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Original poster

Every other car is a Tesla and/brand new!

193 replies

LudoBear · 03/04/2021 13:57

I've noticed what seems to be every other car I've seen has either been a Tesla, a 20/70/21 reg car or both. Seems to be since covid more People have had new cars! Anybody else noticed this? I don't live in an affluent area

OP posts:
DoubleTweenQueen · 03/04/2021 15:37

Around here, it’s all Porche SUVs! A few Teslas too, but the Porches have been procreating like bunnies

tigger1001 · 03/04/2021 15:40

@H1978

It’s annoying to see. We got our Tesla model s on finance 3 years ago which we’ve just paid off a few months ago. Our business has been all but dead since covid (travel and tourism) so it was touch and go for a while if we could have afforded to pay the rest of the finance.
Why is it annoying to see?
fizbosshoes · 03/04/2021 15:41

It’s annoying to see. We got our Tesla model s on finance 3 years ago which we’ve just paid off a few months ago

Why is it annoying? Surely it's people doing the same as you did?
I found it surprising, as I presumed (wrongly it would seem) that people wouldnt have the money to upgrade cars last year...but I dont feel annoyed by it.
If you lease a car, are the options , lease for x years and then either buy it or give back (and upgrade?) Sorry for ignorance, I've only bought cars so far (only 2 in 20 years)

BikeRunSki · 03/04/2021 15:47

Credit
Lease
Company car tax breaks for electric cars
People working but not spending on (unavailable) childcare or holidays treating themselves (lease/loan)

sirfredfredgeorge · 03/04/2021 16:00

Well they’re better for the environment so it’s a good thing

Tesla's aren't really better for the environment, as even if you argue the different type of damage the battery etc. causes, their CO2 emissions are traded away to other car firms, so the green advantage of the tesla is already lost by allowing other higher emission vehicles to remain being sold. Look at "tesla green credits".

Of course they do still have local pollution benefits, electric bikes, scooters etc. are much, much better for that though.

Loveisthehope · 03/04/2021 16:02

I don’t know anyone who used to drive a Tesla who has had to downgrade to an Astra!

I do, guy works in the events industry, completely decimated. Not sure if he's got an Astra but the Tesla definitely went some time ago

Waxlyrically · 03/04/2021 16:04

I have one and it’s so cheap to run it will pay for itself ultimately. I welcome seeing more and more electric cars around personally as that can only be a good thing for air quality & the environment.

Onedropbeat · 03/04/2021 16:08

Many people working for the nhs got given very cheap electric car leases last year

moochingtothepub · 03/04/2021 16:15

Seen 2 today, 21 plate. There's quite a lot of electric cars here though, and plenty of high end cars - an evening walk around our development is paradise for the fast car enthusiast! (There's a particularly lovely Aston martin 2 streets away!)

JennyWreny · 03/04/2021 16:18

Tesla Model 3 was the top selling car in December 2020 - with VW Golf in second place. I've definitely noticed more around recently.

As PP mentioned the tax breaks are encouraging more company car drivers to move to electric. For us it was cheaper to get a Tesla than getting a petrol Golf. It's very cheap to run - about 3p per mile (sometimes less). Great tech, from safety features to watching Netflix to linking up with Spotify. The torque/acceleration is amazing. Best car I've driven by a long, long way.

User5485421134 · 03/04/2021 16:23

Teslas can be leased incredibly cheaply (200-300 a month). Self-employed people can also write off the monthly lease payment as tax-deductible and they obviously save on petrol as well. Probably works out to be very reasonable, especially if you factor in the status symbol factor on top.

BarbaraofSeville · 03/04/2021 16:27

Where are people getting the ultra cheap lease deals from. A quick google suggests that the cheapest Tesla lease is around £400 pm, with a £4k deposit, and that only gets you 5000 miles per year.

Where can you find the £200 pm leases?

Notgoingonholiday · 03/04/2021 16:30

Yes to noticing Teslas!
I've just got a 21 plate, we do a payment plan with the dealership, pay monthly for 4 years then either give back or pay the remainder. I have swapped my car every 2 years and it has stayed virtually the same. Means I never pay an MOT, get year free tax, and then so far have only paid for one service on each car. Well worth the lack of suprise bills and extra maintenance you get with keeping a car long term.

Notgoingonholiday · 03/04/2021 16:30

Mine isn't a Tesla btw

luckymagnoliatree · 03/04/2021 16:41

I have been furloughed during covid and we dropped from 2 cars to 1 (were both diesels), DH had the opportunity to swap his car allowance for a company lease car and it works out so much cheaper when you take into account insurance/maintenance/ benefit in kind taxes etc. So after much consideration he has just swapped to a Tesla (on lease hire) & we have sold the diesel car. I must admit I love the drive of the Tesla way more than I expected. I think more people swapping to fully electric cars can only be a good thing in the long term.

Etulosba · 03/04/2021 16:57

I'm not keen on the cheap Tesla interiors. They look like they nailed an iPad to the middle of the dashboard and then gave up.

BikeRunSki · 03/04/2021 17:10

@Onedropbeat

Many people working for the nhs got given very cheap electric car leases last year
Not just the NHS, Environment Agency too. I suspect probably many other public bodies too.
Sparrowfeeder · 03/04/2021 17:29

@Waxlyrically

I have one and it’s so cheap to run it will pay for itself ultimately. I welcome seeing more and more electric cars around personally as that can only be a good thing for air quality & the environment.
This! We love our model s (owned, second hand).
PissTestRightNowDaniella · 03/04/2021 17:29

They might be company cars? My OH is getting a brand new one in June, it's just part of his contract

Beyondhumanity · 03/04/2021 17:38

Just a few months ago on MN:

People can’t afford electric cars!
Don’t just say buy a Tesla!

Looks like people can eh! Grin.

mylovelydd · 03/04/2021 17:57

People lease them. DC went to a private school and virtually 80% of the parents had a brand new Range and majority of them were leased. It's all fur coat and no knickers.

CuthbertDibbleandGrubb · 03/04/2021 18:02

I've noticed a larger number of Range Rovers recently where I live. Mostly driven by people who would fail their driving test if they had to take it in one.

Company cars should in my opinion only be for those such as account managers and reps who genuinely in non-Covid times are travelling in the course of their work.

Etulosba · 03/04/2021 18:04

I can't see what people have against leasing. I don't do it myself because it doesn't suit my lifestyle, but I can see why others would want to.

TwoTypesOfStock · 03/04/2021 18:10

Appears to be quite a bit of judgement and jealousy on this thread.
I’m now retired and do 20 miles a week so drive a Citroen C1, however, last year we hired a Tesla X - it was fabulous and we didn’t want to give it back.

TheOneWithTheBigNose · 03/04/2021 18:32

@CuthbertDibbleandGrubb

I've noticed a larger number of Range Rovers recently where I live. Mostly driven by people who would fail their driving test if they had to take it in one.

Company cars should in my opinion only be for those such as account managers and reps who genuinely in non-Covid times are travelling in the course of their work.

I have a company car. I don’t need it for work, it’s just part of the package that they offer as well as salary/bonus/pension etc. A perk. Why shouldn’t I get it?