littlD
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2021
- Threads
- 4
- Messages
- 220
- Reaction score
- 259
- Location
- Saint Peters, MO
- Vehicles
- 2018 Tesla Model 3 LR RWD, Tesla Model Y LR AWD
- Thread starter
- #31
I started my EV journey with a 2012 Chevy Volt as I too couldn't justify a Model S at that time.Welcome.
I've been lurking for a while without posting. Thought I'd add my 2 cents (or more).
I have a 2013 Fusion Energi. Bought it as soon as one become available with most of the options I wanted. I decided that a Tesla was out of my price range so I'd get a PHEV. At that time, it was the best option for me and I've never regretted my purchase. I've got 78K total miles on it with 55K electric miles. Although I've made a couple of long trips in it, I haven't done as many as I first envisioned. I mostly drive it on lots of short trips. 98% of my charging is at home. I had Solar City (now Tesla) install my first PV installation in 2009 and updated it in 2013 so that I could minimize my carbon footprint with my FFE. The update gave me my first bad experience with Tesla. It took them 3 months from the time they started to finalize the added installation. They tried to do all the planning remotely and screwed it up. Badly. Then blamed it on the city. It wasn't the city.
I thought when the Model Y was announced that it would be the right car for me. As others have mentioned, I have very little tolerance for a company that seems more focused on profit over customers and employees. Although I live very close to the Fremont plant, I don't trust Tesla to change to a customer service oriented company. If you've ever watched Rich Rebuilds on YouTube, you'd understand part of the reason that I believe Elon doesn't care about customers. He oversells his product (where's the long promised FSD? and what exactly caused so many people to think that "autopilot" would mean they could ignore their responsibility of driving? or the Model 3 would allow owners to use their cars to make them money when they weren't using it by renting it as a robotaxi within 3 years). Parts for Teslas are ridiculously expensive and the idea that you can't service or modify your own car is nuts. Basically, Tesla lays claim to the cars even after your purchase. But...Teslas are really well engineered vehicles. They are impressive vehicles.
Bottom line is I was looking for another option and found it in the ME. If, however, I find that it's not the vehicle I thought it would be, I'll get my refunded down payment and buy a Model Y.
I really enjoyed the 1st Gen Volt, it was reliable and I usually got 47 miles out of it before the engine kicked in (this one was rated at 35 miles electric).
PHEVs will be a good choice for some for sometime to come. Sorry you had to deal with the old Solar City, they were a hot mess back then. From what I hear from friends, Tesla is getting better with their Solar business but still needs to improve.
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