifies territory rather than How Many Bucks. Those items can be useful to share, but not necessarily all the time with all people, many of whom are strangers.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    FlasherZ
    I say the following... I live in an area dominated by the "big three"...

    When you take a reasonably-configured Model S, subtract the federal & state incentives and the fuel and maintenance savings, in Illinois I can make it cost less than a 2LTZ Impala (the comparable model, not the rental car options). Fuel savings alone can be incredible - at Illinois' average 2013 gas price ($3.73), the Chevry 22 MPG combined 3.6L engine costs 17 cents per mile. At local electric rates, the Model S costs between 1.65 and 2.5 cents per mile (5-8c/kWh average here). Over 150,000 miles that means a savings of ~$22k. The 60 kWh Model S with tech pkg, parking sensors, body-color roof, 19" wheels is $77,570 before incentives. After $7,500 and $4,000 federal and state rebates, it's $66,070. After $22,000 fuel savings, it's $44,070. After ~$5k maintenance savings (no oil changes, radiator flushes, transmission oil changes, all parts but tires included, etc.), it's $39,070. I configured a 2LTZ Impala with standard blue metallic paint, tan leather, comfort pkg, radio w/ nav, body color grille, floor mats, and roadside assistance for $39,100 if you subtract dest charge.

    Drive it to 200,000 miles, and the fuel savings subtract another $7,500. That doesn't include the ICE engine performance degradation/loss of mileage over the life span of the engine, nor does it include other benefits, like a $830 savings in registration costs over 10 years (IL charges $18/yr for pure EV registration, $101/yr for ICE registration).

    So in Illinois, I can make a Model S price-comparable to a similarly-equipped Impala. The fit and finish and quality of Model S is leaps and bounds above that Impala, as well.

    I suppose this is where I say "your mileage WILL vary", though, and I acknowledge that in states without an additional incentive, or where power prices are prohibitively expensive, you may not be able to see the same returns. You will certainly come close, though.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    tomas
    I say any response over 1 sentence results in glazed over eyes.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    Ride Long
    Just tell them how much you paid, without explanation or apology. Yeah, haters gonna hate, so live with it. It's the part of the price of admission. If you really want to screw with them, just say it's more than a Cadillac, and cheaper than a drug problem, gambling habit or a divorce.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    bareyb
    I usually tell them "they start at 70 grand and go up from there". Some folks already know they cost about a hundred grand. To them I say, "it's a 70 thousand dollar car with a 30 thousand dollar battery". ;)
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    MassX1317
    Not so simple if the person who writes your paychecks asks...
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    bareyb
    I actually did that the other day. He asked. I answered. 118 GRAND. Poor guy had such a look of disappointment on his face. I think he was hoping for a much lower number�.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    Phillymomof4
    Anyone who has commented on the cost knows it's expensive. I don't have to give numbers.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    StephenM
    As with all things car related, I always rely 100% on the Fast and the Furious franchise for answers. In this case it would be:
    "What's the retail on one of those?"
    your response should be
    "More than you can afford pal. Tesla..." At this point you would have to produce the engine revs sound with your mouth "VROOM! VROOM!" Because we can't actually rev our motors, and smoke him when the light turns green.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    SteveW25561
    The tough part of the question (aside from whether or not it's rude to ask) is that you can't necessarily tell if it's being asked out of curiosity, judgement or as a comparison to their own car/situation. They might simply be trying to decide where in the "pecking order" a Tesla is, since they haven't seen one before (for example, many Hyundais look pretty nice).

    If you skirt the question it could be interpreted as false modesty.

    I tend to do as others and say the car is similar to a BMW 7 series in cost and size, but it depends on options. Those who know cars get it, those who are curious at a low level have enough, and it's enough for many to say "yeah, out of my league." More often than not, I get a "yeah I thought so" type of answer.

    Eventually Teslas will be so common people won't stop you anymore. Think for a minute how happy or sad that makes you! :)
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    roblab
    "It's about 70 grand base model."

    Base Model: Just so we know,

    Imaginary Model S.jpg

    They nod. Just as they expected. Right?
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    austinEV
    I live in Texas and have given my 60 second speech to many good old boys and working class people. When they ask how much it is I say they start at 70k. In every single case they just nod and say " yeah but with gas savings that's not so bad."

    People can do math.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    paulkva
    I tailor my answer to the audience. If the asker is a stranger and starts out with cost, I'll deflect a bit and say "similar to a mid-range BMW" or "starts around 70k"... and sometimes I'll add "but I didn't buy it purely for economic reasons" ...with a big Tesla grin.

    If it's someone's 10th question and they seem even vaguely interested, and/or it's someone I know reasonably well, I'm willing to dive into a bit more detail.
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    SwedishAdvocate
  • Feb 10, 2014
    astrotoy
    For those of a certain age. "It was a bit of a splurge. But, you wouldn't want your kids having a good time with your money after you're gone."
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  • Feb 10, 2014
    Shumdit
    I normally say about the same as a 5 series, which is really not a lie since a M5 (which compares to a P85+ from a performance standpoint) is in the same range, much as a more mundane version with the common options most owners buy on Bimmers would come to around a comparable 60.

    The one exception I have made to that so far was to a kid that was working at the drive through at the local Chick Fil A. He asked how much it cost while he was handing me my change for some reason I just said, "You would have to ask her" (nodding to my wife). "She surprised me with it". It wasn't true and I am not quite sure why I said it...
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    KenEE
    Sure was a lot easier to answer when the 40 stripper started at 50. I'd just say starts around 50 and goes up from there - and most nodded at the good value. Now I just say they're pretty expensive, but I really enjoy mine!

    If they press me I point out that I can outrun an M5 and I only spend a few dollars a day on electricity. That usually perks them up.
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    artsci
    I've learned to answer the question directly. I state roughly what my car cost and what that included and then follow up with the range buyers pay.
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    cinergi
    "starts at 70"
    And if they look like they haven't glazed over yet but 70's out of their comfort zone, I'll explain the Tesla business plan (3 generations: admit this is new technology which always starts at high cost like when the PC first came out and then 1. low volume high cost, 2. mid volume mid cost, 3. high volume low cost) to them and that usually works well.

    - - - Updated - - -

    I find it best to gauge the interest of the person and have a measured response -- are they just asking (small talk), are they thinking they're in the market for a new car, or are they deeply interested?
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    DavidM
    I tell them the base price ($70K). And I also mention the $7.5K Federal Tax Credit (Model S base price is $62.5K after Credit). Just like any other car, the selected options will increase the overall price. But even after the Tax Credit, it still costs twice as much as the average middle class household spends for a new car. So I also usually mention the fuel savings ($2K - $2.5K per year), and finally, I conclude the discussion by mentioning the Supercharger network and the value it represents for road trips. I don't typically mention maintenance savings, because people know that all new cars have a 3 or 4 year warranty except for their perceived "inexpensive" routine maintenance.
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    nrcooled
    Very similar in price and performance to the BMW M5 (the P85 is a little cheaper depending on how you spec the M5 though)
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    Rifleman
    When I eventually bring a Model S home (its when, not if at this point) I am also dreading this question. In reality, I don't even like it when it is asked about my Volt, as with it's 45k sticker price, it was already more expensive that anything that anyone else in my social circle drives (at least up until one of my friends bought a Lotus Elise Sport).

    My plan for explaining the price of the Model S is to simply say "it starts a little over 60 after tax credits". Since my current plan is to buy a completely stripped inventory 60 if one becomes available, I might even be able to add "but I managed to snag a demo for a bit less than that" :)
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    digitaltim
    Ditto.

    My response is ~$70k to start, ~$10k in credits and I'll save ~$40k in fuel over 150k miles of useful life when compared to the SUV I was driving - makes it a ~$20k car!!!

    Now mine on the other hand is a Sig P85...

    ;-)
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    ItsNotAboutTheMoney
    How about: "To buy or to run?"
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    tomas
    With a Volt, it is clearly a premium over ICE version of same car, so you have to launch into EV details to rationalize.
    With MS, IMHO, it is priced equivalent to or better than competing ICE models from other marques, so you almost never need to get into EV cost savings.
    However, if you are interacting with people to whom 100k+/-20% is an outrageous auto expenditure, then there's always going to be a stigma, whether it's a Tesla or an MB AMG.
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    DingDingDao
    Yup. To some people a 100K car is ridiculous to them, regardless of what kind of car it is. It doesn't matter how you justify it to them, be it the technology, the TCO, etc etc.
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    Rifleman
    I completely agree. Up until Tesla, I was one of those people. If I was going to be buying an ICE vehicle, I would be shopping for a Sonata or Fusion, not a 5 series or Jag. Now that I am a convert, I fully plan to simply not let those people make me feel guilty about buying my dream car :)
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    brianman
    I'm one of those people. 100k car is ridiculous. I spent it anyway.
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    AMN
    I just say it starts at 60-something and is priced to compete with new BMWs, Audis and Benzes.
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    ElSupreme
    If I get asked how much my car cost, I answer similarly: "Entirely too much for a vehicle. But I am glad that I did. ..."
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    Ugliest1
    +1
    ... and loving it!!
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    staze
    This was me before the MS. My cars have always been in the $35-45k range. I once thought $60-70k was a crazy sum for me to spend on a car. I suppose the paddy wagon will be here for me soon. My wife and I both love every minute in our MS.
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    Cal1
    You guys are part of the reason I bought the stock (after owning the car for a couple of months)! I've hear this story from too many folks to ignore the obvious. Tesla is here to stay. And after seeing the i3 at a recent car show, I'm even more convinced Tesla will dominate for years. Nissan can't really focus on ev's, too many ice products that need support. BMW, GM aren't even trying.Their offerings seem like blind stabs in the dark.
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    Lawsteve
    I simply say "too much" and tell them that if they really want to see how much the car costs, go to the Tesla website and configure one themselves.
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  • Feb 11, 2014
    jerry33
    I say "They start at $70K and go up depending on how much junk you add--just like a BMW". If they look somewhat serious, I whip out the window sticker with the price.
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  • Feb 13, 2014
    ohmman
    I think it's a classless question, so I don't think it matters what you answer. I haven't received mine yet, but if someone asks, maybe I'll just respond by asking the color and cleanliness of their underwear.
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  • Feb 13, 2014
    Solarguy01
    So How Much Does It Cost? (my most hated question

    Funny thing about the price of the MS, it starts the price of a FORD F250 Diesel Crew Cab nicely appointed.
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  • Feb 14, 2014
    tomas
    Nice research.
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  • Feb 14, 2014
    Zextraterrestrial
    ya, 100k cars are stoopid ridiculous! this one is soo worth it.
    (my car limit is $30k, it was for an Ice anyway)

    you can add in the $ value of all the time saved just jumping in the car and driving without an engine to start/warm + no waiting at a gas stations.
    at green lights you can be at least a few seconds faster than everyone else...this is hours, maybe even days per year that will be saved

    or the $ value of silence and not breathing vapors from your own car

    or the silence

    - - - Updated - - -

    haha :tongue: and do they stitch their name on it?
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  • Feb 14, 2014
    Joe H.
    I am just a developer at the bottom of the totem pole at my company. I am sure there are several of my peers who make less than what my car costs so I've been asked the question by them as well as the VP of my department. I of course sugar-coat it for these people, throwing out base price figures and mentioning tax credits and gas savings. Strangers who have the cojones to ask, like the people who installed my HPWC, I just tell them around 90k. The fact of the matter is people will have their preconceived notations about you and your financial situation and I am already at a point in my life where I don't care. I'm sure the range of thinking goes from that person is well off to he probably cashed in his 401k and can barely pay any other bills. I am currently driving the same car I purchased new at 19 and decided I was in a position to vote for EVs with my wallet by purchasing a Tesla.
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  • Feb 14, 2014
    Ugliest1
    +1 Zex although I really can't justify it on a $/c basis;
    +10 Joe

    When asked I also try to talk about a few advantages of EV's in general to get people thinking in that direction at least (stopping *before* the eyes glaze). If they want to discuss then we can get into the vision of a "compelling affordable safe vehicle that happens to be electric" etc etc.
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  • Feb 15, 2014
    VolkerP
    I often answer, Model S is a steal for being the best car in the world. Some people get it.
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  • Feb 15, 2014
    bareyb
    I think in the future I'm just gonna go with the "About the same as 7 Series BMW or Audi A8". If they really want to know specifics they can go on the Website. I'll never forget the look on my friend's face when I told him 118 Grand. It was a combination of disappointment and disgust. There's just really no way to justify a $100k Car like the Model S to someone who has never owned or driven one.

    - - - Updated - - -

    It's amazing how little I care about the price now that I've owned mine for a while. It's worth every penny and I'll never go back to a Gasoline powered car again. ;)
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  • Feb 15, 2014
    Velo1
    I always say it costs 100%, but then you get Federal and Colorado tax credit. No one has ever followed up that reply with "what is 100%", as I think they feel embarrassed asking in the first place.
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  • Feb 15, 2014
    MarkR
    If you have to ask, you can't afford it.
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  • Feb 15, 2014
    shepali
    +1!!!

    I was really uncomfortable with the question at first, and my husband answered for me the first few times. He said 'you can look it up on the website....but its about 100k'. I'm not comfortable with that answer, for all the reasons others have stated. So, I started going with: They start at $60k and go up to $126k fully loaded. I pause, and wait for them to start breathing again. Then I say, mine's NOT fully loaded. And I leave it at that.

    For friends that are asking because they are possibly actually considering it, or those that I know CAN afford it but don't WANT to afford it, I have started going into the EV side of it. The gas savings, maintenance savings, license tag savings ($32/yr vs. $500+ in arizona), lower electricity rates (in AZ, which can also benefit your nighttime AC usage), the HOV lane time savings (which for me was actually the REAL reason I bought it...), the fact that my first 875 miles only cost me $12.....and I point out that really it ends up closer to a $50k-60k car, or even less if you drive more miles.
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  • Feb 16, 2014
    HankLloydRight
    For those of you who might disclose the near-real cost of your MS to close friends, would you include (a) state sales tax and/or (b) the $7500 federal (and possible state) tax credits? I think most people do include the tax credit, but do you also figure sales tax in the total cost?

    There are lots of ways to come up with a "total" number if you want to be honest with folks and answer their questions.

    In my case, I have a bunch of different numbers I could use. I'm taking delivery of an P85+ inventory car tomorrow(!). So my options are that I could tell people how much the car is configured as new today (the biggest number), or how much it was configured as new last July when it was built (somewhat less), or I could tell people what I actually paid (a lot less)...and then maybe adding the sales tax and deducting the tax credit,which are pretty much a zero-sum wash at this point.

    I mean, if people ask me what my car *would* cost them now, it's going to be a lot more than I actually paid. So is that a fair answer for them?
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  • Feb 16, 2014
    caddieo
    I have two stock answers. For those who (I think) are just price-curious (you can tell most of the time by the way they ask), I say it's about the same as if I got a replacement (emphasis on replacement) A8 or switched to a BMW 7 or Mercedes S. For those who appear to be interested in the car itself, I give them the base price and explain the option loading until max, adding that I do not have the top of the line. If the latter type of questioner still shows interest, I then go into an explanation of the order and delivery process, or the range and charging issues depending on the subsequent line of questioning.
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  • Feb 16, 2014
    AudubonB
    OP chiming back in. I am going to stick with the refined version of how I began this thread, most succinctly put by Bareyb:
    and then tune further discussion of its economy of use and so on to the perceived interest level of any particular questioner.

    on edit: as prior poster also wrote whilst I was typing the above!
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  • Feb 16, 2014
    albiefett
    I too have been negotiating the employee parking lot politics of "WHO GOT THE TESLA?"

    But overall questions and concerns have been supportive, especially because I've been giving rides to interested co-workers pretty regularly, and sharing that Tesla Grin...

    When it comes to cost, I am pretty honest, but also sugar-coat with Gas Savings, Tax Credits, and Clean Vehicle Rebates.

    There are still those that push and say, "Whoa, you splurged and got a RICH MAN's Electric Vehicle..."

    To which I simply reply, "Nope, I got a POOR MAN's Space Shuttle..."

    :)
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  • Feb 16, 2014
    CDT
    Funny how no one ever commented on the price of my F250 Diesel Lariat, but the comments about me buying a Tesla have started and I won't have the car until May. Thanks for making me feel better about making the leap.
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  • Feb 16, 2014
    MikeL
    I was reading comments after articles on Green Car Reports today. In the ones about Tesla/Model S, it struck me that fully half of them contained the words "can't afford one". Do they not know there are banks for this kind of thing? A fairly fat down payment, or even not so fat, and finance the rest. Even better, a Credit Union would love to help if you become a member (and are a "good risk").
    Problem for me is, I have to remember to say "Financing!" before I blurt out "100 thousand dollars!" :rolleyes:
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  • Feb 17, 2014
    bob_p
    A major difference between other cars and the Model S is that while there are some long-term savings in reduced "fuel", tax rebates and maintenance costs, when the car is purchased, it requires a larger up front investment - and the higher "at purchase" cost makes the Model S appear considerably more expensive relative to other cars.

    If someone asks how much it costs for a Model S, I typically will reference the cost of a 60 Model S and roll in the projected cost savings - saying that with long term savings from tax rebates, fuel & maintenance, the Model S should cost around $50K plus tires and that Tesla is planning a lower cost car in the next few years. And for those that appear seriously interested, I may explain the major options and how the costs go up when going for the longer range 85 and the higher performance options.
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  • Feb 17, 2014
    EarlyAdopter
    I just say: "It costs about the same as a BMW 5 series, and a whole lot less to operate. And in Washington we pay no sales tax on EVs."

    The former is true if you use the 5 Series GT (hatchback) as your comparison on the low end, and the M5 on the high end. That WA state sales tax advantage really levels the playing field here.

    Most people are surprised as they've either never heard of Tesla and just looking at the car think it's gotta be Maserratti expensive, or have heard of Tesla only vaguely and that it's "expensive." Once you place it with an existing car line that's not an exotic, they're usually surprised and pleased to hear it.

    I find that very few people care how much you, personally, have paid for your car. They're just looking for ballpark to guage whether they might be able to consider one.
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  • Feb 17, 2014
    HankLloydRight
    I think I'm just going to tell people "If I had to replace my 2002 BMW M5, it's about that much".
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  • Feb 17, 2014
    birdsaresmarter
    I usually try to deflect the specific question by saying how we have never before spent this much money on a car, nor would we, if not for the desire to support this unique company. Then I try to interest them in some of the specifics behind that statement and I talk about general business model of how they are trying to produce increasingly affordable all-E autos, telling them to keep their eye on TM and keep cheering for their success. On the specific point of $, I usually just say it's quite expensive", but there are some options, and encouraging anybody who seems really interested in purchase to visit the TM website for details.
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  • Feb 18, 2014
    bob_p
    I've owned both Lexus LS and GS. And before I purchased my MS a year ago, evaluated the lifetime cost of the Model S vs. Lexus GS/LS and other luxury vehicles.

    Taking into account projected tax, fuel and maintenance savings - an S60 is roughly the same cost as a Lexus GS and an S85 or P85 is roughly the same cost as an LS - and while those vehicles are more expensive than most of the vehicles on the road, I never had anyone comment about the cost of owning a Lexus...

    Perhaps another way to present this --- it's amazing how Tesla has been able to bring DOWN the cost of a long range EV so that it doesn't cost any more than luxury vehicles from Lexus, BMW or Mercedes...
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  • Feb 18, 2014
    tomas
    Imho this tread getting too academic and complex. Most people who ask are just thinking "that's a beautiful car, I wonder what it costs?" If you judge that to be case, just tell them. They will likely walk away thinking "more than I can afford but les than I expected!" Some will say, hey tell me more, and maybe buy one.

    If you think someone's trying to pimp you or accuse you of being bourgeois, then start the rationalizations but I warn you it likely will not change their narrow minds. Or tell them the underwear thing a poster suggested.
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  • Feb 18, 2014
    Robert.Boston
    _True_ Tesla diehards can mostly tell your car's cost from the VIN number (which encodes many of the pricey options) and the rear tire width. :)
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