This is all about managing expectations. Getting a model 3 is not getting a mini model S. I like it, and the approach.
Tesla Model S and Model 3 comparison
161–170 of 278 posts
Re: Tesla Model S and Model 3 comparison
#162If you're one of the people who put down the $1K refundable deposit, how do you feel about this page? I understand they're trying to push Model S sales, but don't do it at the expense of customers willing to wait years and put a hefty deposit down. This strikes me as a rare misplay by Tesla. The Model 3 comes with a glass roof standard so it's conveniently left out of the premium options section -- that's pretty misl…
I'm one of those people. I think the deposit was put down in a moment of excitement, which has since died down quite a bit. Not only am I one of those people who gave them a deposit, I'm also likely one of those people who they meant to target: I drive a BMW 3-series, which would be the Model 3's main competitor.
Now given all that, this display made me really not excited about the Model 3. Electric car is nice but that's the only thing the Model 3 has going for it when compared to the 3 series. I don't see them emphasizing self driving and the acceleration is kind of just par for course, which shouldn't be the case for an electric car. Given Tesla's reputation for a Spartan interior, what am I getting out of it other than it being electric? The way I see it, I'm better off waiting a few more years to see if things improve. My current 328i has given me 5 years of good driving and no headache at all. Better integrating with smartphones would be great but the latest 3-series offers that as an option already.
So I have to wonder, why a Model 3 over a 3-series?
Re: Tesla Model S and Model 3 comparison
#163It still needs to compete with a $35k-ish sedan, which will have a driver display and power liftgate.
If given the choice I prefer a non-powered trunk opening. Opening and closing a trunk provides no hardship for me, and doing it myself is much faster than waiting for a mechanism.
Re: Tesla Model S and Model 3 comparison
#164Earlier quoted context omitted.
Almost every vehicle, even budget sub-compacts, have driver displays now. The utilization of that display varies from nigh useless (odometer, oil minders, etc.) to very useful (navigational directions, at-a-glance music selection via steering wheel based controls, etc.). Removing this display from the Model 3 seems like a design choice intended to artificially distinguish and demote the Model 3 from the Model S.
Not artificially, but to keep the cost of the car at target. Nobody makes a car cheaper by removing the wheels, you have to nickel and dime where you can. A single display saves money. Lest we not forget, Tesla is likely to lose money on the base Model 3.
At $35K, Tesla is entering the world of the C class, the 3 class, and competing with that by 'nickel and diming' doesn't seem the wisest idea when you look beyond the "electric" aspect.
Hell, even the S has been criticized for it's shoddy interior construction quality that more resembles a Ford Escape than a $100K Audi.
Re: Tesla Model S and Model 3 comparison
#165If you're one of the people who put down the $1K refundable deposit, how do you feel about this page? I understand they're trying to push Model S sales, but don't do it at the expense of customers willing to wait years and put a hefty deposit down. This strikes me as a rare misplay by Tesla. The Model 3 comes with a glass roof standard so it's conveniently left out of the premium options section -- that's pretty misl…
I'm one of those people. I think the deposit was put down in a moment of excitement, which has since died down quite a bit. Not only am I one of those people who gave them a deposit, I'm also likely one of those people who they meant to target: I drive a BMW 3-series, which would be the Model 3's main competitor. Now given all that, this display made me really not excited about the Model 3. Electric car is nice but t…
Personally I could never drive a ICE car when an equivalent electric vehicle presented itself. I would never forgive myself. Everyone needs to get to electric cars as soon as possible or we cook and die here on Earth. It makes the arguments about the interior seem really tone deaf. Again, personally.
EDIT: Autopilot and constant software updates are huge.
Re: Tesla Model S and Model 3 comparison
#166Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yeah. I reserved the Model 3 a while ago, but I've been leaning more and more toward just canceling it and getting a Model S. Even though I can afford it, it's just a lot of money for someone like me who isn't really a "car person" anyway.
That's what is terrific about the Model S. One does not have to be a 'car person' to really appreciate that vehicle. I would say that if you are already considering it, go ahead and get the S. You will most certainly not regret it.
You generally don't need to be a car person to appreciate a luxury vehicle. Not sure how the model S is different from any other luxury vehicle, who's target audience is not car people, but just people with higher disposable income for cars.
Re: Tesla Model S and Model 3 comparison
#167It still needs to compete with a $35k-ish sedan, which will have a driver display and power liftgate.
If given the choice I prefer a non-powered trunk opening. Opening and closing a trunk provides no hardship for me, and doing it myself is much faster than waiting for a mechanism.
> much faster than waiting for a mechanism
Are you in a race to get going? I can't see you being in your seat, buckled and engine started before the mechanism closing? Not being snarky, it's just not that compelling a reason - to me.
Re: Tesla Model S and Model 3 comparison
#168I'm really interested in the topspeed. For german customers all the current gen EVs(Bolt/i3/Leaf/Ioniq) with a topspeed of 140-150km/h are to my opinion not really save to drive on the Autobahn as you don't have some speed buffer to overtake someone who's driving 120-130km/h fast enough. If Tesla manages to give the Model 3 a top-speed of 200km/h that would be a game-changer and make it a viable car for me. The Model…
As many people seem to take issue with my statement that I find it less safe if I don't have the option to overtake quickly someone who is doing 120-130km/h, i'd like to describe a situation which I notice at least once a week on the Autobahn: I'm going 130-150 in the center lane, normal traffic flow speed. Someone in front of me in the center lane goes 130, but drives rather unsafely, serves to the left and right, b…
I don't get it. I used to drive a Mercedes 200D (W123) for some years, and 112 km/h was my preferred speed. Overtaking a truck does take some planning if I don't want to be an obstacle on the left lane, but you know, at that speed I had a lot of time to plan :-)
(For the others: that car is from 1978 or so; I had two models, one with 55 hp and one with 60 hp, both Diesel. The car is ridulously heavy at 1.8 tons or so, and so you really don't want to be in a position where you have to accelerate quickly -- it just can't do it.)
Re: Tesla Model S and Model 3 comparison
#169Earlier quoted context omitted.
This is almost disgustingly obvious. There are no prices listed on the page, and as far as I can tell they are comparing a base Model 3 to the highest-spec Model S. It screams "oh yeah we've got that Model 3 thing, but you can't buy it for 14 months. look at this really cool Model S!"
I think the whole point of it is to say "The Model 3 is NOT the next-gen Model S." The problem with the naming scheme (that Elon admitted was dumb) is that people assume it's the next version. In reality the Model S is a BMW, while the Model 3 is a Ford. They aren't even the same class of car.
The thing is, I don't even think that's an issue. Some people just want a Tesla. They don't care what model it is. Until the 3,they would have had to get the super. And some did. Now a lot of those same people will just get the 3. They're perceived as being equal in terms of Tesla-Ness, which is what Tesla buyers seem to care most about. So how is the S supposed to maintain its sales when now it has to compete with the 3?
Tesla has to convince people that they actual want an S. Not just want a Tesla.
Re: Tesla Model S and Model 3 comparison
#170Earlier quoted context omitted.
If given the choice I prefer a non-powered trunk opening. Opening and closing a trunk provides no hardship for me, and doing it myself is much faster than waiting for a mechanism.
> much faster than waiting for a mechanism Are you in a race to get going? I can't see you being in your seat, buckled and engine started before the mechanism closing? Not being snarky, it's just not that compelling a reason - to me.
It just feels useless. I find it annoying to wait for a trunk to open when you can just do it yourself and faster. One less thing to break, too.