Waiting for a Tesla Model 3? Get One Now on eBay Motors

News, Performance, Sports Cars  /   /  By Jim Motavalli

The highly anticipated Tesla Model 3 electric car, with a range of up to 310 miles and a net price starting at $35,000, is trickling out of the company’s California factory slower than anticipated. If you have your heart set on owning a Model 3, get ready to wait for a year or longer—because as many as a half-million reservation-holders are already in line. But for Tesla fans who simply can’t wait, eBay Motors has a solution: leap ahead of the line by buying a slightly pre-owned car, or buy someone’s place in the queue.

This Tesla Model 3 set an electric record for the Cannonball Run. Since then, it was detailed, given a tough ceramic coating, and then sold on eBay Motors.

This Tesla Model 3 set an electric record for the Cannonball Run. Since then, it was detailed, given a tough ceramic coating, and then sold on eBay Motors.

To get a sense of the marketplace, consider that in January the bids on this lovely blue car settled at $57,100. That’s the price range you should expect for the low-mileage Model 3s listed on eBay Motors. That car was an early-customer Model 3 that set an electric Cannonball Run record last year, driven by Alex Roy and Dan Zorrilla. The low cost of electric fuel allowed the team to spend merely $100 on charging to cross the country. Zorrilla’s record-setting car boasts the premium upgrade package—leather, full-length glass sunroof, stereo upgrade, long-range battery, and Enhanced Autopilot.

You might have missed the chance to buy that unique example, but don’t be discouraged. There are commonly about a dozen Model 3s listed on eBay Motors.

The market price of a readily available Model 3 with 310 miles of range appears to be around $55,000.

The market price of a readily available Model 3 with 310 miles of range appears to be around $55,000. This one is a deal because it doesn’t have the AutoPilot feature.

As of this morning, there are no bids on this pristine Midnight Silver Metallic Model 3—and there’s only a day left on the listing. With a requested starting bid of $54,900, it’s the best deal of the current selection on eBay Motors. Tesla promoted the Model 3 as its first affordable model with a nominal net price of $35,000—although the first phase of production is made up of only long-range models with a base price of $49,000. (The more affordable 220-mile version won’t arrive until late 2018, at the earliest.)

The dark silver Model 3 was picked up on March 15 and has been driven fewer than 70 miles. The car, which has premium upgrades but no AutoPilot, is ready for immediate transfer.

This 2018 Tesla Model 3 has only seen 250 miles of service so far.

This 2018 Tesla Model 3 has only seen 250 miles of service so far.

If Tesla’s self-driving features are a must for you, this blue Model 3 with a smart black interior has only 250 miles on the odometer. The starting bid of $57,999 is bound to go higher—considering the $5,000 premium interior upgrade,  $3,000 19-inch Sport wheels, and the $3,000 self-driving capability and automatic parking. (Advice: keep your hands on the wheel.)

The first set of Model 3s went to employees. This car was one of the first to follow soon after.

The first set of Model 3s went to employees. This car was one of the first to follow soon after.

Today could be your chance to own one of the first Model 3s every produced. It’s among the first units delivered to a non-employee. The owner put only 1,200 miles on the car and wants to sell it exactly for the price they paid, reportedly $56,000. It’s loaded with premium upgrades and enhanced autopilot.

Eventually, it will be possible to run down to a local Tesla dealer (at least, in states that allow them), kick the tires, and drive away soon after in a brand-new Model 3. Tesla is trying to gear up to an annual production of 500,000, but that’s a big step for what has been a small-volume producer. With a significant gap between demand and delivery, the current market for Model 3s on eBay Motors is unlikely to dwindle—and will probably grow as the reservation-holders and the first owners see an opportunity to sell to other eager Tesla fans.

The full range of Tesla cars available on eBay Motors—including the Model S sedan, Model X SUV, and first-generation Roadster—usually approaches about 100 vehicles. And, of course, eBay Motors fully supports the cars with available Tesla parts.

Tell your friends:

See eBay Motors for sale on eBay.

About the Author

Jim Motavalli is a contributor to the New York Times, Barron's, NPR’s Car Talk, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, among others. He is the author of nine books, including two—Forward Drive and High Voltage—about electric cars and why they’re important. He is a longtime radio host on WPKN-FM, and a public speaker on environmental topics.