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Took delivery of my 2020 limited!

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by UserError, Dec 20, 2019.

  1. UserError

    UserError Junior Member

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    Man I love this car. I didn’t realize how much I missed it. Much, much better build quality than my model x. Now I have real range, a heads up display, sun roof, CarPlay and real blind spot detection.

    I can’t get over how much better the build quality is.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    in what way?
     
  3. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Congrats. The quality even shows in how it sounds when you close the doors. It's like someone in the factory actually cared or something. :)
     
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  4. Pripearl

    Pripearl New Member

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    A friend of mine that's really into cars recounted times he was doing a walk around for a Tesla (the model escapes me) and he tells me that the build quality one some of them are quite poor. An example he gave was that when opening and closing the door on one, it would scratch the paint. When he and the owner took a deeper look they found entire patches of paint chipped off (he also won the bet that it was doing that). While I do believe that they'll do better eventually, Toyota still has the advantage in being an established automaker that streamlined its production to minimize these defects.
     
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  5. UserError

    UserError Junior Member

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    So with Model S and X Tesla’s the build quality is poor. The plastics often creak and groan even on smooth roads. I had this in my X. Whenever I’d use the lift gate you could hear the plastics groan, creaking and shifting.

    Over the course of ownership I was given several loaners and they all had the same issues. Cheap feeling interiors with construction that lead to the noises mentioned above. Additionally teslas leather has a weird cheap leather sheen to it.

    I overlooked it when I bought it because at the time it was my dream car but the kool-aid wore off and I saw the car as it was. Overpriced for what it is.

    Even the stitching on the steering wheel sucked because it was rough feeling.

    I think Tesla can fix these issues by using better materials and learning from what they call “legacy” automakers.

    For example the model 3 has much better build quality and components but it still doesn’t feel as nice as my Toyota. My opinion isn’t popular but it’s how I feel. For cars that cost as much as luxury brands like BMW, they have a lot of work to do if the interior gets beat by car that starts at a base of 20k.

    what always annoyed me is how my friend jokes his wrangler with a soft top was quieter than my x at highway speed.
     
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  6. Pripearl

    Pripearl New Member

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    The way I see it is that Tesla is still a growing and very ambitious company. It's competing with very well established automakers with a vast history and network of supply chains with its manufacturing process being essentially perfected. There's no way that it would ever match the build quality of these leaders. This is probably why they opted to push the tech boundary instead and introduce and build upon the only advantage they have, electrified vehicles where all automakers are basically novices in. They basically thrive because the size and established nature of these industry leaders make it very hard to adopt the tech push they are in and capitalizing on.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    from what i've read, the build quality is already vastly improved. i expect it won't be long before they're on the same level as most legacy makers.

    right now, demand is so high, they can't push cars out fast enough. that will change eventually, and give them time to improve the production process.

    legacy makers are behind the ev 8 ball because they have been ignoring tesla, hoping they would fail and they could stick to their gassers.
    that strategy puts them 5 years behind in battery/motor/controller tech.
     
    #7 bisco, Dec 21, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2019
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  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Congrats!

    I felt the same way when I saw the Model S for the first time in 2012. I thought "this Nappa leather doesn't feel like the ones in other German vehicles". My other non-car-person coworker made the same comment; she owns an Audi A7.

    The Model 3 does look and feel better built but I still found flaws on my friend's car. Tesla definitely has improved from the Model S days though.
     
  9. UserError

    UserError Junior Member

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    I understand the arguments listed but for me I just got tired of it for the reasons listed. For me it didn’t live up to the hype. I think the company and fans overstate and value what it is in reality.
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's an interesting take. i'm going to have to rent a model 3 someday to find out.
     
  11. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    The local Motoring Media had a field day with the Model 3 - they did concede that it had excellent Powertrain strength and refinement; EV range; Capable of 250kW DC charging; service costs.

    But they weren't happy with a number of features:
    Wheels Magazine Minus - "Rear-seat packaging; austere cabin ambiance; fit and finish; weight in hard driving

    The lack of conventional instruments, a purely screen-based user interface won’t be for everyone at prices that span $66-91K. But the almost eerie acceleration, massive traction, exploitable dynamics and whole “new generation of motoring” vibe delivered by the Model 3 make it something quite unique in this segment.

    15-inch tablet, because everything ⎼ from adjusting the height and reach of the steering wheel, the mirrors, and even opening the boot and front trunk. Want to pop open the glovebox? Yep, the release is on the tablet.

    No key - just smartphone (or credit like card)

    no spare wheel, nor even an inflation kit. Cop a flat and you’re waiting for roadside assistance.

    But it’s the rear seat that’s the biggest concern. The seat base is low to allow headroom for six-footers, but the floor is high to accommodate the batteries, so those in the back will find their knees bent at an acute angle, and there’s a scarcity of toe room if the front occupants have their seats set to the lowest positions. So it’s fine as a family car with kids in the back but less ideal for long hauls with full-size adults."

    [][][][][][][][][][][][]

    CarsGuide

    "Sitting behind the driver’s seat in my position (I’m 182cm) there’s limited toe room, and knee room could be better - plus you sit in a bit of a knees-up position, too. Headroom isn’t terrific because of the angle of the roof (watch your head getting in and out) and as it is purely glass above, it could get hot back there.

    Our biggest annoyance with this grade of Model 3 was the ride comfort. The suspension offers up a brittle, crunchy ride at times, especially over lumpy urban roads and pockmarked country patches."

    I saw my first Model 3 on Thursday night, sitting at a charger. Styling looked a bit boring but functional.
     
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  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I have the same issue in both the S and 3 regarding rear seat height. The two most common replies were - you’re not sitting in the back and go buy an S-Class (for the Model S) instead. Not responses I was expecting from the showroom but that was what I was told.

    Again, it shouldn’t overshadow the fact that they’re pioneering cars. Just like the Gen 2 Prius which was criticized for its cheap cabin and ugly styling, it doesn’t belie the extraordinary powertrain and the Teslas should be the same.
     
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  13. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Yes, agreed - grandchildren probably wouldn't mind the back seat - they're not too fussy and it's only a 15 minute commute from school. Unlike something like a Corolla Hatch, Mazda 3 Hatch, Corolla C-HR - where they even can't see out.

    But we often don't check the back seat when we test-drive. I remember 1995, I took a Mazda 3 1600 SEDAN for a run, quite liked it, but thought the Hatch with 1800 Fuel Injected engine was better - till I swapped with the driver and sat in the back seat for a while. The back seat in the hatch wasn't a patch on the SEDAN, too low, and needed knees up position - and seeing it was going to be the family car, went back to the SEDAN - which was a great car, we kept it in the family till it was worn out.
     
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  14. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I once had to ride a short distance in the back seat of a '65 Mustang. YIKES!! I could not get out of that thing fast enough. Worst claustrophobia I ever had. So, much as I admire the Tesla's drive train, the back seat and the driving interface specifically designed to keep your eyes off the road would be show stoppers for me even if it was in my price range.
     
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  15. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    Am I the only one awaiting a picture!?
     
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  16. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Not anymore! Thanks for bringing it up. :D
     
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  17. stephensprius

    stephensprius Active Member

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    Haha me too! I don’t think I’ve seen a limited
     
  18. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    Here's my 2019. The Limited "package" is mostly inside (11-inch screen, more speakers, etc). Normally, I'd never get all the bells and whistles, but the moonroof is only available on the XLE or Limited trim.
     

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  19. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    But you have a 2010 Prius Four?
     
  20. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Only slightly better than your 2010 Prius III. Could be you both need to update your info. :ROFLMAO:

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