124 - Buying a Nine year old Tesla and loving it

The Tesla Model 3 is an electric sedan, and the “standard range” version is the lower-battery variant compared with longer-range trims. In this segment, the host ties it to Leo’s early ownership in 2019 and discusses how long he kept it before upgrading.

In car ownership, a warranty is the manufacturer’s promise to cover certain repairs for a set period or mileage. Here, Leo says the warranty was 80,000 kilometres, which influenced when he decided to upgrade and sell his Tesla.

“Dual motor” refers to an electric drivetrain using two electric motors (typically one per axle). Compared with single-motor setups, dual-motor cars often deliver stronger acceleration and can improve traction and control, which is why Leo highlights it as a feature of his long range Model 3.

The second-hand market is the used-car market, where buyers purchase cars that are already out of their original ownership cycle. For EVs, this matters because battery health, software support, and long-term ownership costs can be harder to predict than with new cars.

“Unknown brands” refers to EV makers with less established track records for long-term support, parts availability, and software updates. The concern is that ownership costs and service quality may be unpredictable a few years after purchase.

Financing is borrowing money to pay for the car over time, typically with interest and monthly payments. In the used EV context, financing can be part of why the “total cost to own” feels manageable even when the car is older.

The Tesla Model S is a long-range, battery-electric sedan known for its high efficiency and strong real-world usability compared with many earlier EVs. In this segment, it’s the specific nine-year-old Tesla being discussed as a great used purchase.

“75D” is a Tesla Model S battery/trim designation that indicates a specific battery capacity and drivetrain configuration. It’s relevant because it helps identify which version of the Model S the owner has, which can affect range and performance characteristics.

A hatchback is a body style where the rear door opens upward and the trunk area is integrated into the passenger compartment. The hosts use it to describe how the car’s shape translates into usable cargo space and easier loading for family life.

Battery health is a measure of how much usable capacity an EV battery still has compared to when it was new. As battery health declines, the car typically delivers less range and may show reduced performance or charging behavior depending on the battery management system.

Charging to full is a common way to check an EV’s reported range or state-of-charge behavior. For battery health discussions, people often compare what the car can show at 100% charge versus expected new-car numbers.

“Range” here refers to how far the car can drive on a full battery charge, expressed in kilometers. The host is framing the decision around a practical usable distance target (roughly 350 km) rather than obsessing over edge-case scenarios.

“Traffic light” is used as a stand-in for frequent stop-and-go acceleration opportunities. In EV discussions, it often highlights instant torque feel—how quickly an EV can surge from a standstill.

A lease is a financing arrangement where you pay to use a car for a set term, usually with limits on mileage and wear, and you typically return the car at the end. The hosts are contrasting leasing costs versus buying, arguing that keeping the car longer can be cheaper than repeatedly paying for new leases.

“Market adjusted itself” here is shorthand for how used-car prices change based on supply and demand. When the market shifts, the resale value you expect for a car can drop (or rise), which affects whether selling a leased or owned EV feels “worth it.”

The Zeekr 7X is an electric SUV that’s positioned as a family-friendly option with modern tech and space. It’s mentioned because the speaker was deciding between the Zeekr 7X and a Tesla, which makes it relevant to discussions about value, features, and what fits a buyer’s needs. The “stuck between” context suggests it’s a direct alternative in the same general market segment.

An EV owner is someone who drives an electric vehicle and plans their charging around home and public infrastructure. The discussion highlights typical prep steps like installing charging hardware and considering home energy storage.

A home charger is an EV charging unit installed at your house so you can plug in and charge overnight. It typically connects to your home electrical system and can charge faster and more conveniently than relying on public chargers.

Tesla’s “Powerwall” is a home battery system that stores electricity, often paired with solar panels. In an EV-owner context, it can help you use more of your own solar energy for charging and reduce reliance on the grid.

The Dodge Charger is a well-known performance-oriented sedan that’s typically associated with powerful engines and a sporty driving feel. In this podcast context, it’s mentioned in a discussion that contrasts EV charging expectations with what you might get for an electric vehicle. It’s likely brought up to highlight differences in ownership experience—especially around charging equipment and setup.

Many EVs don’t include a full-size spare tire because they rely on tire-inflation solutions (like sealant and a compressor) or because packaging and weight trade-offs make a spare less practical. The hosts are pointing out that they haven’t seen an EV with a spare tire.

Charging infrastructure is the network of charging stations available for EVs and plug-in hybrids. When it’s sparse—especially outside major cities—it can strongly influence whether someone is comfortable going fully electric.

Recharging stations are places where EVs can be plugged in to add energy. The host is using them as a real-world metric for how usable EV travel is on routes like the South Coast.

The South Coast is a named travel corridor/region the host uses as an example route. They’re pointing out that charging coverage along that specific drive has improved, which directly affects EV road-trip practicality.

Eden is a specific town mentioned as a location where one of the host’s customers lives. It’s used to illustrate that EV charging coverage (or expectations about it) extends beyond major metro areas.

AGL is an Australian energy retailer, and an “AGL plan” here refers to a specific electricity tariff. The host switched plans to take advantage of cheaper off-peak electricity for EV charging.

Overnight charging usually means charging an EV during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper. Many utilities offer time-of-use rates that make charging at night significantly less expensive than charging during the day.

A kilowatt hour (kWh) is a unit of electrical energy, not power. EV charging costs are often quoted per kWh, so the price you pay depends on how many kWh your car draws from the grid.

“Rated range” is the manufacturer’s stated distance an EV can travel on a full charge under standardized testing. Real-world range often differs due to driving style, speed, temperature, and route conditions.

“7 kilowatt” refers to the charger’s power output, which largely determines how quickly the EV can be recharged. Higher kW generally means faster charging (within the limits of the car’s onboard charging hardware).

“Solar state batteries” appears to be a mis-transcription or a reference to a battery technology concept. In EV discussions, listeners may be expecting “solid-state batteries,” which use a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one, aiming for higher energy density and improved safety.

BYD is a Chinese automaker known for making electric vehicles and batteries at large scale. In this segment, the hosts discuss BYD ownership experiences, including how widespread adoption can reveal early “teething” problems.

“Teething issues” are early problems that show up when a product or brand is still working through initial production, supply chains, or service processes. Here, it’s used to describe growing pains the speaker associates with BYD ownership.

A “service network” is the set of dealerships or repair shops that can diagnose and fix a vehicle, including how quickly they can get parts and schedule work. The speaker’s concern is that limited parts availability and a thin service network can make ownership frustrating.

“Factory fitted” means the option (like a tow bar) is installed during vehicle production at the manufacturer, rather than added later by a dealer or third party. The speaker says their car was supposed to be factory-fitted, but the tow bar ended up being fitted by the local dealer, causing confusion.

A tow bar is the hitch hardware used to connect a trailer to a vehicle. In this segment, the hosts discuss a tow bar option and how the installation responsibility and timing became a problem.

A wireless charging pad is an in-car charging surface that powers a phone without plugging in a cable, typically using inductive charging. The speaker says the BYD’s wireless charging pad never worked for them.

“G2” here refers to a magnetic phone-attachment standard used to help align a phone on a wireless charging pad. The speaker suggests that if phones all used the same “G2” magnetic alignment, charging would be more consistent.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 is an electric luxury sedan from Mercedes-EQ, known for its comfort-focused EV package and tech-heavy interior. In this segment, it’s used as an example of how even a brand-new Mercedes-Benz EV can be sidelined by parts delays after a pickup issue.

Parts delays are when a vehicle can’t be repaired or driven because the needed replacement component isn’t available yet. In EV ownership, this can be especially frustrating because specialized parts may have longer lead times than common wear items.

A “year service” is a scheduled maintenance visit that typically happens at a set time interval (like annually) rather than being tied to mileage. For EVs, it can include inspections and any required replacements, but the key issue raised here is whether the needed parts are ready.

“Stocking parts” refers to how a dealer or manufacturer keeps inventory of replacement components so repairs and scheduled service can be completed quickly. The host argues that frequent model updates and many different models make it harder to predict demand and keep the right parts on hand.

Elon Musk is the high-profile CEO behind Tesla, and the hosts are debating whether liking Tesla means liking him personally. This matters because Tesla’s brand identity is closely tied to Musk’s public persona.

In car talk, “design” usually means the vehicle’s styling and packaging choices—how it looks and how the interior/exterior space is arranged. Here, the hosts say they admire Tesla’s design even if they previously thought the cars looked “funny.”

The Tesla Model Y is a compact electric SUV that’s often positioned as the “value” Tesla option. In this segment, the hosts connect it to practical needs like seating space and towing capability, arguing that other EVs cost more for similar features.

The Mercedes-Benz EQB is an electric SUV from Mercedes-Benz, offered with seating for up to seven people depending on configuration. It comes up in the podcast as an example of an EV that can get expensive as you move up in size and capability, with the speaker citing a high price point. That makes it relevant to discussions about how EV costs change when you want more space.

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an electric people-mover/MPV styled like a modern take on the classic VW bus. The hosts cite its price as another reason they felt “priced out” compared with the Tesla Model Y.

The Kia EV9 is a large, family-focused electric SUV. In this segment, it’s brought up as a near-$100,000 option, and the hosts use that pricing to explain why their EV choices narrowed.

Towing refers to pulling a trailer behind a vehicle, which usually requires enough power and the right drivetrain/packaging. Here, the hosts say some EVs only tow unless you choose a higher trim or a “medium range and above” model, which affects both capability and cost.

Turning circle is the diameter (or tightness) of the space required to make a full turn. The host calls it the “only painful thing,” suggesting the Tesla Model Y may feel less maneuverable in tight parking or U-turn situations.

The Kia EV5 is an electric vehicle model the hosts mention as part of their shopping process. They reference driving it before going to Tesla, using it as a comparison point in their real-world evaluation.

Tesla charging network refers to Tesla’s network of public fast-charging stations used to recharge Tesla EVs. It’s often cited as a major ownership advantage because it can reduce “range anxiety” by making charging more predictable on trips.

The third row is the rearmost seating area in a multi-row vehicle, typically used for extra passengers or children. The hosts call out access to the third row as a “game changer,” meaning it improves day-to-day usability for families as kids get older.

A wall charger is a dedicated EV charging unit installed at home (or workplace) that delivers electricity to the car more reliably than using a generic outlet. It’s typically rated for higher continuous power and can be configured for the home’s electrical setup.

“32 amp” refers to the maximum current the EV charger can deliver through the plug. Higher amperage generally means faster charging, assuming the car and the home wiring can safely support it.

Seven kilowatts (kW) is a measure of charging power—how quickly energy is delivered to the battery. Charging power depends on the charger, the car’s onboard charging limits, and the home’s electrical supply.

Single-phase power is a common residential electrical supply where electricity is delivered on one alternating-current “phase.” EV charging on single-phase is often limited in maximum power compared with three-phase systems, which is why they expect a cap around ~7 kW.

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) is a capability where an EV can send electricity back to the power grid (not just charge from it). It requires both the car hardware/software and the right grid/charging setup, and it’s often discussed as a future way to balance demand and supply.

Tesla Cybertruck is Tesla’s angular, stainless-steel-bodied electric pickup that’s designed to be tough and distinctive. In this segment, the hosts discuss whether the Cybertruck can be sold in Australia, including how its availability differs by market.

Right-hand drive means the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle, which is required for driving on the left in countries like Australia. The hosts claim Tesla won’t make the Cybertruck in right-hand-drive configuration, which would prevent it from being practical or legal for that market.

Insurance is the policy cost to protect against risks like accidents and theft. Here, the hosts say an insurer told them lighter-colored cars can be cheaper to insure because they’re easier to see, while darker cars are harder to spot.

Resale is the price you can sell a car for later. The hosts debate whether paint color affects resale value, but they conclude that color doesn’t meaningfully change resale for their situation (especially over an 8+ year ownership horizon).

The Kia Carnival is a family-focused minivan/people-mover from Kia, chosen here as the speaker’s prior vehicle. In this segment, it’s used to illustrate how cosmetic damage (scratches) may not noticeably change resale for a typical eight-to-ten-year ownership cycle.

Chips and scratches are common cosmetic paint damage from road debris and everyday contact. The hosts use this as a practical reality check: after enough years, most cars will show some level of this wear, which affects how much value paint protection can realistically preserve.

PPF (paint protection film) is a clear protective layer applied to a car’s paint to help guard against chips, scratches, and minor abrasions. The hosts question whether PPF is truly necessary for a family car that will inevitably pick up wear over an eight-to-ten-year period.

A graphene coating is a type of ceramic-style paint protection product that forms a durable surface layer to make dirt and water bead off more easily. Here, it’s mentioned as something the speaker applied to protect the look of their coupe, contrasting with whether they did anything similar on the family Kia.