Tesla test drive. Thoughts
Discussion
I’m two years into my (US built) Model 3. The powertrain, charging network and app are excellent. The rest is marmite as others say. If you’re into tech and constant evolution/updates then I can see how it’s possible to see them as a complete revolution. If you value other points of a well designed, developed and manufactured car then the cracks can appear, it just depends whether they bother you or not.
foggy said:
I’m two years into my (US built) Model 3. The powertrain, charging network and app are excellent. The rest is marmite as others say. If you’re into tech and constant evolution/updates then I can see how it’s possible to see them as a complete revolution. If you value other points of a well designed, developed and manufactured car then the cracks can appear, it just depends whether they bother you or not.
I really appreciate that you acknowledge that they are marmite(most owners seem to think that they are the best thing since sliced bread to be fair). 
I definitely wouldn't buy a Tesla whether it was powered with an ICE or fully electric as it is, because of the things you mention. I personally don't like the way they look exterior wise, and the interior looks absolutely dreadful to my eyes as well. Is the interior as bad as it looks from photos though?
LHRFlightman said:
Initial thoughts are it feels more car like than I expected, in a good way.
Because it is a car 
Before Elon Musk went totally mad the story goes he did waste his first fortune on a McLaren F1 that he crashed whilst uninsured, so a PHer at heart.
We have had ours now 6 years come March, 70k miles covered. Last two weekends included doing Leicester to London Heathrow run and day trip to central. Gave the interior a clean after about 6 months when we got home, have to say it's standing up to the abuse of family life pretty well.
Zero interest in changing ours for anything else on the market. I'll almost certainly get new traction battery put in it at somepoint but degredation is currently 5% so little reason to change yet.
Road trip to Norway with 6 on board (plus luggage) was amazing last year. This summer Swiss Alps and Lake Como - Cannot wait, nor can the extended family so 6 again in the car, cannot think of a better pan Europe family road trip car.
Edited by gangzoom on Sunday 5th February 06:32
FeelingLucky said:
heisthegaffer said:
How many miles do people genuinely get per Kw in these please?
211 w/mile is achievable, stereo on, a/c on generally not hypermiling.So 4.7 m/kwh, and when I say achievable, I mean best I've managed on a good run, 45 miles Tesla 3P in summer.
I suppose the battery has a bigger impact on improving the economy when used in conjunction with the petrol engine.
gangzoom said:
LHRFlightman said:
Initial thoughts are it feels more car like than I expected, in a good way.
Because it is a car Before Elon Musk went totally mad the story goes he did waste his first fortune on a McLaren F1 that he crashed whilst uninsured, so a PHer at heart.
We have had ours now 6 years come March, 70k miles covered. Last two weekends included doing Leicester to London Heathrow run and day trip to central. Gave the interior a clean after about 6 months when we got home, have to say it's standing up to the abuse of family life pretty well.
Zero interest in changing ours for anything else on the market. I'll almost certainly get new traction battery put in it at somepoint but degredation is currently 5% so little reason to change yet.
Road trip to Norway with 6 on board (plus luggage) was amazing last year. This summer Swiss Alps and Lake Como - Cannot wait, nor can the extended family so 6 again in the car, cannot think of a better pan Europe family road trip car.
[Img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52661263174_47d01b1f2f_c_d.jpg[/thumb]
[Img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52661423975_86ff9329fb_k_d.jpg[/thumb]
Edited by gangzoom on Sunday 5th February 06:32
Vasco said:
Two key points will stop me buying any EV:-
- the range will not suit me. I need to do 250-300 miles before thinking of recharging
- second hand value looks like being very poor
300 miles seems to be a sweet spot. But then in the UK that will mean an average journey length of 6 hours without stopping. Which is daft. - the range will not suit me. I need to do 250-300 miles before thinking of recharging
- second hand value looks like being very poor
I have a journey from one side of the country to the other next week. 209 miles. It will take 4.5 hours.
The chances therefore of anyone but a very tiny minority NEEDING 250-300 before thinking of charging is almost nothing. My car will do 240 miles (in summer and making progress). Next weeks journey will have a loo and coffee break so in that 20-25 min stop I will charge (not because I need to but the convenience means it is natural to - it isn't like filling with petrol as the premise is ABC - always be charging)
You may be an exception to the rule and like nothing better that 300 tedious miles without a stop. If so anything from the Skoda Enyaq iV 80 upwards will do well over 300 miles.
https://www.buyacar.co.uk/cars/economical-cars/ele...
As for residuals - currently that isn't the case - the reverse in fact. This will change and prices have certainly softened. However, with clean air zones /ULEZ etc etc I cannot see prices crashing any time soon. My next car (not yet launched) will be depreciation proof for at least a year.
EVs aren't perfect and you have to change your mind set slightly but for new cars they are very hard to beat.
Minsky said:
Vasco said:
Two key points will stop me buying any EV:-
- the range will not suit me. I need to do 250-300 miles before thinking of recharging
- second hand value looks like being very poor
300 miles seems to be a sweet spot. But then in the UK that will mean an average journey length of 6 hours without stopping. Which is daft. - the range will not suit me. I need to do 250-300 miles before thinking of recharging
- second hand value looks like being very poor
I have a journey from one side of the country to the other next week. 209 miles. It will take 4.5 hours.
The chances therefore of anyone but a very tiny minority NEEDING 250-300 before thinking of charging is almost nothing. My car will do 240 miles (in summer and making progress). Next weeks journey will have a loo and coffee break so in that 20-25 min stop I will charge (not because I need to but the convenience means it is natural to - it isn't like filling with petrol as the premise is ABC - always be charging)
You may be an exception to the rule and like nothing better that 300 tedious miles without a stop. If so anything from the Skoda Enyaq iV 80 upwards will do well over 300 miles.
https://www.buyacar.co.uk/cars/economical-cars/ele...
As for residuals - currently that isn't the case - the reverse in fact. This will change and prices have certainly softened. However, with clean air zones /ULEZ etc etc I cannot see prices crashing any time soon. My next car (not yet launched) will be depreciation proof for at least a year.
EVs aren't perfect and you have to change your mind set slightly but for new cars they are very hard to beat.
They're fine for old ladies on their weekly shopping trip and commuters who can leave it to charge while they're at work. For leisure use they would be of little use to many of us.
Vasco said:
No, I'll certainly stop at least once or twice, but only for a coffee or the loo. I don't want to waste time a) looking for an available charging point b) waiting for it to charge sufficiently.
They're fine for old ladies on their weekly shopping trip and commuters who can leave it to charge while they're at work. For leisure use they would be of little use to many of us.
I think you just need to be honest instead of this gymnastics. I don't want a Ferrari for example. I don't make up a load of excuses. a) I can't afford one and b) I don't want to look like I'm having a midlife crisis. Simple. The cars are fantastic. Just not for me. So with EV's you have a variety of reasons you can use:They're fine for old ladies on their weekly shopping trip and commuters who can leave it to charge while they're at work. For leisure use they would be of little use to many of us.
It may be irrational:
"I fear change" "I still want a car to go brum brum" "I like being a oil company shill" "I love not knowing which bit of the car needs replacing next"
or more rational:
"I can't afford a EV right now" "The figures don't stack up currently" "I don't like any of EVs right now as I am looking for a 2 seat coupe"
It would be much better than the excuses you throw up:
You look for a parking space when stopping
EV charge points are often in prime positions near the entrance
If it isn't available it doesn't matter as you just wait until the next stop
I use mine for pleasure use and drive more than average and very very rarely have a problem
As GT9 says - it is always those that have never owned an EV telling everyone how bad it is. No one is forcing you to buy one so you have no need for excuses
I always think that surely they can't be absolutely terrible because I see loads of Teslas at my youngest daughters school. If they were absolutely garbage then surely nobody would buy them?
They aren't for me because I'm an engine enthusiast, and I like engine/exhaust noise too much! The interior/exterior design doesn't do anything for me either with a Tesla(they look cheap and nasty to my eyes), however that is obviously a subjective thing though.
They aren't for me because I'm an engine enthusiast, and I like engine/exhaust noise too much! The interior/exterior design doesn't do anything for me either with a Tesla(they look cheap and nasty to my eyes), however that is obviously a subjective thing though.
cerb4.5lee said:
I always think that surely they can't be absolutely terrible because I see loads of Teslas at my youngest daughters school. If they were absolutely garbage then surely nobody would buy them?
They aren't for me because I'm an engine enthusiast, and I like engine/exhaust noise too much! The interior/exterior design doesn't do anything for me either with a Tesla(they look cheap and nasty to my eyes), however that is obviously a subjective thing though.
Nothing wrong with disliking the styling, but as an “engine” enthusiast, surely it makes sense to daily an EV (for the potential running cost saving, and keeping the hum-drum mileage off your interesting car). I’ve still got two ICE cars, and likely will until they are impossible (or financially impossible for me) to run, but I daily an EV.They aren't for me because I'm an engine enthusiast, and I like engine/exhaust noise too much! The interior/exterior design doesn't do anything for me either with a Tesla(they look cheap and nasty to my eyes), however that is obviously a subjective thing though.
paradigital said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I always think that surely they can't be absolutely terrible because I see loads of Teslas at my youngest daughters school. If they were absolutely garbage then surely nobody would buy them?
They aren't for me because I'm an engine enthusiast, and I like engine/exhaust noise too much! The interior/exterior design doesn't do anything for me either with a Tesla(they look cheap and nasty to my eyes), however that is obviously a subjective thing though.
Nothing wrong with disliking the styling, but as an “engine” enthusiast, surely it makes sense to daily an EV (for the potential running cost saving, and keeping the hum-drum mileage off your interesting car). I’ve still got two ICE cars, and likely will until they are impossible (or financially impossible for me) to run, but I daily an EV.They aren't for me because I'm an engine enthusiast, and I like engine/exhaust noise too much! The interior/exterior design doesn't do anything for me either with a Tesla(they look cheap and nasty to my eyes), however that is obviously a subjective thing though.
DodgyGeezer said:
The Ionic5 is a smaller car and a more 'traditional' layout dashwise - arguably better looking, a better choice of colours (for less money), though not as quick, the cabin is more flexible than the Tesla. M3 or MY you can have pretty much whenever you want it (or at least you could) the I5 was a considerably longer wait. In the end the fact we got the MY for less than an Ultimate combined with the SuC network swung it for us
We very much liked the Ioniq 5 but it was bigger than the Model 3 (wide and taller, although slightly shorter). It was also significantly more expensive. We went for the Model 3 and it’s been brilliant so far. Minsky said:
Vasco said:
No, I'll certainly stop at least once or twice, but only for a coffee or the loo. I don't want to waste time a) looking for an available charging point b) waiting for it to charge sufficiently.
They're fine for old ladies on their weekly shopping trip and commuters who can leave it to charge while they're at work. For leisure use they would be of little use to many of us.
I think you just need to be honest instead of this gymnastics. I don't want a Ferrari for example. I don't make up a load of excuses. a) I can't afford one and b) I don't want to look like I'm having a midlife crisis. Simple. The cars are fantastic. Just not for me. So with EV's you have a variety of reasons you can use:They're fine for old ladies on their weekly shopping trip and commuters who can leave it to charge while they're at work. For leisure use they would be of little use to many of us.
It may be irrational:
"I fear change" "I still want a car to go brum brum" "I like being a oil company shill" "I love not knowing which bit of the car needs replacing next"
or more rational:
"I can't afford a EV right now" "The figures don't stack up currently" "I don't like any of EVs right now as I am looking for a 2 seat coupe"
It would be much better than the excuses you throw up:
You look for a parking space when stopping
EV charge points are often in prime positions near the entrance
If it isn't available it doesn't matter as you just wait until the next stop
I use mine for pleasure use and drive more than average and very very rarely have a problem
As GT9 says - it is always those that have never owned an EV telling everyone how bad it is. No one is forcing you to buy one so you have no need for excuses
I don't want one as it doesn't meet my needs, that was all I set out to say.
They must recharge incredibly quickly if it can all be done while I drink a coffee (10-15 mins).
Douglas Quaid said:
I don’t have one but that seems a bit silly. If you’re stopping for a coffee, you might as well plug it in to a charger then have a coffee. It doesn’t seem that much more of a bind to be honest.
Try driving from Kent to Devon in an evening.You might have a plan of where you will stop and charge, but then you find the A303 has a diversion.
If you start diverting from diversions to find chargers, it will hurt my head at that time of night!
Very often we don't stop for coffee, just swap driver. Or use the loo and be back on the road in 5 minutes.
So for us, Tesla kind of range is a lot more viable than most EVs.
But it's a lot of coin to not quite do what a £5k diesel does.
But at least you can enjoy the traffic jams in Bristol!
Vasco said:
They must recharge incredibly quickly if it can all be done while I drink a coffee (10-15 mins).
With the right charger, and In the right conditions, 15 minutes will get you a good 55% charge (or an additional 160~ miles).This is why it’s still worthwhile plugging in when nipping for a pee and a coffee, sure that charge might “only” take you from say 30-70%, but that leaves you with a lot more range at your destination.
Case in point, I could get to North Devon from home without stopping (just), but then I’d be at the mercy of 3-pin charging at the caravan, or 7.2kwh charging at a nearby pub. If however I stop for 20-26 minutes at the last stop before we leave the motorway, I’d have 65%~ in the battery at the destination, meaning I’d not need to bother charging for the week we’re away (until the night before we go home).
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