Buying My First Tesla Model 3 in 2025 – Real Talk, No Filter
Why I Finally Switched
So I drove an Acura TLX for a few years. Great car, V6, felt quick. But gas was killing me — I was dropping $350–400 a month just to go places. Then I saw used Teslas dropping below 30K and figured… why not?
Fast-forward to April 2025 — I grabbed a 2020 Tesla Model 3 SR+, and yeah, it’s been a ride.
Buying It (Online, Like Everything Now)
I used Clutch to buy mine. No dealership. No awkward test drive. Just scrolled, clicked, and a guy showed up with the keys.
- 70,000 KM
- Clean AF
- One owner
- No weird smells
Felt like buying a laptop, not a car. In a good way.
Week One Impressions
Alright, so here’s what stood out right away:
- Regen braking hits hard. You let off the pedal and the car just slows down like you stepped on the brake. Took 2 days to stop bobbing like a chicken at red lights.
- Insurance isn’t cheap. I thought being 5 years old would help. Nope. Still $200+ per month.
- The sound system is… okay. No subwoofer. Rear speakers are basically decoration.
- No start button. Just hop in, press brake, drive. At first I was like “this is weird,” now I miss it in every other car.
Charging in Real Life (Not a Dream)
I was scared charging would suck. Honestly? Not bad.
- Level 1 at home – 2–3% per hour. It’s slow, but overnight gets me 25–30%.
- Level 2 public – fine if I’m grabbing groceries. Like 30–40KM/hour.
- Supercharging – fast, but I don’t rely on it unless I’m low or lazy.
I charge off-peak (after 7pm). First month’s “fuel” cost? About $20. Gas who?
Only downside: no Level 2 at home. My parents’ house wiring is too old, and I’m not about to drop $2K upgrading their panel. I just use the OEM charger on 12A — works fine for now.
How It Drives
This SR+ pulls about 350–370KM on a full charge.
Compared to my old TLX doing 350KM on $90 worth of gas, this feels like a straight-up cheat code.
Quiet, quick, smooth. No oil changes. No transmission drama. Just go.
Stuff I’d Watch Out For Next Time
Buying used is cool… until it isn’t. Here’s what I’d double-check next time:
- Tires. EVs wear them out fast, especially if the last owner drove like they were in a Need for Speed lobby.
- Brakes. Regen braking means the physical brakes barely get used… so they rust. I’m getting mine serviced soon just to be safe.
- Battery health. Mine’s fine, but if you’re buying used, get a scan or at least check range vs what’s expected.
- Audio. It’s mid. I’m looking at a DSP amp upgrade soon to fix that.
What 2020 SR+ Doesn’t Have (That You Might Care About)
If you’re buying the same model I did — 2020 SR+ — here’s what you’re not getting, just so you’re not surprised like I was:
| Feature | Do You Get It? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Subwoofer | Nope | And you’ll feel it the second you sit in a Model Y. |
| Rear deck speakers | Kind of | They’re there but muted unless you mod it. |
| Amplifier | No | Everything runs off the MCU. Weak sauce. |
| Fog lights | No | Not a huge deal, but it’s missing. |
| Ambient lights | Nope | No fancy glow strips anywhere. |
| Heated steering wheel | No chance | Wasn’t a thing for SR+ in 2020. |
| Premium connectivity | Trial only | After 30 days, it’s $13.99/month or back to plain maps. |
| Satellite maps | No | You’ll see roads, not Google Earth. |
| Power trunk | Nope | Manual, unless you retrofit. |
| Parking sensors | Yes | 2020 still had real sensors (new ones don’t). |
| Bluetooth audio | Mid-tier | USB sounds better. Seriously. |
Would I still buy it? Yeah. But if you’re picky about sound or tech, either budget for upgrades or go Long Range.
Would I Do It Again?
Yep. No regrets.
It’s not just about saving gas — it’s the whole vibe. Charging at home while you sleep, no oil changes, no dealership drama. I literally haven’t been to a gas station since April. And the drive feels like the future, not 2012.
Thinking About Getting One? Read This
If you are planning to get one from Tesla and want a little extra value, you can use my referral link.
You’ll get either:
- 3 months of Full Self-Driving (Supervised)
or - Up to $650 off (depending on Tesla’s current promo)
Same car, same delivery—just extra perks.
Here’s the link:
👉 https://ts.la/anson613573
ByteFlip Final Thought
If you’re coming from gas life, the 2020 SR+ might feel like a downgrade on paper — no sub, no frills, missing a few bells. But once you’ve lived with a Tesla, even the base trim, it’s hard to go back.
You trade fog lights and fancy speakers for charging while you sleep, zero gas bills, and that instant torque that still makes me grin like an idiot pulling out of a plaza.
If you’re buying used, just know what you’re getting — and what you’re not. But at the end of the day? The drive speaks for itself.
Discover more from ByteFlip
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.