Tesla Model 3 General Discussion

[CodeRedR51]

Those wheels are hideous.

 

[Tyrone B]

It's really weird looking when facing it head on. It's not terrible looking though IMO, and I think the wheels would look better if they weren't black.

 

[CodeRedR51]

 

[05XR8]

$35kUSD?

 

[CodeRedR51]

$35kUSD?

Before incentives.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Interesting article....

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4086711-teslas-new-vehicle-inventory-skyrockets

Tesla could soon have more than $1B of product on their hands without buyers. As with every silicon valley tech company, growth (or the appearance of it, at least) has far outweighed locking down a sustainable, reasonable business model for far too long.

 

[ProjectWHaT]

First publication to drive it was Motor Trend. Here are their pictures.

 

[Robin]

Apparently it doesn't have a key or a fob or anything, you use your phone.

Who thought that was a good idea?!, people loose their phones way more than their car keys which can stay in your pocket most of the time. Also people often run out of battery.

 

[Dan]

I'm disappointed that Tesla has done nothing to change how bland the front of the car looks. It doesn't need a huge grille; just add the Model X's design. IMO, it's a subtle piece that makes a world of a difference and helps with brand recognition. Also, while I'm glad they added trim to the interior, it's still way too basic. At the very least they should have put a speedometer directly in front of the driver, not to the side.

 

[homeforsummer]

people loose their phones way more than their car keys which can stay in your pocket most of the time. Also people often run out of battery.

Speak for yourself...

 

[RocZX]

Apparently it doesn't have a key or a fob or anything, you use your phone.

Who thought that was a good idea?!, people loose their phones way more than their car keys which can stay in your pocket most of the time. Also people often run out of battery.

You get key card you can keep in your wallet use for back up.

 

[FT-1]

You get key card you can keep in your wallet use for back up.

That's also better for handing your car over to someone else (when it is getting serviced, for instance.)

 

[NixxxoN]

Worst car interior ever for a car of that price. Absolutely awful IMO, I would never have it

 

[Northstar]

That's also better for handing your car over to someone else (when it is getting serviced, for instance.)

I'm sure car thieves also fully support this key card idea.

 

[FT-1]

I'm sure car thieves also fully support this key card idea.

A key card is no more vulnerable than a key fob in physical terms. As for the programming aspect, that's yet to be known.

 

[Robin]

Speak for yourself...

You deal with cars for a living, that's probably why!

People are not going to take their keys out of their pocket anywhere as near as much as a phone.

I'm sure car thieves also fully support this key card idea.

Seeing how easy it is to hack hotel key card, which this bares a striking resemblance to, I would agree. What was so wrong with a key or fob? Being futuristic for the sake of being futuristic.

 

[homeforsummer]

People are not going to take their keys out of their pocket anywhere as near as much as a phone.

I have a personal rule: If I'm sitting down, nothing in pockets. If I'm going anywhere, phone/wallet/keys always on me.

That said, I'm not sure your initial statement is a hard and fast rule. Given how much attachment people have to their phones these days, I'd be very surprised if people let them out of their sight as much as they do with keys.

 

[Disco_Volante]

I hate this car. Why? Not the fact that it's a relatively affordable electric car, but rather because everything else about the car is done differently for the sake of it.

The screen, why is it like that? Can't it be integrated into the dashboard? Or why is there no speedometer? I don't give a damn about automated driving if you have to keep your hands on the steering wheel and maintain your focus on the road, just as if you were driving.

And also the lack of a key. Why? If you really want a card you can do it like Renault, and that's as safe as any other key is. A card, or a phone for that matter is not that safe. I imagine it won't take long until a Model 3 is stolen.

A very innovative, high-tech car like this one should be made either with an ICE, or not at all with an electric motor. It has way too much stuff that can make it fail.

 

[FoRiZon]

There are no fixed speedometer I see.

 

[NixxxoN]

There are no fixed speedometer I see.

Indeed. I think that's a must, speedo behind the steering wheel

 

[Tornado]

Speak for yourself...

I can speak for the probably two dozen cell phones I've seen left by people at work over the past 6 months and the no keys I've ever found. I'm sure people have lost their keys, but that big screens are the current phone trend tend to mean people physically carry their phones everywhere, which is probably why.




Honestly, this sort of stuff just makes the Apple comparisons the company got a couple years ago seem more apt.

 

[CodeRedR51]

And also the lack of a key. Why? If you really want a card you can do it like Renault, and that's as safe as any other key is. A card, or a phone for that matter is not that safe. I imagine it won't take long until a Model 3 is stolen.

I actually like the card. Put it in my wallet and forget about it. Don't have a (sometimes huge) key fob in my pocket and no buttons to push. It's basically the same as a fob but easier to carry around and not as bulky. Win Win. I also don't see how it would be any easier to steal than a regular car with a fob.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Seeing how easy it is to hack hotel key card, which this bares a striking resemblance to, I would agree. What was so wrong with a key or fob? Being futuristic for the sake of being futuristic.

Everything can be defeated. Security is simply a matter of time. And quite frankly, the game has changed (in the UK at least) with more and more cars being stolen with the keys (i.e. forcibly taken from the owner or home).

Keys don't guarantee safety because usually there's an electrical workaround (e.g. hot wiring) or physical one (e.g. bumping).

The reality is that most people want ultimate security, but aren't willing to pay for the initial outlay or when they lose their access.

Secure RFID cards are used to access high security facilities all around the world (unlike finger prints), so they are a proven security method when applied correctly.

 

[Joey D]

Also people often run out of battery.

I have never personally ran out of battery, I'm not even sure where I'd plug myself in to charge either.

 

[Disco_Volante]

I actually like the card. Put it in my wallet and forget about it. Don't have a (sometimes huge) key fob in my pocket and no buttons to push. It's basically the same as a fob but easier to carry around and not as bulky. Win Win. I also don't see how it would be any easier to steal than a regular car with a fob.

I said in the post that instead of using a normal card, they should have used something similar to what Renault have used in many of their cars.

As you can see it's thinner than the average phone. To start the car you put the whole thing in the slot and push the Start button. Since you need to get the thing out to start the car anyway opening it is pretty easy.

I know it takes a couple more seconds to do all that than just getting in the car and driving away, but I prefer this to the car opening automatically and starting up automatically when it detects your phone, even if you're just walking by it. And a phone can be hacked much easily than a car key. You don't see people hacking Lambo or Ferrari keys, but people hack phones for fun, imagine if you could get a car by doing that.

And I know cards can be pretty safe, but all that safety is gone if there are easier methods to take the car.

 

[homeforsummer]

I can speak for the probably two dozen cell phones I've seen left by people at work over the past 6 months and the no keys I've ever found. I'm sure people have lost their keys, but that big screens are the current phone trend tend to mean people physically carry their phones everywhere, which is probably why.

People are so dumb.

Does seem weird to me though. All I've heard my whole adult life is "have you seen my keys?" but the only things people seem to do with phones is drop them.

But again, I'm coming from the perspective of someone who never lets either item out of my sight. I don't really mind the phone idea in general either - modern car keys are becoming irritatingly large. The key for a 5-series or 7-series is virtually a phone in the first place:

 

[Joey D]

People are so dumb.

Does seem weird to me though. All I've heard my whole adult life is "have you seen my keys?" but the only things people seem to do with phones is drop them.

Especially since most new phones are $600+ to replace. I can get a new key made for my truck for a couple of bucks at Home Depot (although those fancy keys aren't cheap, the one for my Focus was $200)

 

[CodeRedR51]

As you can see it's thinner than the average phone. To start the car you put the whole thing in the slot and push the Start button. Since you need to get the thing out to start the car anyway opening it is pretty easy.

Way too convoluted. Card in my wallet that doesn't need to be taken out when I open the car and drive away is 100% preferred. Nobody is going to start the car without you in it. I don't have to take my key fob out of my pocket for my Hyundai to get in, start it or drive away. And the car won't start unless you are within the boundaries of the vehicle. This key card would be the same way.

 

[05XR8]

Way too convoluted. Card in my wallet that doesn't need to be taken out when I open the car and drive away is 100% preferred. Nobody is going to start the car without you in it. I don't have to take my key fob out of my pocket for my Hyundai to get in, start it or drive away. And the car won't start unless you are within the boundaries of the vehicle. This key card would be the same way.

I had that same key for my Megane. I never started the car the by inserting it in the slot.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I said in the post that instead of using a normal card, they should have used something similar to what Renault have used in many of their cars.

As you can see it's thinner than the average phone. To start the car you put the whole thing in the slot and push the Start button. Since you need to get the thing out to start the car anyway opening it is pretty easy.

I know it takes a couple more seconds to do all that than just getting in the car and driving away, but I prefer this to the car opening automatically and starting up automatically when it detects your phone, even if you're just walking by it. And a phone can be hacked much easily than a car key. You don't see people hacking Lambo or Ferrari keys, but people hack phones for fun, imagine if you could get a car by doing that.

And I know cards can be pretty safe, but all that safety is gone if there are easier methods to take the car.

The credit card sized Renault key that was only credit card sized in 2 dimensions, not 3?

How do you suppose that inserting a card key into a slot that has no direct contactors is safer than a wireless signal?

Ferrari/Lamborghini use the same car lock systems as the rest of their automotive families. They're car designers after all, not software and security design houses. The reason you don't see them stolen is because they're not discrete, they're hard to sell on/part out, and owners usually have additional security (trackers, garages etc).