Tesla Model 3
Tesla owner shares $35k Model 3 Standard Range complete buying guide
If you are wondering if a $35,000 Model 3 exists or if you are asking how to order a Tesla Model 3 Standard Range, then your prayers have been answered. A recent customer who bought Tesla’s cheapest Model 3 has created a quick buying guide for everyone.
YouTuber Car Confections, who bought Tesla’s most affordable car, shared their buying experience, proving to critics that the $35,000 Model 3 does indeed exist. The base price includes white paint, black interior, and Aero Wheels before the destination fee. This does not include the potential savings but it is the price that a buyer would pay when one takes delivery of the vehicle.
It could be confusing for those who want to buy a Standard Range version of Tesla’s mass-produced electric sedan because that variant of the Model 3 does not show up on the carmaker’s website. When one goes to the Tesla Model 3 Design Studio, one will only see Rear-Wheel Drive Standard Range Plus ($39,990), Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive Long Range ($48,990), and Performance ($56,990).
“I called Tesla on the phone… I was like ‘hey you know what’s up with this $35,000 Tesla. What they told me was that it’s not on the website, it’s a special order,” YouTuber Car Confections said.
Car Confections actually called Tesla to inquire about the Model 3 Standard Range and learned how to properly order the cheapest Model 3 without ending up with a Standard Range Plus.
STEP 1 – Order a Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus
Go to the Tesla Model 3 page and configure your Model 3 Standard Range plus to how you want it to be. You will end up with the price of the SR Plus but don’t panic, just go through the whole process and pay the Order Fee of $100.
Remember, do not include the Full Self-Driving Capability option as this feature adds $7,000 to the price tag. The Pearl White paint is already included in the base price but you have to pay an extra $1,000 if you will go with a Solid Black, Midnight Silver Metallic, or a Deep Blue Metallic. A Red Multi-Coat will cost an extra $2,000. For the interior, All Black interior will not cost you a penny but a Black and White interior will set you back another $1,000.
STEP 2 – STOP!
Once you’ve placed your deposit STOP and DO NOT DO ANYTHING. While you can provide information and fill out some paperwork, make sure you DO NOT finalize the Motor Vehicle Agreement.
There will be emails from Tesla that will walk you through the remaining process and the system will confirm your order for a Model 3 Standard Range Plus and prompt you to agree to a $41,000 price. Once you reach this stage, proceed to Step 3.
STEP 3 – Call Tesla to flag your Model 3 order
Reach out to a Tesla Store or showroom, provide the Tesla employee your VIN#, and request them to flag your Model 3 order to be a Standard Range model.
Take Note – This process will take several days to complete. DO NOT agree to the final paperwork until you see the price changed to $35,000.
STEP 4 – Review the final paperwork
Just like before any big purchase, review the paperwork and make sure all the details are correct.
STEP 5 – Wait for your Model 3 Standard Range and enjoy Tesla’s best-kept secret.
Just for some context, the Standard Range Model 3 is basically the same as its Standard Range Plus sibling. The primary difference is that its range is limited to 220 miles compared to the 250 miles of the more expensive variant.
The top speed of the Standard Range Model 3 is also limited to 129.9 mph while the Standard Range Plus can go as fast as 139.8 mph. The former is also a blink slower in terms of 0-60 mph sprint at 5.9 seconds while the latter accelerates from zero to 60 mph from a full stop in 5.3 seconds.
Check out Car Confections’ video below on how to buy a Model 3 Standard Range for $35,000:
Tesla has rolled out a new Supercharging safety feature in the United States, one that will answer concerns that some owners may have if they need to leave in a pinch.
It is also a suitable alternative for non-Tesla chargers, like third-party options that feature J1772 or CCS to NACS adapters.
The feature has been available in Europe for some time, but it is now rolling out to Model 3 and Model Y owners in the U.S.
With Software Update 2026.2.3, Tesla is launching the Unlatching Charge Cable function, which will now utilize the left rear door handle to release the charging cable from the port. The release notes state:
“Charging can now be stopped and the charge cable released by pulling and holding the rear left door handle for three seconds, provided the vehicle is unlocked, and a recognized key is nearby. This is especially useful when the charge cable doesn’t have an unlatch button. You can still release the cable using the vehicle touchscreen or the Tesla app.”
The feature was first spotted by Not a Tesla App.
This is an especially nice feature for those who commonly charge at third-party locations that utilize plugs that are not NACS, which is the Tesla standard.
For example, after plugging into a J1772 charger, you will still be required to unlock the port through the touchscreen, which is a minor inconvenience, but an inconvenience nonetheless.
Additionally, it could be viewed as a safety feature, especially if you’re in need of unlocking the charger from your car in a pinch. Simply holding open the handle on the rear driver’s door will now unhatch the port from the car, allowing you to pull it out and place it back in its housing.
This feature is currently only available on the Model 3 and Model Y, so Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck owners will have to wait for a different solution to this particular feature.
Tesla has revealed an awesome Model 3 and Model Y incentive to help consumers make the jump to one of its affordable mass-market vehicles, but it’s ending soon.
Tesla is offering one free upgrade on eligible inventory of the Model 3 and Model Y until February 2.
This would help buyers receive the most expensive paid option on the vehicle at no additional cost, meaning white interior or a more premium paint option will be free of charge if you take delivery on or before February 2.
Tesla states on its website for the offer:
“Only for limited inventory while supplies last. Price displayed on inventory listings already deducts the cost of the free option.”
Tesla says its one free upgrade offer on eligible U.S. inventory for the Model 3 and Model Y ends February 2.
With this incentive, buyers receive the most expensive paid option on the vehicle at no additional cost (up to $2k in savings). pic.twitter.com/IhoiURrsDI
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) January 21, 2026
This latest incentive is just another advantage Tesla has by selling its vehicles directly and not using some sort of dealership model that relies on approvals from higher-ups. It is important to note that these programs are offered to help stimulate demand and push vehicles into customers’ hands.
It is not the only incentive Tesla is currently offering, either. In fact, there is a much larger incentive program that Tesla is working on, and it has to do with Full Self-Driving transfers, which could result in even more sales for the company through Q1.
Tesla is ending its FSD Transfer program on March 31, as it plans to transition to a Subscription-only basis with the self-driving suite for anyone who has not already purchased it outright.
This could help drive some on-the-fence buyers to new vehicles, but it remains to be seen. Given the timing of the program’s demise, it appears Tesla is hoping to use it to add additional sales and bolster a strong Q1 2026.
Interior and exterior paint colors can add up to $2,000 if you choose the most premium Ultra Red body color, or an additional $1,000 for the Black and White interior option. The discount, while small, could help get someone their preferred design configuration, instead of settling for something that is not quite what they want.
Tesla is dominating in the United Kingdom so far through 2025, and with about two weeks left in the year, the Model Y and Model 3 are leading the way.
The Model Y and Model 3 are the two best-selling electric vehicles in the United Kingdom, which is comprised of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and it’s not particularly close.
According to data gathered by EU-EVs, the Model Y is sitting at 18,890 units for the year, while the Model 3 is slightly behind with 16,361 sales for the year so far.
The next best-selling EV is the Audi Q4 e-tron at 10,287 units, lagging significantly behind but ahead of other models like the BMW i4 and the Audi Q6 e-tron.
GOOD NEWS 🇬🇧 Tesla is absolutely crushing the UK electric vehicle market in 2025 💥
The numbers are in, and the dominance is clear. With an impressive amount of 42,270 vehicles delivered year-to-date, the brand now commands a solid 9.6% market share of the total auto market 🆒… pic.twitter.com/dkiGX9kzd0
— Ming (@tslaming) December 18, 2025
The Model Y has tasted significant success in the global market, but it has dominated in large markets like Europe and the United States.
For years, it’s been a car that has fit the bill of exactly what consumers need: a perfect combination of luxury, space, and sustainability.
Both vehicles are going to see decreases in sales compared to 2024; the Model Y was the best-selling car last year, but it sold 32,610 units in the UK. Meanwhile, the Model 3 had reached 17,272 units, which will keep it right on par with last year.
Tesla sold 50,090 units in the market last year, and it’s about 8,000 units shy of last year’s pace. It also had a stronger market share last year with 13.2 percent of the sales in the market. With two weeks left in 2025, Tesla has a 9.6 percent market share, leading Volkswagen with 8 percent.
The company likely felt some impact from CEO Elon Musk’s involvement with the Trump administration and, more specifically, his role with DOGE. However, it is worth mentioning that some months saw stronger consumer demand than others. For example, sales were up over 20 percent in February. A 14 percent increase followed this in June.
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