Tesla Model 3

[jyl]

The Tesla Model 3 is in the news. Who's putting down a deposit? Why are you interested, or why are you not interested?

Tesla Model 3 First Look Review

Tesla Model 3: video of first ride in prototype $35k electric car

[Nickshu]

It's a nice golf cart.

[Steve Carlton]

Will it fit two large bags of clubs?

[onewhippedpuppy]

No way I'm putting down money to purchase a car that has never been produced, from a company with questionable viability and a history of overstating production capability. Right now for the thousands of sheep that have put down money, their delivery timeline is TBD. I saw an article suggesting that based on estimates that Fortune did of their manufacturing capability, many that are reserving won't see a car until 2019.

Otherwise I think it's the first interesting pure electric car for the masses, but I'm still not sure if that matters. It's still expensive, while the base is $35k several articles suggested that the average car with options would be north of $45k, and that optioning it to $60k was possible. Electric cars still aren't viable for people that live in rural areas, or enjoy taking long trips in an only car. They continue to make the most sense for people that live in a heavily urban area with a good charger network. Though their business case isn't nearly as good while gas is cheap.

[dewolf]

Great way to raise cash capital. I read somewhere that have taken 185,000 deposits worldwide of US$1000 or $1500 here in Oz.

[Arizona_928]

Fugly... They need to do something about that front bumper cover...

[1990C4S]

I do some work there, and I have some background information on the Model 3.

I am bound by an NDA, but I can say this is very ambitious, way beyond the S or the X. I can see a lot of manufacturing issues that will choke capacity for the first few years.

Cars may be available on schedule, but not in quantity.

[ckelly78z]

I can't see a situation, that I would ever want an electric car. I don't have the money to be one of the speculative fools plunking down a large deposit on something that isn't in production yet. I really like hearing the sounds associated with acceleration from my Porsche, and Mustang GT.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

Fugly... They need to do something about that front bumper cover...

That part is a bit odd, only thing I can figure is that it provides a space to mount one of those mustaches.

[Arizona_928]

I think it has to do more with pedestrian safety standards that are being pushed...
I can see it as Porsche where they would not mount a grill in a car, but I dunno.....

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

They continue to make the most sense for people that live in a heavily urban area with a good charger network.

Struggling with the nose on the 3.

Pal has an S and just put down deposit on 3. Deal is he and wife are retired. Fixed set of things they need the cars for. As stated, unless the perfect scenario , more of a novelty.

If he visits to Akron from Oil City (130 miles) he has to charge in Akron. Off to the Nissan or Chevy dealer we used to have to go. Five hours it would sit. Now Tesla has a super charger about 15 miles north of my place. He lives west. 30 minutes on the charger for enough juice to make it home.

At $2 per gallon, I cruise to his place and back for under $20 in my 1.8L Passat. Six minutes one time to top tank and get a cup of coffee.

[dave 911]

I dunno, I kind of like the look of the front end in the photos.
If you don't need a grill, why put one in? It's different from what we are used to for sure, but I think it could open up alot of new styling opportunities.

I definitely like it better than the new Lexus look, which is grills so big that they look like hungry catfish going down the road...

[bobrestore]

the nose at first glance was odd .... however with the front license plate, it should look fine.
I really think the world is lucky to have musk working on this project. bob

[9dreizig]

they can't make money with a $150k,, no way will they even break even on this one..

[bobrestore]

the new car front grills.... especially the Japanese ... look like they are designed to suck beauty out of the world.... bob

[stealthn]

Geez being worried about phone distractions, that display is downright invasive.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by stealthn

Geez being worried about phone distractions, that display is downright invasive.

From what I understand through a single conversation they moved the front passengers forward to create space for the rear passengers. Doing this required a spartan dash. It's almost like a shelf.

Why not just a smaller one?

My bet, when they can get 400 miles per charge and price is $40k the game will be shook up a bit. Not turned upside down, because hybrids will have the better batteries as well.

Have said this before. Same pal with Tesla bought the first Honda Insight in 2000. Drove it years to work. 73 mpg.
Batteries died. He now gets 67mpg. I wonder if batteries are dead dead or just sorta dead?

[Scott R]

Didn't Preston Tucker and up in a heap of legal trouble, and ultimately losing his company for selling cars that didn't exist? Or was it dealerships? I can't remember from the book.

[porsche4life]

We are intrigued by it. Would be the perfect commuter for Thuy. Not sure I'm ready to plop down money for a deposit though.

[KNS]

While a bit off subject - electric cars are using the same roads that gas/diesel cars are using but aren't paying into the maintenance of those roads through the gas tax.

I really like the idea of owning an electric car but as more of them hit the road this needs to be addressed in some way. I don't know what the answer is, though. I don't want to see mileage monitoring...