Tesla Offered Me a $309/Month Lease for the 2025 Model 3 After a Test Drive, and I Can’t Decide If It’s Worth It

We’ve all been there. You hop into a car you’ve been curious about, take it for a spin, and step out of the test drive feeling like you just met the one. That’s exactly what happened to Adam Singh after he took a 2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range out for a drive and suddenly found himself with a lease offer that looked almost too good to pass up.

“Hi people. I took a test drive of the 2025 Tesla Model 3 and loved it,” Adam wrote in the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Owners Facebook group. “I'm thinking of leasing it for 24 months, and this is what they offered me. Should I go for it?”

Tesla gave him a 24-month lease offer for $309.37 per month, with $3,453.57 due at delivery, after applying the $7,500 lease incentive. That price includes 10,000 miles per year. It’s for the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive version with the updated interior. The lease sheet also includes a $1,000 customer down payment, $1,390 destination fee, and other standard Tesla fees like the $250 order fee and a $695 acquisition fee.

The adjusted capitalized cost on the vehicle is listed as $35,630, with a residual value of $30,277.20 and a 3.14% interest rate. All in all, he’d be paying just under $11,000 over the course of two years if you count the upfront and monthly costs combined.

So now the big question: is that a smart deal, or just a tempting one?

Some Owners Say This Is One of the Better Tesla Lease Deals in a While 

Scrolling through the comments under Adam’s post, you can tell he’s not the only one thinking this might be the sweet spot to jump in. One commenter, Armando, shared how much he’s paying, and wished he had waited:

“Much better than mine. I wish I had waited 6 months to get these better deals. Is the $309 including tax and everything per month? I pay $390 for the LFP model 2024 Model 3 with 15k miles, but it’s a 3-year lease. They offered a 2-year plan at a higher price, now they have better offers compared to when I got it back in August.”

That’s a familiar story. A lot of Tesla shoppers who locked in leases last summer were hit with stiffer terms and higher monthly payments, especially for shorter lease terms. Tesla’s lease pricing has improved noticeably in 2025, as we also saw in this breakdown of Tesla’s most aggressive $250/month lease offers earlier this year.

Another user named Tiny shared a different side of the story that not many people think about upfront:

“Great deal! I also lease my 2025 Model 3 for the next 3 years with 10k miles per year. It was a deal I couldn’t refuse. I also got lower insurance because I drive less than 500 miles a month.”

It’s easy to overlook things like insurance savings, especially with a Tesla. Some drivers actually get much cheaper premiums based on their mileage and driving habits. So when you’re running the numbers, don’t just look at the monthly lease, look at what you’ll actually spend monthly when insurance is factored in too.

Why Leasing a Tesla Might Make More Sense Than Buying in 2025 

Leasing a Tesla in today’s market is a lot different than it was even a year ago. With all the price changes, tech updates, and unpredictable interest rates, buying a brand-new EV outright can feel like a bit of a gamble. Tesla’s leasing options have become more appealing in part because they take some of that risk off the table.

Think about it. If you lease for 24 months, you don’t have to worry about long-term resale value, battery degradation, or whether new tech will make your car feel outdated by the time you hit 30,000 miles. You just give it back and reassess.

In fact, that’s exactly what someone debated in a recent article where a buyer hesitated between leasing a new Tesla or going for a used one. Prices for used Teslas have dropped recently, which has made that option more attractive, too.

Still, if you're like Adam, someone who wants the newest tech and doesn't necessarily want to commit for the long haul, this lease structure actually makes a lot of sense. Especially when you consider how many Tesla owners have shared horror stories about service center experiences, long repair times, or in some cases, how they’ve ditched Tesla for another EV like the BMW i4 or waited for something like the Rivian R3X.

But Not Everyone Walks Away From a Tesla Lease Smiling 

One thing worth keeping in mind is that lease returns aren’t always clean and drama-free. Tesla has been known to charge for wear-and-tear items on return, some of which you might not expect. In one story from Torque News, an owner was slapped with a surprise $2,200 bill at the end of their lease for wear items they thought were minor.

It’s not a reason to avoid leasing altogether, but it is a reminder to read the fine print and document everything before and after your lease term. Especially if you’re driving it in a hail-prone area or parking it on busy city streets where the occasional scuff is almost unavoidable.

Just look at this story where hail damage nearly totaled a Model 3, and the buyout process turned into a confusing mess.

What I’d Do in Adam’s Shoes 

Personally, I think the $309/month lease Adam got offered is solid, especially for a 2025 Model 3 Long Range. The updated styling, better range, and upgraded interior make this one of the best Model 3s Tesla has built so far. And the fact that Tesla is throwing in a $7,500 lease incentive and still keeping the monthly payments reasonable? That’s pretty rare in today’s EV market.

The only caution flag I’d wave is this: make sure you’re not leasing just because it sounds good. Make sure the deal actually fits your lifestyle. If you drive more than 10,000 miles a year or hate the idea of giving the car back after 2 years, leasing might not be your best move.

But if you’re the kind of driver who enjoys having the latest thing, likes staying under warranty, and doesn’t want to worry about long-term ownership headaches, I think Adam’s offer is honestly hard to beat.

Final Thoughts 

At the end of the day, the best lease is the one that makes sense for your life. And in 2025, that could mean leasing instead of buying, especially with EV tech changing so quickly. Tesla’s lease deals aren’t always easy to predict, but this one stands out for how balanced it is between cost, flexibility, and value.

If you're in a similar situation and torn between pulling the trigger or waiting it out, I’d say this: if you already love the car and the math adds up, don’t wait too long. These deals can change quickly.

Have you leased a Tesla recently? If so, what was your experience like and did any surprises happen when the final numbers came in?
Do you think Tesla’s current lease deals are better than buying used or new? Let us know in the comments below.

Image source: Alan's Facebook Post & Tesla Model 3 Press Room