Tesla buying guides
Everything on this site that is specific to buying a Tesla, grouped by where you are in the process. Start with ordering if you have not configured a car yet, jump to a model guide if you are choosing between trims, or go straight to delivery if your car is already built.
Last reviewed: August 2026
Ordering a Tesla
How the order process actually runs, what to decide first, and what to have ready at checkout.
Model Y
Trims, configuration trade-offs, and what buyers notice after delivery.
Model 3
The lower-cost sedan: range, efficiency, and daily-driver considerations.
Cybertruck
Truck-specific trade-offs, logistics, and configuration choices.
Tesla Solar
Solar and Powerwall ordering, which runs on a different process from a vehicle order.
Referral
What a Tesla referral link is, when it has to be opened, and who is eligible.
Delivery
What to bring, what to inspect, and what to do before you accept the car.
Home charging
Outlet vs wall connector, electrician planning, and getting ready before delivery.
How Tesla ordering differs from a dealership
You configure and order online, pay an order fee, and then wait for a delivery window rather than negotiating with a salesperson over a car sitting on a lot. Pricing is set by Tesla, most of the paperwork happens in your Tesla account, and the delivery appointment is often short. That changes what preparation looks like: the decisions that matter are made before you order, and the inspection matters more than the negotiation.
Referral benefits, when Tesla is running them, are also part of the pre-order stage rather than something added afterward. Tesla sets eligibility and can change or end the program at any time, so check Tesla's official Refer and Earn page for the current terms.
Looking for money-saving programs instead? Those are brand-neutral and live in EV incentives. The complete article library is in all guides.