# Teslas really are not great cars **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 30, 2025, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339 "2025-03-30T09:18:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![mplo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mplo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mplo)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/421 "2025-07-29T14:45:55Z")
Teslas are **dangerous** cars! I would not buy one, even if somebody **paid** me to do so. Nor would I care to take a ride in one, either. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/422 "2025-07-29T19:31:16Z")
On what basis do you say this? I don’t own one, and I’m no elmo fanboy, but they’re perfectly adequate normal cars in most ways. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/423 "2025-07-30T18:39:53Z")
They are kind of like the D-K of cars. People are sold on the awesome automation features and rely on that way more than they ought to. And, of course, the “FSD” is designed to do what the driver tells it to, without adjusting for dangerous conditions, or at least has been that way in the past (it might be less bad now). If you want to just drive one like you would any other car, you will probably be mostly ok. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/424 "2025-07-30T18:47:01Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > The threat model is a valet pulling up your personal information, or doing 3.5 second 0-60 runs on the way to the parking garage, While playing _Oh Yeah_ by Yello. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/425 "2025-07-30T18:48:56Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > On very hot days, pre-cooling sets off the car alarm. Wait, why? Is that just a bug…? ---
**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:** [July 30, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/426 "2025-07-30T19:23:41Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > > [@echoreply](#): > > > > On very hot days, pre-cooling sets off the car alarm. > > Wait, why? Is that just a bug… There is this note in the Tesla manual, so they are aware that there is some interplay between the alarm and the AC. > The Tilt/Intrusion alarm must be turned off to use Cabin Overheat Protection (see [Cabin Overheat Protection](https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/model3/en_us/GUID-4F3599A1-20D9-4A49-B4A0-5261F957C096.html#CONCEPT_ULS_JYR_DX)). That setting does not sound familiar. My guess is that the running AC and fan on maximum causes enough vibration to trigger the camera’s motion sensor. The cameras save an “incident”, but upon review there is nothing happening. Or maybe it is something else, and the camera automatically saves regardless of why the alarm triggers. I most recently had it trigger when a Nerf football hit the door, to give you an idea of what kinds of “real” events can set it off. There was no damage, but it did leave a clean spot. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > While playing _Oh Yeah_ by Yello Valet mode does not disable music streaming, so they can at least play the song, even if acceleration is limited. Someplace I have a cassette tape copy of a friend’s [Pure Sound of Speed](https://www.discogs.com/release/12405118-No-Artist-The-Pure-Sound-Of-Speed) album. It doesn’t have a 250 GT California, but it does have a Testa Rossa 250, which probably sounds similar enough to make a nice playlist to let the valet fantasize. [![](https://i.discogs.com/yHeyYQUQXD-6Jas4qbHPlceOwgH9rwj2NWouw9ORBNs/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:586/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTEyNDA1/MTE4LTE1MzQ2MTY3/ODgtODA0NC5qcGVn.jpeg) ](https://i.discogs.com/yHeyYQUQXD-6Jas4qbHPlceOwgH9rwj2NWouw9ORBNs/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:586/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTEyNDA1/MTE4LTE1MzQ2MTY3/ODgtODA0NC5qcGVn.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/427 "2025-07-30T19:27:27Z")
I don’t own a Tesla (or a dog) but I wouldn’t do this. What if the software glitched and turned off the AC ? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/428 "2025-07-30T19:59:59Z")
Or worse yet, glitched and drove away with your dog? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/429 "2025-07-31T01:40:05Z")
I guess that could happen. It hasn’t yet and we’re 5 years in. ---
**Author:** ![nate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nate/32/13085_2.png) [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/430 "2025-07-31T14:39:06Z")
I’ve had mine since 2021 but recently have fallen in love with it due to FSD now driving me to/fro work on the 405 everyday. The first several years of ownership I never used it. They had a couple of free trials and I was really impressed but I wouldn’t let myself fully trust it. Fast forward a few months and I’d take a nap during my commute drive if it would let me. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/431 "2025-08-04T15:07:16Z")
Everyone here is all wrong about how well Tesla is doing (everyone here thinks Tesla’s sales are collapsing because of issues such as anti-Musk sentiment, poor build quality, lack of new models, ugliness of the Cybertruck, etc). How else do you explain: > **[Elon Musk awarded $29 billion pay package from Tesla | CNN Business](https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/04/business/elon-musk-pay-package)** > > Tesla’s board is giving CEO Elon Musk another huge pay day. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/432 "2025-08-04T15:12:25Z")
I explain it by saying that this is the resolution of a long-standing dispute relating to **Musk’s 2018 performance.** ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2025, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/433 "2025-08-04T15:36:45Z")
No fair actually reading the article. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/434 "2025-08-06T23:01:29Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I don’t mean to sound anti-EV. I wish they made what i want (1000 hp convertible 2 door) and I bet they will soon. At which point I’ll buy it and never look back at primitive ICEs. Here’s a hybrid to consider while you wait for a full EV. (3D-printed 1,233bhp hybrid hypercar) [Czinger](https://www.czinger.com/) [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Czinger_21C_FOS2022.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Czinger_21C_FOS2022.jpg) It currently owns the [production car lap record at Laguna Seca](https://www.topgear.com/car-news/supercars/czingers-21c-hypercar-lapped-laguna-seca-two-seconds-quicker-mclaren-senna). And it’s street legal in California! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/435 "2025-08-06T23:09:01Z")
Just the thing for Target runs. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2025, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/436 "2025-08-06T23:42:25Z")
These nice folks make a pure EV that will eat Czinger’s alive: **[Nevera - Rimac Automobili](https://www.rimac-automobili.com/nevera/)**. At $2.5M to $3M it is a trifle on the expensive side though. But insanely fast; fast enough to get to Target before you even leave home. ;). ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/437 "2025-08-07T00:43:00Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Just the thing for Target runs. Costco not so much. "Where am I going to fit this package of toilet paper? ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/438 "2025-08-07T02:10:57Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > But insanely fast; fast enough to get to Target before you even leave home. ;). There once was a young man named Bright, Who could travel much faster than light. He left home one day, In a relative way. And returned on the previous night. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/439 "2025-08-07T02:14:59Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > But insanely fast; fast enough to get to Target before you even leave home. ;). Isn’t that called “Instacart”??? ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339/440 "2025-09-20T20:16:58Z")
> **[Man and children burn alive inside a Tesla unable to open the door](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15111441/Man-two-children-burn-alive-inside-Tesla-crashed-burst-flames-rescuers-unable-work-cars-door-handles.html)** > > Emergency services were unable to open the door as the retractable door handles stop working when power is off and manual opening is only accessible from the inside. > **[Hero tells of attempt to open Tesla as man and children burned alive](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15113931/hero-rescuer-failed-attempt-open-Tesla-man-two-children-burned-alive.html)** > > The tragic accident took place in Western Germany on Sunday after the vehicle drove off the road while attempting to overtake another car in the village of Villigst, according to police. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teslas-really-are-not-great-cars/1016339.md?page=23)