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So I finally drove a Tesla...

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by Singleminded, Nov 20, 2021.

  1. Nov 20, 2021 at 8:27 AM
    #1
    Singleminded

    Singleminded [OP] New Member

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    It's like driving a laptop.

    I really dislike that, but get why it appeals to a lot of people. And the smoothness and rapidity of the electric propulsion is truly impressive.

    This particular Tesla, a Model 3 AWD Long Range, rides and handles quite well too. Very much on par with your typical gas powered luxury sports sedan. On the highway, the experience is really not that distinguishable from a very powerful BMW or similar. The wind noise is a bit more noticeable because of the lack of engine noise, but modern luxury sport sedans mask engine sounds to such a degree that the difference is marginal. It's only under hard acceleration that the lack of engine noise really stands out.

    Range and charging times are decent, and charging concerns are minimal if you're able to charge at home. It could be a good commuter.

    But the amount of computerization of even basic functions! Yikes! And the palpable sense that Big Brother is watching and recording every move you make. Ugh! I don't understand why people are ok with that. So wish a major manufacturer would make an EV that doesn't have all this crap. It's not like it's necessary to make an EV work.

    Anyway, what's this all got to do with the 4Runner you say? Well, it's a reminder of one of the reasons I love mine. It's old school. When you drive it you know you're operating a mechanical machine. It ain't like driving your laptop.
     
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  2. Nov 20, 2021 at 9:19 AM
    #2
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

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    Tesla is a battery company and a cult of personality for that wacky South African Elon musk.

    Tesla owners are completely insane and will take delivery of cars that are quality control nightmares because some cars coming out of the Fremont factory are just burning pieces of crap and their cars are not horrifically crappy, just kind of crappy.

    You’ll never find a company that is valued more and has quality control worse than Tesla.

    I just assume everyone who buys one of these things is an idiot and defends the product with the same religious fervor early adopters of the Apple corporation once did.

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sfgate.com/tech/amp/Tesla-ranks-almost-dead-last-Consumer-Reports-16632996.php


    https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sf...l-Y-comes-filthy-defects-Twitter-16444175.php
     
  3. Nov 20, 2021 at 9:22 AM
    #3
    trlhiker

    trlhiker Lazy Bum

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    Actually every vehicle you drive now, unless it is very old, has a computer in it that records everything you do. Remember when the sudden acceleration thing went on? Toyota pulled the information from the little black box and in one case found out that the guy who reported it had applied the brakes hundreds on times to get them to overheat and fail. Needlessly to say, the guy lost his case against Toyota. He wanted a new car because his lease was up and he couldn't afford a new one. They can easily find out if you were speeding or not or if you applied the brakes like you said. And with the cameras, can probably know if you ran the light or stop sign.
     
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  4. Nov 20, 2021 at 10:18 AM
    #4
    Singleminded

    Singleminded [OP] New Member

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    Consumer Reports just gave the Tesla Model S it's highest score ever -- the only car it's ever given a perfect 100 to. It's in the CR that landed in my mailbox today. This is an example of why I take CR recommendations with a huuuuuge grain of salt. Everyone knows Tesla QC is poor. It's another reason I doubt I'd get one. I just didn't bother mentioning it in my post because I was focusing on the unnecessarily computerized operation of everything, and how that transforms too much of the driving experience from analog/mechanical to digital/computer. But you do exaggerate here. There are hundreds of thousands of Teslas on the road now. They're not on fire on the side of the road significantly more than gas cars. In fact I'm pretty sure this has been studied and the risk of fire is actually lower than for gas cars. Most of the QC issues have to do with body panel fit and the ridiculous and, again, unnecessary tech they put in the things, because apparently lots of people actually want to drive their laptops or iphones. (Given how often our laptops and phones fail to work as promised, it's beyond me why anyone would want their cars to act the same way). But Teslas have been on the roads for many years and many people have gotten a ton of miles out of them. Again, not saying it's a great car. It ain't. But they've done some things well.

    Not really. And it's not what I was talking about in my original post. It's definitely true that privacy invasion is a major and regrettable trend in cars these days, whether EV or not. Likewise with putting basic controls on touchscreens instead of much-easier-to-use knobs. But not all modern cars record everything you do. The "black box" does not do that. Its data is limited to around the time of a crash. The big issue is the internet connection that so many cars have, and what can and can't be done via that connection depending on the car in question. I've written a lot about that on this forum. The privacy and hacking concerns basically disappear if the car isn't connected to the internet. Not all 4Runners are connected, fewer of its systems can be controlled remotely even if it is (eg the steering can't) and we know how to disconnect them from the internet. Forget trying to do that with a Tesla. I'm sure it's designed to not even operate if it's not collecting and sending vast amounts of data to the Musk Mothership.
     
  5. Nov 20, 2021 at 10:33 AM
    #5
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

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    I wanna know how the company that can’t deliver a car that is properly assembled is suddenly breaking the consumer reports system?

    I live in the bay area and I see these rolling trash heaps every single day.

    It is unfathomable that they got their shit together overnight.
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2021
  6. Nov 20, 2021 at 11:01 AM
    #6
    Singleminded

    Singleminded [OP] New Member

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    PS I drove the Tesla cause I’m in the early stages of shopping for a third car. I’m wanting something really fun to drive — sports car type fun — plus economical and at least reasonable as a commuter.

    Tesla’s acceleration is phenomenal and the handling surprisingly good. And of course it’s cheap to operate. But the computer stuff kills it for me.

    The new Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ may be next on my list. The manual versions have none of the modern safety nannies. No steering by itself — not even lane departure warning. No automated emergency braking. Etc. Aside from having a digital instrument cluster instead of physical analog gauges, the experience could be like cars from decades ago, but with modern speed, handling and quality improvements.

    Does however have an internet connection for things like remote start and location tracking via an app. So gotta research how to disable that. If easy to do it could be a winner!
     
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  7. Nov 20, 2021 at 11:54 AM
    #7
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

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    The Consumer Reports article:
    Is that a customer satisfaction survey? Because yes they rank very high.
    But it’s the reliability rankings where Tesla is near the bottom.

    https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/18/consumer-reports-2021-auto-reliability-survey-how-tesla-evs-fared.html
     
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  8. Nov 20, 2021 at 12:23 PM
    #8
    Singleminded

    Singleminded [OP] New Member

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    Good link. I went back and looked at my CR and duh, my bad — the blurb about CR giving the Tesla Model S a perfect 100 was in a piece about CR’s best ratings over the years. This one was for the 2015 Model S. Not current.

    Interestingly, the article you sent talks about how the poor reliability has nothing to do with the EV drivetrain but mostly the crazy amount of tech “features” they add. This is exactly what I was complaining about in my original post.
    Article also notes that the Model 3, which is what I drove, is nonetheless average in reliability.
     
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  9. Nov 20, 2021 at 2:06 PM
    #9
    Roland

    Roland New Member

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    I like the dipstick.
     
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  10. Nov 20, 2021 at 2:22 PM
    #10
    Daddykool

    Daddykool Photography enthusiast

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    Toyota 86/BRZ are supposed to be very fun drivers. I haven't driven them, but would be curious to hear how they compare to the Tesla, if you ever test drive an 86.
     
  11. Nov 20, 2021 at 2:47 PM
    #11
    Singleminded

    Singleminded [OP] New Member

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    You mean Elon Musk?
     
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  12. Nov 20, 2021 at 3:02 PM
    #12
    Singleminded

    Singleminded [OP] New Member

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    We owned one of the very first ones back in 2013. I’d put it in the top 3 of most fun cars to ever come through the house. It might be first or second. And we’ve had a lot of cars, including two BMWs, a GTI and a WRX. Alas, my wife had other priorities and got rid of it a couple years later.

    Other than they both felt quick and confidence inspiring in squealing around a corner, there’s not much comparison with the Tesla. I’d say the Tesla felt like a lot of sports sedans I’ve driven — heavy but with enough power to compensate, good handling but ultimately not really sports cars. To me, a sports car should be small and light.

    Per the specs and reviews, the new BRZ /86 retains all the great characteristics of the old ones, fixes the few things that had been disappointing, added no new disappointments and improved even in areas that were already strong. It seems it’s one of those vary rare instances of a new generation being better in pretty much every way. So I’m psyched to try it out.
     
  13. Nov 20, 2021 at 3:16 PM
    #13
    kmeeg

    kmeeg LionRunner

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    With my experience with Model 3 RWD and Model S 85D (I think it was 85 not 90) I like the easy and smooth acceleration. Model 3 suspension was not that good compared to Model S. We played with ride height on the Model S it was little fun.

    I do wish Model 3 had more buttons vs on screen. I wanted to test the headlights on my usual dark spot and I couldn't figure out how to turn on highbeams so as the owner.

    For both the models I didn't like the regenerate brake feeling. I guess it's much better to use cruise control than using the foot.

    Not sure if it is only me the fun seem to dilute faster you go. Initial acceleration is great but the faster you go it get diluted. But I liked that sound on initial acceleration, it is fun.

    For not owning them I had to look at the owner when I stop looking like an idiot is there anything else I should do than selecting park and e-brake. LOL..

    I don't think I'm comfortable with the range where 160 miles round trip requires charging. Not sure if the battery has degraded on 3yr old model S. I didn't ask the owner if he had better range before. Anyways he no more has the Model S and waiting for BMW X5 hybrid. Wish he bought Model X so we could test on trails.

    I really wish I can test a Model S Plaid to feel that insane acceleration. With current demand I doubt it is possible and none of my office mates seem to buy one to make my wish come true..:p
     
  14. Nov 20, 2021 at 3:23 PM
    #14
    Roland

    Roland New Member

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    I'm a Dinosaur. Maybe I adapt, like from candles to light bulbs. I like old school.
     
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  15. Nov 20, 2021 at 3:25 PM
    #15
    Jynarik

    Jynarik I like boobies

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    I entertained getting one, then saw all the videos of the poor craftsmanship and expensive repairs. Saw one today on a 4yr old Tesla that transmission fluid leaked into a motherboard and repair is like $4500 lol
     
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  16. Nov 20, 2021 at 3:27 PM
    #16
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

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    My Macan doesn’t have a dipstick, it measures the oil level as you drive.

    It does have the dipstick tube, but it’s capped off.
     
  17. Nov 20, 2021 at 3:31 PM
    #17
    Roland

    Roland New Member

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    Most modern cars don't have dipsticks anymore, computers take care of the readings. My eyes are bad, still, glasses help to read the dipstick, called a more than 60 years habit.
     
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  18. Nov 20, 2021 at 3:42 PM
    #18
    Singleminded

    Singleminded [OP] New Member

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    Macan is pricey but tempting. How you like yours?

    Again, just looking for a third car here. Sporty fun, analog driving experience, pretty cheap to operate, not painful as a commuter. On paper the new BRZ/86 checks all the boxes — except might be a bit noisy for long highway drives. The 2013 was.
     
  19. Nov 20, 2021 at 4:31 PM
    #19
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

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    It handles like a sports car but it’s a crossover so you can haul stuff with it.

    It has just enough ground clearance to be used on mild gravel trails.

    The AWD is amazing in snow and ice even on all weather tires. I drove an entire Colorado winter in mine.

    I have the base 2 L but you can get the ridiculously fast GTS.
     
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  20. Nov 20, 2021 at 7:37 PM
    #20
    Singleminded

    Singleminded [OP] New Member

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    Thanks, sounds excellent -- way better than a similarly priced Tesla!
     
  21. Nov 21, 2021 at 6:10 AM
    #21
    billum v2.0

    billum v2.0 New Member

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    Want to test your level of personal discipline?

    Have lunch next to a table of Vegan Tesla owners.
     
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  22. Nov 21, 2021 at 11:53 AM
    #22
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

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    I agree. I like the way a Tesla drives but it seems so sterile with that one big touchscreen. I want knobs, buttons, quality, and reliability.
     
  23. Nov 21, 2021 at 1:38 PM
    #23
    werlyb23

    werlyb23 New Member

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  24. Nov 21, 2021 at 2:07 PM
    #24
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

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    If you want an overpriced EV drive a Taycan. It kills the Tesla in handling.
     
  25. Nov 21, 2021 at 2:37 PM
    #25
    Roland

    Roland New Member

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    Wow, for sure not for me, I always taught, there is a place for all God's creatures, next to the mashed potatoes. :D
     
  26. Nov 21, 2021 at 2:52 PM
    #26
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo

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    It's funny your process sounds exactly like mine. I went from wanting an EV, to the GR86, and I ended up buying a Kia Stinger GT2. Not at all disappointed with my choice.
     
  27. Nov 21, 2021 at 4:37 PM
    #27
    nonuniform

    nonuniform New Member

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    I borrowed a friend's Tesla S. It's fine if you stay near charging stations. If you drive with your foot in it all the time, and, when it's cold, your battery life takes a significant hit. Was supposed to have a 400 mile range, managed to get 225 miles in it averaging 70mph in 30F weather in northern nevada. What should have been a 6 hr trip became a 10 hr trip as I started hunting for charging stations.

    So, while I would love a Rivian SUV, it ain't gonna happen because I like to leave the pavement.
     
  28. Nov 21, 2021 at 5:30 PM
    #28
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

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    It sure looks great. If I had an extra $83K I’d get the base model.
     
  29. Nov 21, 2021 at 10:14 PM
    #29
    The last breed

    The last breed New Member

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    Does it have that? If not, then it is not cool :)
    I will leave the Teslas to the fancy people. I want a 4Runner. Heck, I want a 4Runner that can burn vegetable oil too. That way, while running from Zombies, I could break into a Five Guys for a fill up. I would never wanna be in a Tesla when the Zombies are after me, I want to be in a 4Runner :)

    20201011_153004.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2021
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  30. Nov 22, 2021 at 5:06 AM
    #30
    Charlievee

    Charlievee New Member

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    Even these 5th gens have more tech then i prefer.
     

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