Shoulda bought a TESLA... YouTuber known for 'Anti EV Stance' goes FULL EV

Summary

Auto enthusiast Jeff reviews a Tesla Model 3 overnight, approaching it from a petrolhead's skeptical perspective. He appreciates the instant acceleration yet finds excessive touchscreens distracting and misses mechanical buttons and knobs. Jeff ponders the car's data gathering and links to dealerships for repairs. He demonstrates charging, reads about Tesla's history, and realizes range drains quickly during real-world family driving. Jeff notes the appeal for kids but questions long-term character and usefulness for his lifestyle. He determines that practicality varies person-to-person given home charging access, predictable commuting, and tolerance for a radical transition from old school autos.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jeff tests out a Tesla Model 3 to give an old car enthusiast's perspective on living with an electric vehicle
• 👎 Finds multiple things he doesn't like about the Tesla, including too much tech/screens and unfamiliar regenerative braking
• 😕 Points out concerns about privacy, hacking, and control due to so much technology reliance
• 🤔 Questions some design choices like button door handles and central touchscreen placement
• 😀 Likes the acceleration and thinks it can be useful in certain commuting situations
• 😕 Doesn't see Teslas suiting his lifestyle or having the character/longevity of old cars
• 👍 Appreciates some convenience features like preheating cabin and seats
• 😕 Finds range disappointing after normal driving, questions real-world usefulness
• 👎 Dislikes how everything from locks to glovebox relies on tech, expects issues
• 😕 Sees people accepting Teslas without realizing the control and monitoring by companies/government

Q & A

What cars does the narrator typically drive?

The narrator typically drives older cars like old Volvos and BMWs.

What does the narrator think about the amount of technology in the Tesla?

The narrator thinks there is too much technology in the Tesla, like the large touchscreen interface. He prefers simpler, older car dashboards with physical dials.

How does the narrator feel about electric cars in general?

The narrator is skeptical of electric cars. He loves old gasoline cars and doesn't fully buy into the benefits of electric vehicles.

What does the narrator think about the Tesla Model Y?

He did not like the Model Y, finding it too big, bulbous and high off the ground. He said it felt like driving a fast elephant.

What was the narrator's experience accelerating in the Model S Plaid?

The Model S Plaid acceleration was so fast it made the narrator nearly pass out. He said it rewrote the rules for what a car can do.

What does the narrator think about Tesla door handles?

He dislikes the electronic button door handles, preferring old-fashioned mechanical pull handles. He sees them as unnecessary and prone to breaking.

How does regenerative braking work?

When you lift off the accelerator, regenerative braking uses the electric motor to slow the car down rapidly, recharging the battery in the process. This differs from standard cars that coast.

What safety concern does the narrator have about the touchscreen?

He finds the large touchscreen distracting and does not think it should be legal to interact with while driving, unlike a cell phone.

How does the narrator simulate charging the Tesla?

He pretends to charge by parking, eating sandwiches, drinking coffee and reading aloud from a book for about 20 minutes.

What does the narrator think about the car's recorded trip data?

He believes Tesla technicians can access more detailed trip data like acceleration and top speed, even though it is not shown to the driver.