I've got a gas powered SUV. I've been kicking around the idea of trading my Genesis G80 in and getting a Model 3.

Want to know the good, bad, ugly of owning a Tesla Model 3.

Since I'm now working from home for the foreseeable future. It would get probably 5 miles average on it. Drop kid at school... go to the Dojo.. etc.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: myrottiety,

I've been very softly considering something like this as well.

My hesitations include:
1. Repairs sound generally limited to dealer only
2. Sounds like limited choice of tire (but maybe the factor choices are good enough). I'm very selective - want the best safety for all seasons (dry traction, wet traction, hydroplaning, etc).
3. Privacy concerns: seems like the car exposes location and other information always.
4. Charging stations not always available (but not indicated as such online). This has created huge issues for friends (including requiring very expensive towing to a functional charge station).

I have a 3P (Gunmetal and white interior). Better build quality than my e550 (My prior car.)

Its an excellent choice for that kind of duty cycle.

How many kids/how old/anymore planned for the life of the car?

The Model X is a very comfortable car - had one as a loaner. Had I driven one before I bought mine, I would have gotten a long range one.

The 3 fit me better than the prior model S - I hit my head getting in.

In general, Tesla's best model is whichever is the most recent.

I would think a long-range Model Y or Model 3, is a bit of a no-brainer for a 5 mile a day run around.

The standard range might work, but I think the AWD would be a good choice.

I would get the white interior. Its easy to keep clean, and a bit nicer material than the black.

Get rid of the stock wheels right off the bat. TSportline makes 18" wheels which fit over 3P brakes. The wheels are too soft, and too heavy. I can't remember the tires I bought, but given the OP's usage, they'll age out, before they wear out.

Repairs are annoying, but the only scheduled service is every 50K miles.

No idea how someone runs out of charge. TMK, if you use the route planner in the car, it monitors where the chargers are, and if they work. I suppose it could have just broken before they got there/past the point of no return to another source.

I travel with my multi-charger kit and a large extension cord/an RV park/some other outdoor plug can work.

You do need to carry a multi-tool. Someone wedged a rubber chunk in a charger, once, to make it non-functional. It was somewhat of a thing.

Less now, but when I first got it, some people REALLY hated the car, and would be very aggressive toward it. (Had a bright yellow Porsche which engendered similar reactions.)

Family car is a model Y.

My wife wanted the optional 20" wheels and they get the shit knocked out of them. If you want fancy wheels, buy them afterwards.

We did not go for the 10k full autonomous option, and do not regret it. The enhanced cruise control is still scary good.

As a whole, we love it. I love how fast it is, wife loves the tech and comfort.

If your commute is under 30 miles a day, you can get away with regularly charging over night on a regular 120v outlet. I do not recommend putting it on the same circuit as the microwave or hair dryer.

The brakes will last forever because of regen.

We've had it for 5k miles and almost a year. It's been very reliable and fun in a Jetsons kind of way.

Feel free to ask any questions, those are just the first comments that come to mind.

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4. Charging stations not always available (but not indicated as such online). This has created huge issues for friends

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No idea how someone runs out of charge. TMK, if you use the route planner in the car, it monitors where the chargers are, and if they work.

I can't quite figure this one out either. Even if you don't start with a full charge, the route planner takes that into account with stops at functioning charging stations...usually before you even reach 20%.

I guess it's possible if you completely ignore all the obvious warnings the screen gives you

All modern cars have the ability to track position and speed, patterns of life. If that's an issue for you, buy a classic pre-OBD car.

We have a Model 3 Long Range; it replaced a BMW 440XI that we had bought a year earlier. Wife's car for around town use (dropping kid off at school, etc). She's done multiple regional road trips and has zero issue with charging access, though some of the locations are sub-optimal (outside the Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, VA for example).

If I could have gotten a Model X in a reasonable time back in May when I was ready to buy, I would have. I do have an order in on a Cybertruck, whether it ends up being real or not.

I don't care for driving my wife's Model 3 LR but did borrow a friends Model Y Performance a few times to tool around town. It's terrific but still a bit small for me for every day.

I have a 3 Long Range. Drive it 400+ miles a week for work. If I now it’s going to be a long driving day I’ll charge to 100%. Other than that it sits at 90%

I had a charger installed at the house. Plug it in every night

Very comfortable car, scary fast especially after I bought the acceleration boost programming. I beat a hell cat challenger in a ghetto drag race kind of fast. It’s fun to drive definitely

Stay with 18” wheels. If not, a small pot hole will blow a tire, or damage enough it will need to be replaced.

There are many options for tires. Lots of Tesla owners are idiots thinking you can only get tires from a service center, some are stupid enough they won’t use anything other than windshield wiper fluid bought at the service center

If you want to be appalled join the FB group called “shit Tesla owners say”

I’m still torn if I could use it as a primary vehicle personally. In most instances it can easily be done

Almost 20k miles I’ve been very happy with my purchase. I’ve done nothing but rotate tires and add wiper fluid

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She's done multiple regional road trips and has zero issue with charging access, though some of the locations are sub-optimal

That's one of the reasons I'm leaning heavily toward a Tesla Model Y, even though I'm drawn to a couple of Ford offerings...Mustang Mach-E GT & 150 Lightning...and even the Porsche.

Tesla's charging infrastructure just can't be beat...not only in availability of locations, but having the availability of SuperChargers

I don't really care if you think it's an issue or not. I'm just relating the personal experience of some friends who have Tesla (and generally like it). Consider it or not - doesn't matter to me. But they have had issues w/ the route planner or whatever and planned to charge some place but the chargers weren't working and they didn't have enough charge to make it to the next station.

Sorry if you don't believe it's possible. No skin off my back. Just trying to be helpful.

The charging network is a major advantage. I've driven my a number of times between SC/FL and TX, and was driving it about once a month between Miami and Charleston.

Its a toss up on long drives. Its quiet, and comfortable, and the "auto-pilot" cruise control is nice, but the charging adds time, and some of the charging stations are not in very good areas. (More of an issue along 10/20.)

Great info on here guys.

We'd likely use the gas car for any long travels. Out of state / beach trip type things. Use the Tesla for tooling around in the state. I bet I'm averaging 1K-1.5K miles a year right now working from home. Versus the 10K I normally would put on a car.

Leaning really heavy toward putting in a order.

Saw one while voting parked with a Dog in the back - Dash screen had a note that the owner will be back in minutes and the temp was 68.
Pretty Cool.

quote:

Originally posted by RGRacing:
Saw one while voting parked with a Dog in the back - Dash screen had a note that the owner will be back in minutes and the temp was 68.
Pretty Cool.

Dog Mode……. Standard feature. It is very cool and works great

quote:

Originally posted by myrottiety:
Great info on here guys.

We'd likely use the gas car for any long travels. Out of state / beach trip type things. Use the Tesla for tooling around in the state. I bet I'm averaging 1K-1.5K miles a year right now working from home. Versus the 10K I normally would put on a car.

Leaning really heavy toward putting in a order.

Stop by the Decatur delivery center and schedule a test drive, have a good look, “try them on”.

Don’t expect exemplary communication, unfortunately. Each of the sales consultants can either be great, or very passive until the day before delivery, which can be unpredictable. It is possible to get lucky and find what you want on the “lot” when someone declines delivery and not have an extended wait

This message has been edited. Last edited by: snwghst,

Got to drive a buddies last night. Let me tell you. The accelerator / brake regen is super strange. Don't really have to use the brake. It just kinda auto brakes. Will take some getting used to.

2nd thing. He has the base model 3. For F's Sake that thing is FAST.

quote:

Originally posted by myrottiety:

2nd thing. He has the base model 3. For F's Sake that thing is FAST.

Yep. Pretty wild our family car would walk away from my previous track/fun car - '17 Camaro SS at this altitude.

Another thing to note is there is no power loss at altitude in electric cars. Colorado does suck the life out of ICE's... Might not be an issue where you live but it's huge up here.

I always need a truck, but would also like to go electric especially since the next home we will build will be a net-zero home and be solar. My truck is 19 years old and still running. I hope to get at least 3-5 more years out of it if not more. I am a Chevy guy but can’t wait for the Ford Lightning truck to come out and be out for a few years before I need a new truck. If it lives up to its hype, then that is the truck I will buy and have the best of both worlds.

My apologies to the OP that my response had zero to do with a Tesla.

Went ahead and put down the deposit to order the Model 3 Extended range. Says sometime in December it'll deliver.


334 miles range should get me plenty far even with battery degradation over the years. Dang thing is all wheel drive & 0-60 in 4.2 seconds. That's ridiculous.

quote:

Originally posted by myrottiety:
Went ahead and put down the deposit to order the Model 3 Extended range. Says sometime in December it'll deliver.


334 miles range should get me plenty far even with battery degradation over the years. Dang thing is all wheel drive & 0-60 in 4.2 seconds. That's ridiculous.

Realistically that will be about 300. Expect cold weather to drop that some also. Use the seat warmer more than the heat pump to maximize

Don’t look in the app too deep…. You may just find a $2000 acceleration boost upgrade… that will drop the 0-60 into the mid 3’s. . I took some of my bonus last year and bought it. Very noticeable, not grab the 100 off the dashboard big block V-8 stuff, but damn close. It’ll snap your neck back. It’s an OTA update like all the updates, takes about 15min

Pay attention to tire inflation pressures, the tires are soft

My typical daily settings are:
Steering- normal
Driving- chill

You can change these setting on the fly so if you want/need sport steering or acceleration mode NOW!! It can be done on the fly

If you have a dryer plug in the garage you can buy the 30A plug adapter for the included charger which only comes with a 110 plug (takes forever on 110, but works in a pinch). I installed a Tesla level 2 charger for 48A charging on a 60A dedicated circuit

Congrats!! Enjoy!!

quote:

Originally posted by snwghst:

quote:

Originally posted by myrottiety:
Went ahead and put down the deposit to order the Model 3 Extended range. Says sometime in December it'll deliver.


334 miles range should get me plenty far even with battery degradation over the years. Dang thing is all wheel drive & 0-60 in 4.2 seconds. That's ridiculous.

Realistically that will be about 300. Expect cold weather to drop that some also. Use the seat warmer more than the heat pump to maximize

Don’t look in the app too deep…. You may just find a $2000 acceleration boost upgrade… that will drop the 0-60 into the mid 3’s. . I took some of my bonus last year and bought it. Very noticeable, not grab the 100 off the dashboard big block V-8 stuff, but damn close. It’ll snap your neck back. It’s an OTA update like all the updates, takes about 15min

Pay attention to tire inflation pressures, the tires are soft

My typical daily settings are:
Steering- normal
Driving- chill

You can change these setting on the fly so if you want/need sport steering or acceleration mode NOW!! It can be done on the fly

If you have a dryer plug in the garage you can buy the 30A plug adapter for the included charger which only comes with a 110 plug. I installed a Tesla level 2 charger for 48A charging on a 60A dedicated circuit

Congrats!! Enjoy!!

Heck I thought even the standard mode rear wheel was plenty fast @ 5.5 or whatever they quote the 0-60 at. I got a feeling this will be plenty fast as is. (Unless I find $2K just sitting around. )