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"Setting aside the design differences (the Tesla interior is very modern and stark and has very simple design) the quality and featureset of the Tesla interior
by verelo 11y ago
"Setting aside the design differences (the Tesla interior is very modern and stark and has very simple design) the quality and featureset of the Tesla interior is roughly equivalent to a 3-series BMW or an Audi A4.
Which is to say, it's glaringly insufficient for what is usually spec'd out as a 90-120k car."
This is a really good point. I agree, the Audi A4, BMW 3 series and, I would add, Mercedes-benz C class are all comparable. Disappointingly I would put the Tesla in that bucket too (but for its price tag, it should be in a much higher class)
I had told myself for the last 3 years "I'll get the Model S when I've got the cash" (I am/was the Tesla fan boy), but after driving it and realizing that it didn't have the upper class features I saw in the much, much cheaper luxury brands, and that the interior quality was seriously lacking, I couldn't convince myself to go ahead with the purchase. I hated having to actually LOOK at the touch screen just to adjust the climate control...i wish it was a physical button. In fact, I fear that this may actually be a grey area in the law and down the road we'll see these types of interfaces become a no-no.
The car i ended up buying was the Mercedez-benz C400 (same as the C300, but larger engine). Sure its no EV...i wish it was...and its a good 30k cheaper (after options I added to my C400) than what I would have gone ahead with the Tesla, but the car itself is in a completely different class of machinery. Essentially I love it, the Tesla was really interesting...but I just didn't love it.
- johnward 11y agoIf you bought a C400 were you "really" considering a Model S? Why didn't you buy another equally priced car? I'm just curious how you make the jump from Model S to C class. It sounds more like you decided you didn't want to spend that much money on a car. Which is where I am, although I don't have the means. I have a CTS, lagging behind BMW/Audi/Mercedes in interior quality but ahead of the others that claim to be luxury brands. I really liked the P85S I drove and I would probably drive one if I could afford it. The interior was nice enough for me but the way it drives, exterior design and the fact it is electric is what interest me way more than interior quality. The interior quality is sufficient unless you're trying to buy the most luxurious car in that price range. In that case you get the S-Class. For the time being I'm waiting for the Model 3 debut. Disclaimer: I've never actually been impressed by the C and E class interiors or the dealer experience at Mercedes.
- verelo 11y ago"If you bought a C400 were you "really" considering a Model S?" That is exactly what the Mercedes sales rep asked me too :) Honestly, I was willing to spend more to get an EV. In general the whole concept of an EV is just something I have a passion for and want to see being successful. Unfortunatly, the Tesla really just did not live up to the expectations I had...and if I was going to buy a car that was not electric, I did not want to spend the same amount. Put the Tesla electrics in the C-class and i'd gladly throw an extra 30-40k at it. Edit: If you have not seen the 2015 C class, i'd suggest checking it out. It is a very big step up from the C class of previous years.
- johnward 11y agoI have not been in the most recent C-Class. I don't know but I think the Model 3 will fall short on luxuriousness on the interior also. Tesla is targeting the 3 series, so who knows? I'm anxiously awaiting the Model 3 announcement. It may have just been the dealer I went to but they seem to be kind of pretentious. Anything I questioned I was wrong because "Mercedes does it the right way". I find this funny considering that Audi is eating up market share.
- verelo 11y agoYeah I'm very interested in the Model 3 too. If they keep the drive quality of the Model S and improve the interior, i think they'll have a killer product on their hands. The exterior is already great, its just missing that polish that justifies its cost. Personally I found all the dealers out of Tesla, Mercedes and Audi (Unexpectedly not the BMW) to be a bit pretentious, but I guess it comes with the territory.