Don’t laugh but one of the reasons we leaned away from an S was the size of the car and our garage. It would fit but would be really tight. Frankly I would probably just park it outside in my leafs spot and put the leaf in the garage.
I’m not laughing at all, I’m smiling in agreement
The Model S is well-established here in New Zealand, both used and new (inventory) models available. The Model 3 isn’t available yet. The ‘base’ S brand-new falls within what I was prepared to spend (same money would buy a used P90D etc.) Anyway, I test-drove an S in my local area and decided it was too large for me; driving it felt like a mission rather than an extension of myself. It was better-behaved (better handling) than my old (2007) Mercedes CLS, but just as large, and I sold that car for that very reason. My Tesla is to be a long-term companion.
Then I sat in the (LHD, not driveable) Model 3 demonstrator in the only NZ Tesla showroom, and I immediately knew this is the car for me. It feels so different with its small steering wheel, low dashboard, and relative simplicity. If it is teamed with a firm European-style ride, I’m sure we will get along well.
In a few weeks I’ll get the chance to order at last - feels strange to do this having not actually driven a Model 3, but I’m sure others have taken this risk too!
I only hope not to be ‘rejected’ by a few Model S owners (online) who expressed concern in discussion of ‘how to handle the large influx of new Tesla owners due to the Model 3’s cheaper price’. I pointed out that the price isn’t really much different, either model is an expensive new car compared to the usual car choices made in NZ. The buyer of a Model 3 is surely similar to the buyer of a Model S and will be just as motivated/excited
So, respecting the choice made by others is important at all levels.
-Alex