$50k Tesla Model S costs less to own than a $35k gas guzzler

[MitchJi]

Hi,

At $3.00 per gallon the break even point is about 10 years (one image and a brief excerpt below):
http://gas2.org/2009/03/27/is-the-tesla-model-s-really-for-the-rest-of-us-gallery/#more-2071

You can see for yourself that at $2/gallon gas it would take 15 years before the Model S made up for its initial cost. However, at $3/gallon it’s 8-9 years, at $4/gallon it’s 6-7 years, and at $5/gallon the costs are nearly identical for the first 5 years. It’s worth noting that in all cases, after you make up for the initial cost of the Model S, the savings really start to pile on

My $0.02:
Gas will probably go up to more than $3 per gallon over the next 10 years.
Good luck on getting a replacement battery pack for $4k.
I'd never purchase a car made by a company run by the founder of Paypal (don't need pals like that).

[etard]

I think the "break even point" is when you school gas spewing muscle cars off the line.

And while I agree that paypal is a greedy giant, at least he is doing something productive with the profits.

[MitchJi]

Hi,

And while I agree that paypal is a greedy giant, at least he is doing something productive with the profits.

My objection is more pragmatic. Given Paypal's track record for taking care of its customers I wouldn't purchase an expensive automobile that is going to require ongoing parts and maintenance.

[swbluto]

Good point. But I wonder if PayPal's seeming apathy and historic neglect of "customer care" was more symptomatic of its industry rather than characteristic of its founder, but reading about his behavior in the development of Tesla Inc. does suggest the founder's behavior might be at least partially responsible.

[dogman]

Too funny somebody who can afford either one giving a damn about the break even point. People in that income bracket don't keep a car ten years anyway. A historic early model tesla would be a collector keeper though. So the owner would surely want to keep mileage under 5000.

[MitchJi]

Hi,

Too funny somebody who can afford either one giving a damn about the break even point. People in that income bracket don't keep a car ten years anyway.

I think its a very relevant point for at least a couple of reasons.

The base MSRP on the most expensive Toyota Avalon model (Limited) is $35k so a car priced at 35k isn't only for the rich. For example someone 5-10 years from retirement could spend a little more upfront on a Tesla and then have car that costs less to drive when their income decreases.

Its an example of what we can expect in terms of ownership costs in the future as other less expensive Electric cars become available.

For example the Mitsubishi i MiEV, Subaru R1E, and Aptera are all slated to cost substantially less than the Tesla:
http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/special/ev/
http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/03/subaru-r1e-to-b.html
http://www.aptera.com/faqs.php

[deronmoped]

Heck, I still waiting for my e-bike to pay for itself.

Giant LaFree, $50.00
Ping Battery, $350.00
Total cost, $400.00

Savings rate at $2.00 a gallon = 10 cents a mile.

I need to go 4,000 miles to break even.

Deron.

[dogman]

I know what you mean. For me, since I got my ping early, and cheaper, I get to the free riding in 3000 miles. Just 300 to go! But the way I've gone through some motors, I'll never break even on the bike itself! Calculating the cost of owning a tesla is like thinking how I'll spend my powerball lottery winnings to me. A fun fantasy.

[ekline309]

No dis on tesla, but f#@! paypal. I just sold a bunch of shit hoping to get money and I get a 21 day hold??? Won't use them again.

[swbluto]

No dis on tesla, but f#@! paypal. I just sold a bunch of shit hoping to get money and I get a 21 day hold??? Won't use them again.

They get REALLY suspicious if your selling volume suddenly increases, since it's known that account hi-jackers show this pattern of behavior among other opportunistic thieves. Unfortunately, this incriminates the innocent that also suddenly decide to sell things, so that's too bad. I think I had a similar "restriction" on eBay and they said something along the lines of "it'll be lifted on the first positive feedback".

Apparently PayPal gets hit hard by scammers and they hit everyone back as their reaction.

[BrandonB]

Top Gear's testing of the Tesla were less than impressive. They had two cars and after the first run one had brake problems and the motor had overheated. Given they were pushing it, but it's supposed to be a sports car.

[Lucky_Hoodlum]

Iread that this was staged on TopGear. Even if it wasn't i think electric car for the majority of people is along way to go than alot think. I love my 350 V8 and will drive it for as long as possible i dont care how much it costs or how much it pollutes battery power car not for me motorcycle and bicycle yes

[swbluto]

Iread that this was staged on TopGear. Even if it wasn't i think electric car for the majority of people is along way to go than alot think. I love my 350 V8 and will drive it for as long as possible i dont care how much it costs or how much it pollutes battery power car not for me motorcycle and bicycle yes

I take it your relative luck spawns from your continued survival than intellect, eh?

[Lucky_Hoodlum]

Are you saying i am stupid because i prefer my car which i restored from ground up over 5 years? Just because i favor gas car to electric doesn't make me stupid but
thankyou for making me feel welcome on this forum. Starting to see this forum is not as nice as i first thought very one sided views on many things and insults to people for no reasons.

[swbluto]

No, it's obvious you have your wits about you: how else would I expect you to have survived the hood so long, homie? And, your welcome. Or, I meant, you're welcome. And congratulations on your ...uhhh... accomplishment.

(In all honesty, you seem to possess several traits I associate with "stereotypical crowds" I'm not very fond of but I'm sure we can get along. I've already ad-blocked your avatar, so that's a step in the positive direction. The trait that I would associate with statements such "I don't care how much it pollutes" just shows how considerate you are of others. If, in the case, it were infinitely polluting and it caused everyone's death, you still wouldn't care. Of course not. So, it seems either you didn't think of that implication or you're not considerate of others, either of which associated trait I'm not exactly appreciative of.)

[vanilla ice]

I'm not so sure about Mr. Punctuation's reasoning, but I got to agree with him on the two wheels only thing. If you're in a financial position to pay for the early adopters tax on an electric only four wheeler, more power to you. Oh, and I'm with him on the sig too!

[swbluto]

Yeah, no, I agree that electric four wheelers in their current state are too expensive for the masses. Don't get me wrong on that. But.... let's imagine... things *might* change. The future has a way of doing that to us.

[vanilla ice]

And keep in mind its entirely possible to do less harm the environment with a 350 chevy than with newer econo cars. I can think of plenty of cases this would be true... drive the same old chevy for your whole life, while another guy gets a brand spankin' new econobox every few years. Have to factor in mfg harm. Also, assume 350 guy moves close to job, ecnobox guys drives 10x the yearly mileage.. etc etc.

Not that I'm plugging v8's. If anything I'm on the other side, even though I do enjoy a good ICE. Just sayin'.

[swbluto]

Comparability might be a good thing.

[Lucky_Hoodlum]

No, it's obvious you have your wits about you: how else would I expect you to have survived the hood so long, homie? And, your welcome. Or, I meant, you're welcome. And congratulations on your ...uhhh... accomplishment.

(In all honesty, you seem to possess several traits I associate with "stereotypical crowds" I'm not very fond of but I'm sure we can get along. I've already ad-blocked your avatar, so that's a step in the positive direction. The trait that I would associate with statements such "I don't care how much it pollutes" just shows how considerate you are of others. If, in the case, it were infinitely polluting and it caused everyone's death, you still wouldn't care. Of course not. So, it seems either you didn't think of that implication or you're not considerate of others, either of which associated trait I'm not exactly appreciative of.)

If you have nothing nice to say why do you speak? I don't take kindly to your attitude either, you can't accept people that
don't think like you so you have to be abusive and sarcastic, this is not the best way to treat people i think.

vanilla ice , Also i know i have not got the best English i didn't get opportunity some did when i was younger i had to leave school when 14 to work to help family
i am trying to improve this i only got a computer 12 months ago the spell check makes it better for me but i still much to learn i know. I will
just find other places to learn from now i don't deserve you being rude.

[vanilla ice]

You go on the internets, come on an electric vehicles forum talking all about how your 350 small block kicks electric car ass, you've gotta expect this kind of reaction.. nobody is hatin on you, have a thicker skin and try take things with some humor if thats how you're going to come at us. If you hang around here you will see most of us don't give a rat's ass about education level or English proficiency. And like I posted, I for one agree with what you've have to say so far..

[Lucky_Hoodlum]

I never said anything like this "350 small block kicks electric car ass" never. Show me where i even said anything that resembles "Kicks electrics ass" ?

Iread that this was staged on TopGear. Even if it wasn't i think electric car for the majority of people is along way to go than alot think. I love my 350 V8 and will drive it for as long as possible i dont care how much it costs or how much it pollutes battery power car not for me motorcycle and bicycle yes

I said nothing to put down electric car i said i prefer my V8 gas powered. Its not gasoline its LPG to. Much cheap to run than petrol.

[vanilla ice]

Yeah well I like the way I said it better than the way you said it. Thats the way you *should* have said it.

[vanilla ice]

Comparability might be a good thing.

Yeah, you're right of course..

All I meant by my crude example is one would be wiser not to judge people before you have the whole story. This dude is taking time to read up on an EV forum, now he says he has an LPG converted ICE car. Maybe cut him some slack until he proves without a doubt he deserves none. From the little I know of him so far.. he's doing better than 99.7% of the people I know. Just because he loves him some v8 doesn't automatically make him a d-bag.

Sorry to get off topic. I would agree that the payoff for a Tesla takes way too long.- That is if the battery replacement costs even allow any payoff at all. Some members in this thread have agreed their relatively cheap ebikes can't even pay for themselves... which sucks imo. But what are you going to do.