Two years ago, I made a purchase that felt like a dream come true. It wasn’t just any car; it was a Tesla Model 3 Performance, a car I’d admired for years but never thought I’d own. When I bought it, it was the most expensive car I’d ever owned, priced at over £40,000 with a bit of HP finance to make it possible. It was a 2019 model, so second-hand, but it felt brand new to me—a technological marvel that combined blistering speed with futuristic features.
I was ecstatic. A car that could hit 0-60 mph in under four seconds? That’s supercar territory. And it wasn’t just fast; it was packed with every gadget and gizmo you could imagine. From Spotify streaming to an array of cameras offering a 360-degree view, to built-in games, Netflix, Disney+, and even a fart prank app (because why not?), it had it all. For someone who loves tech as much as I do, it was the ultimate package.
But here I am, two years later, considering selling “The Dream”—a decision I never thought I’d make.
The Shine Wears Off
When I first brought the Tesla home, it felt special. Back then, you didn’t see too many on the roads, and people would stop to admire it. I’ll never forget the feeling of walking up to my car and having strangers ask, “What’s it like to own one?” It was a head-turner, a conversation starter, and a symbol of cutting-edge innovation.
Now, it’s a different story. Tesla Model 3s are everywhere. That sense of exclusivity is gone, and with it, some of the magic. The technology, which once felt so futuristic, now feels a little dated. It’s like owning an older iPhone—still impressive, but there’s always a newer model just around the corner.
The truth is, I don’t even use most of the features that initially wowed me. The Netflix app? Rarely opened. The games? Played a couple of times for novelty’s sake. Even the fart prank has lost its charm (though my daughter still finds it hilarious). The everyday reality is that it’s just a car—a brilliant car, but still, just a car.
The Financial Reality
One of the biggest factors dulling my enthusiasm has been the financial side of things. I touched on this in a previous blog (“Did I Make a Mistake Buying a Tesla Model 3 Performance?”), but to summarise: paying over £40k for a car, even with finance, was a significant commitment. While I’ve loved driving it, the cost has always been in the back of my mind.
What’s more, the used car market hasn’t been kind to Teslas recently. Like many other cars, the Model 3 has taken a hit in value. The Mini Clubman JCW I also own is now worth more than the Tesla—a reversal I never expected. It makes me wonder: what else could I have bought with that money? The hybrid Mercedes I test-drove before settling on the Tesla still feels like “the one that got away.”
Selling the Tesla would mean realising the loss. For now, it’s just a number on paper, but part of me feels it might be time to face reality, cut my losses, and explore something new. After all, if the value of my car has dropped, so have the values of others. Maybe it’s the perfect time to trade in and upgrade.
What’s Next?
If I do sell the Tesla, I don’t think it’ll be goodbye forever. Electric cars are undoubtedly the future, and I can’t imagine my garage without one. Whether it’s another Tesla down the line or something entirely new, like a BYD, remains to be seen. For now, though, I’m itching for a change—something that excites me the way the Tesla once did.
“The Dream” was a dream realised, but dreams evolve. As I weigh up my options, I’m reminded of why I bought the Tesla in the first place: to experience something extraordinary. Perhaps it’s time to chase that feeling again, in a new form. Let’s see what happens next.
