Ordering Update

 

I thought it might be a good idea to give an update on what I've been doing Tesla-wise since I ordered my new Model Y on January 30.... I've been ordering some accessories as well as getting a charging set-up ordered. Here's where I'm at....

I made the decision a while ago that I wasn't going to get an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment - home charger*, essentially). Many folks purchase the Tesla Home Charger or another brand, to provide additional charging power to the car. Doing that can get you upwards of 40 - 50 miles per hour of range. Cost is generally around $500, plus installation. I decided to go with a simple 240v outlet (officially called a 14-50 NEMA outlet) that is similar to a dryer outlet. This will provide somewhere between 25 - 30 miles of range per hour, depending on conditions (less if colder, more if warmer). I can always add an EVSE later; it would simply plug into this outlet and would be 'mobile' if I moved. The cost to install this will be $800, which includes a run of wire of about 40 feet from the electrical panel in my basement (opposite corner from the garage, of course). New Jersey may offer a rebate of up to $500 for home charger installations; I'll revisit at that point.

*Just a semantical thing - the actual 'charger' is in the car. The EVSE simply ramps up the available power from the outlet as the car can take in more than is typically provided by a NEMA 14-50 outlet. The EVSE does that.

As far as accessories, I've ordered the following -

- All-weather floor and trunk mats from Tesmanian

- Jacking pucks also from Tesmanian

- From Tesla, I ordered a NEMA 14-50 adapter for the mobile connector and cable organizer

    system for the mobile connector

- Front license plate holder from SnapPlate, as well as small tools to easily remove the tow

    hitch cover (which can be a little fiddly)

These items should get me started. Other things to consider -

- Matte finish screen protector - to reduce glare

- Wheel cap set - if I decide to remove the full aero wheels covers

- An adapter for other charging stations, if needed (like CCS, when it becomes available)

- Sunshade for the glass roof if it seems to be too hot in the summer

- Rear cargo cover

- If car doesn't have the new console, maybe a matter finish wrap kit for the piano black

    console

- Mud flaps to cut down on road debris damage

I'm also looking at getting at least a partial PPF application on the front end and in front of the rear wheel wells, to protect from paint chips. Teslas seem to have 'soft' paint that chips easily, and the aerodynamic styling seems to send road debris into the area of the lower rear doors in front of the rear wheel wells.

So that's about it for now. The outlet will be installed sometime late in February, so perhaps I'll report back on that when it's completed. Then, stay tuned for an update on the actual car!

 

Ordered!

 

Well, I did it! I ordered my 2021 Tesla Model Y on Saturday! Great birthday present for sure. I ordered the Long Range AWD version, in Deep Metallic Blue with a black interior. I decided to go with the standard 19" Gemini wheels (aerodynamic wheel covers over attractive alloy wheels). I also got the tow hitch for a bike rack. MSRP is $51,990. The outlook on delivery is 2 - 6 weeks*. Psyched!

I decided against the Full Self Driving package at this time. It's an additional $10,000, and doesn't have a ton of additional functionality at the moment (besides Summon, which is a really cool feature - the car will come to you autonomously in a parking lot!). Elon Musk has talked about having a subscription service for FSD, which I would try out. You can also buy it post-purchase for the same $10,000.

I've been looking forward to this since I test drove the Performance version in July of last year. In the time since, I've done a lot of reading on Tesla forums and viewed a lot of videos on YouTube, so I feel pretty confident that the model I got will suit my needs. I'm also prepared to make the accommodations necessary to drive a BEV (route planning, understanding range variances, etc). It's a good step towards reducing my personal carbon footprint. 

Ok, why the * next to the delivery dates above? I was actually assigned a VIN and delivery date of between February 11 and 17 on Sunday! The VIN was 114xxx, so in all likelihood has the heated steering wheel, which is the expected update that I really wanted. But I don't want to take delivery in February (as I sit here in my study while a snowstorm rages outside). I'd prefer to get mostly through winter, especially as the MY will have to sit outside in the driveway until I get the garage situation straightened out. I also need to get an electrician in to put a 240v plug in my garage for charging. I hope to get some estimates late this week on that. 

I have some accessories I want to order as well. Rubber floor mats, wheel caps and lug nut covers (if I decide to remove the wheel covers), front license plate holder, jacking pucks and a support for the mobile connector are the main items I want to get first. 

So off we go!