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Will a brand new Lucid Air be able to dethrone a loyal owner’s beloved, high-mileage Tesla Model S?
So, I was scrolling through the Lucid Owners Club Facebook page, and a quote from Shahnawaz Khan immediately jumped out at me. He’s a guy just like you and me, someone who loves cars and is fascinated by this new era of driving.
He says, “I’m still keeping the Tesla,…for now. I just got this Lucid Air, let’s see how this experiment goes.”
“I’m in California, so I haven’t really had a bad experience with Tesla Service. I love the Model S and recommend it every chance I get. It’s nearing 200k miles, and I still trust it like no other car.”
“For a point of reference for those considering it, I’ve had the Model S for seven years, it’s nearing 200k miles, and it has less maintenance than a Prius. If you want something different, a fresh head-turner, get a Lucid, but for FSD, the charging network, tech support, and overall reliability, that’s going to be Tesla. That’s an unpopular opinion, I know.”
“What I can say for the Model S is that I think I got my money’s worth out of it, got nearly 200k miles, and I drove it like a Honda Civic and took it everywhere every chance I got.”
“It’s the side skirts and the front lip from Maxton that give my Model S the look, with standard suspension.”
A Veteran EV Owner’s Perspective
But what makes his perspective so compelling is that he’s not just a curious onlooker—he’s a veteran. He’s had his Tesla Model S for seven years, it’s nearing 200,000 miles, and yet he’s just brought home a new Lucid Air, saying, “I’m still keeping the Tesla,…for now. I just got this Lucid Air, let’s see how this experiment goes.”
This isn’t just about one guy’s decision; it’s a living case study that perfectly encapsulates the dilemma facing so many early EV adopters and newcomers alike. Do you stick with the proven, battle-tested Tesla platform, or do you dive into the future with a new, exciting player?
As someone who has been watching this space for years, I want to unpack Shahnawaz’s journey and provide you with some real-world perspective and actionable insights that you can apply when you’re ready to make your own choice.
Electric Vehicle Reliability
First, let’s address the elephant in the room: long-term reliability of electric vehicles. Shahnawaz’s comments are a powerful testament to this often-misunderstood aspect of EV ownership. He says he still trusts his Model S “like no other car,” even with it nearing the 200,000-mile mark.
This isn’t just a number; it’s a monumental vote of confidence in a technology that many people still view as unproven. For years, skeptics have pointed to battery degradation and unforeseen electronic gremlins as reasons to avoid electric cars. Shahnawaz’s experience provides tangible evidence that, with the right engineering, electric vehicles can be just as reliable, if not more so, as their gasoline-powered counterparts over a long period. This is a crucial takeaway for anyone on the fence about the durability of EVs.
And What About the Cost?
Shahnawaz’s observation that his Model S has “less maintenance than a Prius” is pure gold. This isn’t just a casual anecdote; it’s a powerful statement about the economics of EV ownership. When you’re comparing EV maintenance to hybrid cars or any internal combustion engine vehicle, the difference is stark. There’s no oil to change, no spark plugs to replace, no timing belts to service, and no exhaust systems to worry about.
The only real routine maintenance on an EV is rotating the tires, topping off the wiper fluid, and occasionally replacing the brake pads (which last longer anyway due to regenerative braking). Think about the costs associated with a Prius, which, despite its reputation for reliability, still has a complex hybrid system, an internal combustion engine, and all the associated maintenance. Shahnawaz’s real-world data shows that a high-mileage EV can save you a significant amount of money and hassle over its lifespan.
Hot and new is a powerful motivator.
Advertising
This is where the Lucid Air comes into the picture. Shahnawaz says he got the Air because he wanted “something different, fresh, head-turner.” This sentiment is at the core of the allure of buying a new luxury electric vehicle. For a driver who’s had the same car for seven years, no matter how reliable it is, the desire for something new, something that makes a statement, is a powerful motivator.
The Lucid Air, with its breathtaking design, revolutionary interior, and staggering performance figures, is the poster child for a new generation of automotive innovation. It’s not just a car; it’s a symbol of cutting-edge technology and luxury.
It’s the kind of vehicle that redefines a segment, making people stop and stare. This desire for novelty and a refreshed driving experience is a significant factor in any high-end vehicle purchase, regardless of the powertrain.
However, it’s an experiment.
As Shahnawaz wisely points out, the car itself is only part of the equation. He makes the “unpopular opinion” that when it comes to “FSD, the charging network, tech support, and overall reliability, that’s gonna be Tesla.” As much as we love to see new players shake up the industry, we have to be brutally honest about the massive, established infrastructure that Tesla has built.
The Tesla Supercharger network vs other charging solutions is not even a fair fight at this point. It is a reliable, and widespread system that offers a level of convenience and peace of mind that no other company has been able to replicate on a global scale.
This is a critical factor for a driver, like Shahnawaz, who has a habit of driving an electric car as a daily driver and taking it “everywhere every chance I got.” A car is only as good as its ability to be used whenever and wherever you need it.
Similarly, the ongoing debate around FSD vs Lucid DreamDrive autonomous driving highlights a key philosophical and practical difference. While Lucid’s system is highly capable, Tesla has an enormous fleet of vehicles constantly collecting data, which gives it a distinct advantage in developing and improving their autonomous driving suite.
While both technologies are works in progress, Tesla’s established lead and extensive data collection are difficult to ignore. And let’s not forget tech support. For a new company, building out a comprehensive service and support network takes time.
Shahnawaz’s lack of a “bad experience with Tesla Service” speaks volumes about the peace of mind that comes with an established automaker. While other companies are working hard to catch up, the service and support ecosystem is a critical —and often overlooked —part of the ownership experience.
So, what can we learn from Shahnawaz’s experiment?
It’s not about finding a single “best” car. It’s about recognizing that the electric vehicle market has matured to the point where the choice is no longer just between electric and gasoline vehicles. The new dilemma is a subtle one. It’s a choice between a hyper-efficient, proven, and extensive Tesla network and the thrilling, forward-looking proposition of a new challenger.
Shahnawaz is a perfect example of a car enthusiast who is drawn to both the reliability and utility of a seasoned veteran and the excitement and innovation of a new upstart.
The takeaway for EV buyers is this: a new, flashy EV will always be a head-turner, but a reliable, high-mileage EV that has proven its worth is the ultimate proof of a car that’s more than just a novelty—it’s a trusted companion.
A Question For You
When you’re making your decision, whether it’s your first EV or your fifth, you have to be honest with yourself about what you value most. Is it the security of a proven ecosystem or the thrill of driving the new kid on the block? Let me know your thoughts in the red Add New Comment link below.
Check out my Tesla Model S story: I Just Got a 2021 Tesla Plaid S With 40K Miles, At First It Felt Like It Was Going To Rip My Face Off, Now It Has the Same Power as My Wife’s Model 3 P
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Shahnawaz Khan
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Source: torquenews.com
