Purpose

This research directory contains comprehensive analysis and buying guides for the Tesla Model S, focusing on market valuation, depreciation patterns, and practical purchasing considerations for the 2020 model year at the $30,000 price point.

Contents

Key Findings

Model S as Investment

  • Value Retention: Poor - loses 63-71% of value over 5 years
  • Depreciation Rate: ~14,200 annually on a $100k purchase
  • Competitive Positioning: Comparable to BMW 5 Series (70.1%) and Mercedes E-Class (69%), but worse than market average (40%)
  • Recent Trend: Accelerated depreciation in 2024-2025 (17.2% year-over-year loss)

2020 Model S Market Position (2025)

  • Price Range: 34,995 (sweet spot: 32,000)
  • Current Resale Value: ~24,774)
  • Depreciation Ranking: 75-100th percentile for 2020 sedans (relatively good performer)
  • Typical Profile: 40,000-70,000 miles, Long Range Plus trim, good to very good condition

Key Specifications (Long Range Plus)

  • Range: 391-402 miles EPA (excellent)
  • Performance: 518 hp, 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds
  • Battery: 100 kWh, dual-motor AWD
  • Efficiency: 115 MPGe (3.48 mi/kWh)
  • Original MSRP: $79,990

Common Issues to Inspect

  1. Battery Degradation: Expected 5-12% after 5 years; red flag if >15%
  2. Door Handles: Known problem - test all four handles, typical repair 400
  3. Infotainment System: Screen freezing/responsiveness issues common
  4. Electrical Components: Power steering, headlights, windshield wipers failures reported
  5. Suspension: Persistent alignment issues in some models

Purchasing Recommendations

  • Best Value Year: 2022 Model S (35% of original MSRP, 75% useful life remaining)
  • Best Value Strategy: Target 2020-2021 models at 30,000 with <55,000 miles
  • Buying Method: Dealer purchase qualifies for up to $4,000 used EV tax credit (if eligible)
  • Warranty: Verify battery coverage (8 years/150,000 miles for 2020 models)

Total Cost of Ownership (5 Years)

  • Net Purchase Cost: 31,400 (after $4,000 tax credit)
  • Insurance: 12,500
  • Electricity: 3,450 (vs. 10,000 in gas for comparable ICE)
  • Maintenance: 1,500 (minimal vs. ICE vehicles)
  • Tires: 2,400 (1-2 sets)
  • Total 5-Year Cost: 55,850 (11,170 annually)

Quick Start

Finding a 2020 Model S in Budget

  1. Search Platforms: CARFAX (best selection), TrueCar, CarGurus, U.S. News
  2. Target Listings: 35+ available nationwide as of last update
  3. Ideal Specifications: Long Range Plus, 40k-55k miles, 30k price range
  4. Timeline: Expect 2-4 weeks research, inspection, and negotiation

Pre-Purchase Process

  1. Research Phase (1-2 weeks)

    • Run Carfax/AutoCheck on candidates
    • Calculate total cost of ownership
    • Identify 5-10 comparable listings

  2. Inspection Phase (1-2 weeks)

    • Schedule test drives
    • Use provided checklist (full inspection points detailed in buying guide)
    • Schedule pre-purchase inspection (400)

  3. Negotiation Phase (3-5 days)

    • Start 12% below asking price
    • Leverage common issues for negotiation
    • Expect final price ~30,000 range

  4. Purchase Phase (1 week)

    • Verify clean title and warranty coverage
    • Arrange financing/payment
    • Transfer insurance
    • Complete title transfer

Inspection Checklist Highlights

  • All 4 door handles (test multiple times)
  • Infotainment system responsiveness
  • Battery health report request
  • Service history verification
  • Tire tread depth and wear patterns
  • No warning lights on dashboard
  • Electrical systems testing (windows, mirrors, lights)

Sources

Primary Research Documents

Information Resources

  • Tesla Motors Club Forum - Owner community and problem tracking
  • r/TeslaModelS - Reddit community and owner experiences
  • CARFAX, TrueCar, CarGurus - Market data and listings

Tools & Resources

  • TeslaFi - Battery degradation tracking
  • Tesla Stats App (iOS) - Vehicle diagnostics
  • Tesla Service Center or independent EV mechanic - Pre-purchase inspection
  • /amd-gpu/ - Different research topic (unrelated)
  • /webgpu/ - Different research topic (unrelated)

Other relevant Tesla research topics not yet in this directory:

  • Tesla cost of ownership across model lines
  • EV market depreciation comparison study
  • Tesla service and repair economics

Verdict: Is a 2020 Model S at $30k Worth It?

YES, if you:

✅ Want 400-mile range capability ✅ Have home charging infrastructure ✅ Can handle Tesla-specific quirks ✅ Plan to keep the car 5+ years ✅ Drive 12,000+ miles annually (maximize fuel savings) ✅ Value performance (0-60 in 3.7s)

NO, if you:

❌ Prioritize traditional luxury build quality ❌ Cannot charge at home ❌ Prefer dealership service network ❌ Need predictable ownership costs ❌ Plan to resell within 1-2 years ❌ Require extensive cargo space

Bottom Line

At 450-690/year in electricity). However, you must accept poor value retention (63-71% depreciation over 5 years) and embrace EV ownership quirks. Best strategy: Find a clean example around $29,000 with <55,000 miles and full service history - this represents the current market sweet spot.

Last updated: November 24, 2025