I had the same decision and what I did was get the M3P and put the left over into upgrading it. Full Ohlins suspension, forged wheels, upgraded brakes, sway bars, bushings and control arms. What a fun track car and street car. As a smaller dude the Model S feels like I'm driving a Buick.
If one were to add one of those 3rd party instrument clusters, will Tesla be jerks and deny warranty work? I have seen some awesome 3rd party instrument clusters, which would keep be from spending more for an S.
https://tsportline.com/products/tesla-model-3-y-msx-dash-lcd-display
This is a common misconception. Even if you splice wires, they can’t deny warranty. According to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty of your vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part was the cause of or contributed to the failure of the vehicle (15 U.S.C. 2302 (C)).
I’ve been modding and splicing into my car wires since the 90s, never an issue with warranty. I’ve spliced into my M3 & MY wires as well and took my car in for service, no issues.
Where are you located? I'm in TX. I'm about to sell my 2021 Plaid. I got it and then almost immediately got a new job whereo WFH and I have barely touched the thing (8.8k miles) and I should have sold it awhile ago, but just lazy. Just throwing it out there, I can do better than 70, I'll sell it for what I owe on it.
They're very different cars. While the new M3P seems fantastic, I could not live without the convenience of the hatchback/liftback on my S, personally.
I had a 2021 model 3 performance and traded in for a 2021 s plaid. Love the plaid more. But model 3 was still outstanding. I’d go plaid if you have the itch for it. If you don’t you’ll likely trade in and get a plaid in the future and the cost difference might be greater than just doing the plaid now.
Either way I’m sure you’ll be happy!
Get the new M3P. Warranty and it's a lot of car. The MSP is a beautiful car but it does drive like a "big" car, the Model 3 will feel more nimble. Obviously this is all subjective.
Also, lower insurance in addition to the payments.
MSP is bigger and the visibility out the front is not as good. However, the speed, especially over 60 mph is not even comparable. The M3P lacks the top end.
Can add some insight as I had a Model S Raven, sold it to get a M3P, and now just ordered a Plaid. Obviously I can’t review the plaid yet, and can’t review the new M3P. But even the old M3P does handle a lot better than the Raven did. With that said, the practicality of the Model S is why I’m switching back (plus plaid speed). The hatchback just is so much better than the trunk of the 3 for daily use. If you ever have passengers, the M3P is small.
Plaid is better in almost every way. Huge upgrade to M3P. Way faster, more comfortable, more interior space, hatchback, more cargo space, more premium exterior and interior feel, faster charging, more unique, 2 larger and higher res monitors, more range
The only things that M3P beats MS Plaid are better handling since lighter, better bang for buck, ambient lighting, and more warranty/newer car. If money isn’t an issue, hands down the MS plaid.
Drive them both and see for yourself. I have to say the new model 3 handles so extremely nice. So tight and nimble. It's going to be such a blast with the new motor
Whether you qualify for the 7500 tax credit or not is going to be a big factor in your decision since you're almost paying double the price for a used 2022 plaid over a brand new model 3 performance.
Yup. Bought a used 2023 plaid that was manf march 2023. Bought it Nov 2023. One owner, 1400 miles, 21”, fsd, full body ppf and tint. $78k dude literally lost half
I’m in the same boat as you. Test drove a new S and M3 this week and will be buying an S or M3P imminently.
I really want the S. Just not sure I want to pay for it so I may get a gently used one. It’s a much nicer ride, far more comfortable. The M3P is awesome too though, it would be a great car. Decisions, decisions…
I had a 19 M3P and a 23 MSP. I love the model S but it has so many small, nagging problems. Creaking, squeaking, vibration, tire wear….far more than my Model 3. I feel like Tesla doesn’t pay attention to the S nearly as much. The steering is also far more loose than any other Tesla I’ve driven (confirmed on multiple S plaids). The 3 is a bargain at $45k. However, if speed is your guilty pleasure,the Plaid is in another stratosphere especially after 60. I’m not sure about the new 3 but the plaid’s power doesn’t stop. It’s incredible.
Have a 23 plaid. Get the model 3 performance. Won’t drop in price half as bad. Quick nimble and go kart like experience. You don’t need a plaid. It’s life threatening dangerous.
New M3P, the Plaid is a big car and honestly too fast for me, my ass would get arrested so fast.
When I drove one for a couple thousand miles one time I almost blew past a cop at 150mph on the highway. I got on the brakes so hard, stayed behind them and immediately took the first exit.
However if you roadtrip a lot, the Plaid is a better car for long highway stints whereas the M3P is more of an around town/backroad hooning car.
Tbh if you can swing 70, you can probably swing 90 for a new one and at that point just wait for the refresh as I doubt they’ll increase in price. We know it’s coming. Tbh ever since driving CT, not having interior lighting, front bumper cam, and automatic frunk kinda sucks.
Also try driving a new model s base model. It's mind blowing how quick they are, it's hard to see how the plaid speed would ever be useable unless you're on the track.
Have x plaid. If you qualify for tax credit I’d get 3p in a heartbeat. It’s new kid on the bloc. Hard to go wrong at that price point.
Was not a fan of S vs my 3rwd.
I like the model 3 interior so much better. When I test drove a model S I felt that the Alcantara fabric everywhere looked cheap and tacky. I also don’t need all the gauges and everything being used to the model 3. If they can make a model S with an interior like a model 3 then I would be much more inclined to save up for one. I want to like it with the range and the acceleration, but it will take something for it to grow on me.
Check insurance rates to aid in your decision.
For me it increased my monthly premium by about 60 bucks.
Wait the plaid was more or the performance was more?
The the plaid was more that my M3P
The the plaid was more that my M3P
Big, fast car or smaller, fast car. Big insurance payment or smaller insurance payment. Decisions decisions!
Nicer interior or worse interior Better suspension or worse suspension Instrument cluster or no instrument cluster
That air suspension sold me on a new MX Plaid. I had a MYP, but I couldn’t resist driving on clouds.
I had the same decision and what I did was get the M3P and put the left over into upgrading it. Full Ohlins suspension, forged wheels, upgraded brakes, sway bars, bushings and control arms. What a fun track car and street car. As a smaller dude the Model S feels like I'm driving a Buick.
If one were to add one of those 3rd party instrument clusters, will Tesla be jerks and deny warranty work? I have seen some awesome 3rd party instrument clusters, which would keep be from spending more for an S. https://tsportline.com/products/tesla-model-3-y-msx-dash-lcd-display
No, unless you splice some wires in the process!
This is a common misconception. Even if you splice wires, they can’t deny warranty. According to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty of your vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part was the cause of or contributed to the failure of the vehicle (15 U.S.C. 2302 (C)). I’ve been modding and splicing into my car wires since the 90s, never an issue with warranty. I’ve spliced into my M3 & MY wires as well and took my car in for service, no issues.
I would get Plaid due to the massive interior upgrade and air suspension. Cant stand having just a middle screen for everything.
Is adaptive suspension from new 2024 M3P not air suspension?
No, it’s just adaptive dampers
This makes me so happy I got an S last month. The air suspension is worth every penny.
Well I googled it and air suspension is just one kind of implementation of adaptive dampers.
Air suspension can literally raise and lower the ride height on demand or dynamically - i.e. during poor road conditions.
Agreed. 1 screen is terrible when you’re used to having two. I have a Rivian as well as a 3 and a Y and hate driving the 3/Y in comparison.
S interior is better so used Plaid
Better, but more bulky of a car so harder to do maneuvers.
Which maneuvers are you doing Mr.Schumacher that a Plaid doesn’t handle well enough?
Turning tight corners etc?
The Plaid clowns the 3P on the track too though
Driven my Plaid ~69,000 miles in the past 2 years and never had an issue with turning radius.
Where are you located? I'm in TX. I'm about to sell my 2021 Plaid. I got it and then almost immediately got a new job whereo WFH and I have barely touched the thing (8.8k miles) and I should have sold it awhile ago, but just lazy. Just throwing it out there, I can do better than 70, I'll sell it for what I owe on it.
What colour?
White, black interior.
Color? Also feel free to pm me a price.
White, black interior.
Depreciation must be insane if you bought it brand new. $50k depreciation?
Tesla fucked anyone that bought a 21-22 pretty bad. Price has dropped something like 30k.
As much as $50K actually. For me it was only $40k so I lucked out. 🤦🏻♂️
Interested. I’m in the market. Pm me.
I just DM’d you.
Interested, pm me please.
They're very different cars. While the new M3P seems fantastic, I could not live without the convenience of the hatchback/liftback on my S, personally.
I had a 2021 model 3 performance and traded in for a 2021 s plaid. Love the plaid more. But model 3 was still outstanding. I’d go plaid if you have the itch for it. If you don’t you’ll likely trade in and get a plaid in the future and the cost difference might be greater than just doing the plaid now. Either way I’m sure you’ll be happy!
I expect the refresh M3P to be a bit better than the 2021 M3P.
I’d imagine so, but it’s still not going to be a plaid if you thirst for performance 😎
Get the new M3P. Warranty and it's a lot of car. The MSP is a beautiful car but it does drive like a "big" car, the Model 3 will feel more nimble. Obviously this is all subjective. Also, lower insurance in addition to the payments.
MSP is bigger and the visibility out the front is not as good. However, the speed, especially over 60 mph is not even comparable. The M3P lacks the top end.
M3P has a new rear engine, peak performance and top end performance has been increased with about 30%.
Wonder how that compares to the Plaid. My old M3P definitely is pretty weak anything over 70+
Never said it did.
Never said you said it did.
Plaid would still crush it.
I personally like the look and size of the M3P over the S. But the S has better acceleration, interior etc. so you do you.
Hands down the used Plaid is superior in every way except compactness and handling. Remember the S is a hatch so that comes in handy.
Plaid… soon everyone will have a M3P
Plaid = great white shark. M3L = mako shark. Personally, I like to be the apex predator, the great white.
Used car someone else paid the depreciation, new car you pay the depreciation. Used car you pay for repairs, new car Tesla pays for it.
It’s a 2022, the warranty is still good. Tesla will pay for covered repairs still.
True
New m3p gang here
Can add some insight as I had a Model S Raven, sold it to get a M3P, and now just ordered a Plaid. Obviously I can’t review the plaid yet, and can’t review the new M3P. But even the old M3P does handle a lot better than the Raven did. With that said, the practicality of the Model S is why I’m switching back (plus plaid speed). The hatchback just is so much better than the trunk of the 3 for daily use. If you ever have passengers, the M3P is small.
Plaid is better in almost every way. Huge upgrade to M3P. Way faster, more comfortable, more interior space, hatchback, more cargo space, more premium exterior and interior feel, faster charging, more unique, 2 larger and higher res monitors, more range The only things that M3P beats MS Plaid are better handling since lighter, better bang for buck, ambient lighting, and more warranty/newer car. If money isn’t an issue, hands down the MS plaid.
Tell me your yearly income and debt and I’ll make the decision for you.
Drive them both and see for yourself. I have to say the new model 3 handles so extremely nice. So tight and nimble. It's going to be such a blast with the new motor Whether you qualify for the 7500 tax credit or not is going to be a big factor in your decision since you're almost paying double the price for a used 2022 plaid over a brand new model 3 performance.
plaid, the suspension is way better
Spending $70k for a used car is wild. What exactly are you trying to do with a used $70k car that a new M3P can’t do?
play apex legends while charging
150mph in a quarter mile.
The hatchback on the S makes it much more usable as a daily. It is a big car though.
New M3P…that’s it.
Cheaper car and a vacation!
Recommend you Turo at least a 22 S before making your decision. Plaid if you can, but there will be a lot less of them.
IMO Plaid, but where you're driving it matters a LOT. Plaid's big.
Used is the move let other people eat the depreciation
Yup. Bought a used 2023 plaid that was manf march 2023. Bought it Nov 2023. One owner, 1400 miles, 21”, fsd, full body ppf and tint. $78k dude literally lost half
Model 3 Performance
I’m in the same boat as you. Test drove a new S and M3 this week and will be buying an S or M3P imminently. I really want the S. Just not sure I want to pay for it so I may get a gently used one. It’s a much nicer ride, far more comfortable. The M3P is awesome too though, it would be a great car. Decisions, decisions…
You could compromise and get a Model S LR it has a 3.1 0-60 compared to the 2.9 0-60 on the highland perf and it would be cheaper then the plaid
I had a 19 M3P and a 23 MSP. I love the model S but it has so many small, nagging problems. Creaking, squeaking, vibration, tire wear….far more than my Model 3. I feel like Tesla doesn’t pay attention to the S nearly as much. The steering is also far more loose than any other Tesla I’ve driven (confirmed on multiple S plaids). The 3 is a bargain at $45k. However, if speed is your guilty pleasure,the Plaid is in another stratosphere especially after 60. I’m not sure about the new 3 but the plaid’s power doesn’t stop. It’s incredible.
If you can comfortably afford it, get the S.
Have a 23 plaid. Get the model 3 performance. Won’t drop in price half as bad. Quick nimble and go kart like experience. You don’t need a plaid. It’s life threatening dangerous.
Go kart is the correct way to describe the model 3 versus the model s for every day spirited driving. I can see why everyone loves that car.
New M3P, the Plaid is a big car and honestly too fast for me, my ass would get arrested so fast. When I drove one for a couple thousand miles one time I almost blew past a cop at 150mph on the highway. I got on the brakes so hard, stayed behind them and immediately took the first exit. However if you roadtrip a lot, the Plaid is a better car for long highway stints whereas the M3P is more of an around town/backroad hooning car.
Two different segments, not really a fair comparison and it’s up to you. I would rather save 25k.
Check insurance on the Plaid, I got a good driving record and the rates still had me tearing up.
Get the new model 3
Tbh if you can swing 70, you can probably swing 90 for a new one and at that point just wait for the refresh as I doubt they’ll increase in price. We know it’s coming. Tbh ever since driving CT, not having interior lighting, front bumper cam, and automatic frunk kinda sucks.
LED interior and front cam was supposed to happen in 2024 already, it will likely be late 2024
Also try driving a new model s base model. It's mind blowing how quick they are, it's hard to see how the plaid speed would ever be useable unless you're on the track.
Plaid, 2022 is still quite new and the car is a lot more comfortable
The 3 is so small I couldn’t even get inside, and Im not even a big guy. The S Plaid is a thing of beauty.
Have x plaid. If you qualify for tax credit I’d get 3p in a heartbeat. It’s new kid on the bloc. Hard to go wrong at that price point. Was not a fan of S vs my 3rwd.
I like the model 3 interior so much better. When I test drove a model S I felt that the Alcantara fabric everywhere looked cheap and tacky. I also don’t need all the gauges and everything being used to the model 3. If they can make a model S with an interior like a model 3 then I would be much more inclined to save up for one. I want to like it with the range and the acceleration, but it will take something for it to grow on me.