Tesla Test Drive

[Bumbo]

I test drove the dual motor extended range Model 3 this past weekend.

It was certainly a different driving experience, pretty pleasurable overall. Overall the car feels and handles pretty well, better than I thought it would. The electric motor was fun to drive, having all that torque is pretty awesome, something I could get used to.

The software on this thing is really something else… really does feel like the future. Autopilot was definitely the star of the show but very unnerving for a first timer. I know other manufactures are making EVs, but I haven’t seen anything else that can complete.

Even if you don’t have any intention of buying one, you should test drive it if you want a glimpse into the future of driving. Being of the generation that actually knows what dial up internet sounds like, it brings me back to a time when I first got to experience that technology. I can see how/why people drink the Elon Musk coolaid.

I don’t think I would ever sell the 4Runner, but wouldn’t mind one of these in the garage too.

 

[JAXJeremy]

A buddy of mine bought the model 3 a few months back and let me take it for a spin the 2nd day he had it. Like you, I was impressed with the instant torque, and I can appreciate the technology, but otherwise, it's not the car for me.

 

[Bumbo]

Same as you, my first exposure came from a friend who recently bought one. He commutes about 2 hours a day in CA traffic, and daily drove a 2500HD diesel. The amount of money he saving in fuel makes it easy to justify, plus he is not really “driving” lol. Never seen someone actually enjoy their commute before in stop-and-go traffic.

I would totally buy one to replace my current sedan if it ever grenades, but I really enjoy not having a car payment and don’t drive enough to justify it. I would love to take people around, especially a lot of my older family members. I don’t think most would have ever thought stuff like this was possible in their lifetime.

Regardless if this is your thing or not, if you like tech, its pretty easy to appreciate.

 

[AKmoney]

I've had my Model 3 LR AWD for a year now. The car is phenomenal.

 

[Bumbo]

I've had my Model 3 LR AWD for a year now. The car is phenomenal.

What was the main selling point for you?

I'm fighting the urge, but its only a matter of time until I buy one.

 

[MSRP.]

Nothing but praise for the 3 days I had a model S rental in California this past summer.
LAX>Fresno>Shaver Lake > Lake Tahoe > Yosemite > Big Sur > LAX
Solo. Camping out the backseats and sleeping comfortably in AC or heat and only losing 6-10 miles of range overnight.
Slept during supercharger breaks
Would not be able to do the same trip without autopilot taking the majority of the boring slab miles
Eating snacks was a JOY!

The only things that prevent me from jumping into one as a primary/secondary vehicle to the 4R:
1. build quality (yuck)
2. insurance and body work through insurance (could be fix this week, orrrrrr maybe sometime this month)

They have ubers/taxi's with close to 3/4 of a Million miles on mostly OEM drivetrain components. Once the battery and motors are sorted (and replaced) under warranty due to early components, there are minimal unexpected issues beyond pesky door handle motors.

 

[AKmoney]

What was the main selling point for you?

I'm fighting the urge, but its only a matter of time until I buy one.

I was looking at Audis and BMWs and I decided to test drive the Model 3. The car blew me away. It handled and accelerated way better than a 340i or an S4. I didn't buy it because it ran on electricity. It's just a fantastic, all-around car. That being said, I love never having to go to gas stations, especially here in CA where premium gas costs $4.50/gal.

 

[RitsE]

tell me do you know how it will behave in the future ? how often does something in it fail and how long is the battery

 

[Bumbo]

Here we go... Model 3 Long Range / AWD Dual Motor on order.

 

[ElectroBoy]

Just wondering if you have charging setups in your home (also solar?), or do you only rely on supercharger stations?

 

[Bumbo]

Just wondering if you have charging setups in your home (also solar?), or do you only rely on supercharger stations?

That’s the part I am kind of excited about… the plan is to charge at home 95% of the time. My daily commute is 12 miles round trip assuming I don’t have to see clients; I can probably get away with charging off a standard 120v outlet, but I still want to install a 240v 40 amp outlet which I plan to do in the coming weeks just so I have the capability.

No solar and no plans for solar. If I need to visit a supercharger I will, but it will be rare.

 

[AKmoney]

Here we go... Model 3 Long Range / AWD Dual Motor on order.

Congrats on your car. It looks exactly like mine.

I've had it for 2+ years now. It's still awesome. Very satisfied with my overall ownership experience, even if I haven't been driving it as much due to the pandemic.

 

[Nobody Special]

Here we go... Model 3 Long Range / AWD Dual Motor on order.

3" lift?
Sliders?
Bumpers?
Roof racks?
Bottle jacks?

:flamethrwoer2::flamethrwoer2:

 

[CookieRoe]

I'm all for progress and stuff and will fully embrace electric cars, however, I'm going to trust Toyota/Honda, who have DECADES of experience on building cars. I don't doubt Telsa's cars are great and all, but I have to question quality problems associated with the model 3s and Xs. Don't get me started on them not giving the ability for other shops/owners to service their own car. Telsa does not share information to anyone as far as I know. That is MASSIVE turn off for me as well as dealbreaker. I'm sure I'm not the only ones who feels the same way. I've sat in all their models a number of times (King of Prussia mall still has their store open) and I continue to be unimpressed. Still, good luck with them!

 

[Bumbo]

I'm all for progress and stuff and will fully embrace electric cars, however, I'm going to trust Toyota/Honda, who have DECADES of experience on building cars. I don't doubt Telsa's cars are great and all, but I have to question quality problems associated with the model 3s and Xs. Don't get me started on them not giving the ability for other shops/owners to service their own car. Telsa does not share information to anyone as far as I know. That is MASSIVE turn off for me as well as dealbreaker. I'm sure I'm not the only ones who feels the same way. I've sat in all their models a number of times (King of Prussia mall still has their store open) and I continue to be unimpressed. Still, good luck with them!

You should research the "right to repair" Large companies like Apple are lobbying against it... really interesting, but doesn't stop people from taking the DIY approach.

Another individual worth watching when it comes to Tesla and its inner workings is Sandy Munro... Toyota, Honda, and many other car companies are buying his research on Tesla to learn from the brand.

It's only a matter of time till the gap starts to close but Tesla's rate of innovation still make them a force to be reckoned with. Most of these guys can barley copy their homework just trying to keep up.

Its going to be a really interesting next decade for automotive.

 

[CookieRoe]

You should research the "right to repair" Large companies like Apple are lobbying against it... really interesting, but doesn't stop people from taking the DIY approach.

Another individual worth watching when it comes to Tesla and its inner workings is Sandy Munro... Toyota, Honda, and many other car companies are buying his research on Tesla to learn from the brand.

It's only a matter of time till the gap starts to close but Tesla's rate of innovation still make them a force to be reckoned with. Most of these guys can barley copy their homework just trying to keep up.

Its going to be a really interesting next decade for automotive.

Here's the thing, if you attempt to fix the car yourself, apparently you get blacklisted. I understand large companies would rather you didn't try to FIY, that is where automakers (dealers) make money, but for the company to do that is outrageous. We shouldn't be forced to do a damn thing after we purchase their product. The warranty gets voided if you do, wow,.....so what. but blacklisted? Piss off, i say. Want a Tesla part? Good luck with that b/c you can only get it from them. Aftermarket part? Yeah, no (no soup for you).

As far as Apple, my wife continues to use the iPhone, where I am thoroughly enjoying my Galaxy S9 plus. I was an iphone user for 10 years and just got sick of the apple bs. Android just works best for me and for what I use it for. Same will be for cars, I won't buy a Tesla b/c of the lack of quality and the snotty attitude it has for its customers for when one decides to take care of things themselves (most of us on this forum). Tesla a force to be reckoned with? I sincerely doubt that, but who knows. It is refreshing to have someone like them to "punch" legacy carmakers in the face when it comes to innovation. I think all they did was awake a giant. Will automakers fight us for the "right to repair" when everyone is churning out electric cars? of course they will. Will it happen? Most likely not. My eyes (and probably everyone else) are on Toyota/Honda to see what they are going to do. Tesla is the flavor of week for now.

Again, this is my opinion.

 

[Charlievee]

That’s the part I am kind of excited about… the plan is to charge at home 95% of the time. My daily commute is 12 miles round trip assuming I don’t have to see clients; I can probably get away with charging off a standard 120v outlet, but I still want to install a 240v 40 amp outlet which I plan to do in the coming weeks just so I have the capability.

No solar and no plans for solar. If I need to visit a supercharger I will, but it will be rare.

What's the overall hit on the electric bill? Also, what is the range. I like the tech of the electrics, could do without the computers, but i drive allot over distance.

 

[Bumbo]

What's the overall hit on the electric bill? Also, what is the range. I like the tech of the electrics, could do without the computers, but i drive allot over distance.

The cost impact is minimal... It's significantly less money that gas. The car has a battery is about 75 kWh in capacity, and at about 19.2 cents per kWh power cost, it cost less than $14 to fill up a range of 300-350 miles depending on how you drive.

Work recently put in EV chargers, and I charge at work for free most of the time, so I generally go home pretty full.

For me its more about the convenience... you pretty much start everyday full and never have to pump gas. Plus the driver assist features make me a lot more productive on the road, and lot less tired from commuting as well.

For work this has turned into a pretty useful tool. Completely changed how I look at being on the road.

 

[DCRedneck]

Just watched a great interview with Sandy Munro regarding the cybertruck. I am like many of you out there that don't like the looks of the truck, but this interview was eye opening regarding the design choices. The engineer in me was fully torqued!

Deconstructing The Tooling Cost on Tesla?s Cybertruck - Autoline After Hours 492 - YouTube


Also it looks like Toyota is leading the way with solid state batteries. These are going to be THE game changer for EVs (short charge times, longer range, lighter wt, longer lasting). They have over 1000 solid state battery patents.

GAME OVER! Tesla Battery vs Toyota Solid State Battery - YouTube

 

[rdruss]

Motor Trend had a drive/evaluate on the Rivian(?) electric pickup earlier in the week, they raved about it both on and off road.