I Got My Tesla... Here's How It Went

Well, on Friday, I got my brand-new Tesla Model Y.

I had to drive three hours to get it, but I got it. Why did I have to drive three hours to get my car when there is literally a Tesla showroom in Buffalo, where I live?

I’m glad you asked. See, due to New York's unique auto franchise laws, Tesla has faced challenges in establishing a direct sales model like it does in other states. Tesla circumvented these laws by partnering with the Oneida Indian Nation to open a store in Upstate New York. This workaround became necessary because state law generally prohibits car manufacturers from selling directly to customers.

I would have been able to pick up my car in Buffalo if Tesla had the freedom to operate with more locations. Unfortunately, this is New York, and anything connected to Elon Musk is considered evil, which means the situation is likely to only get more restrictive in the near future, and consumers, like myself, will continue to have to undertake long drives to areas where Tesla has managed to establish a presence.

Frankly, I’m lucky I didn’t have to go downstate to get my car, and who knows what the situation will be in the future? Some New York lawmakers are actively trying to curb Tesla's operations in New York. These actions and proposals aim to limit Tesla's direct sales locations.

So yeah, in short, New York sucks.

But let me tell you about the car.

On Friday, as soon as I learned I could pick up my new car, I hit the road. Luckily for me, it was a beautiful day and there was no traffic. The ride from Buffalo to Oneida was pleasant, and I reread the audiobook of Andy Weir’s “The Martian” along the way.

The Tesla delivery process was refreshingly straightforward—taking place in a busy parking lot alongside two other deliveries. I conducted the instructed walk-around inspection, finding the vehicle in perfect condition. After minimal paperwork and receiving my key cards, I quickly set up my phone as a key through the Tesla app.

Despite the long journey home, it provided me with ample time to familiarize myself with my new electric companion. While I had eagerly anticipated using Tesla's supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature for a relaxed return trip, I discovered that the cameras required several miles of calibration first—meaning I needed to take the wheel initially.

Having previously test-driven a Tesla in Massachusetts, I quickly readjusted to the distinctive acceleration and regenerative braking characteristics that set electric vehicles apart from traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines. The transition felt almost immediate, allowing me to fully embrace the unique driving experience of my new Tesla from the start.

I made two stops at service centers on the New York State thruway because I couldn’t activate the Autopilot features while driving, and calibrating the cameras for FSD took longer than calibrating them for cruise control and autosteering. Once the cameras were fully calibrated, I was able to let the car drive me home.

It was awesome.

Tesla's supervised Full Self-Driving system exceeded every expectation. The technology doesn't merely maintain speed or position in traffic—it actively evaluates surrounding vehicles and executes passing maneuvers when appropriate, all with remarkable precision. The system's sophistication transformed what could have been a tedious drive into a fascinating demonstration of automotive innovation.

It’s only been a few days since I got my Tesla, and there will be a lot more talk about it in the coming days and weeks. If you’re considering getting a Tesla yourself, stay tuned as I share those experiences here on my Substack. If you’re about to pull the trigger on one, be sure to use my referral link for a bonus with your purchase.

If you’re considering getting a Tesla yourself, be sure to let me know what kind of questions you have, and I’ll be sure to answer them in a future update to help you make your decision.