Used 2013 Tesla Model S Consumer Reviews

Best car I've ever owned, could never go back

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.

Great drive, poor construction remains concern

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

Great drivetrai + beta software

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.

Tesla is to cars what Apple is to phones.

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!

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!

Tesla Battery Failed after only 43,000 miles!

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.

Lucky to be one of the first - 2013 Model S *****

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.

A game changer!

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!

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

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

This is still the best car I have ever owned!

After purchasing the Model S I am in love with it! No issues in more than 119,000 miles! Still holds great range in its battery. No smells like a car with a gas or diesel engine. No drips on the garage floor. Interior is still as new! Miles per year is now lower than the first 5 years since we have added a Model 3 to our garage. Now totally electric! Best decision we ever made, going Tesla! Now with 30,000 miles on our Model 3 love it too! Especially the driver assistance features that our 7 year old Model S doesn't have. Between the two, I like the driving in both and the Model S is more like a new car than any other I have owned including Porsche, Audi, Volvo, Buick, and Corvette. All of them felt like they were getting old after 6 years or so, but not our Model S.

This car is amazing

Having put 100,000 miles on our Model S we still are impressed with it. And no leaks or oily smells like you get with gasoline or diesel.

Best car I've ever owned.

I've driven the Mercedes CLS 63 AMG for four years. With 66,000 miles on it, I was informed the intake manifold was cracked. No explanation how it could have happened. I decided to spend my money on the Tesla S. It has been the most fun I've ever had in a car. It's quick, responsive, and I've already saved over $1,000 in gas. No emissions, I plug into my house charger and it charges an hour or two when I get home. My electric bill is up $15 bucks a month. I've had a few questions, and I've taken my car back into the service center once. The guys at Tesla are amazing, friendly, and efficient.

Base model: same rocket, smaller boosters

Beats every car in town except a Tesla P85. Sports car, family sedan, and small SUV all in one. Available coved rubber mats allow safe storage of liquids in trunk. mini-USB drive holding tons of classical music plays through the car's system exactly as it would on my desktop or laptop...same file system, everything. Pano roof gives feeling of being in a convertible.

Best Car I Have Owned

I very seldom write reviews, but after reading a couple of lousy reviews about the Tesla S, I feel compelled to do so. And by the way, I own a Tesla S. I didn't just borrow it for a week and my views are about the car, not about what I wish or about the stock market. I have had the fortune of being able to own some awesome cars over the last 20 years. Mercedes SL600, E55, S55, SL63, Nissan GTR, Porsche Turbo, Bentley Silver Spur, and the Tesla S. All great cars. Without a doubt, this is the most amazing car I have driven. It is a technology marvel, a power monster, and incredible fun to drive. It is reliable, inexpensive to run and soooo quiet. So great not to have to buy gas

The best! Don't want to ever drive anything else!

The Tesla Model S is amazing! The comfort, performance and economy are amazing. Good for the planet and climate too! The low cost of operation makes up for the high purchase price and then some! Still loving it after 119,000 miles. Now also have a Model 3 and love that as well! That is just as good! Got 35,000 miles on that already!

this is something you need to consider before you buy

my husband accidentally spilled the cooler inside the car after he hit the break, and the car just stopped in the middle of the road. the car was totally dead (was embarrassed as a lot of people that drove by knew it was a Tesla ~___~ and waved at me) and waited 2hrs for the roadside assistant to arrive. the next day the Costa Mesa service center called, and they were willing to change the connectors that had water damage for us for free, I WAS HAPPY THAT TESLA WOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE AS I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BECAUSE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING UNCOMMON TO HAVE IT HAPPENED INSIDE OF A CAR, WHO DOES NOT HAVE A COOLER? AND WHO DOES NOT CARRY WATER IN THE CAR?

Great car

I own one an am blown away by it. It is truly an amazing game changing car. This car actually has better performance than a Maserati and it just feels fast. Front seats are comfortable, back seats from my passengers, they have plenty of room. I went with the P85 so I did go a tad overboard, BUT I would put it on par with a Porsche Panamera, BUT with no gas, The interior is sleek, had many compliments on the exterior. When you close the doors it's "beefy", very well built. So far, no issues, have 7800 miles on it

Excellent performance, utility and efficiency

I rationalized buying such an expensive car based on $3000 a year gas savings, $500 a year registration savings and maintenance savings. I chose reasonable options like leather, the pano roof and the sound system with the never-produced 40kWh battery. So I am one of the few people who got the 60kWh battery for the price of the 40 (albeit with a software limitation). The car is just as fast as the G37 was, seats 5 adults very comfortably, is twice as efficient as a Prius and has tons of cargo space. The design of the interior and exterior is beautifully done. It does get slightly annoying to drive such a high profile vehicle because that's all anyone wants to talk about.

60 KWH Spring Suspension

This is an initial quality review as we have only 1000 miles since we picked up the car last week. The car has been flawless since we picked up in White Plains on June 4th and has exceed all my memories from the test drive. Our wait was 2.5 months from the time of reservation. I've formerly owned driver's cars like the Redline Saturn Sky an 530Xi 5-series sedan. The Tesla feels even more refined than the 5-series and handles corners on rails like the Sky. Its cargo room approaches a large SUV all while getting nearly 100mpg. I believe our vehicle is one of the first without air suspension, and in my opinion there is no noticeable downside to ride and handling of the coils springs.

What's not to love

Just a better mouse trap

Great vehicle to ride

Its a perfect car to ride

TESLA MODEL S

2013 but runs like a brand new car

2 years in and the car still amazes me.

2 years in and the car still amazes me. Not much more needed to say than that. Update: I’ve had two Model S Teslas and now a Performance 3 and they’re still ridiculously good cars.

Ouch... Be careful here.

I've been driving an S off & on for a few weeks (company got one as part of investor PR.) There are several concerns/problems: car is very heavy, and this will soon be a problem for suspension and tires on the bumpy, pot-holed roads. Secondly, the interior while "different" and kinda cool, is a bit cheap in some ways; the large touchscreen control center is Dangerous: having no buttons/knobs means you are staring at the screen and not on the road.) Most importantly, Tesla is a stock play, not a car company. All the hype is carefully orchestrated to build market cap. Be careful - and assume that they are smarter than you. Because they probably are.

Tesla model S flawed design

I took delivery of my Tesla85 1 month ago and it is a highly flawed design especially the large touch screen , it would be great to know the figures on how many Tesla model s cars have been involved in accidents i will guarantee it is higher than the average what ever that may be ,needless to say I contacted Tesla with my concerns on 4 separate occassions and have heard nothing, great customer service, this car cost $130000 in Australia .It will be interesting to see in the near future whether they persist with this touch screen but if enough safety authorities get hold of this design flaw it could mean a recall what would that cost. Update I still believe it’s a flawed design 2017

Remarkable Car

For over 100 years, cars have improved incrementally. That has changed. In the last year, the car has improved exponentially, thanks to the Tesla Model S. Everything about the Model S is better than an gas car - drive experience, design, engineering. The car has an intuitiveness and effortlessness that is unmatched - acceleration, handling, controls. It only lacks ease of long trips, but that is being solved with the supercharger network and is already irrelevant to many. Daily, it excels - full every morning, at 1/4 the cost of gas, and 4 times the fun. We sold our Lexus when our Model S arrived and will part with our BMW for the Model X. Categorically. Unequivocally. Joyfully!!!

Tangle with a Tesla S ?

This is one sweet car in every way ! I have now sold my S and am driving a Tesla X 90D another amazing car. Fun does not even cover the driving experience that you get when driving these California made cars !

Fascinating, sickeningly fast, ultra-quiet, & no gas!

I have owned my Model S Performance (P85) for 6 weeks. It is the most brilliant car I've ever owned (and I have owned a long string of very good cars, including Ferrari Cailfornia, Audi S8, Porsche 997 Carrera S, Infiniti QX56, Audi allroad, BMW M3...). Automobile Magazine and Motor Trend had it right: it is a "game changer." The power delivery is unreal. It is dead silent. It handles tight and flat. It feels modern and well-assembled. You can keep tabs of the car on an App on the iPhone, including warming it up from wherever you are so it is toasty warm when you climb in. Park it in the garage and quickly plug in the charger, and it is full and ready to go every morning. Just amazing.

Worth every penny

Best car I've ever owned.

Best Car I've ever owned!

Very reliable and very nice looking car. This was my first Electric vehicle and it was a dream car. It drives very smoothly and it looks fantastic.

Sharp Looking Car

Nice smooth ride. Love the free lifetime internet and supercharging.

Great car

Never going back to a gas car

Awesome car for awesome people!