I am interested in getting the lowest option equipped Model S 85. I was wondering if they even exist as inventory cars? I called around and tesla stores typically stock versions with more options like air, tech, etc and thus they would take the price on to the car and then deduct the miles for the discount. I was hoping they would have base base model without any of the bells and whistles.
Do these inventory cars even exist?
Some great replies above, for sure. Having purchased 3 Inventory cars in the last 4-months from Tesla, I'm a bit of an expert on this matter. My first car was an 85 classic, out of Chicago, with ~1,500 miles on the odometer and a $7k discount. The second was my 85D also out of Chicago (note that I'm in Cleveland, Ohio)-- that car had ~1,200 miles, and a $6,500 discount. The latter car added AWD and Autopilot, which were the two features that I most wanted. (also added air suspension etc).
But the car that relates most to this topic here is my wife's inventory car, which came out of Florida. It required the "approval" of both the Midwest and South-East regional sales managers to approve the out-of-region transfer of a vehicle (so yes, for those wondering, it CAN be done-- but its not standard practice). But before I tell you about the car she got, let me tell you about the one that got away. There was another out-of-region car that was exactly what you're talking about-- ZERO OPTIONS. We had been looking to lease, and that car was basic black, textile interior, NO features/options. It was $71k -- but then discounted another $10k as I recall. I don't remember the final MSRP, but I can tell you that the lease rate was under $600 per month!
If you find an inventory car with a deep discount, leasing tends to actually prove to be the better option. Financing is nice (for the $7500 credit) -- but then you're forced into purchasing the car. Obviously there are benefits there (interest rates are low on new cars, or perhaps you have cash). But the benefit of leasing inventory cars is huge-- for every $3,600 off MSPR (Discount) that directly relates to another $100/month off the price of the car (and you pay less tax on that too). We lost out on the zero-option car because a local buyer had first dibs, it was out of region, and that buyer decided to purchase.
However, the second car we found worked out equally as nice. It has options (pearl white paint upgrade, performance leather seating with suede accents and suede head liner, 21" silver wheels, and supercharging enabled). I should point out both cars were/are 60 kWh units. However, the wife's car had a $13,600+ discount -- and hence we managed to put down the standard $5k deposit, plus acquisition fees and other fees-- and then paid our sales tax up front-- allowing for a net $600/month payment. The car had just over 5,000 miles when we acquired it -- but again, sold as new, full warranty, etc.
TL;DR
To answer your questions more succinctly ---
1- there are cars out there w/o options but they are VERY rear and hard to find
2- instead, finding cars with deep inventory discounts may be easier, to offset what options the cars do have
3- when finding inventory cars, the lowest monthly payment comes from the deepest "showroom discount" you can find
4- out of region cars might be required, to get the best deal, so don't be afraid to ask for that and see what happens
Good luck!
While I like to accelerate I do not track race so my number one priority with my tires is to deliver reasonable grip for my driving and not fail.
