Week in a Tesla Model Y | FerrariChat
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Week in a Tesla Model Y

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by Bullfighter, Jul 25, 2023.

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  1. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,587
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #1 Bullfighter, Jul 25, 2023
    Just returned from a week visit to Cleveland where we rented a Tesla Model Y. This was my first extended period of living with an EV and we were impressed in some ways, less so in others. As a point of reference, our own cars are a Macan and a 911.

    First, the design and build quality of the Tesla felt like an afterthought. The interior was generic, with a huge usable iPad-like touch screen that was fairly intuitive but annoyingly out of the driver’s field of view. There were ripples in the exterior plastic bumper cover that were just part of the car - not accident damage. The trim under the windows was flaking off. It’s mediocre for a relatively expensive car.

    Ride quality is catastrophic. We played with the settings but the Y doesn’t like Cleveland’s buckled roads. It’s possible that as a rental the suspension had been beat up, so maybe they’re better new. Power steering is over boosted compared to the Macan. Handling was okay, but you can tell it’s heavy.

    But… the acceleration and braking were impressive, and we parked it every night at the stage 2 charger at the hotel. Very convenient, and we didn’t get below 75 percent charge the entire week - with hundreds of miles. ChargePoint was free, though that’s probably an introductory thing.

    The big takeaway was that with access to a charger at “home” this was a great rental. We weren’t converted to Tesla, but the idea of having an EV seems plausible. You don’t give a thought to driving another 30 or 40 miles for dinner, or about where/when to refill the tank.

    It was startlingly normal. I love my 911, but for people who view cars as point A to point B appliances this seems like a tempting proposition.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
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  2. Nosferatu

    Nosferatu Karting

    Aug 31, 2022
    207
    USA
    #2 Nosferatu, Jul 25, 2023
    I own a Model S Plaid just to elaborate on some of your comments...

    1.) S & X are more premium than the 3 or that Y you rented. Is it a Mercedes interior? No. Is it a Civic interior? No. Nice materials overall. S & X also have a center cluster along with that big center screen. The build quality overall I'll give you is hit & miss on them. We bought ours new and I had to bring it in a few times to fix some fit & finish. Once it was addressed no problems.

    2.) Can't say to the ride quality on the Y but the air suspension on the S is very forgiving. We have an Audi RS7 Performance and that is a way stiffer riding car than the Model S

    3.) If you think acceleration was impressive on the Y you should watch this video and see how a "souped up" Y (the performance model) fairs against the Plaid. These guys never get good ET (I've gotten 9.3 on a crap surface versus their high 9 run) but you'll get the point. Literally insane... Discrete speed and more punch than an SF90. I get chest pressure from 1,050lb/tq instant slam. Feels like the car got rear ended if you stab the throttle versus just rolling into it. Go to the 3:10 mark....



    4.) It's a great daily driving car. Definitely fun in the corners. It's no GT3RS but it certainly has more charm than just straight line.

    Enjoy my license plate though figured it was appropriate lol...
     

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  3. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,587
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #3 Bullfighter, Jul 25, 2023
    Good insights. Yes, I figured a Hertz Tesla rental wasn’t the definitive word on these. But for a hard-use rental it was excellent.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
  4. xotik

    xotik Formula Junior

    Feb 23, 2009
    260
    Gulf Coast
    Full Name:
    Chad
    #4 xotik, Jul 26, 2023
    Not sure how I feel about a 4 way drag race in utter silence... ;)
     
  5. vraa

    vraa F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2003
    4,586
    Texas
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    Mr. A
    #5 vraa, Jul 26, 2023
    I'm surprised yall haven't gone up in flames, all those EVs catch on fire dontchaknow
     
    Dom likes this.
  6. buddyg

    buddyg F1 Veteran
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    Sep 20, 2004
    6,282
    Naples, FL
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    Buddy
    #6 buddyg, Jul 26, 2023
    My Model S Plaid has been reliable and quality has been decent.

    The acceleration is mind blowing, fastest car I have ever driven.
     
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  7. Jaguar36

    Jaguar36 Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 8, 2010
    1,068
    Cherry Hill, NJ
    #7 Jaguar36, Jul 26, 2023
    Also an S Plaid owner here, I love the interior. I love the simple design and the high quality materials, everything feels nice and is soft to the touch. I really like the unfinished real wood trim in mine. I can't stand the interiors of Mercedes these days, they just look so overdone and garish. The only thing that lets it down is the yoke, if it had a nice leather covering over it instead of the crappy thing rubber, that would be fantastic.
     
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  8. NYC Fred

    NYC Fred F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 28, 2010
    15,972
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
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    Fred C
    #8 NYC Fred, Jul 26, 2023
    Well, quickest.
    I'll bet you've driven faster cars...

    And my damn daughter just bought a Tesla. Where did I go wrong?
    She + SIL just made a NYC- Maine run for camp visiting day.
    Planned the route w the Tesla.
    Took the Volvo SUV instead...LOL
     
  9. vraa

    vraa F1 Rookie
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    Oct 31, 2003
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    Texas
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    Mr. A
    #9 vraa, Jul 26, 2023
    For me, I do not have the track package on my model s plaid, I just have my own custom set of ceramic rotors and pads. It doesn't have the tech to disable the limiter

    With the stock steel rotors, I don't think the plaid is safe to drive even over 130mph
     
    Dom likes this.
  10. buddyg

    buddyg F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 20, 2004
    6,282
    Naples, FL
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    Buddy
    #10 buddyg, Jul 26, 2023
    True I should have said quickest accelerating car I have ever driven. I have been faster in my F8.
     
  11. Nosferatu

    Nosferatu Karting

    Aug 31, 2022
    207
    USA
    #11 Nosferatu, Jul 26, 2023
    $700 best money I spent on the car with the OEM wheel. I've tried aftermarket ones that sold me on ditching the yoke. I was never a yoke hater I didn't mind it however this feels much better for spirited driving.

    Also have the Unplugged Performance CCB kit all around. Thing stops like it should have from the factory.
     

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