Tesla's seem pretty cool, just don't get in an accident.

[Archimedes]

The drivetrain is excellent, it's all the other shit that sucks. Mirrors, handles, the big touchscreen, etc

This is my issue with Tesla, and why I think a lot of other buyers won't even look at them at the moment. The drive train is awesome, but the rest of the car isn't, particularly the interior, and that is important to a lot of people. I expect that the next generation of each model will be a big step forward in that department, but who knows. The cars are all already faster than they need to be or that most people want, so the drivetrain really isn't a big deal anymore. It's the quality of the car wrapped around it.

Perfect example is the recent comparison on Autoblog of the Model X, the ETron, iPace and the Merc. While the Model X was quickest, it was worse in every other area than the competition, particularly ride quality and interior finish. And it's the most expensive.

 

[Blankpage]

Even without all these other issues that ugly interior is almost enough for me to not want a Tesla.

 

[bojangle]

Useless to compare to Mazda3 since it has half the random electronics and sensors that a Tesla would have.

You can buy well before 40k as long as the car has warranty. They will install updated parts at the service center as thing break down. By 50k miles you'll have a reliable car.

The drivetrain is excellent, it's all the other shit that sucks. Mirrors, handles, the big touchscreen, etc

Jeeze! . My parents now have two and my sister and brother in law have one. I guess I'll see when things start to break.

Even without all these other issues that ugly interior is almost enough for me to not want a Tesla.

I actually don't think the interiors look bad. They are very minimalistic, but that's kinda cool looking, IMO.

 

[easter bunny]

It's the quality of the car wrapped around it.

Perfect example is the recent comparison on Autoblog of the Model X, the ETron, iPace and the Merc.

Speaking of quality - how many people at Audi signed off on that name?

 

[aminalmutha]

I actually don't think the interiors look bad. They are very minimalistic, but that's kinda cool looking, IMO.

I get minimalistic, but no buttons, no sale. HATE having to do everything thru touchscreen.

And it's not just the design, the materials are shit also. Unbelievably bad for the price.

It's the Tesla arrogance. They think they know better.

 

[mercurial]

My buddy has some P95 hyperdrive one, I was driving in it with him this weekend. It was making this distinct buzz on the freeway, enough that it almost sounded like it had a tiny ICE. I asked him about it, and with obvious irritation on his face, he said that Tesla said it was a natural vibration from the car having an aluminum chassis. I don't know if that's true or not, but seemed like a bitter pill to swallow, for the money he spent. His ride would've been much quieter if he had just bought a regular luxury car.

 

[Killroy1999]

I get minimalistic, but no buttons, no sale. HATE having to do everything thru touchscreen.

And it's not just the design, the materials are shit also. Unbelievably bad for the price.

It's the Tesla arrogance. They think they know better.

I test drove a Model 3 for fun and there were 2 things that I was worried about: Autopilot and the Touch Screen.

My conclusion is that the touch screen is a non-issue. There are a hand full of multi function buttons on the steering wheel. I did not miss the dash. Autopilot was simply amazing how well it can change lanes in traffic on the freeway. The performance model was really nice and I even surprised the Tesla employee. "No on has ever hit it like that"

Ever drive one?

 

[Kornholio]

The service in general is a crapshoot.

They were fixing a door handle and the incompetent techs took 5 days to do it and had to contact the factory to figure it out. Turned out they misaligned the bracket on which they installed the handle on..

Luckily most of the car is pretty solid so unless you got a lemon, you won't need much interaction with service.

Friend of mine got a job there a few years ago as a field service tech. He had no experience working on cars whatsoever and said the majority of the people he worked with, including managers, are in the same boat. I'm not sure what Tesla's business plan is but hiring non-skilled workers to make skilled repairs seems pretty damn stupid. Indeed, just a brief glance at LinkedIn shows a few open manager positions that specifically state that while automotive experience is nice to have, it's not necessary.

 

[TheRobSJ]

Friend of mine got a job there a few years ago as a field service tech. He had no experience working on cars whatsoever and said the majority of the people he worked with, including managers, are in the same boat. I'm not sure what Tesla's business plan is but hiring non-skilled workers to make skilled repairs seems pretty damn stupid. Indeed, just a brief glance at LinkedIn shows a few open manager positions that specifically state that while automotive experience is nice to have, it's not necessary.

For what they want to pay? People with little to no experience is all they can get. They to this day, even after I told the last recruiter to lose my number, still try to headhunt me. They love my experience and skillset, but somehow think I’m going to jump ship and take an absurd paycut because they’re just the darling of the auto industry right now.

 

[mrzuzzo]

Yes. 90% of Tesla's service issues are due to sheer incompetence of the staff.

Garbage in, garbage out.

 

[Kornholio]

Yeah it seems like it's just the bandwagon job to have assuming you like cars at all. Well, except for the people that want to largely avoid incompetent coworkers, shitty hours and shitty pay.

 

[GAJ]

For what they want to pay? People with little to no experience is all they can get. They to this day, even after I told the last recruiter to lose my number, still try to headhunt me. They love my experience and skillset, but somehow think I’m going to jump ship and take an absurd paycut because they’re just the darling of the auto industry right now.

Never mind that the CEO is a lunatic.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

Never mind that the CEO is a lunatic.

It's a wonderful demonstration of top down corporate culture. Elon's lack of specific experience or knowledge in the field combined with his arrogance prohibiting anyone with real experience from having serious input. The whole company has sort of adversarial attitude that prevents them from allowing actual experts to help them build a better product and supply chain.
I think many people have lost sight of the fact that quality cars have been mass produced for many years. All of the problems he's facing could be solved if they as a company would just admit that they're not particularly special.
Until then, Tesla will keep making high tech early 90's Hyundais for people who can't satisfy their need for one-upmanship by buying a new iPhone every 6 months.

 

[Kornholio]

FWIW, even Hyundai had to start at the bottom of quality before they could grow. Granted, they weren't making anything along the lines of an electric car, but still.

And as far as Elon's ego goes, I mean...you can't say the guy doesn't have good ideas that he (under)pays other people to develop as he envisions them. Henry Ford was an asshole too, but everyone conveniently forgot about that once he became a massive success. He certainly wasn't one to begin with. I suspect that someday, humble pie is going to force itself down Musk's throat and only then will he open up to outside input and change.

 

[Killroy1999]

FWIW, even Hyundai had to start at the bottom of quality before they could grow. Granted, they weren't making anything along the lines of an electric car, but still.

And as far as Elon's ego goes, I mean...you can't say the guy doesn't have good ideas that he (under)pays other people to develop as he envisions them. Henry Ford was an asshole too, but everyone conveniently forgot about that once he became a massive success. He certainly wasn't one to begin with. I suspect that someday, humble pie is going to force itself down Musk's throat and only then will he open up to outside input and change.

The ironic thing is that if you really study Henry Ford history, Elon is ahead at this point.

 

[Jalopyshoppe]

The ironic thing is that if you really study Henry Ford history, Elon is ahead at this point.

Elon isn't building a revolutionary product. He's peddling status. Electric cars aren't particularly new or special. They're just being better marketed now. Every one of Tesla's problems have been solved by existing companies, but Elon's arrogance is preventing Tesla from adopting those solutions. Using terms like "market disruption" as bullshit excuses when the reality is that no one would give a fuck if he just assembled reasonable cars in a traditional fashion. They'd just work and people would buy them.

I know electric cars are not a fad, but I hope they're not adopted by the masses until I'ma dead and gone.

The self driving aspect is simply a matter of his arrogance. Other manufacturers certainly have the ability, but they're on the safe side of the law for now.
Someday people will stop mistaking his narcissism as talent.

 

[TheRobSJ]

The ironic thing is that if you really study Henry Ford history, Elon is ahead at this point.

Nah. Ford Motor Company did two things right away that Elon is apparently allergic to.

Be profitable.

And use a franchised dealer system...Ford was the first one to do it actually.

 

[aminalmutha]

The ironic thing is that if you really study Henry Ford history, Elon is ahead at this point.

Not even remotely close.

 

[Killroy1999]

Nah. Ford Motor Company did two things right away that Elon is apparently allergic to.

Be profitable.

And use a franchised dealer system...Ford was the first one to do it actually.

Ford went bankrupt twice and he was also kicked out of the company with his own name on it.

 

[jiffy]

Elon isn't building a revolutionary product. He's peddling status. Electric cars aren't particularly new or special. They're just being better marketed now. Every one of Tesla's problems have been solved by existing companies, but Elon's arrogance is preventing Tesla from adopting those solutions. Using terms like "market disruption" as bullshit excuses when the reality is that no one would give a fuck if he just assembled reasonable cars in a traditional fashion. They'd just work and people would buy them.

I know electric cars are not a fad, but I hope they're not adopted by the masses until I'ma dead and gone.

The self driving aspect is simply a matter of his arrogance. Other manufacturers certainly have the ability, but they're on the safe side of the law for now.
Someday people will stop mistaking his narcissism as talent.

I'd say Elon has done quite a bit to further technology, not only in electric vehicles but also in rockets. Tesla has one of the fastest, longest battery life, EV's on the market, and mass produced. SpaceX has accomplished more than most countries in the new space race. Elon may be arrogant but some of it is earned.