Well, I do not disagree with you about the Miata, I have not driven one, but I have heard this same thing over and over from virtually everyone that has driven one. Also, slow cars are more fun to drive fast lol, so that probably also makes a difference on top of the fact that it is incredibly light to today's standards. However, I am not sure about the safety of the Miata lol.
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Traded my M3P for an RS3 - My thoughts on both cars for what it's worth
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I ALWAYS double-check Tesla navigation instructions with Google Maps, especially in areas with heavy traffic.
Nothing beats Google Maps for real-time adjustments to the routs as congestion areas come and ago during a rush hour.
Tesla is (supposedly) using Google for data, but Elon's touch adds too many surprises and limitations.
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I find that no matter what car is brought up in conversation, there are ones who hate it and ones who love it.
Agree with most of what you pointed out. On top of that, my biggest hassle is the nearest SC is 2 hrs 40 minutes one way. It's so bad back log that they only allow to drop off and pickup a few days later. Mobile service can not do everything. Tesla is not on my list of next car until it has a SC in my town.
It's not just carsI find that no matter what car is brought up in conversation, there are ones who hate it and ones who love it.
. Life would be boring if everybody agreed.
White Shadow
Member
Yeah, there's a lot to be said about lighter weight vehicles. To me, they are always more fun than heavier vehicles. Unfortunately, cars are getting fatter every year and EVs are no exception. A Miata is a lot of fun to drive, but I just wish they had a little more power to go with that lighter weight. Another 50 HP and the ND Miata would be an exceptional car.
I think we're a long way from light evs, unless someone makes much lighter batteries (although not sure if that's the heaviest thing in teslas).
2025 Porsche 718 Will Be Electric and 'The Most Modern Porsche'
Porsche is about to turn its 718 lineup fully electric, diverging from the 911, which won't go EV in this decade or maybe ever.
www.caranddriver.com
I think Tesla did an awesome job with the original roadster on trimming weight, but they had to start with the lotus elise to do it, and I'm not sure where that left them in terms of safety ratings. Cars are just getting bigger and bigger outside of the EV market, and I think there would need to be a revolution in battery tech to get that light again.
White Shadow
Member
Yeah, lightweight batteries are the key. Somehow I don't think we'll see that happen anytime soon.
Tesla has done a solid job keeping the weight down on the S3XY lineup too for what the cars are - obviously much bigger and heavier than the Roadster was of course. Every single competitive EV in each segment is heavier, often significantly so.
The S did get excessively heavy around the 100D era but they lightened it up again with the Palladium.
The light weight (as EVs go) pays dividends in handling dynamics and in efficiency. Granted Tesla suspension tuning has been very hit and miss over the years so the majority don't handle well out of the box, but the potential is often there. See the Plus suspension Model S (2013-2014 ish option), and any Model 3 with good aftermarket dampers/coilovers installed (stock suspension is mediocre sadly).
Of course the heavier EVs out there often have better NVH refinement. There are tradeoffs, same as with lightweight vs heavier gas cars.
For sheer driving fun on a twisty road I'd love a BRZ. I'm way faster in my M3P (with suspension upgrades), but for smiles-per-mile that car is tops on my list for affordable sports cars. I respect the Miata but it's uncomfortably small for me and I'm not into convertibles.
White Shadow
Member
The small thing is a bit of an issue for me too (I'm tall, so small cars can be a challenge). And I'm also not big on convertibles, but the Miata now comes in the hardtop version, which is for sure the one I'd get if I decided to buy the car. It's a little heavier, but it looks so much better to my eyes.
Sukhshanti
Member
I chose between a RS3, Hellcat Charger, and an M3P 2 years ago. I sometimes regret not going with the former 2, but I was looking for a daily driver, road trip car, and given Cali's premium gas prices, I think I made the right choice.
Sukhshanti
Member
Buy a used ND and turbo it, you will be in the 300whp range, more than enough for a lightweight car.
There's no wrong choice among these 3 man. I've had my RS3 for over a month. It's a blast to drive but I'm not going to lie, what seemed like an obvious choice at the time appears to be a much closer call in retrospect. Buying gas sucks - plain and simple. And while I don't regret my choice as this is my last hurrah with an ICE, I'd say the say the M3P is a very worthy competitor to the RS3 and probably a more reasonable choice for a daily. Since buying cars has nothing to do with reason for me and is pure emotion, I'm going to enjoy this for a few years until the upgraded M3P arrives and then I'll be back.
MaskedRacerX
Member
I'd be interested to hear a little more of your perspective on this. Are you saying the RS3 isn't a significant enough departure?
I've been knocking around something along the same lines ...
I've been in some fast ICEs and still appreciate the sounds and experience of a really great engine. My friend's SVR Jag is wonderful and my buddies have M3s and M340s and all kinds of other nice ICEs. But none of those cars appeal to me as much as my M3P. I just love the performance EV attributes...the silent, effortless pull, and the instant throttle reaction like the car is plugged into my brain. The M3P just makes me want to drive fast all the time as there are no downsides...the complete lack of mechanical sympathy at any speeds, the completely free fuel (w solar), and almost complete lack of maintenance.
Some people are the complete opposite from me though and I can understand that. Nothing wrong with preferences.
Some people are the complete opposite from me though and I can understand that. Nothing wrong with preferences.
If buying gas is no issue, then the RS3 is better full stop. It looks better, handles better, has better interior, sounds better and is a more engaged driving experience. The only thing it lacks is pure Tesla speed but its hardly slow. Once you put gas/charging into the equation, things get more interesting. The Tesla is fast as hell. It handles pretty well too - like a go cart (suspension sucks however). Everything else is a downgrade including the all important fun to drive factor.
For me, my daily drive consists of many shortish trips around my town. Most trips are 5 to 10 miles. Very little highway. No long trips so no range issues. And all of those miles are nearly free in the Tesla. I'm still having a hard time adjusting to paying $60 a week for gas when I was probably charging my M3P for $15 a week. Now, I will think twice about unnecessary trips whereas in the Tesla it never would. Do I need to drive 45 minutes to the brewery I like to get a 4 pack? In the Tesla, yes. In the Audi, we are probably talking a quarter of a tank so I think twice about a needless 50 miles.
In many ways, the Tesla was the better car for me given my current driving needs. It delivers 80 percent of the experience for less money as well as virtually no maintenance. So I certainly miss those aspects of the car. As I mentioned, cars aren't rational and I don't regret my choice but there are some drawbacks. I'm currently getting around 19 MPG since I'm never on the highway. If you do a lot of highway miles and long trips, the balance shifts in favor of the ICE.
You asked if it is a significant departure for it to be worth it. I think it is, yes. It's hard to describe but you just can't replicate the feel of an ICE sports car in an EV. Sounds cliche I know but it’s true. The M3P is plenty fun to drive but single pedal driving just isn’t the same for those of us raised on manual transmission sporty cars. The reality is we will all be driving EVs in 10 (if not 5) years so if you’re thinking about making one last switch, I say go for it.
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