IF you could do it all over... what would you buy?

[broncoaz]

So for example, when I go to Vegas from S. California I have to stop in Baker CA to charge up to 90%. It takes about an hour to charge. Are you not going on long trips that require you to charge up for that amount of time?

States are a lot closer together in New England. On the initial charge on an ER battery I can get to six different states, and I live on Cape Cod that is on the eastern edge of MA. The farthest I go routinely is ~240 miles to St Johnsbury, VT.

I used to live in AZ, I don’t think I would’ve chosen an EV if I were still living there because of the distances involved and frequency of trips beyond the initial battery range. I used to drive diesel vehicles (VW TDI and Cummins) that could go 600+ miles per tank. I was able to make a round trip from Flagstaff to Tucson and back without filling up. The common 488 mile trip from Flagstaff to San Diego would be rough in my Lightning.

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[lipnorth]

All depends on the stations speed. If you can do a 20-80% charge in 30 minutes, that’s reasonable. Now with Tesla station access there should be more choices at high speed.

EV doesn’t work well everywhere. For example, where it’s really cold. This cold snap has really decreased my range. If I was like this 6+ months of the year I would have to rethink.

 

[Effonefiddy Lightning]

States are a lot closer together in New England. On the initial charge on an ER battery I can get to six different states, and I live on Cape Cod that is on the eastern edge of MA. The farthest I go routinely is ~240 miles to St Johnsbury, VT.

I used to live in AZ, I don’t think I would’ve chosen an EV if I were still living there because of the distances involved and frequency of trips beyond the initial battery range. I used to drive diesel vehicles (VW TDI and Cummins) that could go 600+ miles per tank. I was able to make a round trip from Flagstaff to Tucson and back without filling up. The common 488 mile trip from Flagstaff to San Diego would be rough in my Lightning.

Oh wow, I used to drive my 2002 Beetle TDI across the country. Loved that car, I sold it after California started testing diesels.

 

[Effonefiddy Lightning]

An hour sounds long is it a fast charger?

When I charge on trips, I usually stop at about 80% because the charging slows down to protect the battery.

Because of the long distance in between chargers, I go to 90% and I have a SR.

 

[Rip]

I would’ve entertained the Cybertruck for the same money. I like the aesthetics of the Lightning better, but Tesla has the best EV software and charging network. i really like everything Musk is doing for the past couple of years.

If I were buying again today with the same financials as when I leased my Flash last month I would make the same decision. The Silverado isn’t for me, I saw one recently and really hated it. The Rivian is interesting, but they designed the lift over frunk poorly.

Tesla does have the best EV software, and the most extensive charging network. But Ford could probably catch up with the software, and most of the charging network is open for all EVs now. What Tesla probably won't catch up on is customer service and quality. They have relied on being the original tech innovators for too long, and if they can't compete on service and quality they won't stay competitive.

 

[Piquette]

With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, I would have stayed with my ‘18 F-150 ICE until Ford figures out how to build reliable batteries. I have had to have two modules replaced on my ‘22 Lightning Lariat ER in 22k miles and 32 months.

 

[BSull]

I probably would have put new bushings in the suspension of my HD edition 03 F150, kept the truck that got 10 MPG on a good day and never, ever, ever take it on a road trip.

 

[WilliamRobert]

I’m totally satisfied with my ’22 Lariat!
I’ve been driving electric since 2018, my Volt used less than 8 gallons of gas a year.
After all the years of being screwed buy the gasoline and diesel companies, I’m glad to be doing my part and adding my little nail to their well earned coffin!

 

[WilliamRobert]

I would have kept my Model S, it was a bad ass car, but also I would have still gotten the Platinum, Only thing I think that stinks with the Platinum is the lower payload, towing and the crappy range eating 22 inch wheels. Also fix the damn charging pad before someone's phone catches on fire and add NACS charging ports, I wont buy another EV without NACS... I hate fddlefreaking with the adapters when I haven't had to for 13 years.

Seriously, phones can cost well over a $1,000, I don’t trust the Ford charger. Actually I would say the Ford QI wireless charging isn’t slow, isn’t fast, it’s Half Fast! I pulled the fuse and double sticky taped a mag base charger on the ford charger.

I had a 22 Silverado QI wireless charger that actually cooled my phone! Ford doesn’t care until they have to.

 

[mefly2]

Back to the original question ... I'd get the same make and model ...perhaps a different color.

 

[Adventureboy]

Would do exactly the same. Love this truck.

 

[lipnorth]

Back to the original question ... I'd get the same make and model ...perhaps a different color.

Me too! The gray has turned out to be boring

 

[lipnorth]

Tesla does have the best EV software, and the most extensive charging network. But Ford could probably catch up with the software, and most of the charging network is open for all EVs now. What Tesla probably won't catch up on is customer service and quality. They have relied on being the original tech innovators for too long, and if they can't compete on service and quality they won't stay competitive.

But they do not support CarPlay. Dealbreaker.

 

[flyct]

Tesla does have the best EV software, and the most extensive charging network. But Ford could probably catch up with the software, and most of the charging network is open for all EVs now. What Tesla probably won't catch up on is customer service and quality. They have relied on being the original tech innovators for too long, and if they can't compete on service and quality they won't stay competitive.

I read all the articles about quality and service issues with Teslas before buying my 2023 Model Ys. My personal experience doesn’t match the negative reviews.

Both of our 2+ year old Teslas have excellent fit and finish.
My wife’s Tesla died the day after we picked it up. I was adjusting the steering wheel when it declared a fault and wouldn’t go into drive. That was on a Sunday. I used the app to request service. 10 minutes later received a text and they sent a tow truck to pick it up. The next day it was fixed. A loose connector in the steering column. That is the only service issue caused by Tesla we have had.

Mt Tesla had an issue where the outside temp display all of a sudden was way off. I set up a service request with the app and 2 days later a mobile tech came to my house to replace a sensor. When he pulled the front tub he found rodent damage to a harness. He made a temp repair and offered to get a quote on harness replacement.

I’ve had them come to my house 3 times now to do tire rotations. They air up the tires and measure and record tread depth. The techs are friendly, knowledgeable and willing to look at anything other that you bring up.

 

[Rip]

I read all the articles about quality and service issues with Teslas before buying my 2023 Model Ys. My personal experience doesn’t match the negative reviews.

Both of our 2+ year old Teslas have excellent fit and finish.
My wife’s Tesla died the day after we picked it up. I was adjusting the steering wheel when it declared a fault and wouldn’t go into drive. That was on a Sunday. I used the app to request service. 10 minutes later received a text and they sent a tow truck to pick it up. The next day it was fixed. A loose connector in the steering column. That is the only service issue caused by Tesla we have had.

Mt Tesla had an issue where the outside temp display all of a sudden was way off. I set up a service request with the app and 2 days later a mobile tech came to my house to replace a sensor. When he pulled the front tub he found rodent damage to a harness. He made a temp repair and offered to get a quote on harness replacement.

I’ve had them come to my house 3 times now to do tire rotations. They air up the tires and measure and record tread depth. The techs are friendly, knowledgeable and willing to look at anything other that you bring up.

My experience was considerably different. My body panels wandered often, and after the second adjustment, I was told that "Elon has decided he's not paying for body panel adjustments after 10 thousand miles anymore." We had a very minor collision that caused the back passenger side door to remain locked (with its window fully open). It took 8 months of driving around with a piece of shower curtain taped over it before we could get the parts and have it repaired by a Tesla-certified body shop.
Tesla's "roadside service" was a joke, too. I picked up a screw in one of my tires, and the car refused to drive. I went to the app for roadside service to get it repaired. I had to wait for an hour for someone to come by and put a loaner tire on, then make an appointment to have another repair person come out a couple of weeks later. That one brought the wrong tire, and then didn't call me back for another month. Finally, they replaced the tire, but it literally took weeks.
Tesla service did not make a good first impression on me, either. My first appointment was for a state inspection. I made an appointment in the app and took it in first thing in the morning. They came out and told me that they had given me an Uber voucher. I said I would just wait there and they said "we will need 6-7 hours." it turned out that there was some recall issue with the AC, and they hadn't told me about it. So I told them we would reschedule that part; I just needed the state inspection and needed the car for the rest of the day. I went in to wait, and the waiting room had some comfortable chairs, but nothing on the TV but Tesla marketing videos. There were 2 Keurig machines on a counter, but no coffee cups or Keurig cups. I told the service manager about these problems when he came to get me after the inspection. His first reaction was, "Oh...you're used to the service experience at the ICE dealers." Then he explained that Elon was not all about service, and that Tesla doesn't see itself as a car company; they see themselves as a tech company.
So, bad first impression that was unfortunately reinforced over time.

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