Considering a Tesla Model 3 - Would you buy one?

Thank you Eric. I appreciate your feedback. I work with a couple of guys who have a model 3 and I know they absolutely love the cars.
 
I live in the boonies at the end of a private 5 mile gravel ranch road that goes from sea level to 1800' elevation in less than 5 miles. It's very steep, curvy and very demanding of vehicles. All of mine are 4WD. While 2WD is OK, 4WD is much more comfortable and smooth. I test drove a Tesla 90D (4WD) on this road, and it was without a doubt, the absolute best ride I have ever experienced on this road, as well as an overall wonderful car. I didn't buy it only because I decided I'd rather keep the $110,000 in my bank account, but while I am still very tempted, I will probably wait for Honda or Toyota to come out with an EV, which I have no doubt they will, and it will be excellent.

My 2nd residence is in San Francisco where Teslas are almost as common as Hondas! I don't hear any complaints, with one exception. If you smoosh one and need body work, there are very few authorized body shops; parts and service can be a very long wait, in some cases 6 months or more!
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What a beautiful view Tom.

I have heard that accident repairs can be a nightmare but otherwise the ownership experience is awesome.

I love my Golf R and it’s actually pretty perfect for my needs. The only change I’d make is getting 17” or 18” wheels and tires instead of the 19” ones I have now. The roads and potholes are horrible.
 
we got blue model 3 arrives in 10 days. actually is 240V receptacle. It has 240 mile range and must be returned at end of lease as all leased model 3 will become fleet for Tesla Uberlike division of a new Tesla venture. Tech and battery tech is way above leaf+ and Kona EV, both of which are currently low availability and often marked up. As tech changes so quickly lease IMHO only way to go. Reliability is a non issue with lease. Driver satisfaction is incredible high with Tesla for all models.
Good luck Joe
 
Congratulations Nick!

Please let us know how you enjoy it. I need the utility of my Golf and may consider a lease in a year.

veindoc said:
we got blue model 3 arrives in 10 days. actually is 240V receptacle. It has 240 mile range and must be returned at end of lease as all leased model 3 will become fleet for Tesla Uberlike division of a new Tesla venture. Tech and battery tech is way above leaf+ and Kona EV, both of which are currently low availability and often marked up. As tech changes so quickly lease IMHO only way to go. Reliability is a non issue with lease. Driver satisfaction is incredible high with Tesla for all models.
Good luck Joe
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My Golf is solid as a rock. It has been stellar and is absolutely a blast to drive. Having my hatchback has been awesome but I’m not buying any more gear so I guess I’m getting itchy for something :blush: new.


KeithR said:
the build quality on the M3 is sub-par, so nope.

stick with your GolfR :) Way more fun to drive anyway.
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joeinid said:
My Golf is solid as a rock. It has been stellar and is absolutely a blast to drive. Having my hatchback has been awesome but I’m not buying any more gear so I guess I’m getting itchy for something :blush: new.
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Rats, I was hoping you'd sell me your R! [emoji30]
 
Our Tesla Model S celebrated its 6th anniversary last February. We were in the first 5000, ordering it in June 2012 (with an estimated delivery of one year). At the time, we would get flashing lights, honks, lots of thumbs up wherever we drove. Now we have a good chance of parking next to a Tesla whenever we go to the gym or to the shopping mall. We have a good friend who bought a new Model 3 and gave his S to his son (nice dad). We got the rear facing seats so we can hold our daughter's family (2 grandkids) when we visit them.

The driving experience for a full sized sedan is unique. The instant torque (and we just have a standard 85 - there were no super models in those days) makes the difference. We don't change cars very often, and this could well be our last car.

Since our car was an early production model, it had a few service issues, but Tesla always handled them promptly with no cost (and typically a Tesla loaner). Here is how it worked. When we needed service we would call for an appointment. The closest service center was in Fremont (next to the factory) about 35 miles from our home. A Tesla rep would drive out with a loaner car and pick up our car for the service. If the car needed a tow, they would drive out a flatbed with the loaner car, and drive off with our car, leaving the loaner. BTW, if it was an ICE loaner, Tesla paid for the gas we used. When the car was ready, they would do the reverse. I never had to visit the service center. Now they have stepped up one notch. This Tuesday we are getting a service to take care of a couple of recall inspections. They are driving out with a mobile service truck which can do the repair and inspection, taking about 90 minutes at our home. They have totally altered the service experience. No up selling, like our other (ICE) car, every time I go to the dealer (Lexus) for service.

ICE=Internal Combustion Engine

Several of my friends have bought Model 3's - all very happy so far.

Larry
 
Thank you Larry.

Just for fun I've been looking at other all electric vehicles and even plug in hybrids.

We just had a pretty brutally cold winter (without too much snow) here in NY and my friends Model 3's range was almost cut in half. That's usually not a problem, for me anyway, as I can garage it at night in a mildly heated garage.

I think the Tesla might be the best of the bunch.

No matter what, I'd probably have to install a 240V charger in the garage which is at the opposite end of the house/AC panel. Ugh!
 
joeinid said:
Thank you Larry.

Just for fun I've been looking at other all electric vehicles and even plug in hybrids.

We just had a pretty brutally cold winter (without too much snow) here in NY and my friends Model 3's range was almost cut in half. That's usually not a problem, for me anyway, as I can garage it at night in a mildly heated garage.

I think the Tesla might be the best of the bunch.

No matter what, I'd probably have to install a 240V charger in the garage which is at the opposite end of the house/AC panel. Ugh!
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We had a Tesla charger installed for day 1 of our new Tesla. Makes refueling a snap. In CA where electricity is more expensive than in most of the country, we have time of day pricing, so charging after midnight is much, much cheaper. So I have the timer on the Tesla set for 2AM and when I am done with the car for the day, I plug it in and it starts charging at 2AM, typically taking a couple of hours to charge. In the morning (or whenever, since I am retired!) I unplug the car and am off with a full tank of electrons. In comparable gasoline cost terms, we get around 100 miles per gallon with the Tesla. Since we have an older model with unlimited free charging at the Superchargers, whenever we travel to visit the grandkids, we get free fuel for the trip. My understanding is with the newer cars, you do have to pay, but that it is cheaper than gassing up a comparable ICE car. Of course charging at home is a lot cheaper than buying gas.

Larry

Larry
 
Hi Larry,

That’s so awesome.

Yes, the model 3 supercharger costs a little money but not a big deal. I’m weighing the options of a Tesla for my main car and think I could easily manage.

It looks like there are more options coming with regards to electric vehicles. Chevy Bolt, Hyundai Kona EV, Honda and Toyota plug-in hybrids, etc.

My Golf R is AWD, powerful and awesome to drive but I cannot stand the 19” wheels. Very few roads around me are any good. I’ve already had to replace 2 tires this past year and almost ruined a couple of rims, it was pure luck that they are okay.

I know this has nothing to do with the type of car but I’m contemplating going with 17” wheels and tires all around. So I’m thinking about making that investment and waiting to see what other EVs hit the market.

Based on some recent reviews, the Kona EV and Bolt EV could be great alternatives, especially as a second vehicle.
 
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joeinid said:
My Golf R is AWD, powerful and awesome to drive but I cannot stand the 19” wheels. Very few roads around me are any good. I’ve already had to replace 2 tires this past year and almost ruined a couple of rims, it was pure luck that they are okay.
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Joe, what part of the Empire State do you reside ?
 
I guess I am late to the party in this thread. Would I buy one, yes. In fact, I did last September, an AWD. We also have a 2 year old Model S. I get 310 miles of range and I take both cars everywhere. I would never buy another ICE car. Installed a 240 line in the garage. For daily driving there are no issues. Driving up to NYC or down to DC is a breeze too. I have to stop for a bathroom break every two hours anyway or to stretch out my legs as my knees start to give me trouble. Hook up to the Supercharger for 15 or 20 minutes while I do that and off I go. Frankly, on the NJ Turnpike where you can’t pump your own gas, it can take 15 minutes to get to the pump anyway. The instant acceleration has come in handy many times to avoid erratic drivers. Don’t poo poo it. We have a MB E350 which we gave to one son. The Teslas blow it away in all respects. The premium sound system rocks too. Digital radio sounds fantastic and streaming from my iPad works great. Oh, buy the way, we have taken the S to the tip of Long Island several times.
 
Just read today that Apple tried to buy Tesla a few years ago at $240 per share. Tesla stock is below $200 now and Apple is looking at self driving automobiles... So maybe Apple can become Tesla's new owner! A cash rich parent company would be good for Tesla car owners!
Oh! That reminds me that at one point MSFT tried to buy Yahoo and they were rebuffed! MSFT got lucky!
 
Ha!

I'm still going to wait and see a little bit longer. I was originally thinking about replacing my VW. Now I'm thinking maybe adding a Tesla next year as a second vehicle and if all goes well, just keep the electric vehicle.
 
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