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Tesla shares dive after Consumer Reports yanks recommendation for Model S

latimes.com

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Re: Tesla shares dive after Consumer Reports yanks recommendation for Model S

#191

Post by datashovel »

swampthinker wrote: post #186
datashovel wrote: post #182

"automatically retractable door handles". Forgive me for being ignorant about this, but as soon as I read this (that not only it exists, but is a "signature feature") I couldn't help but wonder why... Does anyone here know why such a feature would exist? Sure it makes one ooh and ahh when they're about to buy it, and probably the first few months after, but does anyone think if this feature does not perform perfectly…

Aerodynamics. Protruding handles are a source of drag, so it was eliminated.

The thing that gets me is I read that it causes people to be locked out of their cars if it doesn't work right. I've seen plenty of cars without protruding handles that don't lock you out of the car.

I wonder if anyone would care if they were shown the math behind the amount of drag it reduces vs. the possibility of temporarily being locked out of their cars on random occasion.

Re: Tesla shares dive after Consumer Reports yanks recommendation for Model S

#192

Post by jkestner »

semi-extrinsic wrote: post #124
VLM wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed and don't forget licensing. OK so TSLA makes squeeky sunroofs, who cares, they can sell batteries and controllers and motors to ... construction crane companies or something. You know all the weird details of making a tow truck, cool, here's the parts to make it electric. Happens all the time in the automotive industry. The first "american" hatchback car I ever drove had a nice VW engine. Ironically it was som…

Well, Tesla buys their batteries from Panasonic. And the motor is a standard induction motor, not very different from what the actual (Nikolai) Tesla invented back in 1887. I agree that their control system is going to be fairly complicated, since induction motors require the AC frequency to be a function of the torque as well as the RPM. But then most applications outside "quick 0-60 pure electric car" use brushless…

There are standard components, and then there's the work done to make and certify them as EV-ready. Tesla currently sells components to Daimler-Benz and Toyota.

Re: Tesla shares dive after Consumer Reports yanks recommendation for Model S

#193

Post by rev_bird »

dcgoss wrote: post #180
rev_bird wrote: post #174

I've read most of this stuff before and am still excited to get a Tesla once a more reasonably priced one comes out. One thing keeps bugging me, though: If I wanted to get up tomorrow morning and drive across the country in a gas car, I could do it no problem. When I run out of fuel after ~325 miles, I just stop for 10 minutes at a gas station and head back out on the road. With a Tesla, I need to carefully plan out…

http://www.teslamotors.com/supercharger has all the information you need. Realistically, an hour is the higher end of the waiting time - you can get significant range in fractions of that time. Additionally, the navigation software on the Tesla will automatically route your road trip through Superchargers, so you don't have to calculate where you need to stop.

I knew there was a pretty extensive network of superchargers, but I really underestimated the nav. Really appreciate the reply.

Re: Tesla shares dive after Consumer Reports yanks recommendation for Model S

#194

Post by nickbauman »

oldmanjay wrote: post #178
nickbauman wrote: post #154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Shocking as it is (since I write software for a living) I buy only used cars with as few options as possible. All manual transmission, locks, windows and doors. I don't even have A/C in one of my two cars. Owning a car in America is like a tax: you need a car to have a meaningful participation in the economy. So while I admire Tesla's technology, through this lens I can't imagine buying one in this lifetime.

I haven't owned a car since the 90s and I participate in the economy just fine. It's certainly more convenient to own a car, but you way overstated that

Depends on where you live and what you do.

Re: Tesla shares dive after Consumer Reports yanks recommendation for Model S

#195

Post by vasilipupkin »

Lightbody wrote: post #20

I got my P85 in July 2013 and I can absolutely confirm what Consumer Reports is saying. My car has (and continues) to have all sorts of small fit-and-finish issues. While I've never had a drivetrain issue or any major problem, I have had some wireless and door handle issues that required as new Master Control Unit. Sadly, the work replacing the MCU introduced even more squeaks in the dashboard area :( That all said:…

I don't get it. I have so little free time, the last thing I want to deal with is getting my car fixed. I have a Toyota Camry Hybrid and I have never had to do anything with it whatsoever, other than drive it whenever I want to

Re: Tesla shares dive after Consumer Reports yanks recommendation for Model S

#196

Post by somebehemoth »

oldmanjay wrote: post #178
nickbauman wrote: post #154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Shocking as it is (since I write software for a living) I buy only used cars with as few options as possible. All manual transmission, locks, windows and doors. I don't even have A/C in one of my two cars. Owning a car in America is like a tax: you need a car to have a meaningful participation in the economy. So while I admire Tesla's technology, through this lens I can't imagine buying one in this lifetime.

I haven't owned a car since the 90s and I participate in the economy just fine. It's certainly more convenient to own a car, but you way overstated that

Good point. However, your situation is a luxury afforded to you (I assume) by living in a place with proper public transit. A whole lot of people don't have that luxury.

Re: Tesla shares dive after Consumer Reports yanks recommendation for Model S

#197

Post by zeckalpha »

somebehemoth wrote: post #196
oldmanjay wrote: post #178

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I haven't owned a car since the 90s and I participate in the economy just fine. It's certainly more convenient to own a car, but you way overstated that

Good point. However, your situation is a luxury afforded to you (I assume) by living in a place with proper public transit. A whole lot of people don't have that luxury.

Simply trading some luxuries for others. Owning a car is a luxury.

Re: Tesla shares dive after Consumer Reports yanks recommendation for Model S

#198

Post by [deleted] »

nickbauman wrote: post #154
toddmorey wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hear you, but it's important to note that it appears that Mercedes (a storied German luxury car with proven technology) currently has an even a lower reliability rating. That makes me think it's likely more than just company age and experience, I think there is something about a company's risk tolerance and how it relates to their eagerness to implement new tech. As the article states, the blander "appliance-like"…

Shocking as it is (since I write software for a living) I buy only used cars with as few options as possible. All manual transmission, locks, windows and doors. I don't even have A/C in one of my two cars. Owning a car in America is like a tax: you need a car to have a meaningful participation in the economy. So while I admire Tesla's technology, through this lens I can't imagine buying one in this lifetime.

[deleted]

Re: Tesla shares dive after Consumer Reports yanks recommendation for Model S

#199

Post by avn2109 »

oldmanjay wrote: post #108
avn2109 wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> "The control panel will be all big screens and apps." Noooo - tactile feedback is so important in vehicle subsystem control! [0] Please do not take away my knobs and dials. [0] http://www.ecnmag.com/article/2014/01/keeping-feel-automotiv...

Not to ruin your day, but they're taking away your knobs, dials, and control of the vehicle.

Honestly I might not mind being unable to control the vehicle as long as I could adjust the temperature with a hardware control.

Re: Tesla shares dive after Consumer Reports yanks recommendation for Model S

#200

Post by zeckalpha »

Lightbody wrote: post #20

I got my P85 in July 2013 and I can absolutely confirm what Consumer Reports is saying. My car has (and continues) to have all sorts of small fit-and-finish issues. While I've never had a drivetrain issue or any major problem, I have had some wireless and door handle issues that required as new Master Control Unit. Sadly, the work replacing the MCU introduced even more squeaks in the dashboard area :( That all said:…

Is it possible that quieter cars (without combustion engines) simply seem squeakier?
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