# Tesla Model 3 anticipation thread **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 31, 2017, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478 "2017-07-31T04:19:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 37
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/722 "2018-02-19T02:09:25Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > It’s more likely that they just don’t give a crap about Taurus. I’m always facing issues with Explorer, making me think that Taurus is perfect! 😃 > > Retooling isn’t happening yet (that’s my part of the business). yeah, makes sense. too early yet. ---
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/723 "2018-02-19T14:35:10Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > Ok? and is it somehow not possible to think some aspects of the car are bad and others are good? > > cripes. I can’t stand this notion we have in our society that we must all take an “all or nothing” approach to everything. I’m not sure where this comment is coming from, it seems like you’re reading intentions into my post that aren’t there, and then using that as a springboard to launch into some sort of cultural commentary based on strawmen that you’ve erected. I thought it was an interesting followup to the earlier video of Munro’s criticisms of some of the exterior QC and door & emergency responder access engineering, most of which I completely agreed with. Obviously the two videos are focused on two completely separate parts of the vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2018, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/724 "2018-02-19T15:10:37Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > No kidding. I went to a Michelin star restaurant a little while back, and I didn’t like one of the dishes. In this thread, I’d be viewed as hating the restaurant and calling it a failure. > > Then I liked the other dishes. In this thread, I’d be declared as seeing the light as coming around to the best restaurant ever. Then in this thread, I point out both portions of the dining review for balance, after previously making multiple attempts in this same thread at pointing out both the good and the bad dishes that other reviewers have mentioned, and somehow my effort get used as evidence for some sort of societal disease. Sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/725 "2018-02-23T05:20:58Z")
Production seems to be speeding up–the first batch of invites to non-owners has gone out: [Tesla Begins Taking Model 3 Orders From First-Time Reservation Holders](https://www.wsj.com/articles/tesla-begins-taking-model-3-orders-from-first-time-reservation-holders-1519318801) I still haven’t gotten my invite yet, but I’d guess it’s a matter of weeks at this point. In other news, some guy put a Model 3 on a dyno [and it got 393 hp](https://imgur.com/gallery/kVDmp). Previous estimates were mid-200s, but it looks like the peak power is rather higher. Subjectively, people have said that the 3 is punchier than expected at 30+ mph, which implies that it’s traction or current limited at low RPM, and only becomes power or thermal limited at a relatively higher speed. Makes sense to me: passing (say, from 60 to 80 mph) is one place where’s it’s nice to have a ton of power, but this doesn’t increase costs by much as compared to increasing low-end torque (which requires a much beefier motor controller, and possibly some means of increased traction like AWD or stickier tires). ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/726 "2018-03-01T04:11:39Z")
[Woot](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u405iKcOLe9UFIwvZEbjxDgy7-uwhmb-/view)! They say 3-6 weeks for delivery, so there’s still a bit of a wait, but it’s coming… ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/727 "2018-03-01T22:03:43Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > [Woot](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u405iKcOLe9UFIwvZEbjxDgy7-uwhmb-/view)! > > They say 3-6 weeks for delivery, so there’s still a bit of a wait, but it’s coming… Congratulations, I’m looking forward to hearing about the delivery process, and such. I really wish I could justify buying the long range premium edition, but it looks like I’m stuck waiting. Are you installing a charging station at home? My current plan is to put a 240V outlet in the garage. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/728 "2018-03-01T22:11:00Z")
I’ll keep you posted! The configuration process is already somewhat interesting. They wanted proof of having a drivers license, so their online system accepted a photo upload. Same thing for insurance. Definitely seems like Tesla wants to keep the in-person stuff to as minimal a level as possible. I’ll install a home charger, but I honestly haven’t looked into it yet. It’s not a huge priority since my daily needs are met with a basic 110 outlet (around 4 miles/hr charging, and I only drive 8 miles on a typical day). But the fast charger is more efficient and there will be times when it will mean I can avoid a Supercharger stop, so I’ll install one at some point. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2018, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/729 "2018-03-02T02:18:51Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > They wanted proof of having a drivers license, so their online system accepted a photo upload. Same thing for insurance. Why do you need proof of insurance for a car you don’t own yet? Typically I wouldn’t expect to insure a car until it were delivered. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2018, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/730 "2018-03-02T02:24:57Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > I’ll keep you posted! > > The configuration process is already somewhat interesting. They wanted proof of having a drivers license, so their online system accepted a photo upload. Same thing for insurance. Definitely seems like Tesla wants to keep the in-person stuff to as minimal a level as possible. > > I’ll install a home charger, but I honestly haven’t looked into it yet. It’s not a huge priority since my daily needs are met with a basic 110 outlet (around 4 miles/hr charging, and I only drive 8 miles on a typical day). But the fast charger is more efficient and there will be times when it will mean I can avoid a Supercharger stop, so I’ll install one at some point. Congratulations. How do you prove you have insurance on a car you don’t own yet? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2018, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/731 "2018-03-02T02:26:51Z")
I suspect you could get away with not filling it out until delivery. I don’t have that part filled out yet, but they took my deposit and don’t make it seem like they’re waiting on it. I think it’s just to speed up the delivery process. I remember waiting 15 minutes or so at the BMW dealer waiting for them to call my insurance and confirm coverage (and 5 minutes arguing with them that, because I was paying cash, I didn’t need comprehensive coverage). Just a small thing to make the process smoother. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2018, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/732 "2018-03-02T02:29:53Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Congratulations. How do you prove you have insurance on a car you don’t own yet? I’ll probably wait until I have a solid delivery date, call up my insurance company saying I want coverage starting on X, and then offer a picture of the plan. I suspect they can also do it the traditional way if something gets delayed for whatever reason. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2018, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/733 "2018-03-02T02:35:52Z")
The reason I ask is that I’ve tried to ensure a model on the way to pick it up and they insisted on the vehicle ID number before issuing a policy. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2018, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/734 "2018-03-02T02:47:30Z")
I know that Tesla will tell you the VIN somewhere fairly early in the build process–they don’t show mine yet, but I know they typically get there weeks before delivery. So yeah, I’m sure I’ll have to wait for that to happen if nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2018, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/735 "2018-03-02T02:56:37Z")
Incidentally–they require a $2500 extra deposit (“order payment”) to start the build. Not a great surprise; most automakers require some kind of deposit for orders, but something to keep in mind. It’s really $3500 but $1000 comes from the pre-order deposit. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2018, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/736 "2018-03-02T03:08:25Z")
I’m actually quite exited for you. I know how long you’ve waited and it will be all the more fun for you when it arrives. Since it appears they’ve built it to upgrade to a 2 motor version I wonder what that will do to the lineup of their cars. If every car comes with a 10 second 1/4 mile rocket ship option then sports cars as we know will cease to be expensive beasts. what’s stopping them from installing an 800 hp motor instead of 2 400 hp motors. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2018, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/737 "2018-03-02T04:50:31Z")
Thanks! Yeah, I’m pretty excited too. I’ll definitely keep everyone updated on the process and give a mini-review when it arrives. It’s been a long time but it’s actually coming right on schedule. I reserved on 3/31/16 and knew it would be about two years. I told myself that I’d be pretty pleased if I got it around my 40th b-day–3/28/18. It looks like I’ll get it almost exactly then. The dates might have moved back and forth a few times in the past couple of years but they pretty much averaged out to what I hoped for. It looks like Tesla’s strategy for motors is to start with a highly refined motor and then put more of them in and/or make the motor longer/shorter. For instance, the Tesla Semi just has four Model 3 motors. The Roadster 2.0 has three. And the Model 3 AWD model has two, but the front motor is about 2/3 the length and so (probably) proportionally less power. Electric motors give a lot of flexibility in this regard (though the motor length thing reminds me a little of the Ford Modular 4.6, where it could be extended to a V10 or [potentially] shortened to a V6). ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/738 "2018-03-15T14:37:01Z")
Any updates on delivery? On another topic, I saw some comments on some EV articles and I just have to ask if this is in any way correct. It was asserted that in 2006, the NUMMI plant had about 4,500 employees and made something more than 400,000 cars that year. (I think mostly Corollas.) In 2016, Tesla had 6,000 employees in Fremont, and produced about 80,000 cars. If this is right, why? Is there something about EVs or luxury cars that take so much more touch labor? Or should we not assume that the 6,000 employees aren’t mostly involved in manufacturing? Or maybe those numbers are just bogus? ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/739 "2018-03-15T16:16:05Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I’m actually quite exited for you. I know how long you’ve waited and it will be all the more fun for you when it arrives. > > Since it appears they’ve built it to upgrade to a 2 motor version I wonder what that will do to the lineup of their cars. If every car comes with a 10 second 1/4 mile rocket ship option then sports cars as we know will cease to be expensive beasts. what’s stopping them from installing an 800 hp motor instead of 2 400 hp motors. $$$$$$. A 10 second 1/4 mile Tesla is the province of the S top end model right now. An equivalent 3 model would cause the price to soar, I’d guess into the 70k range. Plus, sports cars are generally meant to be more visceral. Hearing the roar of a normally aspirated V-8 or V-12, rowing your own gears, etc. Watching 1/4 mile runs in a Tesla S is weird because it’s so eerily silent. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/740 "2018-03-15T16:36:03Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Any updates on delivery? > > On another topic, I saw some comments on some EV articles and I just have to ask if this is in any way correct. It was asserted that in 2006, the NUMMI plant had about 4,500 employees and made something more than 400,000 cars that year. (I think mostly Corollas.) In 2016, Tesla had 6,000 employees in Fremont, and produced about 80,000 cars. Because- while it was a GM-Toyota joint venture and UAW-represented- they implemented the Toyota production system wholesale. And their systems are very disciplined and well-tuned over decades. The design of the vehicle is complete before the production tooling is finalized, and when you get to pre-production/pilot builds, at the worst things need _minor_ tweaks. Tesla, on the other hand, looks rather undisciplined, trying to rush everything, and trying to build unfinished vehicles with unfinished production line tooling. Constant design changes are being made to the car while others are trying to build the production tooling. all the while their CEO boasts about how they’re going to show the car companies a thing or two. > [@](#): > > If this is right, why? Is there something about EVs or luxury cars that take so much more touch labor? Or should we not assume that the 6,000 employees aren’t mostly involved in manufacturing? Or maybe those numbers are just bogus? there’s practically nothing different about assembling an EV like the Model 3 vs. any other unibody car. The stuff I’ve seen of Model Ss being built in Fremont looks no different than anything I’ve seen in Sterling Heights Assembly, Dearborn Truck, or Flat Rock Assembly. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478/741 "2018-03-15T20:22:39Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Any updates on delivery? No updates yet. Still haven’t gotten a VIN. Wouldn’t necessarily expect it yet; it’s been two weeks and they gave a 3-6 week delivery estimate. A couple of people at work have Model 3s now. Looking pretty good. Only angle I don’t particularly like is directly head-on, but from most other angles it looks great. And I’m really digging the interior, though I haven’t had a chance to actually sit in one yet. I don’t really know how to do the math on employee counts, but remember that Tesla has huge chunks of their engineering team at the plant. I don’t get the impression that that was true of the old NUMMI. Also, I don’t know if those numbers include other suppliers at the same location. When I toured there, they had a section carved out for Tesla’s seat manufacturer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-model-3-anticipation-thread/792478.md?page=38)