Tesla - why don’t I want one?
Discussion
I must have owned well over 50 cars, slips on wheels like old Toyota Carina’s and Fiat UNO’s, to Porsche 94; Turbo and 105 series Alfa’s. These days I am really in to 80’s 90’s JDM, but also appreciate cars of all styles and vinstages.
But if you gave me a Tesla, I would sell it immediately, no desire to drive or own.
Don’t really understand why I am so averse, any Pistonhead auto-psychologists that can shed some light on why?
But if you gave me a Tesla, I would sell it immediately, no desire to drive or own.
Don’t really understand why I am so averse, any Pistonhead auto-psychologists that can shed some light on why?
teslas and many other electric cars are just tools to get you from A to B. They do the job and do it well but if you're a petrolhead and enjoy unique, weird, interesting cars a tesla or other "white good" vehicle will be of no intertest.
I'm the same, I don't have any interest in ever buying one or owning, it doesn't do anything for me. But then again I'm weird in a sense that I buy cars with my heart, things that both financially and otherwise make no sense to your average car owner who needs a car to get from a to b and nothing else.
If I need a tool to do that job I'd still be in something else, say a lexus or an alfa etc. Something with character.
I'm the same, I don't have any interest in ever buying one or owning, it doesn't do anything for me. But then again I'm weird in a sense that I buy cars with my heart, things that both financially and otherwise make no sense to your average car owner who needs a car to get from a to b and nothing else.
If I need a tool to do that job I'd still be in something else, say a lexus or an alfa etc. Something with character.
mersontheperson said:
I must have owned well over 50 cars, slips on wheels like old Toyota Carina’s and Fiat UNO’s, to Porsche 94; Turbo and 105 series Alfa’s. These days I am really in to 80’s 90’s JDM, but also appreciate cars of all styles and vinstages.
But if you gave me a Tesla, I would sell it immediately, no desire to drive or own.
Don’t really understand why I am so averse, any Pistonhead auto-psychologists that can shed some light on why?
You're an old man stuck in his ways?But if you gave me a Tesla, I would sell it immediately, no desire to drive or own.
Don’t really understand why I am so averse, any Pistonhead auto-psychologists that can shed some light on why?
mersontheperson said:
I must have owned well over 50 cars, slips on wheels like old Toyota Carina’s and Fiat UNO’s, to Porsche 94; Turbo and 105 series Alfa’s. These days I am really in to 80’s 90’s JDM, but also appreciate cars of all styles and vinstages.
But if you gave me a Tesla, I would sell it immediately, no desire to drive or own.
Don’t really understand why I am so averse, any Pistonhead auto-psychologists that can shed some light on why?
They don't have an engine with pistons pumping up and down, and an exhaust, simple really.But if you gave me a Tesla, I would sell it immediately, no desire to drive or own.
Don’t really understand why I am so averse, any Pistonhead auto-psychologists that can shed some light on why?
My sister has gone to visit the outlaws abroad. I currently have her work Tesla (her company, her company car) and as she WFH she doesn't care how much i drive it. It's a nice car, and to be honest it's a premium washing machine to get from A to B.
The worst thing about Tesla - the owners.
When I charge up all these people want to chat which isn't a problem, but the majority are autists! I fed this back to my sister via Whatsapp and she agrees!
The worst thing about Tesla - the owners.
When I charge up all these people want to chat which isn't a problem, but the majority are autists! I fed this back to my sister via Whatsapp and she agrees!I feel exactly the same although I probably wouldn't complain if I was given one for free. I'm really struggling to like any electric car and it isn't down to looks or equipment or even the lack of range. They just have no soul to me and I just cannot get excited about them.
One of the main reasons for my love of cars and most things with engines is the sound, smell feelings that ICE engines give and bring. Even how they work and the almost endless variety of different engines. An electric motor and a battery does not excite me.
One of the main reasons for my love of cars and most things with engines is the sound, smell feelings that ICE engines give and bring. Even how they work and the almost endless variety of different engines. An electric motor and a battery does not excite me.
TO73074E said:
They just have no soul to me and I just cannot get excited about them.
One of the main reasons for my love of cars and most things with engines is the sound, smell feelings that ICE engines give and bring. Even how they work and the almost endless variety of different engines. An electric motor and a battery does not excite me.
This is pretty much how I feel. I've spent quite a lot of time in Teslas and as an A to B tool, they're great. Comfy, fast, high spec etc but I wouldn't say they have soul.One of the main reasons for my love of cars and most things with engines is the sound, smell feelings that ICE engines give and bring. Even how they work and the almost endless variety of different engines. An electric motor and a battery does not excite me.
I don't have a problem with Teslas as a concept.
The technology is great, the infrastructure superb.
I would even tolerate the fit and finish.
What grates me about them is
1. The anonymity.
Each model has 5 colours - That's your choices. No spec differences, no 'customisation'
I don't want neon lights and go-faster stripes, but some variation would be good - some recognition of different trim levels.
The performance variant for example gains bigger wheels, a tiny boot spoiler and alloy pedals. Again, I'm not expecting an Escort Cosworth, but let's at least have it looking a little meaty.
It would be nice if they expanded the bodystyles too - a Model 3 coupe would be awesome. Or a convertible.
I get the reasons - increased variance means more cost, less efficiency, etc, etc
2. The ubiquity
There's so many of them about and,,combined with the lack of variance in the model range, that combines to create a perception that loads of people are driving the same car.
I don't like that. I don't want or expect to drive a unicorn - I drive a mass-market BMW - but I don't like seeing a very similar car to mine around every corner.
If someone gave me one, I wouldn't sell it straight away. I wouldn't dislike it. But I wouldn't desire it.
The technology is great, the infrastructure superb.
I would even tolerate the fit and finish.
What grates me about them is
1. The anonymity.
Each model has 5 colours - That's your choices. No spec differences, no 'customisation'
I don't want neon lights and go-faster stripes, but some variation would be good - some recognition of different trim levels.
The performance variant for example gains bigger wheels, a tiny boot spoiler and alloy pedals. Again, I'm not expecting an Escort Cosworth, but let's at least have it looking a little meaty.
It would be nice if they expanded the bodystyles too - a Model 3 coupe would be awesome. Or a convertible.
I get the reasons - increased variance means more cost, less efficiency, etc, etc
2. The ubiquity
There's so many of them about and,,combined with the lack of variance in the model range, that combines to create a perception that loads of people are driving the same car.
I don't like that. I don't want or expect to drive a unicorn - I drive a mass-market BMW - but I don't like seeing a very similar car to mine around every corner.
If someone gave me one, I wouldn't sell it straight away. I wouldn't dislike it. But I wouldn't desire it.
for my curiosity
do you dislike EV in general or Tesla?
why do you dislike EV?
would you found boring ICE like 3/4 cylinder low power diesel/petrol engine like those 1.4 diesel, 1.0 petrol, would you take those ICE over something like i-pace or Model 3 LR?
do you dislike EV in general or Tesla?
why do you dislike EV?
would you found boring ICE like 3/4 cylinder low power diesel/petrol engine like those 1.4 diesel, 1.0 petrol, would you take those ICE over something like i-pace or Model 3 LR?
Edited by kurokawa on Wednesday 2nd February 10:16
A few things put me off
Up until the Y, they didn't really make anything that would work for us. I needed the Model 3 to be a hatchback or the X to be cheaper, smaller and not have embarrassing doors. The S would have been okay but has never been in budget.
I find the lack of physical controls a bit troubling. I understand on some models, even the glove box must be opened using the touchscreen. Just feels like an exercise in what can be controlled via touchscreen rather than what should be. I realise Tesla are not alone with this sort of crap.
They all look a bit weird. Again not exactly holding a monopoly on odd styling these days but I find the front of them all strange. They look like they have left room for a vertical grill but then realised they didn't need one so just left this vertical slab of plastic there instead.
As a company they seem more geared up to appeal to tech nerds than car people. All the DeLorean's on maps, light displays, whoopee cushions etc and the plaid's utterly stupid steering wheel. I'm a miserable bugger I admit, but all this stuff seems aimed at teenagers not car buyers and makes it all seem a bit naff.
On the flipside to all that though if I was buying an EV now as our main 'family' car, it would almost certainly be a Tesla Y LR. Simply because of the supercharger network. For all my grumbles, Tesla have absolutely nailed that. Until the rest of the public charging infrastructure is as dependable and consistent as that, I'm not all that interested in anything else.
Up until the Y, they didn't really make anything that would work for us. I needed the Model 3 to be a hatchback or the X to be cheaper, smaller and not have embarrassing doors. The S would have been okay but has never been in budget.
I find the lack of physical controls a bit troubling. I understand on some models, even the glove box must be opened using the touchscreen. Just feels like an exercise in what can be controlled via touchscreen rather than what should be. I realise Tesla are not alone with this sort of crap.
They all look a bit weird. Again not exactly holding a monopoly on odd styling these days but I find the front of them all strange. They look like they have left room for a vertical grill but then realised they didn't need one so just left this vertical slab of plastic there instead.
As a company they seem more geared up to appeal to tech nerds than car people. All the DeLorean's on maps, light displays, whoopee cushions etc and the plaid's utterly stupid steering wheel. I'm a miserable bugger I admit, but all this stuff seems aimed at teenagers not car buyers and makes it all seem a bit naff.
On the flipside to all that though if I was buying an EV now as our main 'family' car, it would almost certainly be a Tesla Y LR. Simply because of the supercharger network. For all my grumbles, Tesla have absolutely nailed that. Until the rest of the public charging infrastructure is as dependable and consistent as that, I'm not all that interested in anything else.
Edited by Gad-Westy on Wednesday 2nd February 10:25
grudas said:
teslas and many other electric cars are just tools to get you from A to B. They do the job and do it well but if you're a petrolhead and enjoy unique, weird, interesting cars a tesla or other "white good" vehicle will be of no intertest.
I'm the same, I don't have any interest in ever buying one or owning, it doesn't do anything for me. But then again I'm weird in a sense that I buy cars with my heart, things that both financially and otherwise make no sense to your average car owner who needs a car to get from a to b and nothing else.
If I need a tool to do that job I'd still be in something else, say a lexus or an alfa etc. Something with character.
Well I consider a petrolhead and I just love anything with wheels, even bicycles. I’d love a Tesla - I fail to see how they’re just “white goods” - they’re a four door family car that can waste everything but a super car in a straight line, and even two minutes spent online will show that they’re actually pretty fine handling - check out that Apex Taxis chap Misha’s videos on YT. I'm the same, I don't have any interest in ever buying one or owning, it doesn't do anything for me. But then again I'm weird in a sense that I buy cars with my heart, things that both financially and otherwise make no sense to your average car owner who needs a car to get from a to b and nothing else.
If I need a tool to do that job I'd still be in something else, say a lexus or an alfa etc. Something with character.
The vast majority of statements against EVs just sound, to me at least, ridiculous. I look at my engines and I still can’t believe that there’s this great big mass of oily metal, immense in its complexity and whirling around. It’s time to move on.
(On a vaguely related point - I watched a Model S Plaid on a dyno the other day - the lack of noise was just eerie
https://youtu.be/7letGoD619g )
PH User said:
They are just rather bland things, ok I guess as an A - B car. I would also say the same about them even if they had an engine.
Agreed, although I think all electric cars seem to look bland with their "blocked off" front ends, and I think a Tesla with an ICE would look rather different to the current offerings.Can you imagine the reaction if Elon announced they were moving into the ICE market.
Have driven both model x and 3 and have a similar feel - they're mighty impressive and have great novelty value - only had them for a few days each and didn't notice poor fit and finish that they seem reptued for - drive very nicely indeed but when the electric joy wears off they're just a bit , well dull - and I have the nagging doubt that many current models will be around doing their thing in 15 years or so
The owners holier than thou green perceptions and cult of personality about them just grate however so I'm not queueing up to get one either...I might think again should they come up with a small car variant though...
The owners holier than thou green perceptions and cult of personality about them just grate however so I'm not queueing up to get one either...I might think again should they come up with a small car variant though...
Possibly because everyone else wants one. You may be that breed of individual who specifically avoids brands that are overly mainstream and popular. It's hard to argue that Apple makes bad products, but some people refuse to own them for this reason.
Personally, the hero-worship and sheer omnipresence of Musk does my head in and that's reason enough for me to not want to buy his stuff. That and I can't abide touchscreens in cars.
Personally, the hero-worship and sheer omnipresence of Musk does my head in and that's reason enough for me to not want to buy his stuff. That and I can't abide touchscreens in cars.
I don't want one because they're ugly, poorly made, the whole vibe around the company of bulls
t overpromises and their bellend CEO is offputting.
I do want one because despite being childish the straight line pace is hilarious, they have great range, and the trump card is that if you want to use your EV for any longer trips that require charging away from home they are the only game in town because they invested in a great charging network.
I've used EVs, and if you get to the services and need to charge you'll often see three charging points of which one will be broken, one in use charging one of those dogst Mitsubishi Outlanders so he can have 10 miles of electric range, and another one will have a Range Rover Sport parked diagonally across it because it's slightly closer to the door for the mouthbreather. Meanwhile over in the corner are 12 Tesla chargers that are assured compatible with your car, will charge at a tremendous rate, and 8 of them are available.
t overpromises and their bellend CEO is offputting.I do want one because despite being childish the straight line pace is hilarious, they have great range, and the trump card is that if you want to use your EV for any longer trips that require charging away from home they are the only game in town because they invested in a great charging network.
I've used EVs, and if you get to the services and need to charge you'll often see three charging points of which one will be broken, one in use charging one of those dogs
t Mitsubishi Outlanders so he can have 10 miles of electric range, and another one will have a Range Rover Sport parked diagonally across it because it's slightly closer to the door for the mouthbreather. Meanwhile over in the corner are 12 Tesla chargers that are assured compatible with your car, will charge at a tremendous rate, and 8 of them are available. Gassing Station | Tesla | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff