Living with a Tesla Model 3 – Long Term Review: Things I Love & Hate

Summary

In this detailed review, the creator shares their long-term experience with the Tesla Model 3, focusing on both the Long Range and Performance variants. They discuss the pros, including the car's impressive tech, low running costs, reliability, and smooth driving experience, while also addressing key negatives such as poor paint quality, lack of full self-driving, and performance limitations on the track. They highlight the savings on fuel and maintenance, though the high insurance costs and rapid depreciation are drawbacks. Overall, the video provides an in-depth look at the Tesla Model 3 from a daily driver's perspective.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Tesla Model 3, after 10 years since its release, has undergone significant improvements, but the owner shares both positive and negative experiences from their long-term ownership.
• 😀 The owner has been driving the Model 3 for 2 years, starting with a Long Range model and later purchasing the Performance model, though they aren't entirely sold on Teslas despite owning two.
• 😀 One major issue with the Tesla is the poor paint quality, which led to the owner wrapping both the Long Range and Performance models in PPF for better aesthetics and protection.
• 😀 The owner highlights the convenience of Tesla's service system, which can be managed through the app, including getting a quick fix for poor paint quality after delivery.
• 😀 Auto wipers and rear visibility are two major annoyances; the auto wipers activate unnecessarily, and rear visibility is limited, especially at stoplights, although the rear camera helps.
• 😀 The interior of the Tesla is minimalist but lacks the quality of luxury brands like BMW and Audi, with issues such as interior rattles and missing features like physical controls and a heads-up display.
• 😀 Tesla's full self-driving feature is still not fully operational and is more of an advanced lane-keeping and cruise control system rather than an autonomous driving system.
• 😀 Charging can be an inconvenience for those living in apartment buildings, though home charging is cost-effective and Tesla's Supercharger network continues to improve.
• 😀 As a performance car, the Model 3 Performance underperforms on the track compared to other sports cars like the Audi RS5, especially in terms of overheating and braking performance.
• 😀 Despite its shortcomings as a performance vehicle, the Model 3 offers great tech features such as remote control through an app, Netflix, video games, and superior navigation and mapping.
• 😀 The Model 3 is inexpensive to maintain, with minimal servicing costs, but insurance is a significant hidden cost, especially in Australia where it is one of the top five most expensive cars to insure.
• 😀 The Model 3's battery degradation after two years is minimal, with only a 2% reduction in battery health, and the car has been reliable with no major breakdowns or issues, thanks to software updates.

Q & A

What was the reason behind wrapping the Tesla Model 3 Performance in a color PPF?

The Tesla Model 3 Performance was wrapped because the original black paint job had poor quality with visible swirl marks. The wrap not only helped improve the appearance but also protected the car from further paint damage. The owner chose a satin dark gray color for a more aggressive look.

How does Tesla's app contribute to the convenience of car maintenance?

Tesla's app allows owners to book service appointments easily, which adds significant convenience. For example, the owner could schedule a service appointment for the paint issue through the app, and the local Tesla team quickly handled the issue. This ease of access to service is one of the highlights of Tesla ownership.

What are the main drawbacks the owner mentions about the Tesla Model 3?

The main drawbacks include issues with auto wipers that wipe the windshield unnecessarily, poor rear visibility, subpar interior trim quality, the lack of a heads-up display, and the limitations of Tesla's full self-driving technology. Additionally, there were complaints about the car's performance on the track and its inability to perform at a high level compared to other performance cars.

How does the interior of the Tesla Model 3 compare to other luxury brands?

The interior of the Tesla Model 3 is minimalistic and clean, but it doesn't match the quality of luxury brands like BMW, Audi, or Mercedes. Issues such as random interior rattles and squeaks in older models are notable. The absence of physical AC controls and stalks is also a feature that some owners find inconvenient.

What are the advantages of Tesla's technology features?

Tesla's tech features, such as the ability to monitor the car remotely via the app, in-car Netflix and gaming, and features like Sentry Mode, make the car incredibly convenient and enjoyable to use. Other features include one-pedal driving, regenerative braking, and real-time Google Maps integration, which enhance the user experience.

What is the cost of charging the Tesla Model 3 at home and at superchargers?

Charging the Tesla Model 3 at home costs roughly 10 cents per mile during off-peak hours, and about $20 for a full charge. Using Tesla's Supercharger network, charging costs between $20 to $30 depending on the state of charge. Supercharging is also continuously improving with faster charging speeds and software updates.

What is the typical maintenance cost for the Tesla Model 3?

The typical maintenance cost for the Tesla Model 3 is minimal. The only recommended service is rotating the tires every 5,000 to 6,000 miles, replacing the cabin air filter, and checking brake fluid, which costs around $250 every two years. This is a drastic reduction compared to the higher costs of maintaining traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.

How does Tesla's battery degradation compare to expectations?

After two years of ownership, the Tesla Model 3 showed only 2% battery degradation. Generally, EV batteries like Tesla's degrade by 5-10% after 100,000 miles. However, battery degradation slows down significantly after that initial drop. Tesla also offers an 8-year warranty that guarantees 70% battery capacity, giving owners peace of mind.

What challenges does the owner face when driving the Tesla Model 3 as a performance car?

The Tesla Model 3 Performance is marketed as a performance car, but the owner found that it overheats quickly on the track and the stock brakes aren't sufficient for high-speed track use. While it is great for daily use and legal-speed cornering, the car falls short in terms of track-day performance when compared to other performance vehicles like the Audi RS5.

What are the hidden costs associated with owning a Tesla Model 3?

One of the hidden costs of owning a Tesla Model 3 is the high insurance premiums, which can be more expensive than insuring high-performance vehicles like an Audi RS5 or Jaguar F-Type. This is because Teslas require specialized parts and technicians for repairs. Additionally, the car’s depreciation rate is also relatively high, which may concern potential buyers.