D’Roc
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Darrin
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2021
- Threads
- 11
- Messages
- 94
- Reaction score
- 144
- Location
- North Carolina
- Vehicles
- 2022 Mach E SR eAWD
- Occupation
- Program Manager
- Thread starter
- #1
I recently wrote in a separate thread about how purchasing my MME Select AWD was a no brainer compared to the Tesla Model Y. Last Fall, the Model Y was $10,000 more expensive and did not qualify for the Federal Tax Credit. As most of you know, this has changed with the Model Y Standard Range AWD (68 kWh battery and an EPA estimated range of 279 miles) now undercutting the Mach E at $46,990. In addition, where the Mach E has had it's Federal Tax Credit reduced to $3,750, the Model Y now qualifies for the full $7,500.
While I've admired the Model S since it's release in 2011, I've had mixed feelings about Tesla's lower-priced, higher volume Model 3 and Model Y. The Model S had a sense of rarity about it with annual production runs averaging <30K cars. With the hundreds of thousands of Model 3s and Model Ys being built (and purchased) they are much more common and where I live it's not unusual to 3 or 4 at any given stoplight. In addition, the Model 3 and Model Y interiors struck me as much too spartan with the single do-it-all screen.
But when Tesla lowered the Standard Range AWD base price to $46,990, I couldn't resist placing a non-refundable $250- order for one. So much has been said about the Texas Model Y's improved build quality, it's novel use of the 4680 battery format, and structural battery pack I thought buying a MY SR AWD would be a no brainer. I've heard plenty of complaints on the Tesla boards about the Model Y's road comfort; that the Long Range's ride was jarring and the Performance Model's ride almost unbearable. I've heard the same on this forum regarding the MME's ride being too harsh but that is not my experience. I've mainly owned sport sedans and cars with firm suspension tuning and I think my MME's ride is fine. The Tesla Model Y's Standard Range AWD was mentioned as having a "comfort" suspension compared to the long range and performance trims. With that all in mind, I went to my local Raleigh Tesla Dealership (which must've had a new car inventory >50 cars on their lot) to test drive a Model Y SR AWD. I had driven a Model 3 two Summers ago and I figured the MY would be similar or better. I was in for a shock. The ride was unsettling with larger dips slamming my head into headrest. I drove the MY on the same roads I drive my MME and the ride of the Tesla was substantially worse. In addition, the demo with ~500 miles on it had a rattle and squeak from the back. My MME is still squeak and rattle free at 7500 miles.
So I went into the Model Y thinking my biggest concern would be adapting to the single do-it-all-in-one center screen. Adjusting the mirrors and the steering wheel via the center screen was a bit off-putting but those are one and done actions that aren't frequently repeated. I was worried more about things done on a regular basis like windshield wipers, headlights, cruise control, etc. When I heard you had to scroll through screens to turn on the Wipers if caught in a Thunderstorm the ideas was non-sensical. But there is no scrolling through screens. Bump the turn signal inward (similar to the horn on 1980s fords), and the wipers give a single swipe. But, more importantly, wiper controls appear right on the screen with options for off-low-med-high-auto. We've all read about the MME doing phantom wipes in the clear and I've read the same about the MY so I would likely not use the auto feature and instead simply swipe and then select a speed. Want to turn on Active Cruise Control in the MY? Just bump the drive stalk down again to activate and use the steering wheel dials to ratchet the desired setting up or down. Want to do Active Cruise Control AND lane centering? Bump the drive stalk down twice. Within my 15 minute test drive I was completely comfortable with the MY's UI/UX. But the ride... It was so unsettled that I actually became lightly nauseous during my short 15 minute drive. It was a deal breaker.
I love good engineering (Octovalve, Heat pump, structural battery packs with 4680 cell format) and I really wanted to like the Model Y and collect another $7,500 rebate. Instead, I ended up canceling my order and eating my $250 deposit. YMMV but I thought I'd share my experience.
Edit: At the gym this AM, I remembered I hadn’t mentioned my observations on the Model Y’s handling. The playful handling of my MME is one of its attributes I favor most. As I stated earlier, I test drove the Model Y on the same roads I drive my MME. Where I can bring the back end of my MME around with a little on throttle oversteer, the Model Y simply spun and scrubbed the front tire with understeer which may be safe but not necessarily fun.
While I've admired the Model S since it's release in 2011, I've had mixed feelings about Tesla's lower-priced, higher volume Model 3 and Model Y. The Model S had a sense of rarity about it with annual production runs averaging <30K cars. With the hundreds of thousands of Model 3s and Model Ys being built (and purchased) they are much more common and where I live it's not unusual to 3 or 4 at any given stoplight. In addition, the Model 3 and Model Y interiors struck me as much too spartan with the single do-it-all screen.
But when Tesla lowered the Standard Range AWD base price to $46,990, I couldn't resist placing a non-refundable $250- order for one. So much has been said about the Texas Model Y's improved build quality, it's novel use of the 4680 battery format, and structural battery pack I thought buying a MY SR AWD would be a no brainer. I've heard plenty of complaints on the Tesla boards about the Model Y's road comfort; that the Long Range's ride was jarring and the Performance Model's ride almost unbearable. I've heard the same on this forum regarding the MME's ride being too harsh but that is not my experience. I've mainly owned sport sedans and cars with firm suspension tuning and I think my MME's ride is fine. The Tesla Model Y's Standard Range AWD was mentioned as having a "comfort" suspension compared to the long range and performance trims. With that all in mind, I went to my local Raleigh Tesla Dealership (which must've had a new car inventory >50 cars on their lot) to test drive a Model Y SR AWD. I had driven a Model 3 two Summers ago and I figured the MY would be similar or better. I was in for a shock. The ride was unsettling with larger dips slamming my head into headrest. I drove the MY on the same roads I drive my MME and the ride of the Tesla was substantially worse. In addition, the demo with ~500 miles on it had a rattle and squeak from the back. My MME is still squeak and rattle free at 7500 miles.
So I went into the Model Y thinking my biggest concern would be adapting to the single do-it-all-in-one center screen. Adjusting the mirrors and the steering wheel via the center screen was a bit off-putting but those are one and done actions that aren't frequently repeated. I was worried more about things done on a regular basis like windshield wipers, headlights, cruise control, etc. When I heard you had to scroll through screens to turn on the Wipers if caught in a Thunderstorm the ideas was non-sensical. But there is no scrolling through screens. Bump the turn signal inward (similar to the horn on 1980s fords), and the wipers give a single swipe. But, more importantly, wiper controls appear right on the screen with options for off-low-med-high-auto. We've all read about the MME doing phantom wipes in the clear and I've read the same about the MY so I would likely not use the auto feature and instead simply swipe and then select a speed. Want to turn on Active Cruise Control in the MY? Just bump the drive stalk down again to activate and use the steering wheel dials to ratchet the desired setting up or down. Want to do Active Cruise Control AND lane centering? Bump the drive stalk down twice. Within my 15 minute test drive I was completely comfortable with the MY's UI/UX. But the ride... It was so unsettled that I actually became lightly nauseous during my short 15 minute drive. It was a deal breaker.
I love good engineering (Octovalve, Heat pump, structural battery packs with 4680 cell format) and I really wanted to like the Model Y and collect another $7,500 rebate. Instead, I ended up canceling my order and eating my $250 deposit. YMMV but I thought I'd share my experience.
Edit: At the gym this AM, I remembered I hadn’t mentioned my observations on the Model Y’s handling. The playful handling of my MME is one of its attributes I favor most. As I stated earlier, I test drove the Model Y on the same roads I drive my MME. Where I can bring the back end of my MME around with a little on throttle oversteer, the Model Y simply spun and scrubbed the front tire with understeer which may be safe but not necessarily fun.
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