Bought a P3D- for many reasons - environmental consideration wasn't one of them

[Dolemite]

I don't intend to start a flame war or any political discussion whatsoever. I just want to get this off my chest & get a feel for how many others like me are out there. I can appreciate the arguments around the reduction in fossil fuel usage etc. But for me, personally, that wasn't a primary concern. Maybe I'm overthinking how people view Tesla owners... Or I'm spending too much time reading the cesspool that is reddit.

The Model 3 wasn't part of my decision set when I was car shopping - I just happen to have a Tesla store 5 minutes from my house and figured what the hell, let's see what's up. Drove a P3D+ and was blown away. Found out about the P3D- and was sold.

The reasons why I chose this car:

1. Performance. An AWD car that hits 60 in 3 seconds for $50K w/ no mechanical guilt. Instant "throttle" response. Pretty good handling (hoping MPP coilovers + PS4S tires dial it in to where it should be).
2. Mechanical simplicity. I enjoy tinkering, but fixing an endless stream of leaking transmissions/differentials/gaskets eventually starts getting old (looking at you, BMW). I plan to keep this car a long, long time & hope its simple mechanical nature means that it'll be extremely reliable & perform as it does for longer & with fewer issues than an ICE car.
3. Practicality. It's a high-performance car but I don't have to worry about getting valve adjustments every 50K miles, or turbocharger heat soak, or carbon buildup, or endless debates about oil catch cans, or making sure it's warmed up before driving hard, or feeling like an idiot shuffling to & from work in a 400+ hp machine that gets 16 mpg in stop & go traffic that seldom sees over 35 mph. And it seats 5 people & has a crazy amount of space vs. a similarly-sized conventional car.
4. Daily driving is extremely easy. I really don't like firing up an ICE car to make short trips - it feels wasteful & "unhealthy" for the car. Battery doesn't charge well, cats don't heat up, nor does the engine, etc. Silly concern but there's no such thing in the Tesla - it's ideal for daily driving.
5. Looks. I don't think the Model 3 looks spectacular, by any means. But "evolving" pedestrian safety standards & endless bloat has rendered most cars looking pretty awful. Gone are the days of svelte, understated styling. So compared to the other options, I think it's pretty good, especially lowered with meaty tires + chrome delete.
6. Finally - everything else sucks in comparison. There's nothing as good, especially at the same price point. It's either too dated, too watered-down/boring/suited for the masses, or doesn't come in a manual... something I dearly want in an ICE car. Most manufacturers have simply forsaken the enthusiast & are computerizing every facet of the driving experience. Might as well take it all the way & go for the car that takes this concept to the extreme, but wraps it up in a novel & thrilling driving experience.

 

[Msjulie]

Glad that even though the positive effects of not getting another ICE car did not play in your decision, you got (what I think is) a great car and you will likely enjoy it very much and maybe even start to feel a little happy that it is more green...

 

[mr965]

Agreed on all points. I was shopping AMG and BMW Mcars. No comparison for a daily driver at this price level.

 

[Electrph]

Agree on most of ur points
I just really enjoy cars and newest tech so tesla model 3 was perfect
Knew performance on paper of P3D was good but was not even close to ready for the reality of the brutal acceleration available.
Finding out about unicorn P3D- bonus
Do like idea of zero emissions / less reliance fossil fuels / look forward to day when majority consumer autos zero emission but like you not my primary reason for purchase if we are all being honest here

 

[S4WRXTTCS]

So you bought a Stealth P3D because it's a Stealth P3D.



There are some buying choices that simply don't need to be explained.

 

[kwoody51]

Agree with all your point and exactly why I bought a stealth!

I don’t not care about the environment but my list looked just like your list and is what I tell people when they say ‘I didn’t think YOU were a Tesla person’

 

[jordanair45]

Exactly why I got mine. Not a performance version but. I was a petrol head. Had AMG Mercedes. Problem after problem. Service after service. I was tired of it. Only thing that MB comes ahead in is the interior but I really enjoy the Tesla !

 

[hocr]

Agree on most your points. Well said

 

[Wnuk]

Well said.

 

[ecarfan]

I don’t not care about the environment

I’m happy to hear that.

We are indeed fortunate to be able to own cars that not only reduce carbon emissions (and increasingly so over time as more sustainable energy sources come online) but happen to be outstanding vehicles in so many ways.

 

[destructure00]

Environmental concern was not on my radar. It's a nice secondary benefit...but I wanted performance (I do HPDE track days), low maintenance cost, low energy/fuel cost, and I wanted the AZ cloud plate so I can use the HOV lane. Got all of those with my P3D.

Hell I was a diesel truck guy a few years ago. How the tables turn with a good product.

 

[sduck]

Damn tree hugger.

 

[Watts 4 Me]

Damn tree hugger.

More like a tech hugger.

 

[Mr X]

My Model 3 looks spectacular by all means

 

[Kilotango74]

Great post! Agree with everything. Although environmental concerns were really not something that drove my desire to purchase my M3P, I do have to say never visiting a gas station for anything more than water and gum will be so nice!

 

[Callawayc7]

Also agree with all your points. However, for me the added savings in not paying $4 a gallon for gas was a selling point to.

 

[alexGS]

1. Daily driving is extremely easy. I really don't like firing up an ICE car to make short trips - it feels wasteful & "unhealthy" for the car. Battery doesn't charge well, cats don't heat up, nor does the engine, etc. Silly concern but there's no such thing in the Tesla - it's ideal for daily driving

I’m glad you brought up this point. I’m in a similar situation to you; chose my Model 3 to replace my daily driver and did away with my Gallardo Spyder at the same time.

I really chose the Model 3 because I appreciate the fine engineering solution an electric drivetrain provides. It works so well as a daily driver, no problem for a short trip (no need to warm the engine before setting off for a smooth change into 2nd etc.) and also delivers exhilarating performance on longer trips (I think the handling/ride is superb, too).

Just as you said, there’s none of that ‘about to break’ feeling that you have with an Italian car (even one made with German bits), there’s no hot oily smells, no unexpected clunks and lurches or clutches wearing out, no exhaust tips or taillights falling off because their plastic mountings have turned brittle with heat from the exhaust, etc. etc.

Most people will never know how good it is

-Alex

 

[ModelNforNerd]

I care about the environment. I don't think I'm at a place with that caring that the environment is the #1 reason I do or buy anything.

My Stealth P3D is an amazing car in every way, with an added bonus of being good for the environment.

 

[640k]

I don't intend to start a flame war or any political discussion whatsoever. I just want to get this off my chest & get a feel for how many others like me are out there. I can appreciate the arguments around the reduction in fossil fuel usage etc. But for me, personally, that wasn't a primary concern. Maybe I'm overthinking how people view Tesla owners... Or I'm spending too much time reading the cesspool that is reddit.

The Model 3 wasn't part of my decision set when I was car shopping - I just happen to have a Tesla store 5 minutes from my house and figured what the hell, let's see what's up. Drove a P3D+ and was blown away. Found out about the P3D- and was sold.

The reasons why I chose this car:

1. Performance. An AWD car that hits 60 in 3 seconds for $50K w/ no mechanical guilt. Instant "throttle" response. Pretty good handling (hoping MPP coilovers + PS4S tires dial it in to where it should be).
2. Mechanical simplicity. I enjoy tinkering, but fixing an endless stream of leaking transmissions/differentials/gaskets eventually starts getting old (looking at you, BMW). I plan to keep this car a long, long time & hope its simple mechanical nature means that it'll be extremely reliable & perform as it does for longer & with fewer issues than an ICE car.
3. Practicality. It's a high-performance car but I don't have to worry about getting valve adjustments every 50K miles, or turbocharger heat soak, or carbon buildup, or endless debates about oil catch cans, or making sure it's warmed up before driving hard, or feeling like an idiot shuffling to & from work in a 400+ hp machine that gets 16 mpg in stop & go traffic that seldom sees over 35 mph. And it seats 5 people & has a crazy amount of space vs. a similarly-sized conventional car.
4. Daily driving is extremely easy. I really don't like firing up an ICE car to make short trips - it feels wasteful & "unhealthy" for the car. Battery doesn't charge well, cats don't heat up, nor does the engine, etc. Silly concern but there's no such thing in the Tesla - it's ideal for daily driving.
5. Looks. I don't think the Model 3 looks spectacular, by any means. But "evolving" pedestrian safety standards & endless bloat has rendered most cars looking pretty awful. Gone are the days of svelte, understated styling. So compared to the other options, I think it's pretty good, especially lowered with meaty tires + chrome delete.
6. Finally - everything else sucks in comparison. There's nothing as good, especially at the same price point. It's either too dated, too watered-down/boring/suited for the masses, or doesn't come in a manual... something I dearly want in an ICE car. Most manufacturers have simply forsaken the enthusiast & are computerizing every facet of the driving experience. Might as well take it all the way & go for the car that takes this concept to the extreme, but wraps it up in a novel & thrilling driving experience.

you've pretty much hit everything on the head as far as how my thought process went. Tesla was never on my radar. i never thought i would be happy unless i purchased the most expensive one and at the end of the day, there's still a carbon footprint (what happens to the batteries?)

also, updoot for reddit reference. one of us.

 

[G26okie]

All your points plus, it does look pretty spectacular.

I was shopping the LR AWD against the charger scat pack, camaro SS, KIA Stinger/Genesis G70. Those would have been a mistake and I'm glad I was able to grab a stealth performance.