So at long last, here it is, Tesla's $35k "money maker" sedan.

https://www.teslamotors.com/model3



125 mile range, minimum; 0-60 in under six seconds; a huge 15" flat screen and low dash; and the similar minimalist interior. Not sure I like the fact that all the information is on a center-mounted screen, vs having anything in front of me as the driver, but if the car is driving itself...

The all-glass roof is nice, if you like sunlight. Not sure I like the front bumper treatment - seems bland.

It's supposed to go on sale in "late 2017", but there are reportedly 130,000 pre-orders already, which is 2+ years of production...

 

It should be a winner for the wife. Musk emphasized that it is designed to be comfortable for 5, lets hope they deliver.

Didn't they say 215 miles minimum range?

 

Yes, Elon said that the base model would have 215 mile range and be sub 6 sec 0-60. I would expect that similar to the Model S, there will be packages which offer longer range and more power (rumored 300+ mile range and sub 4 second 0-60).

 

Neat, but does not blow me away from a looks standpoint. Certainly a value for what it promises, but I think the nose needs work. I realize the electric car does not need a grill but it just sorta looks wrong. Like Acura beak wrong.

I might actually put down a deposit if I knew what the added cost of AWD would be.

 

Remember when airbag theft was the big thing because they were easy to take and replacement cost was big? I sort of think that thieves snapping these screens off is going to be a thing. I also really like it in black.

 

35K minus a 7-10K credit makes it pretty attractive. I might have to get one as a errand car. Especially if the residuals are good and you can lease one for sub 300 a month.

 

So non-wait-in-line-hipsters aren't going to get one of these for a few years, right?

 

that front bumper ruins the car for me

 

It looks good. Jalopnik's design analysis: http://jalopnik.com/the-tesla-model-...lle-1768399661
As they said, it's a bold move to remove the grill, but I think what they did instead looks great. I'm guessing a more rounded grill-less front end would yield ever-so-slightly better mileage but it probably didn't look as good. The sharp edge of the grill-less front is a nice touch, similar to the blunt front ends of the Aston martin and current Ford front ends.

And yes as I've read it, range is AT LEAST 215 miles, so they are saying probably north of 215 for the base.

Also, I heard the $1000 deposits are refundable until Tesla is ready to build the car, so it shouldn't stop anyone from laying down one as more details of the car should come out soon. You should have plenty of time to decide whether you want to keep the deposit or not.

The only thing that's stopping me from considering it is that I don't like to be the guinea pig on new models. Pretty sure the Model S had quite a bit of growing pains in the beginning: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...r-reports-says

So i'll let others be the guinea pig and tell me if the car is good and reliable! Haha ….plus I figure since cars are getting to be more like rolling computers/TV’s then the tech will just get better and cheaper as time progresses. I do applaud those that jump on board immediately though, because Tesla wouldn’t be able to go on and produce more cars for late adopters like me, without early adopters.

And I just have to say, it’s awesome that the car actually comes in at $35k base. It’s such an affordable price that should get people hooked on the brand and help to move the electric car into more people’s scopes.

 

The $7,500 starts going away once Tesla hits 200k cars sold in the U.S., which should be early-mid 2018. Which means if you aren't already in line, you're not getting the credit. The credit does remain maintained at half of the prior level ($3,750) for 6 months after the quarter in which they hit 200k, and there are those state incentives also.

For the first buyers getting it for essentially $25k, that is indeed a hell of a deal.