Hello From Texas

[Pacernow]

Hello,
I have been lurking on this board for several months. For the last 20 years have owned either a SUV, crossover, or mini van. The last car we owned was a 1999 Toyota Camry. Had the opportunity to test drive a new 2020 and 2021 Y LR AWD. Originally was going to get a Y, but recently been looking at the used market for S, X, Y, and 3's. Like the drivers seat height in the X and Y, but the pricing for the X makes it a difficult choice.The S and 3 might take some adjusting because of the lower seat height for the driver.
Look forward to the journey of owning a Tesla. Thanks in advance.

 

[Tam]

...The S and 3 might take some adjusting because of the lower seat height for the driver.
Look forward to the journey of owning a Tesla. Thanks in advance.

I've owned S, X, 3 starting 2012 and they are all fine. But of course, if you can afford it, I would get the most expensive one.

 

[Pilar Beckner]

Hello and welcome aboard!

 

[Pacernow]

Thank you for the welcome.

 

[ziggityzen]

Welcome! What part of TX?

 

[Pacernow]

Ziggy,
East Texas. The Tyler area.

 

[Pacernow]

I've owned S, X, 3 starting 2012 and they are all fine. But of course, if you can afford it, I would get the most expensive one.

Tam,
Thank you for your response. Do you have a favorite between the X and 3? How would you compare the drive between the X and 3. The Y feels like you are driving a sports car.

 

[Tam]

Tam,
Thank you for your response. Do you have a favorite between the X and 3? How would you compare the drive between the X and 3. The Y feels like you are driving a sports car.

My favorites on Model X:
.Big: Roomy is good for me.
.Utility: I like to carry passengers and stuff and it's very suitable.
.Falcon wings: Easy way to get in and out. Once I have used them, I hate traditional doors.
.Closing doors from the screen: Sometimes I forget to close doors and it's a hassle to get out to close one with other models. With the X, the only one that I can't close from the main screen is the front trunk! With kids in the back, I told them to fold their arms so I can see and I would close the doors from my driver seat. Once the kids know the safety protocol of not holding the door frames while the door is closing, I allow them to manually close the doors.
.Automatic driver door: It automatically opens as I approach the driver door which is very convenient because a lot of times, both of my hands are full.
.More info on displays: Because there are 2 display screens: Instrument cluster in front and central screen.
.Towing
.Flashy: Kids love watching the car dances with the falcon wings.
.Better subwoofer: The music is warmer in the X.

What I don't like about the Model X:
.Expensive
.Big: might be tight for a small garage and a compact car designating parking space at a small strip mall.
.Missing coat hangers: I don't know whether that has been fixed in the 2021 version yet.

My favorites on Model 3:
.Cheaper
.Small: Good for tight garage and all parking spaces.
.Coat hangers: What a difference! I love this feature!


What I don't like about the Model 3:
.Less utility: Less room, no tow
.No hatchback: Just conventional trunk with lid and I can't fit a small table through it.
.Less info display: There's only 1 screen and the screen is smaller (15" instead of Model X's 17")
.No door automation: It's a hassle when my hands are full and the driver door doesn't open up for me or when I forgot to close a door or trunk and I have to manually get out of the car to close them.
.The music is not as warm as the X due to the less powerful subwoofer (less vibration that I could feel from the bass too)

Overall, the X spoils me so I don't mind paying more for it!

 

[Pacernow]

Tam,
Thank you very much for the excellent review of the X. I like the X drivers seat height. Reminds me of some of the SUVs and crossovers that we have owned. Thank you for mentioning the sub woofer and the two screens.
I read that the D75 has a range of 237 miles. Does that seem reasonable or believable? Does the X have a model year to avoid?
Saw a red X in the area today and it turned my head. It is a unique design. My only concern is the cost. We have bought cars in the mid $50k range, but never in the high 50s or low 60s.
Thank you again.

 

[Tam]

I read that the D75 has a range of 237 miles. Does that seem reasonable or believable?

You can find the EPA range by visiting:

2019 Tesla Model X 75D

Fuel Economy of the 2019 Tesla Model X 75D. Compare the gas mileage and greenhouse gas emissions of the 2019 Tesla Model X 75D side-by-side with other cars and trucks

www.fueleconomy.gov

For 2019 Model X 75D, it's 238 miles.

Just like a gasoline EPA range rating, it's pretty much impossible for us to duplicate its laboratory conditions to achieve their ratings.

It's meant to be a guide to compare among other cars but that's it.

For practicality, I wouldn't count on EPA range. It's not that much a problem with a gasoline car because you can pretty much find a gas station at almost every corner.

Does the X have a model year to avoid?

The minimum technology that I would settle with is Autopilot with 8 cameras started in October 2016.

Prior to that, it's only 1 camera Autopilot. Too old of technology for me.

The infotainment center MCU1 (Media Center Unit first generation--17" central display unit) built from March 2018 or earlier tends to fail after about 4 years. There's a recall for that if it fails.

My only concern is the cost. We have bought cars in the mid $50k range, but never in the high 50s or low 60s.

For the cost purpose, I would recommend a new $48,490 Model 3 Long Range (353-mile battery) with Autopilot already built-in the price. It doesn't have your own personal automatic valet that opens the driver door to spoil you but It's definitely a fine good safe car.

I would avoid buying use due to the potential cost of repairs out of warranty.

 

[Pacernow]

Tam,
Thank you for your response.