How is repairing any new car an economic tragedy? I bought a Hyundai in 2008. Since then, I've only had to pay annual maintenance costs averaging $200, and the powertrain has a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty (I'm only at 75,000 miles so far after 7.5 years).

The only significant repairs I can imagine on this vehicle are replacing the tires or brakes. As long as the oil changes and maintenance are done regularly, I highly doubt the engine will have any problems until 200,000 miles or so, at which point the vehicle will be almost 20 years old and have cost about $1,000 a year to drive.

New vehicles are incredibly reliable (compared to vehicles produced in the 20th century) and are likely to last a long time, although the electronics will surely be dated when they are 20 years old.

The tesla vehicles have an 8 year warranty on the battery pack, which is the only item besides tires, brakes, and windshield wiper blades that is likely to wear out.

> The tesla vehicles have an 8 year warranty on the battery pack, which is the only item besides tires, brakes, and windshield wiper blades that is likely to wear out.

This is Tesla marketing through and through. Look at all the problems the Model S owners have had and reconsider the statement.

Making a "great car" is no easy task. At that price point, they are going up against some all time greats: Camry, Accord, Sonata, others. That means 200,000 miles with only standard maintenance and relatively low performance degradation. All weather, all conditions, being a daily driver. Also, most of those cars are babied for a while, then the honeymoon wears off and a lot of them are almost abused after that. Aggressive 16 year old boys learning to drive in them... Being parked outside all the time... Shit is about to get real for tesla, I really hope they deliver a great car, it's just a monumentally difficult challenge. There will be a lot of bumps along the way.