Tesla's Model 3 Gets Even More Expensive

[William Maley]

.Over the weekend, Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to Twitter and announced a new powerful version of the Model 3. The version according to Musk will cost $78,000 and will be "quicker & with better handling.

The last line of Musk's tweet made us chuckle since the current Model 3 warranty doesn't permit racing and autocross.

  Quote

Driving over uneven, rough, damaged or hazardous surfaces, including but not limited to, curbs, potholes, unfinished roads, debris, or other obstacles, or in competition, racing or autocross or for any other purposes for which the vehicle is not designed.

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Nevertheless, it has brought up questions as to where the $35,000 Model 3 is. For a number of buyers who plopped down the $1,000 deposit, this is the model they are waiting for. Musk gave a roundabout answer to where the low-priced Model 3 is.

There is some truth to Musk's madness. Tesla is burning through cash like it is going out of style. According to Bloomberg, the company used up more than a billion in the first quarter. One way Tesla raises money is rolling out their most expensive variants of the Model S, X, and 3. Once they have enough cash, they will begin production of less expensive models.

But the Model 3 has proven to be very problematic for Tesla. Various delays and production issues have caused Tesla to push back production targets for the Model 3 again and again. Tesla is aiming to produce 5,000 Model 3s a week by the end of the second quarter.

“The idea that it’s supposed to be a car for everyone is kind of laughable. Anyone who wanted a base model may have to wait years out,” said Ivan Drury, senior manager of industry analysis at Edmunds.com.

Source: Bloomberg (Subscription Required)

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[ccap41]

"with better handling. Will beat anything in its class on the track."

That's a ballsy line right there.

[G. David Felt]

People who talked about how they would have a superior Tesla 3 for $35,000 minus their fed rebate of $7,500 so they would have a Tesla for $27,500 are now canceling and moving to the Bolt as Tesla will not have rebates left by the time they get their minimal cost car in production.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20180216/RETAIL/180219760/musk-tesla-model3-chevy-bolt-competition-tax-credit

[ccap41]

That's one heck of a downgrade. 

[G. David Felt]

  On 5/21/2018 at 7:34 PM, ccap41 said:

That's one heck of a downgrade. 

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Not really, in comparison of the base Tesla to a Fully loaded Bolt which comes in at the general same price point, If you can get a Bolt with the fed discount and yet no Tesla, why wait if you want and need an auto. Clearly 65,000 plus and growing Tesla 3 reservation holders are doing this in California and elsewhere as the value is there in the Bolt.

Some good fair even headed comparisons on the Tesla 3 to the Bolt.

http://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-model-3-chevy-bolt-comparison-pictures-2018-4

They have plenty of negative and positive things to say, but the review made this point over and over: 

"I also flat-out loved driving it. I blasted in and out of New York City twice, rocketed around the streets of Gotham, darted through traffic, and cruised along the highways of New Jersey. I enjoyed just driving it around the quiet streets of the suburb where I live.

The steering is quick and responsive, and the handling is sharp enough to provide the confidence you need when surfing that sweet EV torque."

Quote the ending: 

"But the Bolt punches well above its weight, while the Model 3 should be better for how much its costs at the upper end of its specifications.

Pricing is also an issue. Right now, you can have any Model 3 you preordered after a long wait — as long as it starts at $42,000. (Tesla isn't manufacturing the $35,000 base vehicle.) If you want the base Bolt, Chevy will gladly sell it to you for $37,500.

So if you want to get technical, the only true mass-market all-electric vehicle in the market is the Bolt.

Both cars are fun to drive, in their own ways. The Model S is stable, sporty, and fast off the line, but the Bolt, hardly a slug, affords a kind of video-game-like driving experience, especially when zipping around a city like New York.

And not for nothing, the Bolt hit the market a year ahead of the Model 3, demonstrating that big slow GM could, to a certain extent, beat Tesla at its own game and deliver a less expensive long-range EV, at least initially.

So I have to call it a dead heat."

I would agree with the last statement, while they do not compete in the same category, there are plenty of things the Bolt does right and above it's class. There are plenty of things the Tesla does that should be better for the price you pay. I agree that it is a dead heat right now.

Another good read by Forbes which is also balanced:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brookecrothers/2018/02/25/chevy-bolt-2018-vs-tesla-model-3-best-small-ev-and-most-popular-ev-cheat-sheet/#3b2186c15578

 

[G. David Felt]

Love this as it is a side by side comparison chart of all the details about the Chevy Bolt compared to Tesla 3.

https://www.consumerreports.org/tesla-model-3/tesla-model-3-vs-chevrolet-bolt-ev-tale-of-the-tape/

[ccap41]

Blah Blah Blah that's going from a sporty car to a half-ass CUV/car/van-like thing. That's a downgrade. 

[G. David Felt]

  On 5/21/2018 at 8:08 PM, ccap41 said:

Blah Blah Blah that's going from a sporty car to a half-ass CUV/car/van-like thing. That's a downgrade. 

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 WOW, I see it from a half ass piss poor car to a roomy CUV.

Tesla 3, Half Empty

Chevy Bolt Half Full

[ccap41]

Who would have thought you'd think it was a upgrade? 

A hybrid CUV/van/wagon mix is never an upgrade. 

[G. David Felt]

  On 5/21/2018 at 8:22 PM, ccap41 said:

Who would have thought you'd think it was a upgrade? 

A hybrid CUV/van/wagon mix is never an upgrade. 

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Disagree, Going to a small car is always a Downgrade to me. Luxury, roomy SUV / CUV are and always will be an upgrade to me. 

Even a full size Truck is an upgrade over a car.

MHO

[Robert Hall]

A subcompact economy car like the Bolt would be a downgrade relative to most anything, though. 

[ccap41]

  On 5/21/2018 at 8:39 PM, dfelt said:

Luxury, roomy SUV / CUV are and always will be an upgrade to me. 

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It's like the inverse of an auto enthusiast statement. 

Might as well just say you're in love with electric cars too...

?

  On 5/21/2018 at 8:41 PM, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

A subcompact economy car like the Bolt would be a downgrade relative to most anything, though. 

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In what world is that class of car considered "subcompact"? 

[Robert Hall]

  On 5/21/2018 at 9:05 PM, ccap41 said:

 

In what world is that class of car considered "subcompact"? 

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It's really tiny---164 inches long.  That's a subcompact.    It's only slightly larger than the Sonic hatchback, and smaller than the Trax (subcompact CUV).   Definitely too small to be a compact.

  On 5/21/2018 at 9:05 PM, ccap41 said:

It's like the inverse of an auto enthusiast statement.  

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I don't know, I like luxury SUVs over ordinary cars as far a daily driver.  I'd take my Jeep over any midsize sedan.   Likewise, I'd probably take an GLS, Escalade or Navigator over most full size sedans for a daily driver...

Edited May 21, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[ccap41]

  On 5/21/2018 at 9:10 PM, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

It's really tiny---164 inches long.  That's a subcompact.    It's only slightly larger than the Sonic hatchback, and smaller than the Trax (subcompact CUV).   Definitely too small to be a compact.

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Can I share your drugs...

[Robert Hall]

???  I was taking about the Bolt dimensions.  Go back and read my post. I clearly said Bolt. 

Edited May 21, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[ccap41]

It is also classified as a mid-size by EPA standards, if I remember correctly. 

  On 5/21/2018 at 9:24 PM, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

???  I was taking about the Bolt dimensions.  Go back and read my post. I clearly said Bolt. 

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??‍♂️ YUP.

You know whats ironic about that is I originally thought you said Bolt but I reread it and I reread it WRONG. 

[balthazar]

EPA uses interior cubic volume- to them a 1973 El Camino is a subcompact.

[Robert Hall]

I wonder what the Model 3 is classed as.  It like it might be smaller inside than the  C-segment luxury sedans (ATS, C, 3, etc)

  On 5/21/2018 at 9:31 PM, balthazar said:

EPA uses interior cubic volume- to them a 1973 El Camino is a subcompact.

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I could see that.  Small interior, huge exterior.  It seemed to carry its long hood, long tail shape better than some of the Rancheros--the 77-79 Rancheros had such long overhangs and a pinched looking cabin. 

[ocnblu]

  On 5/21/2018 at 7:56 PM, dfelt said:

why wait if you want and need an auto.

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Why wait indeed?  WHY oh WHY???

[G. David Felt]

  On 5/21/2018 at 10:14 PM, ocnblu said:

Why wait indeed?  WHY oh WHY???

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So funny how you twist and take everything out of context.  

[riviera74]

Elon Musk overpromised and underdelivered again.  Maybe everyone who reserved their Tesla Model 3 should get their money back and simply buy an already available Chevy Bolt.  And I mean ALL OF THEM.

[ccap41]

If my reading on it earlier is correct it’s interior volume + trunk volume and the Model 3 is 97+15 which puts it technically in the Large car class. 

Edit: Mid Size is correct. 

Edited May 22, 2018 by ccap41

[daves87rs]

Bolt is going to hand the 3 it's a*s*s* again.......??

 

I think at this stage pretty much every automaker could hand Tesla their behind....

 

Things are no looking rosy for them at all.....

[ocnblu]

Rosie Palmer?

[smk4565]

  On 5/21/2018 at 8:08 PM, ccap41 said:

Blah Blah Blah that's going from a sporty car to a half-ass CUV/car/van-like thing. That's a downgrade. 

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Correct.  Until the Bolt can put accelerate a Corvette I am not interested.  The Model 3 is a much faster car than the Bolt and looks better and is from the “in” brand not your grandpa’s brand.

[G. David Felt]

  On 5/22/2018 at 4:00 PM, smk4565 said:

Correct.  Until the Bolt can put accelerate a Corvette I am not interested.  The Model 3 is a much faster car than the Bolt and looks better and is from the “in” brand not your grandpa’s brand.

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Mercedes is your Grandpa's Brand too and they have no EV.

The speed difference for the majority of people is insignificant and the Bolt can go faster if you put it in Sport mode. Interesting how no one really talks about the fact that you can take a second off that magic number you like to use too much on 0 to 60 if you are in Sport mode that then puts the Bolt on a level plane with the Tesla 3 that is more cramped than the Bolt.

[balthazar]

Musk just shot himself in the foot- the 100s of thousands that put down deposits thinking their 'in brand' car was going to be $35K, STILL waiting, years later, to get that car when all that's available is $42-49K..., Musk gives a Model 3 update and the new version costs EIGHTY THOUSAND instead.

All those people still waiting must be PISSED. Let's see if Tesla issues an update on deposit cancellations...

[G. David Felt]

@balthazar I think Musk could loose more than half the deposits once other OEM EV's start showing up this summer and fall. I think his days are numbered in the current form as a car company.

[G. David Felt]

And CR has found a braking issue with the Tesla 3 that Musk says will be fixed via a software update.

Consumer Reports will NOT Recommend Tesla 3.

https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/tesla-model-3-review-falls-short-of-consumer-reports-recommendation/ 

[ccap41]

OoOoOoooo SPORT MODE for the SUV/van/car Bolt! I bet that blows the doors off of exactly nothing Tesla makes. 

[smk4565]

  On 5/22/2018 at 4:32 PM, dfelt said:

Mercedes is your Grandpa's Brand too and they have no EV.

The speed difference for the majority of people is insignificant and the Bolt can go faster if you put it in Sport mode. Interesting how no one really talks about the fact that you can take a second off that magic number you like to use too much on 0 to 60 if you are in Sport mode that then puts the Bolt on a level plane with the Tesla 3 that is more cramped than the Bolt.

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The Bolt is a tiny car, which right away is a turn off to many, it isn't a mid-size sedan or even Cruze sized sedan and it isn't as big as an SUV and people want SUVs.   And yes Tesla has production issues and needs another SUV.  Mercedes will have a whole wave of electrics with no production issues like Tesla has, and they'll be SUVs and sedans that people want, although with 1 hatchback, but those sell in Europe.

[balthazar]

Bolt is a small hatchback, which are gaining in popularity, vs. the Model 3 as a sedan, the fastest shrinking vehicle preference. Model Y should have been built first.

[ccap41]

Hatchbacks don't sell very well in the US at all. I wish they did... Well not ones that look like the Bolt. 

[balthazar]

But the #2 thru at least the #8 best selling EVs in the US are hatchbacks.

Bolt finished #2 last year on the EV charts, and so far is #4 this year.

Edited May 22, 2018 by balthazar

[ocnblu]

GUYS, CORRECTION.  THE CHEVROLET BOLT IS A CROSSOVER ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER.  IT CAN BE FOUND IN THE ONLINE ORDER GUIDE UNDER "CHEVROLET TRUCKS".  lol

[ccap41]

  On 5/22/2018 at 9:42 PM, balthazar said:

But the #2 thru at least the #8 best selling EVs in the US are hatchbacks.

Bolt finished #2 last year on the EV charts, and so far is #4 this year.

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Because the're all hatchbacks except the Model S and 3, aren't they? Everything else seems to be hybrid or plug-in hybrids.

  On 5/22/2018 at 11:25 PM, ocnblu said:

GUYS, CORRECTION.  THE CHEVROLET BOLT IS A CROSSOVER ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER.  IT CAN BE FOUND IN THE ONLINE ORDER GUIDE UNDER "CHEVROLET TRUCKS".  lol

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More reasons to dislike the dang thing... ?

[Robert Hall]

  On 5/23/2018 at 1:33 PM, ccap41 said:

Because the're all hatchbacks except the Model S and 3, aren't they? Everything else seems to be hybrid or plug-in hybrids.

 

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Model S is a hatchback.  Model 3 is inexplicably trunked despite the shape. 

  On 5/22/2018 at 9:25 PM, ccap41 said:

Hatchbacks don't sell very well in the US at all. I wish they did... Well not ones that look like the Bolt. 

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I like hatchbacks when they are serious and upright like the Golf, and sleek like the Panamera, A7 or Regal.  Bolt just looks lumpen and goofy, like an oversized Spark or Sonic.  The 2nd gen Leaf copied it's styling. 

Edited May 23, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[ccap41]

  On 5/23/2018 at 1:34 PM, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Model S is a hatchback.  Model 3 is inexplicably trunked despite the shape

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Oh yeah I forgot a lot of hatchbacks are in the shape of cars now like you mentioned in the A7, Panamera, and Regal. 

[G. David Felt]

  On 5/22/2018 at 11:25 PM, ocnblu said:

GUYS, CORRECTION.  THE CHEVROLET BOLT IS A CROSSOVER ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER.  IT CAN BE FOUND IN THE ONLINE ORDER GUIDE UNDER "CHEVROLET TRUCKS".  lol

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  On 5/23/2018 at 1:33 PM, ccap41 said:

More reasons to dislike the dang thing... ?

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Actually more reason for the public to like them. Roomy mid size space in a compact format. Win Win!

[ccap41]

OoOoOo that's what everybody wants. Subcompact SUVs are on fire! 

[Robert Hall]

  On 5/23/2018 at 4:29 PM, ccap41 said:

OoOoOo that's what everybody wants. Subcompact SUVs are on fire! 

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Some people like them...I have no interest in anything that small. 

[frogger]

  On 5/23/2018 at 3:14 PM, dfelt said:

 

Actually more reason for the public to like them. Roomy mid size space in a compact format. Win Win!

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Roomy midsize?  More like compact in a subcompact form.  It has a tiny bit more space than a Honda Fit, but the Fit has seat configurations that make it much more versatile.   Most days I feel both are equally awkward looking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ccap41]

  On 5/23/2018 at 4:43 PM, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

Some people like them...I have no interest in anything that small.

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Yes, "SOME". 

My current car is as small as I will ever own and I'll never have something this small again. It works for now but with owning a home I almost need larger so I won't have to borrow my dad's Taco. 

[G. David Felt]

  On 5/23/2018 at 5:42 PM, ccap41 said:

Yes, "SOME". 

My current car is as small as I will ever own and I'll never have something this small again. It works for now but with owning a home I almost need larger so I won't have to borrow my dad's Taco. 

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Spicy Taco or Plain Taco? Inquiring minds want to know.  

[ccap41]

It's more plain... SR5, Access Cab, cloth, 4WD, 4.0, Auto.

It is nice that it is the first year they changed to a touch screen for all trims so it does still have bluetooth for music and backup camera but it's a pretty plain trim.

The backup camera blows compared to my Focus though. His is in his rearview mirror and not the clearest of pictures compared to mine being on an 8" screen. 

[ocnblu]

What makes me LOL even louder is that the U.S. government would let GM classify the Bolt as a truck for CAFE reasons.  What on EARTH makes it a truck?  Silly talk.  CAFE is such a lameass joke.

Edited May 24, 2018 by ocnblu

[Robert Hall]

  On 5/24/2018 at 12:24 AM, ocnblu said:

What makes me LOL even louder is that the U.S. government would let GM classify the Bolt as a truck for CAFE reasons.  What on EARTH makes it a truck?  Silly talk.  CAFE is such a lameass joke.

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No idea..IIRC, weren't the PT Cruiser and HHR also classified as 'trucks'?   Makes no sense, it's just a subcompact hatchback..maybe a little taller than the Spark or Sonic, but the same form factor..not that different from the Trax, which is a short, tall hatchback...

Edited May 24, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[balthazar]

Trax is a "CUV".

[Robert Hall]

  On 5/24/2018 at 12:41 AM, balthazar said:

Trax is a "CUV".

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Yes, a tall car, not a truck. CUVs are car-based.  If it's got a FWD/AWD platform w/ a transverse engine, it's not a truck or an SUV. 

Edited May 24, 2018 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[balthazar]

I only associate 'hatchback' with such being a car, but of course a 100 CUVs/SUVs are also hatchbacks. I just don't associate it that way. If Chevy wanted to call the Bolt a CUV, I wouldn't care, but no; it's not a truck.