The Electrek Review – Tesla Model 3, a promise delivered | Electrek Nice, long review from non-employee owner who got his 3 on December 29th.
thanks, looks good, can't wait for the 35k version. i have to disagree about the future/present argument at the end. when is a model 3 not a model 3? when it can only be had close to the base price of a model s or x. the future will be here when the 35k version is shipping.
"One week in to having a new vehicle, I’m already scheduling a service visit. The rear defroster on my car is broken." "The charge port door often detects as open when it’s not, which isn’t really a big deal, it’s not like I can’t open it (with a light press of my finger against the charge port door), but apparently this is a common issue which may or may not be hardware-related. And there’s that faint high-pitched whine which probably can’t be fixed, but I’m going to find someone at the service center with young ears to listen for it and see if anything can be done." Sounds like Tesla still gets a free pass on initial quality. How many of us would be that forgiving of Toyota if a Prius was delivered like that? I suspect the Tesla Service Writer will remark "It's supposed to sound like that". I'll give Tesla the benefit of a doubt that the noise is normal. Time will tell. I am glad that the writer is happy with the car and hopes that Tesla delivers the features already paid for.
I suspect the first few thousand Prius owners we as forgiving, considering the benefits. That said, I know people that also have a Model 3. Those issues are not universal. They may not be unique either, but for the first year of a new model car from a young auto maker, I don't see that as an unusual issue.
actually, i think toyota has had more initial problems recently than in the past. with tesla, the benefits out way the negatives, that's why buyers give them a pass. with toyota, quality is everything.
Now, perhaps. But when the Prius first came out, it was a game changer and quickly ran away with the entire hybrid market. Heck, I still was very understanding of issues that normally would have sent me running and I had a Gen II.
On workmanship? No. That's Toyota's hallmark. What the Prius owners were forgiving is the choice of material (lots of plastic and thin fabric on the door panels and armrests). We harped on Toyota for using plastic clips instead of screws (yeah it saved weight but it meant it won't be squeak-free for the life of the car like older cars, but rather just the length of the lease). Oh and I guess the gun-grip shifter on the 1st Gen was super weird.
I didn’t mind the materials. My biggest qualm was the behavior of the brake/traction control when going over bumps. But my number one priority was efficiency, and the Prius stood head and shoulders above the nearest competitor at the time.
Oh yeah, I forgot about the Gen 2's TRAC. Yeah, that and the flexibilty and ridiculous number of storage bins/boxes/trays.
at least the brakes would reset. the early gen II's were notorious for the red triangle of death. and when it happened - bang, there you were - stuck where ever you were ... or is my memory that bad - & the red triangle wasn't as common as i recall. Sometimes the triangle might reset .... others? tow truck back to the dealer. .
well, let's see. just thinking back over 14 years; 1) we had the hardware flash to keep it from dying on the highway 2) the headlight leveler replacement 3) airbag recall 4) steering shaft bolt 5) coolant pump 6) headlight issues 7) multi info display 8) gas pedal 9) leaking oil seal on the side of the engine 10) bad egr/intake manifold 11) poor 12v design 12) water infiltration through rain gutters 13) mouse infiltration and wiring harness destruction 14) smelly battery vent tubes 15) melting hatch switch covers 16) door handle rubber gasket disintegration 17) $80. full tail light replacement when bulb burns out 18) squeaky gen 4 steering wheel 19) gen 3 dash rattles 20) door lock motors 21) anyone want to add more? you call this quality and reliable?
Inverter circuitry weld vulnerability (3rd gen, subject of recall) Air bag shrapnel (3rd gen, subject of recall) Master cylinder issue (3rd gen, subject of recall) Some minor irks: saggy-butt rear bumper (3rd gen) Hatch shocks getting so-so