Tesla Model 3 Announcement and OwnersThread

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Linuxluver

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Topic # 201287 11-Aug-2016 22:25

I've put down my US$1,000 to reserve a Tesla Model 3. NZ will be last on the list to get them....probably late 2018 at the earliest.

I love my (24kw battery) 2015 Model S Nissan LEAF and I will love my (30kw battery) 2016 "Tekna" LEAF even more when it arrives in 2 months from the UK. Petrol is dead to me.

But what then?

My concern is that existing automakers may drag their heels on EVs to avoid cannibalising their existing products lines and manufacturing assets.

Tesla has no potentially stranded assets to protect. Their success depends entirely on electric cars being great and going mainstream. With its 400km range and Tesla's clear commitment to a national supercharging network (which we may have to subscribe to.....no problem).....it's a powerful combination going forward.

I've seen a couple of Model S Tesla cars. They are awesome.

I'm in.

Now.........we wait. Probably 18 months to two years in NZ. By which time I'll be looking for my next car anyway.

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wazzageek

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Reply # 1610379 11-Aug-2016 23:04

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Ohh err!

I'm not so keen on the massive screen in the cabin though - I'm a bit old school and like dials and buttons that I can press without looking at the console.

The top package certainly gets up there quickly!

Beltor

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Reply # 1610402 12-Aug-2016 06:52

I too have put down US$1000 to reserve a Tesla Model 3. It will be a long time before they arrive here, but one of the reasons I paid the money was to indicate to Tesla that there is real interest in their cars in NZ such that they may think about extending the Supercharge network to NZ.

Scott3

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Reply # 1610970 12-Aug-2016 20:52

wazzageek:

Ohh err!

I'm not so keen on the massive screen in the cabin though - I'm a bit old school and like dials and buttons that I can press without looking at the console.

The top package certainly gets up there quickly!

The massive screen is a cool gimmick, and having a screen mounted in the dash is quite cool too. Although the dash don't have buttons, the steering wheel does have quite a few including a scroll wheel that can be programmed to whatever you prefer (the one I drove had it set to adjust the massive sunroof). In my eyes the best bits about the driving the model S was not having to start or stop the car (get in (fob in pocket) put foot on break, put car in gear, drive away... Having no acceleration lag (and jerk) when any other car would be throwing down a few gears is sweet to. Worst bits are the rear seat head room, and the door handles (Never seemed to be extended when I wanted them).

Model 3, while still having a button free dash, is expected (based on information from the reveal) be quite different (obviously they have to slash the cost of vehicle heaps compared to the model S). The reveal cars had no dash display at all, relying on a single 15" landscape touchscreen in the center (model s has a 17"portrait screen). Speculation that a heads up display may be added to compensate for no dash information at all.

I put down my $1k on day 2 (planned not to, then changed my mind). Currently there is no way I can justify the cost of a NZ$65k+ car, when a 10 year old hatchback meets my transport needs fine. Hopefully my financial situation will be a bit cushier in 2019 or 2020 when I expect the cars to arrive in NZ.