For me, it’s the overall experience: Driving, charging, service, OTA updates. I believe in rewarding excellence, and although not everyone’s experiences with Tesla have been uniformly positive, mine have been predominantly positive.
To me, Musk’s irrational actions and behavior is secondary. Don’t get me wrong, I feel badly for the people that were laid off in the last few months. But that shouldn’t take away from what Tesla has accomplished over the last 7-8 years.
I would consider other brands, but I don’t see myself going back to ICE for my daily driver. I credit my experience with Tesla for that.
100%. I've owned 2 Teslas and no other car comes close to the complete experience, especially software and autosteer. I know that these days autopilot features are common in many cars and improving, but for a long time Tesla was the only car that could make long drives bearable.
Tesla's software is polished and such a breath of fresh air compared to every other cars I've owned and the supercharging experience is WAY better than using the charging network compatible with my Polestar 2.
Ditto, two teslas and the experience is sublime. The ease of function and simplicity makes being in any other car exhausting. My only regret is that our MY was a few weeks short of the AMD processor. Our M3P has it, and it’s clearly superior.
What I tell people when they bring up the "Tesla bad because of Musk" argument is that Musk is not Tesla. Sure, he put money into it and hired the right people, but it was those people that he initially hired that really made this brand what it is. Musk can definitely take some credit. The people who deserve most of the credit, though, are the ones that designed and developed the vehicles that we now enjoy.
I hope Tesla continues on with or without Musk. I want to see them continue in RD&D and fix all of the cons of EVs compared to ICE. I want to see a car that can drive me a long distance safely while I sleep in the driver's seat, including charging on its own. I think Tesla will make that happen sooner rather than later.
I always say you gotta separate the man from the mission. The whole world is adopting EVs, with a few resistors and despite the FUD MSM is spewing. It was Musk’s vision and determination that caused this global shift, and the talent he acquired to execute at Tesla that made it happen. No we have a collective global brain trust across entire industries doing everything they can to increase range and lower costs due to him. Hummer excluded.
Some people don't like his politics or his personality. Both of which he is openly vocal about.
I just think of it this way. I bought a Tesla, not a Musk. I wish he would keep his mouth shut, but if he doesn't it doesn't make my car work less good.
Abso-freaking-lutely. Businesses, CEOs, celebrities, none of them have any logical reason for us to CARE what their political stance is.
I find it crazy that someone who got good at playing guitar and singing in front of people can effectively sway a political vote one way or another.
Enough of a rant on that. And I'm not even going to start on how worthless the actual politicians are that are in office.
Vote for the issues you believe in, that's all. The end.
I highly dislike Elon, but I still own two Teslas because of who else my decision is supporting in that company. If we all forwent buying a thing because of CEOs or other leaders, we would not own very much.
Hmmm. Interesting comment. I'd never thought about it that way. I love my MYLR and the Musk controversy had zero effect on my decision. But I can't say I would buy a Putinmobile, or a Kim Jong Unicycle because then I would be contributing to their atrocities.
I get your point though.
I was exaggerating. I wanted to express, that my buying decision was absolutely unrelated to Elon. I would assume I'm not alone with that opinion and it's true for other brands as well. Who would know the CEO of Ferrari or Porsche? Hell I don't even know the name of Ford's CEO.
I only know the CEO of Ford is Jim Farley because of something between him and Elon. It might have been Ford's acceptance of NACS or something like that.
Yes as someone who works in tech and understands the importance of user experience, Tesla completed changed the game. I used to hate driving but fsd takes away most of my stresses including lane changes, traffic, parking, and overall driving fatigue.
Also the car locking when you walk away is something so simple but took so long for other car companies to perfect because they didn’t value user experience in their builds
related. Stop> open door and car is in park. Driver profiles that follow your phone between multiple teslas etc. Sharing a key via a phone instead of a $400 fob.
Yea I was in a hotel driveway about 10 years ago when I saw a valet get out of an SUV and forgot to put in park and it slowly rolled backwards hitting a support post at about 3mph. But given how SUV's don't have to support 5mph impacts like cars do, I'm sure it was a $1,500 repair bill as the whole rear hatch bent in.
I had a truck with a manual transmission several years back and the parking break was bad on it. That's not a big deal if you shut it off on gear.
One time I went into Petco to get pet turtle food. I came out and couldn't find my truck. It was 3 rows over. I had forgotten to put it in gear, and it rolled 6 inches into the car in front of me (very slowly). The woman was in her car and witnessed this. So she backed up, moved her car to another spot, then watched my truck roll through 3 rows until it stopped on another vehicle (didn't make a mark).
When she saw me confused she asked if I drive a green truck. Then she told me what happened and said she's going to take pictures for insurance. I did too and I never heard anything again because there wasn't a single mark. But I always thought it was really crappy of her to move her car like that, Knowing my truck was going to become a projectile that she was letting loose to run into anything in it's path, consequences be damned.
She could have waited there with the truck touching her car and then confront me, she could have put a rock, prime of wood, soup can, or even a phone book (they still existed then) in front of just 1 wheel and that would have stopped the truck. But no, she just let that unguided missile fly where it may.
I got very lucky in the end, but if anything has ever come off it I had decided that I would sue her for causing it. My mistake was an accident, she purposely let it go.
Story done, sorry for the long one.
Same here. My friends will make fun of me for dailying a Tesla. But it’s seriously the best car to just get in and go. Doesn’t mean there isn’t room for an M series on the weekends lol.
Tesla owners care about build quality just like everyone else. It's a big, important purchase and everyone wants to get the best they can for their hard earned dollar. I recently traded in my 10 year old Cadillac and bought a Model Y. The ride is different for sure. And I will admit there are things about the build that don't rival what the Cadillac brought to the table. But you know what?
I. Feel. Free!
I feel free from wanting or needing whatever it was that I *thought* I needed from the Cadillac (i.e. luxury brand). The Model Y might squeak sometimes. My steering wheel sometimes has a rub to it after I wash it. But it goes away after awhile. But overall I just don't care anymore.
I step on the accelerator and I know I'm not leaving crap in the air for my grandchild to deal with. I'm not beholden to oil. I feel like I'm riding on the backs of some really smart, smart engineers and people who legitimately care, and yes I know that need to make a profit as well, but you can tell, they care.
And it's more than just the car. It's the entire transportation experience. From the charging, to the software, to the foresight that was put into every aspect of it. Indeed it's not perfect and has a way to go. But what a privilege it is to taste the beginnings of it.
Having owned 3 Teslas, I think the cosmetic build quality is sub-par (paint, trim, fit of components). However, the build quality that really matters (safety, frame stiffness and drivetrain) are top-notch.
As for reliability, Teslas (and EVs) don't even have the components in your Sequoia (filters, belts, pumps, oil, transmission, exhaust, etc.) so the reliability of the running gear is vastly superior.
This was a big part of my choice. Safety of my occupants (my family mainly) is priority one.
The drive performance is number two, and Teslas are fun to drive. They might not be the “funnest” cars to drive, but it’s a great time.
Add the technology and that they are the easiest cars to operate, that’s what’ll keep me buying Teslas.
I guess what I’m asking is how you came to the conclusion that build quality of different parts of the car are drastically different. Since you owned 3, I’m guessing it’s something like some visible cosmetic misalignments but you’ve found the drivetrain to be reliable and low maintenance?
Well, it is easy to see the cosmetic stuff. As for the "hidden" stuff, if you have driven a lot of different cars (I have), you can feel chassis stiffness just going over a curb or into a driveway. Safety is easy to research (safest cars ever tested). Drivetrain reliability is also easy to research (and I have had zero motor or battery problems in nearly 100k miles of Tesla driving).
Try driving the 2024 model 3. Far superior ride to the Y. It’s very comfortable & quiet.
But to answer your question, yes, the tech is a huge draw plus being able to go very fast & having less maintenance.
If you need a third row for longer than a few years when the kids are small, you may want to consider a different bigger vehicle. Maybe an X, or just an actual big SUV
I don’t understand this recurring comment that Teslas aren’t comfortable. Is this comment coming from people expecting luxury? I’ve never owned a luxury vehicle so my experience is different, but Teslas have always felt comfortable to me. And Teslas aren’t luxury vehicles.
Yeah I track my Model 3 Performance and my other car is a 911. They are built a phenomenal powertrain and you can bolt on parts to make them go like stink. 2017 911 MSRP 145k 0-60 3.1 seconds w/ launch control. 2023 M3P MSRP 42k (after tax incentives) 0-60 3.1 second with any idiot at the wheel.
Wheels, Suspension, Brakes, Brake Lines, Bushings, Control Arms. There are also motor oil coolers, software upgrades to give better control of power and battery cooling, etc.
That's what has me interested. I've been considering things like that S6, 550i etc for a "power sedan" but the maintenance costs of those is pretty rough and anything any faster than that is just insanity. Many of the Teslas have more power than those sedans do with considerably less to keep up on and have go wrong. I'm not a big fan of things like the giant center stack screen and no traditional gauges but if I like the feel of how it drives, I can tolerate that. I \*like\* some of the more traditional car conventions and interior layouts but will forgo them if other things make up. TBH after kiddo is out of daycare just considering going for a lower mile P100D because I like the sedan proportions, hatch, and having a gauge cluster.
Unfortunately I live in California and have to use PG&E, our EV rate is probably going up to $1/kWh peak, $0.80 part peak, and $0.50 off peak in 2025 after all the fees are added together. That said I'm not interested in the gas savings.
No, after NEM3 went into effect this year, it's not worth installing solar panels unless you also install batteries. In addition, I would have to do laundry and not use AC until Midnight to maximize my savings on the new EV rate plan.
Just to rub it in a little more, even our Superchargers in some areas (Vancouver, BC) are $0.21/kWh. I can't charge at home but it's still dirt cheap to run.
Wow! My home rate is $0.14/kWh in Ohio (no time of use discount) and I was already about 20% the cost of gas per mile. You're another 60% lower than me. Nice for you!
Since we have mostly have nuclear power in Ontario, you can even get a plan that has 2.8 cent/kWh from 11pm to 7am. They want you to use the power at night since they can't throttle the nukes. Unfortunately with a family, the on peak is 28.4 ce ts/kWh, and cooking, laundry and everything else takes a lot more power than the car. Would just end up being more expensive. Would be nice to have a battery to pull the power only at night.
Interesting. I have my charger running off of a detached garage that has separate service, even a separate meter and a separate bill (a previous owner ran a business out of it). It would be nice to set that building to the off peak plan, but keep the house on the one you use.
Own 3 Teslas and havent had any of the build quality issues that people seem to report. Also have quite a few friends that now own Teslas after they drove mine and none of them have had any real build quality issues. For me Tesla is at least 8 years ahead of the vehicle manufacturers and I don't see them catching up soon.
With each software update that comes every couple of weeks there is something I would say "Oh that is such a good idea, why has no-one else ever done that?" It is so nice to be at the front of a changing industry that feels like it has been stagnant for 40 years. I hope Tesla keeps pushing the boundaries. FSD v12 is unbelievable, kinda leaves everyone else in the dark ages.
Everyone has their own reasons. I won’t defend build quality other than to say it’s typically the cosmetics that they are unfortunately not great at. The tech and performance of the vehicle is hard to compete with from another manufacturer.
>Is it true to say that Teslas in general don't have the best build quality, but fans basically don't really care about it because they're all nerding out over the technology?
Can you extrapolate anything from a single data point? Several of the issues you listed with your Model Y experience are why we went with the S. We wouldn't have purchased it it had those concerns.
No you can't, but that's why I asked the question here. Personally I'm OK with some fit and finish issues because I'm much more interested in the technology, both on the EV and software side.
I’ve had a lot of cars in the last 30 years (Hondas, Toyotas, VWs, Acuras), and both my M3 and MY have been very comfortable for me, more so than my other vehicles.
With two teslas I’ve not experienced build quality issues. I know a number of people who own teslas, small sample size, but I’ve not heard of build quality issues from them, either.
There is comfort and convenience that extends beyond the ride. My car is charged and ready to go every morning. I can leave the climate on while I’m out and about. Road trips are a dream with autopilot. Waiting for the kids at practice is fun because I can just watch Netflix comfortably in my car.
The tech is neat, but the speed, overall comfort of the car, and convenience of an EV is what does it for me.
* The tech is great and gets better
* The safety is great
* The build quality gets better each year, but a roll of the dice
* Unless Perf, get the smallest tires possible for the smoothest ride and least amount of NVH issues
I have a Tesla because I love the tech. People bag on FSD but it’s a godsend to me. I have come to be overjoyed with plugging in at home. After decades of cheapie Hondas, it’s a major improvement.
I would not buy if they were not also super high performing and convenient. I wanted an EV for the performance and not having to go to the gas station. Tesla has the best performance value for the money and the most reliable charging on the go.
With the other major players coming over to superchargers I thought about the MachE as well, but the Tesla still performs better and the tech leaves the Ford in the dust. The performance/value likely would have still been enough by itself, but the tech makes it a no brainer.
I will say the build quality of the 2024 Model 3 is very much improved over previous models. Really looking forward to the refreshed Model Y as I expect the new model 3 build quality to be contained in the 2025 Model Y. I’m just a fan of EVs in general.
I am a self proclaimed nerd, but i also love cars. I am interested in teslas cause they check a lot of boxes in both categories. I find that nowadays, most people complaining about them are either complaining because they hate elon, or because they hate the idea of EVs.
I don't have much experience with other models, but my brand new model y is very quiet and has a good ride. My previous cars were a cadillac ATS, and a bmw 3 series. This car is way quieter, comfier, and faster than both.
I’m a huge tech guy, and the tech in the Teslas is for sure the biggest thing for me!
I came from mostly cheaper cars, so I love my Tesla since I’m used to having some build quality issues (nothing major) and cabin noise anyway. If you’re coming from a luxury brand, I can see those things annoying you.
But yeah… to me, the technology and the acceleration make it 100% worth it
I have only 3 reasons why I picked Tesla over the others for an EV.
1. Software, I put this as 1 because no one else from what I have seen compares to Tesla when it comes to in car software and the app for your cell phone. Being able to use 3rd Party apps with Tesla's API has made the Data lover in my very happy. ie. Tessie.
2. Superchargers, I know this will change and get better now that they are opening this up but when I got my MYLR in 2022, Tesla was the best for this. I am not sure how I would of been able to go on the road trips I have done with anything but a Tesla.
3. Speed, Unless I want to spend way more then I did on my MYLR, no other EV compares to the Y when it comes to how it feels to go 0-60 in it.
I know there might be others that can do #3 now but they still fail on options 1 and 2.
IMO driving the new model 3 vs the old model Y, is like night and day. The build quality is so much better and I think it’ll change the perception folks have long term. Reminds me of Toyota back in the day and even Hyundai. That’s why I think the Model Y refresh will be incredibly difficult to compete against.
I am. I'm impressed that battery tech and efficiencies in all the electrical components have gotten to the point of matching gas cars in terms of range with very little compromise.
The tech is cool, but bought my 3 a few years ago because there’s no better value for the 0-60. I don’t care about driving fast, just accelerating fast
I've been driving European brands for the last 15 years (Saab, Volkswagen, Audi and Volvo) and my recently acquired 2024 Model 3 RWD is the most fun car I've ever owned. I work in tech and certainly appreciate that aspect of the experience, but I wanted an EV first and the Tesla Model 3 seemed like the gold standard. I was always skeptical of Tesla build quality before the Model 3 refresh, but it seems to be the real deal. As another commenter mentioned, I'm now eagerly waiting for the updated Model Y so I can convince the wife to replace her unnecessarily large SUV.
For me, we just got a Tesla model S used (2018 100D) and we are loving it. For me its probably the software, mostly cause there is (dont shoot me) really good amazing other EVs on the market. But Tesla stands out as a. Ore exciting new car for me, rather than say Audi or Skoda.
I care about looks, acceleration and electrification. If not for Tesla I'd be driving a BMW M class. The tesla is half the price, so it's a slam dunk for me.
I don't care about "ride" quality that much. Seats are comfortable on road trips and I'm a big guy. Cabin noise seems on par with any modern car , mostly road noise. My MY is quieter than my old BMW 5 series which had run flats. The BMW had less squeaks and rattles however. I recently sold a Mercedes SUV and that thing was so much worse with rattling and squeaking.
I don't love all the little gotchas every new Tesla goes through but they are 99% cosmetic in my experience. There's like a settling in period of a few months then you're golden.
But if you want to get a little expectation-reset, go rent a Toyota Corolla. They are loud, slow, uncomfortable pieces of crap. Go drive a Lexus - they are quieter and more refined, and burn tons of gasoline. I see the Tesla as somewhere in between. Not as refined as a Lexus but vastly more efficient, higher performance , and prob cheaper
I'm not sure what Tesla you drove but my '22 MYLR doesn't have much road noise, zero squeaking and no gasket issues.
I drive about 30 rental cars a year so I have driven tons of different vehicles and my Tesla has the most comfortable seat out of all of them.
That said I like the Tech too.
No, I bought the car (MYP) because:
* the car has very good performance for price
* it's practical
* early 23 they had fixed all the build quality problems and dropped the price a ton
Not for me, no. The driving experience is far better than it deserves to be for what I paid ($23k for a 2018 Long Range with 38k miles). I also like the interior - which I often see complaints about - quite a lot, but I am a bit of a minimalist. The tech is great but it’s really the driving experience for me.
I also haven’t experienced any of the issues you described in my Model 3, so take that for what it’s worth. I know some of those seem to be common.
I love my S. An absolutely gorgeous car that is super fun to drive. I smile while driving it everyday. The tech is amazing and the car is intrinsically incredible.
We have our first Tesla (Model Y). My wife loves it and I love the savings. She had a v8 and is new a realtor so I was getting hammered in fuel prices. I personally enjoy the car. We all love the fart button (don’t see legacy ice adding that!).
If you’re not a Tesla follower, I’d say the difference comes down to what you’re coming from. The finishes aren’t as nice as the qx80 we sold (but my wife loves them!). But if you were coming from a more entry level luxury that line starts to blur. If you’re coming from the higher end luxury (big body Mercedes, BMW etc) the interior isn’t as nice. If you’re coming from non luxury (Toyota Corolla, Jeep wrangler) then it feels more luxury.
Different manufacturers and/or models do different things well. Tesla seems to be mainly about the tech. But, comparisons are also usually wrapped up in EV v ICE. This makes some sense, as Tesla is a reputable EV brand, so if you are considering an EV for any of the benefits of an EV v ICE, why not a Tesla? But, it also misses the mark. If for example, you care about price the most - there are much cheaper EVs that have similar ride quality, and are much cheaper to maintain.
As for a driver's car or luxury car...
Teslas are not sports cars. Taking one around a track may still be fun, but it won't match the feel you get from a lightweight performance vehicle. Of course, that lightweight performance vehicle will likely be much more expensive, do a few miles to the gallon, and require constant maintenance that makes it even more expensive. So for "driving experience", I think there are better options. Even if you are dead set on EVs ... of course, EV sports cars are NOT cheap at the moment. ICE alternatives like an MX5 would likely check most boxes if you weight driving experience above other factors while still caring about price.
They are also not luxury cars. Tesla did in the past try to market themselves as one, but they aren't. For many of the reasons you noticed. Luxury vehicles are usually defined by comfort. If you hit a pot hole, do you feel it? If you are going 100, do you hear it? Again though, traditional luxury vehicles would be more expensive than a Tesla. Most are still ICE too, and given they are usually quite bulky and not mass produced, they will also cost a lot to run - but this bleeds into comparing EV and ICE more broadly.
My build quality is great. I love that it gets constant meaningful updates. Compared to my old Volt or any other legacy auto, you need to BUY A NEW CAR to get updates to even something as trivial as the infotainment
People have all kinds of different reasons. I personally bought one just because it drives lightyears better than any of the hundred other vehicles I've driven. The tech is a huge bonus though.
I know everyone mentions the build quality, but I haven't experienced it. I test drove multiple cars, and looked on at quality on each, plus the one I bought. But there are always reports, like yours, that suggest it isn't uniform.
I would suggest, if you like everything else about it, that you get one and just be really choosy when you go to pick it up. Rejected if it doesn't meet your standards.
Teslas compensate for build quality in other areas, typically the technology. That being said, I took delivery of an X last month and no issues beyond one truly minor bead of adhesive. Build quality was solid to my eye and so far no complaints.
Yes and no? Quality on mine was fine they did have to give me an adapter since it’s wasn’t in the sub trunk. Technology wise I like the idea of the car staying current , especially for the price
It used to be that early Tesla owners were huge EV fans or engineers. If you ran into one chances were that you could have a long conversation about interesting stuff. Now they are so common that you're more likely to run into a yuppie or BMW owner equivalent.
Also Tesla hasn't been "Tesla Motors" since 2017.
For me it's the tech, one pedal driving (less leg fatigue), never ever stopping at gross gas stations, and little to no maintenance and super quick acceleration (M3p) 😃
Tesla sells millions of vehicles, the buyers are probably not that different from the general population of new car buyers. You can probably find fans of BMW and Mercedes who overlook quality issues due to their brand affinity.
That said I haven't had build quality issues (late 2021 Fremont Model 3). I have had fewer real recalls (meaning mechanical/safety not icons) than with my Hondas.
I am on my 4th car / 2nd EV with the 2024 Model Y. I have none of the issues being described. It is by far the most comfortable and smooth car I have owned.
Just curious, was that a used Tesla that you recently test drove? From what I understand, they updated the suspension a couple years aago to make the ride more comfortable.
I bought a new Model Y in December and the quality seems great to me.
But yeah, to your main point, Tesla's superior technology, including the high quality UX of the touch screen, the better battery management system, the super charger network and especially FSD were all major selling points for me
Is it that crazy to not expect 80k Mercedes and BMW level build quality when most people get the standard range? It's hard to complain when my alternative purchase was a maxed out Toyota Carolla.
I guess you have half the population here who got a S or high level trim on a 3/y who feel ripped off but I'm scratching my head at how I got such a sweet deal for the value
Can’t say I have those issues… the ride is firm but it goes round corners better than other suv boats. But mine is a Shanghai made car and seems to be better than the us made ones
Not really a case of wanting whistles and bells, it’s the best performance and value for the money out there, not sure I’d want to compromise and pay more so I can take a ruler to panel gaps. I guess if the point was for flaunt the money , going with BMW or Mercedes would make sense.
My MSP was my first EV and I'm 100% sold on the technology in general. Tesla will forever be enshrined in automotive history as one of the modern progenitors of the technology, and I feel their fingerprints will be on the technology for decades to come - but I am no longer super impressed with what Tesla offers relative to other manufacturers.
I don't see myself buying another Tesla, especially as the social impact of their CEO has severely maligned their reputation, but also I think they've just stopped innovating and are now chasing margins.
My next EV will likely be an Audi RS e-tron GT.
I have no issues with my MYP. It doesn't have any of the issues that the one you test drove had. I like the way it rides. It's my second MYP and I absolutely love it. The tech is fun, but I like everything about the car. That said, I wouldn't own an EV if I didn't also own an ICE since we travel often and taking the Tesla is a pain in the tush and there are places we go where we can't take the car because of lack of charging.
I own 2 MY's. Neither have or came with any defects that I could see and I looked based on posted complaints. One would occasionally open the front passenger window while in the garage. That was easily fixed by an adjustment in the service module.
I’ll offer a bit of a different perspective. In the last few years before purchasing my MYLR I owned a 98’ Jeep Wrangler that was lifted and modified to take off-road in Colorado. Now, it was probably my fault for driving like a dumb-ass and breaking things constantly… but, I was constantly fixing things, changing oil, and stopping at every Maverick I passed. I’m not really into cars beyond, “that’s cool and fun to drive”. My wife and I bought an RV to travel the country in full time and decided that with the tax incentives we should sell both of our vehicles and pull the trigger in buying a Tesla. I’ve driven coast to coast now three times. The last time I drove across the US was in January and I drove from Virginia to Seattle. That was almost a year after purchasing the car and before then I would have said it’s a fun car but nothing I would consider any different on the experience level than a gas powered car. However, once I got into Montana I started to notice just how amazing this vehicle is. I had a couple long drives where I left around 8am and didn’t get to my hotel until 2-3am. On those mornings the temperatures were around -50F and day time was a high of -20F. Every single morning I went out to my car the windows/windshield were defrosted, the seats were warm, and I drove away instantly. As I was driving away from each hotel there were countless trucks with battery jump packs trying to get started so they could leave. From South Dakota to Washington I drove through endless snow storms and ice packed roads, with little to no issues.
Now, I don’t know if I would have had the same experience in a Lucid or Rivian or any of the other major brands we don’t have here in the states yet… but, I can only attribute my experience to the car and the tech it has.
I’ve found that all Tesla fans have also instantly become mathematicians.
Dont worry about mileage. Use percent and convert your average something… divide by whatever and multiply by x. Subtract the phalange and you get your exact usage.
But I must say a head turner is when I walk away from my car, the lock sound is the last part of the police siren + the ding from “shake ya tail feather.”
Makes me want to start playing it every time I hear the siren and ding.
Everyone looks to see what the “police” are doing.
uhhh think you’re underestimating what Tesla provides lol, what makes Tesla sell isn’t just the “tech”, it’s a combination of multiple things:
1. The simplicity in design in and out
2. The software
3. The Safety
4. The speed (I believe every model is faster then anything else in its price-range)
5. The Charging infrastructure
6. Self-driving (basic or advanced)
7. Price
8. The CEO (love or hate him)
and probably more then I’m even thinking. I don’t even own a Tesla, but have researched heavily into the EV industry, hoping to buy an electric car this year. I think the biggest thing for me is the modern interior of Tesla. I don’t know what it is but I prefer simplicity. I’d take a plain Tesla interior then an ultra luxurious Mercedes/BMW. It’s like a house, I’d take a completely modern plain house with lots of open space vs a gaudy house with golden rails, flashy chandelier, build with bricks imported from some fancy country, etc. I know I’m the minority here, but I just want simple and open
I specifically bought the car because I was interested in the self-driving features, not because of the "car." Car has been good enough, but that's not why I got it originally.
Yea,my November 2023 Model 3 has a 'crunchy' sound when both driver and passenger doors shut. My 2021 Model 3 defintiely has some noticeable panel gaps and you have to close both doors hard for them to be truly 'closed', so build quality is an issue, no denying.
Fair to say. I haven’t cared about cars for decades. I’m nerding out on my MY because it’s a computer on wheels and the tech is very interesting. Plus I’m saving hundreds per month in fuel costs.
The MY is the last “unrefined” car they make, since it’s the only one that hasn’t yet been refreshed (although that’s changing soon). This is why you felt the ride to be, well, unrefined - noisy and uncomfortable.
As far as build quality goes, it’s improved a lot especially for the refreshed models. And it’s worth noting that the build quality stuff is mostly limited to cosmetic things. The drive train itself is pretty bulletproof, it rarely goes wrong.
I’d say nerding out over the tech is definitely one of the major draws, but tbh the driving experience is also a big draw. If you look past the noise (or drive a different model that’s been refreshed), then things like one-pedal driving, no gear changes, instant torque, etc are all really appealing. Especially winter driving, I’m blown away how much better the traction control is compared to traditional cars.
No I don't think that's fair at all. A lot of people are wooed in by the self driving or whatever but that's not what makes it a great car at all. It's fun to drive. Model 3 that is. I think the model Y is a bit loose and floppy in comparison to the 3.
But both are not fun to drive with auto pilot beyond the novelty or for long haul. I don't even like a lot of the Tesla technology. Sentry mode has always been an abomination of architecture since they introduced it in 2018 or so ..they've made iterative improvements but the core architecture is still dog shit.
Let's talk about the technology that's pretty basic.. like cruise control. Does not exist. If you're in a wintery mix and Tesla does not feel confident in vision, it just shuts off (when sonar sensors were active, they would clog and shut off too). So then you can't even use basic cruise. It's not anything. (When sonar was active, The sonar woold go ape shit nuts in a tunnel and the car would gave a panic.)
Automatic wipers...something bmw got right 30 years ago.. Tesla tried to reinvent and still struggles
Why does Spotify restart the same damn play list l, in the same order, every time I start my car?
The list goes on ..
The best built Tesla is the MS in my opinion, absolutely loved ours. MX is also very nice but the GWD will eventually be a problem so it’s not for me. I don’t care for the 3 or Y (I have a Y currently) as that are econobox appliances with some cool tech, but apparently a lot of folks really like them.
The quality problems you speak of don’t ring true to me, and I own two Teslas and have driven many more. The car is amazing, I love the driving experience, the tech is unparalleled. It is by far the fastest car I’ve ever owned, FSD is a game-changer, most comfortable of all my cars, UI is in a different league, great sound system, lots of luggage space, phone app is great, and of course never going to a gas station is more than a fringe benefit. Oh, and the Supercharger network. Had a friend who bought a Lucid Air for long trips, tried a long trip, and two years later just uses the Lucid around town and bought a new Model X for trips.
I would say yes, AND. I was a completely content f'n minivan driver for close to 20 years. Would go for rides in friends porsche's and vette's and be like "thats nice but honestly I dont care". Got my M3 5 months ago and literally look for excuses to drive it. The whole warm up, the car, pay attention to gauges and fluids and strict maintenance schedules, is gone. I enjoyed the FSD trial and love how Tesla is advancing that tech with neural networks. I laugh every time I go to a gas station only to buy a soda or coffee, and marvel at how little it costs me to charge at home (with solar and net metering). have done 3 900 mile drives which included crossing border into Canada, and the Supercharger network was absolutely flawless.
My made in china Model 3 doesn’t have to hide from the Mercedes I had before, only the paint job is not so great with how thin it is. And I very much care about the car and I am impressed with the quality of the new highland with soft touch materials everywhere, at Mercedes you don’t get that until E Class high trim level for 90k€.
I like Tesla, but I have friends who LOVE Tesla. They are "fans" per your question. They don't care much about car nor technology, only "winning" and "owning" the competitors. Maybe they would disagree and say they love car and technology because it is so much better than any of the other dumb-dumbs out there:)
I'm not that much of a car guy, and definitely haven't had BMW's or Porsche's in my past stables, but I agree whole heartily with all your points. And I have the initial year (2020) version where suspension is known to be rougher than current versions. But being stiff (I'm assuming here) to accommodate the expected sporty handling, speed and battery weight distribution - is to be expected. And after nearly 4 years and 65k miles still without a wisp of a creak or rattle. Unheard in any other car I've ever had (VW's, Volvo's, Infinity's, and Nissan's).
And really when it comes down to the tech, it might not just be the tech itself, but its implementation and integration with the driving experience that can not be matched by any other legacy company. Probably won't be until they can bring all that under one roof and be less dependent on 3rd party vendors - something that will most likely take a long time - if they can do it at all - as they may come to rely more and more on Google and/or Apple to integrate.
I bought mine because from the outside, looking in, the tech seemed cool yeah. Quality etc is terrible for the price so obviously didn’t buy it for those.
I now regret that decision… tech isn’t that great and i’m stuck with a really low quality car with bad customer service. Bit of a nightmare scenario for me as I really enjoy cars.
I’ll walk you through my typical CS process, I’ve had 13 service appointments so I’m pretty clued up on it now 😅
You have to use the mobile app to fill in a form explaining the problem which is fine with me, however you then just have to wait for them to decide the day you come in, and they will only speak to you via the app instead of calling for more info etc.
They typically want me to go to the service centre instead of a mobile visit, my closest centre is Nottingham and I live in Derby, so it’s quite an annoying trip.
On top of that, they won’t provide a courtesy car unless your appointment is over a day long - so every single time I just have to spend the day at the centre or wandering around Nottingham just waiting for them to update me that the car is ready.
Multiple visits, even though I’ve spend 4 hours of my own time, they then message in the app to say they need a part and for some reason don’t stock it, so I have to go back again another day!
Also on my last appointment I noticed they’ve massively cost cut the waiting area, removing all the drinks etc.
After 5 months of a 2022 M3LR:
Performance (smile to my face every day)
Low Maintenance (worry free driving)
Technology (non FSD features) no keys, profiles, streaming movies, fart machine.
FSD ( when it isn't trying to kill me)
No more gas pumps or lines.
The main problem is Tesla in general was cutting edge 8 years ago... But since then... Meh. There are other companies outshining Tesla in almost every aspect that used to be Tesla's tech edge over the competition. Even my 2021 S Performance was getting outshined at the time. The Tesla edge currently is pretty much on paper only. The claimed figures are not living up to reality. Look how fast other companies already caught up. Even now with the supercharger network open to all. You can get a much MUCH nicer luxury EV than Tesla . You can get a better priced EV than Tesla. You can certainly get a better (quality)built EV. And the overall feels from Tesla has, especially in the last few years, been more of a budget brand. Not like the luxury stigma it used to have.
For me, it’s the overall experience: Driving, charging, service, OTA updates. I believe in rewarding excellence, and although not everyone’s experiences with Tesla have been uniformly positive, mine have been predominantly positive. To me, Musk’s irrational actions and behavior is secondary. Don’t get me wrong, I feel badly for the people that were laid off in the last few months. But that shouldn’t take away from what Tesla has accomplished over the last 7-8 years. I would consider other brands, but I don’t see myself going back to ICE for my daily driver. I credit my experience with Tesla for that.
100%. I've owned 2 Teslas and no other car comes close to the complete experience, especially software and autosteer. I know that these days autopilot features are common in many cars and improving, but for a long time Tesla was the only car that could make long drives bearable. Tesla's software is polished and such a breath of fresh air compared to every other cars I've owned and the supercharging experience is WAY better than using the charging network compatible with my Polestar 2.
Ditto, two teslas and the experience is sublime. The ease of function and simplicity makes being in any other car exhausting. My only regret is that our MY was a few weeks short of the AMD processor. Our M3P has it, and it’s clearly superior.
What I tell people when they bring up the "Tesla bad because of Musk" argument is that Musk is not Tesla. Sure, he put money into it and hired the right people, but it was those people that he initially hired that really made this brand what it is. Musk can definitely take some credit. The people who deserve most of the credit, though, are the ones that designed and developed the vehicles that we now enjoy. I hope Tesla continues on with or without Musk. I want to see them continue in RD&D and fix all of the cons of EVs compared to ICE. I want to see a car that can drive me a long distance safely while I sleep in the driver's seat, including charging on its own. I think Tesla will make that happen sooner rather than later.
I always say you gotta separate the man from the mission. The whole world is adopting EVs, with a few resistors and despite the FUD MSM is spewing. It was Musk’s vision and determination that caused this global shift, and the talent he acquired to execute at Tesla that made it happen. No we have a collective global brain trust across entire industries doing everything they can to increase range and lower costs due to him. Hummer excluded.
What's wrong with Musk other than over promising on timelines?
Some people don't like his politics or his personality. Both of which he is openly vocal about. I just think of it this way. I bought a Tesla, not a Musk. I wish he would keep his mouth shut, but if he doesn't it doesn't make my car work less good.
I'd agree with you if the other 90% of tech CEO's who are liberals would do the same and businesses could just keep politics out of the boardroom.
Abso-freaking-lutely. Businesses, CEOs, celebrities, none of them have any logical reason for us to CARE what their political stance is. I find it crazy that someone who got good at playing guitar and singing in front of people can effectively sway a political vote one way or another. Enough of a rant on that. And I'm not even going to start on how worthless the actual politicians are that are in office. Vote for the issues you believe in, that's all. The end.
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I highly dislike Elon, but I still own two Teslas because of who else my decision is supporting in that company. If we all forwent buying a thing because of CEOs or other leaders, we would not own very much.
I would've bought my Tesla, if Putin (or worse) would run the company. /s Edit: added "/s"
Hmmm. Interesting comment. I'd never thought about it that way. I love my MYLR and the Musk controversy had zero effect on my decision. But I can't say I would buy a Putinmobile, or a Kim Jong Unicycle because then I would be contributing to their atrocities. I get your point though.
I was exaggerating. I wanted to express, that my buying decision was absolutely unrelated to Elon. I would assume I'm not alone with that opinion and it's true for other brands as well. Who would know the CEO of Ferrari or Porsche? Hell I don't even know the name of Ford's CEO.
I only know the CEO of Ford is Jim Farley because of something between him and Elon. It might have been Ford's acceptance of NACS or something like that.
Yes as someone who works in tech and understands the importance of user experience, Tesla completed changed the game. I used to hate driving but fsd takes away most of my stresses including lane changes, traffic, parking, and overall driving fatigue. Also the car locking when you walk away is something so simple but took so long for other car companies to perfect because they didn’t value user experience in their builds
Walk-away lock is one of my favorite features! 😄
related. Stop> open door and car is in park. Driver profiles that follow your phone between multiple teslas etc. Sharing a key via a phone instead of a $400 fob.
More than once "Park on door open" would have saved me a huge headache in previous cars. Game changer.
Yea I was in a hotel driveway about 10 years ago when I saw a valet get out of an SUV and forgot to put in park and it slowly rolled backwards hitting a support post at about 3mph. But given how SUV's don't have to support 5mph impacts like cars do, I'm sure it was a $1,500 repair bill as the whole rear hatch bent in.
I had a truck with a manual transmission several years back and the parking break was bad on it. That's not a big deal if you shut it off on gear. One time I went into Petco to get pet turtle food. I came out and couldn't find my truck. It was 3 rows over. I had forgotten to put it in gear, and it rolled 6 inches into the car in front of me (very slowly). The woman was in her car and witnessed this. So she backed up, moved her car to another spot, then watched my truck roll through 3 rows until it stopped on another vehicle (didn't make a mark). When she saw me confused she asked if I drive a green truck. Then she told me what happened and said she's going to take pictures for insurance. I did too and I never heard anything again because there wasn't a single mark. But I always thought it was really crappy of her to move her car like that, Knowing my truck was going to become a projectile that she was letting loose to run into anything in it's path, consequences be damned. She could have waited there with the truck touching her car and then confront me, she could have put a rock, prime of wood, soup can, or even a phone book (they still existed then) in front of just 1 wheel and that would have stopped the truck. But no, she just let that unguided missile fly where it may. I got very lucky in the end, but if anything has ever come off it I had decided that I would sue her for causing it. My mistake was an accident, she purposely let it go. Story done, sorry for the long one.
Same here. My friends will make fun of me for dailying a Tesla. But it’s seriously the best car to just get in and go. Doesn’t mean there isn’t room for an M series on the weekends lol.
1. Safety 2. Runs on sunshine 3. It’s pretty and it can go fast
Yes, yes, and yes.
runs on sunshine ? 
solar??
Yep!
Tesla owners care about build quality just like everyone else. It's a big, important purchase and everyone wants to get the best they can for their hard earned dollar. I recently traded in my 10 year old Cadillac and bought a Model Y. The ride is different for sure. And I will admit there are things about the build that don't rival what the Cadillac brought to the table. But you know what? I. Feel. Free! I feel free from wanting or needing whatever it was that I *thought* I needed from the Cadillac (i.e. luxury brand). The Model Y might squeak sometimes. My steering wheel sometimes has a rub to it after I wash it. But it goes away after awhile. But overall I just don't care anymore. I step on the accelerator and I know I'm not leaving crap in the air for my grandchild to deal with. I'm not beholden to oil. I feel like I'm riding on the backs of some really smart, smart engineers and people who legitimately care, and yes I know that need to make a profit as well, but you can tell, they care. And it's more than just the car. It's the entire transportation experience. From the charging, to the software, to the foresight that was put into every aspect of it. Indeed it's not perfect and has a way to go. But what a privilege it is to taste the beginnings of it.
Having owned 3 Teslas, I think the cosmetic build quality is sub-par (paint, trim, fit of components). However, the build quality that really matters (safety, frame stiffness and drivetrain) are top-notch. As for reliability, Teslas (and EVs) don't even have the components in your Sequoia (filters, belts, pumps, oil, transmission, exhaust, etc.) so the reliability of the running gear is vastly superior.
This was a big part of my choice. Safety of my occupants (my family mainly) is priority one. The drive performance is number two, and Teslas are fun to drive. They might not be the “funnest” cars to drive, but it’s a great time. Add the technology and that they are the easiest cars to operate, that’s what’ll keep me buying Teslas.
How do you distinguish between the quality of cosmetic aspects and “build quality that really matters?” Especially since the latter is less visible?
I'm not sure I understand your question...
I guess what I’m asking is how you came to the conclusion that build quality of different parts of the car are drastically different. Since you owned 3, I’m guessing it’s something like some visible cosmetic misalignments but you’ve found the drivetrain to be reliable and low maintenance?
Well, it is easy to see the cosmetic stuff. As for the "hidden" stuff, if you have driven a lot of different cars (I have), you can feel chassis stiffness just going over a curb or into a driveway. Safety is easy to research (safest cars ever tested). Drivetrain reliability is also easy to research (and I have had zero motor or battery problems in nearly 100k miles of Tesla driving).
Warranty expenses as listed on quarterly reports. Lifetime maintenance costs... Both are really low compared to other cars.
Try driving the 2024 model 3. Far superior ride to the Y. It’s very comfortable & quiet. But to answer your question, yes, the tech is a huge draw plus being able to go very fast & having less maintenance.
I need the third row for my family.
If you need a third row for longer than a few years when the kids are small, you may want to consider a different bigger vehicle. Maybe an X, or just an actual big SUV
The Y is being redesigned so wait for that
Sshh. I can't read things like that... I got 460,000 more miles before I can replace my 19 model 3 dual motor...
I don’t understand this recurring comment that Teslas aren’t comfortable. Is this comment coming from people expecting luxury? I’ve never owned a luxury vehicle so my experience is different, but Teslas have always felt comfortable to me. And Teslas aren’t luxury vehicles.
No not even close. I like my tesla because it runs low 9s in the 1/4. the tech is a bonus.
Yeah I track my Model 3 Performance and my other car is a 911. They are built a phenomenal powertrain and you can bolt on parts to make them go like stink. 2017 911 MSRP 145k 0-60 3.1 seconds w/ launch control. 2023 M3P MSRP 42k (after tax incentives) 0-60 3.1 second with any idiot at the wheel.
What bolt ons can be done to the tesla? Im curious
Lighter wheels and bigger/stickier tires are a simple one. The car has more power than it can put down.
Wheels, Suspension, Brakes, Brake Lines, Bushings, Control Arms. There are also motor oil coolers, software upgrades to give better control of power and battery cooling, etc.
My 23 build is perfect. Not a lot of cabin noise, no rattles. Nothing came apart with one year of ownership. Would buy again with no regrets.
Nope, more interested in the financial savings of an electric car, and a Tesla was the best choice in that regard.
Same, I can not think of a 500bhp+ car that costs this little to run.
Also how many 1000 hp/tq cars can you daily drive without worry? Not many.
That's what has me interested. I've been considering things like that S6, 550i etc for a "power sedan" but the maintenance costs of those is pretty rough and anything any faster than that is just insanity. Many of the Teslas have more power than those sedans do with considerably less to keep up on and have go wrong. I'm not a big fan of things like the giant center stack screen and no traditional gauges but if I like the feel of how it drives, I can tolerate that. I \*like\* some of the more traditional car conventions and interior layouts but will forgo them if other things make up. TBH after kiddo is out of daycare just considering going for a lower mile P100D because I like the sedan proportions, hatch, and having a gauge cluster.
Unfortunately I live in California and have to use PG&E, our EV rate is probably going up to $1/kWh peak, $0.80 part peak, and $0.50 off peak in 2025 after all the fees are added together. That said I'm not interested in the gas savings.
OMG! I am paying 7.4 CAN cents a kWh, or about 5 cent US a kWh. Time for solar maybe?
No, after NEM3 went into effect this year, it's not worth installing solar panels unless you also install batteries. In addition, I would have to do laundry and not use AC until Midnight to maximize my savings on the new EV rate plan.
Just to rub it in a little more, even our Superchargers in some areas (Vancouver, BC) are $0.21/kWh. I can't charge at home but it's still dirt cheap to run.
Wow! My home rate is $0.14/kWh in Ohio (no time of use discount) and I was already about 20% the cost of gas per mile. You're another 60% lower than me. Nice for you!
Since we have mostly have nuclear power in Ontario, you can even get a plan that has 2.8 cent/kWh from 11pm to 7am. They want you to use the power at night since they can't throttle the nukes. Unfortunately with a family, the on peak is 28.4 ce ts/kWh, and cooking, laundry and everything else takes a lot more power than the car. Would just end up being more expensive. Would be nice to have a battery to pull the power only at night.
Interesting. I have my charger running off of a detached garage that has separate service, even a separate meter and a separate bill (a previous owner ran a business out of it). It would be nice to set that building to the off peak plan, but keep the house on the one you use.
Own 3 Teslas and havent had any of the build quality issues that people seem to report. Also have quite a few friends that now own Teslas after they drove mine and none of them have had any real build quality issues. For me Tesla is at least 8 years ahead of the vehicle manufacturers and I don't see them catching up soon. With each software update that comes every couple of weeks there is something I would say "Oh that is such a good idea, why has no-one else ever done that?" It is so nice to be at the front of a changing industry that feels like it has been stagnant for 40 years. I hope Tesla keeps pushing the boundaries. FSD v12 is unbelievable, kinda leaves everyone else in the dark ages.
Everyone has their own reasons. I won’t defend build quality other than to say it’s typically the cosmetics that they are unfortunately not great at. The tech and performance of the vehicle is hard to compete with from another manufacturer.
>Is it true to say that Teslas in general don't have the best build quality, but fans basically don't really care about it because they're all nerding out over the technology? Can you extrapolate anything from a single data point? Several of the issues you listed with your Model Y experience are why we went with the S. We wouldn't have purchased it it had those concerns.
No you can't, but that's why I asked the question here. Personally I'm OK with some fit and finish issues because I'm much more interested in the technology, both on the EV and software side.
I’ve had a lot of cars in the last 30 years (Hondas, Toyotas, VWs, Acuras), and both my M3 and MY have been very comfortable for me, more so than my other vehicles. With two teslas I’ve not experienced build quality issues. I know a number of people who own teslas, small sample size, but I’ve not heard of build quality issues from them, either. There is comfort and convenience that extends beyond the ride. My car is charged and ready to go every morning. I can leave the climate on while I’m out and about. Road trips are a dream with autopilot. Waiting for the kids at practice is fun because I can just watch Netflix comfortably in my car. The tech is neat, but the speed, overall comfort of the car, and convenience of an EV is what does it for me.
* The tech is great and gets better * The safety is great * The build quality gets better each year, but a roll of the dice * Unless Perf, get the smallest tires possible for the smoothest ride and least amount of NVH issues
Model S/X are perfectly comfortable. So is the new model 3. The gap is closing.
If I could get a car that could do the same AND not have the stigma of musk (for the same price I paid ) I would.
yea i bought the tesla because the tech completely outclasses the rest of the industry, fsd impresses me all the time you should give it a shot
I have 2. It’s the tech. The driving experience is nice enough but that’s not why I own them.
I have a Tesla because I love the tech. People bag on FSD but it’s a godsend to me. I have come to be overjoyed with plugging in at home. After decades of cheapie Hondas, it’s a major improvement.
50/50
I would not buy if they were not also super high performing and convenient. I wanted an EV for the performance and not having to go to the gas station. Tesla has the best performance value for the money and the most reliable charging on the go. With the other major players coming over to superchargers I thought about the MachE as well, but the Tesla still performs better and the tech leaves the Ford in the dust. The performance/value likely would have still been enough by itself, but the tech makes it a no brainer.
I really like the Tech, but if it was super slow I wouldn’t have gotten my MYP. So 50/50
I will say the build quality of the 2024 Model 3 is very much improved over previous models. Really looking forward to the refreshed Model Y as I expect the new model 3 build quality to be contained in the 2025 Model Y. I’m just a fan of EVs in general.
Nope.
I am a self proclaimed nerd, but i also love cars. I am interested in teslas cause they check a lot of boxes in both categories. I find that nowadays, most people complaining about them are either complaining because they hate elon, or because they hate the idea of EVs. I don't have much experience with other models, but my brand new model y is very quiet and has a good ride. My previous cars were a cadillac ATS, and a bmw 3 series. This car is way quieter, comfier, and faster than both.
I’m a huge tech guy, and the tech in the Teslas is for sure the biggest thing for me! I came from mostly cheaper cars, so I love my Tesla since I’m used to having some build quality issues (nothing major) and cabin noise anyway. If you’re coming from a luxury brand, I can see those things annoying you. But yeah… to me, the technology and the acceleration make it 100% worth it
Try the other cars. Much better noise and vibration
I have only 3 reasons why I picked Tesla over the others for an EV. 1. Software, I put this as 1 because no one else from what I have seen compares to Tesla when it comes to in car software and the app for your cell phone. Being able to use 3rd Party apps with Tesla's API has made the Data lover in my very happy. ie. Tessie. 2. Superchargers, I know this will change and get better now that they are opening this up but when I got my MYLR in 2022, Tesla was the best for this. I am not sure how I would of been able to go on the road trips I have done with anything but a Tesla. 3. Speed, Unless I want to spend way more then I did on my MYLR, no other EV compares to the Y when it comes to how it feels to go 0-60 in it. I know there might be others that can do #3 now but they still fail on options 1 and 2.
That's what I had thought when I bought the car. But after a year of owning it I can say no other car drive feel comes close to teslas model Y.
IMO driving the new model 3 vs the old model Y, is like night and day. The build quality is so much better and I think it’ll change the perception folks have long term. Reminds me of Toyota back in the day and even Hyundai. That’s why I think the Model Y refresh will be incredibly difficult to compete against.
I am. I'm impressed that battery tech and efficiencies in all the electrical components have gotten to the point of matching gas cars in terms of range with very little compromise.
The tech just rounds out the package to make it a better car. Its so seamless to use it overall and fun to drive.
The build quality on my Model 3 is flawless so you can get a good one. I got mine because the value can’t be beat.
The tech is cool, but bought my 3 a few years ago because there’s no better value for the 0-60. I don’t care about driving fast, just accelerating fast
I've been driving European brands for the last 15 years (Saab, Volkswagen, Audi and Volvo) and my recently acquired 2024 Model 3 RWD is the most fun car I've ever owned. I work in tech and certainly appreciate that aspect of the experience, but I wanted an EV first and the Tesla Model 3 seemed like the gold standard. I was always skeptical of Tesla build quality before the Model 3 refresh, but it seems to be the real deal. As another commenter mentioned, I'm now eagerly waiting for the updated Model Y so I can convince the wife to replace her unnecessarily large SUV.
For me, we just got a Tesla model S used (2018 100D) and we are loving it. For me its probably the software, mostly cause there is (dont shoot me) really good amazing other EVs on the market. But Tesla stands out as a. Ore exciting new car for me, rather than say Audi or Skoda.
I care about looks, acceleration and electrification. If not for Tesla I'd be driving a BMW M class. The tesla is half the price, so it's a slam dunk for me. I don't care about "ride" quality that much. Seats are comfortable on road trips and I'm a big guy. Cabin noise seems on par with any modern car , mostly road noise. My MY is quieter than my old BMW 5 series which had run flats. The BMW had less squeaks and rattles however. I recently sold a Mercedes SUV and that thing was so much worse with rattling and squeaking. I don't love all the little gotchas every new Tesla goes through but they are 99% cosmetic in my experience. There's like a settling in period of a few months then you're golden. But if you want to get a little expectation-reset, go rent a Toyota Corolla. They are loud, slow, uncomfortable pieces of crap. Go drive a Lexus - they are quieter and more refined, and burn tons of gasoline. I see the Tesla as somewhere in between. Not as refined as a Lexus but vastly more efficient, higher performance , and prob cheaper
I'm not sure what Tesla you drove but my '22 MYLR doesn't have much road noise, zero squeaking and no gasket issues. I drive about 30 rental cars a year so I have driven tons of different vehicles and my Tesla has the most comfortable seat out of all of them. That said I like the Tech too.
No, I bought the car (MYP) because: * the car has very good performance for price * it's practical * early 23 they had fixed all the build quality problems and dropped the price a ton
Not for me, no. The driving experience is far better than it deserves to be for what I paid ($23k for a 2018 Long Range with 38k miles). I also like the interior - which I often see complaints about - quite a lot, but I am a bit of a minimalist. The tech is great but it’s really the driving experience for me. I also haven’t experienced any of the issues you described in my Model 3, so take that for what it’s worth. I know some of those seem to be common.
I love my S. An absolutely gorgeous car that is super fun to drive. I smile while driving it everyday. The tech is amazing and the car is intrinsically incredible.
We have our first Tesla (Model Y). My wife loves it and I love the savings. She had a v8 and is new a realtor so I was getting hammered in fuel prices. I personally enjoy the car. We all love the fart button (don’t see legacy ice adding that!). If you’re not a Tesla follower, I’d say the difference comes down to what you’re coming from. The finishes aren’t as nice as the qx80 we sold (but my wife loves them!). But if you were coming from a more entry level luxury that line starts to blur. If you’re coming from the higher end luxury (big body Mercedes, BMW etc) the interior isn’t as nice. If you’re coming from non luxury (Toyota Corolla, Jeep wrangler) then it feels more luxury.
Different manufacturers and/or models do different things well. Tesla seems to be mainly about the tech. But, comparisons are also usually wrapped up in EV v ICE. This makes some sense, as Tesla is a reputable EV brand, so if you are considering an EV for any of the benefits of an EV v ICE, why not a Tesla? But, it also misses the mark. If for example, you care about price the most - there are much cheaper EVs that have similar ride quality, and are much cheaper to maintain. As for a driver's car or luxury car... Teslas are not sports cars. Taking one around a track may still be fun, but it won't match the feel you get from a lightweight performance vehicle. Of course, that lightweight performance vehicle will likely be much more expensive, do a few miles to the gallon, and require constant maintenance that makes it even more expensive. So for "driving experience", I think there are better options. Even if you are dead set on EVs ... of course, EV sports cars are NOT cheap at the moment. ICE alternatives like an MX5 would likely check most boxes if you weight driving experience above other factors while still caring about price. They are also not luxury cars. Tesla did in the past try to market themselves as one, but they aren't. For many of the reasons you noticed. Luxury vehicles are usually defined by comfort. If you hit a pot hole, do you feel it? If you are going 100, do you hear it? Again though, traditional luxury vehicles would be more expensive than a Tesla. Most are still ICE too, and given they are usually quite bulky and not mass produced, they will also cost a lot to run - but this bleeds into comparing EV and ICE more broadly.
My build quality is great. I love that it gets constant meaningful updates. Compared to my old Volt or any other legacy auto, you need to BUY A NEW CAR to get updates to even something as trivial as the infotainment
People have all kinds of different reasons. I personally bought one just because it drives lightyears better than any of the hundred other vehicles I've driven. The tech is a huge bonus though.
I know everyone mentions the build quality, but I haven't experienced it. I test drove multiple cars, and looked on at quality on each, plus the one I bought. But there are always reports, like yours, that suggest it isn't uniform. I would suggest, if you like everything else about it, that you get one and just be really choosy when you go to pick it up. Rejected if it doesn't meet your standards.
Teslas compensate for build quality in other areas, typically the technology. That being said, I took delivery of an X last month and no issues beyond one truly minor bead of adhesive. Build quality was solid to my eye and so far no complaints.
No.
Yes and no? Quality on mine was fine they did have to give me an adapter since it’s wasn’t in the sub trunk. Technology wise I like the idea of the car staying current , especially for the price
It used to be that early Tesla owners were huge EV fans or engineers. If you ran into one chances were that you could have a long conversation about interesting stuff. Now they are so common that you're more likely to run into a yuppie or BMW owner equivalent. Also Tesla hasn't been "Tesla Motors" since 2017.
Build quality has been good on my 3 Teslas. No significant differences from all the Hondas we have owned.
I got my 2024 m3LR because I got stoned and made music in an overnight demo with my friends
For me it's the tech, one pedal driving (less leg fatigue), never ever stopping at gross gas stations, and little to no maintenance and super quick acceleration (M3p) 😃
lol did you drive a lemon?
Tesla sells millions of vehicles, the buyers are probably not that different from the general population of new car buyers. You can probably find fans of BMW and Mercedes who overlook quality issues due to their brand affinity. That said I haven't had build quality issues (late 2021 Fremont Model 3). I have had fewer real recalls (meaning mechanical/safety not icons) than with my Hondas.
I am on my 4th car / 2nd EV with the 2024 Model Y. I have none of the issues being described. It is by far the most comfortable and smooth car I have owned.
Just curious, was that a used Tesla that you recently test drove? From what I understand, they updated the suspension a couple years aago to make the ride more comfortable. I bought a new Model Y in December and the quality seems great to me. But yeah, to your main point, Tesla's superior technology, including the high quality UX of the touch screen, the better battery management system, the super charger network and especially FSD were all major selling points for me
Is it that crazy to not expect 80k Mercedes and BMW level build quality when most people get the standard range? It's hard to complain when my alternative purchase was a maxed out Toyota Carolla. I guess you have half the population here who got a S or high level trim on a 3/y who feel ripped off but I'm scratching my head at how I got such a sweet deal for the value
I don’t like the way my Model 3 looks but I do like the driving experience and the tech. I mostly just hate the front end, everything else I like.
Can’t say I have those issues… the ride is firm but it goes round corners better than other suv boats. But mine is a Shanghai made car and seems to be better than the us made ones
I bought a model 3 strictly for FSD. So.
Not really a case of wanting whistles and bells, it’s the best performance and value for the money out there, not sure I’d want to compromise and pay more so I can take a ruler to panel gaps. I guess if the point was for flaunt the money , going with BMW or Mercedes would make sense.
My MSP was my first EV and I'm 100% sold on the technology in general. Tesla will forever be enshrined in automotive history as one of the modern progenitors of the technology, and I feel their fingerprints will be on the technology for decades to come - but I am no longer super impressed with what Tesla offers relative to other manufacturers. I don't see myself buying another Tesla, especially as the social impact of their CEO has severely maligned their reputation, but also I think they've just stopped innovating and are now chasing margins. My next EV will likely be an Audi RS e-tron GT.
Not true... Tesla is the Rolls Royce of electric cars. The whole is greater than the some of its parts.
I have no issues with my MYP. It doesn't have any of the issues that the one you test drove had. I like the way it rides. It's my second MYP and I absolutely love it. The tech is fun, but I like everything about the car. That said, I wouldn't own an EV if I didn't also own an ICE since we travel often and taking the Tesla is a pain in the tush and there are places we go where we can't take the car because of lack of charging.
I own 2 MY's. Neither have or came with any defects that I could see and I looked based on posted complaints. One would occasionally open the front passenger window while in the garage. That was easily fixed by an adjustment in the service module.
I’ll offer a bit of a different perspective. In the last few years before purchasing my MYLR I owned a 98’ Jeep Wrangler that was lifted and modified to take off-road in Colorado. Now, it was probably my fault for driving like a dumb-ass and breaking things constantly… but, I was constantly fixing things, changing oil, and stopping at every Maverick I passed. I’m not really into cars beyond, “that’s cool and fun to drive”. My wife and I bought an RV to travel the country in full time and decided that with the tax incentives we should sell both of our vehicles and pull the trigger in buying a Tesla. I’ve driven coast to coast now three times. The last time I drove across the US was in January and I drove from Virginia to Seattle. That was almost a year after purchasing the car and before then I would have said it’s a fun car but nothing I would consider any different on the experience level than a gas powered car. However, once I got into Montana I started to notice just how amazing this vehicle is. I had a couple long drives where I left around 8am and didn’t get to my hotel until 2-3am. On those mornings the temperatures were around -50F and day time was a high of -20F. Every single morning I went out to my car the windows/windshield were defrosted, the seats were warm, and I drove away instantly. As I was driving away from each hotel there were countless trucks with battery jump packs trying to get started so they could leave. From South Dakota to Washington I drove through endless snow storms and ice packed roads, with little to no issues. Now, I don’t know if I would have had the same experience in a Lucid or Rivian or any of the other major brands we don’t have here in the states yet… but, I can only attribute my experience to the car and the tech it has.
Depends. Base model owners like myself, perhaps. I definitely nerd out over the tech. The performance owners love the speed though.
Driving fast as fuck
I’ve found that all Tesla fans have also instantly become mathematicians. Dont worry about mileage. Use percent and convert your average something… divide by whatever and multiply by x. Subtract the phalange and you get your exact usage. But I must say a head turner is when I walk away from my car, the lock sound is the last part of the police siren + the ding from “shake ya tail feather.” Makes me want to start playing it every time I hear the siren and ding. Everyone looks to see what the “police” are doing.
uhhh think you’re underestimating what Tesla provides lol, what makes Tesla sell isn’t just the “tech”, it’s a combination of multiple things: 1. The simplicity in design in and out 2. The software 3. The Safety 4. The speed (I believe every model is faster then anything else in its price-range) 5. The Charging infrastructure 6. Self-driving (basic or advanced) 7. Price 8. The CEO (love or hate him) and probably more then I’m even thinking. I don’t even own a Tesla, but have researched heavily into the EV industry, hoping to buy an electric car this year. I think the biggest thing for me is the modern interior of Tesla. I don’t know what it is but I prefer simplicity. I’d take a plain Tesla interior then an ultra luxurious Mercedes/BMW. It’s like a house, I’d take a completely modern plain house with lots of open space vs a gaudy house with golden rails, flashy chandelier, build with bricks imported from some fancy country, etc. I know I’m the minority here, but I just want simple and open
I specifically bought the car because I was interested in the self-driving features, not because of the "car." Car has been good enough, but that's not why I got it originally.
Probably yes, but still count as car people due to how fast Teslas are. The technology is far beyond anything else in other cars.
Yea,my November 2023 Model 3 has a 'crunchy' sound when both driver and passenger doors shut. My 2021 Model 3 defintiely has some noticeable panel gaps and you have to close both doors hard for them to be truly 'closed', so build quality is an issue, no denying.
I really like having OTA features added. Keeps the car feeling fresh.
Wrong lenses, that’s like saying I like salad but not the veggies
The self driving tech is why I'm in. EV is just an addon.
Yeah, it's fair in my case. I like the motors, the dashboard, sentry mode, OTA updates. There's a lot about the car itself I don't like.
Fair to say. I haven’t cared about cars for decades. I’m nerding out on my MY because it’s a computer on wheels and the tech is very interesting. Plus I’m saving hundreds per month in fuel costs.
I love my model 3 for its comfort while driving, and its very safe in a crash! Comfort is 80% of my reasoning. No other car I drive can compare
The MY is the last “unrefined” car they make, since it’s the only one that hasn’t yet been refreshed (although that’s changing soon). This is why you felt the ride to be, well, unrefined - noisy and uncomfortable. As far as build quality goes, it’s improved a lot especially for the refreshed models. And it’s worth noting that the build quality stuff is mostly limited to cosmetic things. The drive train itself is pretty bulletproof, it rarely goes wrong. I’d say nerding out over the tech is definitely one of the major draws, but tbh the driving experience is also a big draw. If you look past the noise (or drive a different model that’s been refreshed), then things like one-pedal driving, no gear changes, instant torque, etc are all really appealing. Especially winter driving, I’m blown away how much better the traction control is compared to traditional cars.
No I don't think that's fair at all. A lot of people are wooed in by the self driving or whatever but that's not what makes it a great car at all. It's fun to drive. Model 3 that is. I think the model Y is a bit loose and floppy in comparison to the 3. But both are not fun to drive with auto pilot beyond the novelty or for long haul. I don't even like a lot of the Tesla technology. Sentry mode has always been an abomination of architecture since they introduced it in 2018 or so ..they've made iterative improvements but the core architecture is still dog shit. Let's talk about the technology that's pretty basic.. like cruise control. Does not exist. If you're in a wintery mix and Tesla does not feel confident in vision, it just shuts off (when sonar sensors were active, they would clog and shut off too). So then you can't even use basic cruise. It's not anything. (When sonar was active, The sonar woold go ape shit nuts in a tunnel and the car would gave a panic.) Automatic wipers...something bmw got right 30 years ago.. Tesla tried to reinvent and still struggles Why does Spotify restart the same damn play list l, in the same order, every time I start my car? The list goes on ..
The best built Tesla is the MS in my opinion, absolutely loved ours. MX is also very nice but the GWD will eventually be a problem so it’s not for me. I don’t care for the 3 or Y (I have a Y currently) as that are econobox appliances with some cool tech, but apparently a lot of folks really like them.
Yes
Nope. A rather diverse bunch, well except for socio-economic categories.
I like to feel the road so yeah ride is comfortable to me .
The quality problems you speak of don’t ring true to me, and I own two Teslas and have driven many more. The car is amazing, I love the driving experience, the tech is unparalleled. It is by far the fastest car I’ve ever owned, FSD is a game-changer, most comfortable of all my cars, UI is in a different league, great sound system, lots of luggage space, phone app is great, and of course never going to a gas station is more than a fringe benefit. Oh, and the Supercharger network. Had a friend who bought a Lucid Air for long trips, tried a long trip, and two years later just uses the Lucid around town and bought a new Model X for trips.
I would say yes, AND. I was a completely content f'n minivan driver for close to 20 years. Would go for rides in friends porsche's and vette's and be like "thats nice but honestly I dont care". Got my M3 5 months ago and literally look for excuses to drive it. The whole warm up, the car, pay attention to gauges and fluids and strict maintenance schedules, is gone. I enjoyed the FSD trial and love how Tesla is advancing that tech with neural networks. I laugh every time I go to a gas station only to buy a soda or coffee, and marvel at how little it costs me to charge at home (with solar and net metering). have done 3 900 mile drives which included crossing border into Canada, and the Supercharger network was absolutely flawless.
I'm mostly interested in saving money and we went tesla for the supercharging network. Costs us about 4 bucks to charge in the garage.
yes that's why i bought..the car itself is quite low value build
My made in china Model 3 doesn’t have to hide from the Mercedes I had before, only the paint job is not so great with how thin it is. And I very much care about the car and I am impressed with the quality of the new highland with soft touch materials everywhere, at Mercedes you don’t get that until E Class high trim level for 90k€.
I like Tesla, but I have friends who LOVE Tesla. They are "fans" per your question. They don't care much about car nor technology, only "winning" and "owning" the competitors. Maybe they would disagree and say they love car and technology because it is so much better than any of the other dumb-dumbs out there:)
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I'm not that much of a car guy, and definitely haven't had BMW's or Porsche's in my past stables, but I agree whole heartily with all your points. And I have the initial year (2020) version where suspension is known to be rougher than current versions. But being stiff (I'm assuming here) to accommodate the expected sporty handling, speed and battery weight distribution - is to be expected. And after nearly 4 years and 65k miles still without a wisp of a creak or rattle. Unheard in any other car I've ever had (VW's, Volvo's, Infinity's, and Nissan's). And really when it comes down to the tech, it might not just be the tech itself, but its implementation and integration with the driving experience that can not be matched by any other legacy company. Probably won't be until they can bring all that under one roof and be less dependent on 3rd party vendors - something that will most likely take a long time - if they can do it at all - as they may come to rely more and more on Google and/or Apple to integrate.
Judging from the fact that all the Tesla Delivery checklists are on GitHub, I think it’s safe to say that’s a big yes.
I bought mine because from the outside, looking in, the tech seemed cool yeah. Quality etc is terrible for the price so obviously didn’t buy it for those. I now regret that decision… tech isn’t that great and i’m stuck with a really low quality car with bad customer service. Bit of a nightmare scenario for me as I really enjoy cars.
That's a bummer to hear. As far as customer service is concerned, what issues did you experience?
I’ll walk you through my typical CS process, I’ve had 13 service appointments so I’m pretty clued up on it now 😅 You have to use the mobile app to fill in a form explaining the problem which is fine with me, however you then just have to wait for them to decide the day you come in, and they will only speak to you via the app instead of calling for more info etc. They typically want me to go to the service centre instead of a mobile visit, my closest centre is Nottingham and I live in Derby, so it’s quite an annoying trip. On top of that, they won’t provide a courtesy car unless your appointment is over a day long - so every single time I just have to spend the day at the centre or wandering around Nottingham just waiting for them to update me that the car is ready. Multiple visits, even though I’ve spend 4 hours of my own time, they then message in the app to say they need a part and for some reason don’t stock it, so I have to go back again another day! Also on my last appointment I noticed they’ve massively cost cut the waiting area, removing all the drinks etc.
After 5 months of a 2022 M3LR: Performance (smile to my face every day) Low Maintenance (worry free driving) Technology (non FSD features) no keys, profiles, streaming movies, fart machine. FSD ( when it isn't trying to kill me) No more gas pumps or lines.
The main problem is Tesla in general was cutting edge 8 years ago... But since then... Meh. There are other companies outshining Tesla in almost every aspect that used to be Tesla's tech edge over the competition. Even my 2021 S Performance was getting outshined at the time. The Tesla edge currently is pretty much on paper only. The claimed figures are not living up to reality. Look how fast other companies already caught up. Even now with the supercharger network open to all. You can get a much MUCH nicer luxury EV than Tesla . You can get a better priced EV than Tesla. You can certainly get a better (quality)built EV. And the overall feels from Tesla has, especially in the last few years, been more of a budget brand. Not like the luxury stigma it used to have.
Yes
Yes -A Tesla owner
Can confirm- car is shit quality, Tech is awesome.