Wow! I really like Tesla and am very serious / very close to buying a model S...I was thinking some time in Q4. But the more I read the posts in this forum the more I second-guess my thought process. Is it really that bad out there?
It is good that you are getting information and adding it to your thought process. What you do with that information, in the end, is of course your choice.
I hear about how terrible navigation is.
Yes, it is actually a running joke in my family "the Tesla navigation". They openly mock it because it is that bad. But it gets the job done, usually, with a minor detour or two.
I hear about how there's really truly been no meaningful updates in the last few years (aside from facelift).
Tesla has been regressing in many areas, removing features from their cars, and not adding much. So this is true. That said, Model 3 was just released and I would expect maybe Q1-Q2/2018 is the time when many of those have rolled onto Model S/X. Wait a bit. Don't buy in Q4. Maybe something useful comes.
I hear about the lack of compatibility with our mobile phones.
Well, the Model S/X compability with mobile phones is on the 2009 level. So you get Bluetooth and you get a traditional charging cable. No wireless charging, no Android Auto, no Apple Carplay, no USB-C even.
I hear about the poor quality of materials used in the cars.
This is true. Some of it is rather atrocious. That said, many like the simple interior design scheme nevertheless.
I hear about how terrible service is.
Especially be prepared for long delays - and even more so if you crash. Months and months of waiting for parts is normal.
I hear about empty promises.
Basically any forward-looking statement from Tesla, well, don't trust it.
I hear about cars that cost tens of thousands of dollars less yet are even better equipped and more advanced in some ways.
High-end Teslas are expensive, yet do not offer really anything much extra than 0-60 acceleration (which is, of course, phenomenal). Buy a low-end Tesla and the value is a bit better.
I hear about the severe lack of creature comforts...
Depends on where you are coming from. I came from an Audi A8, I certainly lost a lot of creature comforts. Tesla's these days don't even have ventilated seats anymore.
The list kind of goes on and on. To add salt to my wounds - one of my friends works for a Tesla supplier and says the same thing AmpedRealtor said in his post (hence the reason I copied his post; I however am not trying to single out this particular individual).
AmpedRealtor is a long-time, trusted member on TMC and absolutely correct IMO.
So...what am I missing here? Why do (seemingly) most of you all have Teslas?
Two reasons: Tesla was a better company earlier on. They seemed to be on a better track up to around mid-2014. Then the horrors started. As for why most here have Teslas, well, one reason is some bought early and have only later become frustrated, the other is Tesla is the only large-battery BEV on the market. Having a large-battery BEV is great.
Am I (and other potential buyers) making a mistake
IMO anyone buying a Tesla today is making a mistake, if there is not a super-pressing reason to buy. Wait until 2018 and see what Tesla is like (because Model 3 upgrades are bound to roll over to S/X) and whether the competitive alternatives from Audi and Jaguar might be more for you (first non-Tesla large-battery BEVs - other than exotics - coming in 2018). Then make up your mind, is what I think.
Would you buy a Tesla again?
No company is perfect. If a comprehensive research would pinpoint a Tesla as the best compromise out of all, I would. At the moment it seems more likely that my next BEV is a Jaguar, though, or perhaps an Audi. I expect to replace an ICE with it, the Model X I will probably keep longer.