Anyone Encountered Tesla Envy?

[George75]

I'm not yet an owner but most likley going to purchase a Model 3 in the coming months. I've talked to a few friends and co-workers about buying one and was shocked to be honest by their responses. Instead of "congrats" or "why are you going electric" I was met with statements like "X must be paying you well to afford one of those" or "you must be way overpaid to be able to buy one of those things" or "your an elitist" for wanting a Tesla. This is of course in addition to the usual things such as they are bad for the environment, what will you do if there's no power etc you get the idea. Vastly more negativity than anything positive. I'm sure I'm not the first to be met with this?

I've, unfortunately seen videos of course of people damaging peoples Tesla's and heard that some people are outright hostile to Tesla owners. Has anyone any idea why this is? I'm assuming it's stupid people, assumptions about Tesla vehicles being expensive or a status symbol and old fashioned "I don't understand it.. therefore hate it".

I'm usually excited when I see an electric car on the road whether it's a Tesla, Spark, Leaf, Volt/Bolt or even a Fiat. I, for a multitude of reasons think electric is the future of automobiles. That's not to say we shouldn't have and enjoy regular cars just that'd it'd be nice to burn less gas and more locally produced electric.

 

[MichaelP90DL]

"If I can afford it, you can afford it." (New or used).

"Elitest? Car sales are down at GM, Ford and FCA. Telsa builds to order and they're selling everything they make. That's where the demand is. Electric will take over. So, when I get the Tesla, would you like to go for a ride?"

 

[ewoodrick]

Point to the pickups and SUVs in the parking lot that cost as much, if not more.

 

[Raechris]

Yes, there is a lot of ignorance out there. Not one person who knows what a Tesla is understands there is no engine or exhaust pipe. It is amazing. People are insanely jealous today I find and their insecurity can't hide it like generations past.
Once you get it, these same folks all want to see it, sit in it, then ride in it, probably to tell their Facebook friends what they are doing now. They will all love it and be amazed. If they have regular contact, in about a year they will ask you how they can afford one and then report it will be their next car when they discover the M3 is only 35k which is less than their BMW.

 

[BigMskiman]

From friends, co-workers, family and strangers around town, I've got nothing negative in 2.5yrs. "Nice car" happens all the time, especially from kids. From muscle & other sports cars trying to cut around me, or left in rear view mirror after a stop light/sign, they are negative immediately and never get over it.

 

[ajdelange]

Yes, the guy that does my HVAC/Electric/Plumbing was envious so he went out and bought one./

 

[Nocturnal]

Your friends and co-workers don't sound very bright.

 

[Uncle Paul]

Most people are highly resistant to change.

Perhaps they also feel a twinge of guilt, as they continue to pump gasoline into their polluting cars.

 

[MichaelP90DL]

Most people are highly resistant to change.

Perhaps they also feel a twinge of guilt, as they continue to pump gasoline into their polluting cars.

Good point. And then someone they know buys a Tesla. The gas-pumping guy goes for a ride then says "screw this nonsense" and orders one. And sells the ICE car. Tesla doesn't need to advertise, yet.

 

[George75]

Your friends and co-workers don't sound very bright.

To be fair I'm neck deep in climate denial land, not making a political statement just a fact of the region. Think that's part of it, to be honest a big part is people think electric car and they think Prius. Most people here are driving large pickup trucks and SUV's. I've never seen the attraction. I've always like torque and mid/compact vehicles.

 

[malcolm]

When asked, just tell the truth:

"I wanted to buy cutting-edge all-American technology"

...and then see which part of that they complain about.

Some people cannot handle others "stepping out of line" and expressing a difference.

It's not about the car, it's all about keeping relatives\neighbours\co-workers in-line.

Which is just so tediously short-sighted and counter-productive.

 

[ewoodrick]

To be fair I'm neck deep in climate denial land, not making a political statement just a fact of the region. Think that's part of it, to be honest a big part is people think electric car and they think Prius. Most people here are driving large pickup trucks and SUV's. I've never seen the attraction. I've always like torque and mid/compact vehicles.

It has nothing to do with climate denial.
A Ford F-150 Lariat, King Ranch, Raptor, Platinum, and Limited models are all over $40,000. The Limited is $67,000 BEFORE I configure it. I maxed it out at $76,000. The Model 3 decked out is only $66,000.

I never have to go fil my car up. I fill it at home. I never have to change the oil.

Screw the climate crap, an ICE is just so much more painful to take care of.

Oh, and a round-trip from ATL to Orlando, $45 worth of energy.

 

[ajdelange]

If you are into BEVs because you are a tree hugger you buy a Leaf - not a Tesla. I very much doubt any Tesla buyer has ever bought one because he was envious of his neighbors lower CO2 emissions.

 

[tonybelding]

I've talked to a few friends and co-workers about buying one and was shocked to be honest by their responses. Instead of "congrats" or "why are you going electric" I was met with statements like "X must be paying you well to afford one of those" or "you must be way overpaid to be able to buy one of those things" or "your an elitist" for wanting a Tesla.

Do they even know what is the price? It seems there are a lot of people who think Teslas start at $100,000 and go up from there. Some also still think there's a six-month or longer waiting list to get one. A Model 3 is not a super-expensive car. Yeah, you can option it up a bit, but still… It's no Bentley Flying Spur.

This is of course in addition to the usual things such as they are bad for the environment, what will you do if there's no power etc you get the idea. Vastly more negativity than anything positive. I'm sure I'm not the first to be met with this?

uhh… Very little. I've had my car for a few years, and there have been a handful of negative reactions (I could literally count on the fingers of one hand), but those are massively, massively outweighed by positive reactions from my neighbors as well as from random encounters when traveling.

 

[TeeEmCee]

To be fair I'm neck deep in climate denial land

Based on that label, I’d speculate they’re not so much reacting to the car but to you.

 

[Webeevdrivers]

Take them for a test drive. Argument over. Be sure to get pictures of them lickin their nuts after.

 

[George75]

Based on that label, I’d speculate they’re not so much reacting to the car but to you.

Based upon your comment I wouldn't speculate on what "land" your neck deep in.

 

[George75]

Take them for a test drive. Argument over. Be sure to get pictures of them lickin their nuts after.

I 100% agree, once people realize an M3 really is the ultimate driving machine (sorry BMW people lol) and see it costs a lot less than their giant guzzler they drive. I think more people will come around to the idea.

 

[jbcarioca]

In direct answer to the original question: Yes, indeed I have seen Tesla envy. I have it. Despite being on my second owned Tesla in the US and having numerous rental Teslae around the world, I still don't have one in Brazil, where i live. I am very envious of the handful of people who have grey market Tesla cars here, although I have been on the Model 3 waiting list since the day Tesla opened Brazil to reservations on April 1, 2016. It is beginning to seem as though the reservation was an April Fool's joke, especially as deliveries have begun in Slovenia, Czechia and Slovakia, not to mention a plethora of other countries.

I am Green with envy, but that is my surname anyway.

 

[MichaelP90DL]

In direct answer to the original question: Yes, indeed I have seen Tesla envy. I have it. Despite being on my second owned Tesla in the US and having numerous rental Teslae around the world, I still don't have one in Brazil, where i live. I am very envious of the handful of people who have grey market Tesla cars here, although I have been on the Model 3 waiting list since the day Tesla opened Brazil to reservations on April 1, 2016. It is beginning to seem as though the reservation was an April Fool's joke, especially as deliveries have begun in Slovenia, Czechia and Slovakia, not to mention a plethora of other countries.

I am Green with envy, but that is my surname anyway.

"Teslae"? Excellent! High-5!