

Lifestyle
This Tesla Model Y owner waited two years for a car that never came. He compromised.
Don’t shoot the messenger” was a phrase I used quite frequently a few months ago. After digging for some time on what was going on with Tesla’s Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive variant, I decided to do my duty as a journalist and find answers. After calling around to several Tesla showrooms without much luck, the answer ultimately dropped in my lap after someone who was a frequent reader of the site told me that they had been contacted to revise their order. “Tesla won’t be making the LR RWD Model Y,” a sales advisor told the man, leaving two years of time in the rearview mirror and $2,500 sitting in limbo over the entire period.
Upon this email, I decided to call around and see what I could dig up. Ultimately, I found out that the Model Y’s LR RWD variant was not going to be made, so I wrote an article about it, and it was met with plenty of disbelief.
“This is poorly sourced.” “Sales advisors don’t know anything.” “Tesla hasn’t made a statement, I wouldn’t believe this article.” A few hours later, my direct message inbox on Twitter was full of Model Y LR RWD reservation holders, who said that they didn’t believe Tesla was canceling the variant. A few weeks later, I started to see more and more people begin to consider changing their order, away from the LR RWD that they had waited for, and toward the AWD versions of the car. Eventually, Elon Musk finally confirmed that the product line was becoming too complex and that the Model Y’s little-known configuration was dead in its tracks.
We have too much product complexity already
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 22, 2021
It was tough, even as someone who didn’t have a reservation for the car, there almost seemed to be a sub-group of Tesla supporters who were just as passionate about this car as they were the company in general. I respected that so many people wanted answers, and to this day, I am still somewhat frustrated with Tesla because they left so many people in the dark about what their plans were. It might have been up in the air, but even a small amount of communication in the form of an email would have been sufficient.
Over the few months where I got in touch with so many LR RWD reservation holders, I became close to a few of them. I talked to them regularly, and promised them I would do my best to find more concrete proof one way or another. I didn’t think anything would really change, I thought that my article was correct, which is why I published it (even though several people asked me to redact the article simply because they didn’t want to believe the car they had been waiting for for two years wasn’t coming.)
One person I spoke to regularly was a guy named Mike. He’s from Dallas, and he was kind enough to describe his entire story with the LR RWD saga, and he was sure to tell me about the delivery of his LR AWD, which he took delivery of in the past week.
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“I reserved a Blue, LR RWD Model Y with Induction wheels & black interior in early 2019. Put down $2500 and locked in $6k for FSD,” Mike told me. He was very excited for his new Tesla, because he had been waiting a long time. The Model S and Model X were out of his price range, and his kids didn’t make the Model 3 a suitable option.
“Finally had the perfect SUV – the Model Y, but my budget was being stretched. Never spent so much for a car in my life. But SR wouldn’t have been enough for me as my family often travels. So LR RWD seemed like the perfect middle ground – more than enough power than my previous SUVs, don’t need AWD in Dallas, yet it would be great for traveling. But once Performance and LR AWD were starting to be produced (months early), the only thing that posted on Tesla website was “LR RWD is not scheduled for production at this time”. Everyone who had preorders eventually got filled (even 7-seaters), but LR RWD preorders just sat there.”
And he sat there.
And sat there.
And sat there. For two years, with no answers.
Desperate for answers, Mike did anything in his power to find an update on the car.
“I set news alerts for “LR RWD”, tweeted Elon, asked a showroom, emailed the official order team in Fremont, even asked questions during the Quarterly Meetings,” Mike explained. “No information, and it was very frustrating. Tesla is a great company, but seriously lacks in the communication department.”
Ultimately, my article was when Mike started to question what was going on. Elon then confirmed the car wasn’t going to be made, and this is when he decided to do something about it. “I reached out to my local showroom on migrating orders – and this is also what was frustrating, they still didn’t have any official communication. Some of the people said ‘We can move you over to LR AWD but you’ll have to pay $10k for FSD.’ Others said ‘We might be able to move you over and keep your FSD at $6k, but no guarantees.’”
Several reports indicated that Tesla would honor the FSD pricing that was set at the time of ordering the car, usually $6,000 for the LR RWD reservation holders. Some had to pay the full $10,000 price, which is where FSD sits currently. “I’ve read of others online canceling their orders and replacing them, and having to pay the $10k pricing. I finally took things into my own hands, and contacted the HQ Ordering Support in Fremont. I probably had 5+ calls with them, and their communication issues are the same as others – they don’t get back to you via email or phone, and every time you call you have to repeat everything and explain to THEM how they need to keep the FSD price. Finally got a hold of a supervisor, and he got me taken care of. Switched to LR AWD, kept the $6k pricing.”
Mike took delivery of his new Model Y in late March. It is the same color that he wanted, and he is happy he waited. “Overall I’m glad I waited 1 year after launch to take delivery of my Model Y. With COVID I’ve driven a lot less, so getting a new car wasn’t a huge priority. I heard horror stories of early deliveries, so I inspected the car thoroughly. 2 years after my initial order, I just took delivery – and the condition was great! No gaps, no paint issues, no defects – literally perfect (and believe me, I did the whole checklist).”
The long limbo that Tesla left some owners in is a tough situation for everyone involved. It is tough for the company because it may not have known until Musk ultimately dropped the bomb on Twitter. It’s tough for the reservation holders because they sat there for two years without answers. And it’s tough for the journalists who dig for answers for the owners because Tesla never really communicates about anything ever since its PR department was dissolved.
Mike is just happy it’s over with.
“Overall, I’m happy with the car and still fighting for the Tesla cause,” he says. “I would just recommend Tesla improves their communications (ordering and service) with customers.”
A big thanks to our long-time supporters and new subscribers! Thank you.
I use this newsletter to share my thoughts on what is going on in the Tesla world. If you want to talk to me directly, you can email me or reach me on Twitter. I don’t bite, be sure to reach out!
-Joey
Lifestyle
Elon Musk seemingly confirms Cybertruck gift to 13-year-old cancer fighter
Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, the teen has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12.

Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed that he will be sending a Tesla Cybertruck to 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a 13-year-old Houston boy fighting brain cancer. The teen was recognized as an honorary Secret Service member by U.S. President Donald Trump during his address to Congress on Tuesday.
A Chance Meeting
The Tesla CEO’s Cybertruck pledge was mentioned during DJ’s short interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. When Collins asked the 13-year-old what he told the Tesla CEO, DJ answered that he asked for a Cybertruck.
“I said, ‘can you do me a big favor, when you get back to Houston can you send us a Cybertruck down there?’” the cancer fighter stated.
Daniel noted that Musk responded positively to his request, which was highlighted by Collins in a post on X. Musk responded to the post with a heart emoji, suggesting that he really will be sending a Cybertruck to the 13-year-old cancer fighter.
Teen’s Cancer Battle Inspires
Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, Daniel has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12. During his speech, Trump highlighted the 13-year-old’s long battle with his disease.
“Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago. Since that time, DJ and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true,” Trump stated.
Daniels officially received an honorary badge from U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran, to much applause during the event.
Surprisingly Partisan
While Daniels’ story has been inspiring, Trump’s focus on the 13-year-old cancer fighter has received its own fair share of criticism. MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace, while referencing Daniels’ love for law enforcement, noted that she is hoping the 13-year-old never has to defend the U.S. capitol against Trump supporters. “If he does, I hope he isn’t one of the six who loses his life to suicide,” Wallace stated.
Anti-Musk and Trump accounts on X have also thrown jokes at the cancer fighter’s honorary badge, with some dubbing the 13-year-old as a “DEI hire” that should be looked into by DOGE.
Lifestyle
Tesla owner highlights underrated benefit of FSD Supervised

Elon Musk has been pretty open about the idea of FSD being the difference maker for Tesla’s future.
If Tesla succeeds in achieving FSD, it could become the world’s most valuable company. If it doesn’t, then the company would not be able to reach its optimum potential.
FSD Supervised’s safety benefits:
- But even if FSD is still not perfect today, FSD Supervised is already making a difference on the roads today.
- This was highlighted in Tesla’s Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report.
- As per Tesla, it recorded one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology.
- For comparison, the most recent data available from the NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) showed that there was one automobile crash every 702,000 miles in the United States.
This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
— JC Christopher (@JohnChr08117285) January 29, 2025
The convenience of…
FSD user’s tale:
- As per an FSD user’s post on social media platform X, FSD Supervised was able to help him drive a relative to a medical facility safely even if he was exhausted.
- During the trip, the driver only had to monitor FSD Supervised’s performance to make sure the Tesla operated safely.
- In a vehicle without FSD, such a trip with an exhausted driver would have been quite dangerous.
- “This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
- “The convenience of sending the hospital’s address directly from my iPhone to my Tesla while still inside my house, then just a single button press once inside, and 40 miles later we were precisely in front of the hospital’s admissions area.This experience really underscores just how transformative this technology can be for society,” Tesla owner JC Christopher noted in his post.


Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
Lifestyle
Tesla Optimus “stars” in incredible fanmade action short film

There are few things that prove an enthusiast’s love towards a company more than a dedicated short film. This was highlighted recently when YouTube’s SoKrispyMedia posted a 10-minute action movie starring Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, as well as several of the company’s most iconic products.
The video:
- Shot like a Hollywood action flick, the video featured a rather humorous plot involving a group of thieves that mistakenly targeted a Tesla Model 3 driver.
- The Model 3 driver then ended up speaking to Tesla for assistance, and some high-octane and high-speed hijinks ensued.
- While the short film featured several Tesla products like the Model 3, Superchargers, and the Cybertruck, it is Optimus that truly stole the show.
- Optimus served several roles in the short film, from an assistant in a Tesla office to a “robocop” enforcer that helped out the Model 3 driver.
Future Robo-cop @Tesla_Optimus
— SOKRISPYMEDIA (@sokrispymedia) January 12, 2025
full video: https://t.co/TXpSRhcP5K pic.twitter.com/YFHZ7siAP7
Cool inside jokes:
- The best Tesla videos are those that show an in-depth knowledge of the company, and SoKrispyMedia definitely had it.
- From the opening scenes alone, the video immediately poked fun at TSLA traders, the large number of gray Tesla owners, and the fact that many still do not understand Superchargers.
- The video even poked fun at Tesla’s software updates, as well as how some Tesla drivers use Autopilot or other features without reading the fine print in the company’s release notes.
- The video ended with a tour de force of references to Elon Musk products, from the Tesla Cybertruck to the Boring Company Not-a-Flamethrower, which was released back in 2018.
Check out SoKrispyMedia’s Tesla action short film in the video below.
Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.
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