2/7: Ordered the cheapest available from inventory nearby. Could not submit online/app. Agent called. He asked that I submit using a custom build option and pay the order fee, he will assign the inventory car to my order. Went ahead. He said I will see VIN shortly. Did not happen. Kept calling him, no answer. Emailed him, no answer. Texted back to the SMS I received after submitting order. No response. Decided to wait.
2/9: Got text saying I could take delivery next week if I pick one from available inventory. I replied back saying I was supposed to get an in-inventory vin assigned to me to begin with. Eventually, searched for inventory again, found a demo with 3k miles. Had $1k option and $2680 price reduction. Net, it would be $1680 reduction from my original price. I texted back saying I will pick this option but want to speak to someone before going ahead. A minute later, got text that they have assigned the VIN to me and will show up in app shortly. What?? I had asked that I speak to someone before assigning. Anyway, I check my account, VIN is assigned and the lease terms are updated. A whopping $7 reduction per month for a net $1680 price reduction (36/12). Did not seem right. Plugged numbers in LH calculator and the numbers are greatly different. Texted them a few times to check the numbers, if they canât change it, give me another car. No response.
2/10: Got text saying I can schedule delivery now! Later got another text saying lease department is looking into my earlier texts and it may be 24 hours before I get a response. Called the customer service, he said wait for lease department to come back.
So at this point, I wanted to check with experts here, why did the âdiscountâ only resulted in a miniscule reduction in monthly? Did they may be gave me lower RV for a demo? I am attaching 2 screenshots for the first lease estimate and the later.
Also, will the price reduction of $2680 be considered a discount on MSRP or will it just be a lower MSRP? Asking because I am not sure how Tesla does this. If discount, the monthly (or total cost) should be much lower I would imagine. But, I âthinkâ even with reduced MSRP, the monthly (or total cost) should still be lower than what they are quoting.
I noticed this while browsing inventory. The lease numbers on demo units arenât really any cheaper. I suspect Tesla is lowering the RV but who knows since their lease numbers are a black box.
Since, with Tesla, you cannot actually pay the RV and own the car at the of the lease, thereâs really no benefit to leasing a demo vs a new unit. Only maybe makes sense if purchasing.
Yes they are doing this after learning their lesson for $46k demo reductions in the Model X that were resulting in $600/mo paymentsâŚsilly me I still said no, couldnât get over the styling.
Proceeded to pick a delivery date. Uploaded insurance details. This led to a bunch of documents available to view.
The lease agreement now shows that RV on this demo seems to be about 62.5% vs 65ish% for a new car. Hence the miniscule reduction in total cost.
I texted back saying I donât want this and to assign next available new car.
Not worth getting 3k miles demo for $200 reduction in total 3 year cost.
Will wait and see how it goes from here. I am this close to just cancelling and forgetting about $250 order fee. Not getting great feeling about how it might be to deal with Tesla for these 3 years. On the other hand, I donât want emotions to get in the way of getting a decent enough deal on a Tesla. Doubt it will be better than this in future.
So will chew on this for a bit while they look for another car to match my original order.
Funny but thatâs how its been. I checked other forums too.
Funny because, will they sell me a car if it donât want the âextraâ drive option? Like a Tesla without wheels or the drivetrain. If not, why list it separately.
Another way it wants to differentiate from other manufacturers I guess.
