Used 2013 Tesla Model S Consumer Reviews
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Best car I've ever owned, could never go back
John Sanders, 11/06/2015
2013 Tesla Model S 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
38 of 40 people found this review helpful
I like to drive cars hard, but hated sticking $70 in the pump every week. I drive a lot and hate driving hybrids with CVTs. So when I could get an all electric performance car I took the plunge. I usually prefer coupes to sedans, but since Tesla no longer made the Roadster, I went with the Model S. I couldn't be happier. The service is excellent, especially compared with my wife's Lexus. If there's ever a problem, Tesla sends a valet out to get my car, leaves me a brand new loaner, fixes and washes it, and then brings it back to my house, all for free. The car is big, but it still gets close to double Prius efficiency, all while I drive it as fast as I want. Charging at home is also very convenient compared to stopping for gas. The only drawback for me is it is slightly more prone to interior rattles than my past vehicles. This could be because it doesn't make any engine noise, but overall it's still much quieter.
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Great drive, poor construction remains concern
MyTesla, 04/07/2021
updated 05/24/2022
2013 Tesla Model S Performance 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
A pleasure to drive, fast, comfortable, safe but unfortunately too many quality control. issues such as windows or trunk not opening or closing, computer screen leaking, inside cloth doors wearing down and ripping too fast, rattle , rear drive train breaking (an $8000 repair!) etc. "High tech service" on app does not allow for discussion with Tesla. Hopefully more recent cars better built. Not yet a top luxury car. UPDATE: Although a lot of fun to drive my car is unreliable, constantly breaking down and in service for weeks because Tesla does not have enough spare parts to fix. I have no issues with the battery but windows not closing, computer screen leaking, rear drivetrain braking etc etc. I have unfortunately spent thousands in repairs. Service center is primarily interested in sending estimates and getting them approved (ie paid). I guess Uber credits for 3 weeks is how Tesla deals with delays in fixing and customer inconvenience. Sure it's fun to drive although seats are uncomfortable and this car is definitely not what I would consider a luxury car. Not buying a second Tesla. They are overpriced and poorly constructed
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2013 Tesla Model S for sale near you
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Great drivetrai + beta software
evdriver1, 10/21/2014
updated 04/24/2017
2013 Tesla Model S 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
28 of 31 people found this review helpful
I own 2013 model 85 that has 17k miles on it. Great drivetrain, power and handling. Interior is good but not on par with Germans. Quality of materials and assembly probably like Volvo. 2014 models may be better. Fortunately Tesla have been fixing squeks, creaks and leaks. Drive unit developed whine, replaced. Sunroof seals replaced. Glovebox stuck, replaced. Software is hit and miss, feels like perpetual beta. Service center is useless if issue is in software. 4.x was OK. 5.0 - garage opener started to work every other time. Some next version fixed it. 5.11 randomly rebooted. 5.12 seemed stable. 6.0 added calendar which doesnt sync with iphone 6. Make sure you read forums and blog comments. UPD: Sold at 30K. Did not buy another. Will wait some until software stabilizes. Don't feel like paying $100K to be a tester.
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Tesla is to cars what Apple is to phones.
drbones911, 05/21/2013
2013 Tesla Model S Performance 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
39 of 45 people found this review helpful
I have approximately 7000 miles on this signature, performance version of the Tesla S. The car grabs a lot of attention and drives like a dream machine. I've driven the car from Boston to New York City then into New Jersey and back again with no problems. Other than that, I never really need to use an outside charging station since I charge it each night in my garage at home. This car is not just for local commutes. The car of the future is already here and still many still people don't believe that it's possible. Great job Tesla!
122K miles and still a thrill!
Cord, 09/18/2020
updated 03/23/2022
2013 Tesla Model S Performance 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
The silent mind blowing torque of the Tesla is second to none. I get hopped up Mustangs, Chargers, Vettes at a stop light that try to jump ahead. I didn't even see them trying until I hear the gas engines rev and before they even get to shift I'm gone. So easy to drive and fits as much as my family minivan did. I love cars and have had many, but I will not be going back to gas. I have had no issues with the car and look forward to buying another one in another 100k or so. I drove from Sacramento, CA to Maine stopping at as many national parks as possible and had free charging the whole way. Then drove to Florida and back across the southern route through SoCal and back to Sac. It was a comfortable easy ride. We camped out some and stayed in hotels. Every campground in America is a charging station, but we only used them for convenience. There were plenty of Tesla Super charging stations all the way. I found using 70,000 mile warranty tires works great because you tend to go through them in about 35k miles. Just turn them in and get 50% off the next set. My range has dropped about 10% in 122k miles. Mine is a 2013 so it is was an early battery. They have gotten twice as good now according to the specs. My extended family drove mine and now they all have them too. Lol! Hope you have as much fun as I have! Saving for another one now. Really want 500 mile range so I don't even have to charge on the road. I charge with Solar at home so I drive on Sun. No need to pay the oil companies OR the Electric company! Lol!
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Tesla Battery Failed after only 43,000 miles!
Ro, 01/18/2022
2013 Tesla Model S 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
18 of 22 people found this review helpful
After only 43,000 miles my Tesla Model S battery began to fail. A full charge dropped from about 235 miles to a mere 100 miles. The Tesla experts informed me that the battery would completely fail very soon or months down the road and I could be stranded. They wanted to charge me $22,000 for a new battery, which they would install in a few months or so. I was furious and hugely disappointed. Counting tax, registration etc., I paid $98,000 in 2013 for this new Model S Tesla. That the car essentially quit after 43,000 miles and 8 years leads me to regret every buying it. I begged a Tesla manager to charge less or nothing at all for a new battery since the warranty was up about 5 months prior and the Tesla had only 43,000 miles. The Tesla manger refused. I told him that I thought, given the money I paid, that Tesla would consider finding a good solution for the sake of customer satisfaction. The employee hardly even responded to my request. His communicated: You are just out of luck and Tesla policy is not going to help you. The Tesla service manager said that he knew of other Tesla’s with failed batteries so mine was not an unexpected event. I will NEVER buy another Tesla. Those cars are expensive, yet their batteries may fail within or just after 8 years. Previously I purchased non-Tesla cars that lasted 110,000 to 150,000 miles. Not my Tesla – only 43,000 miles. The environmental impact of Tesla cars includes all the effort to mine lithium plus other unattractive environmental effects to produce the massive battery. Now my battery may end up in the landfill. Tesla said they have no rebuilt batteries. So the environmental impact is not simple.
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Lucky to be one of the first - 2013 Model S *****
djsn1987, 11/28/2021
2013 Tesla Model S 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
As an original owner, I was an early adopter in 2013 in Palm Beach, Florida by purchasing a 2013 Model S after a friend gave me a ride in his. That is really all it takes for a sale! My experience has surpassed my highest expectations! Tires every 15-30k miles , annual wiper blades, annual key fob batteries, and a 3 year cycle of 12v battery replacement describes my recurring costs. Had to have a $1100 central processing unit screen upgrade once during my 8 years of ownership. Auto software upgrades are a dream. More features, wifi automatic, painless! The Tesla service has dropped from my rank of "10+" in 2014 when compared with my prior Mercedes and Lexus dealerships to an "8" as Tesla has grown over the past 8 years. Original big 85kw battery is now out of warranty, but I only have 29,000 miles after 8 years, and the original batteries apparently can last for 150k - 300k miles and recharging. Time will tell. All told ..... the best car that I have ever owned .. hands down. Thank you, Elon, for revolutionizing the industry for the better.
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A game changer!
richard_d, 10/18/2013
2013 Tesla Model S Performance 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
31 of 43 people found this review helpful
Well, add me to the long list of people that switched from a high performance ICE vehicle to a Tesla. I had the new 2012 Porsche 911S, which is a great car in its own right. However, the instant torque and acceleration of the Tesla is something you need to experience to understand. With no gears to shift, the acceleration is smooth and endless. The suspension on the P85+ keeps the car flat while cornering, but somehow manages to provide a comfortable ride at the same time. The touch screen is beautiful and works very well. We were going to get an Audi Q7 or Porsche Cayenne for my wife, but we now have the Tesla Model X SUV on order!
Great Car - Wish I could afford a second!
josh_b, 07/24/2013
2013 Tesla Model S 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
18 of 25 people found this review helpful
Hi everyone, Like you I was skeptical at first that an EV could be as enjoyable to drive as one with an ICE and as green as described. I can now say that after 14,000 trouble free kilometeres and no issues, my 'S has been all of the above and more. I have hauled four people and their equipment around all day, driven all over southern Ontario without issue or anxiety and saved countless tanks of gas from being burned. (I drive a lot.) It's great to see technology, but moreso great to see technology implemented smartly. (Not just for its own sake.) The car is reliable and a joy to drive!
Doesn't get any better than this
Jeffrey Carmel, 06/23/2017
updated 07/02/2018
2013 Tesla Model S 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
This is the only car Consumer Reports ever gave a perfect score to, and it is apparent the very first time one drives a Tesla. The performance, the road handling, the styling, the details are hard to fathom for a first of its kind. No amount of written verbiage can take the place of a test drive. There is simply no other car on the road that even comes close. I've owned Porsche, BMW, Lexus, all of which I loved, but none hold a candle to Tesla
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