76 Days with a Tesla Model Y

For the next 76 days, I’m driving a Tesla Model Y to see if it’s really worth buying.

I’ve been seriously thinking about getting one — maybe the 2026 model — and paying cash for it. But before dropping $50,000, my wife asked me a simple question: “Do you even know if you actually want a Tesla?”

That got me thinking. Maybe I’ve just been marketed into wanting one. Between YouTube videos, social media algorithms, and all the hype around Tesla, it’s hard to tell if I genuinely want the car or if I’ve just been influenced.

So instead of guessing, I decided to find out.

I rented a 2024 Tesla Model Y through Turo for about $47 a day — roughly $3,600 total — and I’ll be using it as my daily driver while I travel across Northern Virginia filming new construction property tours for my real estate channel.

This is my busiest driving season of the year, so it’s the perfect time to put the car through real-world use. I’ll be testing Full Self-Driving (FSD), charging at home and on the road, comfort, cost, and everything in between.

Every day, I’ll post a new video and update this page with what I’ve learned.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s actually like to live with a Tesla, this is the place to find out.

Day 1 – First Impressions Driving the Tesla Model Y

My first day behind the wheel of the Tesla Model Y was eye-opening. I rented this 2024 model through Turo for about $47 a day, and right away, I could tell this car was going to make driving feel different. On my 40-minute trip home, I used Full Self-Driving for nearly the entire ride and only had to take over once — which, honestly, blew me away.

Comfort-wise, it’s a noticeable change from my Acura MDX. The cabin feels tighter, the seats are firmer, and I can hear more of the road. But the tech completely shifts how you think about the driving experience. That center screen changes everything — it’s the command center, entertainment hub, and map all in one.

I also caught myself wondering if I’ve been marketed into this idea of wanting a Tesla. Between YouTube, social media, and endless hype, it’s easy to confuse curiosity with conviction. That’s the point of this whole 76-day test — to separate fascination from practicality.

Next up, I’ve got an electrician coming to install the home charger setup. That’ll be my first real taste of what “living with” an EV looks like day-to-day.

Day 2 – Getting Used to Full Self-Driving and Everyday Tesla Life

Today was mostly about settling into the rhythm of driving the Tesla and learning its quirks. I’ve been using Full Self-Driving almost exclusively, and while it handles most routes well, I still have to disengage occasionally—especially when it tries to navigate traffic circles or takes routes I wouldn’t normally choose. After twelve years of driving around Northern Virginia, I’ve got my preferred roads, and the Tesla’s built-in navigation isn’t Google Maps, so that’s been an adjustment.

The regenerative braking still trips me up. It’s strange to lift off the accelerator and have the car start slowing down automatically. I’m not sure when I’m supposed to start braking before a light or stop sign. Since I’m relying on FSD most of the time, I may not get fully used to it during this test, but it’s fascinating how differently the car behaves.

I’ve driven about 120 miles so far, mostly short trips, but tomorrow will be my first long drive—around an hour each way—to tour new construction properties. That’ll give me a real feel for how FSD performs on extended routes. I’m also planning to try a Supercharger for the first time. The electrician comes Wednesday to install my home charger, so I need to pick up the unit from Best Buy before then.

I spent part of today adding a few small accessories to make the car feel more organized—sliding storage trays, under-seat compartments, and a flashlight—all inexpensive Amazon finds. I’ve also ordered a locking storage system for the trunk called Boost It Safe, which should let me leave my camera bag in the car during property tours without worrying.

The car itself is still impressively fast. Even short drives are enough to feel that instant torque. But comfort-wise, I’m still thinking the Model X might be a better fit long term—the Model Y feels a little tight compared to my Acura MDX. Overall, though, I’d say I’d buy one of these. Tomorrow’s real drive will be the first big test.

Day 3 – My First Tesla Supercharging Experience and 100-Mile FSD Road Trip

Today marked the first long-distance test for the Tesla Model Y. I drove nearly 100 miles round trip from Alexandria to Purcellville, visiting a new Van Metre Homes community. The Full Self-Driving feature performed flawlessly, handling sharp 20-degree turns and narrow backroads without hesitation.

Once there, I used a Tesla Supercharger for the first time. Charging from 15% to 100% took about 80 minutes and cost just $22 — far cheaper than refueling my Acura MDX. While waiting, I grabbed a burrito and watched YouTube, turning the stop into a relaxing break rather than an inconvenience.

The Tesla’s parallel parking ability also impressed me — a near-perfect job with one tap. However, I did notice that the driver’s seat isn’t as comfortable as my Acura’s, especially around the neck area. I’ve ordered some pillows from Amazon to test out.

Before wrapping the day, I tested the Summon feature in a Walmart parking lot. Watching the car drive itself toward me was surreal — and a bit nerve-wracking — but it worked perfectly.

Tomorrow’s focus: preparing for the electrician’s visit to install the home charging setup.

Day 4 – The Charger Delay and New Gadgets

Today didn’t go quite as planned. The electrician was supposed to come by and install the home charging station, but the main road in Kingstowne was being resurfaced. The electrician’s representative called around 1:30 PM to say that the road crew wouldn’t allow them through — even though Abraham could see cars passing by right outside his house. That delay pushed the installation to next Tuesday, which throws off his cost-per-charge calculations.

Without home charging, he’s paying about $22 for a full charge, compared to the $4–$7 he expected once the wall charger is installed. It’s still cheaper than fueling his Acura MDX, but it affects the experiment’s data. On the bright side, the garage is now cleared out, and the charger was purchased from Best Buy, ready for the new install date.

Abraham also installed a new headrest pillow and is testing its comfort on longer drives. Tomorrow’s 45–60 minute trip to Knoxville to tour a Miranda Homes model will be the first real test. He also mounted a phone holder directly on the Tesla’s screen, which he’s still undecided about — it works better with his iPhone than his larger Samsung S23 Ultra.

He wrapped up the day by inviting viewers to vote on his weekend road trip destination — West Virginia for the fall scenery or Baltimore for the food. 

Day 8 — Week One With the Tesla Model Y

This was my longest Full Self-Driving trip yet — from Kingstowne to Sterling for the Loudoun and Fairfax County Home Show.

The drive took about 38 minutes, and FSD handled almost everything on its own.

The only time I took over was at the car wash and when parking.

After 8 days, I’ve driven 522 miles and spent $61 using Tesla Superchargers, which equals 3.4 miles per kWh or $11.70 per 100 miles.

For comparison, my Acura MDX would have cost $139.82 in gas for the same distance at 14 mpg and $3.75/gal.

That’s a $79 savings this week, or $50 after accounting for the FSD and Premium Connectivity fees.

The home charger install happens this Tuesday, so next week I’ll finally be able to test overnight charging with Dominion Energy’s off-peak rate.

That should drop costs even further.

FSD had a few hiccups — stopping at a red light mid-intersection, trying to roll through debris, and choosing the wrong lane once — but it also avoided a near miss when another car cut across two lanes on Route 28.

It’s not perfect, but when it works, it feels like the future.

Comfort-wise, I solved my neck support issue with a new seat pillow, and I’m loving the preconditioning feature that warms the cabin before the school run.

Energy-wise, I’m arriving at destinations less tired — that’s a big deal when you spend hours driving for work.

Next week brings more driving — a Pulte Homes walkthrough in Leesburg, a Mirand-a Homes model in Lovettsville, and the charger install at home.

Real miles. Real numbers. Real decisions.

Day 8. 

Onward, 

A W.

Day 14 – Installing the Home Charger + Exploring with Full Self-Driving

This week was all about upgrades — both for the Tesla and for me as a driver.

After waiting nearly a week, the electrician finally came back to finish installing the home charger. It took three trips, a few scheduling delays, and a lot of patience, but once it was complete, it changed everything. I can’t overstate how convenient it feels to come home, plug in, and wake up to a full charge every morning. Before installation, I was paying about $0.40 per kWh at Tesla Superchargers. Now that I’m charging at home through Dominion Energy, my cost dropped by 87% — to just $0.05 per kWh. That’s about $1–3 per charge, compared to $159 per week in premium gas for my Acura MDX.

Driving-wise, this was the first full week of using Full Self-Driving (Supervised) for long trips. I had two major drives: one to Leesburg for a client appointment, and another out to Lovettsville, which is right on the edge of the West Virginia and Maryland borders. The FSD handled rural roads surprisingly well, even gravel roads leading up to model homes I’d never been to before. It’s not perfect — you still have to pay attention — but it’s hard not to be impressed watching the car handle complex routes confidently.

To celebrate the successful charger installation, my wife and I took a mini road trip to Annapolis, Maryland for lunch. FSD did all the heavy lifting while I relaxed, listened to music, and took in the view. Driving an hour each way used to feel like labor, but now it feels like leisure.

Looking back, I realize how much the charger + FSD combo opens up my world. I can explore farther without worrying about charging stops or gas costs. The car may not be as plush as my Acura, but the convenience and technology are on another level.

Next week, I’ll break down the full cost of installing the home charger — including the electrician’s quote, labor time, and drywall repair. Spoiler: it was worth every penny.

■ Watch the entire playlist on YouTube and check back weekly for new updates.

76 Days with a Tesla Model Y – Full Playlist

Follow the Journey

This isn’t a review — it’s a real-life test to see if living with a Tesla actually makes sense for someone who drives as much as I do.

Over the next 76 days, I’ll be sharing what I learn — the wins, frustrations, and surprises — right here and on my YouTube channel.

👉 Subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss a day, and check back here for daily updates as I figure out whether this Tesla is just a cool gadget or my next daily driver.