About the Tesla Model 3
Dave L purchased this Tesla Model 3 new with additional options for $80,000 (including all on-road costs). Dave L would buy this car again because: “In the 12+ months I’ve owned the vehicle I’ve spent next to nothing charging the vehicle thanks to a 9.0c energy plan between 12 and 4am. Its throttle response is like nothing else, yes it’s quick in a straight line but it’s the performance when you’re at 10-15 per cent throttle that completely separates this vehicle from any ICE vehicle I’ve ever driven.”
How reliable has your car been? Tell us about any issues.
The rear seatbelt locked, Tesla sent a guy around who fixed the issue in my driveway by replacing something.
All under warranty and within 48 hours of logging the issue in the Tesla app. No fee. No other issues or teething pains at all.
What do you think of the ownership experience with your car?
Tesla ownership is great if you never bump into another Tesla owner. No I don’t want to talk to you about your car while we charge, it’s the same as mine and I know about that “cool feature” you thought only you knew about.
Tesla owners also do themselves no favours online, “I need a new tyre do I need to take it to Tesla or can a tyre shop replace it?” – it’s just a tyre take it anywhere!
I think Tesla introduced people who love tech but never cared about cars to the world of car ownership, and it leads to some stupid questions online, enough to have Facebook groups dedicated to stupid Tesla owners. In summary, as a genuine car enthusiast I love my Tesla, I don’t love being lumped in with other Tesla owners though.
How has the purchase and aftercare experience been with your car?
The only time we’ve had any need to deal with Tesla since purchase was the warranty repair and a tyre rotation. Both were seemless and super painless. Much better than my experience dealing with Volkswagen and HSV with my other vehicles.
Are you happy with the price and features of your car?
I know $80k could have bought a very well specced vehicle with another badge, but the cost of ownership of anything else since that time would have been much higher than it’s been with the Tesla.
I’d appreciate some basic features that seem silly to be missing such as CarPlay/Android Auto, auto wipers that didn’t need a bucket of water dumped on the windshield to trigger would be a nice treat too.
What do you think of the performance and economy of your car?
I got the acceleration boost which cost a couple grand and is probably hard to justify to most people. But I’m also someone who spent $15k putting a built LS1 in my 2001 GTS and the Tesla would absolutely embarrass the GTS in any traffic light battle.
Even after 15 months of ownership putting the foot down still gives me a “whoa” feeling, but honestly it’s the general performance with low throttle input just driving around town which is the most impressive thing. A charge at home costs me a bit under $8 if I’m empty when I plug in and charge to 100 per cent (both things you’d rarely do).
That charge gets me to my in-laws interstate which is the furthest single drive I see myself doing in a day, leaves me with about 30 per cent battery on arrival after the 340km trip.
What do you think of the technology in your car?
The tech is impressive, if I am public charging for some reason it’s great to have a big screen to watch anything from YouTube to Kayo, Foxtel or even media from my Plex server.
The speakers are very very good, they get loud and stay clear provided the audio source is good enough. The driving aids are hit and miss. The car can drive itself up the Calder Fwy but it cant park itself unless I pay $10k for the DLC.
Considering the vehicles coming out today with self parking, it’s a shock this isn’t in the Model 3 standard.
What do you think of the ride comfort and handling of your car?
The car weighs as much as most SUVs so its not quick in the windy bits, but it’s certainly quick in a straight line.
With AWD and the acceleration boost, there’s not many cars that will beat it up to any legal speed limit. Not anything that isn’t twice the price or more at least.
The suspension’s firm, unnecessary so, and that took some getting use to. My 2015 Golf Highline is like a driving a cloud by comparison.