It happened organically. My 11-year-old grandson and I had been shopping for Legos when we drove past the brand-new Tesla Dealership at Stonefield in Charlottesville, VA. It is in the same shopping center and shares the same parking lot as Trader Joe’s, where I often shop for groceries. A very familiar place to me, except for this new store. They only opened up last Friday, eight days before this. 

So seeing the Tesla cars outside of this storefront was new and enticing. My grandson commented on the cars and said they were cool. I asked him if he would like to look at them, and he enthusiastically answered, “Yes!”


There was a parking spot conveniently open on the corner of the street next to the dealer. We walked over and began to look at the cars. Do you know what a Tesla looks like? Neither did I. While the truck resembles some kind of Star Wars vehicle, the other cars are sleek and have such a gorgeous “finish” on them that it gleamed in the sunlight. The salesman later told us the finish is bulletproof. 

The day was perfect for being outside—about 67 degrees and sunny, with dramatic clouds above the deep, bright blue sky. We could walk around the cars comfortably without getting too hot. Those cars were unusual. We got a salesman to help us look at the “truck.” It is a design miracle. The way the back of the truck stays closed until you want to use it, yet it all folds into itself to become a full-sized open truck bed, confounded us.

Then we began to talk to the salesman a bit more seriously. We sat in the showroom in a shiny red car, but I mentioned that I prefer blue. The salesman Alessio said,” There is a blue one right out there you can take for a test drive.”

So we went outside, looking all around the lovely blue car. It sparkled. I took a couple of photos. Then we got in. It is comfortable. Alessio showed me how to adjust the side mirrors, and he explained how the car starts, what some of the things on the large screen mean, and how to use them. Then he said, “Are you ready to have your mind blown?”


Not really understanding what he meant, I said, “Sure!” So he had me push some button or press an icon, I cannot remember exactly which one. But it turned out to be the self-driving mode. Wow!! It was stunning! 

While I sat in the car without using my hands or my feet, the car pulled out of the parking space, waited for pedestrians, turned left, stopped at a stop sign, waited for cars to pass, and then headed right on the street heading towards Costco. After a block or so, we (meaning the car and its passengers) turned left into a parking lot and backed perfectly into a parking space next to a charging station. The car did the driving. I just sat there. I was speechless!

Can you possibly imagine my shock? Seriously, this is not something I ever expected to do or be part of in my lifetime. Sure, there are stories about self-driving cars. Yes, I was vaguely aware of the concept, but it was not on my bucket list.



It was FUN!!!



After that, I drove the car around for a while, getting the feel of it, and loved it. What a great car it is. It is so well designed, quiet, and maintenance-free compared to gas-powered cars. I learned how to plug it in and got some idea from a stranger walking by ( a Tesla owner) about the cost of charging a Tesla from my house instead of using the charging stations that seem to be everywhere now.

So, to make a long blog post short, I bought one. I bought the model they call the “Y.” The price is much lower than I expected. It still costs more than our first house in 1961, but as cars go, this one seems reasonable, even affordable. Of course, the self-driving software was extra, and I got it. How could I not?



It won’t be available until June 1, but I am having a party that day, so I cannot take possession of a car in Richmond, VA. Alessio will try to have it delivered to my house on June 3 or 4. That will be more convenient than getting it in Richmond, so I hope it works out.


It will be fun to drive it around Charlottesville because some people here really have it in for Elon Musk. They may be nasty. They may wish ills on people like me, driving these cars, but I am mentally prepared for that. Apparently, the cars have surveillance cameras all around them, so if anyone tries to vandalize one, they will be filmed while doing so.



It has been 8 years since I bought a new car, so it is about time. I am thrilled.

Wish me luck with my new Tesla!

Copyright©. 2025 Bonnie B. Matheson