Going from Prius to possibly model 3 or Y

My whole family prefers the model Y . You sit up straight and more room in the back for kids or adults. If they have a good interest rate go new. In my case they knocked off a $1000 to take a new car in stock and that was after the prices declined a few thousand already. The day after I bought it they reduced the price another $500. End of quarter and end of year best time to buy

New is overpriced junk just get used and let someone else take the 50% depreciation

Thank you for the info! What model year would you recommend for the best value, and what mileage range should I be aiming for? I’m single and would mainly use it to commute to work (about 30 miles round trip). I will have another vehicle that I use on weekends only.

Appreciate that insight! That makes sense for families. Since I’m single and mostly commuting about 30 miles round trip, do you still think the Model Y is worth it over the Model 3 for value? Or would the 3 make more sense in my case?

Any used HW4 you can get.

If you are younger, Model 3 is a fun car to drive. I am in my 50's and find it easier to get into and out of the Y. My son has a Model 3 and it is more fun to drive. Both are amazingly stable. If you want to car camp, a Model Y is better as it is a hatchback with more space not having the tunnel into the trunk.

If you've enjoyed the hatchback aspect of the Prius, then 100% get a Y. Also if you have adult rear-seat passengers and you care about their comfort, get a Y. That aspect is greatly under-reported. Signed, A 2-time Prius owner who has had both a 3 and a Y. :-)

Which you choose (3 or X) is up to you. Check them both out. If you go used, get one with HW4 - the newer computer. The Tesla is a computer with a car attached - it’s not just there to play music for you or display your nav route, so this really is a big difference. The first significant model change happened in 2024 for the model 3, and 2025 for the Y. Outside of that, they change physically slightly from year to year - or midyear. The big changes are in the software, and those are delivered over the air to the whole fleet. Once you learn how to drive a Tesla, they all run basically the same software. They come in two types (if you’re coming from a Prius) - incredibly fast and blindingly fast.

I just finished a three month search for a used Tesla. In fact, I traded in my well-used trusty 2010 Prius for it. I settled on a Model Y, mostly because I needed to cargo space a few times a year. I also wanted the Performance trim because it looks (and performs) awesome. After test driving several, I determined that I wanted FSD included (meaning it's available without additional cost for the life of the vehicle). I didn't mind HW3 as I felt it was sufficient, but I definitely wanted the AMD Ryzen MCU because it's much more responsive (the Intel Atom seemed "clunky" by comparison). The Model 3 and the Model Y are pretty much the same for day to day driving. The only difference is really the cargo space, and you sit more upright in the Y. As far as New vs Used - Teslas seem to have pretty steep depreciation in the first two to three years. I'd rather let someone else take the butt kicking on depreciation. I was totally ok buying used. Mine still has 4.5 years left on the battery/drive unit warranty and a year left on the basic warranty. I can extend that for $720 per year if I'm so inclined. I'd set you budget then look for what fits in that budget. If the sky's the limit, then get a new 2026. I prefer to pay cash for my vehicles, so I always have a cap on what I'll pay.

I did the same, 2017 Prius Prime to 2023 Model Y. I’m very happy with my decision. The hatchback was the selling point to me. The Model Y is just a taller hatchback not really an SUV in my book.

I preferred the model Y hands down. They got rid of the light and turning sticks in the Model 3 and replaced them with buttons. Did not like that at all

1. Model 3 is a sports sedan. Model Y is a crossover. Model 3s are more fun to drive and manuverable. Model Ys have more room and higher ground clearance. 2. Used, if you find the right car, is always a better deal because someone else takes the depreciation hit. These are simple cars, there isn't that much to go wrong. 3. HW4 vs HW3 is the latest "big" cutoff; if you see yourself subscribing to and using self driving, get a HW4 car. If not, HW3 is fine. It's worth getting one with the Ryzen infotainment system over the Intel Atom one.

We went from a 2009 prius and 2012 prius plug in to a 2020 MYLR and sold the 2009. The Tesla is only a few inches more in any direction, but is much roomier on the inside. Never looked back.

The Y is roomier. Only get a 3 if you're the only one driving and you don't need to fit adults in the back seat. The trunk is normal size, but the Y cargo area is much bigger.

I think used used teslas are 100% worth it. They are designed to be driven 100's of thousands of miles. Not 100-200k like ice cars. The only reason to pay for new is get hardware is you want to use the FSD features or the newest trim. They are on HW4 (hardware 4) now. Models in late 2023 already have HW4. if you're not going to pay for the fsd, hw version is irrelevant. If you can afford it and will drive it, there is no other car you can buy in the US that compares.

If you are looking at the model S. Toyota Camry is equivalent IMO in model size. They just got updated and look nice.

I have a 2024 Y and 2024 refresh 3. I’m 36 and I far prefer driving the Model 3 as it’s smaller and lower to the ground. I have a S3XY Commander in both and the S3XY Stalks in the 3 to make up for Elon’s incompetence. If I was single without any large hobbies (camping, skiing, golf, hockey, hardware store runs, etc) then the 3 is a clear winner. But yeah the Y is awesome for everything else. We fully loaded our Y last week to the airport, and when we got to our destination our rental car (Chevy Equinox) wasn’t nearly large enough to fit everything. I was floored because the Equinox felt larger to drive but no sub trunk or frunk meant we had to shove luggage in the footwells. That vehicle sucked, man I can’t believe people actually buy those

2023-24 model year with HW4 that supports the newest FSD software if that’s what you’re looking for. Beware of the range that isn’t accurate at all to what’s rated, you’ll get the hang of it once you drive it for a while. And yes you can use a supercharger if you have one nearby but home charging is best if you can

2025 model y , 2012 Prius and 2026 Prius here.

As others have mentioned, the Y is taller so it is easier to get in and out of. I prefer the 3 but it is because of where I live and visit.  San Francisco has 50 car break-ins a day down from 100 a day. I witnessed a break-in in broad daylight. It is a crime of opportunity. If the burglar can see something in your car that looks like a bag or laptop case or luggage they will break-in. With a sedan with trunk, they can't see what you have.

Model 3 fits more luggage than the 2022 Prius. 2 check in luggage in the main trunk space. Will have room above the suitcase for jackets, purses, smaller backpacks. 1 carry on luggage in frunk. 1 carry on in the sub trunk. This leaves the entire cabin for just passengers. Add a hitch receiver for bike racks. I have carried a mattress, plywood/2x4 on the factory roof rack. I mostly drive the model3 alone and it fits great as an urban car. I am 6’4 and can sleep in the back with the seats down. The glass roof makes it feel more spacious than it is. I have even slept in the back seats in the fetal position. Lounged in the back with my legs on the armrest was comfortable. I do like the Y seat height. It gives me more confidence seeing cross traffic. The extra legroom in the Y makes the back seats comfortable for 6’ passengers. The 3 is tight if theres 4 full sized adults. I chose the 3 cause its cheaper and I told myself its more efficient 🤣 If I were to buy now, I probably get the Y but the 3 really fits like a glove and drives great.

Only if you care about FSD... Otherwise save the $

The cameras are better quality though

2024+ or newer for Model 3's refreshed and for Model Y 2023+ or newer HW4 maybe below 30k miles

I have 2.5 (2018 3) and 4 (2025 Y) cameras. The 2.5 cameras are very good. The 4 cameras are slightly better. Decide if the extra $ is worth it to you.