I hate car dealerships with a passion, and buying my first (used) Model Y directly from Tesla has further confirmed how much I hate them.

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Tesla has been such an easy process for my family getting our two. Coming from dealing with shady car dealers and salesman is a breath of fresh air.

They all do the same song and dance. I remember when I was buying my first car the salesman was using every trick in the book. Fast forward 20 years and nothing has changed. I recently went with my friend who was looking at a used Audi. He did the test drive, liked it and we went inside to “talk.” Salesman pulls out some random number that was 15k more than what was on the website. They neglected to list the “upgrades” and “addons” that was done to the car. They do their back and forth and sales guy says he’s going to see what he can do and talk to the finance department or something so he walks to the back. They did exactly this to me 20 years ago. I told my buddy he’s going to make us wait here for 10-20 minutes, you’re going to say, “not good enough” rinse and repeat, then they’re going to bring out the head honcho, he’s going to write a number, draw a line on a piece of paper ask you to sign it like it’s a binding contract and act like it’s a sweet deal. I told him what was going to happen and they did exactly that. Predictable.

Tesla buying experience was best hands down, but their service is horrible….not being able to pick up the phone and speak with someone is beyond frustrating

Tesla is pretty much the same as any other dealership, except they do their negotiating over an app so you don’t have anyone to be upset with. In fact they are even worse imo because they won’t even give you a quote until you put down a deposit. Imagine if normal dealerships made you pay $250 to see how much your APR and monthly payments are going to be. Sure if you’re buying it out right it doesn’t matter (except they are jacking the price up on all their used cars). I’d suggest anyone looking for a used Tesla to buy private, I got mine from auto trader, warranty in tact and no major issues, 25k for a 2023 model3 was a steal at the time (2 years ago) in fact I looked at the Tesla app for trade-in value and it was right around the same amount, so they would’ve sold the same car for at least 30k-35k

lol - tell me you’re a car dealer! There is no fucking negotiation with Tesla, it’s that easy — the price is the price and you can buy anytime you want with a phone app. No slimy dealer, no haggling, no lies and misdirection… just the best damn car without the human filth called car dealers to bear with.

Tesla has a great experience if everything works correctly and there isn’t anything wrong with your car. They have trouble when it doesn’t and dealing with post purchase service is a hassle. Some of the problems people report should have been noticed and fixed before delivery.

Someone knows nothing and has a lot to say.

I mean you could just do outside financing to buy the best rate possible…

Which is fair and something I’m expecting to have to deal with eventually. But in a world of weighing the worst of two evils, I’d rather be arguing to get my car fixed under warranty than some dealership just giving me the middle finger and telling me to go away for having sold me a lemon car.

You couldn’t be anymore wrong. I don’t know where you get off lmfao bye bye car stealerships

My story is the opposite but this was around 2018 to 2024. First car was Honda CRV from the dealer and the sales guy was so good he said go home think about it and then come back and plus got it 10k under msrp since no one wanted to buy a touring spec. Not pushy at all, also they gave me the mud flaps and the all weather mats and touring logo was missing and that was fixed as well, and full tank. Second car was BMW M3 at a small dealer and again the sales guy was not pushy at all, checked out the car top to bottom and made the purchase no stupid fees etc and again full tank. Third car was BMW M4 from Autonation and it was perfect, drove it and again the sales guys was cool, Purchased it and got a great apr 2.49% with full tank of fuel. Only time we had one issue when purchasing our Honda from Corona ca as we live there, we went to Ontario ca Honda dealer, worst place to go. They were busy and i had to find the sales guy and just for a test drive he says you gonna buy the car right, let’s just say I was angry and when leaving manager goes what happened and I told him your sales guy is an ass. How can you demand I buy it even if I don’t like driving it. Nissan in Ontario, ca is the same just as bad. Our Honda CRV from Corona is a great car, but this time I will go EV.

Fwiw local dealers near me usually suck but for whatever reason ive had great success when i buy out of state. I guess its because i normally have negotiating done and its a slower pace so I can look over the numbers more easily. I just make it obvious im very serious if we can work something out.

I used to work at Nissan dealership when I was younger… this is known as the 4 square method, the signature is basically what the finance manager want to get the salesman to show him to know that the buyer is “serious” the long wait times are to exhaust the customer so they are more likely to give-in to a deal presented by the sales manager… I really do know what I’m talking about because I’ve been on both sides lol

It’s actually super easy dealing with Tesla service. I own two of these cars and they’ve both had service done. Most of it can be done via app- and if you want to call their service advisors you can also do that. For some service issues they’ll send the ranger out to do the work where you are. Had a battery changed at my work.

So when they say lease for $299 a month and you submit your paperwork and the price comes back higher, what is that called… that’s negotiation, most dealers won’t make you pay money to see your rate, the price is always the price dealers make their money on the backend

I bought both my teslas from dealers in the area. One from Flatirons Subaru in Boulder- a 2019 M3 stealth performance which they had no clue was a performance model. Got a great deal on it. Also a 2022 MY from Phil Long Ford in Denver. I call and negotiate price out the door before tax over the phone… long before ever going into the dealer. so there’s no surprises or weird negotiating shenanigans. Both tried to upsell me their new EVs but I politely declined and that was that. Got $4K off the price using the used car EV tax credit as well. FTR- I’ve dealt with Tesla service for a few issues as well as Tesla collision after a lady in a BMW clipped my bumper on the model 3. Both have by and large been outstanding to work with.

I bought my used Tesla from Carvana. Online, shopped, chose, made the deal, and had it delivered the next day. If I don’t like it they’ll pick it up and send me what I want or give me my money back. Definitely happier than working with a dealership

Dude, having shit credit is a YOU problem and nobody’s going to make up for your inability to have a budget.

When I bought my first car, which was a Toyota Avalon 6 years ago, I hit up the Toyota dealership. I was dead set on buying one, and they had a 2013 used Avalon that fit my budget, but they claimed I could get a better deal with a much newer car like-new, with a 2018 Toyota Camry. I told them I didn’t want the Camry, but they kept insisting with my credit and the mileage was better on the Camry. I told them I was going to go to CarMax and buy the 2017 Avalon I wanted and did exactly that. The car salesman lost me that day all because they were trying to push a car I didn’t want onto me. And last November, I bought myself a 2025 M3LR RWD and couldn’t be asked to go to a traditional dealership ever again.

For normal routine service yes it’s easy, it’s the unexpected that causes problems. For one issue I had they sent out two different mobile techs at two different times and it was in the service center three times for the same issue. Every time every person had a different resolution that did not work, a year and a half later I still experience the same issue….oh and 2 different service centers also…. Now don’t get me started on the roadside if you happen to get a flat. Luckily I have AAA and I was able to tow my vehicle home both times but you would think that mobile techs would service more than 20 miles outside of a service center when they are so far apart. Now my most recent service visit, which was 3 states away from mine while driving home from a trip was fantastic. I got a nail in my tire and I had to plug it to get it to service because of course no mobile service in the area it happened in….

So the only credit scores that get the ADVERTISED RATE is 750 and above… ok, so a 700 credit score is shit, but still other dealerships don’t charge you $250 to run your credit score for financing, did you buy your Tesla in cash broke bih?

True! I bought a pre owned and noticed bald front tires and a chip on windshield at pick up. I showed the service guy and he noted in his system but it was a haaaaassssle trying to get this fixed a week later. I tried messaging thru the app but it just seemed like generic customer service reps and not the actually service center. I eventually got a hold of someone at the service center on the phone and they took care of it. Given all this, I’d still buy another one thru Tesla.

It’s the reason why our second car is a M3. Just the thought of going to a dealership made us switch from trying to get a Chevy Bolt for our 2nd car and stretch for a Model 3.

I hate car dealers, I hate car keys (I have keyless door locks, so I don't carry keys), I hate cars without OTA, and I hate cars that need to visit dealers for regular maintenance. Glad Tesla solved all of these hassles.

I feel your pain. I'd rather get a root canal without anesthesia than going to a regular car dealership. I've bought more cars than I can remember and I can't recall ever having a good buying experience. Until Tesla.... I've walked out of several dealerships and had the saleshole chase after me hoping I'd change my mind, I've been kicked out of dealerships for literally calling the manager out on a blatant lie (I had it on paper) in front of all his staff, and many many more horrible experiences. I had no idea what to expect when I went shopping for a Tesla and was prepared for war, like I've been after the first couple of negative buying experiences, but was shocked to find that Tesla doesn't use any of the usual tricks, tactics, lies, and deception as all other dealerships. At every step of the way I kept waiting for the BS to start but it never did. I was so ready for a battle that their sales process caught me completely unprepared. Makes one wonder why in some states car makers are not allowed to sell direct to consumer. That should be illegal - anyone who makes a product should be able to sell it however they want, whether that's through a network of independent dealers or direct to consumer. Not sure why the govt protects such a corrupt business model.

Bought my wife a model y in 2024 and it was the best purchasing experience ever. Last year bought a CT, and again so simple. Convinced my 66 year old mother to even buy a model y back in December. She even agreed how simple it was, and not dealing with a dealership was amazing. Will never buy a non Tesla again.

Just did this same thing yesterday and it was a great experience!

Can’t technically “buy” a Tesla here in South Carolina since we still have antiquated laws to protect the “mom & Pop” car dealerships. 🤣🤣🤣 Thank God for the a Tesla app and living less than an hour from the Tesla store in Georgia. My son bought his M3 and I got to see the whole process. So impressed, I ordered and am awaiting delivery for my new MYP. The only extra step is signing away your life at the store giving them power of attorney to get the registration done from Georgia to South Carolina. 4 weeks later, bill of sale and/or any other paperwork for South Carolina shows up in the mail so I can then get it properly registered and get a permanent license plate.

Always dealt with really scammy dealerships throughout the years but the worst that I got fucked was when it was someone I knew personally, a family friend. I ended up paying $35,000 for a Civic when the MSRP was about 28. I ended up getting out of my upside down long due to a crash, but it always left a really bad taste that people that you’ve known since you were a child are still willing to screw you over. And knowing him made It EASIER for him to do. But yeah, buying my Tesla through the app then picking it up at the dealership in 5 days was pretty unbelievable. it really is the best car I’ve ever owned. I came from an Audi Q8 ETron into this, and the Tesla feels more luxurious than the Audi did. Won’t ever deal with any other car company again.

You could have got rid of that smoke smell with an ozone machine. I wouldn't let that hold me back if I had a good deal.

It was an "okay" deal, and Carmax wouldn't budge on their prices as that's their policy. So at that point it wasn't worth my time, nor did I want to deal with it as it wasn't something I was prepared to work on, nor should I because they didn't disclose it.

I went to a Mercedes dealership, the salesman tried to hook me up with a used car under lease - $3500 down and $500/month payment. He says it is great deal because I dont have to worry about the car trade-in value after the end of the lease. I can just return the car to them and they will graciously take the car back no matter what the trade-in value is. That is the stupidest thing I ever heard from car salesman.

This a million percent

Tesla sells lemons, btw

What F’ing Ever!

lol no ok you right, they have never, ever, once, sold a lemon

Which Tesla model did you settle on? Curious…

Well, I bought when the new 3 came out but the new body style Ys didn’t come out yet. I went with the 3. I loveeeee It

Thank you for responding. I am looking to buy a used Tesla within the next few days. I keep locking myself up due to research overkill. Hardware 3 vs. Hardware 4? 3 vs.Y? 2022 vs 2023 vs 2024? Performance vs Long Range? Rear wheel drive vs. All wheel drive? And so many others... 🙄

I’m the same way I wish I did more research with the Audi because for the amount of money I was leasing it for it was a really dumb car, horrible mileage and didn’t really feel luxury to me. I can’t speak on Tesla’s prior to the one I got but overall I really enjoy the car. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever driven. I’ve had it for a year now and I’m still not tired of it. Good luck on your search !

I’m not saying that….and neither were you. No more than any other car manufacturer. I would say less moving parts, less likelihood for issues occurring.

where in Georgia, may I ask? I’m in Columbia.

The Tesla store in Savannah is only an hour (or less) from where I live in Beaufort, SC.

Savannah won’t work for me, unfortunately. Thanks for replying.

That's what you get for living in the dead center of the state. Hah! South Cakalaky really needs to update its antiquated dealership laws...so lame...and even more so considering Scout is building their plant here!

And yet Toyotas and Lexus are objectively more reliable

Tesla good.

Tesla service is awful because they have no incentive to provide good service. The only advantage of Tesla is not dealing with the hassle of the traditional dealership experience. You get that same thing from Carvana but they do a way better job vs Tesla. Impossible to get anyone on the phone or get a response from your “designated reps”. I had two reps designated to my account and they literally ghosted me when my car was delayed for two months. They would just update the app to say delivery delayed again with a new eta of a week. One week later rinse and repeat. This went on for 9 weeks. I would call and text my reps and they just wouldn’t respond. I love the car but the Tesla customer service is the worst in the industry. Best car - Worst service.

This is an assumption that traditional dealerships service depts are competent when they are just as big a pain in the ass, just different problems. You also are charged up the ass for everything and often times work is not done at all, but you pay for it.

I've had nothing but great experiences with Tesla service. I agree about the buying experience. I will NEVER go to a traditional dealer again. If I do, my tolerance for bs is literally zero. It's simply better to walk out. There are so many options and if people don't want your $50-80k, there are plenty that do with zero hassles to you.

Stellantis sells lemons.

My Tesla wasn’t charging at 1am one day. I was 80 miles from a service center. I was stuck at 10 miles so I drove to my storage unit that was close thankfully. I took a little nap there and the tow truck arrived at 9am like that said it would in the messages. They fixed the issue the same day. I wish I would have went with the tow truck driver though because I ended up paying $90 for an uber but I was more relieved the issue could be fixed that soon. In the messages they even offered to fix my peeling steering wheel with the warranty and can schedule for another day.