2023 Tesla Model 3 Performance-24,000 Miles (39,000 kms) Report
October 21st, 2024 marked 2-years of completion of Rosso Diablo.
24,000 miles (39,000kms) in 24 months came up pretty quickly. Partly because now this has become primary car for travelling around the city and also use it for going to work which is on and off.
Till date, the longest our Tesla has traveled is up north to Whistler in Canada and south up to Portland which is 150 miles north and 200 miles south at a stretch.
Never got inclined to use it for any longer drives and also into the mountains because my other car does that duty.
Just to refresh here is the post for my detailed review when I had completed 10,000 miles : https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/elect...ml#post5638412
I will probably use the same parameters to provide a feedback after clocking 24,000 miles.
Acceleration/Performance
Well, nothing has changed. Outright acceleration remains its key USP. I enjoy watching other cars become small dots or disappear when I accelerate at every red light. Old habits die hard. But, heck these cars are meant to be enjoyed this way.
Standstill, accelerate to 70+ mph in little over 3 seconds and then take the foot of the gas (err..accelerator) to slow down. I tell ya’ll it’s pretty lonely at this point as rest of the traffic is nowhere to be seen.
This part will never get old. Love’ it !!
Steering & Handling
Steering wheel weighs up nicely with the 3 options that we have. I love the sports setting where the steering is taut and it takes an effort to turn the wheel (feels almost like hydraulic).
Handling is sharp and I love throwing the car into corners and roundabouts.
Approach a corner or roundabout fast and just lift off the pedal (REGEN works like a charm) and when halfway into the corner, give it a slight tap to rush through the corner.
It’s a thrilling maneuver that I enjoy every single day and makes me feel like driving a proper sports car.
Build Quality
Build quality is just fine. Nothing to complain. Except a creak here and there once in a while probably due to my weight on the seat.
My only pain point at this mileage is the tire noise. I am still using the OEM tires as I plan to burn it to ground before getting my favorite (Michelin Pilot Sports All Seasons). Hopefully these tires will last me until Jan/Feb of next year.
Autopilot
I’m a fan of the Autopilot and an even bigger fan of FSD (Full Self Driving).
Tesla had given a free trail of FSD a few months ago (I reckon, it was sometime in July) and now they have given it yet again.
I’m currently using FSD that expires on November 30th. Oh boy! FSD is truly a marvel and I have tested it inside out and I am yet to find any fault. Previous time, the only issue was it once “phantom braked” but, as of now don’t see that issue at all. This works best when I am coming back from work and freeway is jammed up and I slot it into FSD and sit back and relax. It will take me home without having to do anything (literally nothing, except touch the wheel every 2-odd mins to tell that I am attentive).
Tesla has updated the software and there is a super cool feature called ASS- Shhh not the one you are thinking’..lol ((Actual Smart Summon)-At a touch of the button on phone, the car can park itself and if you need to fetch it from a distance, it will unpark itself and come to you from a distance. Pretty cool…eh?
Best part about the Tesla is regular software updates which is literally once every few weeks which makes the car feel fresh like new.
Charging
In my entire ownership experience, I have charged my Tesla only 4-times at Superchargers . Thrice in Vancouver, Canada and once in Portland, OR.
Superchargers- Car gets charged from 20% to 80% in about 30-40mins even at the most basic Tesla Supercharger (V2) that charges about 150KW.
I haven’t charged at a V3 (250KW) yet which is supposed to be blazing fast and it can cut down almost 40% of the charging speed.
20% to 80% will probably take about 15-20 mins.
Now comes the best part. Cost is always in the range of $7-$11 for this amount of charging.
Love the savings too !!
Tires
My current set has gone to the dogs. I’m bearing the noisy tires because they cost a bomb. As I am having an amazing experience with Michelin Pilot Sports All Seasons on the bimmer, I’m tilting heavily to get these for the Tesla as well.
4 Tires will set me back by $1800 ++.
Touchwood- Zero punctures or any kind of issues with the OEM tires till date.
Service & Maintenance Costs
Zilch. Nada. $0 (Actually, it’s $7 spent till date but, it feels good to call it NADA)..Haha!
I have never been to a Service Center till date. No issues from any aspect of the car. Touchwood again !!
In last 2 years, I have changed windshield wiper fluid twice (Total cost is $7). Here we get lot of rains so this baby has to work overtime.
Perception
Folks automatically assume that you are an Indian and drive a Tesla means you work in Information Technology. There are lot of funny stories behind it but, the reality is it’s correct. West Coast is littered with Teslas. Be it California or Washington- Every 3rd or 4th car is a Tesla and mostly driven by Indians or Asians. Jeez..I hate this perception but, what to do, it’s a reality. LOL!
Downside
Running a Tesla is cheap but, the biggest downside is the insurance costs are expensive as the insurance companies think that Tesla repairs are expensive so their premiums are super expensive compared to a gas car. It's in the range of $150-$175 each month.
Summary : Even after completing 2-years of ownership of this fast performance electric sedan with 24K clicks on the odometer, it feels like I just got the car out of the showroom yesterday. No changes to performance and everything works like a charm.
Knowing that I can drive this car for another 300,000 miles without having to change anything except the tires and other basic consumables feels great with respect to the decision to purchase and own this car. I can confidently say that whoever drives a Tesla will never go back to a regular gasoline car (Performance Gasoline cars not included in this assumption).
Cheers to Tesla and Hope to continue to enjoy this gorgeous machine for many more years ahead. !!!
Crossed 24K sometime last week.
Even after 2-years, she gleams like Day 1.
Microsoft Campus- All pictures with yellow leaves are from the campus. My favorite place to visit each year for some spectacular fall colors. This year, we got late so it ain't as beautiful as some of the previous years.
