One month review of my Model 3 Performance

Time flies when your having fun...seems like yesterday I picked it up, but just realized it has been exactly one month since I took delivery.

Where to begin?

Let me start by admitting my addiction to cars. I have had quite a few fun cars like NSX's, BMW's, Porsches, Jeep, etc the last several years and this car has probably been the best one....it is just such a pleasure to drive and that unbelievable responsiveness is unmatched and it's handling is up there with any of my mid engine sports cars I have owned...and that 0-60 is just super car killer unworldly

I told the story on another post how I literally thought my 718 was broken the other day when I finally decided to take it out of the garage for a spin... I will likely sell it, because it is collecting dust these days.

The car makes you want to just take a day trip knowing you're not wasting money on $5 a gallon gas...We have taken it on two coastal drives the last couple weekends and still have plenty of miles left by the time we get home....With home charging and free(slow) charging at work also it has awesome not having to put $70-90 in the tank every week ... so nice.

Eventually I will probably lower her and some spacers, tint and chrome delete but for now, I'm kinda just digging the stock form of this car....I can't stop driving it .....this may be my first Tesla, but it won't be my last...loving this car!

 

[Maxdriver]

I just passed a year at the end of February. Have about 10k on it. I am coming from a BMW Z3 and currently own a Porsche 911TT (actually purchased after the Tesla). I can say without a doubt, the M3P is by far the most fun I have ever had driving a car. The torque is just mind blowing. I love taking newbies out for a ride and let them experience the sudden G force, being pushed back in your seat, adrenaline rush that you get when the car explodes from a dead stop.
However, a S Plaid is even a more insane experience.

I am going to have to drive one!

 

[Minnie Pearl]

I took my sister out for a quick introduction to M3Penny. She’s had Corvettes and is currently in a BMW M235. She pee’d her pants.

 

[MrFusion4]

Love my ghost performance a year in now. It’s a whole different world owning an ev and I haven’t looked back. I get the occasional hate from people but at the end of the day no one wants that smoke

 

[thechungle]

I am looking to make this move soon, so it is nice to hear perspectives and reviews moving from fast gas to electric!

 

[Minnie Pearl]

I am looking to make this move soon, so it is nice to hear perspectives and reviews moving from fast gas to electric!

IMO, the car lacks visceral appeal. The smooth single “gear” and the quiet operation makes going quick feel uneventful. With subtle cues the performance model isn’t easily differentiated from the lower two trims. Don’t expect to get “respect” on the road; and I’m careful where I park because the lack of “respect” extends to parking lots.

The great plus is that the car literally flies under the radar. I’ve always had a thing for “sleepers”. I’m not interested in drawing attention; not from my peers nor from the fuzz. This car is like a humble slingshot. Its slays much more expensive rides. Essentially, the only quicker cars on the road are other Teslas. Don’t let the 0-60 times of the Germans fool you. I’ve never seen a car do launch mode on the streets in any normal circumstances. The 5-60 is a much better comparison for most


5-60 times RED FONT, + 0-60 difference
As measured by Car and Driver
———————-
2021 Tesla Model S Plaid: 2.3s, +0.2s IMO the 1.0 second flat 50-70mph is even more impressive.

2015 Porsche 918 Spyder: 2.4s +0.2s

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S: 2.9s +0.5s

2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S CrossTurismo: 3.0s+0.6s Quickest station wagon in the world? Lol

2022 Lucid Air Dream Performance: 3.0s +0.4s

2015 Ferrari LaFerrari: 3.0s +0.5s Can't find full test result for the SF9.

2022 Lamborghini Huracan STO: 3.0s +0.4s Quickest pure ICE car I can find

2019 McLaren Senna: 3.1s +0.3s

2018 Lamborghini Huracan Performante: 3.1s+0.9s

2021 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport: 3.2s +1.0s The big turbos have huge lag.

2015 Chevy Corvette C7 Z06: 3.2s +0.2s Yep, a C7 Z06 will keep up against a Chiron Super Sport off the line lol.

2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance: 3.3s +0.2s Cheapest car on the top 15 list by at least 50%.

2022 Mercedes AMG EQS 4Matic+: 3.3s +0.3s

2016 Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce: 3.3s +0.6s

2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast: 3.3s +0.5s

2018 McLaren 720S: 3.3s +0.6s

2022 Rivian R1T: 3.4s +0.1s Kudos to Rivian!

2020 Ferrari 488 Pista: 3.4s Can't find numbers for the F8 Tributo

2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO: 3.4s

2022 BMW i4 M50i: 3.5s +0.2s Almost a whole second faster than the ICE M3.

2008 Ferrari 458 Italia: 3.5s +0.5s

2020 Chevy Corvette C8: 3.5s +0.7s

2020 BMW M8 Competition: 3.5s +1.0s

2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus: 3.5s

2022 Porsche 911 GT3: 3.6s +0.9s

2015 McLaren 650S Spider: 3.6s

2022 Acura NSX Type-S: 3.6s +0.7s

2020 Tesla Model Y Performance: 3.7s +0.1s

2021 Porsche 992 911 Turbo S: 3.7s +1.5s. A whole second and half slower than its 0-60. Sigh...

2016 McLaren 570S: 3.7s +0.8s

2016 Jaguar F-type R Convertible: 3.7s

2018 BMW M5: 3.7s + 0.9s

2021 Mustang Mach-E Performance: 3.8s +0.1s

2019 Chevy Corvette C7 ZR1: 3.8s C8 fans cheering

2018 Nissan GT-R Track Edition: 3.8s

2016 Cadillac CTS-V: 3.8s

2017 Chevy Camaro ZL1: 3.9s

2021 Jaguar F-type R Coupe: 3.9s

2022 Audi E-tron GT: 4.0s +0.4s

2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 PDK: 4.1s + 0.8s

2018 Mercedes AMG GT-C: 4.1s

2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat: 4.1s

——————————

*above not my original work/post

Outside of a track, modified/tuned or extralegal activity, the top 20 or so are our road going peers (with the M3P ranking 12th).

 

[fr@nkth3T@nk]

IMO, the car lacks visceral appeal. The smooth single “gear” and the quiet operation makes going quick feel uneventful. With subtle cues the performance model isn’t easily differentiated from the lower two trims. Don’t expect to get “respect” on the road; and I’m careful where I park because the lack of “respect” extends to parking lots.

The great plus is that the car literally flies under the radar. I’ve always had a thing for “sleepers”. I’m not interested in drawing attention; not from my peers nor from the fuzz. This car is like a humble slingshot. Its slays much more expensive rides. Essentially, the only quicker cars on the road are other Teslas. Don’t let the 0-60 times of the Germans fool you. I’ve never seen a car do launch mode on the streets in any normal circumstances. The 5-60 is a much better comparison for most


5-60 times RED FONT, + 0-60 difference
As measured by Car and Driver
———————-
2021 Tesla Model S Plaid: 2.3s, +0.2s IMO the 1.0 second flat 50-70mph is even more impressive.

2015 Porsche 918 Spyder: 2.4s +0.2s

2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S: 2.9s +0.5s

2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S CrossTurismo: 3.0s+0.6s Quickest station wagon in the world? Lol

2022 Lucid Air Dream Performance: 3.0s +0.4s

2015 Ferrari LaFerrari: 3.0s +0.5s Can't find full test result for the SF9.

2022 Lamborghini Huracan STO: 3.0s +0.4s Quickest pure ICE car I can find

2019 McLaren Senna: 3.1s +0.3s

2018 Lamborghini Huracan Performante: 3.1s+0.9s

2021 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport: 3.2s +1.0s The big turbos have huge lag.

2015 Chevy Corvette C7 Z06: 3.2s +0.2s Yep, a C7 Z06 will keep up against a Chiron Super Sport off the line lol.

2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance: 3.3s +0.2s Cheapest car on the top 15 list by at least 50%.

2022 Mercedes AMG EQS 4Matic+: 3.3s +0.3s

2016 Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce: 3.3s +0.6s

2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast: 3.3s +0.5s

2018 McLaren 720S: 3.3s +0.6s

2022 Rivian R1T: 3.4s +0.1s Kudos to Rivian!

2020 Ferrari 488 Pista: 3.4s Can't find numbers for the F8 Tributo

2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO: 3.4s

2022 BMW i4 M50i: 3.5s +0.2s Almost a whole second faster than the ICE M3.

2008 Ferrari 458 Italia: 3.5s +0.5s

2020 Chevy Corvette C8: 3.5s +0.7s

2020 BMW M8 Competition: 3.5s +1.0s

2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus: 3.5s

2022 Porsche 911 GT3: 3.6s +0.9s

2015 McLaren 650S Spider: 3.6s

2022 Acura NSX Type-S: 3.6s +0.7s

2020 Tesla Model Y Performance: 3.7s +0.1s

2021 Porsche 992 911 Turbo S: 3.7s +1.5s. A whole second and half slower than its 0-60. Sigh...

2016 McLaren 570S: 3.7s +0.8s

2016 Jaguar F-type R Convertible: 3.7s

2018 BMW M5: 3.7s + 0.9s

2021 Mustang Mach-E Performance: 3.8s +0.1s

2019 Chevy Corvette C7 ZR1: 3.8s C8 fans cheering

2018 Nissan GT-R Track Edition: 3.8s

2016 Cadillac CTS-V: 3.8s

2017 Chevy Camaro ZL1: 3.9s

2021 Jaguar F-type R Coupe: 3.9s

2022 Audi E-tron GT: 4.0s +0.4s

2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 PDK: 4.1s + 0.8s

2018 Mercedes AMG GT-C: 4.1s

2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat: 4.1s

——————————

*above not my original work/post

Outside of a track, modified/tuned or extralegal activity, the top 20 or so are our road going peers (with the M3P ranking 12th).

Exactly this! The walk softly with potential to blow away most other vehicles was big selling point for me. I don’t like to draw attention to myself by peers or fuzz. Love being able to blend in. Never would feel comfortable driving a Lambo or anything too flashy.

 

[kpanda17]

S Plaid is my dream bat mobile, dream vehicle.

 

[UserAnon99]

Well that is high praise indeed! I have been researching Teslas like crazy since the recent price reduction. I am both impressed and surprised as to the number of posts from Tesla owners who have a history of owning performance vehicles.

Add another one to the list. I come off a long line of mid-range sports cars myself. Multiple BMW M3s, MKIV Supra Twin Turbo, 300ZX TT, Corvette Z06, etc. etc.

I think there is sort of a "hidden" demographic of us in that not everyone necessarily is driving this car for its environmentally friendly footprint, though that is a huge bonus obviously.

@M3_Performante - I see you are a man of taste also having a 2020 M3P! Mine is just shy of 2 months old now and I've enjoyed the hell out of it, not going to lie. Come from many fast cars like you and this one is way up there for certain. There are some little Tesla quirks I don't love but every car on my list above had similar things too. There is no 'perfect' ride you have to accept some minor issues. The acceleration even against the mighty Corvette Z06 is right up there and that by itself is damn impressive. It does it so effortlessly too which is the really odd part to me, but not complaining.


p.s. Also bought mine from Tesla and like you I found the 'no preview' thing to be not ideal and was also thinking this is a gamble but also like you I got a car that looked like it had just rolled off the assembly line. Not quite mint, but pretty close.

 

[M3_Performante]

OP I think you and I might work at the same place. Either that or I saw a near-identical M3 with temp tags and those distinctive wheels in the parking lot this week...

haha...what city?

 

[DocHolliday]

haha...what city?

Actually I took a closer look the other day - the one at my office is not a P3D - it has white calipers. Same cool wheels as yours though.