M/T first drive of Tesla Model 3

[bill25]

"it's basically my car but with really good performance."

That is how I see it. The designer of the Model 3 is from Mazda. I think the basic exterior looks like my car. You don't have to agree. Honestly, if you want to talk "any Mazda trim" when compared to the BMW, I would say the highest Mazda3 interior is way nicer than the interior of the Model 3 (mainly because I don't think the interior in the Model3 is that good, not that the Mazda is excellent, although it always gets a nod for being above it's class). So the interior of the Mazda is better, the exterior is very similar, and the drivetrain in the Model3 is way better. That is what I said.

Sure they want to compete it with the 3 series, they need to get that kind of money to make a profit.

[kevm14]

Well the test vehicle was $57k as tested. There's no Mazda 3 that can even be optioned to anywhere near that price.

The base model has a smaller battery and is not the model tested here. So I guess we'll have to see what that is all about. But the way I see it, this is an electric Alfa Giulia. Not an electric Mazda 3. I don't think the designer or even the vehicle name factors in. But you are free to think of it what you want obviously.

[bill25]

I have to look at the specs. I thought it was smaller than you are describing.

I have a lot of respect for the car for it's drive train, but am not ready to consider it a luxury car. You yourself said the interior didn't even look finished.

You also keep referencing the as tested price. I am pretty sure I ready that you can get the car for 45K with the better battery. It is base at 35K with the small battery. $5 to 57K is a big delta in options. At 45K with the better battery, that seems reasonably, but kind of high. 57 seems crazy. I only realy care about the better battery version because the performance seemed noticeably better.

[kevm14]

I have a lot of respect for the car for it's drive train, but am not ready to consider it a luxury car. You yourself said the interior didn't even look finished.

Yeah I don't like the interior. But I am pretty sure THEY think it is good enough for the entry-level luxury segment.

You also keep referencing the as tested price. I am pretty sure I ready that you can get the car for 45K with the better battery. It is base at 35K with the small battery. $5 to 57K is a big delta in options. At 45K with the better battery, that seems reasonably, but kind of high. 57 seems crazy. I only realy care about the better battery version because the performance seemed noticeably better.

Yes, I guess technically the question is, what is the cheapest way to get the Model 3 with the big battery? But even if it was $45k, I don't think that is a good deal. If it was $35k after incentives, that would start to make some sense though honestly, I think you'd still be looking at the Focus RS instead.

And I'd be looking at an even cheaper used SS which is faster than both. And bigger/more comfortable. And sounds better. I don't mind the exterior so that's fine.

Remember, new vs used is a legit comparison because it's about what you can buy at any given moment with your money. Now you might gamble that you could buy an RS new, drive for 2 or 3 years and sell for almost what you paid. But I'll tell you I would never take that kind of risk with $35-$40k. Not a chance.

[bill25]

According to: https://blog.caranddriver.com/tesla-mod ... rst-drive/

This article was dated July 29, 2017, pretty sure it is what started this thread.

The car starts at $35,000, delivering an EPA-estimated 220 miles of range with the standard battery, or 310 miles from the optional, $9000 long-range battery (which also allows for slightly faster charge speeds, both from Tesla’s Supercharger high-speed charging network as well as commercial and residential Level 2 chargers). The longer-range battery adds 265 pounds to the curb weight, so there’s no software upgrade to be had here.

This would have the better battery car start at 44K before incentives. I did hear that Tesla wasn't planning on making any of these stripped "better battery" cars in the beginning. So yeah, a base Model 3 with the bigger battery would be close to the cost of a base V8 Camaro. I wouldn't be cross shopping these though. The Model 3 would be more for family driving and winter. The car that is going to be insane is the Model 3 dual motor AWD. It will also cost a lot more, so obviously only looking at used.

[kevm14]

I really think for you the Focus RS is a much better second car than a RWD Model 3.

[bill25]

I agree. It will be interesting to see the depreciation of the two.

[Bob]

This isn't really a bold prediction, but I predict the Model 3 and the Focus RS will have resale values that are among the strongest of all 2017-2018 models.

[kevm14]

Does Tesla typically do well for resale? I thought they weren't that good. Maybe the Model 3 will do better just because it's cheaper.

Which brings me back to why I don't care about new cars that are affordable or whatever. Give me the super expensive car that would have been completely unattainable but nicely depreciated to where I can now afford it and possibly even pay cash.

[Bob]

Tesla's resale on the Model S has been better than other cars in its class (large luxury sedans) and way better than any other EVs. Actually, I am sometimes frustrated that the Model S didn't follow the depreciation curve of every other EV because if I could get an early P85 for $20-25k now, I might take a look. I predict the Model 3 will have even better resale than the Model S due to scarcity (in the early years) and lower starting price.