Model 3 Highland Performance/Plaid Speculation [Car announced 04.23.2024]

[mpgxsvcd]

Oh okay it sounded like you had a bad experience with one.

I had a great experience with the one Plaid I rode in at the track. Scared the pi$$ out of me but I loved every 9 seconds of it. I just don't want to buy one because it doesn't fit my lifestyle needs. I have an EXTREMELY small 1 car garage in the city. Model 3 will barely fit in there. Model S just wouldn't. I also don't want to pay over $60K for the car especially a used one.

I wouldn't fault anyone for buying a Plaid. In fact I would encourage them to do it and probably ask for a ride in it. I just don't want to own one for myself. It just isn't the type of car I want. Just like I recommend the Model Y to every family I meet that wants to get into a great but inexpensive EV. I would never buy one for myself though. I think they are hideous looking.

 

[JKennedy442]

I had a great experience with the one Plaid I rode in at the track. Scared the pi$$ out of me but I loved every 9 seconds of it. I just don't want to buy one because it doesn't fit my lifestyle needs. I have an EXTREMELY small 1 car garage in the city. Model 3 will barely fit in there. Model S just wouldn't. I also don't want to pay over $60K for the car especially a used one.

I wouldn't fault anyone for buying a Plaid. In fact I would encourage them to do it and probably ask for a ride in it. I just don't want to own one for myself. It just isn't the type of car I want. Just like I recommend the Model Y to every family I meet that wants to get into a great but inexpensive EV. I would never buy one for myself though. I think they are hideous looking.

To each their own, I think the Y is the next best looking Tesla after the S. The new 3 to me looks fine but blends in way too much, may as well be a Kia Forte (looks wise).

 

[Jeremy3292]

To each their own, I think the Y is the next best looking Tesla after the S. The new 3 to me looks fine but blends in way too much, may as well be a Kia Forte (looks wise).

Ironic bc I think the Y is an awful looking car on its face really fun to drive and comfortable, but looks like bloated egg to me lol. Plus everyone drives a Y now so it’s a dime a dozen. The new M3P stands out to me personally.

 

[Destiny1701]

Ironic bc I think the Y is an awful looking car on its face really fun to drive and comfortable, but looks like bloated egg to me lol. Plus everyone drives a Y now so it’s a dime a dozen. The new M3P stands out to me personally.

Until everyone now drives an M3P due to the steal of the deal pricing.

Eveyone does realize M3 rwd is now the Honda civic of EV’s right? Mass market EV. Hate to break the news but Teslas no longer truly stand out anymore in larger Urban cities. S 3 X Y has now become common lol.

I ordered a new M3P so I’m one to talk lol. But what we seem to all go gaga over externally is headlights that look like every other car today, a front bumper with side vents (welcome to 2018-2023 standard bumper type which they took away
for Highland and then in a pure light bulb moment…sheer brilliance ..brought the same thing back without foglights for a new P and it’s a whole ‘new’ bumper lol ) a CF spoiler (same as 2018-2023) and ok yes a nicer diffuser and a $10 perf badge.

I get the power being 2.85-3.1 whatever it is and a better 1/4 mile by .5 seconds…but this car won’t stand out as a boutique one off . Is she pretty to look at? Yes. Fast? Yes. Available to a crap tonne of buyers with a credit? Yep.

…didn’t say I didn’t want one !!

 

[arkhos]

I'll bite. Why?

I am going to guess that he might live in a country where they can't get the Plaid?

Just a guess, though. I know I've seen some people posting here that the Plaid is not available in their country.

 

[Jeremy3292]

Until everyone now drives an M3P due to the steal of the deal pricing.

Eveyone does realize M3 rwd is now the Honda civic of EV’s right? Mass market EV. Hate to break the news but Teslas no longer truly stand out anymore in larger Urban cities. S 3 X Y has now become common lol.

I ordered a new M3P so I’m one to talk lol. But what we seem to all go gaga over externally is headlights that look like every other car today, a front bumper with side vents (welcome to 2018-2023 standard bumper type which they took away
for Highland and then brilliantly brought the same thing back for a new P ) a CF spoiler (same 2018-2023) and ok yes a nicer diffuser and a $10 perf badge.

I get the power being 2.85-3.1 whatever it is and a better 1/4 mile by .5 seconds…but this car won’t stand out as a boutique one off is she pretty to look at? Yes. Fast? Yes. Available to a crap tonne of buyers with a credit? Yep.

…didn’t say I didn’t want one !!

I live in Sourh Carolina so there aren’t nearly as many Teslas (or EVs) around as like California or New York. There are definitely Model 3s and Model Ys around for sure, but I’ve seen probably only two or three Plaids in 3 years anywhere around here. I haven’t seen one Highland Model 3 yet around me either. I figured I would have by now.

I think a lot of people bought new cars with low interest rates in the prior 2-3 years and a lot of them were Tesla’s bc it was a cool new thing and Tesla actually had inventory of cars available. So I’m thinking I’ll see less now at least in the near future especially being in SC.

 

[Lolo780]

Has anyone actually had a legit 10 second run yet?

Everyone here waiting for a 10 second pass.

 

[Edsonbarron]

Man I’d take a plaid over the new M3P any day. But I can’t comfortably afford a plaid, while still eating out everyday and having the luxury to buy whatever smaller dumb thing I usually want is. So the MP3 wil have to do till I get my bags up lol

 

[ODWms]

My original Tesla (the one pictured). Cost me around the same price as a base Model S at the time. Buying an S didn’t even occur to me to buy, as I would have passed it up if it were even less than the 3.

 

[terranx]

I live in Sourh Carolina so there aren’t nearly as many Teslas (or EVs) around as like California or New York. There are definitely Model 3s and Model Ys around for sure, but I’ve seen probably only two or three Plaids in 3 years anywhere around here. I haven’t seen one Highland Model 3 yet around me either. I figured I would have by now.

I think a lot of people bought new cars with low interest rates in the prior 2-3 years and a lot of them were Tesla’s bc it was a cool new thing and Tesla actually had inventory of cars available. So I’m thinking I’ll see less now at least in the near future especially being in SC.

Yeah I’m in eastern PA and while I see plenty of Teslas, it’s not a huge number by any means. There are a couple other Plaids in my work parking lot, but otherwise I don’t see any around.

I’ve only seen one highland so far, and that was broken down on the side of a road getting put onto a tow truck. Most of the 3s/Ys I see otherwise appear to be 2022 or earlier models (based on the USS being present)

I did see a cybertruck the other day which was surprising.

 

[Izzyz28]

This is how much roll my Plaid with MPP solid bushings takes on 285 RE-71RS 200TW AutoX tires.

View attachment 1052625

I was going to say, I track my Plaid as well and it is extremely capable. I'm going to guess that the people who say it feels like a boat have never put in any suspension mode other that Comfort or Sport. Advanced and track mode are where it's at, especially track mode with torque vectoring. I get that the S is about 900 pounds heavier and a foot longer than a 3, but with double the power and the suspension tech that it has, it is an incredibly capable car compared to the 3.

 

[phantasms]

I was going to say, I track my Plaid as well and it is extremely capable. I'm going to guess that the people who say it feels like a boat have never put in any suspension mode other that Comfort or Sport. Advanced and track mode are where it's at, especially track mode with torque vectoring. I get that the S is about 900 pounds heavier and a foot longer than a 3, but with double the power and the suspension tech that it has, it is an incredibly capable car compared to the 3.

Yes. But when you’re going 90 it feels like you’re going 20. If you’re looking to crush at the track, plaid all day. Fun on public roads, I’m sticking with the 3p.

I currently have both in my garage.

 

[P-Lo801]

I was going to say, I track my Plaid as well and it is extremely capable. I'm going to guess that the people who say it feels like a boat have never put in any suspension mode other that Comfort or Sport. Advanced and track mode are where it's at, especially track mode with torque vectoring. I get that the S is about 900 pounds heavier and a foot longer than a 3, but with double the power and the suspension tech that it has, it is an incredibly capable car compared to the 3.

I'll just chime in to go on record that I've driven the S and commented here that it felt like a boat for daily driving compared to the model 3; I believe I put it on Sport too. Granted, I've never tracked it nor do I have any doubt it would perform remarkably well on the track. I've seen videos of professional drivers (ala hagerty) breaking records with it, so it's an established fact it's one of the most capable cars on the track. I just never pushed it to that extent to know how capable it is; i was basing my opinion in comparison to the model 3 in terms of daily driving.

 

[Mash]

I am going to guess that he might live in a country where they can't get the Plaid?

Just a guess, though. I know I've seen some people posting here that the Plaid is not available in their country.

I can. And I rented it enough to know it's not fun for city or track. And I really only use it for that. Long road trips - yes.

 

[Mash]

I was going to say, I track my Plaid as well and it is extremely capable. I'm going to guess that the people who say it feels like a boat have never put in any suspension mode other that Comfort or Sport. Advanced and track mode are where it's at, especially track mode with torque vectoring. I get that the S is about 900 pounds heavier and a foot longer than a 3, but with double the power and the suspension tech that it has, it is an incredibly capable car compared to the 3.

It's capable, but still not fun. Way less fun than Miata.

 

[Sellout]

It's capable, but still not fun. Way less fun than Miata.

I’d say that’s true for the 3 as well, but I get the idea.

 

[Apprunner]

It's capable, but still not fun. Way less fun than Miata.

Thats not a fair comparison. The Miata is more fun than almost everything. Only thing that compares from Tesla is probably the Tesla Roadster

 

[GregD60]

I’d say that’s true for the 3 as well, but I get the idea.

For serious fun at not crazy money, I recommend one of these.

 

[Sellout]

For serious fun at not crazy money, I recommend one of these.
View attachment 1053573

Yeah those are amazing.

A friend of mine has an Alfa 4C that’s also a riot on a winding mountain road.

 

[GregD60]

If you want an automatic transmission, get the Alfa. If you want a manual, get the Lotus. Those are the only transmissions each car comes with. For me, it was an easy choice.