Used Tesla

There are many reasons people choose a pre-owned vehicle, such as the desire to save money, wanting to skip out on initial depreciation, and to help out the environment. One of the best ways to combine all three of these is with a used Tesla vehicle. Tesla first started off as Tesla Motors, Inc. in 2003 and was founded by a team of engineers as a car company that was also about technology. One of the biggest initial investors was Elon Musk, who became the chairman of the board of directors and was the largest shareholder at the time. In 2006, Tesla Motors, Inc. revealed its first vehicle, the Tesla Roadster; production of the Roadster began in 2008––the same year Musk took over as CEO––and more than 100 models were delivered by the start of 2009.

Tesla Motors went public in 2010; production of the Roadster ended in 2012, and its second vehicle, the Model S, began production that same year. While the Roadster was designed as a sports car, the Model S is a luxury sedan––still a high-end vehicle but made to be more approachable for a wider range of drivers. In 2014, Tesla first announced its Autopilot technology and began delivering vehicles with sensors and hardware to help support it. Throughout the years that followed, Tesla Motors delivered its third vehicle in 2015, a luxury SUV called the Model X, and began developing and selling energy storage systems for both residential and commercial use.

In 2017, it changed its name to Tesla, Inc. as it had expanded well beyond being a car company. That same year the Model 3 sedan was introduced as a more affordable alternative to the Model S. Tesla, Inc. delivered its latest vehicle, the Model Y, in 2020––a compact luxury crossover SUV built on the same platform as the Model 3. There is no denying that Tesla vehicles are innovative and incredibly fun to drive. With a used Tesla, you can save some money, enjoy one of the most popular electric vehicles on the road, and experience the future of the auto industry.

Tesla Model S (2012 - present)

First released for the 2012 model year, the Model S is the oldest Tesla vehicle currently in production. While it is still in its first generation, there have been numerous updates throughout the years. The initial Model S was released in 2012 with three battery and range options, the largest of which could go up to an estimated 265 miles from a full charge. With its most impressive battery, the Model S could go from 0 to 60 in just 4.4 seconds, while the other battery options could manage it in 5.9 or 6.5 seconds. This first Model S also featured a number of innovative technologies like starting automatically when you press the brake pedal and regenerative braking to boost its range.

For 2013, the Model S gained some new features, including standard 12-way power, heated front seats, and an extended warranty with additional coverage. In 2014, the Model S became available in a dual-motor configuration to deliver All-Wheel Drive (AWD). Prior to this, it was only offered with Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD). This is also the year that features like a forward-facing camera and advanced sensor and radar technology were added to begin developing the Tesla Autopilot system. For 2016, the Model S received a refresh that included an updated front end with new lights and front fascia, along with improvements to its charging speed and some new interior details.

Updates for the Model S in 2018 included an improved Media Control Unit (MCU) to boost the performance of its center display and add support for video games and video streaming services. An engineering update for the 2019 model boosted its range and added an impressive air suspension, so keep this in mind when looking at used models. For 2021, the interior was redesigned with more seat space and numerous updates throughout––its range was also boosted to up to 405 miles for the Long Range version.

Tesla Model X (2015 - present)

The Model X is a midsize luxury crossover SUV that is built on the same platform as the Model S and first became available in 2015. Rather than offering models with a single motor, all Model X vehicles have two motors and AWD, with numerous batteries available. Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of the Model X, in terms of functionality at least, is that its rear doors use a falcon-wing design that opens upwards rather than forwards. For 2015, the Model X started with a battery that delivered up to 200 miles of range, but this was replaced by a better battery in 2016 that boosted that up to 238 miles––its most-powerful battery offered 289 miles of range.

In 2016, the Smart Air Suspension became standard on the Model X, rather than traditional coil springs, and this increased its base price. 2017 saw Tesla add more computing power and greater overall reliability through several engineering improvements. That same year, features like a dashcam and sentry mode were also made available on the Model X. Much like the Model S, the Model X received an update to its MCU in 2018 to improve the performance of its 17-inch center console display.

The biggest thing to keep in mind when looking at used Model X options is the battery: early versions had 60D, 75D, 90D, and 100D options. The 60D was discontinued not long after its introduction, with the 90D following in 2017, and the 75D was discontinued in 2019. Following this, the only battery option became the 100D, but it is designed to deliver different levels of power based on the trim you find. The number indicates how powerful it is: the 60D was a 60 kWh battery, while the current 100D options are 100 kWh batteries.

Tesla Model 3 (2017 - present)

While the Model S is a midsize luxury sedan, the Model 3 is a compact sedan that is designed to deliver impressive performance and be accessible to a wider range of customers. First introduced for the 2017 model year, the Model 3 had a 15-inch central display, slightly smaller than the 17-inch screen in the Model S, with no secondary display for the driver. Initially, the Model 3 had two batteries planned: a Standard Range battery with up to 220 miles of range from a full charge and a Long Range option that upped that to 310 miles of range––only the Long Range version was actually available for 2017. Since it launched in 2017, it benefited from improvements to Tesla’s other models, so it was available with the Autopilot package from the very start, which added Adaptive Cruise Control and more.

For 2018, production of the Model 3 was good enough that they could offer both the Mid Range and Long Range versions, so keep this in mind when looking at used Tesla Model 3s. In terms of driving experience, some models have a single motor and RWD, while other versions feature dual motors for AWD. Software updates since the Model 3 was first released have boosted its regenerative braking and stopping distance, improving performance and safety. Keep this in mind and make sure any used Tesla you are interested in has had all available software updates so it runs as well as possible.

Tesla Model Y (2020 - present)

The Tesla Model Y is a compact luxury crossover SUV. In much the same way the Model X is based on the Model S, the Model Y is built using the same platform as the Model 3 and shares about 75% of its parts. Three configurations have been available: Short Range RWD, Long Range AWD, and Long Range Performance. The Model Y went into production in 2020 and began being delivered that year.

Long Range AWD models get an estimated range of up to 330 miles from a full charge, while the Performance version can go about 303 miles. In terms of performance, the Long Range model can go from 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 135 mph, while the Performance version can go from 0 to 60 in just 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph. Since this vehicle has only been available for a few years now, you will not find as many of them on the used market as some other Tesla models, but they are out there. It delivers sporty and sophisticated performance, with a spacious interior that offers the best of what the Model 3 has, plus more room for your friends and family.

Find Your Used Tesla Here!

Here at North Park Chevrolet, we work hard every day to provide our customers with whatever you are looking for, which includes hard-to-find pre-owned Tesla models. Whether you know that a Tesla is exactly what you want, or you are looking to try an EV for the first time, and you are curious about what is out there, we are here to help. Our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople will show you everything we have, answer all of your questions, and work with you to help you find the perfect vehicle. We have a large selection of pre-owned models, including great EV options, which make it easy for us to get you what you have been looking for. Call or come visit us at North Park Chevrolet today to learn more and let us show you how easy it can be to shop for a great used EV.