Big lines forming for prospective Tesla Model 3 buyers

[Soup DeVille]

+1. I'm certain that was a very intentional design decision. I can see Elon sitting in a board room asking, "Why do we need a grill for a car without a radiator?"

It's not that there isn't a grille; it's that's there's a surface there that's grille-shaped and near vertical that begs for- something other than blank space.

Lots of cars have had minimal grilles in the past without looking like their mouths were sown shut, or that something went wrong with the trimmer when it was popped out of the mold.

[Laconian]

A teammate was going to preorder one, but got out of line when he learned that the price was going to be over $35k (disqualifying it for state tax incentives) and because Tesla will definitely run out of tax credits by the time the first Model 3 is even delivered.

He said he really just wants a safe car. I gave him a link to the Subaru IIHS scores. Now he wants a Subaru.

[Payman]

The Bolt looks a heck of a lot better than the Leaf or i3.

The thought of driving an electric car on slushy salt-laden roads spooks me. Not a fan of spontaneous combustion.

[93JC]

Would definitely prefer a hatchback (similar to the Model S) myself, but it seems fine. But maybe I don't use my trunk as some people. 

I use my car's hatch all the time.

[CaminoRacer]

It's not that there isn't a grille; it's that's there's a surface there that's grille-shaped and near vertical that begs for- something other than blank space.

Lots of cars have had minimal grilles in the past without looking like their mouths were sown shut, or that something went wrong with the trimmer when it was popped out of the mold.

Exactly

[93JC]

It's not that there isn't a grille; it's that's there's a surface there that's grille-shaped and near vertical that begs for- something other than blank space.

Lots of cars have had minimal grilles in the past without looking like their mouths were sown shut, or that something went wrong with the trimmer when it was popped out of the mold.

[SJ_GTI]

I use my car's hatch all the time.

I use my trunk a lot too. I am, apparently, just not putting the huge amount of stuff other folks do, I guess. 

[93JC]

I use my trunk a lot too. I am, apparently, just not putting the huge amount of stuff other folks do, I guess. 

The trunk of your car is accessible and has a big opening, so it's no big deal.



That's a lot more generous than the opening of this new Tesla's trunk.

[AutobahnSHO]

Actually, that's like the worst case for electric. You're barely scratching the surface of that battery capcity. Just burn some dinosaurs, it's not like an ICE car burns much fuel to go 6 miles.

For an ultra-short commute, there's no reason to waste time at gas stations, electric would be cheaper (once the cost of the cars comes down.) 

I currently drive minivan, wife will be starting work Monday a good 20min from here so wants to drive her Impreza. Minivan gets to stretch it's legs every now and again on long trips.

[Payman]

I'd love to have one of these for my commute. I'd name it Luigi.

[Raza]

Its "functional." 

I agree, but I could get over the looks if it was fun to drive.

Being electric, I would doubt that. 

[Raza]

The Bolt looks a heck of a lot better than the Leaf or i3.

The thought of driving an electric car on slushy salt-laden roads spooks me. Not a fan of spontaneous combustion.

I'm sure it'll be fine. 

[12,000 RPM]

Body rigidity has to come from somewhere. The glass roof looks like it's one piece from the base of the a pillar to the start of the trunk.

I guess a metal roof would have been too easy

I can only imagine how much that piece of glass costs as well. Surely there was nowhere else they could have spent that money

But it is a legit long range EV for $35K. I feel like it could have been $25K and just as useful though.

[ChrisV]

Being electric, I would doubt that. 

Doubt what, Being fun to drive? I beg to differ, having driven a number of pure EVs and my Volt. Instant torque and a low CG is fun.

[280Z Turbo]

The interior looks like crap. It looks cheaper than a normal automotive interior, but definitely not better.

[280Z Turbo]

I'm sure it'll be fine. 

I've seen thousands of charged lithium ion batteries get smashed, pierced, and shorted by machinery at work, and we've never had a fire or explosion. Gasoline is a lot more dangerous.

[GoCougs]

The Model S interior is cheap too - almost kit car in some respects (steering column and points underneath it).

[Galaxy]

Elon Musk's "futuristic" adventures (Tesla, SpaceX, Solar City) would not exist without government subsidy.

Okay, but companies like Boeing would not exist today without US-Export-Import bank. To some extent government subsidies can not be avoided.

[12,000 RPM]

I'm sure it'll be fine. 

I want these jokes to be better.... Fisker doesn't even exist anymore, and regular cars burn up too

[GoCougs]

Okay, but companies like Boeing would not exist today without US-Export-Import bank. To some extent government subsidies can not be avoided.

I wouldn't go that far with it. Without subsidy, Boeing, GM, etc., and other such companies would still exist, as there is mammoth material value in building and selling passenger jets and affordable passenger cars, it's that they probably wouldn't exist in their current oligopolistic form. Either way, I don't see material value in mass producing a $80k+ electric car - 4 years on and all sorts of subsidy and irrational exuberance and Tesla is still in the red with no clear path or strategy to profitability.

[AutobahnSHO]

Lol much of the research Boeing does is subsidized by the military.

[2o6]

The Model S interior is cheap too - almost kit car in some respects (steering column and points underneath it).

Yeah, I thought I was the one one who thought that parts of the model S felt....homemade.

[Soup DeVille]

I guess a metal roof would have been too easy

I can only imagine how much that piece of glass costs as well. Surely there was nowhere else they could have spent that money

But it is a legit long range EV for $35K. I feel like it could have been $25K and just as useful though.

Couldn't you get a glass roof similar to this in the Mustang for a few years?

[veeman]

The thing which impresses me most about the model S is how safe it is.  Consumer Reports said it was the safest car they had ever tested.  Musk says the same thing will be true about the model 3. 

[MX793]

Couldn't you get a glass roof similar to this in the Mustang for a few years?

In the Mustang, the was a break between the roof panel and rear windshield with a fairly thick cross member.  It wasn't on huge piece of glass like the Tesla.

[Raza]

Doubt what, Being fun to drive? I beg to differ, having driven a number of pure EVs and my Volt. Instant torque and a low CG is fun.

Agree to disagree. 

[Raza]

I want these jokes to be better.... Fisker doesn't even exist anymore, and regular cars burn up too

Why do you hate cars so much? 

Also, is it possible that Fisker doesn't exist anymore because so many of them caught fire? 

[12,000 RPM]

Why do you hate cars so much? 

Also, is it possible that Fisker doesn't exist anymore because so many of them caught fire?

Ferrari, Lambo and Porsche sports cars self-immolate all the time are all selling like gangbusters.

[Raza]

Ferrari, Lambo and Porsche sports cars self-immolate all the time are all selling like gangbusters.

Gallardos, sure.  But Ferraris and Porsches?

[MX793]

Gallardos, sure.  But Ferraris and Porsches?

Porsche recently had an issue with GT3s, as I recall...