Automotive News Discussion

[Evan]

I thought Taylor spending $1k on snake oil would have had the forum in complete meltdown, instead we argue about the usefulness of a locking tailgate.  This forum has come a long way.

Hey I did my part. You guys totally pussed out.

and for the record, its the motorized tailgate that is for hard-parking, truck-at-whole-foods poseurs.

[.RJ]

None of this tailgate nonsense was as useful as the Ridgeline tailgate that opened two-ways and had a trunk in the bed.

[JPolen01]

According to Jeff, the new Dodge trucks will have a tailgate that opens traditionally, from either side, and from the center like a barn door.

[Jake]

Yeah, well y'all hate on my snake oil all you want. We'll see who is laughing when these magic beans I bought from the dealer sprout.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

What, is your GTI going to turn into a Tiguan or something?

[Senor_Taylor]

Yeah, well y'all hate on my snake oil all you want. We'll see who is laughing when these magic beans I bought from the dealer sprout.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

What, is your GTI going to turn into a Tiguan or something?

I can't tell you. You have to believe in the magic in order to see it.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[WRXtranceformed]

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/14/tesla-ma...oyees.html

[JPolen01]

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/14/tesla-ma...oyees.html

That's been reported for a couple of months now. Always from employees. I haven't looked into it or read anything from owners to support or deny the claims.

The model X I rode in the other day was flawless inside and out. There's my anecdote for the day.

[Senor_Taylor]

Does it mean I'm not being objective enough if I feel bad reading this? Tesla can't fail

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Goodspeed]

Jalopnik's been having a whole series of articles dedicated to the supposed woes at Tesla with the Model 3. Some of them seemed hyperbolic, but I will say when I was in DC the other day, I stepped into the Tesla showroom and poked around a Model S, X, and 3 on the floor. The S and X were beautifully finished, but the 3 had pretty terrible panel gaps/alignment and overall looked cut-rate next to the other two. Which, I mean, it is....but it's obvious they haven't yet figured out how to build a cheaper car that doesn't look it so obviously to the naked eye (think Lexus IS vs. LS)

[JPolen01]

Where is the showroom in DC? I remember years ago, probably 2012, they closed down the showroom in DC and moved out to a Arlington.

[Senor_Taylor]

Where is the showroom in DC? I remember years ago, probably 2012, they closed down the showroom in DC and moved out to a Arlington.

They have one in Tyson's, at least, there's a Tesla something there. Also a Tesla store(dealer?) A few blocks from my office. May need to pop by some time.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

---

Jalopnik's been having a whole series of articles dedicated to the supposed woes at Tesla with the Model 3. Some of them seemed hyperbolic, but I will say when I was in DC the other day, I stepped into the Tesla showroom and poked around a Model S, X, and 3 on the floor. The S and X were beautifully finished, but the 3 had pretty terrible panel gaps/alignment and overall looked cut-rate next to the other two. Which, I mean, it is....but it's obvious they haven't yet figured out how to build a cheaper car that doesn't look it so obviously to the naked eye (think Lexus IS vs. LS)

Care to expand on the IS vs LS thing?

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Goodspeed]

The IS vs. LS is a pretty apt parallel to the 3 and S, with the IS starting at $38k & the LS at $75k & up. The LS is certainly more of a premium car than the entry-premium IS, but both have the same overall fit & finish & panel gaps, at least to the naked eye standing 3 feet away. Not so in my experience at that showroom (which is by City Center & Chinatown)

[Sijray21]

Jalopnik's been having a whole series of articles dedicated to the supposed woes at Tesla with the Model 3. Some of them seemed hyperbolic, but I will say when I was in DC the other day, I stepped into the Tesla showroom and poked around a Model S, X, and 3 on the floor. The S and X were beautifully finished, but the 3 had pretty terrible panel gaps/alignment and overall looked cut-rate next to the other two. Which, I mean, it is....but it's obvious they haven't yet figured out how to build a cheaper car that doesn't look it so obviously to the naked eye (think Lexus IS vs. LS)

The modem X had issues at launch, too. Maybe still does?

https://jalopnik.com/owner-dumps-tesla-m...1782709020

[JPolen01]

I think the whole Model 3 being an entry level budget car theory is not really true. At least not for the immediate future. They are only delivering 3s that are optioned through the roof. I mean why would they sell a base level 3 when they can sell one for $65k? It's still an expensive car and for the body not to be straight is not acceptable. I do remember seeing a Model S in the DC showroom back in 2014 and the door handle was held on with duct tape. The panel gaps were horrendous. Hopefully they get the quality control issues under control soon. They are amazing cars.

The 3 Jalopnik got to drive (via the owner, not Telsa) was optioned to $57,500
https://jalopnik.com/the-tesla-model-3-m...1821684820

[Eco_Boi_Stephen]

Tesla has a huge magnifying glass on them right now. If you look at most manufacturers that have invested way more time and money into their manufacturing process they still get a lot of stuff messed up. I think that it's a tad bit easier for them to hide their screw ups or blame things on user error. However, some of the mistakes from Tesla seem like rookie mistakes imo.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Senor_Taylor]

Tesla has a huge magnifying glass on them right now. If you look at most manufacturers that have invested way more time and money into their manufacturing process they still get a lot of stuff messed up. I think that it's a tad bit easier for them to hide their screw ups or blame things on user error. However, some of the mistakes from Tesla seem like rookie mistakes imo.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Really think they may be biting off more than they can chew. I wonder if they projected as many deposits on Model 3s?

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[CaptainHenreh]

I'm sure some of y'all have seen this but I'm still impressed. 



If TSLA hits $200 I say buy++. I'm not an expert, but I think they've got something serious with the Semis...

[JPolen01]

Full fanboi here after riding in a P100D Model X. Would love to own an X or 3 right now. Everyone shits on them, but I think a lot of it has to do with being under the microscope and other manufacturers fearing that their horrible business model is in the process of becoming obsolete.

[G.Irish]

There is certainly some jealously behind the hate on Tesla but the vast majority of it is because Tesla is getting a lot of stuff massively wrong, is burning a massive amount of money, and is only surviving on their ability to hype the next thing they will fail to deliver on.

Tesla has done a great job of brand building and they are delivering cars but the defect rate on delivered cars is hilariously high, their production rate on the Model 3 is waayyyyy behind projects, and they're burning through money far faster than they can make it. The excuse for along time was that they were burning money on building up capacity and they'll be profitable one day. The problem with that is that they're way behind on production capacity goals, and the big fish are gonna start moving into their turf in the near term future.

When cars like the Mission E come to the market at similar prices with far better fit, finish, and reliability as well as interior design and performance, Tesla is gonna be in a world of hurt.

[Eco_Boi_Stephen]

I've bought everytime some major financial advisor or investors shits on them. They're down for a couple days or a week then they bounce back everytime and then it's time to sell again. That being said the current drop is a little scary at the moment. The combo of John Thompson saying they'll be bankrupt in 2 months and the one incident involving a death has hurt.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

---

There is certainly some jealously behind the hate on Tesla but the vast majority of it is because Tesla is getting a lot of stuff massively wrong, is burning a massive amount of money, and is only surviving on their ability to hype the next thing they will fail to deliver on.

Tesla has done a great job of brand building and they are delivering cars but the defect rate on delivered cars is hilariously high, their production rate on the Model 3 is waayyyyy behind projects, and they're burning through money far faster than they can make it. The excuse for along time was that they were burning money on building up capacity and they'll be profitable one day. The problem with that is that they're way behind on production capacity goals, and the big fish are gonna start moving into their turf in the near term future.

When cars like the Mission E come to the market at similar prices with far better fit, finish, and reliability as well as interior design and performance, Tesla is gonna be in a world of hurt.

Agreed VW is planning on launching a full E line by (2020 or 2025?) If they don't have it together by then R.I.P Tesla

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk