Things to know about Tesla cars compared to regular cars that I found out the hard way:
- The paint, since they are built in CA, is crappy water based paint. Please note that this is NOT Tesla's fault- it is California's fault due to their very strict laws. I see a lot of people getting mad at Tesla and it's not their fault.
- Pretty much every other car out there is not water based paint because the laws in other states are not as strict as CA
- Because of that, it is more prone to chips, scratches and other damage and not just from rocks. I got damage from blowing sand as well
- I got side swiped two months after getting the car and drove around for 4 months waiting on parts. When the parts finally got in, the body shop explained about the paint in CA and the law around it. AND since the body shop is in CA, they too use water based paint to repair the vehicles so even if the car was not purchased here, if it's repaired here, then it's the water based paint.
- I had rock/sand/bug- yes bug- damage on the frunk, the front bumper, the front lights, the windshield and part of the front fenders. I was astounded by the extent of the damage when I don't remember ANY rocks flying at me at any time at all. AND I have lived on a dirt/gravel road (with a different car) and never had this kind of damage. My car isn't even a year old.
- Because of this, I got PPF on the whole front of the car, the fenders and the two front doors since people tend to ding doors. Since I invested so much in this car I figured it was worth it in the long run due to the crappy paint.
- On the original Roadster (and I think the original S), PPF was applied to parts of the car to protect it. At least that is what my X said who has the original Roadster and S. So my feeling was to get it.
And on a side note, it saved the front of his car in a very minor fender bender- he just removed the PPF after the collision. Of course the Roadster is made of a different material so don't count on that with your 3.
Bottom line, invest in PPF. It's worth it.
