Just want to write about my candid thoughts.
Back in 2015 I purchased a Model S after test driving several cars. I bought a Model S because we were both convinced that it was the best car in its price level and class. We became Tesla evangelists and said only good things about the car and brand to anyone that asked and to our family members and friends.
Starting even before that, we have been Elon fans because we share many of his beliefs and visions.
When Model 3 was announced, we placed deposit immediately. We expected delays given past Tesla history so didn't really mind it and have been able to order since Jan 2018. We never really intended to order an early version due to past history of problems with initial production cars. Since one of our cars' lease is due at the end of Aug 18, we always planned to order in June so we would get the car just before our other car is due. We were very encouraged by the initial positive reviews of the Model 3. More negative news did come out later but we were still pretty sure about ordering the car given its coolness.
During our CA Christmas vacation last winter, we even took a detour to the Fremont factory and saw a bunch of Model 3s and were looking very much forward to getting our car.
This changed somewhat about 6 weeks ago when we first saw a Model 3 on the highway. We generally love seeing Teslas on the highway and when I saw the Model 3, I was excited as it was the first time I have seen one on the road. However as the car drove by right next to us and then exited to another highway, we were both somewhat disappointed. We both thought that the car had no presence and looked like an econo-box, like a Toyota Corolla or something similar. Basically we didn't think it looked like a premium sports sedan on the road.
Then last month, a friend took delivery of his new Model 3. We took the car on a long road trip for memorial day weekend. I rode in the car probably 6+ hours and also drove the car on local roads and highways. My overall feeling was very different from when I first drove the Model S:
Back in 2015 I purchased a Model S after test driving several cars. I bought a Model S because we were both convinced that it was the best car in its price level and class. We became Tesla evangelists and said only good things about the car and brand to anyone that asked and to our family members and friends.
Starting even before that, we have been Elon fans because we share many of his beliefs and visions.
When Model 3 was announced, we placed deposit immediately. We expected delays given past Tesla history so didn't really mind it and have been able to order since Jan 2018. We never really intended to order an early version due to past history of problems with initial production cars. Since one of our cars' lease is due at the end of Aug 18, we always planned to order in June so we would get the car just before our other car is due. We were very encouraged by the initial positive reviews of the Model 3. More negative news did come out later but we were still pretty sure about ordering the car given its coolness.
During our CA Christmas vacation last winter, we even took a detour to the Fremont factory and saw a bunch of Model 3s and were looking very much forward to getting our car.
This changed somewhat about 6 weeks ago when we first saw a Model 3 on the highway. We generally love seeing Teslas on the highway and when I saw the Model 3, I was excited as it was the first time I have seen one on the road. However as the car drove by right next to us and then exited to another highway, we were both somewhat disappointed. We both thought that the car had no presence and looked like an econo-box, like a Toyota Corolla or something similar. Basically we didn't think it looked like a premium sports sedan on the road.
Then last month, a friend took delivery of his new Model 3. We took the car on a long road trip for memorial day weekend. I rode in the car probably 6+ hours and also drove the car on local roads and highways. My overall feeling was very different from when I first drove the Model S:
- I had owned Lexus GS Fsport and BMW 535i Msport before Model S and also drove MB E class several times. The Model S is a better car than all of these cars. It is the best car in its class compared to the top brands. That was how I felt when I first drove a Model S and this assessment has not changed.
- However the Model 3 is not nearly the superior car in its class. It doesn't drive as well as a BMW 3 series (I have owned 2 since 2012) and is louder than even a BMW 3 series on the highway let alone Merc C class. Overall, I would place the car below BMW, MB and Audi cars of the same class.
