You really should use this as an indication of you driving improperly instead of the car doing something wrong. Please keep everyone on the road safe and stay in your lane...Yes, even on tight corners.
My quick review: Summary: it's awesome. I remember taking a survey on my Acura ILX a few years ago. One question was whether I felt an emotional attachment to my car. I never have with any car. I did not understand why they had asked. Well, after 24 hours with my 3, I had an attachment. After driving our S for 50k miles (7k on one road trip and several smaller ones), here are my thoughts that you may not see elsewhere. Contrary to what I expected, the 3 would also make a great road trip car. Less storage for suitcases, etc. than the S, but even quieter than our S75D. How much of this is due to no front motor, I don't know. I was concerned about the lack of HEPA and carbon filters. In the first 200 miles, I have not smelled the ICE vehicles. I have not tested it through the nearly perpetual California fires yet... I notice some wind noise at 80 mhp. But I thought that's pretty great to not even notice any wind noise at lower speeds. In short, I thought that this would be a lesser car than the S. I no longer think so. I like cars this size for everyday driving. My wife likes bigger cars. So, the S is "hers" and the 3 is "mine". Although she likes the 3 also, including the back seats. Actually, maybe one day I will get autonomous so that I can ride in the back seat. Cool view. In comparison the the LEAF that I had for 3 years? None. Except the LEAF is easier to lock and unlock without a "smart" phone. I hope Tesla will sell a fob for the 3. Old-fashioned energy will go down fast.
Great Post Thank you for the detail, but if you had to chose, which would be your go to car? I have a 2016 s85 with 2 M3s on order, but being UK ( RHD) the fact i ordered on Day 1 (3am here) has no value - shame. I just don't know if i will want to keep the S or swap out to the M3 when it eventually gets here? The 2nd M3 is my wife's, so i will get no say in that.
@Andrew - Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll check it out. Having said that, after driving the car for a couple of weeks it has become a non issue. I just had to get accustomed to it’s handling a little sportier than my “S”. As you said, maybe getting a little wear on the tires may have helped as well.
typically that is true. A few years ago I had my R arm in a splint for a bit. So my wife was driving and I was the passenger but had to open the door with my left hand. That's a pretty rare occurance, but it sounds like it might be difficult in the 3.
No, I had no problem opening the passenger door with my left hand. Press the rear part of the handle with your left middle finger and pull open with you left index finger and thumb. Felt awkward but certainly doable.
Great review. I also would add the stereo is fantastic, sound quality right up there wth our x premium. And the all glass roof makes it feel bigger inside than it is.
Dear KJennerator, Let me assure you that this was not unsafe or improper driving on my part. This was a two lane road. For me, when you approach a curve to the right, it is natural, more 'efficient' and completely safe to hug the apex of the corner rather than track precisely down the middle of the lane.
I would choose the model 3. I like smaller, more nimble, cars. The beauty of having two reservations is that you can experience the first one and then decide on the second.
I really wish AP had it's own stalk or controls on the wheel for speed and distance. Major downside for me.
I suspect Tesla will roll out an update that moves these controls to the two wheels on the steering wheel after a while, if not part of dramatically improving voice control functionality. They're going to have to do something given how universally frustrated customers are with the lack of a stalk for AP.
Do people really adjust their steering wheel column position often enough to dedicate the spinner controls on the steering wheel to that? I had gotten the impression at some point that those were going to be programmable.
I usually hate people who pull their profession as an excuse, but I'm a driving instructor and would rate you poorly for doing that. The car is functioning as intended. However, it is difficult for me to know exactly how close to the line you are getting. If you aren't crossing the line, then the car may be too sensitive.
@KJennerator - @RBowen's original post said "cross the apex of a turn" and he later said "hug the apex of the corner." So perhaps this is just an issue of semantics. I've found the Model 3 does indeed give a lane departure warning (vibration) quite often when hugging the inside of a turn, even when not actually crossing, or even touching, the line. Though it doesn't bother me, it does seem to be a little overzealous sometimes.
That's funny, when I open a door with the "wrong" hand, I find it easier to flip my hand over, press with my thumb and grab the underside of the handle. I've done it once or twice when holding something in the hand I'd normally use to open the door. There are a lot of car doors where you grab up from the bottom anyway, so it's feels fairly natural.
I think I will like your method better. I will give it a try next time. The point is, no matter which way you choose, it is easy enough and not an issue.
I’m sure does. If you’re driving and need a vibration to tell you that you are departing your lane, maybe you should call a cab.
They already have Functions outside of adjustments to steering wheel. Like media and voice controls..