Will a base Tesla model 3 be crap?

Will a base Tesla model 3 be crap?

Author
Discussion

MaxFromage

1,902 posts

132 months

Monday 27th March 2023
quotequote all
Vanden Crash said:
The Tesla cannot have the words really and good when used to describe

It’s mediocre at best, designed for California living and not anywhere near the standards required for Europe

Range is nowhere near advertised, software and safety updates following agile methodology is not ideal and the dealer support is pathetic
Well I've had one for three years and also plenty of premium cars in my past to compare to- Jag XF, BMW 640d etc. And funnily enough, I've done thousands of miles in a couple of Zoes as well.

If you want a great city car, get an i3 (had one of those too for quite some time too).




MaxFromage

1,902 posts

132 months

Monday 27th March 2023
quotequote all
Richyboy said:
To be fair I think these cheap ones are before they changed the spec of the iconic which was the lowest spec. The latest Zoe has the iconic as the highest spec.

My choice is between Zoe and m3 because of the front charging (rear boot access) or front boot and I have 22kw charging access for Zoe. Tesla is so desirable at 38k though, a quandary.
You're just going to have to drive them and see if you can justify the extra money. The Zoe is nice compared to an ICE city car, but nowhere near the M3.

Vanden Crash

769 posts

51 months

Monday 27th March 2023
quotequote all
MaxFromage said:
Vanden Crash said:
The Tesla cannot have the words really and good when used to describe

It’s mediocre at best, designed for California living and not anywhere near the standards required for Europe

Range is nowhere near advertised, software and safety updates following agile methodology is not ideal and the dealer support is pathetic
Well I've had one for three years and also plenty of premium cars in my past to compare to- Jag XF, BMW 640d etc. And funnily enough, I've done thousands of miles in a couple of Zoes as well.

If you want a great city car, get an i3 (had one of those too for quite some time too).
I had mine for three years

I covered just under 50k miles

In the first six months the drivers seat sensor failed, it spent the next 3 years unable to detect anyone sat in it

I took it to the dealership on enough occasions that eventually I gave up on them. A simple part yet every single time they would have the wrong part

Of course I’d call ahead and confirm, waste a day (because mobile techs only cover a gnats fart from their hub plus some jobs can only be done in the shop

It got so bad I had to start claiming holiday pay back from them.

My old car left my drive 8 weeks ago. Despite trying everything known to man, my phone is still connected to the car. The remove my access button does eff all which continues to show just how poorly their qa is, interesting data breach issue. The poor sod thst owns it now, probably thinks it’s cursed as I randomly change their music, air con and blast the horn.

It also had more punctures than any car I’ve ever owned, fortunately my tyres were covered. 6 punctures not from anything more than standard British roads.

As for charging, great if you can get to a Tesla charger otherwise you’re just as screwed as the next car in the queue for the single working 50kw (if lucky) charger for 40 miles

MaxFromage

1,902 posts

132 months

Monday 27th March 2023
quotequote all
Unlucky. Mine just went back too. Zero faults, the perfect car. One puncture which was repaired. Removed from the app and now two weeks in on a Y, which improves on the 3.

Zcd1

451 posts

56 months

Monday 27th March 2023
quotequote all
ED209 said:
I see a brand new model 3 can now be had for £38k. This means they are starting to look a little bit tempting to me.

However will a base spec 3 be crap?

Will it be nice to drive?
Will it have plenty of kit?
Is the standard stereo decent?
Will the build quality be crap?
What will the true running and servicing costs be on 10-12k a year?
I recently spent several days in a rented a Model 3 SR+ (base). It's a really nice car - more power than most would ever need, fun and easy to drive, comfortable, well-equipped, excellent sound system, etc. etc.

Drive one and you can decide for yourself whether it's for you or not, though.

500TORQUES

4,655 posts

16 months

Monday 27th March 2023
quotequote all
Vanden Crash said:
My old car left my drive 8 weeks ago. Despite trying everything known to man, my phone is still connected to the car. The remove my access button does eff all which continues to show just how poorly their qa is, interesting data breach issue. The poor sod thst owns it now, probably thinks it’s cursed as I randomly change their music, air con and blast the horn.
roflclap

Pooh

3,692 posts

254 months

Tuesday 28th March 2023
quotequote all
I did 120k miles in a Zoe and now have a Tesla model Y, the Zoe was a good car in some respects but had loads of reliability issues including software glitches, a new drive motor, reduction gearbox and onboard charger.
The Tesla is in a whole different league and much better built/more reliable so far.

CheesecakeRunner

3,852 posts

92 months

Tuesday 28th March 2023
quotequote all
Vanden Crash said:
The Tesla cannot have the words really and good when used to describe

It’s mediocre at best, designed for California living and not anywhere near the standards required for Europe

Range is nowhere near advertised, software and safety updates following agile methodology is not ideal and the dealer support is pathetic
The way I’ve found best to describe mine is that it’s an exceptional EV but a very average car.

skwdenyer

16,579 posts

241 months

Sunday 2nd April 2023
quotequote all
Vanden Crash said:
I had mine for three years

I covered just under 50k miles

In the first six months the drivers seat sensor failed, it spent the next 3 years unable to detect anyone sat in it

I took it to the dealership on enough occasions that eventually I gave up on them. A simple part yet every single time they would have the wrong part

Of course I’d call ahead and confirm, waste a day (because mobile techs only cover a gnats fart from their hub plus some jobs can only be done in the shop

It got so bad I had to start claiming holiday pay back from them.

My old car left my drive 8 weeks ago. Despite trying everything known to man, my phone is still connected to the car. The remove my access button does eff all which continues to show just how poorly their qa is, interesting data breach issue. The poor sod thst owns it now, probably thinks it’s cursed as I randomly change their music, air con and blast the horn.

It also had more punctures than any car I’ve ever owned, fortunately my tyres were covered. 6 punctures not from anything more than standard British roads.

As for charging, great if you can get to a Tesla charger otherwise you’re just as screwed as the next car in the queue for the single working 50kw (if lucky) charger for 40 miles
6 punctures in 3 years? Sounds about average where I live! On the family Peugeot 5008, have had 3 in less than a year of ownership. Modern "eco" tyres in low profiles just aren't very robust in the real (British) world.

As for the rest, it very much sounds like you've had the swiss cheese effect - for you, all the holes lined up to give you a poor experience. This seems to happen from time to time with all car manufacturers - but doesn't make it any easier to bear if it is you.

Heres Johnny

7,240 posts

125 months

Tuesday 4th April 2023
quotequote all
ED209 said:
I see a brand new model 3 can now be had for £38k. This means they are starting to look a little bit tempting to me.

However will a base spec 3 be crap?

Will it be nice to drive?
Will it have plenty of kit?
Is the standard stereo decent?
Will the build quality be crap?
What will the true running and servicing costs be on 10-12k a year?
A bit late as I don't bother with PH much nowadays, but it will be fine.

A new RWD car is in many ways better than a 2 year old Long Range version. You'll be down on acceleration, but still quick enough by ICE standards, and 2 wheel drive only, but traction control is remarkable with EVs, but other than that you'd be hard pushed to know the difference.


CharlieAlphaMike

1,139 posts

106 months

Tuesday 4th April 2023
quotequote all
500TORQUES said:
Vanden Crash said:
I randomly change their music, air con and blast the horn.
roflclap
Says quite a lot about both of you I think redcard

500TORQUES

4,655 posts

16 months

Tuesday 4th April 2023
quotequote all
CharlieAlphaMike said:
500TORQUES said:
Vanden Crash said:
I randomly change their music, air con and blast the horn.
roflclap
Says quite a lot about both of you I think redcard
Yep, we have a sense of humour. tongue out

Vanden Crash

769 posts

51 months

Tuesday 4th April 2023
quotequote all
CharlieAlphaMike said:
500TORQUES said:
Vanden Crash said:
I randomly change their music, air con and blast the horn.
roflclap
Says quite a lot about both of you I think redcard
BOF

CharlieAlphaMike

1,139 posts

106 months

Wednesday 5th April 2023
quotequote all
500TORQUES said:
CharlieAlphaMike said:
500TORQUES said:
Vanden Crash said:
I randomly change their music, air con and blast the horn.
roflclap
Says quite a lot about both of you I think redcard
Yep, we have a sense of humour. tongue out
Laughing at someone else's expense. Yep, that's hilarious loser

CharlieAlphaMike

1,139 posts

106 months

Wednesday 5th April 2023
quotequote all

[/quote]BOF
[/quote]

Likewise loser

500TORQUES

4,655 posts

16 months

Wednesday 5th April 2023
quotequote all
CharlieAlphaMike said:
500TORQUES said:
CharlieAlphaMike said:
500TORQUES said:
Vanden Crash said:
I randomly change their music, air con and blast the horn.
roflclap
Says quite a lot about both of you I think redcard
Yep, we have a sense of humour. tongue out
Laughing at someone else's expense. Yep, that's hilarious loser
Oh jeez. wobble