I Bought a Tesla Model 3 And I Can’t Imagine Driving Anything Else Despite All the Hate I’ve Seen

Some posts online feel routine, but others quietly capture the spirit of something much larger. In the "Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Owners Club" on Facebook, I came across one of those posts. A simple comment by Johnny Gunz, who's a proud owner of a 2023 Tesla Model 3, summed up what it means to fall in love with a car brand that still divides opinion:

“Well, after owning my 2023 Model 3, I don’t think I'll buy from any other car maker other than Tesla. These cars are amazing, I don't know why they get the hate. Anyone in here didn’t like their Tesla and went back to gas?”

Johnny's brief comment reflects something many EV owners come to feel after making the switch. There’s often skepticism going on, especially with all the noise around Tesla, but for many like Johnny, the experience turns out to be game changing. In his case, it was enough to make him question why so many still doubt these cars in the first place.

Johnny even shared a picture remembering the special day his Tesla delivered:

What Tesla Owners Keep Saying

Several owners shared their thoughts in the comments, offering a clearer picture of how the Tesla experience has resonated with them. Scott Borns, for example, has been a fellow Model 3 owner since 2022, and he was quick to chime in:

"2022 Tesla Model 3 owner here and Tesla is all I will buy in the future. I've owned mainly Toyotas before my Tesla and Toyotas are good cars, but Tesla is just built better, safer, and has much better technology. Oh, they are electric too, so my cost of ownership is much less. Amazing car.”

Scott’s experience echoes the sentiment found in a fascinating story about a buyer who managed to snag a 2022 Tesla Model 3 from Hertz at an unbeatable price, highlighting the exceptional value these cars can represent.

Next came Mike Balsich’s comment, providing an enthusiast’s perspective about why electric cars, and specifically Tesla, have a particular edge for him:

"I used to work on my own cars and had a couple of project ICE cars going simultaneously. Ever since I got my Tesla Model Y last November, I've been considering selling both project cars. ICE cars just don’t make sense to own anymore. They’re slower and require maintenance. Dinosaurs really.”

While Mike’s view may sound strong, he’s not the only one who’s come to see things that way. For some car enthusiasts, the performance, simplicity, and ease of ownership offered by EVs like the Tesla Model Y are starting to make more sense compared to traditional gas-powered cars. His perspective mirrors another captivating Tesla ownership story of a driver who decided to ditch a 20-year-old VW to enjoy Tesla’s autopilot, significantly reducing the stress of daily driving.

Alex Wolcott took a more practical and straightforward approach in his comment, avoiding the recent heated debates about Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk and focusing purely on the car itself:

“Love my Tesla. I couldn’t care less about Elon’s political opinions and no one else should. If you like the car, buy the car.”

Alex’s comment offers a reminder that for buyers, it should come down to the car itself. Tuning out everything else makes the decision a little simpler.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing comments came from Wahab Hakimi, whose story offered a different yet equally telling angle:

“I had a Tesla Model 3. After one year, I sold it and on the same day I bought a gas car. But after one week, I felt regret and bought a new Tesla Model Y. I love it and I don’t want to go back to gas ever again.”

Wahab’s quick return to Tesla powerfully illustrates how deeply satisfying and irreplaceable electric vehicle ownership can become, something that aligns closely with the experiences detailed by another Tesla owner who documented 90 days of owning the Tesla Model Y Performance.

The Tesla Advantage

Tesla has undoubtedly redefined automotive expectations with groundbreaking technologies such as Autopilot and over-the-air software updates that have changed what many drivers expect from a modern car. Acceleration that once belonged exclusively to exotic sports cars are now a common part of the daily commute. These are things that redefine the driving experience. It's a combination that's pushing traditional automakers to rethink what their future looks like too as we see how they push different boundaries with their EV lineups.

Less Hassle, More Drive: Why It Makes Sense for Many

Owning a Tesla doesn’t just shift how you drive; it also changes how you think about the cost and impact of driving altogether. For some, it’s the realization that there are fewer moving parts to maintain, fewer stops at the gas station, and fewer surprises when it comes to long-term repairs. For others, it's about the broader shift of moving away from emissions-heavy vehicles and into something that feels aligned with where the world is heading and with what it is they believe in.

Tesla’s appeal often begins with performance and tech, but the long-game value comes from what it quietly saves you. Things like no oil changes, no muffler repairs, and in many cases, incentives and energy savings that add up over time just make sense. It’s not just about cutting costs; it’s about simplifying ownership in a way that traditional vehicles rarely do. And while not every buyer is making the leap for environmental reasons, it’s a side effect that’s hard to ignore, especially as everyone is talking about the future of our planet.

The More I Document Tesla Owners, The More I Get It

Tesla’s rise to prominence hasn't been without controversy. From production delays and quality control issues to polarizing public perceptions of its CEO Elon Musk, Tesla faces constant scrutiny. Yet, despite these issues, Tesla owners overwhelmingly express satisfaction and loyalty. Not for Elon, but for the car itself.

As a car enthusiast myself, Johnny’s post made me pause and reflect. In an automotive landscape filled with debates over electric vehicles' future, Tesla often becomes both the hero and the villain. Yet, what's undeniable is what Johnny and many commenters pointed out: it's the remarkable shift in perception that occurs when someone finally takes the leap and experiences driving a Tesla.

It’s a car brand that has successfully managed to redefine not just how vehicles operate, but how drivers fundamentally perceive transportation and driving pleasure. Stories detailing first-hand experiences like a first experience with a Tesla Model 3 or an owner’s reflections after 5,000 miles in a Tesla Model 3 RWD further illustrate this point.

Things To Takeaway

1. Curiosity Often Turns Into Conviction
Most Tesla owners didn’t start out as die-hard fans. They started with questions, hesitation, and maybe even doubt. But something about the ownership experience has a way of answering those questions more convincingly than expected for those that we saw together today.

2. Loyalty Isn’t About the Hype; It’s About the Drive
The strongest praise isn’t for Tesla’s branding or marketing. It’s for how the cars feel to drive every day for owners. That satisfaction is what keeps people from going back to gas, even if they try.

3. The Real Value Isn’t Just in the Numbers
Lower maintenance costs and fuel savings are part of the picture, but for many, the real win is in the peace of mind and simplicity of ownership. That’s hard to quantify, but easy to feel once you’ve lived with owning one as seen by many.

4. The Community Says More Than the Company Ever Could
What’s more convincing than a spec sheet or a press release? A comment from someone who owned the car, drove it through all seasons, maybe even left the brand, and then came back. That kind of feedback is powerful and unparalleled.

5. It’s Okay to Separate the Car from the Controversy
Some buyers tune out the noise surrounding Tesla’s leadership and politics. It doesn’t mean they agree or disagree, it just means they’re making a decision based on the product, and that’s a valid stance to take.

Now Let's Hear from You

Have you recently made the switch to Tesla or any other electric car and found yourself unable to go back to gas?

Or maybe you're on the fence and still weighing the options. If so, what are some things holding you back from making the jump?

Your stories add invaluable insight for all of us, don't hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments below.

Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist with an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.

Image Sources: Tesla Gallery and Johnny Gunz's post from the "Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Owners Club" public Facebook Group.