So i finally drove a Tesla
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 232
From: CA
Originally Posted by peteharvey
I've only ever driven Model S.
How was Model 3's agility?
Does it change directions as instantly as a 3 Series, C Class or IS?
How does Model 3's ride compare in terms of compliancy/stiffness, and float/control?
How was Model 3's agility?
Does it change directions as instantly as a 3 Series, C Class or IS?
How does Model 3's ride compare in terms of compliancy/stiffness, and float/control?
but i'm of the opinion that beyond a certain amount it's more novelty and bragging rights than anything. As i've said before, my LC500 may be slower than your m3p but i don't care.
How does Model 3's ride compare in terms of compliancy/stiffness, and float/control?
Your brake regen comment is 100% normal, but in a short time you will find 1 pedal driving offers far better control of the car. You will love it. Brakes last forever, to boot.
You barely mentioned the minimalist interior. While it works for me, many find it polarizing. Did you try, "I'm cold" ?
My biggest problems with Tesla are 2: The car needs HUD and outside mirror BSM. Once you are used to Lexus, these are glaring issues. Unforgiveable!
Bottom line, driving the Tesla is driving the future.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 232
From: CA
Not all Model 3s drive the same either. You drive a standard range RWD which rides differently than a long range which rides differently than a Performance. Keep in mind the Model 3 does extremely well in time attacks as it has a very balanced chassis so most reviewers give it praise in handling.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 633
From: CA
Not all Model 3s drive the same either. You drive a standard range RWD which rides differently than a long range which rides differently than a Performance. Keep in mind the Model 3 does extremely well in time attacks as it has a very balanced chassis so most reviewers give it praise in handling.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 633
From: CA
What's funny is you still keep your eye out for cheap gas stations, even though you couldn't put gas in it if you wanted to. You laugh at yourself!
And yes, we as the consumer benefit from competition.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 338
Likes: 18
From: TX
While I can't see road tripping in my M3P if I did have to run someplace I would try to work in my charging stops around lunchtime and make sure were I was staying for the night had charging for guests.
https://abetterrouteplanner.com/
https://abetterrouteplanner.com/
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 633
From: CA
While I can't see road tripping in my M3P if I did have to run someplace I would try to work in my charging stops around lunchtime and make sure were I was staying for the night had charging for guests.
https://abetterrouteplanner.com/
https://abetterrouteplanner.com/
Some perspeective employment candidates ask if charging is available at their location... Ha!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 232
From: CA
While I can't see road tripping in my M3P if I did have to run someplace I would try to work in my charging stops around lunchtime and make sure were I was staying for the night had charging for guests.
https://abetterrouteplanner.com/
https://abetterrouteplanner.com/
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!
Joe Kucinski
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models
Joe Kucinski
EV ftw!!!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 8,972
Likes: 563
From: Lake Ontario
a friend came over today (on Christmas day, ha) and he'd rented a Model 3 from Hertz. It was a new one with gray trim and the new center console. When i saw it in the drive i asked if i could get a ride in it, he said sure and that he was fine with me driving it. Ok then!
drive time was short (10 mins) with festivities, but i drove it enough to get the feel of it.
the simplest overall explanation of the feeling i was left with was overall how 'normal' it seemed but with several caveats.
By simple i mean i drove it without issue, i was fine with the somewhat aggressive regen braking (you take your foot off the gas and you slow down pretty quickly, which i know is adjustable), i was fine with the steering and basic controls like turn signals.
Back to the beginning, approaching the car, needed help to get in the car and 'start' it. So that part didn't feel normal. Hold the key card against the B pillar (between front/rear doors) to get the car to unlock. Push the 'fat part' of the door handle at the 'back' to make the FRONT thin part stick out which you can pull out to open the door. Not very intuitive at all to me, but obviously something you'd get used to.
to 'start' it, i think it was foot on brake, pull right stalk down to get into D, then off... (?)
The center screen wasn't as bad as i thought, although i didn't operate it at all, since i was concentrating on driving. I do believe that using it WHILE driving would indeed be quite a distraction but it's not a fair evaluation without using it or trying voice commands, etc.
once i got onto a straight bit of empty road i floored it and it's a nice rush of silent acceleration (except wind and some tire noise) that's very linear. When you're going 'fast enough' you just let off and it slows down. That part is fun for sure.
It corners pretty flat, but i thought the steering was pretty bad. It needs variable ratio. The brakes, when you need more braking than the regen provides, felt good.
I found the seats hard and fairly uncomfortable.
my friend said he'd charged it 3 times already and didn't do so where he was staying (fam) because there's no garage 240 outlet, so he went to the big supercharger place in town (we only have one i believe) and he said it was annoying how long it took (30-40 mins each time). He now lives in an apartment and while he'd like a tesla he knows it's completely impractical because he couldn't charge at home.
my friend also showed me some of the 'novelty' features too... the 'christmas mode' where it will play christmas tunes from speakers OUTSIDE the car as well as inside! The stupid fart cushion feature, and the ability to play netflix when parked. None of this impressed me.
Overall it was like a quiet, fast econobox that is definitely not priced like one (probably 50k). It's a amazing feat of engineering and design.
it's certainly an exciting time in car land and i'm thankful i got the opportunity to finally drive an EV and a tesla specifically.
between that drive and videos i've watched recently though, i think i'd rather have one of hyundai/kia/genesis' new ev's (a hyundai ioniq 5, a kia ev6, or a genesis gv60) than the model 3 or y, but i'm not in the market yet. Plenty of time to figure out what's next for me.
drive time was short (10 mins) with festivities, but i drove it enough to get the feel of it.
the simplest overall explanation of the feeling i was left with was overall how 'normal' it seemed but with several caveats.
By simple i mean i drove it without issue, i was fine with the somewhat aggressive regen braking (you take your foot off the gas and you slow down pretty quickly, which i know is adjustable), i was fine with the steering and basic controls like turn signals.
Back to the beginning, approaching the car, needed help to get in the car and 'start' it. So that part didn't feel normal. Hold the key card against the B pillar (between front/rear doors) to get the car to unlock. Push the 'fat part' of the door handle at the 'back' to make the FRONT thin part stick out which you can pull out to open the door. Not very intuitive at all to me, but obviously something you'd get used to.
to 'start' it, i think it was foot on brake, pull right stalk down to get into D, then off... (?)
The center screen wasn't as bad as i thought, although i didn't operate it at all, since i was concentrating on driving. I do believe that using it WHILE driving would indeed be quite a distraction but it's not a fair evaluation without using it or trying voice commands, etc.
once i got onto a straight bit of empty road i floored it and it's a nice rush of silent acceleration (except wind and some tire noise) that's very linear. When you're going 'fast enough'
you just let off and it slows down. That part is fun for sure.It corners pretty flat, but i thought the steering was pretty bad. It needs variable ratio. The brakes, when you need more braking than the regen provides, felt good.
I found the seats hard and fairly uncomfortable.
my friend said he'd charged it 3 times already and didn't do so where he was staying (fam) because there's no garage 240 outlet, so he went to the big supercharger place in town (we only have one i believe) and he said it was annoying how long it took (30-40 mins each time). He now lives in an apartment and while he'd like a tesla he knows it's completely impractical because he couldn't charge at home.
my friend also showed me some of the 'novelty' features too... the 'christmas mode' where it will play christmas tunes from speakers OUTSIDE the car as well as inside! The stupid fart cushion feature, and the ability to play netflix when parked. None of this impressed me.
Overall it was like a quiet, fast econobox that is definitely not priced like one (probably 50k). It's a amazing feat of engineering and design.
it's certainly an exciting time in car land and i'm thankful i got the opportunity to finally drive an EV and a tesla specifically.
between that drive and videos i've watched recently though, i think i'd rather have one of hyundai/kia/genesis' new ev's (a hyundai ioniq 5, a kia ev6, or a genesis gv60) than the model 3 or y, but i'm not in the market yet. Plenty of time to figure out what's next for me.
My experience driving a 3 was very similar. I had a Model 3 SR RWD and the pros you pointed out were pretty much spot on.
Just to clarify, you don't do anything to "start" or "turn on" a Tesla. The car automatically "turns on" via proximity sensor (fob for the Model S) and via BT from your phone for a Model 3. For the rental or when an owner lends out their 3, you give out a key card which is a bit "clunky" to use.
And as you noticed you just get in (the screen turns on automatically) , place your foot on the brake pedal, shift to D or R and drive away. Tesla got rid of the whole "starting/turning on" process back in 2013. 😁
The 2 misaligned panels and definitions of what constitutes "luxury" for others (that the "S" lacks compared to an S class or Taycan) just fade away into nothing once I hit the go pedal!
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,092
Likes: 3,870
From: Maryland
If I had to summarize all the pros of owning an EV (from my perspective), just this one trait is what makes me want to go out and drive my S, brings a smile from ear to ear, makes a bad day wonderful, makes life worth living , I could go on all day.... Lol
The 2 misaligned panels and definitions of what constitutes "luxury" for others (that the "S" lacks compared to an S class or Taycan) just fade away into nothing once I hit the go pedal!
The 2 misaligned panels and definitions of what constitutes "luxury" for others (that the "S" lacks compared to an S class or Taycan) just fade away into nothing once I hit the go pedal!
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,487
Likes: 3,672
From: California
Model 3's are just not comfortable for me, otherwise I think they are amazing pieces of tech. I also don't like their quirkiness. Model S and X are much more comfortable, but are priced too high. I would say the Hyundai Ioniq 5 would be much more to your liking. I like the infotainment screen much better, and it will be infinitely more comfortable and have a more refined drive than a Tesla. It also has quick charging when using a Fast Charger. There are already several reviews out there on it. When I replace my wife's 2020 Ioniq EV when the lease is up, Ioniq will be one of the top on the list (if I end up not getting the Ford-150 Lightning)
As far as waiting in line for chargers, won't happen. Most EV owners charge at night at home and are fully charged in the morning
As far as waiting in line for chargers, won't happen. Most EV owners charge at night at home and are fully charged in the morning
Last edited by AMIRZA786; Dec 26, 2021 at 04:23 PM.
just my perception based on a brief drive, but no, the model 3 did not compare to any bmw i've driven or been in in the last 20 years lol which to me seem incredibly tightly made with precise handling, steering and MUCH better interior materials. the tesla i drove felt not very precise in steering, handling, and certainly not fit and finish, with cheap interior materials, more like an extra fast 90s econobox, a civic or an old mustang or if 'econobox' is too insulting, a 1980s bmw 3 series, lol
the single screen controlling just about everything is about saving money, not providing a great user experience.
let me finish on a positive saying the jewel in the tesla model is the drivetrain. It's GREAT and no doubt as EZZ has mentioned, 3P or S experience is even better.
the single screen controlling just about everything is about saving money, not providing a great user experience.
let me finish on a positive saying the jewel in the tesla model is the drivetrain. It's GREAT and no doubt as EZZ has mentioned, 3P or S experience is even better.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 223
From: New York
I think this is a great review and why I have repeatedly said that “most” people don’t run and buy one after a test drive because its nice but not “OMG i NEED it now”
General public are buying it as more of a fashion statement to “fit in” especially in suburbia and be the “cool” parents on the block.
The people that really do like the Tesla brand get it for its incredible tech features which is unmatched by any other car especially one for $50k.
General public are buying it as more of a fashion statement to “fit in” especially in suburbia and be the “cool” parents on the block.
The people that really do like the Tesla brand get it for its incredible tech features which is unmatched by any other car especially one for $50k.
I think this is a great review and why I have repeatedly said that “most” people don’t run and buy one after a test drive because its nice but not “OMG i NEED it now”
General public are buying it as more of a fashion statement to “fit in” especially in suburbia and be the “cool” parents on the block.
General public are buying it as more of a fashion statement to “fit in” especially in suburbia and be the “cool” parents on the block.
The people that really do like the Tesla brand get it for its incredible tech features which is unmatched by any other car especially one for $50k.
as i wrote, the tesla drivetrain is excellent
and of course fast, hats off. the space efficiency is very good too. and supercharger network 
everything else? ehhh...