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Let's not overlook Tesla's acceleration, range, and Supercharger network. Other makers will catch up eventually but for now, those factors make a lot of buyers

Let's not overlook Tesla's acceleration, range, and Supercharger network. Other makers will catch up eventually but for now, those factors make a lot of buyers overlook fit and finish.

asdff 6y ago
Tesla isn't competing against an electric car, though, it's competing against the upper middle class consumer's gas car. Against this car, probably a lexus or 3 series thereabouts, the Tesla is not a good bargain unless you are interested in having an electric car for the sake of that alone. It being some green choice itself is dubious, considering how much gas and coal is still used in the electric grid and how this car still produces particulate pollution from brake and tire dust, and the fact that you've just brought multiple tons of rare earth materials from around the world together to do the same job the $2000 used corolla that already exists locally at your neighborhood used car lot does, or even a moped for some, only with a higher perceived social standing. The acceleration is on par with the rest of it's class, the range is decent, and the supercharger network is good but still much less convenient than filling up at a gas station, and there's been times on my travels where even the distance between gas stations was dangerously few and far in between. Imo the worse problem for the car wasn't that we powered it with gas, it was that we insisted on using a vehicle weighing 3000lbs to move our 200lb selves. It doesn't matter how green your energy source is when only 6% of it is used to actually move you, and there are externalities just from the weight alone (the brakes and tires required to stop 3200lbs vs 200lbs e.g. on a bicycle and their associated pollution, the cost to the earth forging these 3000lbs of metal).
- decafninja 6y ago
  I agree with this. Most people looking at say, a Model 3, are not cross shopping it vs. say, a Chevy Bolt or Nissan Leaf. Seems like they are more cross shopping vs. a BMW 3 series or Benz C class.
  - DennisP 6y ago
    Yes but my point was, the range/recharging situation is a differentiator from other electrics for now, and reasonably practical, while acceleration far exceeds most gasoline cars in its price range. From a quick google, the fastest BMW 3-series is the 330i, at 5.3 seconds 0-60. The M240i xDrive does 4.2 seconds. For a few thousand more, the Model 3 Performance does 3.1. Tesla's instant response is another fun advantage, and reviews have been very positive on Model 3 handling. The bottom line is, it's a fun car and people like it. It's not just virtue/status signaling and environmentalism.
    - decafninja 6y ago
      Completely agree with that too. Not to nitpick, but the fastest non-M 3 series is the M340, which has been tested to 3.8s 0-60 and can probably be leased for about the same as a Model 3 Performance. Disclaimer: it's my current daily driver. The M3 is the more interesting comparison, and Elon specifically had the older one in his crosshairs vs. the Model 3 Performance trim. Based on various Youtube videos, the pre 2021 Model 3P seems to beat or match most of its competitors in various metrics at a significantly lower price. Would be interesting how the post 2021 Model 3P compares against the new hog-nosed BMW M3 and the upcoming 4cyl+electricmotor C63 AMG. I'm actually scheduled to test drive a Model 3 this weekend so I'm curious how it will feel vs. the M340. I've never driven an EV before.
      - DennisP 6y ago
        Apparently a quick google is less reliable than direct experience :) I'd be curious to see your impressions after your test drive.
      - philg_jr 6y ago
        Be prepared to be impressed. I got myself into a '21 Model 3 LR and the acceleration puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. And this is from someone with a very heavily modded 4-cyl turbo car with a medium frame turbo and 20psi. 340 ft-lb is nothing to scoff at when it's on tap instantaneously. I really want to take a Model 3P for a test drive, I wish I knew someone. And the Model 3 has been around for 4? years now? The fit and finish I'm guessing has improved greatly, but I really have no idea. I ordered and picked up mine without ever test driving one. I guess I put a lot of faith in it, but I love it. No regrets. Bring on the electrification of all vehicles. Can't wait for an electric pickup truck.

Let's not overlook Tesla's acceleration, range, and Supercharger network. Other makers will catch up eventually but for now, those factors make a lot of buyers overlook fit and finish.

asdff 6y ago

Tesla isn't competing against an electric car, though, it's competing against the upper middle class consumer's gas car. Against this car, probably a lexus or 3 series thereabouts, the Tesla is not a good bargain unless you are interested in having an electric car for the sake of that alone. It being some green choice itself is dubious, considering how much gas and coal is still used in the electric grid and how this car still produces particulate pollution from brake and tire dust, and the fact that you've just brought multiple tons of rare earth materials from around the world together to do the same job the $2000 used corolla that already exists locally at your neighborhood used car lot does, or even a moped for some, only with a higher perceived social standing. The acceleration is on par with the rest of it's class, the range is decent, and the supercharger network is good but still much less convenient than filling up at a gas station, and there's been times on my travels where even the distance between gas stations was dangerously few and far in between. Imo the worse problem for the car wasn't that we powered it with gas, it was that we insisted on using a vehicle weighing 3000lbs to move our 200lb selves. It doesn't matter how green your energy source is when only 6% of it is used to actually move you, and there are externalities just from the weight alone (the brakes and tires required to stop 3200lbs vs 200lbs e.g. on a bicycle and their associated pollution, the cost to the earth forging these 3000lbs of metal).

decafninja 6y ago
I agree with this. Most people looking at say, a Model 3, are not cross shopping it vs. say, a Chevy Bolt or Nissan Leaf. Seems like they are more cross shopping vs. a BMW 3 series or Benz C class.
- DennisP 6y ago
  Yes but my point was, the range/recharging situation is a differentiator from other electrics for now, and reasonably practical, while acceleration far exceeds most gasoline cars in its price range. From a quick google, the fastest BMW 3-series is the 330i, at 5.3 seconds 0-60. The M240i xDrive does 4.2 seconds. For a few thousand more, the Model 3 Performance does 3.1. Tesla's instant response is another fun advantage, and reviews have been very positive on Model 3 handling. The bottom line is, it's a fun car and people like it. It's not just virtue/status signaling and environmentalism.
  - decafninja 6y ago
    Completely agree with that too. Not to nitpick, but the fastest non-M 3 series is the M340, which has been tested to 3.8s 0-60 and can probably be leased for about the same as a Model 3 Performance. Disclaimer: it's my current daily driver. The M3 is the more interesting comparison, and Elon specifically had the older one in his crosshairs vs. the Model 3 Performance trim. Based on various Youtube videos, the pre 2021 Model 3P seems to beat or match most of its competitors in various metrics at a significantly lower price. Would be interesting how the post 2021 Model 3P compares against the new hog-nosed BMW M3 and the upcoming 4cyl+electricmotor C63 AMG. I'm actually scheduled to test drive a Model 3 this weekend so I'm curious how it will feel vs. the M340. I've never driven an EV before.
    - DennisP 6y ago
      Apparently a quick google is less reliable than direct experience :) I'd be curious to see your impressions after your test drive.
    - philg_jr 6y ago
      Be prepared to be impressed. I got myself into a '21 Model 3 LR and the acceleration puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. And this is from someone with a very heavily modded 4-cyl turbo car with a medium frame turbo and 20psi. 340 ft-lb is nothing to scoff at when it's on tap instantaneously. I really want to take a Model 3P for a test drive, I wish I knew someone. And the Model 3 has been around for 4? years now? The fit and finish I'm guessing has improved greatly, but I really have no idea. I ordered and picked up mine without ever test driving one. I guess I put a lot of faith in it, but I love it. No regrets. Bring on the electrification of all vehicles. Can't wait for an electric pickup truck.