New Buyer Concerns

GG, before buying our 2nd T, we visited by our home, approx 5x legacy dealers, and the old world car buying stress redeveloped, bringing back very bad customer experiences of nervous in the process, the bait and switch, vagueness, etc.
T def has it right

I think the whole market is moving to this direction. Carvanna, Vroom and other online car sales are taking off. even some traditional dealers have these internet department who competes pricing wise with other dealers in the area for the new cars. Will individual new automakers try to do this? I believe they want to so they can control their inventory and demand. It's the regulatory agencies that are hampering the changes. Some states prohibit direct sales to consumers from automakers. NJ for instance, had to lift their law to let Tesla slide. Why? I think most of you can figure it out. Anyhow, I wish someday all this will change even if it means that we will be killing off a profession called 'car sales person'

Alfie said:

I think the whole market is moving to this direction. Carvanna, Vroom and other online car sales are taking off. even some traditional dealers have these internet department who competes pricing wise with other dealers in the area for the new cars. Will individual new automakers try to do this? I believe they want to so they can control their inventory and demand. It's the regulatory agencies that are hampering the changes. Some states prohibit direct sales to consumers from automakers. NJ for instance, had to lift their law to let Tesla slide. Why? I think most of you can figure it out. Anyhow, I wish someday all this will change even if it means that we will be killing off a profession called 'car sales person'

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I hate to disappoint but Carvana isn't doing well:

Regarding the dealership model, the problem with it in my opinion started when the owners were given permission to buy franchises from multiple manufacturers in the same market. Because of it, where I live there's only 2 large dealer companies that dominate our local market. There's no incentive for them to compete anymore. It's interesting to note that in a true free market, their greed would cause their downfall. But in our lobbying system, money talks loud.

And now you can plan your trips through the app. Enter your destination and battery level (if you want to use a level other than the one the vehicle is currently at.) It will tell you where you need to stop, for how long, and the total time the trip will take. Pretty amazing, actually.

I live in Palm Springs and my Plaid makes even the hottest days of summer much more bearable. So yes to all of your questions. Lost your Tesla in a huge parking lot? Go to the App and selectNavigation. Enter your present location as the destination (by address if possible ) and the map will show you where your Tesla is located. Check out the “how to” videos on YouTube for a complete picture of the literally hundreds of things you can do with a Tesla.

francoisp said:

Regarding the dealership model, the problem with it in my opinion started when the owners were given permission to buy franchises from multiple manufacturers in the same market. Because of it, where I live there's only 2 large dealer companies that dominate our local market. There's no incentive for them to compete anymore. It's interesting to note that in a true free market, their greed would cause their downfall. But in our lobbying system, money talks loud.

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I live in an area with MANY dealerships, several from each brand even. The dealerships still suck. You're right about their lobbying power - dealerships are well-entrenched at all levels of political parties, and use this to protect them against threats to their investment. The only way this is going to end is if they stop being profitable, and agree to be bought out by the manufacturers so they can copy Tesla's model. Tesla only got away with doing what they're doing because they never sold dealership franchises in the first place. The other solution is, they stop sucking. Which they proved to me they can't seem to do.

I've owned both the Ioniq 5 and Model Y. I can give you a breakdown of each. I would say for 10k less, I would take Ioniq or EV6. At current prices it's a slam dunk, certainly go Tesla for the charging infrastructure and build in NAV for that.. Being able to just punch in your destination and it routes you all chargers is so nice. Also the mobile app from Hyundai/Kia, is horrible..

GreekGuy said:

Ohhhh... just realized no Android Auto - so if I want to have navigation with traffic, I need the premium connection package? Does the phone connect to the car at all - contacts, for example, are they available for the navigation, and can I make/receive calls and text messages?
Definitely will miss the Android Auto apps like Plex and PlugShare!

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Yes, to navigate with traffic you need Premium Connectivity. When I got my 2022 MY in August 2022, a free 12-month Premium Connectivity package was included. Not sure if that is still available.

The phone does connect to the car and contacts are available. The car will also read text messages if you select the text when notified. I haven't tried sending text messages yet.

laotour99 said:

Yes, to navigate with traffic you need Premium Connectivity. When I got my 2022 MY in August 2022, a free 12-month Premium Connectivity package was included. Not sure if that is still available.

The phone does connect to the car and contacts are available. The car will also read text messages if you select the text when notified. I haven't tried sending text messages yet.

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From what I've read (correct me if I'm wrong), Teslas work backwards from the way most cars work with connectivity - with other cars, you buy connectivity and this buys you 1. Access to their apps like navigation; and/or 2. Wifi hotspot for your phones to connect to.
With Tesla, it seems that their apps are free, so if you have your phone (or other wifi spot you are parked near?) provide internet to the car, you can use them for free; buying the connectivity package merely provides the (less limited) internet service to the car so you can use the apps.
I also read something suggesting that Tesla would soon offer the same deal where the car can be the internet provider for the phone (which might be useful for us, since cellular internet service in our city is VERY spotty with all carriers - doubles the chance that one of the carriers will have working internet at that particular location)

If I understood it correctly, basic connectivity is included otherwise there would be no way to accomplish an OTA update. I was under the impression that the basic connectivity gives one basic navigation (without traffic).

laotour99 said:

If I understood it correctly, basic connectivity is included otherwise there would be no way to accomplish an OTA update.

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Teslas prefer to download updates using a wifi connection. And some larger updates require a wifi connection.

garsh said:

Teslas prefer to download updates using a wifi connection. And some larger updates require a wifi connection.

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Oops! You're right...not sure what I was thinking.

From the Tesla website: Standard Connectivity is included in your vehicle, at no additional cost, for eight years beginning on the first day your vehicle was delivered as new by Tesla, or the first day it is put into service"

laotour99 said:

From the Tesla website: Standard Connectivity is included in your vehicle, at no additional cost, for eight years beginning on the first day your vehicle was delivered as new by Tesla, or the first day it is put into service"

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What happens after 8 years?

Asking for a friend.

GreekGuy said:

We've narrowed our new car search down to two, leaning towards the Tesla Y, but have a few concerns/questions I was hoping owners can answer: 1. I live in a hot climate, so being able to remotely cool off the car is a MUST. Does the Tesla app do this? What level of connectivity subscription do I need to do this? 2. Does the app have a vehicle locator? I sometimes forget to note where I parked in big parking lots! Again, what level of subscription do I need for this? 3. Does the Y come with adaptive cruise control, or is that part of the $6,000 self-driving upgrade? 4. Lane keep assist/departure prevention - included, or part of an upgrade? 5. Does it have vented/cooled seats? (really nice in a hot climate - back sweat) 6. Anyone have experience with EV6 and offer additional pros/cons of each? Thanks!

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GreekGuy said:

We've narrowed our new car search down to two, leaning towards the Tesla Y, but have a few concerns/questions I was hoping owners can answer: 1. I live in a hot climate, so being able to remotely cool off the car is a MUST. Does the Tesla app do this? What level of connectivity subscription do I need to do this? 2. Does the app have a vehicle locator? I sometimes forget to note where I parked in big parking lots! Again, what level of subscription do I need for this? 3. Does the Y come with adaptive cruise control, or is that part of the $6,000 self-driving upgrade? 4. Lane keep assist/departure prevention - included, or part of an upgrade? 5. Does it have vented/cooled seats? (really nice in a hot climate - back sweat) 6. Anyone have experience with EV6 and offer additional pros/cons of each? Thanks!

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Model Y owner You can set the A/C to come on at three set degrees. No 6000 autopilot. No vented seats. Adaptive cruise, yes. Connectivity is something you should add. 99. Year Internet all all over, various channels of entrainment. I've had mine 6 months. there's definitely a learning curve. I'll never own another gas vehicle. Hope his helps

in the app/climate setting you can turn on the AC/heat and heated seats remotely, amongst many remote controls, veh locator yes, beep horn
i have MYP, with the free autopilot we have auto steering, follows the road, lane keep, no lane change, no stopping for lights, stops in traffic
i can drive on the main road from my home to the mall, one road, with hands free, roll the right steering wheel stock wheel to prove I am there, its amazing
the $6K is for enhanced AP which is really only for summon, i don't need
$15K is for full self driving or subscribed for $199 per month

Know nothing about the EV6, but from what I heard, its hard to find/purchase
Just to level set, if you understand Apple's ecosystem vs lack of with Android, Tesla's ecosystem is similar, its not just about the device/vehicle, its about the ecosystem, and Tesla's is amazing
no other EV manufacturer has this ecosystem

GreekGuy said:

We've narrowed our new car search down to two, leaning towards the Tesla Y, but have a few concerns/questions I was hoping owners can answer:
1. I live in a hot climate, so being able to remotely cool off the car is a MUST. Does the Tesla app do this? What level of connectivity subscription do I need to do this?
2. Does the app have a vehicle locator? I sometimes forget to note where I parked in big parking lots! Again, what level of subscription do I need for this?
3. Does the Y come with adaptive cruise control, or is that part of the $6,000 self-driving upgrade?
4. Lane keep assist/departure prevention - included, or part of an upgrade?
5. Does it have vented/cooled seats? (really nice in a hot climate - back sweat)
6. Anyone have experience with EV6 and offer additional pros/cons of each?

Thanks!

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Hello,
I live in Arizona 25 miles south of Tucson. I have a 2022 Tesla model y. I have the car set to be ready each morning with the desired interior temperature. It has been flawless. The car does not have ventilated seats. It does have adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and a plethora of other safety features. My Tesla has had zero issues since I took possession of the vehicle. In my opinion, when you compare safety, mpge, charging infrastructure, performance, charging times, etc. there are no competitors that can equal this car.

Klaus-rf said:

What happens after 8 years?

Asking for a friend.

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According to Tesla's website:
"What are the connectivity features that may be limited after Standard Connectivity expires?
Without Standard Connectivity, access to some connectivity features, including those that use cellular data or third-party licenses, may be changed or removed. These Standard Connectivity features that may change currently include maps, navigation, voice commands and more."

No indication of any recourse to re-establishing either Standard or Premium Connectivity but I would assume (and you know what that does ;-)) that one would have to subscribe to Premium at that point or do without.

GreekGuy said:

In case anyone is interested, we did end up choosing the Tesla Y, because the other manufacturer had a dealership that advertised one price online (4,000 below MSRP!), but when I show up in person give me a price sheet where they tack on (in addition to their invoice-to-MSRP margin):

• Dealership markup $2500 (That's $6500 above what they posted online to get me to come in!)
• "Market Adjustment" $2000
• Dealer Doc Fee $1000

...which are all 100% money in their pockets.

(pretty sure the below add-ons are also kept by them, but not as sure?)
Taxable Fees $400
Non-Taxable Fees $600

Also, offered a insanely low price on the trade-in.

This is why the dealership model has GOT to go. Tesla got it right.

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I was going down the path of an Ionic 5 ( a great car!) until I visited the dealer. Not only a roughly 10% market adjustment add-on but very limited availability. Went with the Y.

johnro said:

I was going down the path of an Ionic 5 ( a great car!) until I visited the dealer. Not only a roughly 10% market adjustment add-on but very limited availability. Went with the Y.

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After testing the TeslaY, tested an EV6 - the drive is amazing, the vented seats was a dream - advertised price on their website had a dealership markDOWN, but when I showed up they tried to tell me there was a dealership markUP - went home and ordered the Tesla that very evening. Sales manager said he was going to call me in a couple days, can't wait for that call.