An ‘almost’ perfect EV

I own a 2023 Tesla Model 3 rear wheel drive (single motor) EV with a LFP battery. This was a pretty good EV when I bought it, then the 2024 (Highland) Model 3 became available which was better in any ways. And after several months the base Model 3 (with LFP batteries) was dropped and replaced with the Model 3 ‘Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive’ (non-LFP) version that you can lease today for $299/month. With a 363 mile range (EPA est.) this is an ‘almost’ perfect EV and an exceptional value. This is the car I would buy today (with the trim and interior shown below). The only thing I wish I could add is a ‘Premium Sound System‘… which is not available from Tesla on this trim.

OK, so why do I say ‘almost’ perfect? Because it’s a Model 3 and not a Model Y, which is the car I’ll ‘upgrade’ to next. BUT the current Model Y is aging and anticipated changes coming with Project Juniper will (should) make this car a perfect choice for those considering an EV in 2025 and beyond. The Tesla Model Y is already the best selling car in the world. And making it even better will allow it to continue outselling the competition (EV and ICE). As was the case with Highland, which we didn’t know a lot about it prior to its release in China in 2024, there’s not a lot we know about the next-generation Model Y. But here are some photos that give us some clues:

Guess you have to use your imagination with these photos. But others start putting the pieces together and come up with these images. These are just renderings, but leave less to the imagination than the obscured images above (source):

Or this – no rear light-bar on this one, and more Highland-ish (source, source):

Or these images, which appear to be the most realistic (source):

Tesla is going to knock the Model Y refresh ‘out of the park’, and you can quote me on that. I’m not a Dodgers or Yankees fan, but I am a Tesla fan and if the Model 3 refresh is any indication, the Model Y refresh will be even classier. All that said, you still might want to buy a Model 3 or Y this year since the incentives for doing so are phenominal! Inventory discounts, low or no APR deals, Fed and state tax incentives, etc. There are SO many ways to save a bunch of money on a Tesla, so this IS a great time to buy or lease.

In 2023 I traded my 2017 PHEV Prius and paid cash on the balance for my Model 3, and even though it had CATL’s LFP batteries it still qualified for the $7500 tax incentive (not so in 2024). This made my purchase price very reasonable, and I’m glad I did what I did at the time I did it. Today, I would go for the 3-year lease option and invest the money I didn’t spend to help cover my monthly payments. This way I could upgrade or downgrade in 3 years as EV technology evolves. EV owners often complain about the low resale value of their vehicles when it comes time to sell or trade their cars. When you lease, especially when the lease deals are so good, you don’t have to worry about depreciation since it’s already built into the lease.

So, back to my original premise. The only reason the 2024 Model 3 is ‘almost’ perfect is because the 2025 Model Y WILL BE PERFECT! I believe the Model Y will continue to be the best selling EV in the world through 2025 and beyond. It’s just a great car getting even better with the Juniper refresh. I can’t wait to see what it looks like for real, and how it’s received. I have high hopes!

Now Elon, get off your crazy horse and focus on the job at hand. Don’t disappoint me!

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