Lessons Learned After 3 Years of Tesla Ownership, Would I Buy again in 2025?

Are you thinking about buying a Tesla? My Model Y is about to have it’s 3rd birthday, and I’ve had lots of time to reflect on whether this was a good purchase or not. Buying a Tesla in 2025 is in many ways the same as it was three years ago, it is mostly an online reservation process with final paperwork signing on delivery. However, the market has certainly evolved and there are several legitimate competitors to each of Tesla’s models. Tesla now also carries cars in inventory, ensuing quick deliveries versus a months long waitlist I had to endure in 2021/2022.

Regardless of your opinion about the Tesla brand or their unusual leader, the products speak for themselves as some of the most efficient, capable, and high-tech models in their segments. My own car was certainly not perfect from the factory, but the Service Team eventually had resolved my complains. Below are my thoughts on how I would buy a Tesla differently in 2025 compared to previous years.

Finance vs. Lease vs. Cash

Depreciation on EVs is rough. There is no way around it, and I don’t foresee this changing anytime soon. EVs are evolving and improving on an annual basis in terms of hardware and battery technology. So buyers with money want the latest and greatest model, pushing prices of used EVs down further. Just like with tech, would you prefer to get the latest iPhone? Or the one from three years ago?

For this reason, leasing EVs makes the most sense for most buyers right now. Especially if you can fold incentives into the cost of the lease. If you drive a normal amount of mileage per year, a lease is the way to go to avoid hefty depreciation, and also jump into the latest model every couple of years.

If you drive a lot, or you are in a position to expense your car expenses, financing may work for you. But I would only advice finance/cash buying an EV if you plan on keeping it for a while. Because the steep depreciation is likely to put you upside down on your loan in the first couple of years.

Perhaps the smartest way to buy is to get a used Tesla, to be on the winning side of depreciation. These cars have shown to hold up well with high mileage, but it can be a little scary if a major component fails out of warranty. Expect a used Tesla to have between 80-90% of it’s original battery capacity too, because degradation is accelerated in the first few year and stabilizes over time.

Selecting a Trim Level

I went with the Dual Motor All Wheel Drive Model Y in 2022. But if I was to buy this car again in 2025, I would take my decision in one of two directions. I’d buy either the:

• Cheapest Long-Range RWD car with a single motor to capitalize on the purchasing savings and getting the most efficient model. The cheapest model is also the one with the longest range and lowest runnings costs.
• Or I’d get the spiciest Performance variant with best driving dynamics. Like the recently introduced Model Y Juniper Performance trim.

The middle trim has the benefit of all wheel drive, but it’ neither the most efficient nor the most performant. For most buyers the base car is probably the one to get, especially if you’re just leasing it.

This advice applies to Models 3/Y/S/X. But for Cybertruck, the consensus among Tesla owners leans more toward the dual motor middle trim. Because the RWD Cybertruck is stipped of too many features and has less trucking capabilities, but the tri-motor variant is too expensive and has a sub-optimal front-wheel drive bias, because the permanent magnet motor is on the front axle.

Wheel Selection

I went with the upgraded 20″ Induction wheels at the time of purchase in 2022. I still love the look of these wheels, and I’ve kept them in relatively good condition. Most owners of these Induction wheels seem to collect a lot of curb rash. I also selected these matte-black 20″ wheels because I did not love the look of the base 19″ Gemini wheels of the Model Y at the time. They had silver wheel covers on top of alloys.

If I was ordering a Model Y now I’d get the base 19″ wheels. Because the base wheels are now black, and the upgraded 20″ wheels are in silver. I like black wheels because they make the rims look bigger against the black tires. But the main reason to get smaller and more aero-focused wheels on Tesla is the added efficiency and range. Wheel choice can make as much as 50km/30mi difference in real world range for EVs. This translates to noticeable cost savings on road trip where you have to have to expensive Supercharging. Smaller diameter tire sizes are also much cheaper replace and ride softer than bigger rim sizes.

Buy or Subscribe to FSD?

Despite Elon and Tesla promising that unsupervised Full Self Driving is just around the corner, I remain skeptical. I did not buy the FSD package in 2022, and I’d still skip it today. I’ve experienced FSD several times, and it is very impressive. But it’s not ready for unsupervised driving in my opinion. When/If we get to that point, I’d rather subscribe to FSD at $100/mo instead of a multi-thousand dollar purchase.

I must also note that my 2022 car has FSD computer with Hardware version 3. But newer cars are not shipping with HW4, and the company is expected to release HW5 some time in the next two years. The FSD software on my HW3 car has fallen behind the software version that HW4 cars are getting. It almost feels like Tesla has abandoned HW3 for now while they try to perfect the software on HW4. So I would be a bit upset now if I had purchased FSD in full.

Factory Tow Hitch?

One regret from my original order form is omitting a factory installed tow hitch. Because getting it installed on a Model 3/Y at the factory is half price compared to getting it installed at the Service Center after the fact. This advice applies to Model 3/Y only, because Model X and Cybertruck already have factory installed towing hitches.

While EVs make excellent tow vehicles with their high torque motors, long distance towing still kind of sucks with EVs because range is essentially cut in half while towing anything substantial.

I would have loved to have a tow hitch for additional cargo capacity such as a bike rack or hitch cargo carrier. Because putting bikes on a hitch carrier has a much smaller aero (and range) penalty than roof mounted carriers.

Plan Your Charging Strategy

Before you buy any EV, plan where and how you will do your daily charging. Superchargers or DC fast charging stations are great for road trips, but it’s not a practical solution for daily drive charging. Superchargers are 5-10x more expensive than home charging, and you have to plan your day around it. EVs charge very quickly 0% to 60%, but charging 0%to 100% will take an hour or more.

If you have access to a Level 2 (240v) or at the very least a Level 1 (regular 120v outlet) where you park your car, you are all set to take advantage of low EV running costs. But you need to rely on public infrastructure for your daily charging needs, you will face higher costs and longer wait times. In this case you are probably better served with a gas car or hybrid in the near future.

If you’re thinking about getting a Tesla, my referral code will give you 3 months of free FSD, and I’ll earn some credits towards my road trips. Thanks! https://www.tesla.com/referral/roman706938