Tesla Model 3 Cheaper Than Honda Accord — 15 Cost Comparisons
https://cleantechnica.com/2019/05/04/tesla-model-3-cheaper-than-honda-accord-15-cost-comparisons-updated/
If only one could actually buy a Model 3 for $39,500. Unless things have changed in the last five months--and maybe they have--this car doesn't exist.
And this assumes you sell the car and reclaim its then-current value. So this is a kind of balance sheet cost, but not actual cost of ownership.
Basically, these charts show that over the course of 10,000 miles, the electric car is $400 cheaper than the hybrid. Which is nice, but it doesn't show that this Model 3 (again, if it exists) is cheaper than an Accord (or Camry).
AND, the Model 3 is a significantly smaller car (passenger compartment and trunk space), so there's the utility aspect that is also missing.
@SFBadger96 You can now do so. The Standard Range Plus is available on the web site for $39,500. Apparently the actual $35K Model 3 Standard Range exists, but you have to call Tesla to order it. I understand they try to upsell people [probably because they can't make money on it], but they're so hurting for sales right now that from what I read online, they WILL allow you to order it and deliver a car.
Also, it's not just a comparison of the hybrid. If you click through to
the spreadsheet, it has comparisons for a lot of cars, both hybrid and non-hybrid. You can also download the spreadsheet and change certain assumptions (as I assume would be warranted for people like us in CA where both electricity AND gas is significantly more expensive than national rates--and where it's possible to qualify for an additional $2.5K state rebate subject to certain income eligibility restrictions).
@FearlessF I do agree with SFBadge about the assumption that you sell the car. It's not a measurement of "how much did I pay over a 5 year period", it's "how much was the net"? And as such it has to make assumptions about the 5-year resale value of a vehicle that has been shipping in volume for less than a year, has apparently had build quality problems and high repair costs, and there is a serious question right now of what the future long-term demand for the car will be.
I realize that a lot of people don't want to keep a car longer than 5 years / 67.5K miles. And so there is a certain value to using the resale, as at the end of 5 years of ownership, the Tesla owner will have a [projected] $20K asset to trade in on their next car while the Honda owner will have a [projected] $10K asset. But I do think that it's a way to make the Tesla look better than it might actually be, especially for a car company that touts its design as being designed to achieve a million miles on the road.
Beyond that, I have a few issues with some of their assumptions, as well as a few things they now leave out (Tesla charging a $1200 delivery/doc fee). Also that I think the base black Tesla with the black "Aero" wheels is hideous, and if you want paint colors and wheels that don't suck, you're out $2500-3500 more. But then, I know the other manufacturers sometimes upsell on paint colors and wheels, even if their default selections aren't so hideous. And of course the cost of the Tesla is firm, whereas most buyers will haggle at another dealer to get cost lower than MSRP.
But they do allow for you to download the spreadsheet and make your own assumptions. I.e. to spec out the model you'd ACTUALLY want, over the years/mileage you'd actually own it, etc. So if you [like me] would want to price it out based on 8-10 years of ownership and 100K+ miles, it at least gives a starting framework for comparison.
