Yesterday I picked up my Tesla Model 3. It was 631 days from when I put down a deposit to when it was delivered. I got:
- Blue
- 18" Aero wheels
- Premium Upgrade Package (PUP)
- Enhanced Auto Pilot
- Long Range (310 mile) battery
The purchasing process is very different from normal. To put it in perspective, 2 weeks earlier we leased a new -V for my wife, so I've got traditional dealers fresh on the mind. (and our Honda experience was one of the better ones - having been through Toyota, Subaru, VW, etc....)
Here's how it went -
- Reservation placed: November 2016
- Invited to configure / pick options: June 27th 2018
- Credit app filled out online: Jul 27th
- Get assigned delivery specialized: Jul 27th
- Use phone app to take pics of trade-in - answer a few questions: Jul 30th
- Get trade offer: Jul 30th (Mid KBB trade-in value)
- Get appointment for delivery: Jul 30th (for date of 8/9)
Showing up at the Service Center a few minutes early, someone was outside detailing the car. I had 15 mins or so to look at it before my appointment, and I went over it (exterior) in detail. No issues! I had the checklist from the Teslamotors subreddit. I DID check the VIN before spending any time on it!
Went inside, handed over title / reg for Prius, insurance and DL for copies, and explored a Model S and X for a few mins. A tech came over, introduced himself, and offered to give me the tour of the car. He started by asking what I knew, if I'd watched the videos, etc. He asked how in-depth to go, I told him to keep it light. I learned a few things, and actually being hands-on with it was obviously different vs just reading about it or watching other videos.
(first time in the car!)
We spent about 20 minutes messing with settings, pairing my phone, going over the menus. We reviewed charging, the spare keys, how to open and close the frunk, using the app, and a bunch of other stuff. Enabled auto-lowering mirrors for reverse (disabled by default?!) and a few other small tweaks that I'd like.
Went back inside, signed 5 or 6 papers? Most of it was related to them taking the Prius - I think I only signed 2 that were related to the new car. Shook hands, got a folder with my temp reg and the rest of the stuff, and that was it. Then I went for a drive!
(spare 'key' card)
(drove over to work, used a paid charger. it's 25 cents an hour! cheaper than home charging....)
(got my first software update notice)
(built in maps use Google, have realtime traffic and satellite views)
(first time other cars appeared on screen - it takes a few miles to calibrate)
(shows distance in inches to car in front of me!)
(you can turn on the rear camera at any time and speed and watch it)
(playing with a ghetto home charger solution)
(some things you can do in the app)
(turning on A/C remotely)
(big glass roof!)
More in second post...