Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
2013 Tesla Model S Long-Term Road Test
Edmunds.com
Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 10,315
2013 Tesla Model S Long-Term Road Test
As polished as our Tesla Model S might look at first glance, there are few signs of less than perfect workmanship.
0
Comments
The hatch panel gap is atrocious:
http://i.imgur.com/1S9kn.jpg
It also had the typical prolapsed door handle:
http://i.imgur.com/gVAoW.jpg
The larger production run cars like the regular S class or A8 don't tend to have the issues but things like these aren't unique among the more exclusive cars.
I know these posts are not in chronological order, but...is this car even being driven?
Also note the capitalization on 'American Car'. Clearly the Model S stands in a league of its own?
@zimtheinvader,
That misaligned Benz hood on Top Gear was actually their fault. They hadn't closed the hood properly (it latches in 3 places) before shooting. There was actually a bit of hub-bub about it.
http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/detailers-showcase/38405-2012-aston-martin-virage-volante-richies-custom-detailing-central-south-florida.html
Lamborghini with factory sanding marks:
http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/lamborghini-correction-detail-and-removing-factory-defects/
These guys have been making cars a lot longer and can't even get the paint right and yet Tesla is 'typical American"? Seriously?
I'm more concerned with how they respond to these flaws - do they look for ways to make me happy and to improve the product over time, or do they look for excuses to not help me at all?
I once had a Jeep that had no brakes when we pulled out of the dealership. They had accidentally cut the lines. The dealer yelled at me when I walked back in to tell them. I will never buy another Jeep.
There are a few other misses on the interior, like the lap joint on the A pillar trim, that can easily be rectified. Surprised that one made it this far without comment.
Whether the driving experience outweighs the shortcomings is up to the individual. The driving experience does not disappoint but the other stuff may detract from "specialness" over time.
Nevertheless I feel like Tesla should get a pass for the Model S v.1.0 given that they needed to get product delivered in a hurry. It was more important to get it out than to get it perfect -- at least where fit and finish is concerned. So far the important things (read: safety equipment, powertrain) are impeccable in their reliability.