Used 2018 Tesla Model 3 Consumer Reviews
Used Model 3 for sale
Driving toward the future
Lester Haynes, 05/14/2019
2018 Tesla Model 3 Performance 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Every time I get in this car, it's with anticipation and excitement. After 8 months of ownership, this is still the case; driving the Model 3 is an experience that can't be replicated with any other car. When you're in the driver's seat, you feel one with the road. The minimal interior allows the car around you to completely fade away, as you find that you're somehow transformed into a being that exists to drive. Once you put your foot on the pedal, you'll realize that every whim and desire is immediately translated into action, as you find yourself exactly where you want to be on the road, rather than trying to get where you want to be. I've driven other electric vehicles, I've driven sporty compact sedans, and a share of full size luxury sedans. Nothing else balances the nimbleness of the Model 3's handling, with the fast-twitch response time of its pedals, all while providing a fully satisfying heft that gives you confidence that you could hold your own should something terrible happen out there. I have the Performance, but that's after trading up from a Long Range. Everything I've stated is true for both versions, with the exception of the amount of power at your command. The TechCrunch review stated "this is a driver’s car, built not just for people who know they love to drive, but also for people who might not be aware of how much fun it can be". Prior to owning this car, driving was just a way to get from A to B. But with the Model 3, you'll find yourself wanting to get out more, and (provided you source your energy from renewables), without the worry about this action harming the health of your fellow human beings. Notice that I've said nothing so far about autopilot (it's great and getting better every day), about delightful new features regularly dropping overnight (feels like I'm a kid at Christmas), or about the Tesla Supercharging network (you'll adore your new lifestyle of making your trip about the journey again, rather than just the destination). All these things are nice, and I see them as an immense moat for Tesla's competition to cross... but the reality is that even without them, the Model 3 still holds its own. Tesla as a company could completely fold tomorrow, and there'd be enough good about this car, and enough passionate owners to propel support forward for decades to come. As others have said: It's not without its flaws. The fit and finish could be a bit more polished than other cars in its price range, it has bugs here and there, but even with its flaws, and even with the potential to have to wait long periods for Tesla to fix them, there's simply no other car out there that inspires the same feeling. That's why I encourage everyone I meet to buy a Model 3, to support Tesla and our sustainable future, to take the quirks in stride, while simultaneously enjoying the best experience on the road possible as they drive (very quickly) toward the future.
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And yet... Edmunds editors recommend the Kona
Louie, 06/28/2019
updated 07/03/2023
2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
If you want a sedan, and you were planning on spending around $40k to 50k, this is your vehicle. You can save a sizable wad of cash by not opting for the Full Self Driving option. Is she fast? You've never heard of the Model 3? It's the car that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs. It's outrun Imperial starships. Not the local bulk cruisers mind you, I'm talking about the big Corellian ships now. She's fast enough for you old man. 0 to 60mph launches never get old. If you want to spend time on the track or hang with the big boys on the autobahn, get the performance version. Acceleration in that trim is said to "hurt your eyeballs". If you want a CUV, I’m sure the Model Y will be just as satisfying. If you just don't like Tesla but want quality, performance and range - look at a Polestar 2
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The best thing I've ever bougth
Erick, 07/08/2019
2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Driving this car (and letting the car drive for me) is the best, it has changed the experience completely. Now when I use my wife's car, which was mine before and I used to love, I feel like riding a horse or using a flip phone, it might sound like a cliche, but that's really how you feel. the feeling of security the Model 3 gives me and my family when we are on it is not comparable, and in my opinion, is almost priceless. Other things to notice is how you keep getting better stuff for your car with OTA updates, it is something unique in the industry, it keeps you excited with your car because you get new features in regular bases or range improvements, or fixes to existent issues.
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Tesla Spaceship from the Future! Best you can get!
Keith Violette, 07/08/2019
updated 07/29/2022
2018 Tesla Model 3 Performance 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Update: 7/28/22 ≈ 3.5 years of ownership: I can't recommend getting a Tesla enough. No dealership BS, no oil changes, the brakes still look new at 75K miles, no exhaust leaks, no "tune ups", no stanky noisy engine. Just ask anyone I know - they will confirm I never shut up about it. This is still the best car we have ever purchased. We did get the typical squeak in the upper front ball joints, but I replaced the upper A arms with Mountain Pass Performance A arms instead of replacing with factory items. I also replaced the lower rubber joints with spherical bearings from MPP, making a noticeable improvement to the already excellent handling. We are now at 75k miles, and it is just as much fun to drive as ever. The battery is showing ≈290 miles on a full charge, down a bit from the original 310 miles. The free supercharging for life is a great advantage, as road trips don't have a "fuel" cost. The factory 20" wheels are somewhat finicky, the inside lip can get bent on potholes fairly easily, but I do live in NH and drive in MA, so the roads are terrible. I had the rims straightened on the inside edge, which didn't damage the paint on the outer edge, and it made a big improvement at higher speeds on the highway. Can't wait to replace my 2015 Silverado with a Cybertruck! Update: 7/13/2021 ≈ 2.5 years of ownership: The car is still fantastic, and improving with each OTA update. Just completed a 1800 mile road trip, and it handled it wonderfully - without using AP/FSD (I drove the car - the way I like it). We booked hotels with overnight charging, and stopped at a few Superchargers along our route, usually only stopping for 20-30 minutes as charging speeds are increasing. Several Wawa locations on the east coast now have V3 chargers which is fantastic. Had great experiences telling several people all about the car, and seeing kids interested and asking questions was really fun. Had several kids check it out and get pictures. Approaching 50k miles, and just replaced the performance tires (at about 30k miles). I will have to also replace the winter tires (about 20k miles) this fall before another season. For a nearly 500 HP performance sedan, and my wife and I both are aggressive drivers, I am very happy with this tire life. Considering 18 of the 30 months of ownership have been during the pandemic, we have driven this car more than twice as much as our previous WRX, and we loved that car. I have been a Chevy guy for 30+ years. I will be replacing my 2015 Silverado with a tri-motor Cybertruck, and the 1994 Camaro I have owned and driven every year since 1996 will be sold soon. If the $25k Tesla car were available now, I would get one for my kids to use or to rent out. Tesla has ruined me for all other brands. Update 7/10/2020 ~19 months of ownership: While there have been a couple issues, water in rear taillight, rear glass cracked, they were both covered under warranty. Sentry mode captured on video when a coworker backed into the car and drove away. I sent her (& HR) an email of the incident on video, and her insurance company, Geico, covered the repair, but they were a PITA to deal with. We now have 31k miles, and still love the car. There has been a second 5% power boost, and tons of other software updates that keep making the car better and better. We plan to replace our Silverado with a Cybertruck, and have one reserved. EVs, especially Teslas, are the future. End update. WARNING - People should know that test driving this car will ruin them for all other ICE cars. Purchase and pick-up: We test drove a Model S and a Model 3 on August 8th, 2018, and placed an order for a Performance Model 3 when we returned to the showroom that same day. It was only our second new car that we have ever purchased (I am my own mechanic and have been buying used and repairing for the last 28 years), and it was just over twice the price of our previous new car purchase, a 2013 WRX. The WRX held its value well, and was sold private sale before we picked up the Tesla on November 9th. Two weeks before the arranged pick-up, the price was REDUCED $5500 - Thanks Elon! As there are no showrooms in our state (NH) so we opted to pick up the car near NYC after getting a Enterprise rental (covered by Tesla). The first day we kept the car on "Chill" mode, but we haven't turned that back on since - it stays on "Sport". The instantaneous acceleration is very addictive, right from the start. It's a rocket! I do have to admit, there was some range anxiety at first, but that soon disappeared as we took a 800 mile weekend road trip with the car down through NYC and NJ before heading home to NH. Plenty of chargers, no worries at all. We even overnight charged at the Hampton Inn we stayed at. So Far: 9 months and 13k miles later, and we LOVE the car even more. It gets regular software updates - really UPGRADES regularly. We now have 5% more power than when new, higher top speed, quicker acceleration, more fun video games, built-in dash and side cameras, amazing sentry mode, etc... My wife and I negotiate who gets to drive it each day. Yes, we both already want a second one. What friends and family say: I have taken dozens of friends and family for rides, all of them get the "Tesla Grin" when I mash the accelerator pedal and they sink backward into the seats, usually loudly exclaiming phrases I shouldn't express in a review. Many of them are "gear-heads" having racing experience, some have meticulously restored Corvettes, built sub-10 second race cars, or built rally cars. All of them are impressed with the car - the Tech, the performance AND the incredible safety ratings. Operational costs: It costs 3.4 times less per mile to drive than our Silverado truck, and NH electricity is fairly expensive. For comparison, we drive this car 50% more than the WRX and it costs half that much to operate. As we ordered early, it helps that we received free supercharging for the life of the car, so no "fuel" costs for road trips. Conclusion: This is our favorite car EVER. It has blown us away and we won't ever consider purchasing another ICE vehicle again. I hope to sell our truck and upgrade to a Tesla truck or a Rivian once they are in production.
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TESLA 3
raillease, 10/20/2020
2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
great car, fun to drive, handles like a sports car. virtually no maintenance.
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