Tesla - why don’t I want one?
Discussion
As an actual owner, rather than a commentator, I'd say....
sly fox said:
1 Build Quality. Appalling. [seems fine to me - I've owned a lot of new cars from BMW's to Lamborghini, I can't see what the fuss is about. Mine is of a perfectly acceptable build.
2 Company ethics (or lack therof) and customer service. Ditto Appalling. [Who cares?! I have an iPhone, made in China.... so do you probably]
3 Total lack of Styling [It's interesting from head on
but not bad from other angles. It's not trying to be a McLaren]
4 Future reliability and parts pricing. [Only 200 moving parts, so not sure which parts might be an issue - I have had more parts issues with a Ford GT, a couple of Morgans and Aston]
5 Insurance costs - which will go up when minor repairs start to highlight poor design of the large pieces of body structure requiring massive parts replacement instead of repair [Really? Not sure what these massive parts replacements might be. The battery pack should last 1,500 cycles of 300 miles and has a decent warranty. A new battery pack is equivalent to changing an engine in cost]
6 if sales go up, those superchargers will be very busy, negating the advantage. [Most owners charge at home, not an issue]
7 from a driving perspective, it's a white good appliance of a car. Fine acceleration is a party trick you get bored of very quickly, then you realise it's just an electric car, with little else to commend it. [It's not meant to be an Elise or 911. It's a 4 door daily driver]
8 Online sales/servicing systems are very hit and miss. People report waiting months to get booked in for warranty issues , as servicing slots are prioritised. [I've had no issues with the couple of minor service issues - pretty instant service. Far better than other marques I've owned]
Would not touch a Tesla with an (insulated) barge pole.
2 Company ethics (or lack therof) and customer service. Ditto Appalling. [Who cares?! I have an iPhone, made in China.... so do you probably]
3 Total lack of Styling [It's interesting from head on
but not bad from other angles. It's not trying to be a McLaren]4 Future reliability and parts pricing. [Only 200 moving parts, so not sure which parts might be an issue - I have had more parts issues with a Ford GT, a couple of Morgans and Aston]
5 Insurance costs - which will go up when minor repairs start to highlight poor design of the large pieces of body structure requiring massive parts replacement instead of repair [Really? Not sure what these massive parts replacements might be. The battery pack should last 1,500 cycles of 300 miles and has a decent warranty. A new battery pack is equivalent to changing an engine in cost]
6 if sales go up, those superchargers will be very busy, negating the advantage. [Most owners charge at home, not an issue]
7 from a driving perspective, it's a white good appliance of a car. Fine acceleration is a party trick you get bored of very quickly, then you realise it's just an electric car, with little else to commend it. [It's not meant to be an Elise or 911. It's a 4 door daily driver]
8 Online sales/servicing systems are very hit and miss. People report waiting months to get booked in for warranty issues , as servicing slots are prioritised. [I've had no issues with the couple of minor service issues - pretty instant service. Far better than other marques I've owned]
Would not touch a Tesla with an (insulated) barge pole.
I don't desire family barges. I have one, because it's useful, but it is old and cheap and not an object of desire for me.
When Teslas are old and cheap I'll happily run one.
I don't have any desire for fast saloons from BMW M or Audi RS or Mercedes AMG either, they seem entirely pointless to me, though at least with the EVs the performance largely comes free when you pay for the range.
When Teslas are old and cheap I'll happily run one.
I don't have any desire for fast saloons from BMW M or Audi RS or Mercedes AMG either, they seem entirely pointless to me, though at least with the EVs the performance largely comes free when you pay for the range.
Muddle238 said:
T
People like to bang on about the performance statistics, which is really highlights why they're just a one-trick-pony. I don't care how quickly it can do 0-60, as long as it's not dangerously slow. Tesla on the other hand, I feel borders on the dangerously fast; fine if you're demonstrating the performance, not so good in a town centre when someone stabs the wrong pedal by accident and ends up going through a shop window at 60mph. It's bad enough when an automatic Honda Jazz rams its way across a car park, let alone 2,000kgs+ of instant torque.
Do you write for the Daily Mail? People like to bang on about the performance statistics, which is really highlights why they're just a one-trick-pony. I don't care how quickly it can do 0-60, as long as it's not dangerously slow. Tesla on the other hand, I feel borders on the dangerously fast; fine if you're demonstrating the performance, not so good in a town centre when someone stabs the wrong pedal by accident and ends up going through a shop window at 60mph. It's bad enough when an automatic Honda Jazz rams its way across a car park, let alone 2,000kgs+ of instant torque.
Driver101 said:
The looks are the first major issue. They are one of the worst looking cars on the road.
Really don't understand that, at worst they're blandly inoffensive. When, for example, the entire BMW range is wilfully fugly, I can't see how they even get into the running for worst looking.I have nothing against Tesla, I mean you certainly can't deny that some of them are very quick vehicles. I also don't blame anyone for enjoying them either, with motoring it's a personal thing that can be enjoyed for various reasons.
But like many, I admire Tesla models yet I don't have any interest in them. Looks are subjective but I find them extremely bland to look at inside and out, they seem to lack character. It's not even an EV thing as I really like the Honda E, it looks cool, looks like it could be fun and it does have it's own charm.
But like many, I admire Tesla models yet I don't have any interest in them. Looks are subjective but I find them extremely bland to look at inside and out, they seem to lack character. It's not even an EV thing as I really like the Honda E, it looks cool, looks like it could be fun and it does have it's own charm.
otolith said:
Driver101 said:
The looks are the first major issue. They are one of the worst looking cars on the road.
Really don't understand that, at worst they're blandly inoffensive. When, for example, the entire BMW range is wilfully fugly, I can't see how they even get into the running for worst looking.PH User said:
otolith said:
Driver101 said:
The looks are the first major issue. They are one of the worst looking cars on the road.
Really don't understand that, at worst they're blandly inoffensive. When, for example, the entire BMW range is wilfully fugly, I can't see how they even get into the running for worst looking.otolith said:
Driver101 said:
The looks are the first major issue. They are one of the worst looking cars on the road.
Really don't understand that, at worst they're blandly inoffensive. When, for example, the entire BMW range is wilfully fugly, I can't see how they even get into the running for worst looking.
I enjoyed our Tesla whilst we had it, however two things would stop me buying another:
1: The build quality
2: The aftersales service when it comes to problems caused by #1.
Things that mainstream car manufacturers sorted decades ago are still lacking on Teslas. Fit and finish. Basic stuff.
I'd have another EV, but I wouldn't have another Tesla.
1: The build quality
2: The aftersales service when it comes to problems caused by #1.
Things that mainstream car manufacturers sorted decades ago are still lacking on Teslas. Fit and finish. Basic stuff.
I'd have another EV, but I wouldn't have another Tesla.
...because, having test driven a Model Y, the interior is plain to the point of being dull and the controls are not intuitive. The test drive of an Ioniq 5 was more enjoyable. Not as insanely fast but it felt much more inviting. To be fair both test drives were around the suburbs of London and, especially with passengers (wife and kids), the Hyundai's ride really shone in contrast to the Tesla.
The Tesla's off-centre screen was a real turn-off.
The Tesla's off-centre screen was a real turn-off.
ajap1979 said:
PH User said:
otolith said:
Driver101 said:
The looks are the first major issue. They are one of the worst looking cars on the road.
Really don't understand that, at worst they're blandly inoffensive. When, for example, the entire BMW range is wilfully fugly, I can't see how they even get into the running for worst looking.My Tesla M3P is the first car I’ve had that I’ve no real ‘connection’ with. It does everything well, is faster than anything I’ve owned and saves a fortune on fuel for sure.
For me it’s a generational thing. I’m just so used to the noise, smell and experience of a ICE that I struggle to embrace something so different despite its abilities.
I guess I have the best of both now. A low tax electric option that remains (until the superchargers are opened) a great EV with a 1927 Austin Seven and 2016 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider for the weekends….
For me it’s a generational thing. I’m just so used to the noise, smell and experience of a ICE that I struggle to embrace something so different despite its abilities.
I guess I have the best of both now. A low tax electric option that remains (until the superchargers are opened) a great EV with a 1927 Austin Seven and 2016 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider for the weekends….
Edited by Moley RUFC on Wednesday 2nd February 12:04
I think I'm qualified to comment. My Model 3 Performance is my 97th car, and I also have motorbikes.
I bought it after driving my mate's car (same model). He had previously said to me 'there's no going back - what would you go back to'.
I agree. So who cares about the 0-60, that's not the important bit, although it is impressive. No, it's the pure ease and 'immediateness' of the drive that wins out, and if you've never driven one you WILL NOT understand. From pulling away, to exiting a junction, to coming round an uphill corner to overtaking, not even my old DAX Cobra provided such instant thrust from any speed.
All in a well built car (and I'm comparing to previously owned BMWs (6) and Audis (3)), which apart from a slightly hard ride, is comfortable and quiet, with a great sound system and all the comfort extras you would want.
Yes there are issues, the wiper and climate controls are a pain but you get used to them, and once you know your way around the touchscreen and voice control, it all becomes really easy and straightforward.
I wasn't at all interested in the cost benefits, life's too short, but is does cost peanuts to run, and as previously said, home charging removes pretty much any range anxiety. That accounts for 95% of my usage so others may feel differently if doing lots of longer journeys, but Superchargers remove most of those issues.
I get that people miss the sound of an engine, I do, but given how congested roads are today, that's why I have motorbikes.
I'm not a Tesla fanboy, but neither do I rubbish things I have not properly experienced. These cares are not right for everyone, least of all due to the purchase cost, but I genuinely think it is a fantastic car, competes with anything in is sector for comfort, build, performance and ease of living with it.
The warranty removes any battery failure worries, yet there are already aftermarket Firms providing solutions to this rare problem.
So yes, I would never go back to an ICE car, except for track day toy, and if they did electric Motorhomes, I'd have one of those too.
As for the bikes, I'll keep those as petrol.
Hops that helps
I bought it after driving my mate's car (same model). He had previously said to me 'there's no going back - what would you go back to'.
I agree. So who cares about the 0-60, that's not the important bit, although it is impressive. No, it's the pure ease and 'immediateness' of the drive that wins out, and if you've never driven one you WILL NOT understand. From pulling away, to exiting a junction, to coming round an uphill corner to overtaking, not even my old DAX Cobra provided such instant thrust from any speed.
All in a well built car (and I'm comparing to previously owned BMWs (6) and Audis (3)), which apart from a slightly hard ride, is comfortable and quiet, with a great sound system and all the comfort extras you would want.
Yes there are issues, the wiper and climate controls are a pain but you get used to them, and once you know your way around the touchscreen and voice control, it all becomes really easy and straightforward.
I wasn't at all interested in the cost benefits, life's too short, but is does cost peanuts to run, and as previously said, home charging removes pretty much any range anxiety. That accounts for 95% of my usage so others may feel differently if doing lots of longer journeys, but Superchargers remove most of those issues.
I get that people miss the sound of an engine, I do, but given how congested roads are today, that's why I have motorbikes.
I'm not a Tesla fanboy, but neither do I rubbish things I have not properly experienced. These cares are not right for everyone, least of all due to the purchase cost, but I genuinely think it is a fantastic car, competes with anything in is sector for comfort, build, performance and ease of living with it.
The warranty removes any battery failure worries, yet there are already aftermarket Firms providing solutions to this rare problem.
So yes, I would never go back to an ICE car, except for track day toy, and if they did electric Motorhomes, I'd have one of those too.
As for the bikes, I'll keep those as petrol.
Hops that helps
hyphen said:
stef1808 said:
out of curiosity which tesla have you driven?
+1 to this question.OP have you driven Teslas and any other EVs, or basing it on nothing at all.
*don't do it.
Muzzer79 said:
Muddle238 said:
T
People like to bang on about the performance statistics, which is really highlights why they're just a one-trick-pony. I don't care how quickly it can do 0-60, as long as it's not dangerously slow. Tesla on the other hand, I feel borders on the dangerously fast; fine if you're demonstrating the performance, not so good in a town centre when someone stabs the wrong pedal by accident and ends up going through a shop window at 60mph. It's bad enough when an automatic Honda Jazz rams its way across a car park, let alone 2,000kgs+ of instant torque.
Do you write for the Daily Mail? People like to bang on about the performance statistics, which is really highlights why they're just a one-trick-pony. I don't care how quickly it can do 0-60, as long as it's not dangerously slow. Tesla on the other hand, I feel borders on the dangerously fast; fine if you're demonstrating the performance, not so good in a town centre when someone stabs the wrong pedal by accident and ends up going through a shop window at 60mph. It's bad enough when an automatic Honda Jazz rams its way across a car park, let alone 2,000kgs+ of instant torque.
Second photo of couple with 1.2 Corsa, or next to bus stop...
I don’t get why everyone bangs on about the fit and finish, does any American car actually have good build quality? You can’t count Ford as they make lots of their cars in Germany.
I’m thinking jeep, dodge, Chevrolet, cadalac etc
we can’t get build quality right in a Jaguar or Range Rover right and that’s before you talk reliability
I’m thinking jeep, dodge, Chevrolet, cadalac etc
we can’t get build quality right in a Jaguar or Range Rover right and that’s before you talk reliability
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