Thought I would share my experience quickly. Ordered a red Tesla Model Y LR with 19in gemini wheels and white interior. Received one on 12/12 with Matrix headlights (did light show and it spelled Tesla) but no USS - didn't check but I think it's not there. Build date is 12/22. Pick up was at Fremont factory.
First attempted pickup at the Fremont factory on Sunday 12/11 in pouring rain. Inspected the car before going to the customer center and saw a couple of small nicks on the drivers side panel after comparing it to a couple of other nearby cars. Didn't see any other issues but my wife and I felt like we shouldn't get one with a defect. The Service Advisor deferred to a more senior Service Advisor who offered to fix it and deliver it the next day for us.
Next day, got a note from Tesla that I need to pay first before they'd deliver. I pushed them hard but they weren't willing to deliver before payment. Maybe it's a new policy.
I decided to go back to Fremont to take a look and noticed that the replacement panel was even worse than the original panel. The same senior Service Advisor from the prior day was there and said it was within spec. Definitely felt the pressure from the senior SA to take delivery at this point and accept the defect. We were still reluctant and considered walking away - during this time the Sr Service Advisor convinced the factory technician to take the car in and get it replaced with a clean door panel. I waited two hours and they came back with the car and a fixed panel. Paid and then asked them to drop off the car which they did that night (I think the senior service advisor pushed the delivery people to do it).
Overall I give an A- to the SA - she definitely put some light pressure to close the deal but she did whatever she could to make me happy with my purchase including sending it back to the factory twice, I appreciate that.
The car itself after we got that panel fixed is excellent - B+/A- depending on how you feel about the USS issue. Exterior looks stunning - I like the red with silver rims look. Handling wise, it's not as nimble as my old BMW sedan but definitely more powerful. White interior feels nice although more of my wife's pick than mine. I'm considering buying the acceleration boost but plenty powerful already. Overall user experience of the software is amazing and next generation. How luxury it feels - probably in between a Porsche Macan and a mid-tier config BMW X3 in my opinion.
What I do think gets a F or maybe a D is Tesla quality control, if they have any. I looked at my old BMW sedan door panels and they weren't in that much worse shape than the defective panel that got replaced. Tesla quality issues are a real thing - I wouldn't expect BMW, Lexus, Porsche, or Audi to have these type of issues at this price point although they have their own issues with electronics for sure. I also walked around the parking lot and there were definitely other cars with some minor installation defects.
If you are local in the SF Bay Area, definitely do not choose delivery or pay first - go see the car first hand at the Fremont factory or at a service center before pulling the trigger. If you go to Fremont, don't accept a defective car - push them to fix it because they can at the factory. Also, existing inventory is limited at the factory since all the cars out are assigned a VIN to someone already.
Hope this helps and enjoy.
"File:Tesla Model Y front passenger side view.jpg" by Daniel.Cardenas is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Admin note: Image added for Blog thumbnail.
First attempted pickup at the Fremont factory on Sunday 12/11 in pouring rain. Inspected the car before going to the customer center and saw a couple of small nicks on the drivers side panel after comparing it to a couple of other nearby cars. Didn't see any other issues but my wife and I felt like we shouldn't get one with a defect. The Service Advisor deferred to a more senior Service Advisor who offered to fix it and deliver it the next day for us.
Next day, got a note from Tesla that I need to pay first before they'd deliver. I pushed them hard but they weren't willing to deliver before payment. Maybe it's a new policy.
I decided to go back to Fremont to take a look and noticed that the replacement panel was even worse than the original panel. The same senior Service Advisor from the prior day was there and said it was within spec. Definitely felt the pressure from the senior SA to take delivery at this point and accept the defect. We were still reluctant and considered walking away - during this time the Sr Service Advisor convinced the factory technician to take the car in and get it replaced with a clean door panel. I waited two hours and they came back with the car and a fixed panel. Paid and then asked them to drop off the car which they did that night (I think the senior service advisor pushed the delivery people to do it).
Overall I give an A- to the SA - she definitely put some light pressure to close the deal but she did whatever she could to make me happy with my purchase including sending it back to the factory twice, I appreciate that.
The car itself after we got that panel fixed is excellent - B+/A- depending on how you feel about the USS issue. Exterior looks stunning - I like the red with silver rims look. Handling wise, it's not as nimble as my old BMW sedan but definitely more powerful. White interior feels nice although more of my wife's pick than mine. I'm considering buying the acceleration boost but plenty powerful already. Overall user experience of the software is amazing and next generation. How luxury it feels - probably in between a Porsche Macan and a mid-tier config BMW X3 in my opinion.
What I do think gets a F or maybe a D is Tesla quality control, if they have any. I looked at my old BMW sedan door panels and they weren't in that much worse shape than the defective panel that got replaced. Tesla quality issues are a real thing - I wouldn't expect BMW, Lexus, Porsche, or Audi to have these type of issues at this price point although they have their own issues with electronics for sure. I also walked around the parking lot and there were definitely other cars with some minor installation defects.
If you are local in the SF Bay Area, definitely do not choose delivery or pay first - go see the car first hand at the Fremont factory or at a service center before pulling the trigger. If you go to Fremont, don't accept a defective car - push them to fix it because they can at the factory. Also, existing inventory is limited at the factory since all the cars out are assigned a VIN to someone already.
Hope this helps and enjoy.
"File:Tesla Model Y front passenger side view.jpg" by Daniel.Cardenas is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Admin note: Image added for Blog thumbnail.