Chart: Mach-E vs Tesla New Prices

[MachHunter]

THIS TABLE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT ALL TAXES AND TITLE WHERE I LIVE. DIFFERENT STATES HAVE DIFFERENT TAX RATES, USUALLY SOUTHERN STATES WITH NO INCOME TAX ARE HIGHER.


WHAT THIS TABLE MEANS TO ME:

I was committed to the Mach-E. Its a better built car, more durable, MUCH quieter, I like CarPlay, I want a dash display, it fits me better up front at 6’4” with a big a**, and I don’t necessarily need mega range.

The Tesla had plus sides too though. That awesome 3D feed of nearby cars, better software outside the CarPlay apps, better climate system, total cargo space, sentry mode.

I chose the Mach-E confidently and with certainty after comparing everything over a year ago.

And yet, with my perfectly spec’d premium arriving soon, I am headed to Tesla with $250 to gamble on it arriving before the tax credit change. Here’s why…

I revisited the comparison this month after dealing with Ford for over a year now and watching how the E and Y have fared in the wild. 224mi (if the weather is good) vs 303mi (period), points to Tesla. On resale value, people want Teslas and don’t know the Mach-E, which will be an even bigger problem as range increases and people mentally file away a 224mi range vehicle in a category with the Bolt/Leaf rather than the M-Y/Lightning. Software bugs are less of a problem with Tesla. Sentry mode is badass. And most of all, that supercharger network means I can actually use it for road trips. Not a huge thing for me, but maybe things will change with me at work and I will need it. I can swallow the ugly/bland look, even though I don’t want to.

I represent the wider market’s reaction to Ford’s massive corporate failure.

First I was jerked around and lied to by dealers who either smacked $5k ADM on or claimed no ADM and then drew up papers with $5k in protective coating and “free oil changes” on a car that has no oil. Which I told them to stuff. (I even had to file a credit card complaint against them to get my deposit back.) Then I finally ordered the Mach-E in early ‘22. If they had made it in the time frame they estimated, I would have gotten the original credit and been overjoyed. Next came the “private cash offer”, which happened when the Mach-E didn’t make it in the ‘22 model year, and with that the debacle over the Comfort-Tech package being excluded. Could I get a Premium so I keep the terms of my original order and still have the PCO, or was I stuck with no heated seats and an extra $1900 for formerly included BlueCruise which would wipe out the PCO (which for weird corporate reasons they didn’t want to just call price protection). That took a month to sort that out, slowing my build date. Luckily, Ford had Union and corporate lobbyists working together so I’d still get my tax break, right? Right??? How could you not know the Mach-E didn’t fit the pre-designated criteria for an SUV outlined by the agency the IRS historically relies on for vehicle classification? At this point this car that was built on the idea of competing with Tesla on price is now right up there with Tesla because Ford didn’t do their homework.

So I check out inventory after the news breaks. Because I’m not alone in these issues, there’s now plenty of Mach E inventory out there. Included in what is on the market are some ‘22s with small ADM I’m pretty sure I could get close to MSRP (table above). So Mach-E is still a cheaper option, but it’s not for the car I want; the RWD and interior package on the base model under $55k are not my jam. And who knows, maybe if I ask for that one, I’ll get the free oil change and clear coat treatment again making the very idea of one of those cheap ‘22s as much of a joke as the “inventory” Ford shows on their website that is aleady promised to other customers. (Another fail by Ford.)

And then, Tesla drops prices 20%. They clear the $55k hurdle. They are now WAY cheaper without the PCO and… wait for it… cheaper WITH THE PCO!!! Even with $6k cash in their favor, Ford loses. How does Ford respond? Crickets. Cadillac says they are lobbying for a fix. Farley just says a cryptic “working on it” on Twitter, which doesn’t give me any confidence. This effort by Ford does me no good with a car arriving in 1-2 weeks and a decision to be made.

At this point I’m going “Ya know what, it’s been over a year now. And in order to buy this car I basically have to make the most-browsed tab on my browser a forum where people exchange rumors and tips on how to deal with this s***ty corporate communication system.” Why do I want to be a part of this?

I told people how much better the Mach-E was and what a better buy. I was it’s biggest cheerleader. I’m a big tall guy who has owned 2 mustangs as a kid and just liked the car better. It’s better looking. It has real buttons. You had to TRY HARD to lose me as a customer. And yet… I am buying a Tesla.

Love or hate Elon’s politics, there’s a corporate nimbleness to giving dictatorial power to an autistic genius. There was an interesting article a while back in the business press about how Tesla’s flashy marketing and “stock price smoke-and-mirrors” mask one of the most operationally efficient corporations on the planet. When their tax credit was set to expire under the old plan a few years back, they churned out units like meth-heads disassembling TV sets at gun point. They are currently shifting all production to under $55k models to flood the market. Based on past performance I like my odds of getting the M-Y by March. Would I put a massive chunk of cash on it, no. But I feel like it’s a coin flip I’ll get my car. Compare that to Ford where the better analogy to getting the car on time is needing to roll snake eyes in order to match their suggested time frame. Tesla was worth a $250 coin flip.

If the Tesla doesn’t make it in time, to hell with the EV game. I don’t need to go 0-60 in less than 5 seconds often anyway. I can seriously get a 2 year old Porsche at these prices. I really think EVs are better cars. The circus surrounding them somehow managed to override their awesomeness.

FINAL NOTE: The folks at the dealership I ultimately settled on were great. Dealers really are dealer-by-dealer either great or awful. Maybe even salesman-to-salesman. And I got a good one. Sad I had to hop through 4 different jerk dealer doors to be treated well, but in the end I was. If you’re thinking about a Mach-E even after this comment, just go door to door until you get exactly what you want IN WRITING. The good ones are very “Meh” about giving you what you want. The terrible ones like to talk a lot and not print out paperwork.

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[MachHunter]

UPDATE 1: In the past few days since this Tesla price drop and tax credit drama, as I’ve been writing this comment on my phone from the line at drive thrus or other places where I have nothing to do, I’m not only seeing MSRP all over, I’m now seeing 2022s BELOW MSRP. It’s a blood bath. Plenty of inventory now. Even people on this forum seeing a glut in California, where the economy is inflated and EVs are insanley populat. The tide is turning hard.

UPDATE 2: Looks like software is NOT included in the final price, so some of this software talk is irrelevant. That said, I would play it safe with the IRS and just buy the Tesla software upgrade after the fact as a different transaction.

 

[MachHunter]

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THAT BOTTOM ROW OF THE CHART:

I have a $6,000 PCO.
Actual worst case scenario on my care for someone without the PCO...

MORE THAN $63,000

($62,937.05 plus extra tax because there's tax on the lost savings from the PCO.)

 

[BMT1071]

If range is really important to you, you might want to look into what that "303 period" actually is in the many independent range tests that have been done.
Otherwise, I hope the Tesla works out for you.

 

[ARK]

To be honest, looking at your most likely price row, if $4,000 of a difference is what separates the two, I'd go with the one I liked more if I were in your shoes.

 

[MachHunter]

To be honest, looking at your most likely price row, if $4,000 of a difference is what separates the two, I'd go with the one I liked more if I were in your shoes.

Grappled with that quite a bit, but charging network, resale value, and what I think is a coming collapse in the non-Tesla market that will impact local charging collectively put me over the top. I'm happy for everyone who enjoys their Mach. I hope Ford gets it together soon. This really was a "straw that broke the camels back" thing where if things went poorly once I got the vehicle I would be looking in the mirror going "You're an idiot. Every single thing you encountered up to buying this car warned you..."

 

[MachHunter]

If range is really important to you, you might want to look into what that "303 period" actually is in the many independent range tests that have been done.
Otherwise, I hope the Tesla works out for you.

Used to be 329. They dropped to 303 to fit 3rd party results. Obviously if you're road tripping through the South with the AC on going 80, the numbers are going to plummet. But its the same with the MachE. Range wasn't a huge thing for me, but the point I made about range being a big deal in a few years when the new platforms are in the market does matter to me. I want to be able to resell my car for at least a semi-decent amount.

 

[glenthompson]

I was behind a Y on the road on Monday and thought it was one of the ugliest cars I’ve seen in recent years. Passed him quickly so I wouldn’t have to look at it.

 

[Rory]

Used to be 329. They dropped to 303 to fit 3rd party results. Obviously if you're road tripping through the South with the AC on going 80, the numbers are going to plummet. But its the same with the MachE. Range wasn't a huge thing for me, but the point I made about range being a big deal in a few years when the new platforms are in the market does matter to me. I want to be able to resell my car for at least a semi-decent amount.

Tesla plays games with their range numbers, all legal. https://www.caranddriver.com/featur...-factor-tesla-uses-for-big-epa-range-numbers/

 

[MachHunter]

I was behind a Y on the road on Monday and thought it was one of the ugliest cars I’ve seen in recent years. Passed him quickly so I wouldn’t have to look at it.

Much of my life I was really broke. And at that point, the used cars on the market were from the 80s and 90s. The MachE is a MUCH better looking car than the Tesla, but this would be nowhere near the ugliest car I have owned.

 

[glenthompson]

Much of my life I was really broke. And at that point, the used cars on the market were from the 80s and 90s. The MachE is a MUCH better looking car than the Tesla, but this would be nowhere near the ugliest car I have owned.

That’s why I said recent years. AMC Pacer and 81 Cadillac Seville come to mind in older cars.

 

[IgorKl]

THIS TABLE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT ALL TAXES AND TITLE WHERE I LIVE. DIFFERENT STATES HAVE DIFFERENT TAX RATES, USUALLY SOUTHERN STATES WITH NO INCOME TAX ARE HIGHER.


WHAT THIS TABLE MEANS TO ME:

I was committed to the Mach-E. Its a better built car, more durable, MUCH quieter, I like CarPlay, I want a dash display, it fits me better up front at 6’4” with a big a**, and I don’t necessarily need mega range.

The Tesla had plus sides too though. That awesome 3D feed of nearby cars, better software outside the CarPlay apps, better climate system, total cargo space, sentry mode.

I chose the Mach-E confidently and with certainty after comparing everything over a year ago.

And yet, with my perfectly spec’d premium arriving soon, I am headed to Tesla with $250 to gamble on it arriving before the tax credit change. Here’s why…

I revisited the comparison this month after dealing with Ford for over a year now and watching how the E and Y have fared in the wild. 224mi (if the weather is good) vs 303mi (period), points to Tesla. On resale value, people want Teslas and don’t know the Mach-E, which will be an even bigger problem as range increases and people mentally file away a 224mi range vehicle in a category with the Bolt/Leaf rather than the M-Y/Lightning. Software bugs are less of a problem with Tesla. Sentry mode is badass. And most of all, that supercharger network means I can actually use it for road trips. Not a huge thing for me, but maybe things will change with me at work and I will need it. I can swallow the ugly/bland look, even though I don’t want to.

I represent the wider market’s reaction to Ford’s massive corporate failure.

First I was jerked around and lied to by dealers who either smacked $5k ADM on or claimed no ADM and then drew up papers with $5k in protective coating and “free oil changes” on a car that has no oil. Which I told them to stuff. (I even had to file a credit card complaint against them to get my deposit back.) Then I finally ordered the Mach-E in early ‘22. If they had made it in the time frame they estimated, I would have gotten the original credit and been overjoyed. Next came the “private cash offer”, which happened when the Mach-E didn’t make it in the ‘22 model year, and with that the debacle over the Comfort-Tech package being excluded. Could I get a Premium so I keep the terms of my original order and still have the PCO, or was I stuck with no heated seats and an extra $1900 for formerly included BlueCruise which would wipe out the PCO (which for weird corporate reasons they didn’t want to just call price protection). That took a month to sort that out, slowing my build date. Luckily, Ford had Union and corporate lobbyists working together so I’d still get my tax break, right? Right??? How could you not know the Mach-E didn’t fit the pre-designated criteria for an SUV outlined by the agency the IRS historically relies on for vehicle classification? At this point this car that was built on the idea of competing with Tesla on price is now right up there with Tesla because Ford didn’t do their homework.

So I check out inventory after the news breaks. Because I’m not alone in these issues, there’s now plenty of Mach E inventory out there. Included in what is on the market are some ‘22s with small ADM I’m pretty sure I could get close to MSRP (table above). So Mach-E is still a cheaper option, but it’s not for the car I want; the RWD and interior package on the base model under $55k are not my jam. And who knows, maybe if I ask for that one, I’ll get the free oil change and clear coat treatment again making the very idea of one of those cheap ‘22s as much of a joke as the “inventory” Ford shows on their website that is aleady promised to other customers. (Another fail by Ford.)

And then, Tesla drops prices 20%. They clear the $55k hurdle. They are now WAY cheaper without the PCO and… wait for it… cheaper WITH THE PCO!!! Even with $6k cash in their favor, Ford loses. How does Ford respond? Crickets. Cadillac says they are lobbying for a fix. Farley just says a cryptic “working on it” on Twitter, which doesn’t give me any confidence. This effort by Ford does me no good with a car arriving in 1-2 weeks and a decision to be made.

At this point I’m going “Ya know what, it’s been over a year now. And in order to buy this car I basically have to make the most-browsed tab on my browser a forum where people exchange rumors and tips on how to deal with this s***ty corporate communication system.” Why do I want to be a part of this?

I told people how much better the Mach-E was and what a better buy. I was it’s biggest cheerleader. I’m a big tall guy who has owned 2 mustangs as a kid and just liked the car better. It’s better looking. It has real buttons. You had to TRY HARD to lose me as a customer. And yet… I am buying a Tesla.

Love or hate Elon’s politics, there’s a corporate nimbleness to giving dictatorial power to an autistic genius. There was an interesting article a while back in the business press about how Tesla’s flashy marketing and “stock price smoke-and-mirrors” mask one of the most operationally efficient corporations on the planet. When their tax credit was set to expire under the old plan a few years back, they churned out units like meth-heads disassembling TV sets at gun point. They are currently shifting all production to under $55k models to flood the market. Based on past performance I like my odds of getting the M-Y by March. Would I put a massive chunk of cash on it, no. But I feel like it’s a coin flip I’ll get my car. Compare that to Ford where the better analogy to getting the car on time is needing to roll snake eyes in order to match their suggested time frame. Tesla was worth a $250 coin flip.

If the Tesla doesn’t make it in time, to hell with the EV game. I don’t need to go 0-60 in less than 5 seconds often anyway. I can seriously get a 2 year old Porsche at these prices. I really think EVs are better cars. The circus surrounding them somehow managed to override their awesomeness.

FINAL NOTE: The folks at the dealership I ultimately settled on were great. Dealers really are dealer-by-dealer either great or awful. Maybe even salesman-to-salesman. And I got a good one. Sad I had to hop through 4 different jerk dealer doors to be treated well, but in the end I was. If you’re thinking about a Mach-E even after this comment, just go door to door until you get exactly what you want IN WRITING. The good ones are very “Meh” about giving you what you want. The terrible ones like to talk a lot and not print out paperwork.

If you are a big guy please test drive model Y. The seats are uncomfortable for majority big ppl

 

[ab13]

The is no 360 camera on Tesla (for the driver), they took out the front of car sensors, the front cameras are at the top of the window, they don't show what a nose camera would show.

 

[awp0]

Tesla Model Y gets 280 miles of range in real life, but that's still 50+ more than the MME SR model you're comparing to. Even if you don't need the 280 miles of range, it's worth quite a bit of resale value. If you were to compare the Y to the Premium AWD ER, you'd see the price way further apart.

 

[EVnewbie3000]

UPDATE 1: In the past few days since this Tesla price drop and tax credit drama, as I’ve been writing this comment on my phone from the line at drive thrus or other places where I have nothing to do, I’m not only seeing MSRP all over, I’m now seeing 2022s BELOW MSRP. It’s a blood bath. Plenty of inventory now. Even people on this forum seeing a glut in California, where the economy is inflated and EVs are insanley populat. The tide is turning hard.

UPDATE 2: Looks like software is NOT included in the final price, so some of this software talk is irrelevant. That said, I would play it safe with the IRS and just buy the Tesla software upgrade after the fact as a different transaction.

I think Edmunds would say mach E has better range than the Y (and this test was done with the smaller ‘21 battery).

https://www.edmunds.com/amp/car-news/electric-car-range-and-consumption-epa-vs-edmunds.html

Where are you seeing the ‘22 selling below MSRP?

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