US Tesla owner reveals the 5 hidden costs he wished he'd known before buying his Model 3

Owning a Tesla sounds like the ultimate money-saver – no gas, no oil changes, barely any maintenance – but this Model 3 owner has notes. 

Carmen Scuito, from the Vegas Tesla Family YouTube channel, says that there are a few sneaky costs hiding behind the shiny zero emissions promise.

After two years and 54,000 miles with his Model 3, he’s learned where the budget really goes.

Here are the five things he wishes he’d known before making the switch.

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1. Maintenance isn’t gone, it’s just smaller

People love to say EVs are maintenance-free, but that’s not totally true. 

There’s less to do, sure, but not nothing. 

Tire rotations, balancing, washer fluid, and cabin air filters still add up. 

Scuito has spent about $158 so far, and Tesla recommends tire rotations every 6,250 miles plus cabin-filter swaps every two years. 

Drivers in hotter climates may need to do them sooner, especially when the AC starts giving off what he describes as a ‘wet sock’ smell.

2. Accessories that should’ve been standard

You’d think a high-tech EV would come fully loaded, but Tesla skips some basics.

Some new Model 3s ship without floor mats… seriously. 

Other add-ons include weather mats, console organizers, a portable tire inflator, and a screen protector. 

None of it’s flashy, but all of it’s necessary. 

Some owners throw on mud flaps, too, just to stop their paint from getting sandblasted.

3. Premium Connectivity isn’t free

Teslas have big touchscreens and built-in apps, but not all of them work out of the box. 

All the fun stuff, like Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and live traffic, sits behind a $10-a-month or $100-a-year paywall. 

Without it, you’re limited to Wi-Fi and offline media.

4. Insurance can surprise you

Here’s where it gets tricky. 

Tesla Insurance can be cheaper, but the experience isn’t always smooth. 

Scuito pays under $100 a month in Nevada, but says it’s nearly impossible to reach a real person when something goes wrong. 

In states without the EV brand’s in-house coverage, premiums tend to climb higher than comparable gas cars. 

Either way, quotes swing both ways, so don’t skip the shopping around.

5. Registration isn’t kind to EVs

If anything on Scuito’s list made his jaw drop, it was this. 

Registering his Model 3 in Nevada cost nearly $1,100.

A hit that repeats every year, just a little less painful each time. 

And it’s not just Nevada. 

More states are adding EV fees to make up for lost gas-tax revenue, meaning electric drivers are quietly footing the bill to stay road legal. 

It’s not outrageous, but it’s one more reminder that the electric future still costs something to maintain.

He still saves plenty on gas, but in this video, Carmen Scuito makes it clear that owning an EV isn’t necessarily the wallet vacation people think it is.

Subscribe to Vegas Tesla Family on YouTube to watch the full video here.

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