"Monkey B" (monkeyb)
05/03/2018 at 06:34 • Filed to: None
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"Monkey B" (monkeyb)
05/03/2018 at 06:34 • Filed to: None | 8
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I haven’t had one show up at any of the dealers I service until today. Here’s my opinion on general overall quality, so much has been said over the years I was always curious. I have a background in the collision industry and currently am in the interior business doing cosmetic repairs, so I pay a lot of attention to interior materials and quality. I took an fairly close overall look, but didn’t inspect it thoroughly as I feel that requires much more time and at least some seat time with varying road conditions.
Outside, the first thing I was curious about was the panel gaps being as they draw so much attention, this car being white it made it easier to pick up on (most body techs I know don’t like white cars). While I wasn’t offended by it overall, there was some inconsistencies with the tolerances, white being the worst offender for showing it. I’m thinking that other colors may not announce it as much. As such it wouldn’t change my mind if I was shopping for one. Paint looked nice, but white car/sunny day didn’t give me the best environment to pick it apart. But looked to be a quality finish. Overall I found it solid with the panel gaps being it’s only glaring weakness. Closing the doors felt solid.
Inside, I like it, but it is sprinkled with a few disappointments. I like the design and layout. It’s comfortable and attractive in my opinion. I find the screen to be a little big, but not so much that I have any feels about it beyond that. The software was intuitive in my brief walk through it. The switches and all the gear on the stalk are all Mercedes, something I didn’t know. I find that a plus. The trim on the dash also looked very Mercedes as well. The seats, while comfortable, are the low point for me. The leather in this one felt, looked and wore like a mixed bag of average Japanese and domestic offerings. Think Toyota quality if I had to choose the closest comparison. While it’s not bad stuff, it doesn’t belong in something trying to compete with any major player in that price range. The door panels you can tell are made in lower production technique found in stuff like a Ferrari, giving them a nice appearance and feel. This could be something that doesn’t hold up well with age. If the glue starts to let loose and the material starts to shrink it won’t be pretty. This car exhibited this very issue on the B pillar trim, but it is a high traffic area which could have contributed. This car being a 5 year old example bodes well, however it has low miles (39k) and appears garage kept. I’d be curious to see a 5 year old with twice the miles in Southwest U.S. conditions to see how it’s holding.
I don’t know what, if anything, has changed since the 2013 model year or different models. But assuming there’s progress with the panel gaps, some plastic trim bits and choosing different seat material could make this car direct competition with the German offerings. If they continue to offer this very thing they will get dusted when the bigger companies start offering something in direct competition...because as it stands they are their only real competition at this point (premium electric models).
TL;DR: All told I like it, and I’d consider one at this point after spending a short time with it. Even if Tesla doesn’t survive, this is an important car in my opinion. It jump started the segment like the Prius did for hybrid models. Things like the door handles and some of it’s other features are nice touches...and it’s a looker.
gin-san - shitpost specialist
> Monkey B
05/03/2018 at 06:56 |
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Teslas in general still seem like very new cars to me; I didn’t even realize that the Model S has been out for 5 years already.
I don’t think that you’re the first one to mention inconsistencies in the quality. It’s probably stuff that’s largely overlooked once you start driving it. I’d imagine the NVH on this is far better than most cars because of the drivetrain.
shop-teacher
> Monkey B
05/03/2018 at 07:16 |
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I agree, the Model S is an important car whether Tesla makes it or not. It’s a good looking car, too. It’s a shame the Model X looks like a bloated whale carcass. I’m reserving judgement of the Model 3, until I see one in person, but I don’t like the look in pictures.
BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo
> Monkey B
05/03/2018 at 07:53 |
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It’s a damn shame they stopped offering those cyclone wheels.
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Monkey B
> shop-teacher
05/03/2018 at 08:12 |
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right, the photos of the 3 aren’t giving much. I think I’ll be surprised by it’s small size as photos seem to make it look larger. I also don’t like the here’s where the grill would be bump. To me the Model X just looks like another blend in SUV thing.
Party-vi
> shop-teacher
05/03/2018 at 08:50 |
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Every time I see the front of a Model 3 in person I get very mad because the front of a car should not look like that.
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shop-teacher
> Monkey B
05/03/2018 at 09:34 |
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Yeah, the bump where the grill would be looks horrible. I have no problems with vehicles that are styled to not have a grill. That bump makes it look like an unfinished kit-car that hasn’t had the opening sawed out yet.
deekster_caddy
> Monkey B
05/03/2018 at 09:55 |
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The S really did bring a lot of attention to EVs and their potential. Tesla has a lot of work to do if they are going to expand supercharging stations to meet capacity. I can’t imagine what the wait lines will be on summer weekends along the major routes with the X and 3 starting to show up all over.
I think all the fuss people make about panel gaps is silly, unless it’s a $100K+ car... hmm, oh right this is a $100K car...
My biggest issue with Tesla is that they rolled out their own plugs instead of going with what everybody else standardized on for DC fast charging. Now instead of EVs being quickly accepted there will be a VHS/Betamax battle before we can move on to DVD and leave it all behind anyway... seriously DC fast charging could have been widespread and available for everyone, instead just Tesla Superchargers have the lock on the major routes.
fintail
> Monkey B
05/03/2018 at 09:57 |
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My take on these (other than mocking stereotypical owners which are everywhere in Seattle) is that you are buying a powertrain and getting a body and interior for free..
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shop-teacher
> deekster_caddy
05/03/2018 at 13:28 |
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I totally agree on the charging standards.