Took a leap of faith and put my $100 down on a Model Y LR AWD a couple weeks ago. I've always owned Toyotas and was pretty much set on a 2020 4Runner or 2020 Highlander.
Last summer, I test drove a Model 3 and briefly considered ordering one. Loved the instant acceleration and the simplicity of the cabin. Wasn't quite sold on Autopilot. My test vehicle was a black on black SR+ and I didn't like how dark and small it felt inside. Also, I was leaning towards the LR RWD, which Tesla discontinued completely before I could order it (this was around July when a whole bunch of shuffling was happening with prices, white become the standard color, etc.). With all the turmoil, I lost interest and decided to wait for the 2020 4Runner (which was getting Toyota Safety Sense and CarPlay).
Although the Y had been announced, I didn't seriously consider it given how far out production was, and also assuming that the date would be pushed out based on Tesla's track record. I also wasn't sure how attractive a puffed up Model 3 would look in person, given how similar they appeared down to the wheels.
When it was announced that first deliveries were now anticipated in March, it got my attention again. I had been ready to order a 2020 Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD, which stickers around $51K (granted, that's MSRP and not what most people pay net of discounts). The Model Y LR AWD could be had for just a little more than the Highlander Hybrid I was considering and also not much more than a Model 3 LR AWD.
I know it'll take awhile to ramp, but $100 seemed like a reasonable amount of risk to get in line, without seeing one in person yet.
My initial concerns:
1. Quality. While I was considering the Model 3, reading the horror stories of misaligned panels, poor paint quality, unexplained dents, bumpers falling off, etc. were troublesome. Granted, those things can happen to other cars and it seemed like it'd get blown out of proportion when it was a Tesla, but it was still concerning. This was also when things were pretty rough for Tesla as a company, and it made me worried that the Fremont factory was as chaotic as the ending factory scenes in the movie Gung Ho.
2. Reliability. I've had zero problems with the Toyotas I've owned. My current 4Runner (and my last one) have only gone in for routine maintenance. I can't recall taking either one in for any other issue. This will be my first Tesla, my first non-ICE vehicle, and my first EV.
3. Service. I've heard the good and the bad, and I expect that there's both, just like most other makes. I'm worried about Tesla's ability to scale as their base grows and whether that will impact some of the good things I've heard about Tesla's service (like the service loaners, or quickly coming by with a flatbed to tow).
4. Wheels. While the 20" wheels look great (especially with the white exterior), I'm hoping for negligible sacrifice of ride quality and a little bit of sidewall protection for these "rubber band" tires.
5. The Wait. I had to wait for my last two 4Runners to come in, but that was about 6-8 weeks of waiting. Not knowing how long is driving me nuts.
