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0 pointssemi-extrinsic7y ago0 comments

> After 5 years the car ended up being about $10k cheaper than my Audi despite it having a higher sticker price.

This would imply a really huge running cost on the Audi over the Tesla in addition to gas - what's that cost? Assuming it's a new car, I assume repairs etc are covered under warranty?

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3 comments · 1 top-level

mdeeks7y ago· 2 in thread

Much of the savings was from rebate/tax credit programs. I didn't factor in maintenance at all since they are unknowns.

My original comment with more details is here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18773680

Also my Audi doesn't have any Autopilot equivalent so I probably should have left that additional $5k out of the cost of the Model 3.

semi-extrinsicOP7y ago

Ah, so if you had compared the Model 3 to a similar-segment petrol car such as the Mazda 3 (4-door), it would be the other way around and the petrol car would come out $10k cheaper in TCO. The Audi A4 is only that expensive because it's a premium segment sedan, the Model 3 is (by design!) not a premium segment sedan.

To clarify, I think you're not comparing "electric car" with "petrol car", you're comparing it with "petrol car for which I happened to pay a $20k premium because it's a status symbol".

Fins7y ago

Last time I got A4 as a loaner, it had ACC and lane assist, which does pretty much everything "autopilot" does, but without trying to kill you.

Changing oil in an Audi, past a free service period, adds up, though.

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