Your brain made you buy a Kona, but did your heart want a Model 3?

Discussion in 'Hyundai Kona Electric' started by robxb, Aug 26, 2019.

To remove this ad click here.

  1. Pushmi-Pullyu

    Pushmi-Pullyu Well-Known Member

    I think Tesla's Gen II Roadster will be able to match the Taycan in doing fast repeats of drag race type accelerations. The Taycan is a sports car, unlike any of Tesla's current production models. Some people want to use the Model 3 as a sports car, but it's not designed as one; it's a "sporty sedan".

     
  2. To remove this ad click here.

  3. Pushmi-Pullyu

    Pushmi-Pullyu Well-Known Member

    We keep reading a lot of Tesla bashing claims. It's best to be very, very skeptical of them. There are a lot of companies out there, from Big Oil to Detroit auto makers to State Auto Dealer Associations, who very badly want Tesla to fail, and who keep churning out Tesla bashing propaganda and pravduh.

    That's simply not true. At all. Ever.

     
  4. Pushmi-Pullyu

    Pushmi-Pullyu Well-Known Member

    I've read of one case where the insurance company insisted that any body repairs be done only at Tesla-authorized shops, and I doubt that's the only time it happened. That may be commonplace, I dunno. My understanding is that it's difficult or impossible for a non-certified shop to get Tesla to send them parts. So in that respect, it isn't possible to get any body repairs done at an independent shop unless they use salvaged parts.

    Now, if you just need regular service on your car, for things like tire rotation/replacement or fluid replacement or maybe a front end alignment, there's no need to go to a Tesla certified shop. It's certainly not true that Tesla demands everybody get his Tesla car serviced at only Tesla shops, and getting them serviced elsewhere won't void the warranty -- which is another Tesla basher claim.

    But if you want to take advantage of Tesla's superb level of service, their exhaustive inspections for any possible problem or even potential problem in their cars, a level of service which has earned Tesla much, much praise from Tesla owners, and is part of why Tesla cars always top Consumer Reports' list for customer satisfaction among all auto makers... then you definitely should use only Tesla service shops.

    Yes, it does cost more. As with most things, you get what you pay for.

    Now, that said, it certainly is true that in some areas, there is a chronic backlog at Tesla service centers. That is an unfortunate result of Tesla growing so fast. Tesla keeps saying they are working hard to address this problem, but it persists in some areas, especially in Europe currently.

    Getting body work done on Tesla cars is generally slower than getting it done on other brands, because Tesla's cars either have aluminum bodies (Model S and Model X) or extensive use of high-strength steel, the latter of which requires damaged sections to be cut out and replacements welded into place. Also, even Tesla certified body shops often have to wait longer than they ought to for Tesla to send them parts, due to Tesla's chronic parts shortage, another symptom of Tesla's rapid growth. All this means Tesla car bodies are more difficult, and yes more expensive, to repair than the average car. The expense of body repairs is the main reason why insurance on Tesla cars tends to be higher than average.

    But then, the same is true for other "premium" brands such as BMW and Mercedes. Expensive cars made in lower numbers yields relatively expensive repair bills, even if they don't have aluminum bodies.

     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2019
  5. Pushmi-Pullyu

    Pushmi-Pullyu Well-Known Member

    Videos from "The Fast Lane" about Tesla cars are very biased examples of Tesla bashing, and definitely should not be considered reliable or objective reports.

    For example, in TFL's series of videos about their troubles with getting body work done on a Model 3, their insurance company forced them to select an auto body shop which had never repaired a Model 3 before; one which managed to (a) order the wrong parts, (b) break the rear window, and even (c) break the glass roof, while attempting to repair the rear bumper!

    Despite all that, TFL's videos continued to praise the shop -- even after they charged TFL (or the insurance company) for the shop's glass breakage! -- and kept claiming all the problems were the fault of corporate Tesla, despite the fact that the problems were very obviously the fault of the repair shop.

    Anyone who doubts that TFL has a strong anti-Tesla bias should check out this InsideEVs story:

    https://insideevs.com/news/367374/video-interview-tim-jackson-tesla-future-evs/

     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2019
  6. FloridaSun

    FloridaSun Well-Known Member

    I like Tesla and if it wasn't for the lost tax credit, I would probably be driving a mid range Model 3 now.
    So, is it untrue if you buy a salvaged Tesla and restore it without Tesla involved, they will not cut you from Supercharging?? This information comes from Teslamotorsclub where they say that Tesla has to "certify" $$$$$ a repaired car before they allow it back onto the Supercharging network..
     
  7. To remove this ad click here.

  8. FloridaSun

    FloridaSun Well-Known Member

    The Tesla Roadster, if it will be as promised with insane range and performance, it will be the ultimate car. If all the information holds true, it should be a Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche killer, especially if the price stays around $200k.
     

  9. Don't know about CA, but the base model was definitely a Cdn compliance car, as it was announced within a day or two of the 35K threshold coming into effect. Of course with the 55K max loop hole, no one will actually buy the base model.
     
  10. Pushmi-Pullyu

    Pushmi-Pullyu Well-Known Member

    I have a lot of interest in Tesla, and I read everything I can about it. But I don't own a Tesla car, and I can't give a definite answer to that question.

    There is a lot of good info on the Tesla Motors Club forum, and that's my go-to source for info on obscure bits of info like this. If someone on the TMC forum says so, then I wouldn't doubt it unless there was a pretty solid source of info indicating otherwise.

    But please note this refers to someone who's not the original buyer buying a salvaged car and getting it repaired. Tesla definitely doesn't make that easy, as is demonstrated quite thoroughly in some videos from "Rich Rebuilds". Rich has my admiration for his knowledge, his perseverance, and his willingness to fight in favor of what used to be called "shade tree mechanics" -- that is, the right for a car owner to get his car repaired or modified outside of the authorized dealer network.

    Perhaps Tesla making it hard for uncertified repair shops, and "shade tree" mechanics, to work on Tesla cars, is nothing but an unfortunate side effect of Tesla's chronic parts shortage, or perhaps it's a case of Tesla trying to build a "walled garden". Or perhaps its some of both.

    Trying to look at the situation objectively, I can understand why Tesla would refuse to allow uncertified salvaged cars to charge at Superchargers. There has been at least one battery fire in a Supercharging Tesla car due to an electrical short in the car, and I'm sure Tesla wants to minimize the chances of that happening again. So I think they have a legitimate reason to demand certification before allowing Supercharger use. However, that's just my opinion on the matter.
     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2019
  11. Pushmi-Pullyu

    Pushmi-Pullyu Well-Known Member

    Yes, I agree that the Canadian base Model 3 is indeed a "compliance car". But the original comment I was responding to said "...a compliance vehicle on Tesla's part, just to say they achieved that $35,000 price tag."

    The Canadian base Model 3 is not the $35k Model 3; that's the American base model. The special Canadian de-contented base Model 3, which some of us call the "SR-" version (in contrast to the "SR+", or Standard Range Plus version), was specifically de-contented to duck under the price ceiling that Canada set for EV incentives. As you said (or at least suggested), Tesla hopes nobody will actually buy that version.

    According to this article, the Canadian SR- Model 3 is priced at CAD $44,999.
     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2019
    electriceddy likes this.
  12. To remove this ad click here.

  13. FloridaSun

    FloridaSun Well-Known Member

    I can see where it could be risky charging a car that was repaired by a backyard mechanic.
     
  14. I was thinking that the 35K USD was translating to $45K CAD (close depending on the exact FX at the time) and that's why they did it. So maybe we were both right,...or wrong.:)
     
  15. Pushmi-Pullyu

    Pushmi-Pullyu Well-Known Member

    The de-contented Canadian SR- Model 3* is software limited to a 150 km range, which is quite a come-down from the Standard Range (SR) range of 220 miles / 354 km. The SR Model 3 is the version that was $35,000 in the U.S., and is now $35,400; I don't know if that's available at all in Canada.

    According to Electrek, the SR- can be upgraded (software unlocked) to an SR+ (Standard Range Plus) for a fee, which certainly suggests there are no hardware differences at all.

    * "SR-" is a term invented by Tesla fans, and isn't a term used by Tesla

     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2019
  16. I don't know that much about all the detail diffs of the SR, Cdn SR, or whatever. But I doubt very much that many or any were sold in Canada. It was just done to get the subsidy and buyers here were quite happy to pay the $55K max, and then probably more afterwards with options (auto pilot, etc), accessories, etc.

    I do know my son paid close to $80K CAD for his after everything with his options, premium upgrades, etc. His was one of the earliest models though (waited almost 2 years with his pre-order), and can't even get that one anymore (LR RWD). Plus I think the price dropped a bit since or they just started shipping lower priced models (which were not available initially).

    All I am saying, and getting back to the thread purpose, is that what my son paid and what he got is not worth it IMO. This is as compared to my Kona EV Ultimate which has pretty well the same range but a much nicer interior. The M3 has more power, but the Kona is no slouch either (291 lb-ft torque) with plenty of fun factor. So other than the Tesla vanity factor (which is starting to wear off now), I can't ever see picking an M3 over a Kona EV making a lot of sense. Can't even get Android Auto or Carplay, and that would be a show stopper for me, as are a few others (can't get a hitch, etc, etc).
     
    nigels likes this.
  17. FloridaSun

    FloridaSun Well-Known Member

    I would likely have gone with the M3 at the same cost of the Kona, mostly just due to the looks and because it is cutting edge technology. It's an "impulse" thing rather than based on which car is the better value.. Considering the excellent range and the lower maintenance cost and especially, the lifetime battery warranty in the US, the Kona is the smarter choice and the better value. I've always been someone who wants to have the latest and greatest technology.. I always have the latest smart phone and I'm always the first one to try new things like when they started self checkout kiosks everywhere. I love new technology and I understand that sometimes, getting the latest and greatest may not be the smartest things to get as new technology is often buggy. Without Tesla, there may not be a Kona.. Tesla was who was driving innovation on the EV market and they deserve a lot of credit for it. As I said before, I don't regret in any way going with the Kona. It's a fantastic car and amazing value, but the truth is that my heart would have wanted a Tesla despite all the quality issues that they seem to have. However, it was not worth the extra $10k for me to go with the Tesla considering that the Tesla battery warranty for the mid range model would only last me 3.5 years as I would break 100k miles after that time while I will never have to worry about the battery on the Kona.
     
  18. I definitely agree that if it were not for Tesla, there probably wouldn't be a Kona EV, at least not at this time. In fact, it was my son buying his M3 that inspired me to get an EV. I just had better choices available than he did at the time.

    While the Tesla is pushing the envelope on some new technologies, like some of the auto pilot features, they are completely lacking in others, like no AA or Carplay (although I think that is deliberate).
     
  19. FloridaSun

    FloridaSun Well-Known Member

    Not having AA would not have been a deal breaker but I do like AA a lot and run Waze on my car all the time.. Couldn't do that with the M3..
     
    R P likes this.

Share This Page