Tesla Model 3 Owners Detailed Survey (late '19)

[davesaddiction]

I still think Toyota really dropped the ball by not keeping all those Prius buyers "in the family". They clearly needed a Lexus EV in place to catch all these buyers moving into something more luxurious and more "green". Will be interesting to see how long Tesla can keep their edge on the EV market - does the Model 3 have any true competitors yet (at the $40k price point)?

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2019-tesla-model-3-survey/

[Huzer]

@davesaddiction Wasn't the Lexus CT200H just a tarted up Prius? Seems like they should've easily had a "nice" EV, for sure.

[spacekraken]

Saab!?! Saab!?!

But seriously, yeah the problem with the 3 is as much as it's build quality is crap, it's a super fast, super long range car compared to ever other EV that's <$60K. Lots of stuff that has to potential to be better (polestar, e-tron, Jaaaaaaag) but all of them cost more unless it's a fully loaded 3 and all have less range and are slower.

@Huzer it 100% was, albeit in a much more practical hatch shape.

Toyota didn't drop the ball, they've actually be deliberately avoiding EVs in the US at least. Long story, but basically it's more profitable for them to sell RAV4/highlander hybrids, which kind of sucks as a customer who would like something EV with long range but with not-tesla build quality. At least they have hybrid options for tons of stuff now.

[davesaddiction]

@huzer They went all in on hybrids and have been slow to the EV game.

[davesaddiction]

@spacekraken said in Tesla Model 3 Owners Detailed Survey (late '19):

Toyota didn't drop the ball, they've actually be deliberately avoiding EVs in the US at least.

Yeah, I'm sure it was a calculated decision, but you do wonder if all those Prius owners will come back to Toyota/Lexus in the end.

Guess it depends how shitty their experience with Tesla is! LOL

[spacekraken]

@davesaddiction Agreed! Haha

[Qaaaaa]

I actually get the Saab thing. Late model GM Saabs were kind of a performance luxury brand, like Tesla.

[davesaddiction]

@qaaaaa Sure, just kind of funny to think how long these owners held out before replacing their cars.

[Qaaaaa]

@davesaddiction The brand died in the US less than a decade ago. And it's a GM product, not like it's going to blow up in that time.

[davesaddiction]

@qaaaaa I guess you're right (assuming all those were the final year of production).

[Qaaaaa]

@davesaddiction I see plenty of mid-2000s Saabs around town still. I could see it being less of an "I drove this car for 15 years time to get a brand new hotness" than a "I bought this car used, now I can afford a new car" situation.

It would be a funny jump though. Anecdotally, there's a house I see regularly with a 9-3 convertible, E-150 passenger van, and a Model X parked in the driveway. That's an interesting set.

[WhoIsTheLeader]

Mitsubishi attracts as many former Tesla buyers as Saab attracts former Tesla buyers. Hahahaha, I'd like to meet the people that gave up a Model 3 to buy a 9-5 Aero.

[ibRAD]

@whoistheleader A 9-5 Aero and 35 grand in the bank.

I'd rather have the SAAB

[WhoIsTheLeader]

@ibrad One way you have some money and a Saab story. The other way you don't and have a sob story. I know which I'd pick too.

[ibRAD]

@whoistheleader And with SAAB you get to choose if you want a convertible before you buy it.

[MM54]

I'd consider one if (pick any):

• They didn't look like a bar of soap
• They were cheaper (to offset the above and below)
• They were sporty (without the top-of-the-line package)

I've got nothing against electric cars but I'm sure not going to compromise on everything else I care about in a car to get one.

[jminer]

@MM54 I'll say I am giving thought to an electric car, but on the cheap used end as a commuter vehicle. Something like a used leaf, $10kish ugly as hell, but cheap and practical.

[spacekraken]

@jminer e-Golf, you know you want to...

[jminer]

@spacekraken said in Tesla Model 3 Owners Detailed Survey (late '19):

@jminer e-Golf, you know you want to...

Honestly it'll just be whatever's cheapest when I go to buy. Also looking for something that will be HOV lane complaint out here in CA for when I don't ride my motorcycle.

[spacekraken]

@jminer This is a really good point, my uncle leased a Leaf for that reason. But '17 e-golfs (the first year you want, much better range) are starting to get to the $12k range so I bet not too long there. Take a look at 500Es (already well under 10K) or the kias/hyundais too!

[jminer]

@spacekraken said in Tesla Model 3 Owners Detailed Survey (late '19):

@jminer This is a really good point, my uncle leased a Leaf for that reason. But '17 e-golfs (the first year you want, much better range) are starting to get to the $12k range so I bet not too long there. Take a look at 500Es (already well under 10K) or the kias/hyundais too!

Solid advice. When I looked for a commuter 2 years ago in Missouri used leafs is all that existed with an occasional Volt. Out her in CA there’s all sorts of them though so probably in like 6-9 months I’ll look at the market and between really low leases and cheap used cars there are lots of options.

I’d love for used zero’s to get cheap. Not that it gives me a commute advantage, as motorcycles already get to access the HOV lane and lane split, they’re just cool as hell.

[davesaddiction]

@jminer Careful with that lane splitting! Awesome that CA allows it, but man, it does make me a little nervous (considering how inattentive most people are these days). I guess if traffic is stopped, and you're passing through at 20 mph, there's very little potential for an incident.

[Tripper]

Mom: If you don't have anything nice to say, keep your mouth shut
Me:

[davesaddiction]

@tripper So, anti-lanesplitting, huh?

There are definitely some that do it very recklessly (jump to 0:43).

[Tripper]

@davesaddiction Haha, no. I was referring to the car(s) on the original list. Tried 4 times, it was all negative. I have no beef with lane splitting but do hope people are careful about it.