2019 Tesla Model 3 - Performance Plus Edition
My dream was to own an electric car – by Ron Kelly
Ever since I can remember, I have always been attracted to technology and cars. Growing up in the 50s and 60s, I can recall the first series of Dr Who, Lost In Space, and all things Sci-fi. Our family, like many in country Victoria, was always into cars as well.
So when I first learnt of Tesla’s revolutionary approach to making electric vehicles mainstream under Elon Musk’s vision, I was absolutely on board. I began following the progress of the Tesla phenomenon right from the first Roadster, through to the Model S and Model X, admiring but realising they were too far out of reach to be anything more than a dream.
But back in 2014 when the Model 3 reveal took place, promising to be a car for the masses, I changed from dreaming to doing. I resolved that when they came on the market, I would do all I could to get one. On April 1, 2016, Australian reservations had just opened, so I took the plunge, pledging my $1500 refundable reservation on the Tesla Australian website. I realised that it would still be years before delivery, so I had time to plan how to finance it.
I was running a small eBay business from home after semi-retiring and I agreed with my wonderfully supportive wife, Annette, that profits from it would be put aside to cover the car purchase.
The waiting game began – we followed every item of news about how the car was going in pre-production, then once US sales began, we watched all the reviews etc. We joined the Tesla Model 3 Australia group on Facebook which became an invaluable resource as well as a tight-knit cohort of like-minded people all over Australia.
In June 2019, we had the unforgettable experience of going to Tesla’s Richmond centre in Melbourne and getting to have a ride in a Model S. The first time our genial Scottish host floored it on the SE Arterial onramp – I shall never forget, I literally had tunnel-vision! The very time we were at Tesla, the long-awaited configuration emails were being sent to Australian Model 3 reservation holders.
We gleefully went through the process of selecting our preferred colour and model specs. We firstly ordered a red SR+ version, the entry level model - but, after a day or so of feeling less than happy with the order (I had always wanted the longer range available in more expensive models), we edited our original order and went for the top of the range Performance Plus edition. A decision I have since had absolutely no regrets making.
So began the excruciating final wait. Orders were to begin delivery in August. Our community on Facebook took on the role of being a support network as we all agonised through hanging on every bit of info we could find about our cars. Some members became experts on international shipping and we followed possible vessels as they departed San Francisco, hoping they’d head across the Pacific our way.
Finally in late August and early September, the ships began to arrive and we delighted in every story of people getting “The Call” from Tesla that their car was ready for delivery. A few weeks into that heady time, we finally had our call! Funny story, at the time, when the phone rang we would fumble feverishly to answer any incoming call in case it happened to be the one. Yet when it did come, I was carrying a box of beer from the cool room at Woolworths to the checkout and couldn’t answer in time!! The next day they called again and we got our pick-up appointment sorted.
So on AFL Grand Final day in September 2019, we headed off on the V-Line train to Melbourne to collect our Model 3. It was a wonderful experience, a day we’ll never forget. We left Richmond an hour or so before the bounce of the big game and headed home via a couple of stops to show the car off to relatives. It astounded us with how good it was then, and still astounds us now, months later, whenever we drive it.
There have already been many improvements made to the car via the incredible “Over The Air” updates which are part of owning any Tesla. There has even been a 5% power and performance improvement in one of those updates. The Autopilot technology keeps improving and we use it whenever, on longer trips, without hesitation. There are just so many tech features which make the car stand out over all others, even despite the obvious “All Electric” drive-train. Tesla’s genius in making a desirable car first, which happens to have clean electric propulsion second, is what blows me away.
I can truly assure anyone that if given the keys to any car available today, I might take it for a drive but then I'd give them back and stick with our car. Although I’d happily own a classic car as a collector, nothing else would do as a daily driver than our Model 3. The only ambition we now have is to get a Cybertruck to tow our caravan in future. Of course, a Roadster 2 would be on my bucket list if a large lotto win was to occur.
I now take great pleasure in introducing people to the amazing experience of riding in and driving this vehicle. The feedback has been great as my guest riders realise that the future has arrived and is viable.
So when I first learnt of Tesla’s revolutionary approach to making electric vehicles mainstream under Elon Musk’s vision, I was absolutely on board. I began following the progress of the Tesla phenomenon right from the first Roadster, through to the Model S and Model X, admiring but realising they were too far out of reach to be anything more than a dream.
But back in 2014 when the Model 3 reveal took place, promising to be a car for the masses, I changed from dreaming to doing. I resolved that when they came on the market, I would do all I could to get one. On April 1, 2016, Australian reservations had just opened, so I took the plunge, pledging my $1500 refundable reservation on the Tesla Australian website. I realised that it would still be years before delivery, so I had time to plan how to finance it.
I was running a small eBay business from home after semi-retiring and I agreed with my wonderfully supportive wife, Annette, that profits from it would be put aside to cover the car purchase.
The waiting game began – we followed every item of news about how the car was going in pre-production, then once US sales began, we watched all the reviews etc. We joined the Tesla Model 3 Australia group on Facebook which became an invaluable resource as well as a tight-knit cohort of like-minded people all over Australia.
In June 2019, we had the unforgettable experience of going to Tesla’s Richmond centre in Melbourne and getting to have a ride in a Model S. The first time our genial Scottish host floored it on the SE Arterial onramp – I shall never forget, I literally had tunnel-vision! The very time we were at Tesla, the long-awaited configuration emails were being sent to Australian Model 3 reservation holders.
We gleefully went through the process of selecting our preferred colour and model specs. We firstly ordered a red SR+ version, the entry level model - but, after a day or so of feeling less than happy with the order (I had always wanted the longer range available in more expensive models), we edited our original order and went for the top of the range Performance Plus edition. A decision I have since had absolutely no regrets making.
So began the excruciating final wait. Orders were to begin delivery in August. Our community on Facebook took on the role of being a support network as we all agonised through hanging on every bit of info we could find about our cars. Some members became experts on international shipping and we followed possible vessels as they departed San Francisco, hoping they’d head across the Pacific our way.
Finally in late August and early September, the ships began to arrive and we delighted in every story of people getting “The Call” from Tesla that their car was ready for delivery. A few weeks into that heady time, we finally had our call! Funny story, at the time, when the phone rang we would fumble feverishly to answer any incoming call in case it happened to be the one. Yet when it did come, I was carrying a box of beer from the cool room at Woolworths to the checkout and couldn’t answer in time!! The next day they called again and we got our pick-up appointment sorted.
So on AFL Grand Final day in September 2019, we headed off on the V-Line train to Melbourne to collect our Model 3. It was a wonderful experience, a day we’ll never forget. We left Richmond an hour or so before the bounce of the big game and headed home via a couple of stops to show the car off to relatives. It astounded us with how good it was then, and still astounds us now, months later, whenever we drive it.
There have already been many improvements made to the car via the incredible “Over The Air” updates which are part of owning any Tesla. There has even been a 5% power and performance improvement in one of those updates. The Autopilot technology keeps improving and we use it whenever, on longer trips, without hesitation. There are just so many tech features which make the car stand out over all others, even despite the obvious “All Electric” drive-train. Tesla’s genius in making a desirable car first, which happens to have clean electric propulsion second, is what blows me away.
I can truly assure anyone that if given the keys to any car available today, I might take it for a drive but then I'd give them back and stick with our car. Although I’d happily own a classic car as a collector, nothing else would do as a daily driver than our Model 3. The only ambition we now have is to get a Cybertruck to tow our caravan in future. Of course, a Roadster 2 would be on my bucket list if a large lotto win was to occur.
I now take great pleasure in introducing people to the amazing experience of riding in and driving this vehicle. The feedback has been great as my guest riders realise that the future has arrived and is viable.
Summary
My experience living & driving with our Tesla Model 3 can only be described as pure joy, I rate the Tesla 11 out of 10.
Annette says that she was never a car person until now. She is a confirmed Tesla tragic since this adventure began.
The Tesla Model 3 performance plus edition cost over $100,000. The insurance is under $1300 per year with RACV.
It constantly surprises us with its capability. The technology is implemented in an easy to learn way, and keeps improving all the time through regular updates. Above all, it is fun to drive and makes all previous vehicles feel so dated. It is much like going from a monochrome Nokia 3310 to a new smartphone, or a black and white tube TV to a 65" LED screen Smart TV.
Safety tip: After many years of driving, including taxis in Melbourne in the 70s and 80s - Always expect some crazy driver to come out of a side street or through a red light so that when it does happen, you'll not be surprised and can react quicker.
Three years later, with over 30,000 kms. (Updated September 2022)
Three years have passed since the memorable pick up of our Tesla Model 3 Performance on Grand Final Day in 2019. To say those three years of owning the car have been a pleasure would be an understatement. The experience has been a joy in many ways.
We had the car back to the service department at the Tesla centre in Richmond twice, but not for any major shortcomings or faults. On one occasion, a seat-belt tensioner sensor reported a fault and needed replacement under warranty, and on the other occasion, they investigated a clunk sound from the rear wheel which was found to be nothing to worry about.
The only other issue we've had was damage to a tyre caused by a pothole. Luckily we had already organised a new set of tyres at our Tyrepower outlet which were fitted on the way home after the incident. Of course, ongoing service appointments are largely unnecessary for vehicles like this.
Over-the-air software updates since we took delivery have kept our "Chilli-Rose*" new for us all this time. Genuine improvements to the car have been made regularly. These include longer range, better acceleration, introduction of "one-pedal driving", reading and adjusting auto-steer speed based on posted speed limits, improvements to navigation, in-car entertainment, and many more!
* The name "Chilli-Rose" denotes more than just the beauty of a red rose, it also invokes hot performance with the resultant hint of a sting from a thorn or hot chilli spice.
Each time I get in to drive the car, I smile and wonder at how lucky I am!! My lovely wife, Annette, who was never a car enthusiast before, has the same attitude.
The new Michelin Pilot S4 tyres are great, despite costing around $500 each, and they are the right tyre for the car. The new version has a built in moulded shape on the wall of the tyre to protect the rims from kerb-rash. The new tyres did not come with the acoustic foam inserts, but the resultant increase in road noise is minimal.
Like any very low profile tyre, we have to be very attentive of pot-holes etc., but they still give a more comfortable ride than would be expected. Contact Ron for more information about the Tesla. Email: gwily1@bigpond.com
Tesla Motors is located at 650 Church Street, Cremorne / Richmond VIC 3121. Phone: 03 9039 6000
Note: Article completed with Ron in February 2020, Ron resides in the Gannawarra council region in Victoria.
www.caradvice.com.au/tesla/model-3 www.carsguide.com.au/tesla/model-3 www.carsales.com.au/tesla-3
My experience living & driving with our Tesla Model 3 can only be described as pure joy, I rate the Tesla 11 out of 10.
Annette says that she was never a car person until now. She is a confirmed Tesla tragic since this adventure began.
The Tesla Model 3 performance plus edition cost over $100,000. The insurance is under $1300 per year with RACV.
It constantly surprises us with its capability. The technology is implemented in an easy to learn way, and keeps improving all the time through regular updates. Above all, it is fun to drive and makes all previous vehicles feel so dated. It is much like going from a monochrome Nokia 3310 to a new smartphone, or a black and white tube TV to a 65" LED screen Smart TV.
Safety tip: After many years of driving, including taxis in Melbourne in the 70s and 80s - Always expect some crazy driver to come out of a side street or through a red light so that when it does happen, you'll not be surprised and can react quicker.
Three years later, with over 30,000 kms. (Updated September 2022)
Three years have passed since the memorable pick up of our Tesla Model 3 Performance on Grand Final Day in 2019. To say those three years of owning the car have been a pleasure would be an understatement. The experience has been a joy in many ways.
We had the car back to the service department at the Tesla centre in Richmond twice, but not for any major shortcomings or faults. On one occasion, a seat-belt tensioner sensor reported a fault and needed replacement under warranty, and on the other occasion, they investigated a clunk sound from the rear wheel which was found to be nothing to worry about.
The only other issue we've had was damage to a tyre caused by a pothole. Luckily we had already organised a new set of tyres at our Tyrepower outlet which were fitted on the way home after the incident. Of course, ongoing service appointments are largely unnecessary for vehicles like this.
Over-the-air software updates since we took delivery have kept our "Chilli-Rose*" new for us all this time. Genuine improvements to the car have been made regularly. These include longer range, better acceleration, introduction of "one-pedal driving", reading and adjusting auto-steer speed based on posted speed limits, improvements to navigation, in-car entertainment, and many more!
* The name "Chilli-Rose" denotes more than just the beauty of a red rose, it also invokes hot performance with the resultant hint of a sting from a thorn or hot chilli spice.
Each time I get in to drive the car, I smile and wonder at how lucky I am!! My lovely wife, Annette, who was never a car enthusiast before, has the same attitude.
The new Michelin Pilot S4 tyres are great, despite costing around $500 each, and they are the right tyre for the car. The new version has a built in moulded shape on the wall of the tyre to protect the rims from kerb-rash. The new tyres did not come with the acoustic foam inserts, but the resultant increase in road noise is minimal.
Like any very low profile tyre, we have to be very attentive of pot-holes etc., but they still give a more comfortable ride than would be expected. Contact Ron for more information about the Tesla. Email: gwily1@bigpond.com
Tesla Motors is located at 650 Church Street, Cremorne / Richmond VIC 3121. Phone: 03 9039 6000
Note: Article completed with Ron in February 2020, Ron resides in the Gannawarra council region in Victoria.
www.caradvice.com.au/tesla/model-3 www.carsguide.com.au/tesla/model-3 www.carsales.com.au/tesla-3