DRIVEN + VIDEO: So, How Does The Tesla Model 3 Performance Do When A Traditional Outlet Reviews It?

It was filmed in California - what are the odds this guy is a family member or friend of a Teslaspies team member?

The Tesla Model 3 is not the car Tesla promised many years ago. It is basically a smaller clone of the Model S, whose base model has just been discontinued, along with its SUV version. The Tesla 3 has suffered from poor build quality,which in any other car from GM would have been trumpeted far and wide by the press. It is also priced light years above what was promised and so not one single buyer has received what they thought they were originally buying when they got on the waiting list. Hundreds of thousands have departed the waiting list, having given up on Elon Musk's empty promises. Tesla took so long to actually produce this virtual clone that they have now run out of the tax credits that would have been far more useful for the Model 3 than the Model S or X. Now Tesla will have to sell this car in the U.S., by far its major market, into a growing field of EVs, which do not take a back seat to any Tesla EV technology and will have a $7500 tax credit price advantage. It's smallwonder that Musk has fled to China to sell his wares. But looking at a couple of Chinese competitors, Tesla will find it not easy selling its Model 3 in that country. Buick also has an EV SUV off the Bolt platform that looks very appealing that is premiering in China, where Buick already has a very good reputation and large numbers of customers. There are hundreds of EVs coming from Tesla competitors over the next several years. Already the first few direct competitors (Jaguar's I Pace, Porsche's Taycan) are obliterating Tesla sales in places where they have no tax credit price advantages.Those Model 3 or its sister SUV priced in the upper ranges will likely find it very tough going. Call it Mission Impossible. Which pushes the Model 3 sales down into "almost affordable" range, where there are a ton of EVs waiting to cut into Tesla sales. And in this price range, their $7500 tax credit price advantage in the U.S. will make selling even low priced Model 3s another Mission Impossible.

I am going to take an opposing view. My friends in the automotive industry have driven the car...and they are both amazed and concerned. Based on their comments, I would say that the expectations among incumbent auto makers was the Tesla would screw this one up and not deliver a competitive vehicle. Indeed, there have been quality problems, BUT.....I live in SoCal, and I cannot drive for 10 minutes without seeing at least five Model 3s. They are everywhere. And my few contacts with their owners show amazing enthusiasm. I drive a Model S, and I really like it, but these Model 3 folks are becoming over-the-top zealots the more they drive their cars. As one told me, "The secret for getting people to understand what this electric vehicle hype is all about is to get them to drive the car themselves. The lights come on. The smile widens. You can see the wheels turning. This is different. This is better." Apparently, the car is far more nimble than the Model S, making it really fun to drive.

Tesla needs to fire Musk and get honest with its business practices.

@edwardfrancis: As an owner of a Model 3 Performance myself, I agree with your assessment, and have often emphasized that one needs to drive this car to appreciate it. There are a few flaws as a result of rushed production (mine had a misaligned rear window trim that was promptly fixed by Mobile Service), but all these are cosmetic and are easy to fix as production matures. Ergonomics are great and technology and design thoughtfulness is second to none. The car is so easy to drive and enjoy that makes one wonder why don't other automakers do the same ?

Agree with the need to cut Musk free, but it is likely too late. BlackBerry is still the best analogy for Tesla. He got as far as he did by a Ponzi scheme. The competition will pass Tesla up BECAUSE of better business practices.

Haters gonna hate. If it is so terrible then why are people buying it and then buying a second one? Why is it everywhere?

These knee-jerk anti Tesla clowns just make me think of this song......
https://youtu.be/CtwJvgPJ9xw

..they see me rollin’ (in my Model 3)’. They be hatin’... lol

I too am not convinced that Tesla is a great company or creating the best product for the money, especially as the rest of the industry is about to release their BEVs. Time will tell.

The market will decide. You can get an Audi or Cadillac or Lexus BEV in time, but Tesla will always be the OG. If you are a buyer who walks a different path and you chose a Model S or Model 3 as a first mover car purchase, you may not be satisfied with another me-too product offering.

In a couple of years Musk my leave on his own. With VAG, BMW, Volvo, Hyundai/Kia and soon GM and Ford going large scale with EV's where do you think Tesla going to be? Sure the have done ok as the only game in town but its only a matter of time. Musk will sell out and focus only on Spacex and tunnel boring.

Musk is a scam artist. He creates a "thing" overboosts it and then ditches it by selling it for more than it's worth. With Tesla, he needed to sell the scam 2 years ago, but his ego made him miss the window of opportunity. VWAG/Ford will destroy him.