The Tesla Model S doesn't really need an introduction. It's one of the electric driving-pioneers,
not only in the Netherlands but abroad as well, and it seems to be the car that everybody wants.
And there's some good news, because the second hand market is slowly filling with used Tesla's,
so they're getting more accessible. That's why we're asking ourselves; how good is a second hand Model S?
Let me open the 'frunk'. Indeed, I do speak the language. Whatever electric car you get, it's always good news.
That's because they don't have engine filters, transmissions, timing belts, so you never have to maintain or replace those.
What's good news as well is that you don't have to pay road taxes, and that's a good thing because it weighs over 2.000 kg.
Also, an EV doesn't have a fuel tank, so you can use the space for other stuff. These optional children's seats for example.
A Tesla does come with a chassis and every support arm, bar and rubber does need a little maintenance or replacement.
Just like the brake discs by the way. Also, the tires tend to wear pretty quickly if you use the power a lot.
That said, Tesla-tires aren't very small, so they'll cost you.
And that's our first tip; check if the tires are still alright.
In 2013, Tesla predicted that 30% of the battery capacity would be gone after eight years,
but if we look at things now, that was a little pessimistic. There's still some more left probably.
On the other hand, a battery does get old, so there's no one who can tell what it'll look like after ten years.
Still, there are solutions on the horizons. Companies are able to replace one of the cells in the battery,
which gives the whole battery pack a boost. In the coming years, more of those solutions will arise.
Until that day, Tesla will offer eight years of warranty on the battery pack.
Then, what can you tell by the model name? Well, the number refers to the battery capacity.
That means the higher the number is, the further a car will get with its range.
The simplest version has 60 kWh, which'll get it 250 km further. The 100 has the biggest capacity, which can do over 500 km on a single charge.
The badge can also feature a D, which doesn't stand for diesel but for dual. That means your Tesla has two motors.
Normally, the Tesla Model S is rear-wheel drive with the electric motor at the back, but the dual has another motor in the front.
It's a smaller electric motor, but it makes sure you have four-wheel drive. Also, it's more efficient, so you'll get further on a single charge.
There's more range. A dual motor Tesla is available from model year 2015.
Lastly, you can get a P on the badge as well, which means the rear electric motor is more powerful,
with the P standing for Performance. That means it's even quicker than a normal Tesla,
but the battery drains a little quicker as well, because it's more powerful of course.
The performance of the Tesla is one of the big wow-factors. No matter what version you choose, there's always power available.
You can choose between very quick or even quicker, and that's because the electric motor is incredibly powerful.
The simplest Tesla's produce around 300 horsepower, but the most powerful versions produce over 600 horsepower...
and 1.000 Nm of torque. Of course, the P90D and P100D have the well-know Ludicrous Mode,
which utilizes the full acceleration. If it's used too often, the technology will suffer a bit,
so you should be wary for that if you want a Model S which comes with the Ludicrous-function.
Then there's the famous Autopilot. It's a system which combines adaptive cruise control,
driving lane assist and a braking assist in a very nice manner. And it's something Tesla has really aced,
compared with the competition, they have the upper hand.
The Autopilot-function is available on Tesla's built after November 2014, and you should know that it's updated automatically.
It can also be built in afterwards. You don't have to visit a garage, it's all done through the air.
A tip: if you want a Tesla, you also want the Autopilot, because it's one of the Tesla's party pieces.
In the Netherlands, and especially the Randstad, a Tesla is a very common sight. That's why the Dutch people might have a wrong view...
on what a Tesla truly is. Also, because of all the tax advantages, it's a rather cheap car here as well.
Actually, it's a relatively exclusive car from a small manufacturer. In 2016, Tesla only built 60.000 Model S's,
whilst at the same time, Mercedes built 84.000 S-Class's, that's how exclusive this is.
Right, it's a true exotic, this Model S. Even though it doesn't break down a lot,
but when something breaks, you should think of exotic prices as well. This screen for example, it will set you back €3.000 for a replacement.
The fancy doorhandles, which won't last a car lifetime, cost €750 each.
However, nowadays there are companies which repair and fit them for a small portion of the price.
Other than that, it's a little guesswork, because Tesla part-prices aren't very easy to find.
You should keep in mind that the parts probably won't come very cheap.
Another thing. A Tesla is actually a rather fragile car. Sure, it's innovative and green and such,
but it's still a full-size American car, so you can easily get scratches or small dents.
Damage to the aluminium body will be expensive to repair. If you're in a serious accident however,
the battery pack and electric motors will be in danger. If they get hit, the damage will be higher than the value,
and your car will be total loss. Another tip, check the insurance scale of your Model S,
because there's a big chance that if you hear those numbers, you'll have to redo your calculation about the pro's and con's...
compared with your 'fossil' car. If you're redoing that, you should also know that if it's a Tesla...
which was ordered before 2017, so an order from 2016, the car is allowed to use the Tesla Superchargers for free.
That's a fast-charging network all across Europe. It keeps getting bigger, and it means you can cross the continent...
with free fuel.