Tear Down Expert Finds The Good, Bad And Ugly In The Model 3

I realize you are quoting from the article on Wards, but it contains misinformation. If you are going to simply copy and paste from another web site, can't you at least try to make a comment about blatant errors?

"...they purchased in January for $72,000 (more than double the $35,000 advertised price)..."

$35,000 was the base price, not the list price for the car they purchased. No idea what the list price was, but we know that the early cars were all equipped much higher, and had list prices well north of $50k. Yes, they still paid a premium, but that was because they bought from a private owner and that owner was out to get whatever they could from a resale. How often have other early versions of other cars been flipped for far over their list price? Very often, as you well know.

The price is not really relevant. The question is whether supercharging the speed of production with workers who are not fully-trained will result in poor quality.

Sorry, but this is idiodic. Obviously she hit the wrong petal, which is the root cause 100% of the time in these situations. You cannot hit both the brake and the accelerator at the same time in a Tesla, this isn't just software but a mechanical-level safety feature. If she was hitting the brake, the car could not have accelerated.

Every other situation like this was proved to be the wrong pedal. Lexus got screwed because there was a small chance the floor mat could hold the pedal down.

Anyone who has EVER visited a final production line plant - I did so when I was a cub scout LONG ago - already has SEEN that the cars resulting ALL have problems. Some are small - maybe one of the screws or bolts or the like - did not go in straight or at all - to even big items not properly fastened. (I actually saw a Radiator fall off a car when NONE of the Bolts were successful.)

But the line continues - and hopefully the dealer finds the problems when they do their checks upon receipt of the car for which they are PAID. Indeed the price is not relevant - the FORD plant I went to assembled Lincolns.

There is an additional hazard of assembly lines - they work based on Tolerances HOPING that some will be OVER and some will be UNDER and they will cancel themselves out. On that car where ALL of the Tolerances are over - or all are under - gaps become more obvious - and even ENGINES do not operate optimally.

Unless you are willing to actually pay for a HAND assembled car - and even Rolls Royce are not entirely Hand assembled - this is the price of admission and over the years - it has proven to be reasonably good.

Tom, you were cub scout a long long time ago. Things have changed a great deal. Its been ages since I have picked up a new car and there were defects or the dealer had to do a lot of work to fix it. Fit and finish good.

*popcorn*

Why do people defend Tesla to no end. A body gap that would not be acceptable on a $30000 Honda is certainly not acceptable on a Model X/S. From what I read the Model 3 has even worse body gaps than the X/S.

I would argue that, why is everyone attacking Tesla to no end? I saw no defenses here.

My 2013 S has some panel gaps, while my previous Lexus was flawless with gaps. I would still take the S any day--by far--over the Lexus. All of the early 3's I saw also had panel issues, but the newer ones have looked really good. Anything with a VIN above 10,000 or so should be pretty solid. If Munro were to take a car off the line today, it may still not be a good as some of the other cars he tested like the BMW i3, but it will be much better than the 2 early ones he got.

As for why people defend Tesla, that's a good question. There aren't many products that really excite people anymore, and while they are far from perfect, Tesla makes really unique and impressive products. Seriously, I love my car 5 years later and it is literally the lowest end Model S they have ever built. I follow the company like most people follow sports teams, and it drives me nuts when people post inaccurate info on the cars. I'll point out some negative items now and then, and if you ask me something specific about the brand I'll give you an honest answer good or bad.

More impressive is the comments made on the batteries and electronics.

So exciting to watch the corporate media and others lap up Musk's obvious BS again and again, ignoring facts.
So exciting to watch the race: With established manufactures (who know how to, you know, manufacture) rushing to build electrics, will they crush Tesla before Musk learns how to, you know, manufacture? Or will T remain a niche luxury brand?