Earlier in the week our Model 3 passed its 3-year mark. We have driven the Model 3 for almost 76,000 kms. The car has seen 3 winters and 2 summers.
Here is a quick summary of the issues and costs:
Issues:
1) Broken Sun visor clip
2) Intermittent SRS Error
3) Creaking noise coming from the front left ball joint/control arm.
All issues were fixed for 0$ under warranty.
Expenses:
1) Winter tires + Allor rims: Don't remember exactly but ~$3,000
2) Floor mats $200
3) Upgraded puddle lights and screen protector: $125
4) Winter tire/AS tire swaps and initial install plus additional TPS sensors: $700
5) Fuel Cost: The car used 11,602KwH to cover 75,623KM at an average of 153Wh/KM. Taking the off peak rate of 8.2c per kwh and adding 20% for taxes, wall losses (not all energy supplied from wall is converted to charge KWH), the total Fuel cost over 3 years is ~ $1142
Some statistics and observations:
1) Per km fuel cost is 1142/75623 or 1.5c a km
2) Overall per km running cost is 5167/75623 or 6.8c a km.
I mention these stats as a lot of people in the GTA do not put Winter tires on so for some these expenses are optional. Also my commute is ~140km roundtrip out of which ~130km is opposite rush hour on the 400 series highway where the observed speed of vehicles is 120Kmph plus. So my commute is really bad for EV's (unlike ICE's that get the best fuel economy on the highway). Others that have a more balanced or slower commute are probably averaging better Wh/KM than me.
Also, I have made 1 trip from GTA to Boston, 1 to Ottawa, and 1 to Windsor in 2022 alone. I used superchargers on the way. Although they take more time than ICE to refuel and are a pain, I can live with it.
I don't miss calling the dealer, making an appt for oil change, waiting and then driving the car home. Everyone's time has value lol.
I don't miss waiting for the car to warm up in Winter
I will not miss replacing the brakes when the car will hit around 120K (which is the norm for ICE cars)
I love the enhanced Auto Pilot (not FSD). Works amazingly well on the highways makes highway driving so much less tiring
I love the fact that i can set the car in dog mode and leave echo in the car when i am going to walmart etc and know he is not going to burn or freeze
When i move to Canada, CIVIC's were everywhere (2005-2010)
Then BMW's became the new CIVIC's (2015-2021), they were everywhere, there were more 3 series in our neck of the woods than the Civic's
Now White Telsa's have replaced the BMW's (probably 60% Model Y and 40% Model 3). It is shocking for me as the Model Y is expensive and at least out of my pay bracket.
Again based on observation of friends that have moved to EV's BMW and Toyota/Lexus are going to take the biggest hits in the next 5 years unless they come up with a compelling EV option. Even Toyota knows that the bZ4X is a half baked product
Some comparison of costs (since I like math so much lol) which are specific to our family situation
A car with similar specs (size, features and power) and maintenance cost (So far and not long term) would be the IS350. Although I was cross-shopping it with the RX350 which is a completely different story... LOL
The IS350 is more HP, is AWD but the 0 to 6 times are slower and the price excluding taxes was ~4,000 higher.
Not knowing exactly what the oil change cost is for the Lexus I am approximating it to ~ $875 for 7 oil changes and maybe $125 in additional service costs. The car is rated at 12.3/9.1. At 10.7l/100 kms the fuel consumption would be 8091 liters. If I take the rate of $1.8 for premium(again an approximation as prices have varied over the last 3 years) I am looking at a fuel cost of ~$14,564+1000 (maintenance)=15,564.
I can probably buy Winter tires and other accessories for the IS350 too. Over a period of 3 years my non-optional costs, the total cost difference for me is 15564-1142=$14422. Add in the initial cost difference we are looking at $18,422
Since a lot of us live in the EMI world the cost saving over the first 3-year period would be: $18,422/36= ~$511 a month
Also, the cost saving from year 3 to 6 would be: $14,422/36: ~$400 a month
This is essentially the same EMI as a fully loaded Corolla.
Assuming that I will sell the car after 6 years and my driving pattern will not change and there will not be any major reliability issues (the battery and motor will still be under warranty at that age and mileage), Over a 6-year period, the approximate saving is $32,844.
Overall I am very happy with the Model 3 and EVs in general.
I have the Cybertruck, Silverado EV and the Lyriq on a reservation and would for sure put down a deposit for the ID Buzz when it opens up in Canada. One of these will probably be our second vehicle. It is looking more and more like its not going to be a Tesla as they re-negged on the original price of the Cybertruck and i would not be able to afford it if it gets too expensive. There have been insane increase in prices of all their models in the last year. The Lyriq is making the most sense at the moment. I grew up around the retro version of the Id Buzz so that would be amazing to get if its within budget.
Driving an EV for 3 years has made me conclude that I am NEVER (although they say never say never LOL) buying a new ICE ever.
