Hey all, I work for Hagerty in their media/editorial department and recently wrote this up in hopes of making people consider a Model 3 who normally wouldn't have the slightest interest. Gearheads can still enjoy the Tesla Model 3 Enjoy! Best, Gene
Do I miss the sound of a combustion engine? Yes and no. That's my feeling. A nice exhaust note can be delightful, but at the same time I don't miss the noise. Nice article!
Lovely read. As someone who sold a classic muscle car to make room for the 3, I have a taste of where you are coming from. The muscle car was a visceral experience of power with the roaring engine, the chirp of the tires (...and the opening of the glove box on a hard accelerating shift). Gave a "real" feel of the power. On the other hand my RWD 3 probably accelerates as fast to 60 if not a hair faster, but it is so smooth and easy it has me craving for more power. While I will miss the roar of the V8, I have found much appreciation in the stealth accelerations of the electric where I can punch it without attracting unwanted attention.
OP thanks for sharing, I loved the article and I feel its a pretty accurate representation of how I feel as well.
This is awesome, I really appreciate this article. Having come from a long line of BMW's, I can relate to this in many ways!
I especially appreciate the fact that you reall captured the difference between the S and the 3 in driving dynamics. The S is a rocket-ship dreadnought, while the 3 is a true “driver’s car”. When I went for my first test-drive I knew it would be fast, but the level of handling, driver-involvement and refinement blew me away.
The line about the best car you’ve ever owned really resonated with me. The fact that it’s just a good normal car and also so capable when driven hard, is hard to overstate. My motorcycle (ducati 1098S with upgrades) is more fun on the track but just a horrible daily driver. The fact that you can drive this car in traffic, on the interstate, on the twistes and on the track and it’s fun and comfortable everywhere just blows my mind. It’s also the best “fitting” car I’ve ever driven. I’m 6’2 and this is the only car I’ve ever felt I could adust the seat and steering wheel to an almost perfect fit. Wish the seat had more aggressive bolstering but you can’t have everything
Great article, thanks for preaching! I loved the write up, although I disagree with you on the voice commands. Coming from Apple CarPlay, the Tesla feels like a letdown. Otherwise you hit the nail on the head!
Thanks for posting. I was about to but you beat me to it. While they do insure my antique Mercedes it's funny that they won't insure the vehicle the article is about (or my S, for that matter).
"Next to a Model 3 in the garage, insert your favorite manually shifted, naturally aspirated, hydraulic-steering, fire-spitting classic car and that’s as good as it gets in my book." You better add a Deltran Battery Tender Battery Tender is the Most Trusted and Reliable Brand Since 1965. We Design, Manufacture, and Distribute Technologically Advanced Products that Meet the Ever Changing Needs of our Worldwide Customers. to your ICE because you will find you are driving it less and less over time. Personally, I sold my highly regarded 2004 BMW M3 6-Speed Imola Red a few months before I bought my first Tesla. While I loved the BMW I did not regret selling it.
Extremely well written, as a fellow gearhead I felt like I was reading my own thoughts and opinions verbatim, only more ably written! I guess I differ in opinion on the Model S and on Autopilot: the S because it's a big, heavy car that shrinks around you and is still a lot of fun to drive despite its heft, and Autopilot because you can love to drive but still happily turn duties over to the car in heavy stop and go traffic or long freeway stints. In that sense the car, like its efficiency and speed, is having the best of both worlds.
If I commuted I would have purchased it, especially at the $2k that it was yesterday. I work from home and when I take the car out it's to drive the hell out of it. The few times that I've been stuck in traffic, and had the month trial, I used it and it was great.
Yep. Fully agree. And literally parked right next to my Model 3 is my '69 Camaro RS Z/28 with the original DZ 302 and M22 4 speed manual. Old meets New! Love both.