7 ms·

Test Drive of the Tesla Model 3 Performance

33 points by mudil 8y ago

codeulike 8y ago
This thing is magnificent, a little rainbow-farting space ship, so obviously representative of the next step in the history of autos. - WSJ Would make a good poster blurb
- greglindahl 8y ago
  The Oatmeal is way ahead of the WSJ: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/tesla_model_s http://theoatmeal.com/comics/tesla_model_s
  - dragontamer 8y ago
    If only there was a way for the Oatmeal to enjoy his Tesla without making it sound like everyone else is a hillbilly.
    - greglindahl 8y ago
      If only there was a way for you to stop reading insults into the Oatmeal's love-letter.
      - dragontamer 8y ago
        Its "The Oatmeal's" general writing style that grates me. He always insults people who disagrees with him and portrays them in the most negative light possible. Look, I have my interests, other people have their interests. I can tell you that Threadripper 1950x is a great CPU, and is a great computer that I just built. And I think most people would be cool with that. But if I were to say that "AMD farts in the face of Intel and destroys the old way of building computers"... or other unnecessarily colorful language that demeans the "other side"... I'd hope that someone else on Hacker News would call me out for being unnecessarily insulting. The comic / love letter, as you call it, directly insults any "car guy" on multiple levels. There's a word for that, and its called strawman arguments. Its preaching to the choir and overall is unhelpful for discourse. Its certainly not unique to that comic. Its prevalent in "The Oatmeal's" writing style for years. ----------- Anyway, the WSJ review is quite good in comparison. It shows how you can heap praise upon a vehicle without insulting others.
        greglindahl 8y ago
        Wow. So much for humor. You probably think Exploding Kittens is animal abuse. Also, you appear to have completely missed the point that "This thing is magnificent, a little rainbow-farting space ship, so obviously representative of the next step in the history of autos" is similar to the Oatmeal's writing... whether or not you like it.
        dragontamer 8y ago
        There's a difference between having fun with someone, and making fun of someone. The Oatmeal consistently errs on the side of making fun of someone. That's all I'm trying to point out. Its a bullying tactic that loses efficacy as people become aware of it. So awareness is important.
        greglindahl 8y ago
        Wow. Bullying? Raising awareness about the Oatmeal bullying non-electric car owners is a great way to dilute the concept of actual bullying to nothing. Sorry you're so offended.
        dragontamer 8y ago
        Yes, in general, The Oatmeal uses bullying tactics to elevate the author's viewpoint and to demean others. Anyone who reads the Oatmeal should recognize this. Its not a tactic I approve of, especially when applied to groups of people and/or stereotypes. Just one example among many: http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/comics/religion/sex.png http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/comics/religion/sex.p...
        greglindahl 8y ago
        Thanks for confirming that your definition of "bullying" doesn't seem to be useful.
bsder 8y ago
> I have borrowed a new 2018 Tesla Model 3 Performance ($78,000, as tested) I'm actually rooting for Tesla, but wasn't the Model 3 supposed to be affordable for the masses? $78K isn't "for the masses". The incumbents aren't going to be sweating very much at that price.
- devy 8y ago
  I am echoing that feeling - Musk was touting Model 3 being a mass produced affordable long range (200+ miles) mainstream EV, but at $78k price tag, it's far from mainstream. Unless they can bring the cost down to the $30k price tag, I bet it won't sell as much as Musk hoped for. Granted Dan Neil tested the fully loaded performance version, the base version of Model 3 still hovering over $50k as far as we can see it producing right now. All other manufacturers are catching up though, hopefully the battery cost reduction due to economy of scale will eventually allow Tesla to price it to be $30k, but I don't think it will happen before 2020 (assuming Tesla Motors is still around).
  - greglindahl 8y ago
    The base Model 3 hasn't shipped yet. However, if you go by Tesla's previous product launch history, the $35k base model will ship about 3 seconds after Tesla runs short of demand for the more expensive versions.
- akmarinov 8y ago
  A performance model isn't for the masses. Compare it to a BMW 3 series. The BMW M3 is a lot more money and isn't for the people that go for the 328i version.
  - someguydave 8y ago
    Yeah but the BMW i3 is a direct competitor. And it costs $50k and is a much better car than the Tesla model 3.
- Zanni 8y ago
  This is the Performance model. The $35K base model hasn't shipped yet.
ironjunkie 8y ago
It might be a good car, but not at that price tag. If I had to spend 50+k$ for a car, I would definitely not go for a Tesla Model 3. I would go with a reliable BMW/Mercedes/Audi that is way more luxurious and offer more functionalities for the same price. So far, the Tesla Model 3 is still for people that want to make a statement that they are part of the "green revolution" or for Elon Musk fans. Even at 35k$ (before taxes), it is still pretty expensive for a car that will be very very basic. Look what you can get for that price tag with other car manufacturers.
- ericd 8y ago
  Depends on what you value. I value fun driving over nice finishes, so I'd pick the Model 3.
  - ironjunkie 8y ago
    But is it though ? for 50+k$ I can think of a couple cars that I think are way more fun to drive than a middle class Model 3. (we are not talking Model S here) For example an Audi S4/S5, or for a bit cheaper, a fully jacked up VW Golf R. The whole value of the model 3, is the brand name and what it projects I think.
    - ericd 8y ago
      Have you ever driven a Tesla? It's really not comparable to any ICE car below hybrid supercar level. Having no perceptible throttle lag plus crazy torque really puts it in a class of its own in terms of fun. It has nothing to do with brand name.
      - ironjunkie 8y ago
        I was a passenger to a Tesla (Both model S and 3) and drove an Audi S4/S5 and a Golf R. While I agree that the "feel" is different between gas and electric, I think you are overestimating what the Model 3 can do. To come back to my examples, Any of the Audi S4/S5 [1] or Golf R will get 0-60 faster than all the Tesla Model 3, except the performance one [2]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_S5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_S5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_S4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_S4 [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Model_3#Specifications https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Model_3#Specifications
lifeisstillgood 8y ago
I took a test drive in a Tesla the other day (hang on what you do a seven seater ?! for families ? are you free now for a ... ok let's go) It blew me away. The acceleration (awesome), the self parking bit (I laughed till a bit of pee came out) Some things were immediately obvious (you just showed a guy walking in front of us as another car, the handling was ... ok), others were deflected (so how many drivers have tesla's autopilot killed ... got a frosty reply) But this was a fully electric car. And i can find dozens of charge points (ok ok in London). The point is ... they are selling the next, the only step forward for cars. It's all electric, or it's all on buses. So comparisons with the price points of non-electric cars just don't matter in my book. It's like public meetings about setting up new coal power station. It's not even the right question. Of course it's waaay too expensive for me - nissan leaf. that's more my price point.

33 points by mudil 8y ago

This thing is magnificent, a little rainbow-farting space ship, so obviously representative of the next step in the history of autos. - WSJ Would make a good poster blurb

greglindahl 8y ago
The Oatmeal is way ahead of the WSJ: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/tesla_model_s http://theoatmeal.com/comics/tesla_model_s
- dragontamer 8y ago
  If only there was a way for the Oatmeal to enjoy his Tesla without making it sound like everyone else is a hillbilly.
  - greglindahl 8y ago
    If only there was a way for you to stop reading insults into the Oatmeal's love-letter.
    - dragontamer 8y ago
      Its "The Oatmeal's" general writing style that grates me. He always insults people who disagrees with him and portrays them in the most negative light possible. Look, I have my interests, other people have their interests. I can tell you that Threadripper 1950x is a great CPU, and is a great computer that I just built. And I think most people would be cool with that. But if I were to say that "AMD farts in the face of Intel and destroys the old way of building computers"... or other unnecessarily colorful language that demeans the "other side"... I'd hope that someone else on Hacker News would call me out for being unnecessarily insulting. The comic / love letter, as you call it, directly insults any "car guy" on multiple levels. There's a word for that, and its called strawman arguments. Its preaching to the choir and overall is unhelpful for discourse. Its certainly not unique to that comic. Its prevalent in "The Oatmeal's" writing style for years. ----------- Anyway, the WSJ review is quite good in comparison. It shows how you can heap praise upon a vehicle without insulting others.
      - greglindahl 8y ago
        Wow. So much for humor. You probably think Exploding Kittens is animal abuse. Also, you appear to have completely missed the point that "This thing is magnificent, a little rainbow-farting space ship, so obviously representative of the next step in the history of autos" is similar to the Oatmeal's writing... whether or not you like it.
        dragontamer 8y ago
        There's a difference between having fun with someone, and making fun of someone. The Oatmeal consistently errs on the side of making fun of someone. That's all I'm trying to point out. Its a bullying tactic that loses efficacy as people become aware of it. So awareness is important.
        greglindahl 8y ago
        Wow. Bullying? Raising awareness about the Oatmeal bullying non-electric car owners is a great way to dilute the concept of actual bullying to nothing. Sorry you're so offended.
        dragontamer 8y ago
        Yes, in general, The Oatmeal uses bullying tactics to elevate the author's viewpoint and to demean others. Anyone who reads the Oatmeal should recognize this. Its not a tactic I approve of, especially when applied to groups of people and/or stereotypes. Just one example among many: http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/comics/religion/sex.png http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/comics/religion/sex.p...
        greglindahl 8y ago
        Thanks for confirming that your definition of "bullying" doesn't seem to be useful.

bsder 8y ago

> I have borrowed a new 2018 Tesla Model 3 Performance ($78,000, as tested) I'm actually rooting for Tesla, but wasn't the Model 3 supposed to be affordable for the masses? $78K isn't "for the masses". The incumbents aren't going to be sweating very much at that price.

devy 8y ago
I am echoing that feeling - Musk was touting Model 3 being a mass produced affordable long range (200+ miles) mainstream EV, but at $78k price tag, it's far from mainstream. Unless they can bring the cost down to the $30k price tag, I bet it won't sell as much as Musk hoped for. Granted Dan Neil tested the fully loaded performance version, the base version of Model 3 still hovering over $50k as far as we can see it producing right now. All other manufacturers are catching up though, hopefully the battery cost reduction due to economy of scale will eventually allow Tesla to price it to be $30k, but I don't think it will happen before 2020 (assuming Tesla Motors is still around).
- greglindahl 8y ago
  The base Model 3 hasn't shipped yet. However, if you go by Tesla's previous product launch history, the $35k base model will ship about 3 seconds after Tesla runs short of demand for the more expensive versions.
akmarinov 8y ago
A performance model isn't for the masses. Compare it to a BMW 3 series. The BMW M3 is a lot more money and isn't for the people that go for the 328i version.
- someguydave 8y ago
  Yeah but the BMW i3 is a direct competitor. And it costs $50k and is a much better car than the Tesla model 3.
Zanni 8y ago
This is the Performance model. The $35K base model hasn't shipped yet.

ironjunkie 8y ago

It might be a good car, but not at that price tag. If I had to spend 50+k$ for a car, I would definitely not go for a Tesla Model 3. I would go with a reliable BMW/Mercedes/Audi that is way more luxurious and offer more functionalities for the same price. So far, the Tesla Model 3 is still for people that want to make a statement that they are part of the "green revolution" or for Elon Musk fans. Even at 35k$ (before taxes), it is still pretty expensive for a car that will be very very basic. Look what you can get for that price tag with other car manufacturers.

ericd 8y ago
Depends on what you value. I value fun driving over nice finishes, so I'd pick the Model 3.
- ironjunkie 8y ago
  But is it though ? for 50+k$ I can think of a couple cars that I think are way more fun to drive than a middle class Model 3. (we are not talking Model S here) For example an Audi S4/S5, or for a bit cheaper, a fully jacked up VW Golf R. The whole value of the model 3, is the brand name and what it projects I think.
  - ericd 8y ago
    Have you ever driven a Tesla? It's really not comparable to any ICE car below hybrid supercar level. Having no perceptible throttle lag plus crazy torque really puts it in a class of its own in terms of fun. It has nothing to do with brand name.
    - ironjunkie 8y ago
      I was a passenger to a Tesla (Both model S and 3) and drove an Audi S4/S5 and a Golf R. While I agree that the "feel" is different between gas and electric, I think you are overestimating what the Model 3 can do. To come back to my examples, Any of the Audi S4/S5 [1] or Golf R will get 0-60 faster than all the Tesla Model 3, except the performance one [2]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_S5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_S5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_S4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_S4 [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Model_3#Specifications https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Model_3#Specifications

lifeisstillgood 8y ago

I took a test drive in a Tesla the other day (hang on what you do a seven seater ?! for families ? are you free now for a ... ok let's go) It blew me away. The acceleration (awesome), the self parking bit (I laughed till a bit of pee came out) Some things were immediately obvious (you just showed a guy walking in front of us as another car, the handling was ... ok), others were deflected (so how many drivers have tesla's autopilot killed ... got a frosty reply) But this was a fully electric car. And i can find dozens of charge points (ok ok in London). The point is ... they are selling the next, the only step forward for cars. It's all electric, or it's all on buses. So comparisons with the price points of non-electric cars just don't matter in my book. It's like public meetings about setting up new coal power station. It's not even the right question. Of course it's waaay too expensive for me - nissan leaf. that's more my price point.