Categories: Electric Vehicles

7 Reasons to Buy a Tesla Model 3 Instead of a Honda Civic

In this video and in the table below we explore the reasons a someone who is recently laid off would spend the money on a new Tesla Model 3.  At first this seems nonsensical but once you run through the logic, it makes a lot of sense.

We focus on the total cost of ownership and elimination of most unexpected variable costs like maintenance:


Car 2021 Tesla Model 3 SR+ 2022 Honda Civic EX
Purchase Price $39,900.00 $24,700.00
Sales tax $2,793.00 $1,729.00
Destination & doc fee $1,200.00 $920.00
5 Year Resale Value (via KBB) -$19,918.30 -$9,640.80
Federal Incentive -$5,000.00 $0.00
California Incentive -$1,500.00 $0.00
Cash Cost after Incentives & Resale Deduction & Taxes/Fees $17,474.70 $17,708.20
Price of Gas $3.50
Avg Price Of Electricity For Car $0.20
Average Miles Per Year 15,000 15,000
Maintenance Costs (5 Years) $980.72 $3,159.00
Miles/kWh 4 33
Average Gallons Of Gas Per Year (Miles/MPG) 450
Average kWh Of Electricity Per Year For Car (Miles/4) 3,750.00
Average Cost Of Fuel Per Year $750.00 $1,575.00
5 Year Total Cost of Ownership
Tesla Model 3 vs Honda Civic
$22,205 $28,742

The 7 Reasons to Buy a Tesla Model 3 instead of a Honda Civic

1: About the same up front cost a lowly Honda Civic
2: No maintenance cost or maintenance hassles
3: No gas to buy or pumps to freeze or boil at while waiting in line
4: Free electricity from the office and my solar array
5: No price shocks from OPEC
6: Reduced cost of Insurance
7: Cheapest total cost of ownership


View Comments

    • Hi Sedique;

      EV's are just less expensive AFTER A FEW YEARS, fun to drive and easier to drive. The argument I get from people is the same as my solar panels; it will take a few years to be cash positive oh-my I would rather save $10K today than $20K over ten years. Many consumers are very short sighted and that is an opportunity for those who want to get ahead.

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