[Bluesideup]

Looks like some reviews are getting out. Even the pre general public release ones are looking pretty good. I will be interested to see once all the software is done and they release it to the general public what the model 3 can do.


https://insideevs.com/tesla-model-3-video-review/#comment-1359027

 

[saghost]

Doug always has an interesting spin. He had mostly positive things to say about the Bolt a month or two back - and trolled us with a "hate" video for the Model X that didn't end up hating much.

 

[Steverino]

Trunk looks more useable than I expected. Not Bolt usable, not even Volt usable, but the fold-down seats make it better than some. I like the door levers but wonder about winter ice. The center screen display for all controls? No thanks. I guess that's one of those love it or hate it things.

 

[driver779]

I'm pleased to see another car nut video nit picking the little things other than dismissing EV/PHEV technology outright. I rather am found of Mr. Demuro's videos. Its amazing how far we've come from the straight out denial of even 2008/2012.

Its gonna get a lot more interesting my friends in the years to come.

 

[Qinsp]

Good review but missing most metrics.

He did make one mistake:

He said the model he drove starts at $45,000. The cheapest the early retail cars will be is $50k according to Tesla today.
But he tested one with paint, wheels, PUP, LR, AP2.
So it was probably $57k.

 

[bro1999]

I love how that if there's a complete power loss, rear passengers have no way of getting out of the car via the rear doors. And since the rear windows barely roll more than halfway down, they wouldn't even be able to escape out the windows either.

Seems like pretty stupid design to not have a manual override for the rear passenger doors.

I like how that owner of the 3 was able to skirt the NDA by having Doug review it. Props to that 3 employee-owner.

 

[Barry]

Speaking of the door handles, I think they may turn out to be an annoyance. It looks to me like opening one-handed can only be done with the left hand for driver's side doors and only with the right hand on passenger side doors. This is because you have to press the fat side with your thumb to get the lever side to pop out. If you are carrying anything, and it happens to be in the wrong hand, you will fumble to open the door. Or for people who have one injured hand or arm, they may find it very difficult.

Standard pull handles as found on virtually every other car are just more convenient.

 

[Upper5Percent]

Coolest Car Of 2017???...you do realize that Tesla has declined to subject The Model 3 to the 2018 North American Car of the Year competition.

Citing not having a car to spare for testing, but more likely not wanting the press to have access to it yet.

http://insideevs.com/tesla-withdraws-model-3-north-american-car-year/

 

[saghost]

Coolest Car Of 2017???...you do realize that Tesla has declined to subject The Model 3 to the 2018 North American Car of the Year competition.

Citing not having a car to spare for testing, but more likely not wanting the press to have access to it yet.

http://insideevs.com/tesla-withdraws-model-3-north-american-car-year/

Might be part of the anti-sell strategy, too. With half a million reservations in the waiting list already, generating additional demand for the 3 right now it's of very little value to Tesla - especially if that demand comes at the cost of demand for the S/X. As a result, Tesla has been doing their best to minimize the splash the 3 makes now, in hopes of having more excitement for it next year of the year after when they can actually benefit from the resulting demand. It's an odd situation, nearly unprecedented to my knowledge.

 

[Breezy]

Looks like it will be a good car sold in decent volumes, once they get the bugs sorted out, for an average price of $50k or so.

 

[Qinsp]

Looks like it will be a good car sold in decent volumes, once they get the bugs sorted out, for an average price of $50k or so.

At this stage it makes no sense to sell any Model 3's at under $50k until demand drops. They are bleeding cash, pre-installing AP2.5 whether or not you order it, and have never been able to make a real profit.

 

[Steverino]

If the Model 3 helps get people out of gassers and into EV's I'm all for it. If its sales inspire GM tand others o do more, that's great to.

I made the jump 6 years ago with the Volt, and now—with the Bolt replacing my Cadillac SRX—all my cars are EV. My wife says she never realized how much time she spent looking at gas prices before this!

 

[P0234]

At this stage it makes no sense to sell any Model 3's at under $50k until demand drops. They are bleeding cash, pre-installing AP2.5 whether or not you order it, and have never been able to make a real profit.

I agree with your idea about them selling the expensive versions first, but really, why poo-poo an American company that is changing the world. They aren't bleeding money, they are building up infrastructure. If it weren't for Tesla, the other car makers and the shady oil business would have us driving Escalades. Tesla makes EVs cool to the masses and the money doesn't go offshore.

 

[Upper5Percent]

I agree with your idea about them selling the expensive versions first, but really, why poo-poo an American company that is changing the world. They aren't bleeding money, they are building up infrastructure. If it weren't for Tesla, the other car makers and the shady oil business would have us driving Escalades. Tesla makes EVs cool to the masses and the money doesn't go offshore.

Really?...that would be a big surprise to Panasonic...

 

[P0234]

Really?...that would be a big surprise to Panasonic...

So which US car maker uses US made batteries? I'll put them on my shopping list.

 

[Loboc]

Speaking of the door handles, I think they may turn out to be an annoyance. It looks to me like opening one-handed can only be done with the left hand for driver's side doors and only with the right hand on passenger side doors. This is because you have to press the fat side with your thumb to get the lever side to pop out. If you are carrying anything, and it happens to be in the wrong hand, you will fumble to open the door. Or for people who have one injured hand or arm, they may find it very difficult.

Standard pull handles as found on virtually every other car are just more convenient.

Not ELR, CTS and others with electric release buttons. My ELR has manual levers as a backup. On the floor.

 

[Steverino]

So which US car maker uses US made batteries? I'll put them on my shopping list.

GM's batteries are made in Holland Michigan by LG Chem. https://cleantechnica.com/2017/02/21/lg-chem-expand-battery-cell-manufacturing-us-china/

 

[Mister Dave]

Tesla makes EVs cool to the masses and the money doesn't go offshore.

Sorry to pile on but.....

US/Canadian parts content: 50%

 

[Upper5Percent]

So which US car maker uses US made batteries? I'll put them on my shopping list.

It was your statement...Not Mine...that Tesla money doesn't go offshore...


LG makes batteries for GM in Michigan, but that money also goes back to overseas, Korea in this case...
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2017/08...michigan-factory-for-electric-car-components/

 

[Chris TX]

Sorry to pile on but.....

US/Canadian parts content: 50%

Note that sticker is from 03/2016, before the Gigafactory came online and has been producing cells and packs. That US sourced percentage is much higher, this year.