When buying your first Tesla, what would you do differently?

[Darmie]

Appears you already have a lot of advise. My first Tesla was a 2017 Model S 75 RWD. At the time, it was the best value for the money. If I were to do it again, which I had with a 2018 Model X, I would recommend getting as much battery as you can afford. Range is King and there's no adding to it later in years.

 

[Vostok]

Depends if you got good paint or not before getting it wrapped. People are getting mismatched colour panels in the default white, which probably couldn't be fixed by a detailer.

First I’ve ever heard of that happening.

 

[Vostok]

Curious about the windows tinting, since the back 2 windows (passenger, not boot) are already tinted from factory, I assume y'all just tint the 2 front side windows, ie: not re-tinting the back?

I had all 4 side windows tinted - none were factory tinted in the car I got.

 

[blurrybird]

First I’ve ever heard of that happening.

I can attest to this too. My 2021 Multi-Coat Red Model 3 Performance was just given to Liquid R here in Melbourne for PPF but before leaving they spent a few minutes looking it over in their shop lights and then walked me around the car to point out the 20+ defects they found in the paint.

This included clusters of scratches around the rear T logo (visible only when you look from the ground upwards), lots of stone and rock chips (even though I only have 117km on the odo), base coat visible underneath the rubber trim around the door, and the mirrors are maroon while the body is closer to a cherry red.

My car also had to be repaired by Tesla upon delivery a month ago for a very obvious stone chip in the A pillar. Liquid R pointed out that not only is the repaired panel a different colour again, but it also has much more 'orange peel' in that area indicating a different (worse) paint process.

What was insane, is that they said "Despite what we are showing you today, stop worrying about them. For a Tesla, this level of defect is more than acceptable."

 

[Vostok]

I can attest to this too.

Except the OP was referring to “default white” Model 3s, not red multi-coat.

 

[RareEarth]

@blurrybird have you taken it back to Tesla with a written report from Liquid R?
From your description the defects are serious, not much point in a wrap until they are fixed. Even though there is supposed to be a 'paint correction' process before the wrap there is only so much this can fix.

 

[rx80]

I had all 4 side windows tinted - none were factory tinted in the car I got.

That's weird, maybe just newer (>2020) models get tinted rear windows?

 

[Maximillan]

That's weird, maybe just newer (>2020) models get tinted rear windows?

No, only the roof was tinted on my 2021 from factory.

 

[DblOSmith]

One thing I would never do is buy a Tesla from traditional dealership. It was a bloody nightmare from beginning to end, and extra. Even when going used, just go through the Tesla marketplace.

 

[Vostok]

One thing I would never do is buy a Tesla from traditional dealership. It was a bloody nightmare from beginning to end, and extra. Even when going used, just go through the Tesla marketplace.

Tesla doesn’t have dealerships, and sells its cars at a fixed price

 

[cafz]

Tesla doesn’t have dealerships, and sells its cars at a fixed price

It seems clear that the previous poster bought a used Tesla from a dealership.

 

[blurrybird]

@blurrybird have you taken it back to Tesla with a written report from Liquid R?
From your description the defects are serious, not much point in a wrap until they are fixed. Even though there is supposed to be a 'paint correction' process before the wrap there is only so much this can fix.

I would have if I showed them sooner, but I’ve been waiting a total of 3 months now due to COVID making it harder to get a SC appointment early on so at this point I’m happy to wrap it as-is.

My view on the wrap is to keep it easy to clean, keep it protected from door dings, and keep it shiny for longer due to the UV protection.

It’s perfectly fine in regular lighting and it’s not a show car, but it is disappointing.