I was reading this forum for the last 6 months in an effort to coupe with my waiting anxiety. FinallyI got my car (and I truly love it!). After 1 week and 1800 miles on California and Nevada freeways and local roads, here are my 2 cents:
As a background and base to compare, I usually lease german cars in 55-75k range. The model 3 is replacing leased E350. Out of the door price was $61700 and I was worried that the car would not have the feeling of a car in this price range. I was relieved this is not the case by far. I can't stop thinking about the car (after having about 20 cars over time) and coming with excuses to get out and drive it. This car makes you feel like you are in the future. To compare this car to gas cars is like comparing iPhone to Blackberry. We al know where that compare ended. For me, not only this car beats the 3 and C class, it is better than E and 5 in so many ways.
What I like:
1. The amazing range. Also the Tesla charging network. I have had charge speeds up to 396 miles per hour. It is way above anything I expected.
2. The quiet effortless power
3. The auto pilot - it is amazing. It consist of intelligent speed control and auto driving helper.
First, I love the auto speed control in my X5 - it greatly reduce the driving effort in traffic and in long drives. The model 3 auto speed control is head and shoulders better than the one on X5. On California freeways it is not uncommon when driving at 70 mph the traffic to stops to a halt abruptly. In that case, X5 would not anticipate the stopping cars and without my intervention would crash. So far I had no need to correct the speed control in mode 3 - it sees the cars ahead and very intelligently anticipates and controls the distance to the car ahead. It also keeps close to the leading car which is important safety element so no one pulls in front of me due to speed control not following in proper distance.
The auto driving part is also super helpful when used in proper way. It drives very well on freeways. I feel very confident on lower speeds and in traffic. On higher speeds or narrow lines it does well but it needs close attention if heavy truck traffic in adjacent lines. Mainly because I do not like having heavy trucks at both by sides at 75 mph and would change my speed to avoid situation like that. I use it al the time, while keeping my hands on the wheel. It is always obvious to me when to disconnect the AP so when the AP is in control I feel really helped and relaxed. From now on I will not get any new car without AP, that is how much this feels now as a major feature that any car must have.
4. The clean elegant cabin
5. The single screen and no buttons - the interface is so well done, that once you set all that you need, there is no need to touch the screen at all (or very little and is easy, obvious and natural).
6. The air condition - l like to set the temperature to 72 and never touch the controls ever. In Tesla, like in other of my cars, the temperature and the fan works perfect and temperature and fan speed is kept perfect. Today it was 103F and drove for 4 hours. The car was cool, no heat radiates from the roof, uniform cool space, no freezing air vent air, the AC is just perfect.
7. The map and the navigation system - It is absolutely best I have ever had. The navigation systems on my X5 and E350 are absolutely unusable, and I usually use my iPhone for that. This is the first in car navigation system that I can use instead my iPhone. Enough said.
8. The voice controls - you can do plenty of task using alexa like voice controls. The voice recognition is outstanding
9. The quality feel of the car - everything feels substantial, with elegant design and proper purpose. Todays cluttered car interiors feel tasteless and old.
10. On my car (vin 26xxx) the paint, fit and finish was perfect. The car is solid and rattle free. The ride is outstanding.
11. The keyless car access using phone and cards - so easy to use and feels natural. The car just waits for you and anticipate what you need.
12. Little nice touches as automatically geolocating you are closing to your garage an opening the doors (you can disable that).
What I dislike:
I have no dislikes for this car. Sorry.
Wish list:
- As I am older, I would like to have screen option to change to bigger icons and font sizes.
- While the ride is great as it is, I would pay for air suspension option with ability for softer ride.
- What I really want is the model Y (while I like model 3, I like SUV style cars since it is easier to get in and out). However, this cart has as much internal space as my X5 (short of the back opening on X5) and more than E350.
- More cabin insulation at least for the extended range car. The car is on average 6 db louder at 70 mph than my BMW X5 (78 vs 72 db). On roads with rough concrete surface, the tire noise is loud. On smooth roads the car is pleasantly quiet.
Finally, this car is seriously fast. I am used to 300hp cars but this is another dimension. If you have younger drivers, be aware of the risks.
Here it is, if you are waiting and getting upset (as I was when waiting the last month), once you get the gar, you will forget what is to wait and it was a long wait for sure!
Cheers to you all.
As a background and base to compare, I usually lease german cars in 55-75k range. The model 3 is replacing leased E350. Out of the door price was $61700 and I was worried that the car would not have the feeling of a car in this price range. I was relieved this is not the case by far. I can't stop thinking about the car (after having about 20 cars over time) and coming with excuses to get out and drive it. This car makes you feel like you are in the future. To compare this car to gas cars is like comparing iPhone to Blackberry. We al know where that compare ended. For me, not only this car beats the 3 and C class, it is better than E and 5 in so many ways.
What I like:
1. The amazing range. Also the Tesla charging network. I have had charge speeds up to 396 miles per hour. It is way above anything I expected.
2. The quiet effortless power
3. The auto pilot - it is amazing. It consist of intelligent speed control and auto driving helper.
First, I love the auto speed control in my X5 - it greatly reduce the driving effort in traffic and in long drives. The model 3 auto speed control is head and shoulders better than the one on X5. On California freeways it is not uncommon when driving at 70 mph the traffic to stops to a halt abruptly. In that case, X5 would not anticipate the stopping cars and without my intervention would crash. So far I had no need to correct the speed control in mode 3 - it sees the cars ahead and very intelligently anticipates and controls the distance to the car ahead. It also keeps close to the leading car which is important safety element so no one pulls in front of me due to speed control not following in proper distance.
The auto driving part is also super helpful when used in proper way. It drives very well on freeways. I feel very confident on lower speeds and in traffic. On higher speeds or narrow lines it does well but it needs close attention if heavy truck traffic in adjacent lines. Mainly because I do not like having heavy trucks at both by sides at 75 mph and would change my speed to avoid situation like that. I use it al the time, while keeping my hands on the wheel. It is always obvious to me when to disconnect the AP so when the AP is in control I feel really helped and relaxed. From now on I will not get any new car without AP, that is how much this feels now as a major feature that any car must have.
4. The clean elegant cabin
5. The single screen and no buttons - the interface is so well done, that once you set all that you need, there is no need to touch the screen at all (or very little and is easy, obvious and natural).
6. The air condition - l like to set the temperature to 72 and never touch the controls ever. In Tesla, like in other of my cars, the temperature and the fan works perfect and temperature and fan speed is kept perfect. Today it was 103F and drove for 4 hours. The car was cool, no heat radiates from the roof, uniform cool space, no freezing air vent air, the AC is just perfect.
7. The map and the navigation system - It is absolutely best I have ever had. The navigation systems on my X5 and E350 are absolutely unusable, and I usually use my iPhone for that. This is the first in car navigation system that I can use instead my iPhone. Enough said.
8. The voice controls - you can do plenty of task using alexa like voice controls. The voice recognition is outstanding
9. The quality feel of the car - everything feels substantial, with elegant design and proper purpose. Todays cluttered car interiors feel tasteless and old.
10. On my car (vin 26xxx) the paint, fit and finish was perfect. The car is solid and rattle free. The ride is outstanding.
11. The keyless car access using phone and cards - so easy to use and feels natural. The car just waits for you and anticipate what you need.
12. Little nice touches as automatically geolocating you are closing to your garage an opening the doors (you can disable that).
What I dislike:
I have no dislikes for this car. Sorry.
Wish list:
- As I am older, I would like to have screen option to change to bigger icons and font sizes.
- While the ride is great as it is, I would pay for air suspension option with ability for softer ride.
- What I really want is the model Y (while I like model 3, I like SUV style cars since it is easier to get in and out). However, this cart has as much internal space as my X5 (short of the back opening on X5) and more than E350.
- More cabin insulation at least for the extended range car. The car is on average 6 db louder at 70 mph than my BMW X5 (78 vs 72 db). On roads with rough concrete surface, the tire noise is loud. On smooth roads the car is pleasantly quiet.
Finally, this car is seriously fast. I am used to 300hp cars but this is another dimension. If you have younger drivers, be aware of the risks.
Here it is, if you are waiting and getting upset (as I was when waiting the last month), once you get the gar, you will forget what is to wait and it was a long wait for sure!
Cheers to you all.
