The automotive world is constantly evolving, and few figures have influenced its current trajectory as profoundly as Elon Musk. When considering the phrase “Elon Musk Car,” the immediate association for many is Tesla, the electric vehicle (EV) giant that has reshaped how we think about transportation. For our household, the idea of an “elon musk car” recently transitioned from abstract interest to tangible reality, culminating in the purchase of our first new vehicle since 1999 – a Tesla Model Y. This decision wasn’t made lightly. It represents a significant shift towards embracing modern consumerism, acknowledging industrial advancements, and taking a step towards a more environmentally conscious future. It also answers a question we’d been pondering for months: Which electric car best suits our needs?
To fully appreciate our journey to owning a Tesla, we need to rewind the clock nearly a quarter-century.
From Paycheck to Paycheck to a New Car Consideration
The year was 1999. The internet boom was in full swing. We were living in Seattle, navigating the city with a well-worn Ford Taurus. This car, a veteran of our family life, had served its purpose and then some. Its faded paint, worn seats, and peculiar maple-syrup scent when parked downhill were testaments to years of faithful service. It was a car of necessity, not luxury.
One day, while parking downtown for a meeting, I returned to find a card tucked under the aging windshield wipers. It was an advertisement from an employment agency with a pointed question: “Tired of living paycheck to paycheck?” This simple card, in a way, acted as a catalyst. It prompted a reflection on our current situation and perhaps, the possibility of moving beyond our reliable, albeit aging, Taurus. Maybe, just maybe, it was time to consider a new car.
Driven by this thought, and accompanied by our son, we ventured to University Motors. My initial draw was the sleek and stylish Audi TT roadster, a newly released model that epitomized chic design. However, practicality soon intervened. With guidance from a trusted friend, Mickey Kaus, a car enthusiast, we shifted our focus to the more family-oriented Audi A4 sedan.
Mickey’s email in 1999 described the A4 as “a timeless classic,” a prediction that proved remarkably accurate. Even today, nearly 25 years later, our Audi A4 stands as a testament to enduring design and quality.
A quarter-century of reliable service: the Audi A4, described as a ‘timeless classic’ by a car expert friend in 1999. While enduring, sourcing spare parts has become increasingly challenging.
The Audi A4 has been more than just reliable; its manual transmission even inadvertently served as an anti-theft feature. A past attempted car theft was thwarted by its five-speed stick shift, a detail lost on modern thieves accustomed to automatics. Despite our continued appreciation for the A4, its age is becoming a factor. Finding spare parts has become increasingly difficult, hinting that its days as our primary vehicle are numbered. A recent fender repair by a roadside mechanic further underscored the car’s advancing age and the need to consider a replacement.
Six Key Steps to Choosing an Elon Musk Car: The Tesla Model Y
The search for a new car naturally led us to the burgeoning electric vehicle market. We explored hybrid options but ultimately decided to fully embrace the electric future. Our research was extensive. We followed industry news, tracked models from Hyundai, Kia, Cadillac, Polestar, and others, and paid attention to EV advertisements and reviews. We even consulted Uber and Lyft drivers about their experiences with electric and hybrid vehicles, gaining valuable real-world insights. A test drive of a friend’s Polestar further solidified our interest in EVs.
Ultimately, we landed on Tesla. This decision came despite acknowledging concerns surrounding Elon Musk’s ownership of Twitter and the controversies surrounding Tesla’s autonomous driving technology and company practices. We were aware of the criticisms, yet the Tesla Model Y emerged as our chosen vehicle.
Our decision-making process boiled down to six key factors:
1. Market Scale and Tesla’s Dominance
Tesla’s market leadership in the EV sector was undeniable. In California, a significant portion of vehicles on major highways were Teslas. The Model Y itself was California’s top-selling vehicle in the first quarter of the year, surpassing all other models, including gas-powered cars and trucks. While historically, I’ve often opted for less mainstream, “underdog” products, choosing alternatives to market leaders, this time felt different. The scale of Tesla’s operation offered tangible advantages, most notably its extensive Supercharger network. This infrastructure, now being adopted by other manufacturers, provides unparalleled convenience for EV owners.
2. Immediate Availability of Tesla Vehicles
Unlike many EVs with long waiting lists or uncertain release dates, Tesla offered immediate availability. We wanted a car now, not in the distant future. Tesla’s production capacity and inventory meant we could take delivery of our Model Y within two weeks of our test drive and order. This rapid turnaround was a significant advantage.
3. Surprisingly Competitive Pricing of the Model Y
Price was a crucial consideration. Fortuitously, our car shopping coincided with Tesla’s price reductions aimed at boosting sales volume and ensuring eligibility for federal tax credits. Although prices slightly increased after our order, the initial price drop made the Model Y surprisingly affordable, especially considering its features and capabilities.
4. Tax Advantages and Government Incentives
The Tesla Model Y, manufactured in Austin, Texas, qualified for the $7,500 federal tax credit for domestically produced electric vehicles. This incentive significantly lowered the overall cost and positioned Tesla favorably against competitors like Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, and Polestar, whose EVs may not qualify for the same credit due to manufacturing locations. (It is important to note that some VW models assembled in Chattanooga do qualify for certain credits). After the tax credit, the final price of our Model Y was less than the average price of a new car in the US and, adjusted for inflation, even less than our 1999 Audi A4.
5. The Right Fit and “Vibe” of the Model Y
The Model Y perfectly suited our needs, particularly for my wife, who would be the primary driver. Its size, layout, and overall space were exactly what she was looking for. Crucially, she genuinely liked the car – its aesthetics, driving experience, and overall feel. I also found it appealing. The “vibe” was right.
6. Navigating the “Elon Factor”
The elephant in the room was Elon Musk himself. His controversial actions and impact on public discourse, particularly concerning Twitter, raised concerns. Ideally, we would have preferred a comparable EV from a different company. However, the reality is that Tesla, under Musk’s leadership, has revolutionized the EV market. In the end, we made a conscious decision to separate the car from the personality. We chose the Model Y for its merits as a vehicle, acknowledging but compartmentalizing the “Elon Factor.”
Bringing home our first new car in over two decades: A Tesla Model Y, with its primary driver at the wheel, marking a step into the electric vehicle future.
Conclusion: Embracing the Electric Future with Tesla
Our journey to purchasing a Tesla Model Y was driven by a combination of practical needs, financial considerations, and a desire to embrace the electric vehicle revolution. While our beloved Audi A4 will remain a cherished part of our lives for as long as possible, the Tesla Model Y represents our step into the future of automotive technology. The decision wasn’t solely about buying an “elon musk car” but about choosing the best electric vehicle currently available that met our criteria for scale, availability, price, and overall suitability. For now, we are Tesla owners, recognizing the company’s transformative role in the automotive landscape and looking forward to the electric driving experience.
