When people talk about electric vehicles (EVs), it’s usually about how trendy or futuristic they are.
But for one Malaysian man, choosing a Tesla Model 3 wasn’t about hype. It was a calculated, practical decision.
In a now-viral TikTok video by @roqisaif, he broke down exactly why he opted for a Tesla over traditional JDM or continental rides, and his reasons have sparked quite the conversation online.
1. “I paid BMW 3 Series price for BMW M3 performance”
According to him, the biggest pull factor was the price-to-performance ratio.
With the current import tax exemption for EVs until the end of 2025, he claimed that the Tesla Model 3 is significantly cheaper than it would be otherwise.
If import tax were added, the price would almost double.
On top of that, road tax is waived until end-2025, and even after that, it’s only around RM1,000.
That’s a huge contrast to cars like the GTR or BMW M3, which could go up to RM6,000 to RM7,000 annually.
Basically, he said he paid BMW 3 Series money for M3-level performance.
2. 500HP & 0–100km/h in 3 seconds, instant torque, no lag
Performance-wise, his EV delivers 500 horsepower and does 0 to 100km/h in just three seconds, putting it in the same league as supercars like Lamborghinis and Ferraris.
The instant torque is crazy. No lag at all. Just tap the pedal and it flies. If you’re not used to it, you might puke from the G-force, he joked.
3. Maintenance? practically none
Unlike traditional vehicles, his Tesla requires minimal upkeep.
There’s no engine oil to change, no regular servicing, and even brake pads rarely need replacing thanks to regenerative braking.
One Mat Salleh did a video saying he only had to change the brake pads after 200,000KM, he shared.
Most of his regular maintenance now? Just refilling windshield washer fluid and rotating the tires every 10,000KM.
4. It only costs RM30 to RM40 to “refuel” 500KM
Fuel prices? Not his problem.
A full charge costs around RM40, and even cheaper at RM30 if charged at night using TNB’s Time of Use (TOU) subscription.
That’s enough to drive 450 to 500KM on a single charge.
In comparison, a GTR would need about RM300 to RM400 worth of petrol to go the same distance.
5. Constant tech upgrades snd future income potential
Another big plus is the frequent software updates.
His Tesla gets new features and improvements almost every month.
The car is also equipped with advanced safety systems, and Tesla’s Supercharger network syncs seamlessly with the vehicle.
He also hinted at something even bigger. There are rumours that Grok AI will be integrated with Tesla software soon.
And in the future? He believes Tesla’s robotaxi system could allow owners to generate passive income just by owning the car.
So, while some may still debate whether EVs are “worth it,” for this Malaysian Tesla owner, the numbers and the experience speak for themselves.
Watch the full video here.
