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Teslas are bad cars?

NecrosaroIII

Ultimate DQ Fan
At work today, my coworkers and I were discussing Toyotas decision to go all in on EV. My coworker made a comment that Toyota was going destroy Tesla since Teslas are poorly made and problematic.

That caught me off guard. With all the hype around Tesla, I had personally never heard that.

So is it really just show offs that are buying them?
 

Husky

THE Prey 2 fanatic
Depends if you like Elon Musk or not. If you like Elon Musk, they're easily the most well-built cars in the world. If you don't like Elon Musk, that thing's gonna break down on you in about a week. Fun fact, the cars aren't actually powered by electricity, but by cognitive bias.
 
Depends if you like Elon Musk or not. If you like Elon Musk, they're easily the most well-built cars in the world. If you don't like Elon Musk, that thing's gonna break down on you in about a week. Fun fact, the cars aren't actually powered by electricity, but by cognitive bias.
This is the most honest and truthful thing I've ever read.

It also applies to Apple, Microsoft, Google, Samsung, etc. Strange how a product is only as good as you think it is, especially since 99% of the time you're talking about something you've never seen or used yourself.
 

daveonezero

Banned
cool idea. Shot product and not viable without conflict minerals, horrible environmental repercussions, and government subsidies.

Elon is sort of ok though.
 

*Nightwing

Banned
This focuses around battery and battery life only, but illustrates how and why.

TLDR: essentially prototypes were sold and tested live on the road with the first batches, improvements were made and continue to be implemented but there are some poorly designed and poorly made units out there dying.
 

Billbofet

Member
I am researching my next car and was surprised to see they are at the very bottom in regards to reliability and build quality. You would never know from the social media love Elon gets.
 

Nobody_Important

“Aww, it’s so...average,” she said to him in a cold brick of passion
Honestly I have heard the exact opposite from everyone that I know that owns one. They seem to be reliable, comfortable, and eye catching.


The only reason I don't already own one is because I generally just refuse to spend more than $20,000 on any vehicle and because the fact that my family is spread so far out within the tri-state area I usually have to make drives that are longer than a Tesla can handle.



So I usually just buy a Honda or a Toyota.
 
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NecrosaroIII

Ultimate DQ Fan
I am researching my next car and was surprised to see they are at the very bottom in regards to reliability and build quality. You would never know from the social media love Elon gets.
That's kind of where I'm at with it. I saw a list after I made this thread. They're second from the bottom. Shocking
 

bender

What time is it?
What is the life expectancy on the batteries in an electric car these days? What would it cost to replace them once you've run out of cycles?
 

Mohonky

Member
What is the life expectancy on the batteries in an electric car these days? What would it cost to replace them once you've run out of cycles?
This is still my biggest concern.

I really want to see electric offroaders take off; the sheer torque of electric motors and the ability to put them on each wheel to drive them individually would make them so much more capable; but range and battery life expectancy are big ifs atm.
 
Lots of stories about quality being all over the place, which is kind of expected for a "new" company, doesn't mean they are all bad

And if you look at it jn a glass half full kinda way its got the core technology down pretty well. It's unfortunate that this core technology is surrounded by husk of mediocrity but it'll no doubt get sorted out over time.
 

Malakhov

Banned
I went with with a ioniq Hybrid plugin, best of both worlds. In the winter I use about a 40l tank of gas in about 6 weeks. Summer barely use any gas at all
 
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ParaSeoul

Member
They're decent enough but they do have quality control issues like said before,when you check how many safety violations and injuries there are at their factories you can see why employees may be more concerned with not dying than making sure a panel gap isn't too wide.
 

nocsi

Member
Lots of “I heard this, I heard that” from non-Tesla owners in this thread. As a Tesla owner, they’re the current best EVs by far. I’m also of the opinion that it’s smart to have an EV right now vs a gas car. The super charger network and all-around car experience beats everyone else by miles and is very apple-like. But until the rest of the industry gets their shit together and can match Tesla, I’m going to stick with them. The only thing that kinda stinks is them not supporting stuff like Carplay. Otherwise I don’t miss anything from my gas cars.

People shit talk the quality of the cars but I own both a model 3 and a model X - the build quality somehow ended up perfect for both. I already know nobody will match Tesla for the next 2-3 years. After that point, I’ll probably trade the cars in for a porsche macan or something. Lot of people ragging on Teslas, but my Model 3 LR somehow increased $5000 in value because of the shortages. Only car I’ve ever owned where it retained & increased in value.
 
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jadedm17

Member
Quality issues - newer company with class leading tech. Can’t say I’m surprised. Toyota/ford/gym/Chrysler have decades of experience in manufacturing and still fuck up production. With that said if I was in the market for an EV it would be a Tesla.

This.

Tesla isn't perfect, but these comments are.... odd.

You guys trust VW after the gas emission nonsense?
Or GM to make a quality anything, let alone an EV?

What do you guys drive? I wouldn't mind this included on every post for context.
I love my 2016 Camaro but it has the same radio issues I couldnt get fixed in my 2012 Camaro.
My favorite car were my 2002 and 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipses but they were also a fortune to repair, easily 100% more expensive even using discount part websites and family mechanics.
I can't wait to drive a Tesla for its low maintenance costs and cameras everywhere. (I get hit a lot, I'd have saved thousands if my Eclipse or Camaros had Tesla cameras.)

Lots of “I heard this, I heard that” from non-Tesla owners in this thread. As a Tesla owner, they’re the current best EVs by far.
Exactly, I wonder the personal bias of some of the hate, especially considering Teslas mistakes as a car maker compared to legacy brands, like the aforementioned VW emissions scandal.
 
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Great Hair

Banned
Model Plaid S
the fastest $130,000 sedan on a straight, with brakes caliper/pads from a Ford Pinto made in the 1970s. Teflon is a nice guy, who will remove an option (Plaid S+) from the store, only to readd it in form of a $20,000 upgrade kit a mere months later.

Their software, the infrastructure is unmatched. If you need a $130,000 car to play mobile games on it, watch netflix get a Tesla. It´s the only manufacture known, where its cars "laboriously try to kill you" from time to time (phantom breaking).

Frontal-Overllapping an IIHS requirement (not for paid shills over at EURONCAP)
Hacker testing his model 3, make sure, you´re in the middle when a tesla comes at you (might be fixed by now)
 
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Coolwhhip

Neophyte
Most people have no idea what they are talking about. Teslas are well engineered, smartly buillt but still have some finish issues. The coming year when the Texas and Berlin factory are online things should improve a lot in that regard.
 

Spaceman292

Banned
At work today, my coworkers and I were discussing Toyotas decision to go all in on EV. My coworker made a comment that Toyota was going destroy Tesla since Teslas are poorly made and problematic.

That caught me off guard. With all the hype around Tesla, I had personally never heard that.

So is it really just show offs that are buying them?
I don't own one but I can only assume they're bad because whenever I see them on the roads it looks like the people driving them keep trying to kill themselves.
 

Billbofet

Member
Part of this is also that it's a relatively expensive car - close to luxury. You don't often hear about luxury cars reliability as people that can afford them, for the most part, probably don't run to post online and complain.

They just pay and continue to show off how fast it goes from 0-60 and talk about torque like an armchair physicist while fawning over Elon's latest, zany antics.
I have three friends with Teslas, and they all did this the first time I drove in their cars.
 

Wildebeest

Member
People have been saying for ages that the build quality is bad. If you bought a reasonably priced car from VW or Toyota, you would be fuming if the driver side door did not fit correctly and there was a larger gap than there should be between the frame and the door. But with Tesla it is somehow okay because early adopter, white heat of technology, and so on. You can make the interior all black or all white like an apple product or something and that's all you care about, you spoilt millennial poser. Then you have safety experts talking about things such as if a fireman has to cut you out of a crashed Tesla then GL, better hope they are fireman gods.
 
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Coolwhhip

Neophyte
People have been saying for ages that the build quality is bad. If you bought a reasonably priced car from VW or Toyota, you would be fuming if the driver side door did not fit correctly and there was a larger gap than there should be between the frame and the door. But with Tesla it is somehow okay because early adopter, white heat of technology, and so on. You can make the interior all black or all white like an apple product or something and that's all you care about, you spoilt millennial poser. Then you have safety experts talking about things such as if a fireman has to cut you out of a crashed Tesla then GL, better hope they are fireman gods.

Season 6 What GIF by The Office
 

Hari Seldon

Member
I evaluated getting one last year when I got my new car. The problem is the "dealer" network at least in my city is not great. I don't want to drive an hour to get it serviced, and maybe be put in a month long queue or something. So in 6-8 years when I replace the car I bought I will again consider electric but only if it is convenient.
 

Coolwhhip

Neophyte
I evaluated getting one last year when I got my new car. The problem is the "dealer" network at least in my city is not great. I don't want to drive an hour to get it serviced, and maybe be put in a month long queue or something. So in 6-8 years when I replace the car I bought I will again consider electric but only if it is convenient.

In 6 to 8 years only a madman would buy an ICE car. They will be a lot more expensive than EVs at that point as will be fuel and maintenance.
 

Billbofet

Member
I am coming up on needing a new(er) car and considered the Model 3 as well. I just don't like the style. Looks like if Apple redesigned a 2018 Mazda 3.
I'll probably end up with a Q50 or TLX and just know that this is my last gas-powered car. Car prices are freaking bonkers now though, so I may just keep waiting....
 

Fbh

Member
I've heard some people say the tech is great but the build quality and details are lacking, while others are really happy all around.

Then again it's hard to find any hard data and even harder to find an unbiased opinion. Look at how defensive and/or aggressive people get around here about a $400 console. Imagine when it's a $50k+ car
 

EverydayBeast

ChatGPT 0.1
I still want a Tesla they're a big car company for the climate people I actually like their designs and btw I'm a Toyota owner.
 
I'm not a fan of Tesla's overly minimalist style, but I am considering an EV in the next few years.

I've had my eye on the Mustang Mach-E. I've heard their reliability is iffy and I have an apartment which would make charging a little inconvenient, so. Idk. I have more research to do.
 
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Rest

All these years later I still chuckle at what a fucking moron that guy is.
I was thinking about getting a Tesla. Then I hear about Musk union busting and put the thought off. Then they started bringing out more affordable cars with features that I wanted, and I started looking in to them again.

They don't give you a key. As in, there is no key for the car. You know, the thing that opens the car. And starts the car. And lets you access the trunk and stuff. No key. They want you to use your phone as a key. I don't use my phone for shit that's not a phone, it's not the key to my goddamn car. And even if it was, if my phone was dead I'd need a backup key. But according to Elon Musk, normal everyday realities are not part of how you own, operate, and interact with a Tesla car.

So fuck Tesla. When they start making real cars for real people with union labor I might consider getting one, but until then they can fuck off and their factory can burn to the ground for all I care.
 

Coolwhhip

Neophyte
I was thinking about getting a Tesla. Then I hear about Musk union busting and put the thought off. Then they started bringing out more affordable cars with features that I wanted, and I started looking in to them again.

They don't give you a key. As in, there is no key for the car. You know, the thing that opens the car. And starts the car. And lets you access the trunk and stuff. No key. They want you to use your phone as a key. I don't use my phone for shit that's not a phone, it's not the key to my goddamn car. And even if it was, if my phone was dead I'd need a backup key. But according to Elon Musk, normal everyday realities are not part of how you own, operate, and interact with a Tesla car.

So fuck Tesla. When they start making real cars for real people with union labor I might consider getting one, but until then they can fuck off and their factory can burn to the ground for all I care.

Britney Spears GIF
 
I was thinking about getting a Tesla. Then I hear about Musk union busting and put the thought off. Then they started bringing out more affordable cars with features that I wanted, and I started looking in to them again.

They don't give you a key. As in, there is no key for the car. You know, the thing that opens the car. And starts the car. And lets you access the trunk and stuff. No key. They want you to use your phone as a key. I don't use my phone for shit that's not a phone, it's not the key to my goddamn car. And even if it was, if my phone was dead I'd need a backup key. But according to Elon Musk, normal everyday realities are not part of how you own, operate, and interact with a Tesla car.

So fuck Tesla. When they start making real cars for real people with union labor I might consider getting one, but until then they can fuck off and their factory can burn to the ground for all I care.

But you do get a key. The phone might be the preferred option, I suppose, but you do get key cards to use with it. I can't help you with your other gripes, nor am I here to evangelize for Tesla.
 

chromhound

Member
Going to get a lot of shit for this but they are poorly made cars with inconsistent quality and a terrible terrible 'dealer' or 'service' experience.
Certainly cool, but I'm not getting one any time soon.
No lies detected. The only reason to get a Tesla is because of the supercharger network
Not planning on switching to EV's when E-Fuel is around the corner
 
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lukilladog

Member
Exactly, I wonder the personal bias of some of the hate, especially considering Teslas mistakes as a car maker compared to legacy brands, like the aforementioned VW emissions scandal.

Bias from personal experience is just as bad.

Ps. you might be falling on a bit of confirmatory bias rght now :p
 
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Yoda

Member
I own a model 3, have had it since 2019:

  • No defects from the factory on my unit
  • Only maintenance I've done is on the HVAC filter, they drove out to my house -> replaced it
  • Battery has barely degraded after 20k miles
  • Easily 'feels' the best when driving and I've gotten to drive in high end sports cars a few times before.

I've heard the quality control can sometimes be hit or miss, but if you get what intended, it's easily the best car I've ever owned.
 

V1LÆM

Gold Member
good car but i think Tesla still has a way to go before they can match the quality of the largest car makes here (UK) such as Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Ford, etc.

Tesla is definitely "the iphone of the car world" in that it massively helped push EVs because it "got it right" and there is an eccentric rich dude marketing it.... but now all the big car makers are doing their own the Tesla can't really match them. For my next car I'm more likely to go with a Vauxhall/Volkswagen EV instead of Tesla.
 
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Hardensoul

Member
I got my Tesla August 30, I’ve owned 86 Camaro, Acura, Audi and Subaru Impreza. Been a manual shifter for over 20yrs. Never thought I go ban to automatics. My choice for was Impreza Sti or another Audi A4.

But when I got appointment for Tesla test drive, that was a wrap. So much torque, felt like I was taking off on a jet. Handling was good. I really like the minimalist style interior.

But it’s not all perfect by any means, there were panel gaps but not too bad. I may have had one of the better build quality Model 3s.
 

Hardensoul

Member
good car but i think Tesla still has a way to go before they can match the quality of the largest car makes here (UK) such as Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Ford, etc.

Tesla is definitely "the iphone of the car world" in that it massively helped push EVs because it "got it right" and there is an eccentric rich dude marketing it.... but now all the big car makers are doing their own the Tesla can't really match them. For my next car I'm more likely to go with a Vauxhall/Volkswagen EV instead of Tesla.
But some of those legacy manufacturers still have issues too! My Audi been in and out of garage too many times, lol
Volkswagen had been pretty bad recently.
Just saying every company has or had problems. And will continue to with their new line of EVs!
 
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nocsi

Member
People have been saying for ages that the build quality is bad. If you bought a reasonably priced car from VW or Toyota, you would be fuming if the driver side door did not fit correctly and there was a larger gap than there should be between the frame and the door. But with Tesla it is somehow okay because early adopter, white heat of technology, and so on. You can make the interior all black or all white like an apple product or something and that's all you care about, you spoilt millennial poser. Then you have safety experts talking about things such as if a fireman has to cut you out of a crashed Tesla then GL, better hope they are fireman gods.
You know Teslas have the highest crash rating right? Continue on with more FUD if you want. I can tell the typical pattern is to say things like “people have been saying for ages” or “experts talking”. Seriously go lookup the safety ratings of all vehicles
 

lem0n

Member
Depends if you like Elon Musk or not. If you like Elon Musk, they're easily the most well-built cars in the world. If you don't like Elon Musk, that thing's gonna break down on you in about a week. Fun fact, the cars aren't actually powered by electricity, but by cognitive bias.
I never, ever "/thread" anything anymore, but holy shit couldn't have nailed it any better.

Sorry nothing to add aside from the fact I'd rather just have a Prius as I hate cheaply made, unreliable things if they aren't enthusiast cars. I'll take a Lotus or something over a Prius, but a Prius over a Tesla. I'm not going to have something cheaply made that's also uninteresting. If I need to drive a penalty-box it's gonna last me forever and then some.
 

Hardensoul

Member
No lies detected. The only reason to get a Tesla is because of the supercharger network
Not planning on switching to EV's when E-Fuel is around the corner
I haven’t or needed to use SuperCharger since Labor Day weekend when we went to the beach! I plug in at home every 2-3 day and I don’t have a garage.
 

Wildebeest

Member
You know Teslas have the highest crash rating right? Continue on with more FUD if you want. I can tell the typical pattern is to say things like “people have been saying for ages” or “experts talking”. Seriously go lookup the safety ratings of all vehicles
Your mom is a typical pattern.
 

Batiman

Banned
Ya build quality is trash but I believe they stepped it up lately. Still don’t like how they look. Most of them
 
can't say if they good or not, but I really hate its interior and its reliance on touch controls. Physical buttons will always be better than touch controls.
 
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