Tesla Model Y

Yep I usually watch his reviews, found this one very downbeat compared to others.

Maybe it's a German thing, I've read a few reviews from German sites that just don't like it at all.

You'd have to make up your own mind before deciding, definitely needs a good test drive.

I posted back earlier in the thread... I have a Model Y LR 7 Seater in California. Fremont build March 2021.

I too read the reviews of the hard ride. Test drive confirmed that the ride was perfectly comfortable. I did the test drive on the 19” Gemini wheels and then a quick second run on the 20” induction wheels.

The 20” was a slightly firmer ride, but you’d have to be really picking at straws to tell the difference. In the end I went with the 19” for my purchase and it’s a comfortable ride. I’ve never once while hitting a bump or going over roads with construction going on, felt that my teeth were about to fall out. Quite the opposite.

10 months into ownership I can confirm that all these reviews about the harsh ride are mostly BS. It's like some motoring journalist in the early reviews said it and every one since has latched onto it to get clicks. Not once in 10 months have I thought about getting the suspension changed. Not once have the family or kids complained... and believe me, there are some shocking roads in California too.

As for handling and driving, it’s excellent. My previous EV was an eGolf and it’s the ultimate fast EV go-kart experience. A fantastic drive.

I was really surprised that the Y handles really well in comparison. I’ve given it a good run across some California back mountain roads and thrown it into a few corners. Sticks to the road perfectly.

I thought the higher centre of gravity would be an issue, but it kind of hunkers down and comes out the other side like a smaller car would. Really is a fun car to drive on back roads and as a motorway cruiser.

I’m thinking of picking up the 20” induction wheels in the summer perhaps, or maybe powder coating the 19” geminis to black. I don’t mind the silver alloy or aero cover when needed, but the black wheels really complete the look.

As for a family car, it’s great. We’ve 2 kids in car seats, buggy in the boot etc. All fit perfectly. Lots of space.

Bottom line. If you like your driving experience to be like driving in a big fluffy cloud, then Tesla 3/Y probably isn't for you. On the same note, your teeth won't fall out going over a bump. I like a sportier feel. I like to feel the road. There's a reason that the demand for this model in the US is so high. It really is the perfect car.

not meaning to dismiss it, as you’re an owner, but you’re driving it in California, where no motoring journalist has really been disappointed with the ride, albeit commenting that it’s firmer.

here in Europe, 90% of respected motoring journalists say it’s too firm - that doesn’t mean its undrivable, (I’ve had bmw msport suspension for years and it’s ‘too firm’ too), but this is a family car - a test drive of it beforehand is crucial and then everyone just makes up their own mind.

dismissing motoring journalist opinions when it comes to ride quality is just silly imho. They drive ALL the cars, and they invariably love teslas, but are critical of the Y’s ride.

when you constantly jump from car to car, ride quality at normal speeds is the easiest thing to compare across them all, but it’s also a personal thing.

That sure is one ugly vehicle.

One tries to bring democracy to your country and steals your oil, and the other makes copies of every electronic item in your house?

I rented a Model Y in Florida last month using Turo. It was a performance with FSD.

Never felt the suspension was too firm. Very easy drive and externally not too big a vehicle. We aren’t keen on SUV type vehicles, it has more of a large saloon feel or CUV. Internal space is fantastic, front & rear seats. About 50% more boot space than our old BMW 5 series estate despite having similar external dimensions. Y is 10cm shorter but about 10cm wider & 10cm taller than the 5 series.

I wasn’t brave enough to try FSD for very long but intelligent cruise control was excellent with traffic light recognition. It really adds an extra safety layer especially appreciated when you have to drive with a little jet lag. Auto stop & start at traffic lights, I was using it for city driving with no issues. Lane assist very accurate too and quick to warn you if it was struggling and needed manual help.

I was convinced and we’ve ordered non Performance.

BTW - recommend using Turo. Good way to try out cars. Was even able to select the same colour we wanted.

Is the Model Y coming here as a 7 seater? Looking on the configurator its showing only as a 5 seater or am I missing something?

It does look very good overall but it would want to be as the starting price is 70k and presumably the 7 seater would be nearer 75k on the road inc met if it is available at all?

Top Gear review

Summary: "one heck of an allrounder"

VW/Audi and BMW full electric vehicles look so much better and way more premium.

Completely disagree, BMW and Audi are making cars for over a century…..

You’re entitled to your opinion though as am I.

My wife is on her 4th BMW and I wouldn't trade my Model 3 for the 4 of them combined. Great to see the Germans being dragged reluctantly into making EVs. They're bad value in comparison to a Model 3, VAG has bad UI, software issues. Hopefully BMW do better. World needs all the EVs it can get.

My brother has a 2021 Tesla, Poorly fitted panels, sub standard paint job are just some of the issues…..the world doesn’t need more EV’s, it needs less cars, when people trade in their ice vehicles for EV, do they dispose of the ICE vehicle or is someone else driving it now, we need a better public transport system, smaller houses, zero single dwellings, cut out the disposable, constant change culture, cheap clothes, new iphone/iPad every year and that’s just a start.

Yep, agreed. Mind have you ever driven over those "kasseienstroken"? ;-) They are far worse than even the worst of Dublin's third world paved streets 😂