1st in Line
Member
1. Well, I suppose my obsession with Tesla originated from my pre-existing obsession with technology. I must admit like many other people here, I was a Tesla fan before I was an EV fan. I find the vehicles compelling in the sense that they are able to achieve a seamless experience between their software and their hardware. Let's not also forget the stomach-churning speed and electric drive. I was always the kid who wanted the latest iPad as a kid and wanted the latest phone as a pre-teen so I'm now into the latest automotive technology. I also have grown to admire Elon Musk and his mission to create a better future.
2. That's why I'm holding out for test drives to become available. Dad likes the sporty European feel of the Accord Euro and hopefully, the Model 3 can offer the same fun drive. If they have no intentions to buy, I'll make sure the test drive is on a special occasion (maybe my birthday) since you can only really take it once.
3. I don't think the climate change thing will work on them but it's worth a shot. I reckon people buy Tesla because they're spectacular cars, the green side of things is a bonus.
rioli
I am your direct opposite (not quite 61 vs your 16, but not far off):
1.) I have never been much of a tech or car guy. Parts of me loathes mobile phones. Before Tesla, a car was a necessary evil to get me from A to B, and I prefer to use public transport whenever it is a viable alternative to driving by car.
2.) I have not been on a test drive, though I once caught a short ride in a Model S when I was in line for registering for the Model 3 in March 2016. I am confident of the merits of the Model 3 based on other peoples' witness.
3.) For me it is actually the climate change thing that makes the most compelling case for getting a Model 3. By buying any new ICE car, you are locking in ~30 years+ of air pollution from burning fossil fuels.
Let's put the cost of climate change aside for a moment (though it is f#%@$ing enormous!).
In the USA about 30,000 deaths per annum are due to air pollution generated from traffic alone (Air pollution in US associated with over 30,000 deaths and reduced life expectancy) and then there are about 37,000 deaths per year from motor vehicle accidents (Motor vehicle fatality rate in U.S. by year - Wikipedia). In Australia traffic air pollution is estimated to have contributed to 1,715 deaths in 2018 (https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-other-deadlier-road-toll-car-pollution-20190128-p50u2h.html).
We have become comfortably numb in our attitude towards vehicular air pollution. We accept our cities being covered by thick brown nitrous oxide gas layers and think nothing of sending our children to walk along busy streets - even though we can smell the toxic fumes that they have to breathe in.
The other major advantage of the Model 3 is that it is "autonomy ready" - this will take care of many of the deaths from traffic accidents. Now, Elon says they could be ready with FSD by 2020. Believe it or not. Yes, Elon has not always made 100% correct predictions about when things will happen, but gee, he has made some extraordinary *sugar* happen (
What will be the re-sale value of any ICE car, the day after Tesla flicks the switch on FSD? Even if you disagree with my optimistic timeline, do you really think - given current technological rates of progress - that it will take more than 10 to 15 years for level 5 autonomous cars to hit the road? I doubt it.
As a 16 year old, the onus is on you to educate your parents about climate change - you have to wean them off their fossil fuel addiction. This is hard work, as with any addiction, you have to walk them through the five stages of grief (Addiction and the Five Stages of Grief | The Fix).
Once they have moved past their denial, there will be no argument about getting a Model 3.
Good luck!