If you’re like many, the thought of buying a Tesla is exciting. Tesla has dominated the electric automotive landscape and is renowned as an industry leader in quality electric vehicles. If you are ready to purchase a Tesla, you might feel a bit overwhelmed about the purchase process. Read on to learn about how to buy a Tesla and what to expect as part of the car-buying process.
How to Buy a New Tesla
When purchasing a new Tesla, you’ll have two options. You can either order your new Tesla online, or you can place your order through one of their over 160 in-person service centers.
Shopping online is the easiest way to buy a Tesla as it allows you to get a thorough understanding of available models so that you can determine which is best for you. Shop online at the official Tesla website and build your perfect Tesla with the power options, color, and feature offerings that you want.
The Tesla website does a great job simplifying the car buying process, and you’ll encounter a simple pick-and-choose model that really takes out the guesswork of buying a new car. For any other questions, Tesla’s customer service is responsible and can help you further navigate the process.
Your next option is to shop from a showroom — or service center, as Tesla prefers to call them. Tesla’s service centers follow a different model than your traditional brick-and-mortar dealership.
Unlike your traditional car dealership, Tesla cuts out the middleman and sells directly to its customers. Because of their different business structure, Tesla is only allowed to sell directly to customers from showrooms located in New Hampshire, California, Virginia, and Colorado. In all other states, you’ll have to purchase your new Tesla online as state laws are unclear or prohibit direct sales to customers.
If you do purchase from a service center, you should expect to find a limited inventory available, as Tesla service centers can only hold a finite number of models. If the vehicle you want is not available, you’ll be assisted in ordering the one you want, and you can pick it up from the service center when it’s ready or have it delivered to your home.
How to Buy a Tesla Used
Shopping for a new electric vehicle can be costly, so for some drivers, shopping used can be a great way to go electric without having a hefty price tag.
If you are going to be shopping used, you’ll need to know what to keep an eye out for. Shopping used is a great way to save money, but if you don’t know how to spot red flags, you might be doing more harm than good.
Keep the following tips in mind when you shop for a used Tesla from a private seller or dealer:
- Pay attention to the battery life. If a battery is too old or has been used for too long, then you may encounter some issues when it comes to performance. A battery replacement can also be incredibly costly.
- Know the value of a used vehicle. Just because a vehicle is electric does not mean it’s always a great buy. Electric vehicles lose their value, too, and you should be aware of the potential loss.
- Be aware of federal, state, and local rebates and whether they could apply to the Tesla model you are eyeing.
Trading in Your Old Vehicle
As with any traditional car dealership, drivers will also have the ability to trade in their old ride and put its value towards their new Tesla. Using Tesla’s online trade-in value tool, you will be able to get an estimate of what your used car is worth.
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