In addition to the more obvious aspects–such as acceleration, range, and interior room–it turns out that the new small Tesla is superior to the Volvo S60 in side impact protection.
Hmmm…that transparent roof is a non-starter for many folks around here. Easy-bake-oven time…
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I’m skeptical of the single screen for all comtrols, including the speedometer. Every time the driver looks at the speedo, he engages in distracted driving IMO.
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The glass roof is an option.
Anyone who took a test spin in an electric car in 1904 would be impressed with it compared to a noisy, smelly gas powered one.
I love electric golf carts and riding those shuttle carts at air ports.
The real test will be low cost batteries and extended range driving in all kinds of weather.
There will be a market segment for short local trips with an extended range gasoline powered hybrid as the second family vehicle.
The overall ownership cost will determine what market share electric cars will command.
The car looks a little odd from the front but is a pretty nice effort otherwise. Too bad the $35K model won’t be built for a while and only in Black. Any other color hits you up $1000. The up-optioned cars will go around $44K or so. GM already beat Tesla to the punch with the Bolt. Cars being delivered at less than $40K. Sales are still minuscule for any EV.
I am waiting for the GM Bolt to Tesla 3 comparo. The Bolt is rated more miles per charge compared to the small battery Tesla. I think 0-60 for an EV is a bit pointless so how about a 400 mile trip. Or basically the number of miles it takes for me to reach my state line. Race head-to-head with at least one recharge required. Then a 5 day commute of 40 miles each way for 5 working days. Cup-holder evaluation, blue-tooth connects, the works.
It looks like the glass roof is a required part of the ‘Premium’ package, just like it’s hard to get a nice car without a sunroof.
Whoopee! I’m not impressed.
They haven’t arrived yet for me! I need one and want one like I need and want tap-dance lessons.
The battery range on these things is still inadequate and the re-charge time is unacceptable.
They are a novelty and no doubt some will buy them as such.
That and whenever something in the display goes whacky then you’ve got a useless car.
That’s been one my bigger concerns. It gets really cold here! In other places it gets really hot! Both conditions have to cut into range.
Don’t take me wrong, I’d love an electric car with a motor at each wheel when the time comes that they have evolved to actually replace what I drive now. There’s a ways to go and several years until that happens. Until then these cars are for somebody else, not me.
CSA
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300 miles is inadequate? You’ve got some stamina, man!
After 6 hours of driving I’m ready to be out of the car.
The recharge time is only bad if you’re on a long trip, and even then if you get it charged at a supercharger it’ll be good to go once you’ve finished your lunch.
I’d love to have one as my commuter car. I have a 25 minute commute to work. This car could get me there and back with lots of charge to spare. And then it would charge up overnight and be ready to go again. Overall I’d save time, not having to go to the gas station once a week.
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That’s for the uplevel version, the only version available at this very moment
Do you think most people will opt for that one, or the base version?
I’d guess in the end . . . when both versions are actually available and on the road . . . most people will have opted for the base version, which has a shorter driving range
I think they’ll go for the up-model version for the same reason most people weren’t buying the 60kwh Model S.
The one steaming heap of BS that’s annoyed me about the Model 3 is that it’s been called “affordable.” It’s not. It’s priced competitively with BMWs. Now, you can get a stripper-model BMW too, but no one ever does, at least not in this country. They’ll take that BMW that starts at 35k and be up above 50k 5 minutes after they start talking options.
But that said, the base model 3 will have a 220 mile range which I still think is more than adequate as a commuter car, and even as a day tripper.
You and I will just have to agree to disagree on this
When I was at the Benz dealer, there were quite a few customers who opted for the entry-level C-class with no options.
To be quite honest, many of them were barely able to afford those cars, let alone an optioned out C-class
But I guess if you look at it from a luxury standpoint, you might as well get an optioned out Model 3 . . . if you can swing it. The incentives help, that’s for sure
For now. The incentives are going away in a lot of states, unfortunately.
Of course, when they do, I think it will depress Model 3 sales, at least temporarily, because you can get a used Model S for the price of a new Model 3.
After the “firsters” get their Model 3’s, I think Elon is going to be caught in the demise of the sedan.
For me, I’d need to hear the range with the heater blasting on high, rear defroster on, seat heaters on high, exterior lights and headlights on and shod in winter tires. That would be my real world scenario. What happens to 220 mpc under those conditions? I don’t need another fair weather car…
Just for kicks looked at leasing a Tesla
Vehicle
Vehicle Subtotal
$69,500
Design your Model S
Delivery $1,200
Total $70,700
Annual Miles
Term 36 months
Down Payment + Trade In
$5,000
Up to 25%
Order Payment $2,500
Due at Signing $6,485
Monthly Payment $790
Details
Which Model S fits my monthly budget?
Price indicated does not include taxes and registration fees unless stated otherwise. You will be responsible for these additional taxes and fees. The payment calculations are provided for informational purposes only and may reflect assumptions that may not apply to you or lease terms for which you may not qualify. Model S qualifies for a federal tax credit up to $7,500 which is already included in the payment calculations.
Tesla leasing is a three year program with 10,000, 12,000 or 15,000 annual mileage options. A $5,000 down payment, $695 acquisition fee, and the first month’s lease payment is due when picking up your Model S. No security deposit required. A $395 disposition fee is required when returning your Model S at the end of your lease.
How to apply
To apply, please complete a lease application in your Tesla account within one month of your Model S delivery. A member of our Financial Services team will contact you within two days of receiving your application, or you can contact them directly at autofinance@tesla.com.
Availability
Tesla leasing is available in AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WY.
Not today I say
Tesla has come a long, long way in a very, very short time. And they show no signs of slowing down their evolution. And I believe they’re making a very smart move by building an EV infrastructure across the country. They’ve installed and continue to install tens of thousands of charging stations across the country, including “supercharger” stations that can charge the battery array much faster.
Tesla has a short history… and has been constantly underestimated throughout it. I believe they’re here to stay and that they’ll further change our perceptions of what an EV is as well as bring its cost well into line with other comparable cars.
They might even make a sports car again! 
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They say they will - and if you convince 50 people to buy a Model S, they’ll give you one for free… So they say. 
Yup!
Their supercharger stations have been installed at all of the NJ Turnpike’s rest stops, and I believe that they have been installed at rest stops on other states’ toll roads as well. Even some of the large shopping malls in NJ have a Tesla supercharger.
When a full size pickup is all electric, has a 500 mile range, there are re-chargers everywhere, the re-charge time is 10 minutes or less, and the price under $60,000, then I’ll consider one. I once drove a Chevy Volt and was impressed with the torque and power. It had more get-up-and-go than my 385 HP V8 truck.