Tesla Model 3 Driving Guide

JeffKeryk

JeffKeryk

Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
19,051
Location
Los Gatos, CA
It seems a lot of people have doubts about the Model 3's lack of buttons, touch screen display and overall technology.
Car and Driver offers a quick overview of the Tesla functionality.
FYI, FSD is amazing and scary at the same time. Personally, I enjoy driving the car far more than FSD.
Knowing what I know now, I consider it a nice to have; perhaps a novelty. Maybe I'm too old and set in my ways.

Model 3 Driving Overview
 
Lots of technology, great car until it breaks down
crazy2.gif
 
Originally Posted by LazyDog
Lots of technology, great car until it breaks down
crazy2.gif



You mean like a BMW or Mercedes and the cost of repairs? Since the Tesla has no engine, transmission, radiator, fuel pump, fuel lines, hoses and belts and on and on there is much less to go wrong. Basically there is nothing to go wrong with a Tesla.
 
Originally Posted by Danno
Originally Posted by Blueskies123
Basically there is nothing to go wrong with a Tesla.

Umm, did you do a Google search?

https://www.consumerreports.org/car...-recommendation-over-reliability-issues/

Just one of many hits.


...and one of many reversals on prior judgement.

Right at the top of the link you sent- (did you read it?)


"Update: On Nov. 14, 2019, the Tesla Model 3 and Model S regained a Consumer Reports Recommendation. Get more details here. "


https://www.consumerreports.org/car...-regain-consumer-reports-recommendation/
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by Blueskies123
Originally Posted by LazyDog
Lots of technology, great car until it breaks down
crazy2.gif



You mean like a BMW or Mercedes and the cost of repairs? Since the Tesla has no engine, transmission, radiator, fuel pump, fuel lines, hoses and belts and on and on there is much less to go wrong. Basically there is nothing to go wrong with a Tesla.

Careful, on this site, you're not allowed to question the reliability of vehicles that you haven't owned...
 
Regarding Tesla reliability, it has been very good, but as a company they are comparatively young.
The complaints have been around fit and finish rather than mechanical issues,
I can tell you, from Tesla forums, owners have had problems. Again, the vast majority have been fit and finish and delivery damage.
Mostly Tesla has been good about the repairs, but there are exceptions.

The Tesla drive train has something like 17 moving parts. Other EVs as well.
Where Tesla differs is not so much the EV drive train; their tech goes beyond electric vs ICE motivation.
One of the benefits of a software based car is over the air updates and connectivity.
How many cars recognize stop signs, signal light status and traffic cones in real time?
And have billions of miles of auto pilot driving data?
The car changes and gets better all the time as it sits in your garage installing an update. No other car can say that.

NASA and SpaceX flew into space with Tesla technology, including touchscreens that replace a myriad of switches and gauges.
Full transparancy, I have not used the whoopee cushion function. Elon is whack.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by MCompact
I will consider one if Louisville ever gets a dealer.

Tesla does not have dealers; they have service centers where you can take a test drive.
There are also stores at major shopping centers, but many of them have closed.
They don't carry inventory in the typical sense. You just click-click-click and get your car when it's built.
There are few options when you configure. Cost and standard options, like color, change.
For example, when we bought our car, black was standard, other colors (only a few at that) were extra.
White is standard now; I paid $1,500 I believe.
There are off menu options from time to time such as stealth performance.

Perhaps go drive one. I think you will be impressed. Good luck.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
Originally Posted by MCompact
I will consider one if Louisville ever gets a dealer.

Tesla does not have dealers; they have service centers where you can take a test drive.
There are also stores at major shopping centers, but many of them have closed.
They don't carry inventory in the typical sense. You just click-click-click and get your car when it's built.
There are few options when you configure. Cost and standard options, like color, change.
For example, when we bought our car, black was standard, other colors (only a few at that) were extra.
White is standard now; I paid $1,500 I believe.
There are off menu options from time to time such as stealth performance.


Well, the nearest service center is @two hours away; they played some games with a coworker so I would rather not dea with them.
 
Originally Posted by MCompact

Well, the nearest service center is @two hours away.

Well, get driving. The might give you a car for a few days.
I would be interested in your thoughts.
 
Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
Originally Posted by MCompact

Well, the nearest service center is @two hours away.

Well, get driving. The might give you a car for a few days.
I would be interested in your thoughts.


I will definitely let you know!
 
Originally Posted by UncleDave
Originally Posted by Danno
Originally Posted by Blueskies123
Basically there is nothing to go wrong with a Tesla.

Umm, did you do a Google search?

https://www.consumerreports.org/car...-recommendation-over-reliability-issues/

Just one of many hits.


...and one of many reversals on prior judgement.

Right at the top of the link you sent- (did you read it?)


"Update: On Nov. 14, 2019, the Tesla Model 3 and Model S regained a Consumer Reports Recommendation. Get more details here. "


https://www.consumerreports.org/car...-regain-consumer-reports-recommendation/



Oh, I read it.
So let's just ignore the previous cars on the road?
The reliability info is still valid.

Just do a search for Tesla suspension failures. Eye opening.

And how about this special feature, only $2500 US.

https://insideevs.com/news/401979/tesla-offers-infotainment-upgrade-mcuv1/
 
Congratulations, JeffKeryk! Tesla has joined BMW, FCA products and Mercedes as a target of the BITOG SGRT (Sour Grapes Read Tester) Brigade.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by MCompact
Congratulations, JeffKeryk! Tesla has joined BMW, FCA products and Mercedes as a target of the BITOG SGRT (Sour Grapes Read Tester) Brigade.

Guess I'd better dump ours before it takes a dump on me?
You can tell from this pic the fit and finish is trash...


IMG_20191231_140517.jpg
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
Originally Posted by MCompact
Congratulations, JeffKeryk! Tesla has joined BMW, FCA products and Mercedes as a target of the BITOG SGRT (Sour Grapes Read Tester) Brigade.

Guess I'd better dump ours before it takes a dump on me?
You can tell from this pic the fit and finish is trash...


Yeah, but you just own one- your opinion is invalid.
 
I experienced terrible customer service with Tesla and their refusal to honor warranties when i worked for a dealership a couple years back. That and the atrocious fit and finish and terrible paint I'm not sure how anyone would pay for one. They have also uninstalled autopilot on a number of vehicles that had it installed from the factory. No thanks.
 
Originally Posted by JeffKeryk

How many cars recognize stop signs, signal light status and traffic cones in real time?


The Audi does this part apparently, but obviously not the rest of it:

[Linked Image]
 
Originally Posted by Danno
Originally Posted by UncleDave
Originally Posted by Danno
Originally Posted by Blueskies123
Basically there is nothing to go wrong with a Tesla.

Umm, did you do a Google search?

https://www.consumerreports.org/car...-recommendation-over-reliability-issues/

Just one of many hits.


...and one of many reversals on prior judgement.

Right at the top of the link you sent- (did you read it?)


"Update: On Nov. 14, 2019, the Tesla Model 3 and Model S regained a Consumer Reports Recommendation. Get more details here. "


https://www.consumerreports.org/car...-regain-consumer-reports-recommendation/



Oh, I read it.
So let's just ignore the previous cars on the road?
The reliability info is still valid.

Just do a search for Tesla suspension failures. Eye opening.

And how about this special feature, only $2500 US.

https://insideevs.com/news/401979/tesla-offers-infotainment-upgrade-mcuv1/




Ive read all that and frankly there isn't much to see, and that was a model S thing primarily.

"The special feature" is up to the owner to spring for - or not.

Kinda nice to even have that option - no one else lets you retrofit infotainment systems with a factory blessing.

I would love to put the 18 infotainment screen in my 17 Ridgeline - but its not available at any price.
Same with my lexus - upgrades not available.



UD
 
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