Would you trade-in your Prime for a Tesla Model 3?

No way. A model 3 is more than I want to spend, and I don't really want to not have the daily range of my Prime. SC isn't ready for pure EV's infrastructure-wise. I wouldn't refuse a 3 or an S if someone gave me one as a 2nd car though..

 

Nop. With no Tesla dealer or charge station anywhere near me, purre EV is still not practical. A car that can not be serviced locally is a nightmare. Beside, why would I trade in for a car that no longer offer any tax credit. No brainer.

 

TM3 is a fine car for sure, but its existing version has four design "flaws", the combination of which renders it useless for me:

1. The trunk lid instead of a hatch. This limits the size and shape of things one can transport gracefully.
2. Too many controls are on the touchscreen. I like tactile/physical controls that I can handle w/o taking my eyes of the road.
3. It's too low - even lower, I think, than the Prius C, while costing as much as some kick-@$$ large SUV's.
4. RWD

 

Yes. We already have two cars, $29k + $28k ~= $57k. I have analyzed my requirements and a long range, Model 3 can make the drive from Huntsville AL to Coffeyville KS or Stillwater OK. Efficient, the Model 3, 26 kWh/100 mi is close enough to the Prime, 25 kWh/100 mi. Unlike the BMW and Prime, the Tesla autopilot keeps the car in its lane.

Bob Wilson

 

No - assuming the Model 3 has the same headlights as the other Teslas. They’re rated poor for night vision, both by the IISH and a friend who owns one. I think it’s a factor that not enough people take into consideration during their daylight test drives.

 

The full $7500 tax credit is available to the end of the year. It drops to half of that for 6 months after, and then drops to a quarter for 6 months after that.

 

Oh, good to know, but that's only if I can receive delivery of non-existing $35K base Model 3 by the end of this year. Not likely.

 

The base is actually $35k, and many that could afford it likely don't have the tax liability to take advantage of the full $7500 if it were available.

The Prime is a better financial deal, and trading in an under two year old car isn't good financial planning.

 

Totally agreed.

 

Sometimes I drive 230 miles a day without the chance of a 1/2 hour fast charging. To buy a 300miles range model 3 I need to cough out 60K. I figure if I can spare 60K, I would rather get a model X which is an SUV and only $1400/month plus insurance increase.

 

Need to see a picture of the 3 and prime side by side, I’m not willing to give up my station wagon size of space, also waiting to hear about actual daily use, comfort, quality etc.

 

I should have added that the majority of those wanting a Model 3 would have stuck with whatever car they were driving instead of picking up a new Prime or other car until the 3 was available.

1. Agree on the hatch being superior when it comes to hauling stuff, but a BEV is going to be more spacious than a comparable PHEV. The 3 has a larger cabin than the Prime, and the EPA specs for volume do not include the space from the front trunk. Insist on a hatch, the Bolt has more cabin and cargo space. Compare Side-by-Side
   
   
2. Also agree, but I think Tesla has made better use of the screen compared to the large one in the Prime.
3. Low can be bothersome, but a car can have low ground clearance and still have a higher sitting position. The 3 was always intended to be a luxury model, and its price reflects that. It is interesting that the top traded in models for it are non-luxury cars.
4. RWD is the norm for the segment Tesla was targeting. A BEV doesn't have the efficiency penalty for RWD that a front engined ICE car does. It also doesn't lose space to a transmission tunnel. Unlike the Prime, the 3 is available in AWD for those that feel the need for better traction.

 

I think the picture is a little distorted … in reality, the Bolt is probably 6" taller than TM3.

 

Why make such an assumption?
Granted, the rating of “acceptable” is nothing to write home about, but the Model 3 was designed completely from scratch. Assuming similarities isn’t really warranted.
2018 Tesla Model 3

 

NO!

My wife's cousin traded in his Model S. His problem was that Tesla did not ramp up its service as its sales increased. Things like brakes and window motors could not get fixed in a timely manner. He told me of a friend of his who bought a new Model S with every option...well over $100k. 6000 miles on the car and the well known buggy electronic door handle failed on the driver side. He was told that he'd have a 4-1/2 week wait for a service appointment to get it fixed. He sold that car at a big loss.

Tesla's financial problems are well reported. If the company goes bust, no surprise, what's left for the cars...not much. I think Tesla belongs in the category of ten foot pole, would not touch with.

 

I no longer am interested in any Tesla products, I would like a BEV that is more practical and not so futuristic.
I wouldn't trade my Prius for one even trade. Some new cars have gone the way of the cell phone, they do everything and you can even make a call on one.

 

Hold your breath for about 4 minutes and we'll continue the discussion. <grins>

It is pure hubris to claim the ability to judge what others should do unless of course you volunteer to accept the same restrictions on how you live (or don't) your own life.

Requirements are: RPO -- E. E. Cummings : here is little Effie's head

E. E. Cummings (1894-1962)
here is little Effie's head
1 here is little Effie's head
2 whose brains are made of gingerbread
3 when the judgment day comes
4 God will find six crumbs
5 stooping by the coffinlid
6 waiting for something to rise
7 as the other somethings did--
8 you imagine His surprise
9 bellowing through the general noise
10 Where is Effie who was dead?
11- -to God in a tiny voice,
12 i am may the first crumb said
13 whereupon its fellow five
14 crumbs chuckled as if they were alive
15 and number two took up the song,
16 might i'm called and did no wrong
17 cried the third crumb, i am should
18 and this is my little sister could
19 with our big brother who is would
20 don't punish us for we were good;
21 and the last crumb with some shame
22 whispered unto God, my name
23 is must and with the others i've
24 been Effie who isn't alive
. . .

Online text copyright © 2003, Ian Lancashire for the Department of English, University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.

Original text: & (New York: privately printed, 1925): 47-48. Firmage A4a, Berg Collection, New York Public Library. No. 112. (Signed by e.e.c. with autograph corrections.)
First publication date: 1925
RPO poem editor: Ian Lancashire
RP edition: RPO 2000.
Recent editing: 2:2001/12/12

Form: quatrains of variable-length lines
Rhyme: a blending of aabb, abab, abba, abca, etc.​

Please have your next 'cousin' contact me. I'm the guy with a shovel at the landfill digging up the old Prius batteries.

Bob Wilson