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Steering Feel Model Y

Discussion in 'Model Y: Driving Dynamics' started by St.John, Apr 12, 2020.

  1. diver110

    diver110 Member

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    I know exactly what you mean. I have a Porsche Cayenne Turbo. I drove the Tesla S, X, and 3, but admittedly not the Y. In the performance versions, they make a great dragster. But cornering and handling is a different story. The S and X I simply found unacceptable. But the 3 in the performance version was closer. I might have bought it, but found the seats too uncomfortable. I am 6’, but my 5’2” girlfriend also found them uncomfortable. You might want to check out the performance 3.
     
  2. ReddyLeaf

    ReddyLeaf Active Member

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    Just test drove a model Y. I have a 2011 Nissan Leaf and 2015 Model S. Love the vehicle, design, storage, seats, etc. but......The Y steering sucks by comparison to any vehicle I’ve driven, even the 72’ Dart or Ford LTD station wagon, and all the way back to manual steering the 57’ Chevy with the huge steering wheel. The Y felt dead, even on “sport” mode. Is this what today’s SUVs are like? I’ll test drive a Model 3 next, but if the same, then I’m keeping the S (well, maybe upgrade to the Plaid+ if it’s any better).
     
    • Like x 1
  3. Feathermerchan

    Feathermerchan Active Member

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    Maybe you drove one of the Y's they left a nut off the lower control arm. :)
    Did you check the tire pressure? It's a voice command. I run ~44-46 in mine and it drives fine. The placard says 42 I think. That could make a difference.
     
    • Informative x 1
  4. ReddyLeaf

    ReddyLeaf Active Member

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    Thanks. No, I was a complete noob. Got the email Monday and accepted the first test drive Tuesday. Didn’t do any research. I’m not ready to buy anyway, just wanted to see one up close and in person. I’m actually looking at the Y for family members. My eyes are on the S Plaid+.:eek:
     
  5. Feathermerchan

    Feathermerchan Active Member

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    My wife's prev car was a Kia Sorento. Good car but handled like a top heavy turd compared to the Y. We leave the steering mode in Sport.
     
  6. laservet

    laservet Member

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    As others have noted, try a model 3 performance. But with your experience and preferences you might be better served by going to one of the Taycans. True Porsche handling plus the benefits of EV.
     
  7. play150

    play150 Member

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    How was the Model 3 compared to the Y??
     
  8. ReddyLeaf

    ReddyLeaf Active Member

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    I have not been able to test drive one yet.
     
  9. patnshan

    patnshan Member

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    I find my steering in the LR AWD to be a little odd too, so I get what you are saying. I came from a 5 series BMW. The steering on my MY feels a little "jerky" and "uneasy". Tough to describe, but it feels difficult to control. It's especially unnerving in slippery conditions. I find that the "comfort" setting is a little better, and I change to this when it's snowing.
     
  10. DanDi58

    DanDi58 Member

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    I love the steering on the Y. It reminds me of my past Audi A4, albeit a bit quicker lock-to-lock. The quickness will take a little getting used to. Last test drive I did, I had everything set to ' standard' mode and didn't mess with the settings. Can't wait to do so when I get my car....
     
    • Like x 1
  11. WADan

    WADan Member

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    First I was on standard mode, then I switched to comfort because I found standard too heavy on the freeway. During the last trip (about 100 miles one way), I had to switch back to standard because I was oversteering too much. For some reasons, the steering does not seem consistent.
     
    • Like x 1
  12. Uncle Paul

    Uncle Paul Well-Known Member

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    After a while, Tesla steering seems to become second nature.

    If you are transitioning from another vehile, that you have become used to, of course it will feel a bit difference, at least at first.

    The Germans used to have some of the best steering feel, but lately they seem most like average cars.
     
    • Like x 1
  13. Hammerhead786

    Hammerhead786 Member

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    Just adding my own experience here as I had a Model Y for an overnight test drive earlier this week. On the vehicle provided to me, both my wife and I felt like it kept pulling to the right and at times the steering felt very squirrelly. My wife found the comfort setting best for her and I felt sport mode was best for me. Like patnshan and WADan, I too found the steering "inconsistent". The build date of the vehicle was 12/2020. My gut feeling says that the alignment wasn't correct on this unit, so much so that I told the SA when returning it.

    I'm still going ahead with my purchase as the car is just too much fun. For anyone wanting to take a test drive, I would recommend getting an extended test drive as 20 minutes is just not enough in my opinion.
     
    • Like x 1
  14. Feathermerchan

    Feathermerchan Active Member

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    If you are driving over 35mph and try to change lanes without signaling it will fight you. Same if you drive too far left or right in your lane. That may be perceived as squirrely.
     
    • Like x 3
  15. N2B8

    N2B8 Member

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    My last two cars were a Porsche 991.1 S and a BMW M4. Currently I have a TM3 LR AWD and LR RWD. All I can say is I love the steering feel of the TM3. I test drove a MY AWD and I love that too not that different compared to the TM3.
     
    • Like x 2
  16. patnshan

    patnshan Member

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    Yeah, I can't put my finger on it either. I plan to simply use standard when it's not slippery, and comfort when it is. Again, I wish this thing had a real snow mode.
     
  17. mark95476

    mark95476 Member

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    Yes, the steering wheel will start shaking if I start drifting. I'm not sure about the speed aspect.

     
  18. DupaCannon

    DupaCannon Member

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    Cleveland
    Yes to this.

    I had a 997.2S, a Cayman GT4, GT3 Touring, and a ‘03 NSX. I love cars with good steering feel, but the MY LR doesn’t bother me one bit. With EPAS and a very heavy chassis I’m more that happy with how the steering is calibrated, understanding that it naturally has zero ‘feel’.

    The GT3 probably came the closest to having ‘feel’ for a modern electric rack... But it’s a very different type of car with a very different design intent.
     
    • Like x 3

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