Two Months With My New Tesla
What I Learned, What I Like, and What I Hate
All in all, my Tesla is a great car. It’s not perfect, and I have caught myself saying the R-rated version of the phrase, “What the Heck, Why did they do that.” Again I am no car aficionado, and it may be a no big deal for the average car buyer. But one thing is certain; the electric car is better than a gas-guzzling car. It is better for the environment, it will be better for your pocketbook, and it has a few features you will not want to go without. But the most important feature of the Tesla EV is that it’s a much safer car. Here is what I learned after owning my Tesla for two months.
The Good
It is fun to drive. A car responds when you push on the “gas” pedal. It lunges forward and buries you in your car seat. If you love roller coasters, you will love the speed and responsiveness of the Tesla.
My biggest annoyance is merging onto highway traffic. An entrance ramp curves and goes on a steep incline to merge onto traffic. There is an annoying power lag with a regular gas-guzzling car, even gunning the accelerator. I hear the engine revving to 6000 RPMs, but the car barely accelerates. And I don’t drive a small car with a put-put of the sized engine. I had a decent mid-sized sedan with a V4 fuel injector engine. It’s not a Ferrari, but it wasn’t a slouch. I prayed I wouldn’t encounter heavy traffic or merge abreast with a large semi whenever I took this entrance ramp.
With a Tesla, no worries. I would accelerate and hit the entrance ramp at highway speeds instantly. No problem gunning the accelerator and zipping past that truck. Driving is fun and stress-free. Happy days are here again.
I also like the blind-spot camera that Tesla offers. Every time the turn signal is clicked, the tesla console shows real-time camera footage of your blindspot on the screen. There is also a small animated rendition of the lanes, lights, and cars around your Tesla. Tesla took car safety to the next level with these blind-spot cameras.
I have to admit, charging your EV in your garage is sweet. Park, my Tesla, opens the charging port and charge the car overnight. And it gets better. I’m saving money too. I’m charging my Tesla at a fraction of the cost of a gasoline fill-up. I feel like the Wolf of Wall Street in my sub-division. I saved $100 to $125 a month on auto expenses — -all without using Geico. I can spend that money with the family at our favorite neighborhood restaurant. If I buy a second car, maybe I can have dessert. It’s a win-win in my book.
The Bad
The two bad things about Tesla are the battery life in extreme cold and the availability of superchargers when you need them. As the temperature drops, so does your mileage. Of all EVs, Tesla has the least amount of driving range loss. But I am not taking my Tesla if the temperature is below 20F (-7C) on a long trip from one city to the next. Part of the reason is the extreme cold.
The other reason is the availability of superchargers. If you are in a densely populated area like California, New York, or Florida, the network density of superchargers along your travel route is high. The Midwest, South, and Great Plains are not heavily populated with superchargers along major arteries between cities. Driving through Midwestern cities like Lincoln, Nebraska; Iowa City, Iowa or Little Rock, Arkansas, an EV is stressful and cumbersome. I imagine driving past a supercharger on my next trip and seeing a sign, “ Supercharger next exit, next supercharging station is 100 miles.” I do not want to drive thirty miles out of my way for a supercharging station. I realize the nuisance is temporary. Tesla and Elon Musk race to build more and more superchargers. But in rural areas and fewer populace cities, finding superchargers can be a challenge. In the meantime, crank up the stereo and play that iconic hit by Supertramp — “ Take the Long Way Home” as you drive off your route looking for a supercharger before your battery dies.
And The Ugly
I bought my car in December. I paid for the Self-Driving package. I stung myself twice. I am not happy about the $5000 price drop on my Model Y. True, I bought the car in December with a $3500 discount, but January brought the Price down on all models, plus being eligible for the EV credit. Ouch, that hurts. I love my Tesla. But I would have loved my Tesla even more if I had waited a few weeks and bought it in January. If you are in the market for a new car, this is as good a time to buy a Tesla.
As for the full self-driving (FSD) package, it’s good, but it is not perfect. The FSD works well on the highway and uncongested streets. But in complicated traffic patterns, construction zones, and unconventional intersections, FSD has not matured. The driver will inevitably need to pay attention. It will stop abruptly, take the turn choppily, or flash and alarm, alerting you to take over the driving immediately. On a quiet suburban street or a stretch of rural highway, FSD is great. But be alert and keep your hands on the wheel. It may, all of a sudden, alarm and order you to take the wheel.
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