I recently took delivery of a Model 3 (about 2 weeks ago) - but only have driven it for about a week since I took it straight to the shop for tinting, PPF, etc. Before that, I had leased a Model S for two years. I loved my Model S. After driving that car for a couple of years I had decided that I wanted another electric vehicle and made the decision to buy a Model 3.
Prior to delivery, like many of you, I spent time reading everything I could about the car. Most of the time, it was as painful as it was informative. A lot of the things fed into the fear and paranoia that there would be issues with the car. Delivery day came and I was unable to find a single issue wrong with the car other than some very minor things like swirl marks from the detail shop. The interior was flawless. Panel gaps were great. Everything worked mechanically. The weather was the only thing that didn't cooperate. (It was POURING rain, there were even a tornado watch in the area) It was a little depressing to take the car straight to the shop for detailing, but I was relieved that I didn't have to deal with some of the delivery horrors that others had written about here.
For the sake of this review, be aware that I ordered:
Performance Model 3 - No PUP
White Interior
Red Paint
I upgraded the wheels to TST 19" Wheels.
Fast forward a week later, and I was finally able to pick my car up from the shop. Thanks to a bit of overlap with my lease, I still had my Model S while I was waiting, and wasn't without a Tesla during the wait. Moving from one car directly to another made it very easy to tell how different these cars are. Although I loved my Model S, the biggest thing I noticed right away is how they drive, and that is really where the Model 3 shines. It is FUN to drive.
Where you really notice the difference between the Model S and the Model 3 is when you make turns. The 3 just turns better. I don't feel the weight of the car at all. In the Model S, I could feel the weight and size of the car, but the power just pushed the car through the turn. In the Model 3, I just feel like it glides through turns easily without any effort. The power in the P3D feels like it comes so much easier than it did in my Model S 90D. That may be due to size, weight, or just how you sit in the car. Everything just feels "easier".
I like the look out of the windshield. It feels like you are looking down on the road since there is no dash, but you are still low to the ground. It's also nice that they have started putting inspection stickers off to the side instead of in the middle of the windshield. It just looks better that way. I wish they were on the passenger side though. The rear view mirror and window are so-so to look out of... just how the defroster lines and tint are laid out make the visibility awkward, but not bad.
The white seats are really comfortable. I can't speak to any color transfer, but my wife has a Model X with a white interior, and after a couple of years there would be some here and there, but it would be easy to clean up with any basic cleaner. They hold up really well. The material is very soft, and I prefer the spongy feel to the seats compared to the Model S seats. It sounds silly, but I also think the armrests are better. How could they screw up something so simple in the Model S, I don't know, but i hated the armrests in that car. I'm a skinny guy and my arms didn't agree with them.
The U/I is much more responsive than my old car. Things are very quick, but it is far from perfect. I really do miss the split screen capabilities of the S/X in the Model 3. When I am browsing my USB media library it completely obstructs the GPS/MAP area, and that sucks. I previously had submitted feedback saying Tesla needs to support MP3 playlist support for USB media and/or add voice control and that holds more true on the model 3. It's even more cluttered on the single display. I'm also surprised that some songs that will play in my Model S over USB will not play in the Model 3. I would assume the software is uniform for media playback but it is not. I've already read up on the issues on USB so I'm pretty sure what the problems are. The major problem I have is the lack of the windshield wiper stalk. The auto-wipers work OK 90% of the time, but there are times in every car where you need to manually enable the wipers for one quick clean off and using the touch-screen to do that is annoying, even if it is conveniently on the screen at all times. Changing between audio sources could be easier. I think the buttons are too small to do while you are driving. Again, the layout on the S/X was better for this. I am hoping this will improve over time. This isn't something I need to do frequently, but doing it by voice would be a good option.
USB Ports - I've already submitted feedback on this. It's annoying that Tesla changed how USB ports work on the 3 vs the S/X, and the Amperage. On my Model S, the USB port is on at all times, and puts out (I believe) about 2.1A. If I left my phone plugged in and hidden in the cubby it could charge. On the Model 3 it is capped at 1A and turns off when the car sleeps. This means charging is very slow and limited to when the car is running. If you talk to people trying to put in dashcams, this is a problem in general with the model 3. The car has a big battery and Tesla just doesn't want you to use it when you aren't driving. In the S/X, they encouraged it! I know it isn't that big of a deal, but I noticed it right away.
Door Handles - This is going to take some getting used to for me. I'm so used to the self-presenting handles on my Model S, it is hard for me to get used to opening these doors! I've pressed the thin part without thinking more than once. I don't mind the interior button at all like some others do. I think after a few weeks the handles will come naturally but initially they seem strange to me.
Charge Port / Bettery- No issues charging the car, it was plug and play - but I did notice that the car would not allow me to disengage the charger when the car is asleep. Our Model S and X would allow this, but the Model 3 would not. I had to wake up the car first. I've only done this twice, but I have to still confirm I'm not crazy. Since I am waiting for my 30A adapter, I have only charged my car every few days when needed...but it seems to drain quite a bit on its own when left unplugged. Has anyone else noticed this or am I just seeing ghosts? I may have to test this further.
Storage - I'm going to miss the hatchback and the power liftgate to be sure, but the 3 still has plenty of room. I knew this going in, but other than the occasional big trip to home depot, I don't put huge things in the car. Just like my model S, I am going to avoid using my frunk if at all possible since I don't like how it closes and I don't need the space. The hidden storage in the trunk is also very useful.
Stereo - Amazing! People keep saying the stereo is ranked X > 3 > S but I think the 3 sounds way better than both. We have owned all 3... maybe it is just that my wife's EQ settings are bad and she plays different music but the 3 vs the S are so obviously different. I have no desire at all to change anything in the 3, and I was always wanting more in the S. I think Tesla did a great job on the sound system in this car!
Upgrades ? - I put in some aluminum pedals I got from ebay, upgraded the footwell and trunk lights using abstract ocean's LED pack, wrapped the center console with 3m white carbon fiber (which looks amazing with the white seats) ordered a blackvue dashcam and maxspider floormats, tinted the windows with ceramic IR tint, added black gloss 19" wheels, did chrome delete, and frontal PPF of the car. I absolutely think you should wrap your center console with something or it will scratch. My wife has a gloss black center console on her X and the entire thing is scratched. It WILL happen.
Overall - I love the car. I have a few gripes, but they are about little things. Some things might actually get fixed with updates. The wiper issue I will just have to live with since they can't add a stalk. I will miss having a heated steering wheel, but I love driving this car. I think it is a little expensive, but I thought it was a no-brainer compared to the cost of a Model S. (It was still cheaper new than my Model S buyout after 2 years) As a commuter car, this is a much better option for me than my S. (I don't need the room) I love the car, and other than the fact that that I clipped my garage door frame backing in after having the car for 1 week (Damaged pride and seething inner-anger) I couldn't be happier!
Prior to delivery, like many of you, I spent time reading everything I could about the car. Most of the time, it was as painful as it was informative. A lot of the things fed into the fear and paranoia that there would be issues with the car. Delivery day came and I was unable to find a single issue wrong with the car other than some very minor things like swirl marks from the detail shop. The interior was flawless. Panel gaps were great. Everything worked mechanically. The weather was the only thing that didn't cooperate. (It was POURING rain, there were even a tornado watch in the area) It was a little depressing to take the car straight to the shop for detailing, but I was relieved that I didn't have to deal with some of the delivery horrors that others had written about here.
For the sake of this review, be aware that I ordered:
Performance Model 3 - No PUP
White Interior
Red Paint
I upgraded the wheels to TST 19" Wheels.
Fast forward a week later, and I was finally able to pick my car up from the shop. Thanks to a bit of overlap with my lease, I still had my Model S while I was waiting, and wasn't without a Tesla during the wait. Moving from one car directly to another made it very easy to tell how different these cars are. Although I loved my Model S, the biggest thing I noticed right away is how they drive, and that is really where the Model 3 shines. It is FUN to drive.
Where you really notice the difference between the Model S and the Model 3 is when you make turns. The 3 just turns better. I don't feel the weight of the car at all. In the Model S, I could feel the weight and size of the car, but the power just pushed the car through the turn. In the Model 3, I just feel like it glides through turns easily without any effort. The power in the P3D feels like it comes so much easier than it did in my Model S 90D. That may be due to size, weight, or just how you sit in the car. Everything just feels "easier".
I like the look out of the windshield. It feels like you are looking down on the road since there is no dash, but you are still low to the ground. It's also nice that they have started putting inspection stickers off to the side instead of in the middle of the windshield. It just looks better that way. I wish they were on the passenger side though. The rear view mirror and window are so-so to look out of... just how the defroster lines and tint are laid out make the visibility awkward, but not bad.
The white seats are really comfortable. I can't speak to any color transfer, but my wife has a Model X with a white interior, and after a couple of years there would be some here and there, but it would be easy to clean up with any basic cleaner. They hold up really well. The material is very soft, and I prefer the spongy feel to the seats compared to the Model S seats. It sounds silly, but I also think the armrests are better. How could they screw up something so simple in the Model S, I don't know, but i hated the armrests in that car. I'm a skinny guy and my arms didn't agree with them.
The U/I is much more responsive than my old car. Things are very quick, but it is far from perfect. I really do miss the split screen capabilities of the S/X in the Model 3. When I am browsing my USB media library it completely obstructs the GPS/MAP area, and that sucks. I previously had submitted feedback saying Tesla needs to support MP3 playlist support for USB media and/or add voice control and that holds more true on the model 3. It's even more cluttered on the single display. I'm also surprised that some songs that will play in my Model S over USB will not play in the Model 3. I would assume the software is uniform for media playback but it is not. I've already read up on the issues on USB so I'm pretty sure what the problems are. The major problem I have is the lack of the windshield wiper stalk. The auto-wipers work OK 90% of the time, but there are times in every car where you need to manually enable the wipers for one quick clean off and using the touch-screen to do that is annoying, even if it is conveniently on the screen at all times. Changing between audio sources could be easier. I think the buttons are too small to do while you are driving. Again, the layout on the S/X was better for this. I am hoping this will improve over time. This isn't something I need to do frequently, but doing it by voice would be a good option.
USB Ports - I've already submitted feedback on this. It's annoying that Tesla changed how USB ports work on the 3 vs the S/X, and the Amperage. On my Model S, the USB port is on at all times, and puts out (I believe) about 2.1A. If I left my phone plugged in and hidden in the cubby it could charge. On the Model 3 it is capped at 1A and turns off when the car sleeps. This means charging is very slow and limited to when the car is running. If you talk to people trying to put in dashcams, this is a problem in general with the model 3. The car has a big battery and Tesla just doesn't want you to use it when you aren't driving. In the S/X, they encouraged it! I know it isn't that big of a deal, but I noticed it right away.
Door Handles - This is going to take some getting used to for me. I'm so used to the self-presenting handles on my Model S, it is hard for me to get used to opening these doors! I've pressed the thin part without thinking more than once. I don't mind the interior button at all like some others do. I think after a few weeks the handles will come naturally but initially they seem strange to me.
Charge Port / Bettery- No issues charging the car, it was plug and play - but I did notice that the car would not allow me to disengage the charger when the car is asleep. Our Model S and X would allow this, but the Model 3 would not. I had to wake up the car first. I've only done this twice, but I have to still confirm I'm not crazy. Since I am waiting for my 30A adapter, I have only charged my car every few days when needed...but it seems to drain quite a bit on its own when left unplugged. Has anyone else noticed this or am I just seeing ghosts? I may have to test this further.
Storage - I'm going to miss the hatchback and the power liftgate to be sure, but the 3 still has plenty of room. I knew this going in, but other than the occasional big trip to home depot, I don't put huge things in the car. Just like my model S, I am going to avoid using my frunk if at all possible since I don't like how it closes and I don't need the space. The hidden storage in the trunk is also very useful.
Stereo - Amazing! People keep saying the stereo is ranked X > 3 > S but I think the 3 sounds way better than both. We have owned all 3... maybe it is just that my wife's EQ settings are bad and she plays different music but the 3 vs the S are so obviously different. I have no desire at all to change anything in the 3, and I was always wanting more in the S. I think Tesla did a great job on the sound system in this car!
Upgrades ? - I put in some aluminum pedals I got from ebay, upgraded the footwell and trunk lights using abstract ocean's LED pack, wrapped the center console with 3m white carbon fiber (which looks amazing with the white seats) ordered a blackvue dashcam and maxspider floormats, tinted the windows with ceramic IR tint, added black gloss 19" wheels, did chrome delete, and frontal PPF of the car. I absolutely think you should wrap your center console with something or it will scratch. My wife has a gloss black center console on her X and the entire thing is scratched. It WILL happen.
Overall - I love the car. I have a few gripes, but they are about little things. Some things might actually get fixed with updates. The wiper issue I will just have to live with since they can't add a stalk. I will miss having a heated steering wheel, but I love driving this car. I think it is a little expensive, but I thought it was a no-brainer compared to the cost of a Model S. (It was still cheaper new than my Model S buyout after 2 years) As a commuter car, this is a much better option for me than my S. (I don't need the room) I love the car, and other than the fact that that I clipped my garage door frame backing in after having the car for 1 week (Damaged pride and seething inner-anger) I couldn't be happier!
