Why Does Blanca Drive a Tesla Model 3? Should You Buy One?

You might be wondering, why did we buy a Tesla? Honestly, it wasn't part of the plan. We’ve always loved the freedom and nostalgia of a gas engine. Although we care about the environment, we’re not convinced that EVs are the ultimate solution. Plus, we’ve always thought Tesla owners were a bit eccentric—definitely not your typical car enthusiasts. But life has a way of turning your world upside down, and that’s exactly what happened in the spring of 2019.

Blanca was driving her Mercedes C300, merging onto Highway 77 North after an appointment in Eagan. We were on the phone when she hit a patch of ice, spun 360 degrees across three lanes of traffic, and slammed into a cement barrier. If she hadn’t hit that barrier, she would have plunged 100 feet into the Minnesota River. I still remember her terrified voice saying, "Oh my God, I love you!" just before impact. By the grace of God, she was okay. I talked her through the situation, and she safely pulled over to the shoulder. After thanking God 1,000 times, we had to figure out our next steps—including shopping for a new car.

Tesla was making headlines with their new factories and innovative cars, but Blanca was hesitant. Our son Isaac, then 14, was excited and begged us to test drive one. We went for it, and to our surprise, Blanca loved it! The Model 3 was quicker than anything we’d ever driven, simple, clean, and surprisingly fun. They let us take the car for the afternoon, and we were blown away.

The Tesla Difference: Why We Love It

The first thing you need to understand is that a Tesla isn’t just a car—it’s an EV, a completely different experience. You wouldn’t take it on a remote 5-day camping trip, but for daily driving, it’s perfect. Here’s what we love:

Affordability: Prices have improved since we bought ours, with the Model 3 and Model Y now in the low $30,000s. Plus, you can use our referral code to save $1,000 on your purchase!
Performance: Even the standard trim is fast and fun to drive, and the Performance Package is even better.
Convenience: The Tesla app is incredible. We love pre-conditioning the car with heat or AC before we even get in.
Winter Readiness: The dual motor is great for Minnesota winters, offering excellent range and handling in the snow.
Efficiency: The range is more than adequate for city driving, and if you need to stop at a Supercharger, your Tesla will route you to the nearest one. Charging from 5% to 50% takes just 10-15 minutes.
Infrastructure: There are plenty of Superchargers around the country now, unlike when we first bought the car.
Quiet Comfort: It’s so quiet, making music and phone calls more enjoyable.
Simplified Maintenance: With only 17 moving parts (and only 1 fluid, washer fluid), compared to 200 parts (and 6 fluids) in a gas car, maintenance is virtually nonexistent. No more gas stations, oil changes, or fluid checks.
Safety: The Model 3 has an outstanding safety record, with a 5-star rating in every category tested by the NHTSA.
Cost-Effective Charging: Charging costs about $62 per month, and you can charge at night while you sleep.
Minimal Maintenance Costs: In 100,000 miles, we’ve never touched the brakes, belts, fluids, or shocks—nothing! Just tires.
Autopilot: We love Autopilot (not Full Self-Driving). It’s perfect for multi-lane roadways with clear lane markings.
Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates: Tesla vehicles receive regular software updates that add new features, improve performance, and enhance security, all without needing a service center visit.
Sentry Mode: This security feature uses the car’s cameras to monitor its surroundings when parked, recording video and alerting you if suspicious activity is detected.
Referral Program: As a Tesla owner, you get your own referral code to share with friends, earning free charging, perks, and even cash.
Valet Mode: Limits access and functionality when you hand over your car to a valet, protecting your personal data and vehicle settings.
Entertainment: Tesla’s integrated entertainment system offers streaming services like Netflix and YouTube, built-in games, and even karaoke.
Dog Mode: Keeps the car at a safe temperature for pets while displaying a message on the screen to let passersby know your pet is safe.
Camp Mode: Allows you to maintain air circulation, power, and interior lighting while resting or sleeping in the car, ideal for camping trips.

The Downsides: What You Should Know

Tire Wear: The torque and weight of the vehicle mean you’ll go through tires more quickly.
Insurance Costs: Expect to pay about 33% more for insurance compared to a gas car.
Charging Habits: Don’t forget to plug it in! We’ve had to make a few emergency trips to the Supercharger.
Charging Time: The home charger (Version 2) takes 4-6 hours to fully charge, but if you charge at night, it’s not a problem.
Range in Extreme Weather: The range can be significantly reduced in extremely cold or hot weather.
Long Road Trips: It’s not suitable for road trips where Superchargers are hard to find, or if you don’t have a 240V charger at home.
Full Self-Driving: The Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature is not to be trusted—don’t spend the money.
Charging Infrastructure: You can’t charge it without a 240V wall charger or a high-speed Supercharger, so you may need an electrician to add one to your garage.
Repair Costs: If the car needs repairs or bodywork, it can be expensive and take a long time.
Battery Degradation: Over time, the battery capacity of electric vehicles can degrade, reducing the range. While Tesla’s batteries are durable, this is still a concern for long-term ownership.
Limited Customization: Tesla offers fewer options for customizing your vehicle compared to other brands, with limited choices for interior colors, exterior paint, and wheel designs.

Conclusion

Owning a Tesla Model 3 has made life so much easier for Blanca. She feels safe, and the car handles beautifully. We drive it everywhere, and from now on, we’ll always have a Tesla in the family. That said, we’ll also keep a gas-powered car or truck because, remember, an EV isn’t quite the same as a traditional car. The Model 3 has saved us time and money, and it’s been a great investment. We plan to keep it in the family and eventually pass it down to Isaac. If you’re thinking about making the switch, now might be the perfect time—use Blanca’s referral code to save $1,000 on your order!

Use Blanca's Code/Link to get $1000 off your new Tesla!

https://www.tesla.com/referral/blanca67967