New Tesla - Slap Some Sense Into Me

[joesxm3]

Having watched the Jay Leno video with the two Tesla guys I can see that the new model has a lot to offer.

I still think that the launch version has too many built in items that I don't want. But I will seriously consider getting one once the regular configuration is available.

I drive the Acura a lot when the roads are dirty and I don't want my beloved Tesla to get dirty. Plus parked outside if I don't drive it every two days the battery will die.

With the latest updates, even with only HW3, it drives itself with no activity by me. The only complaint is that taking a left turn with an oncoming car passing it calculates the minimum distance to miss the car and it is a little scary.

My old self would have just driven the Acura to 300,000 miles. I only upgraded in the past if there was a critical improvement. In 2003 it was passenger airbag. Backup camera probably qualified but I did not bite.

Self driving is orders of magnitude bigger than either of those. No way I would give up FSD.

 

[kgtest]

Yes, you got to experience the amazing power of an EV.

I’m not constantly looking out for superchargers. The car knows where they all are, and routes me when needed. I don’t ever need them locally because I charge at home. On a long distance road trip the car already has superchargers in the route. I can pick alternate superchargers if I prefer and it updates the route. Easy peasy, seriously, you don’t look out of the car while driving searching for superchargers like you do for gas station signs.

Being able to safely refuel the modal that moves you about your business is extremely valuable.

I always fill at Costco since it's consistently cheaper than any other station, plus we get the costco credit card discount. Works great for the Camry and truck.

If we travel beyond the distance of the tank...its likely near ...another costco! SO we just navigate to Costco tada.

If its a really long trip its done in a Yukon Denali XL that can travel like 600 miles before needing to fill again!

 

[tpkinsl]

I have a 2021 model 3 Tesla. A few thoughts on the Tesla experience (not the financial side you presented, which is attractive)
- musk has been promising FSD for 10 years. TESLA hasn’t delivered- and are getting sued over it
- they turned on FSD for me 2 times for a free month trial. It was like giving a few beers to a teenager and letting them drive. It stopped at a puddle. It stopped at a speed bump. Highway driving was actually pretty good but it is programed to stick to the left lane (to avoid people exiting and entering). And when you exit, it flies up to the exit at full speed, brakes hard and swerves into the off ramp.
- Where I live, we have a lot of traffic circles. These were serious “crap your pants” moments. It would get into the circle, alarms would go off and you would be told “take control immediately”

Bottom line - I wouldn’t pay a nickel for Full Self Drive. Even for free, it put my life in danger (no overstatement) and I stopped using it.

PS - the technology is changing rapidly- i wish I leased mine so I could do easy upgrades.

 

[audreyh1]

Interesting. 2022 Model X with HW3 and FSD has been driving for months. Overall it has improved tremendously and this latest version 12.6.3 is really good. With 12.6 I switch chill to standard on the interstate and back to chill nearing the exit. Interstate driving is great with 12.6.3. Merging on and off is much improved including moving towards the exit sooner and merging on sooner. I never experienced a rush and slam on breaks at the exit with any FSD version. FSD was still running the older v11 stack on the highway until FSD 12.6 which is a new highway version, and it’s good.

I did a bunch of traffic circles with the one of the earliest versions of 12 last April and it did really well and no “take control immediately” moments. Haven’t driven any circles lately.

I notice over on teslamotorsclub.com that some folks, particularly with legacy hardware, are having a lot of trouble with FSD. But not more recent models including HW3. It’s quite a range of experiences.

 

[GATime]

Keep the Acura and take the Tesla and burn it, publicly. You'll get the insurance money and make many people happy. Win win.

 

[audreyh1]

We have a friend in a city about 45 mins away. She just turned 90. She loves the Tesla and this time when we took her out for lunch and she experienced the car driving. She was really excited about it and couldn’t wait to tell her friends.

 

[joesxm3]

When I bought my Tesla I was taking care of my 96 year old mother and would take her back and forth to see her husband before he was willing to move in full time.

I can't imagine what it must have been like for her to experience a car driving itself.

One day we did a video call with my cousin's daughter and her daughter. I think my mother would have been the girl's great great aunt. She was amazed that the phone could do that. When we went to the world's fair in 1962 or 1963 we saw a demo of supposed video phones that would be coming in the future.

It will be amazing to see what things are like if I make it past 80 years of age.

 

[FIREarly]

I’m not an EV fan, but drove my buddies new Rivian R1S SUV. Holy keeeerist! For a 9500lb vehicle, when I stomped the accelerator, it went from zero to ludicrous speed in an instant. Zero hesitation and 100% torque from zero rpm. Sweet car and cool as hell, but not a fan of 230 mile range in winter, and constantly on lookout for superchargers. The thing will tell you where they are as well. It’s a very nice vehicle, but the cost of that thing…olalalalalala

If you want to experience driving multiple EVs, buy an inexpensive ticket to Electrify Expo. The show travels the country, 8 stops for 2025, and you can view/drive multiple different EV options, cars, trucks, e-bikes, e-skaeboards, and more.

 

[KarenF]

I would never buy a Tesla, because I will not support Musk, and also because of the safety record. We did get a BMW EV last fall and we really like it. It takes exits all by itself in Atlanta and is a very comfortable and fun car.

 

[audreyh1]

I love the Tesla cars and the charging infrastructure, so I will continue to support the car company and all the great Tesla employees that make it possible.

 

[Deuce]

I bought a Tesla before Elon went nuts. I don’t think I’d buy one today, though there’s no other EV brand I’d buy yet, so I’d be probably be stuck with yet another hybrid until Tesla has a real competitor. Others are getting closer every year, and that’s good for all concerned.

I don’t think Elon went nuts. He’s just being practical.

 

[Aerides]

Mod Note:

We realize Musk is a polarizing figure for many reasons. But please let's everyone please leave our opinions of him (good or bad) out of this thread to allow it to continue.

 

[Deuce]

I have to admit as I read about the newest Tesla driving software, the idea of getting a Tesla for use on long road trips is getting very tempting. But, the costs involved in replacing my hybrid are still high even with the taxpayers/government subsidizing my purchase.

Insurance will be higher, car tabs will be higher, and then there is the sales tax of 10% on the purchase. Maybe it’s cheaper to rent a Tesla for the few weeks of a road trip.

I bought a 2025 Tesla model three long range all-wheel-drive about three months ago and my car insurance only increased by $132 per year.

 

[DayDreaming]

I bought a 2025 Tesla model three long range all-wheel-drive about three months ago and my car insurance only increased by $132 per year.

When I bought a Tesla Model Y in 2022, my auto insurance went up about $400/year, but some of that increase is from replacing a 10 year old vehicle.

 

[audreyh1]

When I bought a Tesla Model Y in 2022, my auto insurance went up about $400/year, but some of that increase is from replacing a 10 year old vehicle.

We replaced a 16 year old cheap jeep, so yeah whole new ballgame.

At least we have only one vehicle to insure these days.

 

[RetMD21]

.......

Self driving is orders of magnitude bigger than either of those. No way I would give up FSD.

I like to drive myself in the city. I think I pick better routes. Also there are issues with school zones, potholes, and lane selection. I don't do long highway driving often but I would be willing to subscribe to FSD.

I have had no problems with roundabouts IDK if traffic circles are something different.

It is a paradox that Tesla's do great in crash tests but don't have great real world results. I wonder if it like the Chevrolet Camaro situation ie high risk drivers pushing the limits on fast cars.

 

[Rambodoc]

I have a Tesla model S I bought in 2016. It has been a great car until recently when my door handles and windows actuators have needed to be replaced at 300 to 400 dollars per. That wouldn’t have been much of a problem but trying to get service is really starting to be an issue. It takes 6-8 weeks to get an appointment in the service center. They have come out to do home service a few times but either can’t fix the issue or bring the wrong parts necessitating a service center appointment. I feel they have sold too many cars and have outstripped their service center capacity. I would think twice about buying another Tesla.

 

[Chuckanut]

I like to drive myself in the city. I think I pick better routes. Also there are issues with school zones, potholes, and lane selection. I don't do long highway driving often but I would be willing to subscribe to FSD.

can’t the driver tell the car his or her preferred routes?

 

[aja8888]

I have a Tesla model S I bought in 2016. It has been a great car until recently when my door handles and windows actuators have needed to be replaced at 300 to 400 dollars per. That wouldn’t have been much of a problem but trying to get service is really starting to be an issue. It takes 6-8 weeks to get an appointment in the service center. They have come out to do home service a few times but either can’t fix the issue or bring the wrong parts necessitating a service center appointment. I feel they have sold too many cars and have outstripped their service center capacity. I would think twice about buying another Tesla.

Our service center 20 miles from where I live has about 20 cars parked waiting for some kind of "can't do at home" service. Mind blowing. I went in thinking they were selling used Tesla's there and the guy said those cars were waiting for service.

 

[audreyh1]

can’t the driver tell the car his or her preferred routes?

The car allows you to select several routes, but it still may not be your preferred route.

 

[freedomatlast]

I guess the self driving feature is great for those that either don't enjoy driving or for those who's driving skills have deteriorated with age. Maybe there's a "gee wiz look what my car can do" aspect for some to show off for others. Personally, I enjoy driving and just don't see the appeal of letting the car try to drive itself but constantly being on standby for when it makes an error.

 

[audreyh1]

I guess the self driving feature is great for those that either don't enjoy driving or for those who's driving skills have deteriorated with age. Maybe there's a "gee wiz look what my car can do" aspect for some to show off for others. Personally, I enjoy driving and just don't see the appeal of letting the car try to drive itself but constantly being on standby for when it makes an error.

I love doing the high level supervision (which is mostly looking farther ahead and occasionally checking the side view mirrors) and letting the car do all the manipulations. It’s really great. I enjoy being on the road, but if I don’t have to operate the controls that’s fantastic. These days when the car is driving, at most I’ll press a turn signal if I decide I’d rather be in another lane.

 

[sdtech]

I enjoy local driving too, but it was sure nice this month on a long road trip to watch the car execute perfectly through Baltimore and DC as well as Orlando traffic mazes. If I had to sit in rush hour stop and go traffic everyday, I'd use it then. Since I'm not, I'll just pay a monthly Tesla fee of $100 (now) when I have long road trips.

 

[marko]

I love doing the high level supervision (which is mostly looking farther ahead and occasionally checking the side view mirrors) and letting the car do all the manipulations. It’s really great. I enjoy being on the road, but if I don’t have to operate the controls that’s fantastic. These days when the car is driving, at most I’ll press a turn signal if I decide I’d rather be in another lane.

Gee. If I had this, DW wouldn't be able to criticize my driving and I wouldn't have to justify every action I take behind the wheel.

What would be the point of driving if you can’t get into a rip-roaring argument every three miles? Technology takes the fun out of everything!

 

[audreyh1]

I enjoy local driving too, but it was sure nice this month on a long road trip to watch the car execute perfectly through Baltimore and DC as well as Orlando traffic mazes. If I had to sit in rush hour stop and go traffic everyday, I'd use it then. Since I'm not, I'll just pay a monthly Tesla fee of $100 (now) when I have long road trips.

I used to avoid traffic lights, taking longer ways to run errands. But now that the cars handles traffic lights so nicely they no longer bother me! So I take the shorter routes.