Test-Drive Tesla Like a Grown-Up

The Famous Electric Car Company Encouraging a Unique Approach

The most renowned electric car company in the world is urging everyone to promote the spread of their products. They have introduced a system of free charging stations, ensuring their cars do not harm the environment. Additionally, their service maintenance is relatively affordable, and the factory warranty is extensive and flawless. While people read about these benefits in promotional materials, they sometimes remain skeptical. However, one car enthusiast took a different approach to verify these claims.

The Car Enthusiast's Philosophy

After purchasing a used Tesla Model S P85 for $79,000 with 35,000 miles on it, Steve Sassman, the proud owner of this prestigious electric car, decided to break away from the stereotype of luxury car owners. He noticed that many people buy such cars for status and prestige, leaving them parked most of the time for special occasions. Steve chose a different path. By putting his car to work, he calculated the costs of aggressive usage, including working as a high-class Tesla taxi driver. His objective was to see how he could earn from a $100,000 car and determine the expenses for its maintenance and repairs.

Two Years of Roads and Adventures

For Steve Sassman, this car proved to be quite an investment. Anticipating the upkeep costs, he decided to make money with it. Over two years, his Tesla faced various challenges and adventures, including:

• Providing affordable rides through Uber;
• Renting out the car;
• Using it as mobile accommodation;
• A five-month road trip across all American states and Canada;
• Covering over 100,000 miles with over 500 taxi orders;

On average, a regular car enthusiast drives around 13,000 miles per year. Steve drove over 65,000 miles in a single year!

Financial Considerations

Every car requires regular financial investments, including technical maintenance, depreciation expenses, repairs, and replacement of essential components. Often, the total cost of maintaining a car over several years approaches the price of a new vehicle.

This becomes particularly evident with active usage or under harsh operating conditions. Steve pushed his car to the limit, treating it as if he had leased it rather than bought it. This approach helped him identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Tesla. The main expenses were for routine maintenance, new tire sets, and a replacement battery.

An unexpected repair involved fixing a door and replacing wheel fasteners, likely due to the rigorous use of the taxi. With such active driving, the issue of fuel purchase was eliminated, which is logical for an electric car. Charging expenses totaled around $1,000 over two years due to Tesla's extensive network of free charging stations nationwide. In the end, all repair and maintenance costs over two years amounted to $3,800, less than five percent of the new car's cost. Impressive, right?

The End of the Gasoline Era with the "T" Logo

Over two years of diverse gigs, Steve managed to earn around $13,000. That's an average of $500 per month while maintaining a regular lifestyle like most of us, with adjustments for Western norms.

Notwithstanding, quality warranty, service, and a vast network of electric charging stations are springing up where needed. Tesla Motors has revolutionized the car industry, setting records for reliability, ease of use, and convenience. This achievement was realized through genuine field testing.

For the first time, a high-class car began paying for itself and proved to be much more beneficial than any other car in its class. As electric cars gain popularity, traditional gasoline vehicles will become increasingly scarce, to our surprise.