Model 3 Partial Premium Plus
Delivery 3/23/19
Current mileage 3,800
Online ordering.
Love it. Although you can't hagel and negotiate a lower price I appreciate the implementation of online ordering. You have to submit the requested documents, make sure you have the model 3 on your insurance policy and obtain a loan if you need one.
Trade in.
Although I don't have much experience with trading in a car, I thought that Tesla’s process was smooth and uncomplicated. They gave me a quote based on the vehicle's mileage and the car being in “good” condition. They did however adjust the quote down by about $600 a week later. I don't know if that's what they normally do after you start going through the process of ordering your new car or if it was an honest adjustment to the quote. I can see this tactic working because I was completely done uploading all of my documents and made the financial arrangements for the loan.
When I went to pick up the Model 3 and sign over my trade in, all they did was take a picture of the milage and that was it. I joked afterwards that I could have stripped the car and sold off most of the parts and they still wouldn't have cared. Apparently, it had already been purchased by some wholesaler and it was on its way to auction.
After delivery.
When I took delivery my car had more speakers enabled, it had satellite maps, and the footwell lights worked. After the first update and after the 1 week return window expired, all of those features where turn off, as if on queue. I was completely shocked and unaware that this was even possible. I took delivery of a car that had features I loved and all of the sudden they were gone. Furthermore, I contacted tesla about my features disappearing and after checking my vin # they said it was an error and that the features would be reenable in the next software update. Surprise! They were not re enabled.
Autopilot Trial.
I did not purchase the autopilot because I wasn't sure if it was worth it. I was told that everyone that buys a tesla gets the autopilot to try for 60 days. After about 3 weeks after delivery, I called the service center and they said that it will be included in the next software update. Surprise! There have been 2 software updates and no auto pilot trial.
Partial Premium Plus Upgrade
When configuring my model 3 order, I thought to myself, “For only a $2000 upgrade you get so much.”
Surprise! About 3 weeks after I took delivery it turns out that there is no Standard Model 3 and that all Standard Model 3s are actually Premium Plus Model 3s with software limitation. I called the service center as well as the Tesla headquarters and no one was able to give me a straight answer on the differences between Standard and Premium Plus. They also had no clue that Tesla made a statement that anyone who purchased a Premium Plus could downgrade to the Standard and receive a $2000 refund.
I know people say you agreed to pay a certain price for a car and that's what you got but I agreed to pay for an upgrade based on a comparison that never actually existed. That's deceptive, misleading and false marketing. If I were to order one now, I would not opt for the upgrade.
Driving.
Driving this car is really a lot of fun and it's unlike any other car that I have driven. That’s why Tesla gives a 7 days to return the car, because once you accelerate you feel incredible and returning it no longer becomes an option. The only complaint that I have is the wind turbulence that you begin to hear at around 55 mph and it intensifies as you speed up. I have spent countless hours trying to figure out ways to alleviate this problem.
Tesla says that all cars have this sound, you just don't notice it as much because the engine is so loud. That might be the case but this car creates much higher pitched noise around the A pillar and after a long drive it get extremely annoying.
Conclusion.
I know this was more of a negative review but most of the problems are with the company and management than with the car itself.
I really like my Model 3 but when you take Tesla’s inconsistencies and miscommunications into account you really have to debate whether or not it's worth it. I would appreciate my promised auto pilot trial, the features that were turned off, a concrete answer on the differences between the Standard and Premium Plus and a way, if I choose to, downgrade from Plus to Standard. I’m tired of empty promises which at this point feel like downright lies. Self driving by the end of the year… another empty promise I’m sure.
Delivery 3/23/19
Current mileage 3,800
Online ordering.
Love it. Although you can't hagel and negotiate a lower price I appreciate the implementation of online ordering. You have to submit the requested documents, make sure you have the model 3 on your insurance policy and obtain a loan if you need one.
Trade in.
Although I don't have much experience with trading in a car, I thought that Tesla’s process was smooth and uncomplicated. They gave me a quote based on the vehicle's mileage and the car being in “good” condition. They did however adjust the quote down by about $600 a week later. I don't know if that's what they normally do after you start going through the process of ordering your new car or if it was an honest adjustment to the quote. I can see this tactic working because I was completely done uploading all of my documents and made the financial arrangements for the loan.
When I went to pick up the Model 3 and sign over my trade in, all they did was take a picture of the milage and that was it. I joked afterwards that I could have stripped the car and sold off most of the parts and they still wouldn't have cared. Apparently, it had already been purchased by some wholesaler and it was on its way to auction.
After delivery.
When I took delivery my car had more speakers enabled, it had satellite maps, and the footwell lights worked. After the first update and after the 1 week return window expired, all of those features where turn off, as if on queue. I was completely shocked and unaware that this was even possible. I took delivery of a car that had features I loved and all of the sudden they were gone. Furthermore, I contacted tesla about my features disappearing and after checking my vin # they said it was an error and that the features would be reenable in the next software update. Surprise! They were not re enabled.
Autopilot Trial.
I did not purchase the autopilot because I wasn't sure if it was worth it. I was told that everyone that buys a tesla gets the autopilot to try for 60 days. After about 3 weeks after delivery, I called the service center and they said that it will be included in the next software update. Surprise! There have been 2 software updates and no auto pilot trial.
Partial Premium Plus Upgrade
When configuring my model 3 order, I thought to myself, “For only a $2000 upgrade you get so much.”
- Leather seats, alcantara doors
- Heated seats
- Power adjustable seats and steering wheel
- Heated and retracting side mirrors
- Upgraded center console
- More speakers
- LED fog lamps
Surprise! About 3 weeks after I took delivery it turns out that there is no Standard Model 3 and that all Standard Model 3s are actually Premium Plus Model 3s with software limitation. I called the service center as well as the Tesla headquarters and no one was able to give me a straight answer on the differences between Standard and Premium Plus. They also had no clue that Tesla made a statement that anyone who purchased a Premium Plus could downgrade to the Standard and receive a $2000 refund.
I know people say you agreed to pay a certain price for a car and that's what you got but I agreed to pay for an upgrade based on a comparison that never actually existed. That's deceptive, misleading and false marketing. If I were to order one now, I would not opt for the upgrade.
Driving.
Driving this car is really a lot of fun and it's unlike any other car that I have driven. That’s why Tesla gives a 7 days to return the car, because once you accelerate you feel incredible and returning it no longer becomes an option. The only complaint that I have is the wind turbulence that you begin to hear at around 55 mph and it intensifies as you speed up. I have spent countless hours trying to figure out ways to alleviate this problem.
Tesla says that all cars have this sound, you just don't notice it as much because the engine is so loud. That might be the case but this car creates much higher pitched noise around the A pillar and after a long drive it get extremely annoying.
Conclusion.
I know this was more of a negative review but most of the problems are with the company and management than with the car itself.
I really like my Model 3 but when you take Tesla’s inconsistencies and miscommunications into account you really have to debate whether or not it's worth it. I would appreciate my promised auto pilot trial, the features that were turned off, a concrete answer on the differences between the Standard and Premium Plus and a way, if I choose to, downgrade from Plus to Standard. I’m tired of empty promises which at this point feel like downright lies. Self driving by the end of the year… another empty promise I’m sure.
