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Used 2016 Tesla Model S Consumer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
35 reviews

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3 out of 5 stars

Unavailable Repair Parts Tarnishes Tesla Image

Tony Barre, 11/08/2016
2016 Tesla Model S 70 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
180 of 189 people found this review helpful

When I bought my new Tesla Model S in May 2016 and for months before I was proud to be part of “accelerating the world's transition to sustainable energy.” I talked it up with my friends and family and even with strangers I met at Starbucks. I got 2 of my kids to pre-order the Model 3. Then I ran over a truck tire tread on the freeway, causing $6k of damage to the bumper and undercarriage. Since then, the car has been at Kniesl's Repair Shop in Roseville, CA, a Tesla-authorized repair shop. It has been there for 6 weeks now awaiting repair parts, with no ETA for those parts. In fact, Kniesl's tells me that they have 3 other Teslas in their shop in similar condition awaiting parts for as much as 3 months. After 4 weeks, I contacted Tesla using the form on their web site. No response. At all. If “the world's transition....” involves no repair parts, I want no part of it, and neither should you. If “the world's transition....” includes the inability to forecast a delivery date for repair parts, I am ashamed to be a part of it. If “the world's transition....” entails a complete lack of interest in post-sales customer service, I am afraid of it. What would you do if your car was unavailable for 6 weeks with no forecast for when it would be available again? Would you feel like you were accelerating the world's transition to sustainable energy?

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

We own 2 of the orginal Tesla Model S

Mark Levin, 08/30/2016
updated 03/13/2020
2016 Tesla Model S 70 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
44 of 49 people found this review helpful

UPDATE Mar 2020 We traded the first Model S 60 for a 2017 Model S 90D. We had that car for 5 years and put 106k miles on it with the battery degrading only 10 miles from new. that car was sold within 3 days and the person is still driving it. Tesla was able to upgrade the navigation system for him and a few other improvements. I now have 101k miles on my P85 and that battery has degraded about 20 miles from new. The Performance models tend to use more energy, I would not recommend purchasing it, as the car is outstanding without it. That and the 22in wheels are something that only costs money and energy and is a complete waste for most people. We still love the cars and will plan on purchasing another maybe in a few years. My son has had the Model 3 for about 2 years and loves it. Many improvements in the M3, it charges faster and has a better a/c unit. Cant go wrong with a TESLA. We have 2 MS. The first one I ordered a smaller battery 60, with only 2 options, leather interior and pano roof. We received the car in May 2013. That car now has over 85k miles and has only been in the shop for one repair very early. Some guide clips on the Pano roof broke. It was quickly repaired and I was given a new MS to drive while the repair was being done. The car looks and runs like it did new and we have only lost 3 miles of range in the battery! We are told to charge the car 90% every night, and when new it totaled 185 miles and now it charges to 182 miles at 90%. My wife drives that car about 90 miles per day, round trip to work. I purchased a used one in Nov 2014, with 15k miles. It is a MS P85, at that time it was just about the most powerful car in the lineup. Today they offer 90D and P100D models. But I don't think they have anything on mine. The car charges to 230 miles each night at 90%. Realistically when driving at or above normal highway speeds you will only get about 80% of the range, so need to be careful when doing long distance trips. But around town, you never need to be concerned with range. The only weak point about the car is that it is rather plain on the interior. I don't mind it is nice enough for me. And the advanced technology over rides the lack of pizzaz. Like many people who own this car, I doubt I would ever go back to a gas car as my primary vehicle. Overall it is an amazing car.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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2 out of 5 stars

Poor Service Ruins a Great Car

2 Tesla Owner, 11/27/2019
2016 Tesla Model S P90D 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful

This is truly a great car, with minimal moving parts to require service. HOWEVER, if you ever need service, the whole experience degrades to frustration and disappointment. I have had occasional alerts of "service required - car may not restart." Fine, you just call the local service center and set up an appointment, right? No. In order to set up anything with service, you have to use the app. You can call the phone number, and the automated message tells you to use the app and then hangs up. Even if you have a "your car may not restart" message, you are placed into line for a service appointment - in my most recent experience 3 weeks later. Good luck. Last year, I had a critical message telling me to seek service immediately. I did some forum searches and found a different number to call, warning me that I will be on hold for a while. The timer on my phone indicated that I was on hold for 1 hour 35 minutes before a service rep picked up. He logged in, saw that I had a critical issue, and got me in the next morning. Inattentiveness to customers like this is insulting, not to mention obnoxiously time consuming. I have converted from a Tesla advocate to a guy who warns potential customers of exceedingly poor service. I no longer advise friends, family, strangers in the parking lot to buy a Tesla. My current Tesla will be my last.

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5 out of 5 stars

Best car I ever drove!

Dom33928, 03/24/2017
2016 Tesla Model S 60 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful

I had a lot of cars in my life: BMW, Audi, Lexus, Porsche, Alfa Romeo; nothing can compare to my Tesla Model S 60! Acceleration and handling are phenomenal! The design outside and inside is superb. I am in real estate and the large screen and navigation are so helpful, so is the web browsing. The seats have an excellent support and are very comfortable. The car is extremely quiet! I also own a BMW Convertible and when I drive it, it seems to be a car from another era... Tesla Service is excellent (I had just to call them to rotate the tires so far) and when you purchase (or lease) the car hey are not pushy. I chose the S60 and I am doing 211 miles on full charge, which is way enough. I Have travelled through Florida and there is no range anxiety with the superchargers. The quality of the materials inside is ok but not perfect and there are a very small rattles sometimes but as there is no engine noise, you are more eager to notice them. It is really the best car I ever had! I will never go back to gas engine cars!

Performance
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

I'll never go back to ICE after having a Tesla

Peter, 10/05/2016
2016 Tesla Model S 70 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful

I've had my Model S60 for three months now and its great. I have the smallest battery pack and its still plenty of range. The one time I went beyond its range I was able to quickly charge up with the free superchargers. You might knock it for the weight and size but the pickup is crazy for a car this size and the weight is all down low in the battery pack. The Autopilot is amazing for Bay Area freeway congestion. The only small knock is the lack of door storage. I have seen the Model X does much better here and I suspect in time they will add this to the S. I rented one on Turo for a long weekend and it really helped me decide to go for it.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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