Hidden Organizer For Tesla Model 3 or Model Y (2016-2022) Expired

I would always do what the owner's manual would require to keep my warranty valid, but that varies by manufacturer.

Spark plugs, transmission services, and coolant / brake fluid exchanges to name a few things. My PHEV had a second belt aside from the serpentine that required exchange at 45K and my AWD vehicles always required rear differential services at varying intervals.

It's just all that little stuff that adds up. I drive 2-3x the national average, annually.

The math is simple 40K miles / 35 mpg average = 1143 gallons of gas.

1143 x $5 per gallon (average, CA is more like $5-6+) = $5715 saved in gas expenses. Add another $1000 or so annually saved in maintenance, and now my car is paying me to drive it.

Also, the Teslas hold their value better than most cars, in part due to the price increases over the years. I bought our 2018 Model 3 for $40K'ish and after 66K miles, got $41K on trade-in value. The Only ICE cars that really hold their value are the Tacoma and 4Runner, but my depreciation isn't much compared to other manufacturers.

Mind you, my circumstance is different than most, I do 90% of my charging for free (county municipality buildings just down the street, and have free charging).

Once you get over the initial "shock" of what you pay, you essentially make a bigger car payment (if you finance) but eliminate your gas bill, and you come out about the same (if you're paying to charge, that is).

Now you get drive something that's enjoyable (I've got the FSD, which is another conversation), is American-made (and employs people here in the US), and I've got all the "creature comforts" that most people want on their vehicles. And it'll hold its value better than other vehicles on the road.

The biggest detriment to this is the infrastructure. I don't think I'd want to own a Tesla if I wasn't in CA, just due to the limited access to charging. But mark my words, give it 15 years and half the cars on the road will be either EV or hydrogen fuel-cell.

EDIT: I just booked my car out on KBB just to see what it was worth as a trade value currently; I could sell it today and make $3K, after putting 30K miles on it over the past 9 months or so.

EDIT 2: I forgot to mention the regenerative braking; you shouldn't have to change the brake pads / rotors in the first 100K. I've got a buddy with a PHEV and he's at 170K, never changed his brakes and I think he said at last inspection he's at 75% brake pad health. One less expense with service.

Hard to justify for some, but I don't regret it. We've bought 3 so far, two Model 3s and a Model Y. More than likely will buy a Cybertruck.

I pay zero for gas / energy, our "service" bills are non-existent other than cabin air filters and tire rotations, and I get to drive an American-made luxury car.

I have one, never remember to use it lol