April 16 marked my one-year anniversary with my Model 3, and figured out post a few thoughts on my first year of ownership. Overall the car is been fantastic, with virtually no issues to speak of over almost 24,000 miles.
Upon delivery I noticed the cowl panel covering the windshield washer reservoir had a crack in it. The delivery specialist noted that, and suggested I make an appointment with mobile service for then replace the panel. It was fixed in my garage less than a week later, and this was the only defect I've had to deal with. I was having issue with the car getting "scared" in the middle of an auto lane change in swerving back into its lane, but that turned out to be a software issue that was fixed in subsequent updates.
My decision to buy a Tesla was driven by a medical condition that has taken much of the use of my hands from me. Grasping a steering wheel for more than a few minutes at a time has become quite painful, and autopilot is the only system on the road capable of helping me steer a car. I've always been a car/tech nerd, so part of me looked at this as an excuse to get the most advanced car on the road. It doesn't disappointed me, autopilot is been truly a lifesaver as this disease is taken more for me in recent months. I probably use autopilot for 90% of my driving, and continues to impress me every day. I miss the capability of my minivan, but the need for autopilot and continuous software improvements have kept me more satisfied with this car than I ever have been after a full year.
I originally purchased the car with standard autopilot, but was one of the lucky few to get EAP features enabled from the beginning. Last month I noticed the FSD purchase price was down to $4000 because the system thought I had purchased EAP, so I jumped at the chance and made the purchase. Two weeks later I had HW3 installed without issue at my local service center, and I'm really excited to see the FSD features that are supposedly being rolled out in the coming months.
Not breaking the budget was a primary concern, so I chose the SR + despite the harsh winters in high mileage that I drive. On the coldest days I lose about half my range, which was expected, and so far I've been able to plan for it. I purchased a set of General Altimax Arctic tires for winter, and I've been truly amazed with how well this thing gets through snow. The traction and stability control systems are almost telepathic compared to everything else I've owned, and it's a breeze to drive even through moderate snowfall. I'm in a better financial place now than before, so if I had to do it again, I would get an LR AWD model. No regrets with the SR+, though, but I went into it with a clear expectation of what my realistic range would be.
I have almost 19,000 miles on the factory Michelins, and I'm still showing 5/32nds tread remaining all around. I rotate every 5000 miles, and expect to see 30,000 miles on this set. I don't exactly drive the thing gently, but take care to avoid full throttle below 40 mph to keep the rears happy with me.
Battery life seems to have remained stable, and I'm showing 232 miles that hundred percent. I have taken a few road trips, and discharged to under 5% a half-dozen times, and have not noticed any derogatory effects. I've read enough from other high mileage users to not be concerned much about battery degradation, it doesn't seem to be an issue worth worrying about.
Overall I couldn't be happier with the car. I'm almost excited to own it now as I was the day I bought it, which is a first for me after owning a car this long. I'm very intrigued with the Cybertruck and Model Y, but don't plan on making a change in less I need to. That may happen soon, as am starting to have serious trouble walking, so I may need something with some hitch capacity for a power scooter of some flavor. Not exactly lifestyle change I was planning at age 34, but the technology Tesla developed has kept me mobile for the last year, which is something no other automaker can accomplish to date. Highly recommend the Model 3, and would make the same purchase again in an instant.
Upon delivery I noticed the cowl panel covering the windshield washer reservoir had a crack in it. The delivery specialist noted that, and suggested I make an appointment with mobile service for then replace the panel. It was fixed in my garage less than a week later, and this was the only defect I've had to deal with. I was having issue with the car getting "scared" in the middle of an auto lane change in swerving back into its lane, but that turned out to be a software issue that was fixed in subsequent updates.
My decision to buy a Tesla was driven by a medical condition that has taken much of the use of my hands from me. Grasping a steering wheel for more than a few minutes at a time has become quite painful, and autopilot is the only system on the road capable of helping me steer a car. I've always been a car/tech nerd, so part of me looked at this as an excuse to get the most advanced car on the road. It doesn't disappointed me, autopilot is been truly a lifesaver as this disease is taken more for me in recent months. I probably use autopilot for 90% of my driving, and continues to impress me every day. I miss the capability of my minivan, but the need for autopilot and continuous software improvements have kept me more satisfied with this car than I ever have been after a full year.
I originally purchased the car with standard autopilot, but was one of the lucky few to get EAP features enabled from the beginning. Last month I noticed the FSD purchase price was down to $4000 because the system thought I had purchased EAP, so I jumped at the chance and made the purchase. Two weeks later I had HW3 installed without issue at my local service center, and I'm really excited to see the FSD features that are supposedly being rolled out in the coming months.
Not breaking the budget was a primary concern, so I chose the SR + despite the harsh winters in high mileage that I drive. On the coldest days I lose about half my range, which was expected, and so far I've been able to plan for it. I purchased a set of General Altimax Arctic tires for winter, and I've been truly amazed with how well this thing gets through snow. The traction and stability control systems are almost telepathic compared to everything else I've owned, and it's a breeze to drive even through moderate snowfall. I'm in a better financial place now than before, so if I had to do it again, I would get an LR AWD model. No regrets with the SR+, though, but I went into it with a clear expectation of what my realistic range would be.
I have almost 19,000 miles on the factory Michelins, and I'm still showing 5/32nds tread remaining all around. I rotate every 5000 miles, and expect to see 30,000 miles on this set. I don't exactly drive the thing gently, but take care to avoid full throttle below 40 mph to keep the rears happy with me.
Battery life seems to have remained stable, and I'm showing 232 miles that hundred percent. I have taken a few road trips, and discharged to under 5% a half-dozen times, and have not noticed any derogatory effects. I've read enough from other high mileage users to not be concerned much about battery degradation, it doesn't seem to be an issue worth worrying about.
Overall I couldn't be happier with the car. I'm almost excited to own it now as I was the day I bought it, which is a first for me after owning a car this long. I'm very intrigued with the Cybertruck and Model Y, but don't plan on making a change in less I need to. That may happen soon, as am starting to have serious trouble walking, so I may need something with some hitch capacity for a power scooter of some flavor. Not exactly lifestyle change I was planning at age 34, but the technology Tesla developed has kept me mobile for the last year, which is something no other automaker can accomplish to date. Highly recommend the Model 3, and would make the same purchase again in an instant.
