Here, we will be using the Tesla Model S as a case study to determine how a Tesla holds up once you use it for about five years. With an overview of the experience of many users, you’ll be getting to read an in-depth opinion about how the Model S stands the test of time after five years and if it is really worth it.
The Battery Pack
Well, we are sure that the biggest questions on your mind right now are about how the battery pack performs over about half a decade. Basically, mileage is one of the factors that is considered to determine its health age is another factor that can determine its performance in the long run. So, for your Model S that was purchased in 2013 and still comes with it factory fitted original battery pack, you’ll be surprised to hear that there is not so much mileage on it. What this implies is that you can begin to take a look into how time impacts the battery vs. persons who record highway mileage in thousands every year. The Tesla Model S P85 ranges about 426 km. But fast forward 5 years, and It drops to about 403 km when you get it fully charged. This shows just a depreciation of 6% after five years and in the professional opinion of experts, this is quite impressive and shows that Tesla’s batteries really have advanced charging management, as well as, cooling tech.
The Car
The vehicle itself will totally exceed your expectations. Say you got the car in pristine condition with some touch ups done by Tesla via its recertification process. Virtually everyone who is not really familiar with Tesla vehicles would think that you got the car as a totally new model. However, it would surprise anyone to see that a car which is nearly five years old still has a refreshed look.
Mostly, you get to hear from people who have used Tesla cars for a very long time that the Tesla models which were produced initially have a very clumsy feel when you compare them to the generation of builds that have been developed in recent times by Tesla with the improvements in the production procedures of the car maker. But, there is really no significant difference if you have gone for a ride in recent Tesla vehicles, as well as, the Model S. The Model S P85 still happens to feel a bit like the new generation cars.
After five years, you still find out that the vehicle feels very solid while taking a drive and its ability to still achieve an acceleration of 0 – 60 mph within less than 5 seconds will keep you grinning all through your drive. Basically, no matter how many kilometers you drive for, the ride is essentially smooth, and even if you get to notice the noise of the wind, it is still very minimal and all other parts of the vehicle function as normal as is intended. There might be some minor issues here and there with one or two parts malfunctioning, but as soon as you contact the Tesla service team, a service technician can pay you a visit and get it fixed.
The Interior
This is one of the major complaints comes from, especially, when taken into consideration the Model S’ recent versions. This mostly about the seats of the car. The level of wear on them is very minimal which is something good, but due to the fact that Tesla only began to improve on its seats as the years went by, the feel of the seats may not be what you really expect. For more modern vehicles produced by Tesla, the difference is clear when compared to the older generations.
Our expert opinion, we do not really think that this kind of issue should be expected from a $100k vehicle in the past or today. This is not to say that the car seat will get you a bad experience while driving the car. Not in any way. However, what we mean is that when you get to sit in the newer Model S versions and get back into the older version, you really feel like getting them replaced.
The positives
When you come to the Tesla Model S, there are a lot of positives to take home. This has to do with the interior. A very huge reason that people are in love with the brand is that its interior has some level of durability after 5 years. When it comes to aging, it does it so well. At first, during its unveiling, the complaint was that it had an interior which felt a bit cheap when compared to the regular experience in luxury cars.
However, today, a lot of people would admit that the approach of Tesla which used a minimalistic approach that was built around large screens happens to be a very cool move. This is the reason why the model 3’s are having an even simpler interior.
And fast forward 5 years, and this vehicle has the ability to continue getting software updates that are geared towards improving the experience of the driver. With all of these in mind, the argument is that the Model S is totally worth it as it holds up very well through time.
The level of depreciation on a Tesla vehicle is really not that much, especially, if handled with care. So, if you happen to have an interest in buying a Tesla but you have a budget that doesn’t give you room for purchasing a brand new Tesla model car, then, an option is to take a look at the certified used cars of Tesla. You are guaranteed that these vehicles will hold up even after many years of use.
From the battery to the interior to the vehicle itself, rest assured that you will be getting a Tesla that is built to stand the test of time.
