Help me decide: Mach-E or Model Y

[pepper]

In late September, I placed a deposit on the Mach-E ($53,100 for Premium, Extended Range, RWD, Grabber Blue) and the Model Y ($53,990 for Long Range, Pearl White, 19" Gemini, Black Interior). Both were originally scheduled to be delivered in April, though the MY is now showing a Feb 19 - March 19 delivery. I can only buy one. There are still many months before I need to decide. As of today, I am exactly 50/50 on which I will pick. Some of this decision will depend on the available tax credit at the time of purchase. Hopefully congress gets its s*$@ together and both get a credit next year. If one is substantially cheaper due to a tax credit I will likely go that way (though hard to say if the MY shows up without a credit and the Mach-E still has one but is still months away from delivery).

Anyway, I need your help! I've put together a list of pros and cons in the fine tradition of Benjamin Franklin and Walter White. These lists are specific to my own decision, as I see it. Please let me know if any of these considerations are off base, or if there is anything else I should be considering. I will post the two lists in subsequent posts.

Sponsored

 

[pepper]

Full disclosure... I also plan on cross-posting the same lists on a Tesla forum. It will be interesting to see the differences in replies...

 

[pepper]

Advantage Ford Mach-E

• Body Style. The Mach-E looks great. The body looks muscular. The LED projector headlights on the Premium look amazing, as do the taillights. I also like the futuristic look of the Model Y, but not as much.
• Paint and color. I ordered the Grabber Blue and love this color! I would almost buy the car just for the color. The Tesla looks good in white, but I don’t think is as much a head turner. Also, I’ve heard credible stories of lower paint quality control on the Tesla, including orange peeling, dust nibs, swirl marks, and more susceptibility to chipping. That last one is a particular concern, as a good paint job shouldn’t easily chip.
• Build quality. The Mach-E feels solid, and well built. Tesla is known for its inconsistent build quality, including panel gaps, loose parts, and water leaks.
• Novelty. There are Teslas everywhere. I don’t need to be the only one owning my car, but I’m not sure if it would feel as special if every parking lot I pull into has 10 other cars identical to mine.
• Dashboard screen behind steering wheel. I just want to see an instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. I don’t like that I have to look to the side to see my speed and range on the Model Y. Plus, the upper left of the Model Y screen just looks unpolished to me. The Mach-E does this much better.
• Physical controls. The Mach-E has physical controls for adjusting the side mirrors, direction of the climate control, a latch to open the glove box, turn on/off interior lights, and operate the windshield wipers. The Model Y does these through the touchscreen. Who wants to adjust their wipers through a touchscreen.
• Garage door opener. The Mach-E has a real garage door opener in the visor. I have to pay $350 to get this feature in the Model Y touchscreen, which I’m not about to do. I prefer a real button anyway.
• Apple CarPlay. Why doesn’t the Tesla have this? It’s just stupid.
• Long company track record. Ford has been here from the start. Tesla is a newcomer, run by a a guy who seems slightly crazy. Will they be around in 10 years?

 

[pepper]

Advantage Tesla Model Y

• Known reliability. Tesla has been making EVs for a while now, and has straightened out a lot of early production issues. Ford is just getting started, so there are likely to be a lot more issues for the first few years. Will a 2022 Mach-E be as reliable as a 2022 Model Y? What will the difference in cost of ownership be in 10 years?
• Polished UI. The touchscreen is really snappy, whereas the Mach-E touchscreen is sluggish. The Tesla software seems a little more refined too.
• Supercharger network. I have a lot more confidence that I won’t get stranded on long trips.
• Joy of driving. I’ve seen plenty of YouTube videos of people testing these two cars side by side and stating they enjoy driving the Tesla more, especially comparing the one pedal driving. Granted most of these people are Tesla owners, but not all. I have taken a test drive in both, and Tesla even gave me an overnight test drive. I will admit, the Tesla did feel a bit more responsive on the pedal, though it wasn't a huge difference.
• Performance. The Model Y base model does 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, and comes with AWD standard. The Mach-E RWD model I ordered does it in 6.1. Yes, I could upgrade to the AWD model and achieve 4.8, but this is an extra $2.7K. (Aside, I actually prefer the longer range and cheaper price which is why I’m not upgrading the Mach-E.)
• Cargo capacity. 68 cu ft vs 60 doesn’t seem like much, but it could make the difference. I am choosing a hatchback for a reason: I want to carry things.
• Autopilot. As of today, Tesla’s autopilot is more capable than Ford’s version. Ford is still developing theirs, so this could change. I have no interest in FSD.

 

[generaltso]

Mach-E

 

[pepper]

So... in summary, the above lists show the balance sheet between both of these (nearly equally priced) EVs. I have listed these in order of priority. Now, Benjamin Franklin would have instructed that one is to add up the number of items in each list, and the one with the most is the winner. In this case, the Mach-E would win. However, these items don't all receive equal weight. I do place a huge weight on the first item in the Tesla list. There is a risk in becoming an early adopter, and I think the Ford is behind for that reason. On the other side, the Ford is just kind of a friggin amazing car, and I kinda want one.

 

[macchiaz-o]

If you haven't yet, try and get a test drive on both vehicles.

 

[Texas-E]

Model Y

 

[pepper]

Mach-E

Yeah, thanks for that! I know this is the consensus I'll mostly get on this forum. However, I want to know why the Mach-E is the winner. What have I not considered?

 

[JamieGeek]

Drive both, pick which you like.

No matter what anyone says here its ultimately your decision and you'll be mad at yourself if you pick one based on someone's recommendation here or there that goes against your gut (or you end up not liking which one).

Having said that just go with the Mach-E

 

[pepper]

If you haven't yet, try and get a test drive on both vehicles.

I did get a test drive in both. In fact, Tesla let me take their Model Y overnight. For that reason, the Model Y is the current vote winner from my wife and daughter (who haven't seen the Mach-E yet). I will say, allowing customers to take one overnight is a brilliant marketing move.

 

[DYohn]

After driving both, I got my deposit for a Model Y refunded and the MME is now in my garage.

 

[generaltso]

Yeah, thanks for that! I know this is the consensus I'll mostly get on this forum. However, I want to know why the Mach-E is the winner. What have I not considered?

There are 3 reasons I didn’t consider the Model Y:

1. No instrument cluster
2. No local service
3. No tax credit

 

[macchiaz-o]

I did get a test drive in both. In fact, Tesla let me take their Model Y overnight. For that reason, the Model Y is the current vote winner from my wife and daughter (who haven't seen the Mach-E yet). I will say, allowing customers to take one overnight is a brilliant marketing move.

Some folks here borrowed Mach-Es for thousands of miles of test driving... I guess it depends on your local sales centers and their demand/availability.

 

[SirLamerok]

I would be shocked if you didn't get overwhelming votes for Tesla on their forum and overwhelming votes for Mach-E here. I test drove both and just loved the Mach-E more. Better looking in my opinion and more comfortable to sit in. I would guess the build quality will better on the Mach-E and the software will be better on the Model Y. In any case I think you will enjoy whichever one you choose.

Sponsored