Tesla Model 3 Owner Says, “At First, I Hated Tesla, Until I Drove This MP3, Then It Was Game Over, I Just Got Rid of a Nightmare 2024 Hyundai Elantra N That Was a Lemon Buy-Back”

If you think Tesla is all hype, wait until you see the math behind how this owner escaped a "nightmare" 2024 Elantra N buy-back and landed a 500-horsepower Tesla Model 3 Performance for less than the price of a budget lease.

In the rapidly shifting landscape of the 2025 automotive market, few things are as volatile as brand loyalty. For years, "legacy" car enthusiasts and EV skeptics have held their ground, citing build quality and "soul" as reasons to avoid the Silicon Valley giant. But for Jeff Armstrong, another self-described former Tesla hater, it took a literal "nightmare" ownership experience with a 2024 Hyundai Elantra N to realize that the grass and the charging might actually be greener on the other side.

In a viral post on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Owners Club Facebook page, Armstrong detailed a harrowing 15-month legal battle with Hyundai that ended in a lemon law buy-back, and a sudden, "game over" conversion to a 2022 Tesla Model 3 Performance.

The "Literal Hell" of a 2024 Hyundai Elantra N Lemon

The 2024 Hyundai Elantra N is often hailed by enthusiasts as one of the best "bang-for-your-buck" performance cars on the market. However, for Armstrong, the experience was anything but high-performance.

“I had a 2024 Hyundai Elantra N that was a Lemon,” Armstrong shared. “It took over a year and 3 months to get it bought back by Hyundai. It was literal hell... It was a nightmare.”

While Hyundai has made massive strides in reliability, 2024 models have faced increasing scrutiny regarding electrical system malfunctions, with some owners reporting total power loss and engine stalling. For Armstrong, the technical failures were compounded by the bureaucratic friction of the buy-back process, a common "hell" for consumers trapped in the lemon law system.

From Closed-Minded Skeptic to Tesla Convert

What makes Armstrong’s story a lightning rod is his admission of previous bias. Many current Tesla owners share a similar origin story: they were "closed-minded" and "believed what other people said about the cars."

“At first, I hated Tesla cars until I rode in one, a Tesla Model 3, and drove one, then it was game over,” Armstrong admitted.

The "game over" moment is a recurring theme in the EV world. The Model 3 Performance (M3P) delivers instant torque capable of a 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.1 seconds, often shattering the preconceived notions of those used to internal combustion engines. For someone coming from an Elantra N, which is a formidable front-wheel-drive sport sedan, the shift to a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive M3P is a massive leap in both technology and raw physics.

Under $300 a Month

One of the most valuable takeaways from Armstrong's experience is how he navigated the current 2025 Tesla market. After missing out on the high-profile 0% APR financing and the $7500 federal tax credit incentives that dominated headlines earlier in the year, he turned to a burgeoning sector of the market: Tesla Used Leasing.

“I took delivery of a 2022 Model 3 Performance yesterday, and so far I’m loving the car. I paid my taxes and tags up front with 0 down and got in under a $300 payment.”

This "insane" deal highlights a strategic move by Tesla to move inventory from its lease-return fleet. By choosing a 2022 model, Armstrong secured the AMD Ryzen processor (essential for a lag-free infotainment experience) and the legendary performance specs of the pre-"Highland" refresh, all while maintaining a monthly payment lower than most budget economy cars.

The "Highland" Horizon: Is the 2022 M3P Better?

Armstrong’s choice of a 2022 model over the newer 2024/2025 "Highland" refresh is a point of heavy debate among enthusiasts. While the Highland update offers a quieter cabin, ventilated seats, and better ride quality, the 2022 Model 3 Performance still features the traditional stalks for blinkers and gears, a feature many "old school" drivers prefer over the new screen-swipe gear selector and steering wheel buttons.

Armstrong isn't ruling out the future, though. “Maybe when 2 years is up, I can move up to the Highland if my experience is good,” he noted. For now, the 2022 M3P represents the "sweet spot" for performance-hungry drivers seeking to escape the reliability woes of legacy internal combustion engines.

Why This Matters for Car Buyers Today

This story is a microcosm of the 2025 auto industry's three biggest trends:

• The Rise of Lemon Law Claims: As cars become "computers on wheels," software and electrical glitches are leading to more buy-backs.
• The "Driving is Believing" Effect: Tesla’s greatest marketing tool remains the test drive, which continues to convert skeptics at a high rate.
• The Value in Used EV Leasing: With new car prices remaining high, the used Tesla market, specifically through official leasing channels, is becoming the most affordable way to access 500+ horsepower performance.

For Jeff Armstrong, the journey from a "nightmare" Hyundai to a "dream" Tesla was a 15-month ordeal. But with a sub-$300 payment and a car that redefined his view of the road, it seems the "game" has only just begun.

Next Up: From Lifted Trucks to Track Ready

If you found Jeff’s transition from a "nightmare" economy car to a Tesla Performance model fascinating, you won’t want to miss Denis Flierl's latest look at another radical brand swap. In this trending story, a lifelong truck enthusiast explains why he finally gave up the "pavement princess" lifestyle, trading his lifted Ford F-150 for a mid-engine masterpiece.

Ford F-150 Owner Ditches His Lifted Truck for a Chevy Corvette C8, Says, “The Only Thing I’m Hauling Now Is Ass”

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With over 30 years of industry experience, Denis Flierl brings an insider’s perspective to Torque News, where he has been a Senior Reporter since 2012. Before picking up the pen, Denis consulted for the automotive industry's biggest brands and honed his skills as a test driver. He cuts through the noise to deliver the latest auto news, compelling owner stories, and the expert analysis necessary to navigate today's changing automotive market.

Have a tip or question? Follow me on X @DenisFlierl and @WorldsCoolestRides, or connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Jeff Armstrong