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Comment by DannoHung | Hacker News Reader

Isn't 40k still squarely in the luxury car range? But more like the beginning of it?

Especially if this is the base price. I'm prepared to be massively disappointed when 40k is the cost of the smallest battery model and the largest is 50-60k. I don't care about most optional car upgrades but vehicle range is so important that I hope they don't choose to bundle a larger battery with cosmetic options.

Price out a Model S. They're as bad (or worse) as BMW as far as options go.

$80K with cloth seating. You don't even get the plug in charger standard, just a trickle charger. And the plug in is three times the price of a good 7kw charger. You don't even get Maps integration standard.

So yeah, unless they pull a 180 on the Model S options by 2017 I'd fully expect a Model C to ship with $10K in options as a rule, and come in a Leaf/Focus range matching version around 150 miles and a 250+ mile version for a substantial premium.

As a Leaf SL owner the only thing I don't have is the Bose audio system and the "around view" camera system.

Cloth Seats? Are you certain?

From what I remember, the entry-level seating is synthetic leather. This is exactly the same as you get standard on an E-Class.

You needn't be disappointed, what you suggested is clearly IMO what I expect to come to pass. These are steps, not leaps. A model with a full-range battery at $40k would mean Tesla cut the price in half compared to the S. That's just not realistic.

Far more people shop in the $40-60k range versus the $60-80k of the Model S. So more economies of scale are realized, the tech marches forward, and then the NEXT evolution could possibly provide base models in the mid 20s.

A person can go over 30k just buying a 4-cylinder Chevy Malibu, so the expectations surrounding 40k aren't what they once were.

On the other hand I'm sure Tesla hopes that people factor in lower maintenance costs and fuel costs when pricing out their vehicle.

People who buy cars that are in the "mainstream" price range tend to be much more focused on the price of the car, or more likely the monthly payment, than they are to be thinking about longer term costs like fuel and maintenance.

Last time I checked, which was a year ago, there's a federal $7500 tax credit and a California $2500 tax credit for electric cars. I don't know if these still exist or if they will when Tesla's new car is available. But if they still exist, it would have a significant impact on sales.

I think so. The 30s is the upper end of cars typical middle class families buy, in my experience.

Yes. My parents would never consider purchasing a car over $30k, much less one that costs $40k. I really want a Tesla because it's the environmentally responsible thing to do (provided that you must drive a car). If it ever became affordable, I would buy it in a heartbeat and so would a lot of people who aren't rich (like my parents).

depends, how much gas does it cost to drive a car daily for 5 years ?

About $8500 or so (assuming 25 mpg, 12K miles per year, 3.50 per gallon of gas)

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