Tesla Service Centers

[bsimoes]

I live in Middlebury, 250 miles from the White Plains, NY location...which I might add struck me as an odd location, being it is only 30 miles from this store to the other NY store. So, round trip means $500 or $250? I am really beginning to question whether or not this is cheaper to maintain than the Prius I now own. I read somewhere that each annual "checkup" costs $600. I am not wealthy, just very ecologically aware. I'm a teacher and this car will cost me close to two years of salary as it is.

[dsm363]

I live in Middlebury, 250 miles from the White Plains, NY location...which I might add struck me as an odd location, being it is only 30 miles from this store to the other NY store. So, round trip means $500 or $250? I am really beginning to question whether or not this is cheaper to maintain than the Prius I now own. I read somewhere that each annual "checkup" costs $600. I am not wealthy, just very ecologically aware. I'm a teacher and this car will cost me close to two years of salary as it is.

The $600 annual service charge was for the Roadster. I don't think they've announced who much it will cost for the Model S (or even if it will be included under basic warranty). The Ranger fee would be the round trip charge so in your case $500. Tesla's third generation car is supposed to be in the $30-40k starting price range but probably won't come out until 2014 or so.

[Lloyd]

The $600 annual service charge was for the Roadster. I don't think they've announced who much it will cost for the Model S (or even if it will be included under basic warranty). The Ranger fee would be the round trip charge so in your case $500. Tesla's third generation car is supposed to be in the $30-40k starting price range but probably won't come out until 2014 or so.

Somebody posted in another thread that the Model S annual service would be less I believe....... Looking for post

[Robert.Boston]

Somebody posted in another thread that the Model S annual service would be $200 I believe....... Looking for post

I believe that was quasi-retracted; at this point, we know only that the $600/year Roadster fee is an upper bound.

From Middlebury, the Natick MA store will be closer than White Plains, by about 50 miles each way. The drive from Middlebury should be in range of either the 60kWh or 85kWh battery, so you could skip the Ranger fees as long as the car was driveable.

[daniel]

I am not wealthy, just very ecologically aware. I'm a teacher and this car will cost me close to two years of salary as it is.

Tesla's business plan was always to target the upscale market first and then move down to the mass market. Depending on your driving needs, you might want to consider a less-expensive electric car, and keep your present car for when you need the longer range. An iMiev or a Leaf would not be nearly as nice a car as a Model S, but at half the cost it gives you all the ecological benefits except for drives between about 85 and 160 miles (assuming you're thinking of the 40 kWh Model S). And then in 2 or 3 years the Bluestar will come out and you might trade up.

As much as I want to encourage everyone to switch from gas to electric, I don't think it's worth spending money you cannot afford. Especially if you have to borrow and pay interest. IMO no car is worth borrowing money for.

[dsm363]

As much as I want to encourage everyone to switch from gas to electric, I don't think it's worth spending money you cannot afford. Especially if you have to borrow and pay interest. IMO no car is worth borrowing money for.

I agree. Two years salary for a car is a lot. Either save up for a Model S in a few years or wait until the Bluestar comes out.

[EdA]

I live in Vermont so this is a big concern for me. When I called the NY store, the fella told me that there were a number of reservations in this area and that there would be service within a 100 miles. I don't know whether he was blowing smoke to sell cars, but I have tried to find info on Tesla's plans for opening stores/service stations. I am very new to blogging, as I've never had a reason to before this beautiful car came along. I have been unable to find 'the plan'. It feels rather 'chicken and egg'. They don't want to build if they haven't sold enough cars, and yet people will hesitate if there is no way to get it serviced. I have lived in Vt. for my entire driving life--moved up from NJ when I was 16. I am now 51. I am not at all comfortable about driving in big cities--yes, in my mind, Boston is a big city. I am hoping that they will come a bit north from there. Time will tell. Has anyone located information about expansion plans?

The Boston store isn't in Boston proper but in a suburb (Natick) and not far from the highway exit.
You probably won't have to deal with too many "locals" if you don't want. But I live in Natick and
am also from NJ - so you have a friend here. Although, gosh, you're old.

/Ed

[Iz]

I live in Middlebury, 250 miles from the White Plains, NY location...which I might add struck me as an odd location, being it is only 30 miles from this store to the other NY store.

Welcome. I was at the White Plains store last week. I asked if it was also a service center and learned it is not. The nice person indicated TM is looking to open a service center somewhere between the NYC location and White Plains.

The White Plains location will attract potential customers from Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Bronx & Fairfield counties. I was surprised at the location of the NYC store in 2009 because private garage parking is at a premium and sidewalk charging is not yet entirely feasible.

[hj-45]

Duplicating a post in the New England section, but the service center for Massachusetts is now rumored to go in Watertown, MA; 12 miles from the showroom in Natick.

"in a letter dated July 6 that the company has a lease for property in Watertown that will house the service facility."

[mlascano]

Service center in Columbus, OH confirmed.
Job posting for Service Manager on TM's site - Tesla - www.teslamotors.com | High Performance, All Electric Vehicles

Service Manager - Columbus, OH
Req. ID: 5851
Office Location: US-OH-Columbus-Service
# of openings: 1
Job Shift: N/A
Job Type: Full time