Tesla Model 3 RWD
The receipt
TRUEAFFORD
TESLA MODEL 3 RWD · 60 MONTHS · 6.99% APR
PAYMENT $851/MO = 22.3% OF TAKE-HOME
0
Affordability score / 100 · red zone
red 0-39 · yellow 40-69 · green 70-100
What the $7,500 credit covers on the Model 3
INCENTIVE CHECK
FEDERAL CLEAN VEHICLE CREDIT · IRC 30D
*OUTLAY BEFORE CREDIT: $68,713
The incentive paradox
Credits are marketed like discounts, but they scale with the car, not with your budget. For every $1 the government contributes to this Model 3, you spend $4.73. A cheaper car earns a better ratio.
10.9%
YOU PAY THE OTHER 89.1%
Same credit, smaller car. On the $33,900 Equinox EV the identical $7,500 covers
22.1% of sticker and your spend drops to $3.52 per credit dollar.
Programs active for ZIP 78704
- ●Federal. $7,500 clean vehicle credit, active. Income cap $150K single filer; you qualify.
- ●Texas. No state EV rebate on the books this quarter.
- ●Austin Energy. $1,200 home charger rebate, expires Dec 2026.
- ●Dealer. End-of-quarter discounts most likely near Sep 30.
Your Model 3 pick against what fits
Save $12,737 over five years by switching to the Chevy Equinox EV. Same federal credit,
same daily range, a score of 62 instead of 38.
| Line item | Model 3 | Equinox EV | Lease M3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordability score | 38 | 62 | 55 |
| Sticker / lease terms | $42,990 | $33,900 | $499/mo |
| Monthly payment | $851 | $671 | $499 |
| Payment share of take-home | 22.3% | 17.6% | 13.1% |
| Debt-to-income | 45.4% | 41.5% | 37.8% |
| True 5-year outlay | $61,213 | $48,476 | $45,140 |
Lease caveat. The lease has the lowest 5-year outlay but you own nothing at month 60 and
mileage caps apply. It scores 55, not higher, for exactly that reason.
Peer benchmark. Buyers earning about $55K spend $22,000 to $30,000 on vehicles. The Model 3
at $42,990 sits $12,990 above that range; the Equinox EV at $33,900 is $3,900 above it.
Keep watch PRO
Whatever you sign, Pro keeps the receipt honest month over month. This snapshot refreshed today at 6:00 AM.
Composite health
54/100
Debt-to-income
42%
Savings rate
12%
Emergency buffer
3.2 mo
Monthly cash buffer
$320
Watch item. Your debt-to-income has risen two months in a row. One more increase triggers a
red-zone alert with a suggested move: the Equinox EV frees about $180/mo of payment.