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We Own a Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, We Love Our Cars But Are Becoming Increasingly Concerned About Our Safety, We Will Probably Ditch Our Teslas

Is owning a Tesla Model 3 or another Tesla model becoming too dangerous? Karen and her husband own a Model 3 and Model Y and are increasingly concerned about their safety. Should they sell their cars because of Elon Musk or wait it out?

Not all Tesla owners are standing strong in the face of adversity.

Imagine driving a Toyota RAV4, Highlander, Tacoma, or Tundra; you love your car or truck; you've owned your vehicle for years and love the brand. However, the CEO of Toyota, Koji Sato, is such a controversial figure that people harass you because they don't like him. You don't feel safe driving your car because it might get keyed, egged, spat on, and you constantly get the middle finger from other drivers on the It's. It's getting so bad that you want to get rid of your favorite car.

The hate is not against you. It's because of the Toyota CEO's political views. You are ready to get rid of your Toyota. What would you do?

While browsing the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Owners Club Facebook page, researching the Model 3, I ran across Karen Grimmett's post. She says it's gotten so bad that she and her husband will have to sell their Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y, which they love, because they are now targets of hate against Elon Musk.

Karen and her husband disagree with Elon Musk, yet they pay the price for his political views.

Here is Karen's story

She says, "My husband and I own two Teslas. A Model 3 and a Model Y. We love our cars. Still, we are increasingly concerned about our safety when driving them and with the company, given that Elon remains involved. He is a lightning rod, and when we drive our Tesla cars, we are becoming targets for hate, even if we individually think his politics are "crap." 

"Who thinks the board needs to take a serious look at removing Elon so they don't suffer even more than they are right now?"

"We will ditch our Teslas if Elon stays involved with politics and the Tesla car company. What are others thinking?"

Those Are Great Questions

What are other Tesla Model 3 owners saying? Surprisingly, most Tesla owners are keeping their cars. 

Michael - I think the world around me isn't nearly as bad as the internet makes it be, so I'll keep driving the car I love.

Mitchell Lancas - I don't worry about it. I stopped following the news, and my life has been less stressful.

Ivan Gould - We are on our 4th Tesla. No worries.

On Reddit, these were the comments, 

"We love our 2024 LR Model Y. I planned on getting the new Model Y to refresh next year, but if the rumor is true about people dumping their vehicles because of politics, I'll buy used ones if the price is right?"

"I am not dumping the 2024 Model Y. I want another one because we will need to add a vehicle to our family now that kid #2 is driving. I was going to get myself the new Juniper in 2025, but if there is a glut in the market from people dumping their Teslas for political stances, I will buy used and take advantage.

Anothercynic2112 - I'm sure some are making statements by doing that; most people live their lives and don't have the luxury of losing thousands for political stances.

SRRWD - I won't be selling either of my Teslas, But I won't buy another either, so...I suspect this has longer-term consequences for Tesla. Still, his political behavior is only a tiny part of my reasoning; it's how Tesla is run; their after-sale support and service are horrible, and as a car enthusiast, the build quality and materials choices are poor, too. 

The good news is these have plenty of years left; when the time to replace them comes, the market will have many excellent alternatives. It won't miss me. I'm thankful for what the company Tesla did for the EV market and all the people who made that happen.

A report from the New York Post says that only one in three Tesla owners plan to sell their cars because of Elon Musk—70% plan on keeping their Tesla models.

The report says, "For Tesla's innovation far outweighed his questionable behavior. However, the survey revealed a loyal fan base despite the flood of used Teslas and negative sentiment. Over half of Musk's actions have little impact on their feelings toward the automaker."

"There are composers who made beautiful music but did terrible things. It doesn't make their music any less beautiful," LightningJC said.

Conclusion:

I agree with the comment on Facebook that his life got much less stressful when he stopped watching the news. When was the last time you saw any positive news? The media knows that negative news sells and positive news doesn't. 

Ray Williams wrote an excellent piece on Linkedin that says,

"Bad news can evoke emotions such as fear, anger, rage, sadness, grief, and despair. Yet we continue to watch."

"Local newspapers and television stations have understood our addiction to the bad, and as long as there has been news, it's a truth we don't talk about nearly enough. In the media, this fact is so well known you've probably heard the industry adage, "If it bleeds, it leads."

It's Your Turn

What's your take on this? Are you a proud Tesla Model or Model Y owner, and are you considering selling or keeping it? We're eager to hear your thoughts. Click the red Add New Comment link below and share your experience.

Check out my Tesla Model 3 story“I’ve Seen Tesla Owners Trying To Disguise Their Model 3 and Cybertruck With Another Car Brand’s Logo, Why? They Don’t Want To Be Associated With Tesla”

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReportAll Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierlFacebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl

Comments

Garry Cofman (not verified)    March 11, 2025 - 2:10PM

Yes, definitely sell them and buy big V8 powered 4x4 crew cab trucks to replace them. It is for your safety.

Senior Pete (not verified)    March 11, 2025 - 2:11PM

Tesla is still a great car. Elon Musk is doing great for the American government. The hate is coming from the angry democrats: the party of hate and violence.

Paul Sandgren (not verified)    March 11, 2025 - 7:12PM

Everybody has their own feelings about EM. I personally hate what he is doing lately but I think, in his own mind, he thinks he is doing the right thing. I do not. I can however separate the crap Elon is doing from the fact that Teslas, are excellent cars and continue to get better. It's no wonder that the Model Y is, or at least was the best selling car on the planet. I have no problem with anyone who thinks getting rid of their Tesla BC they hate Elon Musk but be aware that the resale value has tanked on all Tesla models so it will likely cost you thousands of dollars to replace a perfectly good functioning Tesla with another vehicle that is not likely able to live up to the overall performance of a Tesla. You can buy a Hyundai or Kea EV but they appear to be on their second recall for their multi voltage charging module which is leaving thousands of owners stranded. Many of those people have experienced the same issues multiple times. In My opinion, a lightly used Tesla 3, say 2 years old with about 25000 miles can be had for less than $25000. Brand new they are about $42k. In my opinion, the Tesla overall is the best bang for the buck. It does most everything well. Some cars will do some things better and lack in other areas. Like charging speed or real world range. The Tesla is not the very best at any one thing but is very good at almost all aspects and for the money I can't think of a better purchase.

Aj (not verified)    March 11, 2025 - 8:12PM

We have a tesla y. I think the herassers dont know their buttocks from their elbow about cars. I also have motorcycles. Im taking off the t and the tesla nameplate and replacing them with yamaha ones i have lying around ive heard people uer audi emblems too.

Annette Kalimuddin (not verified)    March 11, 2025 - 11:20PM

I won’t be selling my Tesla 3 Highland. I have owned previously other high end nonelectric vehicles and they can’t even come near the quality of excellence of my Tesla 3.

TMo (not verified)    March 12, 2025 - 6:36AM

Most of you are missing their point. They don't FEEL SAFE driving their beloved vehicles because of people in the REAL WORLD that may decide to act on their impulses toward Tesla drivers. Ignoring the news won't cause the same people that are willing to sabotage Tesla charging stations or vandalize cars to magically disappear. Sure, some features of their cars allow for video recording which can aid in catching bad actors, but how many times do you want to replace slashed tires, repair body work or fill out police reports before you are fed up? People are already experiencing these kinds of harassing behaviors. They don't want to deal with it just because they appreciate what Tesla has contributed to the EV market writ large.

ricegf (not verified)    March 12, 2025 - 8:49AM

"Should they sell their cars because of Elon Musk?"

You mean, "Should they sell their cars because of progressive domestic terrorists?"

Please stop blaming the victims for the terrorists' crimes, Torque!

GDF (not verified)    March 12, 2025 - 10:41AM

Tesla Engineering is the ones to thank for the awesome start to EVs.

With that said, why buy Tesla autos when the build quality is terrible and they are now old out of date technology.

400v was so yesterday, 800v is far superior and there are great choices.

Kia/Hyundai/Genesis are far better built than Tesla and you have access to their slow Supercharger stations if you want to wait 30 minutes or go to a true fast charger and get 80% in 18 min.

Love my EV9, never will consider a cramped poorly built Tesla product.

Thank you to the brilliant engineers who built great motors, controllers and battery packs to get the EV revolution going.

So superior to my V8 American autos.

Larry S (not verified)    March 12, 2025 - 10:49AM

I shopped other EVs to replace my 2019 model 3 LR AWD. I wanted 300 mile rated range and AWD. Unfortunately, the best option seemed to be a new Model 3, and other models weren't as close as I hoped.

So I'm keeping mine. I will be debadging, but not rebadging .. that looks dumb and isn't fooling anyone.

CK (not verified)    March 12, 2025 - 11:18AM

Personally, I feel like Tesla owners are safer than they were when the alt right hated them. The alt left is more bark than bite.

Mozart (not verified)    March 16, 2025 - 8:08PM

In reply to by CK (not verified)

What are you smoking? Name an instance the "alt right" set a dealership on fire or went after drivers. The "alt left" are the lunatics that think vandalizing other people's things is ok, and they don't shy from it.

Joe Daley (not verified)    March 12, 2025 - 11:48AM

So you gonna ditch cars you love because people want fraudulent and wasteful spending in the government. Good thing we stand on principles and not let the mob dictate what we do.

Wade (not verified)    March 12, 2025 - 2:47PM

I love the car, and have a pretty easy 45 minute commute which is typically stressful free.. but 2 people in the last 2 months have literally run me off the road without provocation and all I can think is they're hating on Tesla.

Jim S (not verified)    March 12, 2025 - 3:03PM

Imagine! Elon getting blamed for exposing fraud, corruption and abuse in government. That would be just terrible wouldn't it? You got to be kidding me... What are you people thinking?

Max Gold (not verified)    March 12, 2025 - 3:38PM

I seriously doubt people are going out of their way becsuse you drive a Tesla..more likely the WAY you drive is pissing people off!

Dennis shanahan (not verified)    March 12, 2025 - 3:47PM

Some people I knew wee killed in a burning tesla. There are other local stories. I am a truck and car dealer. My son raced cars for auto manufacturers. Some cars have caught on fire in simple accidents.plus, I wouldn't, t haveanything. to do with anything Elon Musk controlled,

Matt Evans (not verified)    March 12, 2025 - 8:43PM

I absolutely love my 2024 Model Y performance and plan to keep and drive it with no fear for many years to come and replace it with a new one. The haters are going to hate. Elon will be remembered as one of the great patriots of our time and his technical and entrepreneur prowess will be studied for centuries. I am very proud to support Tesla and Elon. I'm a true fan.

Scott (not verified)    March 12, 2025 - 9:37PM

I would not worry about it and I live in the Midwest, the original tesla haters lol, but they don't do bad things to your car, they just coal roll you in some rural areas. I'm not going to sell a car or not sell a car or whatever it is, based on internet memes. Let's put it this way, if your life in in danger because of a car you drive, a short you wear, or something equally stupid, then perhaps you live in a shit hole and should consider a better place to live. Even then, maybe you should stick to your guns as they say and ride it out.

Poopsniffer (not verified)    March 12, 2025 - 10:10PM

I mean, just look at the first name, says it all in one word. There's a reason they're called "Karen". Grow a backbone and drive the car you want to. This will all pass. I love how the people who bitch the most about "fascists" expect everyone else to have their same opinions.