The Good
Friendly, professional, and attentive staff. Positive ambience at the showroom.
The Bad
I ordered a Tesla X with multiple options in October of 2021. I had not test driven one (but did a 3 and Y, cause that's the only thing Austin had available for test drives). I did not like the Y's and 3's interior but was told the X is supposed to be a lot better and is considered "high end". I figured I'd test drive one before I purchase the vehicle.
A week later, I asked to change the color on my order and was told I'd have to pay an extra $5000 (despite both colors costing the same). That was Tesla's first faux pas. I bit the bullet figuring my current color choice is not too bad.
Almost every 2 weeks thereafter, I would check with Tesla (via showroom, website or by emailing/texting the sales team) to see if there is a model X I can test drive. As of today (7/6/2022), I still have not test driven one.
In June of 2022, Tesla reaches out of the blue asking me to pay promptly for my Tesla (given only 2-3 days - I need longer to move money around for that wire transfer). I was surprised and started liquidating some assets so I can issue the wire, but I was not going to pay $113k+ for a vehicle I have not yet test driven, given I had recently seen many negative reviews online about the new model X (the yoke, including the touch honk and signals, I believe are a terrible faux pas by Tesla), and despite my accepting potential range anxiety, also saw many orders were being delivered with significant defects (doors not aligning, trunks not aligning, other cosmetic defects, etc.) - Also, I have been driving plenty of high-end cars (Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, etc.) the past 5-10 years so I had high expectations of the interior - and from what I gathered from the videos, the interiors looked relatively cheaply made.
So I asked the sales team if a test drive was possible (I wanted to see things first hand) - they said no. They said, and I quote "None of our showrooms across North America have a Model X for test driving. You might have luck with your local Tesla owners club, or a third party app. We apologize for the inconvenience."
Seriously Tesla? You want me to pay over $113k (plus tax and registration) for a car I never have test driven, and despite all negative reviews about recent deterioration in manufacturing quality? Even if I did venture out and rented (at great cost) a Tesla X from a private owner using one of the "apps" they suggested, the bookings are weeks out, and are not the Tesla year I would be taking possession of (pre-2021). This is ridiculous.
The sales team also confirmed my actual vehicle is in Austin, but they would not let me inspect it at their warehouse prior to paying.
So I let them place the order on hold. Today, I get an email suggesting if I do not confirm I am ready to complete my purchase, they will cancel my order and I would forfeit the $250 fee I paid when I ordered the vehicle. They gave me ~11 days to do so.
So, if I test drove an X and still like it, am willing to pay in full and take possession - but if not, I must go by what I have seen on YouTube (and the like) and decline the purchase.
What company believes in their products' quality and does not allow customers to test drive before buying? Not even inspect the vehicle for defects? The whole thing feels sketchy, and that is before purchase. What impression/predictions should they expect to leave with buyers about their after-sales experience?
I am very disappointed with this whole experience and am surprised many are ordering Teslas blindly. As someone who has driven and owned luxury cars, Teslas are, in my opinion, far from luxury, and Tesla did not give me a chance to prove myself wrong.
Tesla can keep the $250. read more