@keith58
I have a model 3 performance and took delivery of my Plaid in June so I've had a fair amount of time with it. I'll share some thoughts–
- In 'sport mode' the steering is more direct and heavier feeling in the Model 3 Performance than the Plaid. This may be largely contributed by the smaller diameter of the steering wheel on the m3p.
- The Plaid yoke is MUCH more direct feeling than the previous generation model S P100D. No offense to any of the pre-refresh model S owners out there but the updated interior is LIGHT YEARS better.
- Along the lines of the steering feel, the suspension is also more direct feeling in the m3p vs the adaptive system of model S. The feedback is more like a "sports" car (with all the pros and cons along with that).
- It sounds funny to say but after driving the Plaid daily for a month and climbing back into the m3p, the first thing you'll notice is that the m3p interior feels dated and "old" inside. And the giant screen? Feels small now. Quaint even. The best way I can describe this is if you're used to using an iPhone X, 11 , or 12 and then hold an iPhone 4, 6, or 8.
- The second thing you'll notice is that the m3p now feels slow– like when you step on it you're expecting more so it feels like only 50% throttle in the Plaid.
Overall if you like vintage sports cars or driver feedback, the m3p is closer to that experience. However if you are shopping Teslas you're probably not after that experience because a manual transmission and exhaust noise is more inline with that. In that way the Plaid is a heavier dose of the "Tesla" experience– more torque, more power, quieter, more futuristic.
For a daily driver the m3p makes more sense for the majority of people. Objectively, however, the Plaid is the better car in every measurable way.
Personally I prefer smaller cars so the Plaid feels huge (even the model 3 is bigger than I'm used to). Overall the product positioning builds a strong case for the upcoming Roadster. If Tesla built a model 3 Plaid I would strongly consider buying it
I have a model 3 performance and took delivery of my Plaid in June so I've had a fair amount of time with it. I'll share some thoughts–
- In 'sport mode' the steering is more direct and heavier feeling in the Model 3 Performance than the Plaid. This may be largely contributed by the smaller diameter of the steering wheel on the m3p.
- The Plaid yoke is MUCH more direct feeling than the previous generation model S P100D. No offense to any of the pre-refresh model S owners out there but the updated interior is LIGHT YEARS better.
- Along the lines of the steering feel, the suspension is also more direct feeling in the m3p vs the adaptive system of model S. The feedback is more like a "sports" car (with all the pros and cons along with that).
- It sounds funny to say but after driving the Plaid daily for a month and climbing back into the m3p, the first thing you'll notice is that the m3p interior feels dated and "old" inside. And the giant screen? Feels small now. Quaint even. The best way I can describe this is if you're used to using an iPhone X, 11 , or 12 and then hold an iPhone 4, 6, or 8.
- The second thing you'll notice is that the m3p now feels slow– like when you step on it you're expecting more so it feels like only 50% throttle in the Plaid.
Overall if you like vintage sports cars or driver feedback, the m3p is closer to that experience. However if you are shopping Teslas you're probably not after that experience because a manual transmission and exhaust noise is more inline with that. In that way the Plaid is a heavier dose of the "Tesla" experience– more torque, more power, quieter, more futuristic.
For a daily driver the m3p makes more sense for the majority of people. Objectively, however, the Plaid is the better car in every measurable way.
Personally I prefer smaller cars so the Plaid feels huge (even the model 3 is bigger than I'm used to). Overall the product positioning builds a strong case for the upcoming Roadster. If Tesla built a model 3 Plaid I would strongly consider buying it