View Poll Results: Tesla Model 3 Build Defects - Deal Breaker?
Yes
31
65.96%
No
11
23.40%
Maybe
5
10.64%
Voters: 47. You may not vote on this poll
Tesla Model 3 (merged megathread)
08-10-21, 01:45 PM
#617
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by Lundy11
I sold my 2014 ISF a few months back and recently ordered a Model 3 Performance. I'm still on the fence about taking delivery in the next month or so. The more I read about Tesla the more concerned I become. Losing 16-20% of the power below 75% charge. Power loss when it's cold or batteries aren't at optimal temp (winters here are pretty cold). I know ICE has many downfalls as well but the ability to perform consistently is something to be valued I think. I don't need an EV, gas prices aren't a concern nor is the range, my order of the M3P was more so for the performance/acceleration aspect.
So I guess the question is, has anybody switched over/had both and what are you thoughts?
So I guess the question is, has anybody switched over/had both and what are you thoughts?
I've run away from an RCF at 50% SOC easily. It was a massacre. Also, The 5-60 mph times are essentially the same as 0-60 so you can replicate the insane acceleration at anytime consistently without skill. Just mash and you are gone.
The new Model 3s have the heat pump but you'll still lose about ~20% range which is unavoidable. If you use it for commute mostly, not really an issue. You don't lose that much power in the cold...mostly range.
How do I like it coming from an IS350? It's easily the best car I've ever had. Way more convenient as I've never had to go get it serviced except for tires. I go through tires like crazy because of how I drive...it's putting down bout 520hp to the wheels so get rotations often. The handling is good but not great without coil overs. They made the car liveable but gave up extreme handling like an M3. The car has been very reliable after 20k+ miles but there are plenty of people with near 100k miles without issues as the car is extremely simple by nature. I don't use autopilot...I prefer to zoom by people everywhere.
I say don't worry about the experience. I think you'll forget about the ISF shortly after owning it as the performance isn't close.
08-10-21, 02:21 PM
#618
I've had a M3P for about 2 years now. Let me address the decline in performance first. At 80% state of charge (SOC) and above, you'll be at 3.1s to 60. At 50%, it will be around 3.4s. At 30% it will around 3.7s. At less than 20%, you'll be above 4s as it really pares back power. Go to Tesla Owners Online and people have tracked this to the nth degree. All verifiable there.
I've run away from an RCF at 50% SOC easily. It was a massacre. Also, The 5-60 mph times are essentially the same as 0-60 so you can replicate the insane acceleration at anytime consistently without skill. Just mash and you are gone.
The new Model 3s have the heat pump but you'll still lose about ~20% range which is unavoidable. If you use it for commute mostly, not really an issue. You don't lose that much power in the cold...mostly range.
How do I like it coming from an IS350? It's easily the best car I've ever had. Way more convenient as I've never had to go get it serviced except for tires. I go through tires like crazy because of how I drive...it's putting down bout 520hp to the wheels so get rotations often. The handling is good but not great without coil overs. They made the car liveable but gave up extreme handling like an M3. The car has been very reliable after 20k+ miles but there are plenty of people with near 100k miles without issues as the car is extremely simple by nature. I don't use autopilot...I prefer to zoom by people everywhere.
I say don't worry about the experience. I think you'll forget about the ISF shortly after owning it as the performance isn't close.
I've run away from an RCF at 50% SOC easily. It was a massacre. Also, The 5-60 mph times are essentially the same as 0-60 so you can replicate the insane acceleration at anytime consistently without skill. Just mash and you are gone.
The new Model 3s have the heat pump but you'll still lose about ~20% range which is unavoidable. If you use it for commute mostly, not really an issue. You don't lose that much power in the cold...mostly range.
How do I like it coming from an IS350? It's easily the best car I've ever had. Way more convenient as I've never had to go get it serviced except for tires. I go through tires like crazy because of how I drive...it's putting down bout 520hp to the wheels so get rotations often. The handling is good but not great without coil overs. They made the car liveable but gave up extreme handling like an M3. The car has been very reliable after 20k+ miles but there are plenty of people with near 100k miles without issues as the car is extremely simple by nature. I don't use autopilot...I prefer to zoom by people everywhere.
I say don't worry about the experience. I think you'll forget about the ISF shortly after owning it as the performance isn't close.
08-10-21, 06:06 PM
#619
Lexus Test Driver
I really appreciate the info. The various acceleration times dependent on SOC are still very solid. Good perspective knowing you don't drive like the typical Tesla owner... speed limit or less trying to squeeze every last bit of range out of it. I've been on the Tesla Owner forum as well just wanted to get an outside view. The RCF was a possible alternative to the ISF so thank you for that.
08-10-21, 07:04 PM
#620
Lead Lap
I don’t own a M3P but all of those concerns to me aren’t really anything to worry about. With that being said, if I had a 2014 ISF I would’ve kept it and bought a M3P as a daily. The ISF is more of a special car and should hold its value for a while given it’s rarity.
08-10-21, 07:22 PM
#621
The pursuit of F
Thread Starter
I've experienced as bad as a 30-40% capacity reduction in winter (heater on, heated seats on, sub-freezing temps). Power reduction not much of an impact since I typically daily charge at home typically above 60% charging to 90%.
2 years now owning an M3 SR+ and although I do miss the melodious V8, Lexus build quality, and rarity from the RCF, I have no intention of going back to an ICE vehicle. As @EZZ said, you'll easily forget the ISF and love the incredibly low operating costs and instant power. Happy shopping!
2 years now owning an M3 SR+ and although I do miss the melodious V8, Lexus build quality, and rarity from the RCF, I have no intention of going back to an ICE vehicle. As @EZZ said, you'll easily forget the ISF and love the incredibly low operating costs and instant power.
Happy shopping!
08-10-21, 07:35 PM
#622
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by corradoMR2
I've experienced as bad as a 30-40% capacity reduction in winter (heater on, heated seats on, sub-freezing temps). Power reduction not much of an impact since I typically daily charge at home typically above 60% charging to 90%.
2 years now owning an M3 SR+ and although I do miss the melodious V8, Lexus build quality, and rarity from the RCF, I have no intention of going back to an ICE vehicle. As @EZZ said, you'll easily forget the ISF and love the incredibly low operating costs and instant power. Happy shopping!
2 years now owning an M3 SR+ and although I do miss the melodious V8, Lexus build quality, and rarity from the RCF, I have no intention of going back to an ICE vehicle. As @EZZ said, you'll easily forget the ISF and love the incredibly low operating costs and instant power.
Happy shopping!
08-10-21, 07:36 PM
#623
The pursuit of F
Thread Starter
08-11-21, 09:17 AM
#624
Thanks for all the info. This was the reassurance I needed.
@patgilm I thought about keeping it but I had to choose between the ISF and another semi rare vehicle that I am the original owner of unlike the Lexus (3rd owner). If I was the original owner of the ISF I probably would have kept it.
@patgilm I thought about keeping it but I had to choose between the ISF and another semi rare vehicle that I am the original owner of unlike the Lexus (3rd owner). If I was the original owner of the ISF I probably would have kept it.
08-11-21, 10:48 AM
#625
Moderator
Now we need to know what car your the original owner of?
I have a 13 ISF, and it’s so rare now I’ve had multiple unsolicited offers on it.
My next daily will undoubtedly be an EV, but I’m weird and like the cybertruck. That’ll be an eternity from now anyway. My daily is350 has very low miles despite its age.
As to cold temps, do they affect the Teslas range much if it’s parked in a garage at night that is kept around 60 degrees? I can see how spending the night outside in 5 degrees would be much more catastrophic.
As to maintenance; I have 3 ICE vehicles and one always seems to need something. They are all reliable vehicles, but between regular maintenance and service intervals, I’m always under a car’s hood or belly.
I have a 13 ISF, and it’s so rare now I’ve had multiple unsolicited offers on it.
My next daily will undoubtedly be an EV, but I’m weird and like the cybertruck. That’ll be an eternity from now anyway. My daily is350 has very low miles despite its age.
As to cold temps, do they affect the Teslas range much if it’s parked in a garage at night that is kept around 60 degrees? I can see how spending the night outside in 5 degrees would be much more catastrophic.
As to maintenance; I have 3 ICE vehicles and one always seems to need something. They are all reliable vehicles, but between regular maintenance and service intervals, I’m always under a car’s hood or belly.
08-11-21, 11:21 AM
#626
Now we need to know what car your the original owner of?
I have a 13 ISF, and it’s so rare now I’ve had multiple unsolicited offers on it.
My next daily will undoubtedly be an EV, but I’m weird and like the cybertruck. That’ll be an eternity from now anyway. My daily is350 has very low miles despite its age.
As to cold temps, do they affect the Teslas range much if it’s parked in a garage at night that is kept around 60 degrees? I can see how spending the night outside in 5 degrees would be much more catastrophic.
As to maintenance; I have 3 ICE vehicles and one always seems to need something. They are all reliable vehicles, but between regular maintenance and service intervals, I’m always under a car’s hood or belly.
I have a 13 ISF, and it’s so rare now I’ve had multiple unsolicited offers on it.
My next daily will undoubtedly be an EV, but I’m weird and like the cybertruck. That’ll be an eternity from now anyway. My daily is350 has very low miles despite its age.
As to cold temps, do they affect the Teslas range much if it’s parked in a garage at night that is kept around 60 degrees? I can see how spending the night outside in 5 degrees would be much more catastrophic.
As to maintenance; I have 3 ICE vehicles and one always seems to need something. They are all reliable vehicles, but between regular maintenance and service intervals, I’m always under a car’s hood or belly.
08-11-21, 11:27 AM
#627
Moderator
Plenty of love for the Raptor from me. Very cool vehicle. I have a similar affinity for my ISF. Plan to keep it until I either no longer exist or I can no longer buy fuel for it.
08-11-21, 12:19 PM
#628
We bought our Model 3 Mid Range RWD in Dec 2018. Too bad I didn't buy stock instead! Ha!
You will love the car, but remember they are different; Tesla has no desire to be like other car manufacturers.
My question to you is, how are you gonna charge? I had a NEMA 14-50 recepticle put in the garage. It was a 60' run from the service panel.
A union electrician came in his spare time; $600 all in including tip. #6 copper wire ain't cheap!
Also, all the EV owners I know (and there a bazillion in Silicon Valley) have another car. I sure do.
There are those who make the San Jose to LA run with one stop; I have not done that.
Depending on your needs, having another car might make sense.
FYI, my next car will be a Model 3 Performance. I am waiting for the new batteries...
Enjoy your beautiful car. Owners are rabid about them. There is a reason for it.
You will love the car, but remember they are different; Tesla has no desire to be like other car manufacturers.
My question to you is, how are you gonna charge? I had a NEMA 14-50 recepticle put in the garage. It was a 60' run from the service panel.
A union electrician came in his spare time; $600 all in including tip. #6 copper wire ain't cheap!
Also, all the EV owners I know (and there a bazillion in Silicon Valley) have another car. I sure do.
There are those who make the San Jose to LA run with one stop; I have not done that.
Depending on your needs, having another car might make sense.
FYI, my next car will be a Model 3 Performance. I am waiting for the new batteries...
Enjoy your beautiful car. Owners are rabid about them. There is a reason for it.
08-11-21, 12:30 PM
#629
We bought our Model 3 Mid Range RWD in Dec 2018. Too bad I didn't buy stock instead! Ha!
You will love the car, but remember they are different; Tesla has no desire to be like other car manufacturers.
My question to you is, how are you gonna charge? I had a NEMA 14-50 recepticle put in the garage. It was a 60' run from the service panel.
A union electrician came in his spare time; $600 all in including tip. #6 copper wire ain't cheap!
Also, all the EV owners I know (and there a bazillion in Silicon Valley) have another car. I sure do.
There are those who make the San Jose to LA run with one stop; I have not done that.
Depending on your needs, having another car might make sense.
FYI, my next car will be a Model 3 Performance. I am waiting for the new batteries...
Enjoy your beautiful car. Owners are rabid about them. There is a reason for it.
You will love the car, but remember they are different; Tesla has no desire to be like other car manufacturers.
My question to you is, how are you gonna charge? I had a NEMA 14-50 recepticle put in the garage. It was a 60' run from the service panel.
A union electrician came in his spare time; $600 all in including tip. #6 copper wire ain't cheap!
Also, all the EV owners I know (and there a bazillion in Silicon Valley) have another car. I sure do.
There are those who make the San Jose to LA run with one stop; I have not done that.
Depending on your needs, having another car might make sense.
FYI, my next car will be a Model 3 Performance. I am waiting for the new batteries...
Enjoy your beautiful car. Owners are rabid about them. There is a reason for it.
08-11-21, 03:32 PM
#630
The pursuit of F
Thread Starter
I will charge at home 99% of the time. My house is relatively new (2005) so the panel has extra 30 amp spots. And my panel is actually on the outside wall of the garage so it should be pretty simple. I have a good friend who is a union electrician at the Giga factory in Reno here so I plan to have him take care of it. He's usually very reasonable with me.