New Electric Car Choice.

Demon said:
Having recently joined the world of Tesla, (almost reluctantly), what I can say is go and test drive one...

1. The vast majority of reviews say the indicators aren't a problem.. almost a none issue.. which goes against my gut feel, I think we all think they will be a problem but I tend to find when everyone says it's not as bad as you expect, I think they are probably right.. (Same for the speedo in the centre display)
2. The new Tesla vision parking stuff is probably on balance 'better' than the ultrasonic sensors, they both have holes in their detection ability, but the vision system picks up a very detailed 3D map including kerbs, posts, low walls etc.. (video below)
3. Keyless entry, it's fully keyless with your phone for free and you can buy keyfobs as well (£180). I was going to buy a keyfob at the time of ordering the car but they were out of stock.. now I've been using my phone as the key (fully keyless, just walk up, grab the handle and open), I actually don't want a keyfob mainly as its a bulky item to carry when I already have my phone.. I have the card in my wallet as backup and with the phone, it can work wirelessly (so proximity based) or you can use NFC on the phone, effectively making it a card if that is your wish.. The latest software update adds UWB support for the model 3 highland, so that's even more precise.
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That's some thoughtful feedback, I appreciate your efforts as those points seem a fair rebuff.
Have your had any issues with cabin quality control ? Seems to be a common complaint about the finish but I believe that is more on US built machines rather than the Asian built ones that Europe get. I have a colleague with a model Y and he doesn't have any issues (except for white leather, couldn't live with that).
 
bigmike20vt said:
I am probably missing some but..... brand new I can only think of 2 4 second 0-60 brand new cars in price bracket. the Volvo EX30 and the MG4 xpower both of which were ruled out.
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There are a few around those figures, XC40, Smart #1 Brabus, Polestar2 Long Range (DM), Tesla Model 3 AWD LR etc
4 seconds wasn't set in stone, just something I'd like. But certainly something that gets a wriggle on when required.
The IM L6 looks interesting. Its just been announced from MG's "upper-class" sister company
 
Get a Citreon Ami, look at the proud satisfaction of the owner, sells itself.
iu
 
Phat Momma Hoe said:
That's some thoughtful feedback, I appreciate your efforts as those points seem a fair rebuff.
Have your had any issues with cabin quality control ? Seems to be a common complaint about the finish but I believe that is more on US built machines rather than the Asian built ones that Europe get. I have a colleague with a model Y and he doesn't have any issues (except for white leather, couldn't live with that).
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No interior issues with either of the ones I have had (2021 3 SR and 2023 Y LR), both were well put together.

I have needed to use the after sales service which was fine on both occasions. For minor repairs that doesn’t need a lift or interaction with the high voltage system, they’ll send someone to you be that home or work to sort it. The Model S service cars they use are an interesting bit of kit.

The Y had a couple a couple of light scratches in the clear coat on delivery which one of their mobile techs polished out on my drive within a few days of reporting. Not great it came scratched but the resolution was swift and painless.

On the 3, the charging cable locking pin mechanism failed (couldn’t be electrically unlocked and required the use of the manual release to remove the cable). As it’s high voltage, it had to go to the service centre and they replaced the charge port which took less than an hour.

I’ve not spent any time in the new Model 3 so can’t really comment. I would test drive it because of its unique controls (no stalks). Most of the feedback I’ve seen suggests it’s fine once you are used to it. The feedback on the car itself suggests it’s a big improvement on the outgoing model which itself was a big improvement in quality over the older USA built cars.
 
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Phat Momma Hoe said:
That's some thoughtful feedback, I appreciate your efforts as those points seem a fair rebuff.
Have your had any issues with cabin quality control ? Seems to be a common complaint about the finish but I believe that is more on US built machines rather than the Asian built ones that Europe get. I have a colleague with a model Y and he doesn't have any issues (except for white leather, couldn't live with that).
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I’d just go and sit in one, there is nothing about the interior finish/quality that doesn’t feel slightly premium, far better than I expected.. It wasn’t until I took one for a test drive (very slick experience, booked online, car waiting for us, and no high pressure sales) that I changed my mind, mainly as I distrusted Tesla and had heard many comments on the cheapness of them/quality issues and so had dismissed them when we got our first EV 2 years ago.

They aren’t for everyone, uber minimalistic, sporty ride, questionable styling (the new highland addresses that to an extent) etc, but I jumped in one and loved it, and haven’t regretted getting one.. the software updates, the super chargers, the route planning, all just refreshingly positive.
 
Demon said:
I’d just go and sit in one, there is nothing about the interior finish/quality that doesn’t feel slightly premium, far better than I expected.. It wasn’t until I took one for a test drive (very slick experience, booked online, car waiting for us, and no high pressure sales) that I changed my mind, mainly as I distrusted Tesla and had heard many comments on the cheapness of them/quality issues and so had dismissed them when we got our first EV 2 years ago.

They aren’t for everyone, uber minimalistic, sporty ride, questionable styling (the new highland addresses that to an extent) etc, but I jumped in one and loved it, and haven’t regretted getting one.. the software updates, the super chargers, the route planning, all just refreshingly positive.
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Quality on the Model Y I tried was as good as anything German tbh, I dont like the minimalism, i didnt dislike it either :p

I wouldnt call the ride sporty though, car handles well, but the ride was just rubbish. If you can get past the looks the Tesla cars are still the best EV's on the market imo.
 
I'm going to throw in some advice as a model 3 performance owner (69 plate). It's a nice electric car, but it is definitely not a sports car, it feels softer than my wife's fiesta st, and my old cars were an e92 M3 and 996 turbo (911). It doesn't handle anywhere near as good as any of those cars, however it does feel stiffer with the 20 inch wheels compared to the 18 on the performance.
From a plus side its ballistic in a straight line (assuming it's charged, the loss of performance as it discharges is very noticable, especially when overtaking)., the tech is reasonably good, I mainly picked it over others due to the supercharging network which I've used a few times for holidays although I believe other manufacturers use them now.

I did look at the Highland and imo (for reference I've not driven one) I think not having stalks is a mistake mainly for indicating on roundabouts (also not sure about how the wipers are controlled).
 
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Tinders said:
Quality on the Model Y I tried was as good as anything German tbh, I dont like the minimalism, i didnt dislike it either :p

I wouldnt call the ride sporty though, car handles well, but the ride was just rubbish. If you can get past the looks the Tesla cars are still the best EV's on the market imo.
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I'm comparing it to the other sporty SUVs I've driven or owned, like the X3 35d xDrive, Audi SQ5, on that front, I can throw it around and it's very neutral, great lateral grip and very chuckable..

The ride quality was improved on cars sometime in 2023.. there are two cars I struggled with as a passenger in 2022, An Audi A4 Avant with S-Line suspension and the 2022 Model Y.. they just have too much firm 'jiggle' so your head is bobbling around on country roads far more than any other car I drive.. however the 2023 Demo car and our MY delivered in Dec 2023 are a marked improvement, still 'firm', but on most surfaces it rides better than our ID.3 which had DCC, only on the minor rough surfaces does the firmness now manifest, which is more than tolerable. I did a UK->Marbella->UK trip in a Model 3 performance, that is way harsher/firmer and yet I didn't have any issues in the 2900 miles we did

It's one of those things you need to test drive and see how you feel..

theone8181 said:
I'm going to throw in some advice as a model 3 performance owner (69 plate). It's a nice electric car, but it is definitely not a sports car, it feels softer than my wife's fiesta st, and my old cars were an e92 M3 and 996 turbo (911). It doesn't handle anywhere near as good as any of those cars, however it does feel stiffer with the 20 inch wheels compared to the 18 on the performance.
From a plus side its ballistic in a straight line (assuming it's charged, the loss of performance as it discharges is very noticeable, especially when overtaking)., the tech is reasonably good, I mainly picked it over others due to the supercharging network which I've used a few times for holidays although I believe other manufacturers use them now.

I did look at the Highland and imo (for reference I've not driven one) I think not having stalks is a mistake mainly for indicating on roundabouts (also not sure about how the wipers are controlled).
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That's the pre-facelift isn't it? My brother has the facelift M3P, he came directly from an F83 M4 Comp to it, and the one thing that surprised him was the handling wasn't as bad as he thought, that had a different suspension setup post facelift though so may be different and on no planet is that softer than a fiesta.. but then you are comparing older more visceral cars like the E92 to a modern more numb feeling car.. I had the same issue jumping from an E46 M3 to anything modern, notably a TTRS felt so remote/numb/floaty I hated it, I've driven loads of sportier stuff whilst seeking a replacement for the E46, all feel numb/remote/floaty by comparison.. even the E92 M3 felt softer/more remote.. I'm not saying the M3P is a proper sorted sports car, it's probably 8/10'ths a G82 M4 in terms of feel/suspension/outright handling, but if you drive it on the limit, it's quicker than it seemingly ought to be.

As a package the M3P did a 1:21.50 around the top gear test track, beating the F80 M3 / Cayman 718S by 0.1 seconds and that was the pre-facelift version..

Car magazine said "Even after the M4 in full flight, the Model 3 feels absurdly quick. The Tesla isn't out of its depth on track either, though it lacks a little polish when pushed hard." (facelift tested, i4 vs m4 vs m3p)
Evo magazine said "Tesla Model 3 review – ride and handling The Model 3 is heavy, but counters it with an impressive chassis and handling characteristics well suited to its demeanor" (Facelift tested in isolation)
 
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Nasher said:
Not surprised, if you get rear ended in it you'll be flat (then incinerated by squashed batteries).

Why would anyone pay 8 grand for that over a used smart car.
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Why would anyone buy a smart car :rolleyes: :cry: Let alone for 8 grand :p
b0rn2sk8 said:
Because in France where it’s made, you can drive one legally on a road at 14 years old or something daft like that.
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Yep haha, promoting death to teenagers!
 
b0rn2sk8 said:
Because in France where it’s made, you can drive one legally on a road at 14 years old or something daft like that.
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Don’t give him facts, he’ll try to use it against you later.

That said in FranceOCUK Nasher couldn’t drive it, he’s only 12years old keyboard level.
 
Demon said:
I'm comparing it to the other sporty SUVs I've driven or owned, like the X3 35d xDrive, Audi SQ5, on that front, I can throw it around and it's very neutral, great lateral grip and very chuckable..

The ride quality was improved on cars sometime in 2023.. there are two cars I struggled with as a passenger in 2022, An Audi A4 Avant with S-Line suspension and the 2022 Model Y.. they just have too much firm 'jiggle' so your head is bobbling around on country roads far more than any other car I drive.. however the 2023 Demo car and our MY delivered in Dec 2023 are a marked improvement, still 'firm', but on most surfaces it rides better than our ID.3 which had DCC, only on the minor rough surfaces does the firmness now manifest, which is more than tolerable. I did a UK->Marbella->UK trip in a Model 3 performance, that is way harsher/firmer and yet I didn't have any issues in the 2900 miles we did

It's one of those things you need to test drive and see how you feel..


That's the pre-facelift isn't it? My brother has the facelift M3P, he came directly from an F83 M4 Comp to it, and the one thing that surprised him was the handling wasn't as bad as he thought, that had a different suspension setup post facelift though so may be different and on no planet is that softer than a fiesta.. but then you are comparing older more visceral cars like the E92 to a modern more numb feeling car.. I had the same issue jumping from an E46 M3 to anything modern, notably a TTRS felt so remote/numb/floaty I hated it, I've driven loads of sportier stuff whilst seeking a replacement for the E46, all feel numb/remote/floaty by comparison.. even the E92 M3 felt softer/more remote.. I'm not saying the M3P is a proper sorted sports car, it's probably 8/10'ths a G82 M4 in terms of feel/suspension/outright handling, but if you drive it on the limit, it's quicker than it seemingly ought to be.

As a package the M3P did a 1:21.50 around the top gear test track, beating the F80 M3 / Cayman 718S by 0.1 seconds and that was the pre-facelift version..

Car magazine said "Even after the M4 in full flight, the Model 3 feels absurdly quick. The Tesla isn't out of its depth on track either, though it lacks a little polish when pushed hard." (facelift tested, i4 vs m4 vs m3p)
Evo magazine said "Tesla Model 3 review – ride and handling The Model 3 is heavy, but counters it with an impressive chassis and handling characteristics well suited to its demeanor" (Facelift tested in isolation)
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He probably didn't notice as he went from a convertible/ s :p. I feel it just corners good as what past cars have, it could be due to lack of support in the seat department too as my 911 and M3 had bucket like seats that pinned you in a bit better. Funny that review says its heavy as I thought the current M3 wieghs the same as a model 3.
 
theone8181 said:
He probably didn't notice as he went from a convertible/ s :p. I feel it just corners good as what past cars have, it could be due to lack of support in the seat department too as my 911 and M3 had bucket like seats that pinned you in a bit better. Funny that review says its heavy as I thought the current M3 wieghs the same as a model 3.
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Yeah, lack of bucket seats, no engine noise, loads of sound proofing etc just lead to a numb experience IMO, and that's not for everyone..

Weight wise, I find the Tesla's are around the same weight as the AWD M Lite cars, i.e. M440i is very very close to the M3P. or the Convertible version of the M car, i.e. G83 M4 is heavier than an M3P..
 
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