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re: Tesla Owners: What’s the Worst Part of Owning a Tesla?

Posted on 8/11/26 at 6:49 am to
Posted by TigersnJeeps
FL Panhandle
Member since Jan 2021
2909 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 6:49 am to
quote:

Plus I can charge at campsites.


Unfortunately, the spread of EVs using electricity which is usually free at a campground, may lead to metering of the individual sites.

At least from reading various camping/RV sites.
Posted by CAD703X
Liberty Island
Member since Jul 2008
94562 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 6:55 am to
quote:

Yep, thats some of the worst planning ive heard. Smart decision to get rid of it though, not for you.
exactly. 99 problems and having to do that much thinking just to take a normal 3 hour round trip is fricking retarded.

I like to just get in my car and go.
Posted by Golfanatic
SW Louisiana
Member since Jan 2023
41 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 6:57 am to
Yes did experience a decline in available chargers. Chose a hotel that had 3 non-Tesla chargers on site. I noticed 2 other EVs in the hotel parking lot and did not have a problem charging. Plenty of battery for driving to dinner, to golf course and Tesla superchargers in Ruston after round the next day.
Posted by Judnnc
Member since Jun 2025
858 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:03 am to
Posted by austiger
Austin
Member since Apr 2012
1074 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:10 am to
There need to be more superchargers... if they were as ubiquitous as gas stations or even 1/10 as ubiquitous, owning the car would be a lot easier.

But that's a minor nitpick... it's a tremendous vehicle and I'm never going back.
Posted by McLemore
Member since Dec 2003
35508 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:26 am to
quote:

Unfortunately, the spread of EVs using electricity which is usually free at a campground, may lead to metering of the individual sites. At least from reading various camping/RV sites.


Interesting. I’m guessing Upstate SC is still relatively low EV enough that this won’t happen anytime soon. I use the Rivian Wayside charger at Table Rock when we are on the trails/lake. Totally free.

Posted by TimeOutdoors
LA
Member since Sep 2014
13600 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:32 am to
I have had my 2026 Model Y for a year now and I have had only Pros. I charge with the wall outlet and it takes care of about 90% of my driving. I purchased the 48 Amp charger when I got the car, but I have not installed it because I do not really need it.

I have subscribed to FSD so the only time I drive manually is when I am picking a different parking spot in the lot or in the drive through.

I see people on here complaining about trips (mostly people that don't have Tesla's it appears), but it makes trips more enjoyable for me. I can relax, listen to a podcast or audio book, pay more attention to scenery, and with grok it's easy to find out more able the areas you are passing through, get recommendations for places along the route such as dining areas, historic sites, museums, parks, etc.

The ride is incredible. It is super quiet, the seats are very comfortable, the audio system is fantastic, the way the headlights adjust to traffic, turns, etc allows me to see considerably more than I can in my Xterra.

They amount of storage they have is underrated. Between the frunk and the extra storage area in the back, it is really amazing how much you can fit into the car.

The trip to visit my mom is about 420 miles. I have to charge one time for the trip and it's at a Bass Pro Shop/Outlet Mall Site. Instead of doing multiple stops for 15-20 minutes, I choose this and it and it takes about 45 minutes which gives me time to run into Bass Pro and Sketchers. You have real time info on your app so you see what your charge level is and it will notify you when you have reached a certain percentage if you set it up to do so.

The security/camera function is incredible. I have access to 7 cameras, and it records any movement nearby and will send an alert if someone tries to open the door, etc. People will actually park next you at parking lots, for their own security because they know their vehicle is being recorded as well.

Someone mentioned sperate metering at camping spots. I do not see that happening. It is not like my Tesla is pulling anymore electricity than a RV with an A/C or heater.

If you are in an area with alot of deer it is incredible at seeing them and slowing down or maneuvering away from the deer crossing the road. It will see it long before the human eye will. Yesterday I had a kitten jump out of the woods as I was riding by and it swerved to miss it.

The FSD is amazing. You are starting to see more and more people buying Tesla's just because they want a vehicle with it. I saw yesterday the Model Y L(Large) is so popular that if you bought it today your delivery would not be till Jan.

I have only had one service issue, and it was when I wanted to add a hitch to my vehicles. The nearest dealership is a little less than 2 hours away, so I was going to take annual leave to travel over to have it installed. Tesla texted me on the app and said they had a tech in the area, and they could come to me if I wanted. He showed up at my office and installed the hitch in the parking lot.

Purchasing was a breeze. Just go to Tesla.com and you can browse new cars and purchase right from the site. You install the app and it tracks the process along the way from giving you the Vin when the car is being manufactured, to scheduling your delivery when the vehicles is ready for pickup (or it will be delivered to your address if you don't live in a state like Louisiana that doesn't allow this).
Posted by Darth_Vader
A galaxy far, far away
Member since Dec 2011
74502 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:33 am to
quote:

So there you have it. It's not an ICE vehicle where you can drive it until the orange low fuel light is on and you're on the E because you know there's always a gas station 2 miles up the road.


This is why I’ve not pulled the trigger on an EV. I do take long road trips, often well over 400 miles. I’ve been known to drive twice that distance in a single day on road trips.

If they could produce an EV that goes 400 miles, all without having to turn off the A/C and music the last 100 miles, and stop for 5 minutes to recharge and be ready to go another 400 miles, again without having to turn off the AC and music, I’d buy that vehicle tomorrow.
Posted by TygerLyfe
Member since May 2023
4341 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:35 am to
quote:

you're looking at 240 miles of real world range.



Lol....never mind, then
Posted by TimeOutdoors
LA
Member since Sep 2014
13600 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:37 am to
quote:

it's a tremendous vehicle and I'm never going back.


I got mine as a second vehicles for running around town and never expected it to be my main vehicle. When I was leaving the dealership, I picked it up at a salesclerk opened the door for me and asked if it was my first Tesla. When I replied yes, she said welcome to the family, it won't be your last. I thought it was a weird thing to say at the time, but now I completely get it. I don't think I will ever drive anything else unless Tesla starts making some incredibly stupid business decisions. It's just a super enjoyable experience for me and has me always looking for an excuse to be on the road.
Posted by rtr72
Alabama
Member since Aug 2011
905 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:37 am to
You mean build quality like Ford my transmission went out of 50,000 miles my Chevrolet engine blew up at 10,000 miles you don't know what you're talking about Tesla has come a long way best car I've ever owned go learn something before you open your mouth
Posted by TimeOutdoors
LA
Member since Sep 2014
13600 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:48 am to
quote:

Plus I can charge at campsites. I am turning our Y into a mobile office/camper.
Hybrid foam/air mattress custom fit to the Y, fridge in the sub trunk, climate controlled obviously. Tent/fly too.


Normally I don't camp in the summer, but with the EV you don't have to worry about carbon monoxide. I have an inflatable air mattress so I can leave the A/C on and look up at the stars or watch something on Netflix.
Posted by mike4lsu
Baton Rouge,LA
Member since Sep 2005
2245 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:55 am to
Tesla is a fabulous car. Nothing wrong about it. Truly magnificent, built by the best businessman in the whole, wide world every.

The best part of it is....IT DOES NOT NEED GAS TO RUN....which means that no matter how much longer the Strait of Hormuz is blocked, IT DOES NOT IMPACT MY BUDGET.
Posted by Dadren
Jawja
Member since Dec 2023
3415 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 7:55 am to
I’m on my third Model 3 (traded my first one for the second one, sold second one to my son). Here’s my honest list (in no particular order):

1) They go through tires a little more quickly. My understanding is that the instant torque and weight being distributed the way it is makes them tough on tires.

2) Range - not that you don't have enough, its that it’s highly variable depending on weather conditions

3) Software updates - The positives here outweigh the negatives by a mile, but occasionally the UI will change so you have to re-learn where things are.

4) No Apple/Android Car Play

5) Build quality is a lot better now but not the best. Something will squeak or rattle.

Having said all that, if I had to buy a new car today, it would be a Model 3.
Posted by honeybadger07
The Woodlands
Member since Jul 2015
4414 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 8:01 am to
Honest question - why go through all this trouble to have an electric vehicle when you can just buy a ICE vehicle and free to do whatever you want?
Posted by PHNBK
Member since Nov 2020
188 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 8:09 am to
I have both a 2022 Model 3 AWD Long Range and a 2023 Model X AWD Long Range.

Although at 100% charge it says 308 miles of range (was like 340 when new), but in reality loaded down in this summer heat i can go about 210-220 miles nonstop in either car.

At home on a level 2 charge at 48 amps, it can charge at a rate of 13-15% per hour. On a daily basis we only charge to 80% and if we are making a long trip I will charge to 100%. We keep the battery level between 20%-80% so most of the time, so average home charging is just 2-3 hours or so.

If you are at 20% and charge to 80% at a supercharger, it will take about 25 minutes depending on the supercharger and volume of cars charging.

When traveling on road trips, it is better to charge more frequently, between 20 & 60%, the superchargers can just about charge wide open, but from say 60-80% the charger has to reduce the charge rate as the battery gets more full. So 10-15 minute stops instead of longer ones actually reduce the overall time spent charging on long trips.

Full Self Driving is awesome and the Model X 6 seater is the goat and the ride is amazing. The model 3 is great to but in comparison is an economy car.

About 95% of our charging is done at home and the electricity cost per month for both cars combined averages to be about $85.
This post was edited on 8/11/26 at 8:13 am
Posted by N2cars
Member since Feb 2008
40202 posts
Posted on 8/11/26 at 8:12 am to
Between 40-50% of EV buyers go back to a ICE or hybrid vehicle after owning a EV.

Tesla is the class of the EV field and make great 2nd or 3rd cars in a household.

As far as for my sole or primary vehicle, there are too many limitations in EVs for me right now.

Tesla's self-driving features are from another world though, and are extremely impressive.
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