Tesla has a monopoly. Best to wait?

[Aieukl378]

Tesla currently has a monopoly in the high end EV market. I am thinking of waiting until there is competition before I buy.
I test drove 5 series, E class and MS on the same day. My budget is 100k.

Some of the features which the MS does not have are:

Door storage
Better choice of color and materials for interior
Head rest adjustment.
Cooled seats
Too much outside noise not being filtered
Options like spoilers
Panel gap is too much in the Tesla I test drove
The interior does not feel like a 100k car in general
Charging takes too long. Hope to have higher capacity chargers like 300 or 500 kwh.


I think that since Tesla has a monopoly they can get away with not providing even basic features and still sell well. I am planning to wait until there is competition from German manufactures who I am sure will provide more luxury features with better build quality. Then Tesla has to improve its quality and features.
I like the instant torque of electric cars hence I don't want to buy ICE cars.
I will miss too many convenience features if I buy a MS now.

Do you mean basic features like a futuristic cabin, self driving capability, state of the art electric propulsion system...sorry just trying to figure out what Tesla is getting away with.

The MS is an awesome car and available now. All other cars with their antiquated engines and drivetrains pale in comparison. I've done multiple long distance trips(most recent 2700 mi.) and even with my 60kw battery range was never and issue. If you want to wait years for something somewhat comparable to a Tesla but with more door storage your probably not your average Tesla owner and should definitely wait for something worse to spend your money on.

 

[electracity]

Tesla currently has a monopoly in the high end EV market. I am thinking of waiting until there is competition before I buy.

Lots of plug-in hybrids coming to market. Buy the brand you want and drive it mostly on electricity. You will get the EV buzz with a fancy interior.

Do a three year lease, then buy a BEV. There should be several high end BEV choices by mid 2020, including a substantially refreshed model S.

The model S with better sound insulation and a high end competitive interior should be completely doable for Tesla.

 

[electracity]

IMHO "German quality" is a myth. Yes, they build cars that make a good initial first impression with aesthetically pleasing design and materials, but in terms of longer-term reliability and dependability, no way.

The least well made expensive vehicles I have owned are Mercedes. The only flawless vehicle I have owned is a Ford Mustang convertible built on the south side of Chicago.

In particular I would never buy a Mercedes in its first year of a new model. I suspect the model 3 will be particularly horrible for the first couple of years of production too.

 

[kort677]

Tesla currently has a monopoly in the high end EV market. I am thinking of waiting until there is competition before I buy.

you can wait, but it might be a long wait

 

[kort677]

IMHO "German quality" is a myth. Yes, they build cars that make a good initial first impression with aesthetically pleasing design and materials, but in terms of longer-term reliability and dependability, no way.

this is not a universally true statement. German car builders like any car builders offer models in all different sorts of configurations and price ranges. while some models of the lineup may not be all that great some other models are quite sturdy and reliable. like any other purchase, research and diligence is important. I've owned some MBs that lasted many hundreds of thousands of miles and I've owned some that were not so great.

 

[TrevTremaine]

IMHO "German quality" is a myth. Yes, they build cars that make a good initial first impression with aesthetically pleasing design and materials, but in terms of longer-term reliability and dependability, no way.

I've had a couple of BMWs and to call them "quality builds" would be an exaggeration. Certain things were better, and the HUD was a great feature, but engine, electronics, and numerous problems with them. Paint was so-so with a bit of orange peel, and color selection is limited unless one wants to spend a good chunk of change for a special color which also means up to 3 to 6 MONTHS waiting for delivery. So far as spoilers go, if you follow BMW's method, with sportier versions you have to give up something to get it - maddening configurations.

Things I can agree with: cooled seats (although for the most part pre-conditioning makes a huge difference too). Interior color - a darker brown would be a nice option, along with other trim options but that's about the only thing I'd suggest. Perhaps better seats with an adjustable thigh support would be good too. Headrests are adjustable already. I didn't see anything out of line in terms of panel gaps on my vehicle. Tesla could use a bit better navigation algorithms.

What "convenience" items are you talking about? About the only thing offered by others are surround view and front side view cameras. Maybe, for some people, Apple or Google apps. That said, connectivity to the Tesla via the app far surpasses that of BMW or Mercedes or that other disgraced one. Autopilot is better than what they make too. Certainly, over the air updates are something the competition is unlikely to offer because it'll destroy their expensive maintenance model.

Charging standards will improve, but nothing other than vaporware for a good long time to come from the other manufacturers.

If you're unsure, it's understandable - your money, your choice. Just don't BS yourself over "better build quality".

 

[kort677]

Perhaps better seats with an adjustable thigh support would be good too. Headrests are adjustable already. I didn't see anything out of line in terms of panel gaps on my vehicle. Tesla could use a bit better navigation algorithms.

What "convenience" items are you talking about?

I am just commenting on these points that you've posted.
The seats in the tesla, especially the older models IMHO are very uncomfortable and should be redone.
as for features, the one I really miss from my german cars is the personal seating profiles for multiple drivers and the entry/exit positioning of the seats and steering wheel. these and other things like the poor nav. system really take points away from what other wise is a great car.

 

[oktane]

Best to wait if buying new. There are many $35,000 cars far superior to Tesla in interior quality and manufacturing quality. It is actually quite embarrassing to hear the difference in road noise.

I recommend buying the cheapest used AP1 car on the market and dumping it in 1-2 years if you must purchase a car right now.

Arguably an AP1 car will be superior to AP2 for another year. Save the depreciation and buy German in 2 years or Tesla if they improve.

 

[daniel]

If I had waited until there was competition, I'd have missed out on 6+ years of driving a Tesla ... and would continue missing out for the foreseeable future.

The above says it all. There will always be something better in three years if you wait. And then you can wait another three years for something better yet. And you'll never have an EV.

Today's luxury ICE vehicles do have more "features" than Teslas have. And if those features are more important to you than massive, instant, whisper-quiet torque, and getting away from gasoline, then a Tesla is not the car for you. I bought my first electric car (a Zap Xebra) because I hate gasoline: I hate the stink, I hate the smog pollution, I hate the effect on climate, I hate the way an ICE vibrates even when the car is standing still, I hate the noise of an ICE, and I hate buying fuel from people who finance terrorism. (The 9/11 hijackers got their financing from Saudi oil sheiks.) And I don't like the domestic oil companies much better.

A Tesla is not for everybody. The cost of batteries are a real obstacle and must be paid for by higher price or fewer features or lesser range. But as good as the Germans are at manufacturing and design, I don't think they'll ever build an EV that's unequivocally better than a Tesla in the same price range. If you really love the roar of a big V-8 (I hate it) and you love the smell of gasoline (I hate it) then a high-end German car may be your best bet. And that's okay, because the demand for Teslas is so high that if you choose not to buy one then someone else can get theirs sooner.

Whatever you get, enjoy it and drive safe.

 

[ecarfan]

I think the first real competition will be the Jaguar I-Pace.

In my opinion, it won't be real competition because there will be no properly designed high speed charging network for that car. There will be a hodge lodge of -- depending on what country you live in -- CCS and/or Chademo chargers that will be pricey and may or may not work when you arrive to use them or will be occupied for hours before you can plug in. Yes, with time an I-Pace owner will figure out where to charge and when low use times are, but it will be aggravating and awkward and unreliable.

Yes, some Tesla Superchargers are very busy, but the majority are not. And with the latest Tesla software you can see the Supercharger status in real time. And the Supercharger network continues to expand and improve.

 

[ecarfan]

I mean Merc and BMW's current assistance systems do have stop and go ability in heavy traffic. Eventually Tesla will be better then them all, but now they are all comparable.

The reviews I have read say that Tesla Autopilot is superior to the competition right now and it is improving rapidly.

I do agree with you that if you can't charge at home that is an issue. As others have noted, Seattle is a pretty progressive place when it comes to EVs. Get involved with your condo board and get things moving for chargers in your complex.

 

[Johann Koeber]

After driving cars from the 3 German manufacturers and then Teslas, I can say that TESLA has a different kind of quality than the Germans. May I suggest you get a Tesla now - you will probably never return to ICE - ever.

Why now?
Because I am very sceptical of any compelling car coming from other manufacturers any time soon. As Bonnie mentioned here we are driving Teslas for five or six years and the other cars are always at the end of the rainbow.

 

[TrevTremaine]

I am just commenting on these points that you've posted.
The seats in the tesla, especially the older models IMHO are very uncomfortable and should be redone.
as for features, the one I really miss from my german cars is the personal seating profiles for multiple drivers and the entry/exit positioning of the seats and steering wheel. these and other things like the poor nav. system really take points away from what other wise is a great car.

Some of what you've talked about has been changed. Seats have gone through a couple of revisions - I've sat in the newest and they're better than the ones in my 2016. Personal seating profiles are done, key specific at that. Entry/exit I won't disagree with, but I rarely used it in my BMW. Technically, you could add a couple of profiles and have it work - kind of. Nav - well, it's a work in progress. I would say that some of it may come about through software updates, although obviously it's presumptuous since there's no written schedule of things Tesla is working on. Odds are, entry/exit may be added.

Older cars - aftermarket seats or reupholstering? I don't know whether one could purchase newer seats and fit them in. If you're expecting them to fix/replace it for free, let me know another manufacturer who does that.

 

[TrevTremaine]

I mean Merc and BMW's current assistance systems do have stop and go ability in heavy traffic. Eventually Tesla will be better then them all, but now they are all comparable.

Part of the answer is: Tesla will improve it on the existing cars through software updates, not just future cars. Will BMW or Merc do that? Doubtful, and certainly not without cost.

AP2/HW2 isn't perfect yet by many people's standards, but it'll continue to improve as time goes on thanks for the ability to update software and even add functionality.

 

[kort677]

S If you're expecting them to fix/replace it for free, let me know another manufacturer who does that.

slow down cowboy, I only posted my opinion of the seats in the older models. if they've upgraded the comfort of the seats great, I didn't ask for them to replace the seats.

 

[kort677]

Nav - well, it's a work in progress.

I'm sorry to say this but tesla was way behind the curve with their nav systems from day one of their model S. while the huge screen is great eye candy, the functionality of the nav system was far less than what was on the market then and is way behind what is out there today.

 

[kort677]

As Bonnie mentioned here we are driving Teslas for five or six years and the other cars are always at the end of the rainbow.

I agree,Tesla is way ahead of every other car maker in manner of propulsion the vehicle however in the creature comfort part of the equation tesla offers bare bones "luxury"

 

[gowthamn]

Just to make it clear I am not saying I will but a Germal EV when it comes out. I am planning to wait until a good German EV comes out with all the luxury features (better materials, quality, reduced outside noise, cooled seats, tin-able sunroof etc ) which will force Tesla to add them too. Then I will buy a Tesla itself.
Since Tesla has a monopoly now they are not taking luxury seriously.

 

[TexasEV]

In the meantime you're still driving an ICE for the next few years. Is your desire for what you consider an acceptable level of luxury interior worth delaying driving an EV for a few years?

 

[daniel]

... Since Tesla has a monopoly now they are not taking luxury seriously.

I don't think that's it. Everything is a compromise against price. Want more range? You have to pay for more batteries. Want better build quality? That costs. Want more luxury features & comfort? That costs, too. With the cost of batteries today, the exact same car (in other respects) will cost more with 85 kWh of batteries in it than a car with a gas engine.

Each consumer has his or her wish list and price range. A manufacturer needs to find the balance that will bring in buyers. Take the features and comfort of the top-of-the-line BMW, and put them in a car with 85 kWh of batteries and a motor capable of the same acceleration, and the electric car will be so expensive that few people will buy it. And Tesla's goal is to get as many people into electric cars as possible.

Rather than "not taking luxury seriously," Tesla is building cars that are luxurious enough, while still having 5-star safety ratings in every category, being all-electric, and fun to drive. If you need the pinnacle of luxury, it may be a decade before Tesla is in a position to build that. I've driven an S twice (short drives) and ridden in one (longer ride) and I'd call it reasonably luxurious. Not as comfy perhaps as a Lincoln Town Car (limo service when I fly to Phoenix and need a ride to Sedona) but still very comfy and with features enough for 99% of the people who are in the market for a nice EV.

Tesla is an electric-car company. Not a super-luxury car company. In a decade or two they'll have more niche cars to choose from. But right now they have to aim where the market is.