[mcnnowak]

> Prices assume ... est. gas savings of $3,600 over 3 years.

Seems shady

[maximus-decimus]

They're kinda all shady.

"Our car is only 15k!*"

* Except no manufacturer sells the base model. Plus they'll add their own add-ons like anti-rust that has no scientific basis. Also doesn't include the shipping cost. Also AC tax isn't included despite literally all cars having AC

The only manufacturer website I've seen that isn't super shady and actually includes shipping costs by default is Subaru for some reason.

[baking]

If you shop around, I have always found a base model. 4 of the last 5 new cars I bought were base models. The exception was probably a mistake on my part. (It had a dealer installed sun roof that popped out on the highway at 6 years.)

[tyingq]

Oh wow. I missed that. That even feels illegal. FTC might come calling on that practice.

Edit: Other comments say they've been doing that for a while, even with the 3 series. So, I guess it's accepted? Urgh.

[natch]

I think they do it for the intentional Streisand effect.

In other words it generates a new thread on social media once in a while, with people talking about whether or not there are cost of ownership savings, with the truth generally coming down in Tesla's favor. And still regardless of how you interpret the cost equation, the controversy brings attention.

And more in line with Occam's razor it just spurs awareness in the user reading the web page. You could say "no, it deceives the user." I think it doesn't; more deceptive is having a published MSRP when dealers add thousands to that published price and lie about EVs while they sell legacy cars.

[baz00]

Yeah I can play those games too!

I'm saving $40k in 3 years if I don't buy one of these and I put gas in my car!

[adverbly]

Indeed... Pretty annoying that they assume your alternative to be an ICE and not bike/train/ev.

Perhaps they should provide an option for a hypothetical price comparison with train/bike? Not sure the marketing team would like how that comparison turns out through...

[andrewmcwatters]

The great thing about that math is that the Cybertruck is free if you factor in gas savings over a longer period!

[lallysingh]

Weekly I put $90 in the tank. Charging 100kw I believe would cost me $15. That figure seems about right.

[tills13]

yes but it's not "saving" anything. You are still spending the money on the price tag.

[baking]

My brother spends $100 a month to charge his Tesla at home. I fill up my hybrid less than once a month at about $40.