Better to buy a used tesla model 3 around 20-23k or a used toyota corolla for 25k?
- Thread starter Kanyewest24
- Start date
Most definitely the Toyota.
The Corolla is a well designed and built vehicle buy an excellent company with a proven track record. The Tesla is an appliance with questionable reliability and build quality.
100% the Corolla. You couldn't get me to buy a Tesla, ever.
LTO_3
LTO_3
Is there a worry about a used EV with the age of the batteries? Are they still saying replacement batteries $12-$15k?
Just wait till the EV from China gets here. BYD’s are all over Europe and Asia. A lot more cheaper than Tesla.
yeah i might get warranty but that's a great point
Yes & Yes, in some cases more than 15K. The only problem that worries me about EVs is how are the old batteries disposed of/recycled? And that's assuming there's even a proper set up in North America to recycle these batteries.
LTO_3
The Chinese EVs are just around the corner, so the popularity of EVs are about to take off in Canada. When Trump is out of office at the end of his term or hauled out in a box if he keels over in office. The new president will capitolize on fixing all the wrongs Trump has brought on his country. A popular move by the next president is to bring modernity and envirnmental benefit to America. Chrysler already has a joint venture with a Chinese manufacturer to produce EVs in America, Ford is lobbying the government for consessions so they too can have a joint venture to bring jobs into the American car industry. GM will have to do the same or die. Many countries around the world have embraced EVs. Norway is a big oil exporter in Europe, and yet half their new car consumer purchases are EVs. Electric vehicles are the future and is here to stay.
I am not going to jump on the EV band wagon at this time because I suspect big changes are coming. New batteries that are cheaper and have longer range are being developed, new EVs that have a 1.2 to 1.5 liter onboard engines to charge the battery will be available soon. As far as Chinese brands go, I suspect the cars to be of good quality and reliable. It would not be wise for them to have spent $Trillions to put out a bad product. They also have a good track record, Chinese EVs are very popular in Scandinavian countries where the conditions are simular to the envirnment in Canada. It is going to be interesting when the legacy car manufacturers compete for sales with the new Chinese EV car companies.
I am not going to jump on the EV band wagon at this time because I suspect big changes are coming. New batteries that are cheaper and have longer range are being developed, new EVs that have a 1.2 to 1.5 liter onboard engines to charge the battery will be available soon. As far as Chinese brands go, I suspect the cars to be of good quality and reliable. It would not be wise for them to have spent $Trillions to put out a bad product. They also have a good track record, Chinese EVs are very popular in Scandinavian countries where the conditions are simular to the envirnment in Canada. It is going to be interesting when the legacy car manufacturers compete for sales with the new Chinese EV car companies.
People like to talk about how many people drive EVs in Scandinavian countries. Take Norway for example. The population is 1.5 million less than the GTA alone. Most of the population is centered in the south part. The country in the south is only 250-350 kms across. Most people are able to charge their EVs at home, not so if you live in Toronto. Especially if you live in a condo/apartment and don't have a driveway, which means you're limited to street parking. Very inconvenient.
The country also has 8,000 chargers, nationwide. Ontario, which is insanely larger, currently has 4,000. So you're not really comparing apples to apples. We have a long way to go before EVs outsell ICEs in this province/country. The Liberal's 2035 mandate was one of the dumbest things I ever heard. A child could've figured out it was an impossible goal. No wonder they had to cancel it.
EV sales in Canada have slowed significantly in 2025, falling roughly 36% from 2024. The main reason was the suspension of federal rebates. In other words, many people won't buy them unless taxpayers pay for part of it. It's really difficult for legacy auto manufacturers to compete against Chinese EVs. Why? Because Chinese auto workers make 1/4 to 1/10th of those in Canada or the US. How is North America supposed to compete?
Hybrids just make more sense. I just don't see BEVs being as popular as some people think.
Last edited:
We will have to see what happens when Chinese EVs arrive. Prices will be significantly lower than those of existing brands. Your choices may come down to lower cost or a well-equipped luxury model at a very affordable price. Lower priced luxury car with lower ownership, maintenance, and daily operating costs. While not everyone has the ability, dedicated space, or charging facilities to maintain an EV, many do. Canada has made trade concessions to China that will allow Chinese EVs into the Canadian market. When a new administration replaces Donald Trump, it may pursue concessions to normalize relations, potentially leading to a gradual introduction of Chinese EVs into the United States.
With only 49000 a year coming in, and I assume spread over a few models, market penetration will be minimal. Likely have to pre-order and there will be a wait list. I will add that most will likely end up in B.C first, with a smaller portion ending up in Ontario.
Get the Toyota for now. Get your 5 years out of it. Then relook at the market then.
Get the Toyota for now. Get your 5 years out of it. Then relook at the market then.
People are buying cars that cost C$15-20k to replace the battery pack on a $15k car that will be 10 years old?People are still using cars that require oil?!
Who in their right mind would buy a 10 year old BEV? Not to mention, that's got to kill the resale value of these things. 2017 to 2019 Tesla model 3's sell for $15K - $20K. You'd have to be crazy to buy one.
I rode in a Telsa 3, and the ride quality was terrible. Seemed like I was being driven in a cheap car.
I've driven a new Corolla, and the pick up, ride quality, and handling were excellent, very responsive. Reliablity is second to none, and parts and repairs are cheap and easy to do yourself. Or, you can repair it anywhere by anyone.
I also heard Teslas are very unreliable sometimes, and gettng it serviced is a pain in the ass. Long wait times, and very expensive to fix. You can't just take it to any mechanic down the street. It's like the Apple of cars.
Not to mention, the battery needs to be replaced at a very high cost, most likely about 15-20k. So you're not saving any money. The gas you save ends up being spent on the new battery.
I was aboutt to buy a model Y, and am so glad I didn't. I got so angry at Musk and his antics, that I bought a 2017 Acura ILX instead, and couldn't be happier.
Getting your car serviced at Tesla can take months:
If you are willing to wait months for service, pay double the price for repairs, and up to 20k for a new battery in a few years, vs have an extremely reliable car with great performance and is cheap, quck, and easy to maintain, then go for the Tesla.
I've driven a new Corolla, and the pick up, ride quality, and handling were excellent, very responsive. Reliablity is second to none, and parts and repairs are cheap and easy to do yourself. Or, you can repair it anywhere by anyone.
I also heard Teslas are very unreliable sometimes, and gettng it serviced is a pain in the ass. Long wait times, and very expensive to fix. You can't just take it to any mechanic down the street. It's like the Apple of cars.
Not to mention, the battery needs to be replaced at a very high cost, most likely about 15-20k. So you're not saving any money. The gas you save ends up being spent on the new battery.
I was aboutt to buy a model Y, and am so glad I didn't. I got so angry at Musk and his antics, that I bought a 2017 Acura ILX instead, and couldn't be happier.
Getting your car serviced at Tesla can take months:
If you are willing to wait months for service, pay double the price for repairs, and up to 20k for a new battery in a few years, vs have an extremely reliable car with great performance and is cheap, quck, and easy to maintain, then go for the Tesla.
I counted seven dead Teslas on the road this winter. No way I'm giving my money to that charlatan.
