18/10/2026 7:35 pm
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Im looking to grab a used Model S Plaid sometime before the end of summer since my current car finally bit the dust. Ive been scrolling through CarGurus and Tesla's official certified pre-owned page for like two weeks now. The CPO ones are nice because of the extra warranty but they are easily 10k over my 65k budget. Meanwhile, private sellers on Facebook Marketplace have way better prices, but I keep reading horror stories about buying high-HP EVs without a proper battery health check first. Im located in the Chicago area and need something daily drivable without immediate trips to the service center. Where are you guys actually finding the best deals on these things?
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18/10/2026 8:40 pm
@Reply #2 - good point! Year variations definitely matter for daily usability. When I tracked down my Tesla Model S Plaid Tri-Motor AWD, battery thermal data was my main priority. Private listings often lack this info, so bringing the right diagnostics tool is crucial before handing over cash.
- Pull the BMS data using a specific OBD2 adapter and ScanMyTesla app to check actual brick voltages.
- Verify peak supercharging speeds because that tells you the real state of the pack. My setup works well with zero complaints so far, and being methodical saved me from buying a heavily degraded pack.
10
18/10/2026 7:55 pm
Before jumping into a purchase, what year are you targeting? Older models had yoke steering changes and interior updates that might affect your daily driving comfort.
- Check out Autotrader or Cars.com with specific filter radiuses around Chicagoland.
- Consider expanding your search to neighboring states for better pricing.
- Always request a full battery degradation report using an OBD adapter.
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18/10/2026 7:35 pm
Honestly FB marketplace is a total minefield for high power EVs. I picked up my Tesla Model S Plaid last year by skipping the usual sites and checking out specialized broker groups and forums instead. Try joining some Chicago local enthusiast pages where owners actually post service logs. Also just grab a portable OBD reader before you go look at anything in person.