https://shop.ford.com/build/f150/
Base model Ford F-150 is $27,705. Loading up the options can get you past $60,000.
Or the $13k Corolla that ended up being closer to $20k of one wanted such basics as auto windows and door locks. 
At least with Tesla, there is a very finite number of options that can be added on. Tesla was honest and upfront with the buyers that the basic model would not come first.
Besides upselling, they also do that to simplify manufacturing and inventory.
I always feel auto door locks and power windows are a safety feature. Still for some models you have to buy the more expensive tow package for them (I’ve never wanted to or towed anything). 
The direct comparison between Tesla charging for add-ons and other car manufacturers doing the same does not resonate with me. Tesla does not want to sell bare model 3s and their actions are making this abundantly clear. Other car dealers are not penalizing you for ordering their base models. If I had waited in line for hours on day 1 to be one of the first to pay my $1,000 deposit, only to be told that I would only get my car AFTER those that ordered the battery/interior option, I would be pissed off. Shame on Tesla.
No shame on Tesla. They were very clear that the base model will not be released until at least 2019. Folks failed to read the fine print, as usual.
Re: other car makers not penalizing. Try to order a bare bones base model of any make and model… chances are close to 100% that the dealer will tell you that it will have to be manufactured or shipped from somewhere out of state. A friend just went through that routine… no bare bones models in sight But cars with options that increased the price were abundant on the dealership lots.
Yes, generally if you are patient and willing to wait, you can get a custom vehicle ordered for you but often they have the more deluxe models of cars because there are higher profit margins. When demand exceeds supply, I can understand why the maker would try to get as much profit as they can.
It’s pretty clear that Tesla needs the additional revenue (err profit) in order to be able to produce the entry level 3 for everyone else. It is what it is, and many are electing to spend more instead of waiting.
Wow, Tesla’s full federal credit is actually going to run out by the end of the year. All those Model 3 buyers!
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/apx-7500-federal-tax-credit-for-tesla-buyers-to-end-dec-31/
Selfish me is okay with that, assuming I take delivery before January. I figure they’ll have no trouble building mine by then, but we’ll see.
On another note, can someone give me the Charging My Tesla for Dummies breakdown on my options and costs for adapting my home to power my future toy? Bear in mind that I’m electronically clueless.
It’s discussed pretty thoroughly upthread As I am also kilowatt hour ( or whatever it is)
challenged. https://www.pluglesspower.com/learn/tesla-model-s-charging-home-public-autonomously/
Randy: charge rates/options depend on your local power company. At least in California, all the utilities have different EV (state approved) rates.
How much do you drive daily? If your commute is very short, you can probably get by with a regular (gasp!) wall outlet, 16 amp circuit, 110 V, which will charge your battery about 2 miles per hour.
Mr. B has a 13 mile one-way commute. So let’s say 30 miles a day. His Tesla “sleeps” in the garage for about 12-13 hours, and the battery gets about 25 miles put back on it, so during the week he will deplete about 20-30 miles. Because we rarely drive longer distances on the weekend, these deficit miles get replenished quickly. So for now, we decided not to install a 220 V line in the garage.
You can buy the Tesla wall charger and get fast charging (around 60 mph) but we found our best option was to install a 240 volt outlet in our garage. It’s the same voltage as is used for a clothes dryer or fridge. You’ll need to make sure you have enough capacity but if so it shouldn’t be too expensive to install.
A 240 charges at a rate of 18-20 mph which we find to be plenty. A normal household outlet charges at about 4-5 mph which isn’t enough because we drive our cars a lot. We have a second home where we didn’t bother to install a new outlet and just top off with a regular outlet, but there’s a supercharger on the way home anyway.
Check with your local power company to see if they have any deals on electric charging. Ours has one where off-peak charging is cheaper than peak hours. Unfortunately with our deal you have to have a separate meter for the car charger and the peak hours on that meter are slightly more expensive than our current on peak. If we were to charge only during off-peak hours we’d save money but we figured we’d go crazy worrying about charging during the day and it wasn’t worth the savings.
Another option is to do the solar charging but we found that at least where we live, it would be a very expensive option for what we’d get.
As to charging outside the home, the Tesla comes with adapters that can be used for a variety of chargers. I got a Chargepoint account but I’ve only used the chargers where I didn’t have to pay. You need an account to connect but the actual charge is free. The Plugshare website is a good source on information on chargers.The information is crowdsourced so it shows private chargers open to the public such as Tesla chargers at my kids’ college which don’t show up on the Tesla site or the car’s navigation.
ETA: Your mileage may vary. I’ve seen mention of getting 29 mile per hour of charging on a 240 and 3 mph on a standard outlet but 18-20 and 4-5 have been our experience.
I’ve only had mine for a few days so I can’t speak from much experience but after discussing this with DH and our contractor they outvoted me and we went with the Tesla 240 V charger. It is pretty efficient and charges something like 48 miles an hour (we’ve only tried it once or twice) but I will let it get pretty low before I charge it again. You only charge it up to about 85% or so at least that’s what I am reading, to spare battery life over the life of the car. Unless you’re going on a long trip.
jym: don’t let it get too low. Best to keep it charged between 30%-80%. Or, just follow the instruction manual and keep it plugged in when not in use.
I don’t plan to let it go any lower than 30% but I didn’t know if it was a good idea to stick the charger in every night especially since we don’t drive it all that far (And I never let my gas engine car get below 25%)
An electric dryer, yes but not gas. (my GE refrigerator runs on 120 v.) But note, an electric dryer runs on a 30 amp circuit.
But if you have to have an electrician come out, might as well upgrade to a NEMA 14-50 circuit, if your panel has room. Labor should be the same, so the only additional costs would be a few bucks for a heavier gauge copper line. You may not use/need the extra juice now, but might want it later.
And the 14-50 will work with the cable that comes with the M3.
I installed a NEMA 14-50 circuit with the plug adjacent to the driveway and have been very happy with the setup. It typically charges at 28 -29 miles per hour. I can do a full charge overnight if needed. With the new circuit I didn’t feel the need to get the Wall Charger.