Ultimate Tesla Buying Checklist: 8 Steps to Get the Best Deal Before You Order
Hey everyone, Dennis here from DennisCW! If you're on the fence about buying a Tesla or just starting your shopping journey, this guide is for you. In today's video, I broke down the top 8 things you need to do RIGHT NOW to score the best deal, financing, incentives, and more. Don't place that deposit until you've checked off this list—trust me, it'll save you time, money, and headaches.
Whether it's a Model 3, Model Y, or something else, these steps ensure you're not just buying a car, but getting the full Tesla experience at the lowest cost. Let's dive in!
1. Schedule a Demo Drive
Tesla's upped their game with self-scheduled test drives via the app. Book a 2-hour solo drive (or even 24-hour in some areas) to really test Full Self-Driving (FSD), acceleration, and features. Way better than a quick 20-minute spin. Head to the Tesla website or app to book—no salesperson required!
2. Get Pre-Qualified for Financing
Use Tesla's site for a soft pre-qualification (no hard credit pull). Aim for 750+ credit score for top rates like 0% APR on Model Y. Lower scores? Plan for a 10-30% down payment. This gives you a clear picture of monthly payments before committing.
3. Hunt for Tesla Incentives
Check Tesla's incentives page for deals like 0% on Model Y, 0.99% on Model 3, and $500 America's Hero discount (verify via ID.me). Stack with a Tesla referral code (link in bio/description) for 3 months free FSD. Game-changer!
4. Explore EVs for All Incentives
Enter your ZIP code on EVsforAll.org for federal, state, local, and utility rebates—especially for home chargers. In SoCal? Hit up Mario at Smart Plug EV (mention Dennis deal) for max savings.
5. Shop Inventory Discounts
Browse Tesla's inventory for demo or discounted vehicles. Model Y Performance deals like $1,400 off are common. Apply referral code to stack perks. Pro tip: Pick your model first—financing/lease details come later in the app.
6. Get Home Charger Quotes
Don't overlook charging! Basic installs: $200-500. Full panel upgrade? Up to $4,000. Get quotes early—Mario at Smart Plug EV can hook you up with incentives.
7. Compare Insurance Rates
Tesla insurance can be 20-30% higher than a Honda/Toyota. Check our insurance survey at denniscw.com/insurance—nearly 400 owners shared rates by state, model, and provider. Find the best fit before delivery.
8. Plan Accessories (Post-Order Fun)
After your $250 deposit, dive into mats, mounts, and more. Favorites: 3W all-weather floor mats (promo: Dennis35 for 35% off), Jowua phone mount, EV Jack (promo: Dennis for 30% off).
Bonus: Selling Your Current EV?
Use Plug—they're beating Tesla offers by $3K-$6K. Instant quotes, fast pickup.
Quick Updates from the Stream
- New Tesla Software Update: Rolling out with pet mode, better visualizations, auto-updates, diner pre-orders, and more. Bigger buttons and FSD improvements incoming!
- FSD Adoption Rising: Fleet data shows it doubling to 5.24%—I'm a convert post-v14!
- Model S/X Signature Sold Out: 350 units gone, but watch inventory.
- Mercedes EV Interior: Wild pillar-to-pillar screens—love the buttons or sticking with Tesla minimalism?
This checklist is your roadmap to the best Tesla deal. Grab our Delivery Inspection Checklist too!
Giveaway Time!
We gave away an EV Jack yesterday—congrats Marlo! Today's prize: Tesla Cybertruck Wind-Up Racer. Like the video, comment your favorite food below (unlimited entries), winner picked tomorrow!
Thanks for reading/watching—drop questions below. Hit subscribe for more Tesla deals!
-Dennis
Disclosure: Affiliate links help support the channel.
