That's the great thing about Tesla, there isn't any service. Just drive it for years and years. Recommended maintenance on the 3 is just tire rotations and coolant replacement every 5 years or so.
How about your Kia?
And yet they have comparable cost of ownership to similarly priced luxury cars, generally reported with similar maintenance costs. ICE engines are generally pretty reliable these days, though admittedly require more routine service and convenience is a factor.
As I’m sure you know, Tesla recently reduced their service schedule which I hope was done because their cars don’t actually need it (and will have no affect on longevity) rather than trying to cut costs and free up their techs.
But let’s not forget aside from the engine and transmission, a Tesla is still a car. It has a suspension, steering system, braking system (granted with a longer lifecycle, but with more expensive components), tires, a cooling system, HVAC equipment, electronics galore. Most Tesla owners I know, even the most satisfied admit the reliability is a problem. And the wait times at the dealer are unacceptably long.
I’d argue most cars problems these days come down to systems beyond the engine/transmission- electronics, wear and tear parts (wheel bearings, alternators, pumps, etc). It’s not like engines are blowing up. There’s some notoriously bad transmissions in the long run, but usually if you do your homework you can avoid them. My GF’s dad’s 2016 Model S has already had a drive unit replaced with <30,000 miles.
I have a hard time believing Teslas see that much savings in overall operating costs considering the cost to insure them at this point in time. That’s entirely Tesla’s fault too- limiting their repairs to their own providers, having astronomical parts costs, no aftermarket parts, having overwhelmed service centers, etc. On top of that, once the warranty runs up it’s not like there’s a lot of options other than using Tesla dealers, especially when Tesla won’t sell diagnostic equipment or service manuals and limits parts.
In theory EV’s should be cheaper and require less maintenance, however I think that point is currently over exaggerated. I don’t think that’s the real reason most people actually buy Teslas. In concept EV’s have a lot to offer us. Tesla has made some critically bad decisions that don’t make me believe they will overtake the car industry and I find their existence based on their current vision as - major automaker highly questionable.
Worst reasonable scenario they research/sell/license batteries, drive systems, autopilot technology, charging infrastructure, etc and stop making cars directly.
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I guess the same could be said of any manufacturer, like Apple. Once they go out, you can't get parts. Bummer.
Except Apple isn’t in the tight financial situation Tesla is in. If people question the viability of company that’s obviously problematic for sales, especially considering a car the #2 most expensive purchase most people make in life.