So here is my experience with my Tesla MY LR Gemini wheels that came with HW4 VIN-791XXX, Fremont built. This is based on 72 hours of ownership and 250 miles of mixed driving.
We are coming from "premium" Japanese brands, so there is a baseline in terms of what we expect
Booking & Delivery:
Driving Experience:
Some quirks so far, and findings:
That's it folks. I intend to add more to this thread as the ownership experience progresses. But overall, we are pretty pleased to have purchased it. A driving experience we never had with ICE cars. Although we are keeping our second (ICE) car so we don't forget what typical (old) driving feels like.
Cheers!
We are coming from "premium" Japanese brands, so there is a baseline in terms of what we expect
Booking & Delivery:
- I booked my car precisely a month ago before taking the delivery on June 1st. Before making the booking, Mrs. Abradabra and I went for a test drive. We drove the 2023 model with Hw3, came out quite impressed, and booked it online the same evening.
- I only needed to contact my SA/DA a couple of days before the delivery. I contacted them via the 1536 number twice, once for registration-related questions, then re. HW4. Both times got a prompt response, so I was pleased overall.
- I completed all my tasks promptly using App, so when we showed up at the Tesla showroom, they walked us straight to the car, helped create mobile keys, inspected the car, and went off. The process was super streamlined and quick.
- We stayed there in the lot longer and inspected the car in detail. The people at the showroom told us I could come inside and tell them if there is any problem or report it within seven days using the App. We didn't find any glaring issues (excitement of a new car, as one can guess).
Driving Experience:
- We have had fast (ICE) cars in the past, and sports bikes, so used to the feeling of acceleration. However, the way these Teslas pull is a different feeling altogether. ICE engines roar and growl while pulling, but these cars have no drama and are deceptively fast. I guess both machines have their place and time.
- Steering is quite responsive, even in the comfort setting. The car moves quickly with little steering input.
- One-foot driving is new to us, so we are taking time to get used to it and occasionally using breaks to slow down.
- Digital inputs and drive stalk are also taking some time to get used to, but we are adopting them quicker than expected.
- In-cabin noise has its pros and cons. Missing the ICE makes this car very quiet in its way. Because we don't hear engine drone - we now hear every slight sound - like those grocery bags rubbing against each other in the back (lol), so overall, give-and-take in this area.
- Ride quality is pretty decent (again, we have Gemini wheels 19" with Conti tires) and running them on recommended 42PSI. On small speeds, it gets a little busy, but nothing objectionable. High speed ride IMHO is similar to luxury Japanese brands.
- We appreciate safety features - Mrs. AbraDabra was driving it on the freeway, tried to switch lanes, gave an indicator and all, then suddenly car started beeping and showed a couple of cars RED in the console. Those were two Dodge Challengers SRT racing with each other (about 100 mph) buzzed past us on the same lane where we wanted to switch. That's how fast & furious life is here in Cali. BTW, we are on basic AP. Didn't go for EAP or FSD.
Some quirks so far, and findings:
- The front passenger door doesn't close unless it is slammed. I read to give it some time, and it will loosen, and actually, it did. Now it closes better. Other doors were okay, to begin with. Speaking of doors - that solid feeling is missing. The doors closing feel a little tinny.
- I have a separate thread on it, but my car/HW4 is missing slow-speed parking assist, where those virtual lines appear around your car and tell you where objects are. Some members suggest it is not there in HW4 (yet). Some said I am not missing anything because it is not a polished feature, but I still want to have it.
- When driving at a very slow speed, I noticed all four wheels, both forward and reverse, make "chit-chit-chit" sounds (similar to driving on a sand on concrete sound). It turned out to be the wheel caps on the Gemini wheels. When pressed with fingers, they make the same sound, almost like the slight sound of breaking hard plastic.
- Multiple cameras are blocked or blinded - I got this error while driving on dark country roads at night. It went away the following day. I learned this is a known bug/feature of Teslas. People get it when driving in dark conditions where side (B pillar) cameras can't see anything. Tesla could have added Infra Red feature but I don't know why this issue is still there.
- Now last but something everyone is waiting - the damn "Phantom Breaking" is still there in HW4. The late night drive, following a car on the freeway with basic AP engaged, suddenly car started slowing down. I was around 70, and in seconds it dropped to 50 before I picked it back with an accelerator pedal. TBH, it was not a hard brake but something like removing the foot from the pedal. So if that is what Phantom Breaking is, then yes it is still there. I guess hardware only can't fix it. It would take both enhanced hardware (hw4) and software fixes to finally eradicate this issue. Tesla - are you listening!?
That's it folks. I intend to add more to this thread as the ownership experience progresses. But overall, we are pretty pleased to have purchased it. A driving experience we never had with ICE cars. Although we are keeping our second (ICE) car so we don't forget what typical (old) driving feels like.
Cheers!