In response to the question of whether I have my car back: no I don’t. It just broke down on Thursday. On Friday when I went back to the SC to pick up my loaner, it was on some kind of dolly and it appeared they had not started working on it yet. The loaner is an older (2015) Model S — same one I had while my car was in the shop for 2 weeks. In that respect — providing a loaner — the dealer has done the right thing. Otherwise, the service has been disappointing — uncommunicative and barely courteous. At first I was a bit offended, but now I chalk it up to their being overwhelmed with problems they’re ill-equipped to handle. As someone mentioned, they are surprisingly dependent on Tesla Calif. The tech I spoke to when I picked the car up (the second time) explained to me that one of the reasons it took so long to come to a diagnosis (albeit an incorrect or incomplete one, it turns out) is the time difference between New York and CA.
I’m aware that I haven’t met the NY Lemon Law criteria yet, but I’m well on my way and hoping to cut the process short by asking Tesla to take the car back. There are a couple of reasons I want to return the car. One is that I have lost confidence that I can go somewhere in it without getting stranded. It’s a bit scary the way these cars suddenly become undriveable. I had an Alfa Romeo GTV6 in the ‘80’s that ended up costing 1/2 again the original purchase price, but i had to have it towed only once in five years. Like I did the Alfa, I love driving the Tesla, but I was younger then and more forgiving.) The other reason is that I’m afraid the service history of the Tesla will have a substantial negative impact on the resale price. I for one would be hesitant to buy a car with a documented history like this one has.
Thanks for all the comments.
I’m aware that I haven’t met the NY Lemon Law criteria yet, but I’m well on my way and hoping to cut the process short by asking Tesla to take the car back. There are a couple of reasons I want to return the car. One is that I have lost confidence that I can go somewhere in it without getting stranded. It’s a bit scary the way these cars suddenly become undriveable. I had an Alfa Romeo GTV6 in the ‘80’s that ended up costing 1/2 again the original purchase price, but i had to have it towed only once in five years. Like I did the Alfa, I love driving the Tesla, but I was younger then and more forgiving.) The other reason is that I’m afraid the service history of the Tesla will have a substantial negative impact on the resale price. I for one would be hesitant to buy a car with a documented history like this one has.
Thanks for all the comments.