Traded Tesla Model Y for Mach-E GTP - a Comparison

[JohnFoxeSheets]

The only reason I'm not doing this yet is that there's a recall coming later on this year for the headlight switch itself to fix the intermittent problem where the headlights switch to going on every so often. They're apparently redesigning the switch and I don't want to have modified wiring in there when I take it in for that.

Yeah, thought about that, but figure I can back it out if/when the time comes... It's really convenient to have the button.

BTW, what you decided to keep your car?

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[scoopman]

Yeah, thought about that, but figure I can back it out if/when the time comes... It's really convenient to have the button.

BTW, what you decided to keep your car?

Car is behaving itself since the new junction box ..... with the car working and driving great, I see no reason to sell it immediately, because then I'd need to get something else. I got a great deal on Mach N Cheese (Xplan, $2500 off w/Ford Options at 1.4%) so both the car and I are trying to forget the times it let us down .... for now!

I hope we don't spoil every thread by an excited new owner with the doom and gloom of junction box maladies....

 

[jmatero]

If you have an iPhone and just use full screen portrait carplay, most other complaints go away about the strange infotainment.

Ah, that does help a LOT. Also learning that a shortcut below CarPlay showing current audio at least gets you to the radio presets. Hey, that’s a start! I was about to install the SiriusXM app to view/select/stream from CarPlay.

 

[voxel]

Ride:
Advantage MME GTP. The ride in the Model 3/Y can be outright brutal on less than perfect roads. Sticking with the smaller wheels/tires helps a bit but Tesla needs adjustable dampers or air suspension yesterday. The magneride in the GTP should be an option in all Mach-e models frankly. In Whisper mode, it's like riding on a cloud. And in Unbridled mode it still is less stiff and more controlled than anything Tesla has to offer. Steering is super light in Whisper mode and very heavy in Unbridled. The Tesla has individually selectable steering and throttle response modes you can tailor to your liking. The lack of a customizable mode on the MME is disappointing because for me, I'd prefer the Whisper suspension, the Engage steering, and the Unbridled throttle sharpness and propulsion sound (for the kids). Seems so odd that for a performance themed car where you can personalize almost everything else, Ford won't let you personalize the actual driving experience.

I think you muddle the models together because the 3 and Y are pretty different.

I've now owned a RWD SR, AWD ER, GTPE (just 3 days) and a Model 3 RWD, Y LR, and Y LR with 20" inductions. The 3's suspension is less prone to microbumps like the Y. I never drove a MYP but I suspect it has the worst ride of them all with the 21" wheels and extra weight.

I prefer the lighter RWD SR and Model 3 RWD as the heavier EVs are not as nimble/fun.

Anyhow, I'm pretty underwhelming by MagneRide unless it is defective.

Right after buying my GTPE I test drove my ID.4 Pro S AWD order that arrived at my VW dealer. Well.. the ID.4 suspension was butter smooth. Literally could not feel a single bump in my 10 mile test drive (ripped down I-4 at 80mph then over local roads). GTPE was a little bouncy in comparison (not much different from a Premium AWD ER) on the same road but wow that acceleration!

I declined the ID.4 because it wasn't a major improvement over the 2021 version I had and the haptic buttons were just as unusable as before. It sold within hours of me declining it - with a large markup too.

 

[scoopman]

Ah, that does help a LOT. Also learning that a shortcut below CarPlay showing current audio at least gets you to the radio presets. Hey, that’s a start! I was about to install the SiriusXM app to view/select/stream from CarPlay.

i suspect the mild redesign of the infotainment supposedly later on this year will clean up all the scattered controls that are confusing between controls and settings. I can never figure out why some things are a setting and some a control….

I’ve also installed cloud connected dash cams so I have a sorta sentry mode if anyone messes with my car (such as Ford dealers fixing my battery).

 

[ARK]

Yup. It’s a head-scratcher.

Probably a safety thing. If you have ever started out on the shady side of a mountain on a cold morning, and all of a sudden get hit with full, bright sunlight as you round a corner, your windshield basically becomes opaque and you need to activate max defrost in a hurry.

 

[Mach1E]

Probably a safety thing. If you have ever started out on the shady side of a mountain on a cold morning, and all of a sudden get hit with full, bright sunlight as you round a corner, your windshield basically becomes opaque and you need to activate max defrost in a hurry.

You can activate it equally as fast from the button on the screen.

My guess? The physical button was designed and placed BEFORE they finalized the button placement for the screen.

Personally I wish we had more physical buttons. Heated seats and hvac physical controls are missed. Would free up some space on the screen too. The heated seat controls are wonky.

 

[scoopman]

Probably a safety thing. If you have ever started out on the shady side of a mountain on a cold morning, and all of a sudden get hit with full, bright sunlight as you round a corner, your windshield basically becomes opaque and you need to activate max defrost in a hurry.

My guess is that some Ford executive had a prototype in his or her driveway in Detroit winter and was very annoyed to have to use the touch screen to defrost the windshield.

 

[UsernameChecksOut]

I’ve also installed cloud connected dash cams so I have a sorta sentry mode if anyone messes with my car (such as Ford dealers fixing my battery).

Do you have recommendations or a thread on your dashcam selection?

 

[scoopman]

Do you have recommendations or a thread on your dashcam selection?

Yeah I need to write up my setup or do a video about it.

Essentially I have:

• BlackVue DR900X Plus (2ch)
• 2 Cellink Neo battery packs (these heat-resistant special batteries charge when my car is running and provide over 36h of uninterrupted parking mode monitoring when the car is off without draining the MME 12V battery) These batteries are plugged into the center console 12V cig lighter plug for a very clean install, and they live under the front passenger seat along with the .....
• El cheapo LTE hotspot and hotspot data plan (priceless for retrieving towing videos and live monitoring of HVBJB replacements! just kidding, it's probably too soon for me)

The BlackVue app isn't as amazing as it could be, but it does the job if you ever need to retrieve footage or find out how your car is doing. Worked to get us on Wham Baam when we saw the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile!

 

[UsernameChecksOut]

Yeah I need to write up my setup or do a video about it.

Essentially I have:

• BlackVue DR900X Plus (2ch)
• 2 Cellink Neo battery packs (these heat-resistant special batteries charge when my car is running and provide over 36h of uninterrupted parking mode monitoring when the car is off without draining the MME 12V battery) These batteries are plugged into the center console 12V cig lighter plug for a very clean install, and they live under the front passenger seat along with the .....
• El cheapo LTE hotspot and hotspot data plan (priceless for retrieving towing videos and live monitoring of HVBJB replacements! just kidding, it's probably too soon for me)

The BlackVue app isn't as amazing as it could be, but it does the job if you ever need to retrieve footage or find out how your car is doing. Worked to get us on Wham Baam when we saw the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile!

Lolol… hi-res capture of the Weiner-mobile!! Thanks for the recommendation. The Blackvue seems like one of the leading/trusted ones.

 

[Mirak]

You can activate it equally as fast from the button on the screen.

My guess? The physical button was designed and placed BEFORE they finalized the button placement for the screen.

Personally I wish we had more physical buttons. Heated seats and hvac physical controls are missed. Would free up some space on the screen too. The heated seat controls are wonky.

Yeah, one of the other but why both? “Sure, I gotta go three taps deep into a laggy menu system to open the trunk…. but Ford gave me two different buttons for max defrost!” Dumb. And Ford could easily fix this with a software upgrade. But will they?

 

[ARK]

You can activate it equally as fast from the button on the screen.

My guess? The physical button was designed and placed BEFORE they finalized the button placement for the screen.

Personally I wish we had more physical buttons. Heated seats and hvac physical controls are missed. Would free up some space on the screen too. The heated seat controls are wonky.

I think that's a plausible guess, but I disagree that you can turn something on from a large screen as fast as from a real button or switch.

My guess is that some Ford executive had a prototype in his or her driveway in Detroit winter and was very annoyed to have to use the touch screen to defrost the windshield.

I think this is also a plausible guess. I want to say Sandy Munro said in his teardown video series last year that he thought that the volume knob was put in place because someone in Ford management insisted on it, I could very much see this along the same vein.

 

[ridgebackpilot]

Thanks for the great comparison write up. I just sold my 2020 Model 3 to fund my IBSM GTPE, so your report was very timely.

I have to say I loved my Model 3 and hated to sell it. But I’m really looking forward to driving the GTPE when it arrives a in just a few days.

 

[Jimrpa]

Yesterday, I traded in my 2022 Tesla Model Y Performance and drove home in a 2022 Iced Blue GT Performance with all the bells and whistles. I know there are a zillion discussions here comparing these two amazing cars so the point of this thread is to share my initial experience. I'm sure most of you have heard these things before but just in case, here we go:

Charging:
Nothing new to report here. Tesla for the win. Why does Electrify America charge $28 to go (slowly) from 5% to 80% when Tesla charges about $13 to get me (quickly) from 5% to 90%?

Style:
The GTP in Iced Blue is just stunning. In the past 24 hours, I've been astonished at how many heads turn when they see this car. I surprised my sons with this purchase and when they saw it pull into the driveway they went absolutely NUTS and told me if I ever sell it, they'll kill me. I'm in Silicon Valley so every other car on the road is a Tesla so it's nice to drive something that stands out. Plus, I can't stop staring at it in the driveway as I'm a Mustang guy.

Build Quality:
MME=Impeccable. The factory in Mexico has their act together because every body panel, trim, everything.... is aligned beautifully. The paint on the MME is also amazing... a luster and depth that I haven't experienced on a car since maybe my 2009 Benz E-class. The Model 3 and Model Y built in Fremont are really horrendous with regard to build quality though they have improved over the years. My 2022 Model Y had so many panels misaligned that I stopped looking at the car... just walked up and got in. Fremont paint quality is 1987 Hyundai-level. Drips, dust under the clear coat, overspray, etc. Terrible. To be fair, the Model Y's coming out of Texas and Berlin are reported to be MUCH better. On the inside, the Tesla has numerous trim panels that consistently warp in the sun (A-pillars, cargo side panels to name a couple). There are also misaligned panels that service simply can't seem to get lined up. I have to say the interior of the MME seems put together much better with perfect alignment of trim. The door panels and seat quality on both cars are excellent however.

Interior:
I have never had an issue with the interior finishes on my 2022 Model Y. Tesla uses real wood and aluminum, very little hard plastic to speak of on the dash and doors - all soft touch, and the fake leather used is virtually indestructible. The MME uses a combination of materials that I find interesting and attractive, and the front cabin as a whole feels far less sterile. The Tesla wins with regard to front cabin storage, however, with large carpeted door panel bins that hold LARGE bottles of water and more. The front console in the Tesla is also more usable. Anything you store in the Tesla can be accessed from the drivers seat easily. The MME storage under the console feels like a black hole - once you toss something under there, you can't see/access it without stopping the car and reaching down and hunting. Regarding the seats, your rear end will not budge in the MME GTP seats because the fabric is as powerful as velcro. This is great for holding you in place, but I find it makes getting in/out a little difficult because you can't slide at all on the cushion - to reposition your bum, you have to lift your body off the seat. Those seats are also harder than the Tesla's and don't "give" much at all. However, they provide support in all the right places so they're actually very comfortable. Also, there is no front cushion tilt up/down (they're actually 6-way adjustable, not 8-way). So if you like to be cupped in the seat by increasing thigh support, you'll probably prefer the Tesla seats. Finally, the AC vents (at least on the driver's side) in the MME are very poorly designed. Left/right adjustments have little affect.

Ride:
Advantage MME GTP. The ride in the Model 3/Y can be outright brutal on less than perfect roads. Sticking with the smaller wheels/tires helps a bit but Tesla needs adjustable dampers or air suspension yesterday. The magneride in the GTP should be an option in all Mach-e models frankly. In Whisper mode, it's like riding on a cloud. And in Unbridled mode it still is less stiff and more controlled than anything Tesla has to offer. Steering is super light in Whisper mode and very heavy in Unbridled. The Tesla has individually selectable steering and throttle response modes you can tailor to your liking. The lack of a customizable mode on the MME is disappointing because for me, I'd prefer the Whisper suspension, the Engage steering, and the Unbridled throttle sharpness and propulsion sound (for the kids). Seems so odd that for a performance themed car where you can personalize almost everything else, Ford won't let you personalize the actual driving experience.

Infotainment:
I know, new things take getting used to and if any of the following can be fixed with settings I'm unaware of, I'd be in your debt if you could share a how-to. But maddening is the only way I can describe the MME Infotainment system. For all the Tesla single-screen haters out there (and believe me, it's far from perfect) I could find what I needed quickly (and more intuitively) with fewer episodes of eyes off the road than I can in the MME. Good news is that according to Ford, they're going to heavily refresh the whole UI in the Fall so fingers crossed things will become more streamlined. For me personally (and considering this is a vertically mounted screen) I should be able to see navigation map, (more than 3) entertainment presets, and fixed on-screen items for things like the camera and frunk/hatch releases. On that note, I'm perplexed as to why there is a button hidden on the lower left side of the dash for "Max Defrost" when that could be with the other AC controls on the screen and a hatch release button in its place. Weird. And it would be great if you could customize the IP screen as well. The energy and speedo are off to the extreme sides and require a look away from the road to see them. Feel like the image of the car doesn't need to be fixed in the center unless cruise control is activated.

Bluecruise:
The dealer was 2 hours away from home, right off the highway, and hands-free engaged 2 mins into the ride. It kept the car centered pretty well on the straightaways, but I quickly learned that on curves, it's not worth the chance. Also, even quick changes of radio stations and the alerts were going off to keep eyes on the road and eventually (and I highly suspect this is a form of "punishment" for looking away too much) it refused to go hands-free for the remainder of the ride. Tesla does this too and I'm not complaining, but I think this system (as it works right now) would primarily benefit people driving hours across long stretches of flat highway. Good news is that it will continue to improve over time via SW updates.

All that said, it's great to know that there is some serious competition out there to Tesla. Personally, I find it hard to support Elon at this point and cars like the MME, Lyriq, Blazer EV, Polestar 2 and 3, and Hyundai/Kia/Genesis offerings are all world class alternatives. Looking forward to lots of fun in the GT!!!

The reason for the hard switch for max defrost is simple - remember the car was designed in Michigan, not Southern California. Ensure (yes, that’s the correct word) winter in Detroit) and you’ll appreciate an immediately accessible max defrost button much more than a silly hatch release button (which can be relegated to the screen with a mythical frunk release button ?)

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