Tesla beater

Discussion in 'Tesla' started by bwilson4web, Jul 14, 2026 at 12:29 AM.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Having sold my backup BMW i3-REx to my brother, I began looking for a “beater” Model 3 and found one on eBay. I did inspect it only to realize, I don’t want an auto loan over buying outright:
    • Comprehensive Insurance - bought for the bank, it provides safety for the bank but only for what the insurance company claims is the much lower value of the car. In effect leaving me exposed to additional cost even if the car is written off at the insurance company “low ball.”
    • eBay motors became a seller’s market - the one car that looked to fill my wants had in effect the seller’s price. No doubt picked up at auction for a song, there was no negotiating a tolerable price.
    I’ll still keep a weather eye for a good-enough ‘beater’ but only as my cash reserves build up. When my ready cash matches ‘good-enough’, the itch for a backup EV will be solved.

    Pick two: GOOD; FAST; CHEAP.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #1 bwilson4web, Jul 14, 2026 at 12:29 AM
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2026 at 12:43 AM
  2. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    Afraid you will have to wait for the "mid-east politics" to settle down and people get back to buying gas cars for the demand for used EVs to abate.
     
    BiomedO1 likes this.
  3. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Why don't you just get an ICE beater. It'll handle the downtime better than a idled EV?
    Every-time I drive my ICE beater; I'm looking for a gas tank leak.:( It gets thirsty every 275 miles, whereas my Prime is doing close to 1K per a tank. Don't ask me how big my beater's tank is.:sick::cry: