But it’s the same for all other cars. If you look at a base Audi or bmw, they are also pretty empty for their starting price

There aren't any mainstream cars that base at $35K and option for $30K higher. Name a make and model.

There are many. It comes down to what you define as an option, but if we use Tesla's definition as "the same model":

- Camaro. Base: $27k. Fully loaded: Above $70k. Of course, this is mainly because it goes from a 2.0L turbo 4 to a 6.2L turbo V8, but then again, a motor upgrade is also available as an "option" on the Model 3 so... Its the same model, same platform.

- Mercedes C300. Base: $40k. Fully Loaded: Above $70k. No engine or platform changes, exact same trim level, just options; exterior trim, premium leather, sound system, tech, etc.

- BMW 3-Series. Base: $35k. Fully Loaded: $65k. Both an engine and drivetrain upgrade included.

- Ford Mustang GT. Base: $35k. Fully Loaded: $55k. Not as drastic, but significant because again no engine change; Ford sells both a premium "trim", a complete interior upgrade, and a performance pack that modifies things like the diff ratio, bodywork, etc.

Yeah that is not the same as a Model 3 comparison.

With the Model 3 you were led to believe a $35K car existed, but it never did.

A C300 4 banger will be not be confused with a AMG C63s before ordering.

The C300 in that example is not a C63s. Its a C300 completely optioned out. Same model. Same engine. Most of the cost comes in exterior options (which are often borrowed from the AMG models), interior comfort (ultra quality leather seats), and tech (premium speakers, some form of autonomous driving).

And that's just what is on their website. Especially with BMW, you can go wild at the dealers with customization. You can turn a $40k car into a $100k car easily, just with factory options.

Again, no. Just because you can dump a bunch of roof accessories and floor mats into a C300 doesn't qualify it for a $30K increase that you are mislead to believe.

Also, I don't know if you've ever bought a car, but you just can't add all the options up on a car's build page and obtain the highest possible price. Many of those options are redundant and cancel each other out when you run down the line and click on them (packages). What's your $100K C300 build link?

You have to be very naive to think that even a $40K BASE model car options to a hundred grand "easily".

Remember, we're discussing the lie that the Model 3 is. That it's a $35K vehicle that will ship mid to late 2017.

- BMW 3-series vs a fully loaded M3 is like 35K to almost 90K - Audi A4 vs S4 can be 30K added - probably any base luxury model has a huge sport upgrade path. The GT-R used to be a Nissan Skyline upgrade.

Challenge accepted. BMW 320i base is $34k. BMW 340i xDrive with all the trimmings is a hair over $60k.

Nissan GT-R.

Base is $99,990.

Premium edition is $110,490.

Track Edition is $128,490.

Finally, there's NISMO edition, $175,490. With all the options, nearly $183,000.

https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/sports-cars/gt-r/build-pr...

EDIT: Of course, a Nissan GT-R isn't even the same market as a Model 3, so I'm not sure you could really use it as an example.

How bare down? Is a base Model 3 much more bare than a 320i?

How about each with $5k in upgrades? 10k?