Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Silicon Valley and spend some time with a good friend of mine who is a Tesla owner. He has owned his Tesla for several years now, starting with the Model S. As we chatted about his ownership experience, he shared some interesting insights that I found worth noting.
Firstly, he mentioned that he was surprised by some of the quality challenges he faced with the vehicle. For example, he mentioned that each of the door handles had gone out on him at some point and had to be replaced individually. However, he didn’t seem too bothered by this as Tesla would provide him with a loaner car worth over $100,000 each time he needed repairs, allowing him to enjoy checking out the latest technologies in the newer models.
Secondly, he revealed that as a current Tesla Model S owner, he had reserved not one, but two upcoming Tesla Model 3s. Tesla gave priority on the waitlist to current owners, so he was considering keeping one and selling the other. He was excited about the benefits that came with being a current owner and looked forward to the new additions to his collection.
Another interesting point he brought up was the unlimited power station access for Tesla owners. He mentioned that he could charge his car for free at any Tesla charging station across the United States, which eliminated any concerns about fuel costs. This was a significant advantage for him and something he took pride in as a Tesla owner.
One of the most surprising things he shared with me was the minimal maintenance required for Tesla vehicles. He pointed out that Tesla cars only have 14 moving parts, making repairs relatively simple and less costly compared to traditional vehicles with hundreds of moving parts. This fact was particularly appealing to him as someone who values efficiency and ease of maintenance.
However, despite the benefits of owning a Tesla, he also expressed concerns about potential maintenance issues in the future. He mentioned that if he were to encounter significant repair costs without warranty coverage, he would consider selling his vehicle to avoid the financial burden. This highlighted the importance of considering long-term maintenance costs when investing in a high-tech vehicle like a Tesla.
Additionally, he mentioned the perks of owning an all-Electric Vehicle in California, such as being able to drive in the carpool lane during rush hours at no additional cost. This benefit, along with the environmental advantages of driving an electric car, made his ownership experience even more enjoyable.
As our conversation shifted to the topic of autopilot technology, he expressed mixed feelings about its reliability. While autopilot features like adaptive cruise control can be convenient, he was cautious about relying too heavily on autonomous driving capabilities. He mentioned a tragic incident where someone died while using autopilot, highlighting the potential risks of overestimating the technology’s capabilities.
In conclusion, my friend’s experience as a Tesla owner shed light on the pros and cons of owning a high-tech Electric Vehicle. While the innovative features and environmental benefits are appealing, it’s essential to consider the potential maintenance challenges and safety concerns associated with cutting-edge technology. Overall, owning a Tesla is a unique and exciting experience that offers a glimpse into the future of automotive technology.
