5-Year Review of Our Tesla Model 3 SR+

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It’s the 5-year anniversary of shopping for my Tesla Mannequin 3 SR+. (Wow, time flies!) So, how is the bottom priced Tesla Mannequin 3 doing after 5 years? What do I nonetheless love and like about it? What not a lot? Can it go one other 5 years? I’m diving into these and different points beneath.

To start out with, I’m simply going to say that not so much has modified with the automotive in these 5 years. A number of issues have wanted mounted or changed, and I’ll cowl these beneath together with their prices. I’ll additionally briefly talk about charging experiences and prices, however I used to be in a novel place for many of these 5 years with free Supercharging and there’s not so much to generalize from that. Then there’s put on and tear, specifically with the Mannequin 3’s white vegan leather-based seats, one thing I think about many individuals are interested in. Alongside the identical strains, there’s the matter of battery degradation — or how a lot my automotive’s driving vary on a full cost has modified over time.

There’s additionally the “Full Self Driving” (FSD) possession expertise, how the prevalence of Teslas and neighborhood responses to them have modified up to now 5 years, and what over-the-air software program updates have offered over these 5 years.

Hopefully this text is beneficial to people who find themselves excited about shopping for a brand new Tesla Mannequin 3, a used Tesla, or another electrical car. Nevertheless, if there may be something further you’d like data on, be happy to ask down within the feedback! Additionally, I do know lots of our readers even have had Tesla automobiles for a number of years, so be happy so as to add in something you suppose I’m lacking.

General Satisfaction

General, we’re tremendous pleased with our automotive. We’re a 4-person household (two younger daughters) and that is our solely automotive. It has dealt with nearly every thing we’ve wanted in these 5 years. There are only a few instances after I’ve wanted one thing further massive and hulking transported and had to make use of somebody’s SUV or truck. However so far as regular use — together with lugging the household’s tennis gear, soccer gear, and seaside gear round city — the Mannequin 3 has been all that we’ve wanted.

For long-distance journeys round Florida, Supercharging has been very simple and handy. I purchased the lowest-range Tesla Mannequin 3 as a result of I didn’t see any want for further vary, so didn’t see a degree in spending 1000’s of {dollars} extra for extra batteries, and I’m very pleased with that call. I don’t suppose a longer-range mannequin would have supplied me rather more in any respect, and I nonetheless wouldn’t pay extra for one thing I don’t suppose I would like.

One of many issues I wasn’t positive about on buy was whether or not to get the white seats. I made a decision to take action, and I’d suggest it each time, particularly for individuals residing in sizzling climates. It’s a lot cooler and nicer in a spot like Florida, in my humble opinion. Although, it’s not made out of utterly magical materials, and I’ll get to that beneath.

The automotive drives splendidly. I don’t suppose there’s one other automotive available on the market I’d favor for driving. Although, I haven’t tried the Hyundai IONIQ 6 but, and the rather more costly Porsche Taycan is definitely a pleasure toy. The 2 huge downsides with the driving expertise of an older Mannequin 3 like mine is that it doesn’t have good sound insulation and the suspension makes you are feeling each little bump within the street — it might probably really feel such as you’re driving over bricks while you’re driving over small bumps. The street noise is excessive while you’re on the interstate. That is the one draw back of the car that I might genuinely inform individuals they need to ensure that they’re okay with earlier than shopping for one. That mentioned, the brand new Mannequin 3 is way, far, far higher on this and it’s not a problem in any respect. In actual fact, the quietness and very good suspension of the brand new Mannequin 3 are actually promoting factors of the automotive.

I nonetheless love the minimalist inside of the Mannequin 3, the infotainment choices, and the seats, all of which I believe are unparalleled within the US market. (It appears some Chinese language fashions may now beat Tesla on a few of these factors, however, in fact, these should not obtainable within the US and I can’t verify that from right here.)

Fast word: You will get $1,000 off of a brand new Tesla utilizing a Tesla proprietor’s referral code. In the event you’re in want of such a code, you’re free to make use of mine: https://ts.la/zachary63404

Upkeep & Repairs

I reported in December that my upkeep prices had risen to $3199.59 after getting my third set of tires. The whole hasn’t modified since then. I haven’t had any further prices for upkeep or repairs this yr. I did have one factor I introduced the automotive into service for, an odd error relating to the entrance passenger seat’s security restraint system, however that was lined beneath guarantee and thus had a value of $0. In consequence, throughout 61 months, $3199.59 interprets into simply $52.45 monthly. (Oh, yeah, I’m writing a 5-year evaluate, however it’s now 5 years and 1 month.)

Put on & Tear

There’s been little or no put on & tear on the automotive. There’s actually not a lot to notice. The largest concern was absolutely the fabric on the steering wheel beginning to bubble a few years in the past. Tesla changed the steering wheel for me, although, and it’s been advantageous since then. Nevertheless, beneath the video I revealed on YouTube about this, I’ve observed a daily stream of feedback from different Mannequin 3 (and I believe Mannequin Y) house owners who’ve had the identical drawback seem and have needed to pay for the steering wheel replacements. I do fear about the issue re-occurring on the brand new steering wheel in time. We’ll see. One doubtlessly noteworthy level, although, is that I used to need to park the automotive throughout the day within the sizzling Florida solar, whereas I now have it parked in our storage more often than not. Additionally, there was some suspicion from Tesla service employees that hand sanitizer might have led to the issue. I didn’t use hand sanitizer an excessive amount of, however there was the COVID interval after I did a bit, earlier than I began suspecting it was inflicting issues for my pores and skin and stopped utilizing it. Once more, we’ll see if the issue resurfaces (no pun meant) with the brand new steering wheel.

In any other case, there are some areas of the white seating the place there’s somewhat fabric, and that has gotten discolored. It’s not an enormous deal, however it’s noticeable. I observed a couple of years in the past that Tesla stopped together with that fabric part — it’s all fake leather-based now — so it’s definitely not a priority for patrons of latest automobiles.

Extra not too long ago, I’m noticing some areas of the seating the place the fabric isn’t as white or as easy because it as soon as was. Time and use have their impact. Nevertheless, I believe the seats are holding up very effectively and are nonetheless remarkably easy, enticing, and white. I’m really very curious to see how the seats will evolve within the subsequent 5 years.

To be trustworthy, I believe the seats look notably nicer and whiter in actual life than in these footage, however that is what my digital camera captured.

There’s somewhat space within the cupholder within the driver’s door the place the leather-like materials is coming unsealed/unfastened. That spot has gotten heavy use over the previous 5 years, so it’s not too shocking, however now I’m acutely aware of it (making an attempt to keep away from making it worse) and consistently noticing it. Right here’s an image:

Okay, it’s actually small. But it surely’s probably the most notable put on and tear I’m at present working with. I’ll strive sticking somewhat glue there to connect it absolutely once more. Or perhaps I’ll simply see if it will get worse.

Battery Degradation

Our automotive dropped from about 230 miles of vary on a full cost to about 200 miles of vary on a full cost inside a few yr, and it has held regular at that degree since then. That’s usually what’s anticipated. Batteries have an preliminary hit in capability pretty rapidly, after which they maintain fairly regular for years or much more than a decade earlier than sometimes having yet another huge drop. I’m actually not fearful about battery degradation. These batteries ought to final with loads of vary till the remainder of the automotive is completed and prepared for the recycler.

Tesla Full Self Driving (FSD)

I’ve been extensively documenting Tesla’s progress with “Full Self Driving” over the previous few years. You can read all about it here and watch videos on YouTube here. The quick story is that after years of little and even “backwards” progress, the driver-assist options have gotten a lot, a lot better with model 12. Nevertheless, after I purchased the automotive, Elon Musk had implied that the extent its at now could be the place it was going to be in late 2019, and he had definitely forecasted we’d have robotaxi-capable know-how by now. FSD continues to be not prepared for deployment in self-driving robotaxis. Nevertheless, it’s on the stage the place you possibly can really think about that. However nobody is aware of how lengthy it would take till sufficient edge circumstances are solved for and it’s really at a degree the place robotaxi functionality might be turned on. In some regards, that also appears far, distant, and I do nonetheless fear about a “see-saw problem” whereby enhancements in some areas result in issues in different areas. We’ll see.

Tesla within the Group

After we acquired our Tesla Mannequin 3, children would go nuts after we went by way of the pickup line at college. They had been so excited to see a Tesla, even with a handful of them on the college already. As time has gone on, there are Tesla Mannequin 3s and Mannequin Ys throughout they place. I prefer to say they’re just like the Toyota Corolla or Toyota Camry of this space now. The children at college don’t appear to care about our Mannequin 3 in any respect now. Although … there’s now a Cybertruck on the college, and I’m positive the youngsters are going wild about that.

Generally, with so many Tesla automobiles on the roads, it appears to be simpler for “mainstream patrons” to belief the know-how, study in regards to the attraction, and go electrical. There are additionally many non-Teslas on the roads throughout us now. Briefly, EVs have gotten regular. They nonetheless don’t account for almost all of automobiles, however they’re lastly regular.

Over-the-Air Software program Updates over Time

I acquired somewhat spoiled by over-the-air software program updates I acquired quickly after shopping for the Mannequin 3. We acquired Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and a few cool video video games. We acquired an effectivity enhance that prolonged our max vary. (Once more, although, the unique vary is greater than sufficient for me, so I can’t say I actually observed the advance, virtually talking.) There have been additionally some new Easter eggs added for some enjoyable. Although, lately, not a lot has been added. I don’t actually see notable enhancements. The UI of the touchscreen modifications sometimes, typically for the higher, typically for the more severe. After these first huge updates, I did hope for extra constant huge enhancements, and Elon Musk as soon as mentioned round that point that we ought to be getting an replace each month or so, however I’m undecided what I’d ask for other than some minor enhancements or new options. General, the over-the-air updates we get are typically good, however seldom floor breaking.

Would I Purchase the Tesla Mannequin 3 Once more?

Completely! Although, if I used to be shopping for a brand new automotive proper now, I would like a Tesla Mannequin Y, Kia EV6, or Hyundai IONIQ 5. I’m additionally very drawn to the Ford Mustang Mach-E externally, however I favor the inner design and really feel of these different three fashions extra.

At this level, I believe selection of an electrical automotive comes down rather more to at least one’s private aesthetic preferences than it used to. There are lots of choices with loads of vary and options at an applicable value, and nearly all automakers have additionally dedicated to creating their EVs suitable with Tesla’s Superchargers.

You possibly can at present get $1,000 off of a brand new Tesla utilizing a Tesla proprietor’s referral code. In the event you want one, right here’s mine: https://ts.la/zachary63404