Should You Buy a Tesla Model 3? Oh, Wait, You Can’t

Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3. Credit: Tesla

It’s the hottest car you can’t buy.

The hottest car on the market right now might be one that isn’t even technically ON the market. In fact, production hasn’t even started, and the cars aren’t expected until late 2017.

Meet the newest Tesla, Model 3.

The lack of availability hasn’t stopped hundreds of thousands from leaving $1,000 deposits for the electric car. More than 325,000 people have signed up for this car, the lowest priced Tesla ever.

The mass market sedan will have a range of 215 all-electric, zero-emissions miles on a single charge – more than double the range of the Nissan Leaf. And a Supercharger station can power up the Model 3 in 20 minutes, so a road trip in this EV is possible (as long as there are Supercharger stations along the route).

Tesla Model 3 will cost $35,000 – and then federal tax incentives and state credits will further reduce the price. The cost is already significantly lower than other Teslas; the Model S sedan starts at $71,200 and Model X crossover starts at $81,200.

The Tesla Model X Suv
The Tesla Model X SUV

The seven seater Model X, an SUV with those sexy but impractical gull-wing doors (hello, Amazon? I won’t be going to the mall any more because I can’t open my doors in the parking garage), has slowly been rolling out, but was just recalled because of a problem with the third row seats, which can fold during a crash. Tesla is advising that no one ride in the third row until the defect is corrected.

The all-electric magic bullet: Instant speed

One of the ‘discoveries’ about electric cars that has made them the darlings of speed demons is that they get up to speed faster than even some of the fastest gas engines. The newest Tesla goes from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds–pretty nice for a 5-seater sedan. But, if that isn’t enough, perhaps Tesla will offer the “ludicrous” option: A $10,000 option on the Model S that lets the driver go from 0-60 MPH in 2.8 seconds. Because, you know, shaving 2.8 seconds off your morning’s car pool time is what it’s all about.

Tesla Model 3
Concept Tesla Model 3. Credit: Tesla
Judy Antell
Judy Antell

Judy Antell, who is TravelingMom.com's Free in 50 States editor, lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn, with her husband and three daughters. Between road trips to visit colleges, travel sports and seeing East Coast sights, she spends a lot of time on the road for a city girl.

Articles: 278