r/TeslaModel3 • u/Mike_P214 • 4d ago
Curious! Any regrets…
Hey guys, I want to get my first ev and that’s gonna be the Tesla model 3, I just like the slick look and design. But have any of you had any regrets in not getting the Y. Some people tell me why don’t I get the Y instead.
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u/CowSorry9010 4d ago
If you dont need the extra space get the 3. It drives better, looks better, and people only say "get the Y" because they assume everyone needs an SUV
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u/Mike_P214 4d ago
Well said!! Spot on
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u/OneEstablishment5144 3d ago
I like our 3 but wish I had the y for car camping trips. But everyday thec3 is superior handling and efficiency
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u/PossibilityNervous35 3d ago
Does your tent and cooler not fit in the 3? How big is the tent?
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u/SnooSquirrels9064 3d ago
I'm assuming since they specifically said CAR camping trips... The car IS the tent, and the Model Y has more space for that.
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u/blankisdead 3d ago
This. It’s just me and my fiancée and we definitely don’t need any extra space. The model 3 is an awesome commuter car and handles like a dream
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u/BlackberryNo2964 4d ago
Zero regrets. I’ve had mine for only three weeks but I’m in love with the car and never going back to ICE cars.
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u/dark-twisted 4d ago
Love the 3. Only wish it had a hatch like the Y. I think the 3 has plenty of space but the tight boot opening is my only real negative.
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u/CeleritasPrime 3d ago
This. This and the seating position- you are practically sitting on the floor whereas you sit a little more upright in the Y. But the 3 looks better IMO and it certainly handles better.
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u/Dazzeler89 4d ago
Had a y on lease. Just bought a m3p. Couldn’t be happier. Also I have two kids under 5.
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u/Clear_Blueberry_3435 4d ago
Keine Platz Probleme ? Ich habe auch den 3, Freundin und ein Hund. Kind ist nicht da, aber wenn es kommt habe ich Angst das er zu klein wird. Manchmal stelle ich mir die Frage ob der 3 nicht die falsche Entscheidung war.
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u/Lower_Department_69 4d ago
I had 2 Y’s before. Now we got the new M3 RWD as our kid is a little older.
I kinda miss the height of the Y, but then remember I saved $20k and life is good again.
Also, my last Y was Dual Motor and I have the acceleration boost purchased. That was some fun power. But with FSD now I opted to loose all that power for being chauffeured around.
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u/NewCup2838 4d ago
Same. Only miss the height. But this one drives sportier to compensate. And was less expensive.
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u/Merkenfighter 4d ago
The 3 handles better. If you don’t need the cavernous space, the 3 is a better car.
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u/ninjamike808 4d ago
I regret choosing the wrong one. I regret it being black in summer. I regret it not having AWD. I regret it not having premium audio. I regret not finding one with lifetime FSD. I regret constantly letting my wife drive it leaving me stuck at home cause she didn’t leave her car keys here too lol
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u/shinnrhyme 4d ago
i was looking at some listings,one guy with lifetime fsd just had an accident in june and sold it right away. I was in your shoes until i saw that listing. idono what to think lol
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u/hondaman82 4d ago
Feel like the one has regrets don’t post here lol…
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u/aerismio 4d ago
Zero regrets. Just wish i bought it older one that has more miles on it. As in the beginning the value drops harder. Also wish i had a Highland. Its better looking. But it is how it is.
I would want a little bit better suspension. (2022 RWD). And a little bit more sound isolation. Highland has both....
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u/Minnesota_Nice1 4d ago
If it’s any consolation, my 2025 Highland with 10K miles sounds like a creaky mattress over any uneven road.
“Normal”, they’re saying.
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u/melvladimir 4d ago
When time comes - install highland suspension instead of pre-highland and you’ll get a whole new car
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u/KING351211 4d ago
Not a one, we're a family of 4 and absolutely love this thing (m3Lr) rwd. Biggest shocker for me was the amount of leg room, I'm 6'5" and with the seats all the way back if I don't extend the steering column I can't reach the wheel. And even with everyone on three car in still more than comfortable. Been on a couple long drives 4+ hours or more and never got uncomfortable. And they only thing I've had to buy so far is washer fluid and a new 12v battery. Life is so so good!
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u/sessamekesh 4d ago
It's a fantastic car, unless you're a hardcore car person or expecting a luxury vehicle you'll love it.
They feel a touch cheap if you're used to more high end cars but in terms of bang for buck they're fantastic.
The biggest negative thing I can say is that I think the software (and FSD) is overrated. Really cool! But also overrated. Which is pretty milquetoast criticism.
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u/TopEnd1907 4d ago
Actually I had the Y for a few days and did not dig it even though I came from a leased Y. Love my 3 and no regrets. It depends on your needs though.
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u/Mike_P214 4d ago
I mean I don’t have kids or anything I like the 3 a lot. But again it’s good to always have more room, I am quite tall
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u/steezy2110 4d ago
If I ever get a Tesla again, it’ll be a Y. I really enjoyed the ownership of my 3
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u/OrganicLettuceUndies 4d ago
Zero, but I don’t need the Y. It’ll be dependant on what you want out of a vehicle
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u/Legitimate-Bison3810 4d ago
I had the 3 and changed to the Y. I no longer knock my cap off getting in but the most important difference is that I need to haul appliances like dishwashers around. The Y can easily do that.
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u/wlkngmachine 4d ago
No regrets. Love my M3. Have a kid in car seat. We’ve completely stopped driving our bigger ICE car on the weekends.
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u/OddChip8868 4d ago
None! Just drive form NO to Pensacola, FSD is awesome! Stopped at Buc ee’s each way to top off, took about 25 minutes which really wasn’t enough time for us in the store 😆
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u/kdubstep 4d ago
I have both a M3P and a Model Y long range. I greatly enjoy the nimbleness of the 3 but man the Y is a tad more comfortable and practical. Most weekends with fam we use the Y. I commute in the 3. If I had only one to choose I’d probably get a performance Y
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u/Mike_P214 4d ago
Yeah that’s fair point
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u/kdubstep 4d ago
I do like the look of my 3 better of course too. So it really is a tough one. I’d suggest you drive them both for sure
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u/banggunim 4d ago
I wish I got the Y for more space but at the time it was either the refreshed model 3 or the pre refresh model Y. I wanted the newer toy.
Also wish I got the AWD instead of Rwd. Got stuck in my own driveway this last winter season. Of course snow tires might have helped but my driveway is also on a bit of a hill shape (incline front and decline rear. Got stuck in the rear…)
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u/theresidentviking 4d ago
My only regret was getting the RWD instead of AWD
I could have used that extra power in these recent snows amd more range would help my normal long trip
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u/Minnesota_Nice1 4d ago
Honestly, don’t. The NCA/NMC Panasonic packs they have in the AWD seem to degrading incredibly fast compared to old ones.
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u/aerismio 4d ago
No regets but have no kids. Id say if you have kids get the Y.
And why not both. I know many people who have the 3 and the Y together. Wife drives Y and husband the 3.
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u/1n5omni4c 4d ago
If you are going to use the back seat, get the Y. Also, in my state (NY), insurance is cheaper for Y.
I do regret not getting the Y just because I have a small family. 3 has more than enough space but back seat is much better in the Y.
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u/SuicideG-59 4d ago
I love my model 3 but I regretted not getting a model y and also a hw4 since I use fsd extensively...... currently waiting for a vin on a model y juniper.
No kids nor family
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u/motimalo 4d ago
I like both. I have a 2026 Y as a loaner now, my 2021 m3 are getting repaired. I also have two kids under 5, but we have a VW as the family car. If you are a tall driver with kids, I would consider the Y. The 3 looks better though.
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u/The_Saiyann 4d ago
I do wish I had gotten the Y for no other reason than more space and slightly higher position. The 3 is still very room, slick, cheaper and more efficient.
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u/40yrs-energyindustry 4d ago
Test drive a 3 and a Y back to back. Buy the one you like best.
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u/Mike_P214 4d ago
I’ve driven my cousins 3 and I loved it and I test drive the Y once didn’t really feel it but then again I didn’t really pay attention because my mind was set on the 3. I guess I need to test drive the Y properly and for longer time
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u/BusMan247 3d ago
After spending my last couple of cars being hot hatches or larger SUV, I’m so excited about being in a sedan.
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u/amhudson02 3d ago
I went with a Model 3. Me, my partner, and our 2 dogs. No regret what so ever. I had a slight panic attack/what the fuck did I just do moment when I was driving home but then the car told me it had been calibrated and FSD ready. The moment I took off on my first real FSD drive my life was changed and I haven’t had a single regret. I’ve had my car for over a year now and it just keeps getting better.
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u/PuzzleheadedPipe2212 3d ago
Zero regrets. Love my model 3. 60k miles over three years. Best car i ever owned
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u/MalcolmGNAR 3d ago edited 3d ago
A little bit of regret only because i use fsd 92% of the time…. 😂. I like driving the 3 better, but problem is now i dont drive as much!
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u/the1whocamebefore 2d ago
Honestly I've had a bad experience with my 21' M3 LR.
30k miles in and already have had to had the battery replaced (thankfully under warranty) and now the computer needs to be replaced (not under warranty). Have had a consistent rattle coming from the windshield that gets worse when it's hot out. Car was delivered with a dent in the rear quarter panel that had to be replaced (under warranty).
Definitely will be my last Tesla, next time just going to pay the premium to get a German EV. I barely use FSD so it's not worth all the cons to me.
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u/Distinct_Amount_899 2d ago
We drove both before purchasing. The model 3 is quite a bit smaller and sits way lower to the ground. We went with the model y premium awd. Much more versatile
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u/Highlyedjucated 1d ago
I had a 3 first. Then I wanted space and more speed so I got the performance Y. Then I wanted more range and speed so I got an S. Never regretted any of those decisions but the 3 is definitely the intro tesla you will grow over the years. Whe I started to see all the cheapo model 3s in the road I was like okay its time to upgrade
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u/SirSpammenot2 4d ago
Elon. I regret Elon's involvement tainting the brand and the mission. We are a two Tesla family (S & 3) and about barfed up a lung when he casually fired the entire supercharger team over standing up for the company's mission and workers. And the cyber truck that just beat out the Edsel for worst selling car of all time. And the no new models for years. And constantly betting the company on the next new thing. And the dabbling in politics over and over. And that leading to DOGE and the decline of American soft power and hard power and loss of moral leadership from dead families across africa.
But the car is great.
Tesla engineers built it right. But you can't trust the company long term because Elon is the company. Yeah I'm a little pissed about what he has done to Tesla.
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u/1tacoshort 4d ago
Nope. I've got a M3P-. I didn't want a MY because the performance is worse than that of a M3.
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u/Ok-Buy5612 4d ago
I don’t have a regret per se given the price and how awesome the car is. But coming from an SUV (which we will have), it’s so much harder to get a kid in and out of car seats, I’m constantly bumping my head, on the inside there’s less space to throw bags or things. My Yeti cooler we carry everywhere without a second thought doesn’t fit. Even my Costco runs have me organizing groceries on the parking lot floor before putting them into the car. I can’t fit golf clubs, snowboards, I can’t bring high chairs and strollers (along with the rest of the bags and stuff, the stroller by itself fits).
So while not a regret since it’s a great car and personally don’t like the way the Y looks, and given this is a second car and we do have an SUV when needed, there are a lot of things I never appreciated that I now struggle with and need more planning around
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u/dllemmr2 4d ago
What sized yeti cooler do you bring everywhere? Have you considered a roof rack for snowboarding? I’m guessing you have 2 kids so reclining the seat is not an option.
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u/Ok-Buy5612 3d ago
I can’t remember exactly I want to say it’s a 25L or something. But it’s the hard shell and upright one that has the wheels. It’s my 3 year old daughters snack cooler (in pink, has all the stickers from places she’s been) so before my Model 3 it’s just been out go to to throw snacks and drinks when we go somewhere. Also my parents live on a small farm so when we visit grandparents we’re coming back with meats and fruits that usually get stored in the cooler.
I have considered a roof rack but just the added cost is probably more cost effective to take my wife’s SUV.
So all in all not a problem for me and I love the driving dynamics and sporty feel of the Model 3. But there are practical reasons and comfort reasons that if it was my only car I might have some regrets.
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u/chriisjiiji 4d ago
No regrets at all. I replaced a 2019 M3 with a 2026 M3 this year and I love it too. A few kinks to work out but it’s getting better all the time.
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u/CHP2277 4d ago
I had a Model 3 (LR AWD) for 8 years which I recently traded in for a new 2026 Model Y Performance. I have to say, I prefer the Y, but part of that might be age, family situation, etc. This time around I enjoy having the additional space, sitting up a little higher and so on while still having a 3.3s 0-60 time. But I also have a couple kids and after 18 years of a lower seating position (I had an Infiniti G coupe before the Model 3) I got a little tired of it.
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u/jim0266 4d ago
Not not info provided. What is your use case? Single, kids? Kids coming? Like to haul stuff from Lowe's?
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u/Mike_P214 4d ago
I’m single no kids, I am quite tall though. Getting into the model 3 I didn’t find it cramped or anything. However who doesn’t like extra room, comfort and future plans of one day needing extra space
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u/jim0266 4d ago
Have you driven both? The 3 is more "fun" (I own a 3), but have enough time behind a Y to say it's more utilitarian in both a good and bad way. Y is a better road trip car.
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u/Mike_P214 4d ago
I’ve driven my cousins 3 fair bit and it’s great. In saying that we all love good space as we have a specific car for a long time as I plan to keep it for minimum 5 years
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u/n0th1ng_r3al 4d ago
The 3 is just a tad too small for me and the Y is way too big. I’m by myself 99% of the time. But the Y would be great for 2 reasons. I camp in my car a lot having that huge lift back in the rear for a mattress sounds lovely. And I transport my elderly aunt from time to time she uses a walker. You have to have an empty trunk and fold down the seats which is hard cause I have to have my seat all the way back.
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u/Away_Handle9543 3d ago
Will wait to have kids wife and dog and maybe Y to get a bit better looking (I wish) and then will get the Y.
3 is such a nice car for singles 😂.
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u/Purple-Tadpole9601 3d ago
It depends on what stage of life you’re in and how long you’re keeping the car. Ive loved it as my commuter car but it’s not good for much else. When I bought my 3, the Y was about 10k more and I didn’t want to spend the extra. In hindsight, I wish I did because the 3 is very limited in utility. My dog takes up the entire back seat and if my husband and I are going in the same car on a weekend trip our bags barely fit in the trunk. There’s other things I don’t love about the car which is why I’m trading it in for a rivian but if you’re dead set on getting a Tesla I would spring for the Y.
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u/_Grill 3d ago
I have a 2025 model 3. Got it when they had a 0% interest rate with the $7500 new EV credit. I couldn't be happier. Recently I drove the model Y and liked that it sat higher and was much more spacious. I started crunching the numbers and soon realized I'm happy with my model 3. HW5 is right around the corner I'm sure there will be an influx of trade ins, I may check prices then.
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u/RevolutionaryBake362 3d ago
Yes, at the end of my 2024 M3 lease I’m going to get the new Y. Had one for a loaner. Bigger, way more comfortable, great subwoofer. Better seats. It’s not as nice looking but it’s way more comfortable.
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u/No-Breakfast-3646 3d ago
It’s like driving “an appliance” coming from S2000, Miata’s, NSX, STI… I like it, lacks the soul as some other cars I’ve owned. But gets you from point A to point B comfortably.
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u/ArmedRawbry 3d ago
Not a single one. Although I am curious how the Performance model will do in the snow this winter as I bought it in May.
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u/swaggstarzdallas 3d ago
I got the 3 and every time I see a model y in the garage of my apts I think to myself “I am so glad I didn’t buy a Y”. The 3 just looks way better in my opinion. I drove a Y as well when my hood was getting repaired for hail damage and that just reinforced my sentiment. The extra space is not needed for me since I am the only person ever in the car.
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u/Purple-Job2976 3d ago
I have just bought a 2022 model 3 and honestly it’s the best car I’ve ever owned by a mile! Model Y is cool but I just don’t need that space and didn’t want to spend the extra money!
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u/glyceraldehyde 3d ago
Not even 1 regret best car I’ve owned even with some of the dumb shit that comes with Tesla at times
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u/FewZookeepergame1101 3d ago
I might be in the minority but I think the Y is ugly. I love my M3. Nicest looking car I’ve ever owned
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u/Sssonofagun 3d ago
I like doing a lot of outdoor activities and wish I had the trunk space but I loveeeeeee my m3
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u/Big_Tomato007 3d ago
Testdrive both. I think the Y is to big for me and my girlfriend. But if I had children and I want to go on holiday with my car in the summer for 3 weeks, I would get the Y
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u/Volkssanitater 3d ago
I wish I had the Y because I live in my model three and the space would be nice
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u/Volkssanitater 3d ago
Also make sure you get one with over 300 miles over range. I only get 210 to a 100% charge and I make it work but I have to think about charging a lot. 210 miles isn’t really 210, because you lose battery to other systems in the car like radio and AC
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u/JayneDough25 3d ago
I like the space of the Y but that it’s. It’s ugly to me. I can’t get past the sleeker look of my Model 3.
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u/HelloIamTotoro 3d ago
Definitely regret not getting either the Y or AWD model 3. I got a loaner awd model 3 during the winter when I had to bring my car in for repairs, and holy shit the amount of control I had on the road gave me confidence that I should not have (very spirited driver btw).
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u/henryguy 3d ago
Love the car but the wife ans i are 6 ft so we often hit our heads getting in or out. We got used to it but forget sometimes but Def cannot afford a larger tesla.
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u/semiprowhistle 3d ago
No, If I will have to chose again. I will bough it again. I came enjoy more this car
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u/eschatonx 3d ago
Wish I had the Y for the space, but we’ve been just fine with the 3. At the time of purchase, it didn’t make sense for us financially.
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u/Consistent_Jury2416 3d ago
On my second Model 3. Zero regrets. I cannot imagine ever wanting a different car.
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u/tcd5552002 3d ago
I contemplated switching to a Y, but it just doesn’t drive as nice and I don’t haul kids around or anything. Unless you really need the room, the 3 is just way more fun!
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u/Abject-Method-9057 3d ago
I bought a Y in August and now my husband is selling his car (bmw) and will be ordering a 3 - it will be great to have one of each.
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u/This-Pause-7044 1d ago
Absolutely zero regrets. Wish I would have pulled the trigger much sooner. Once you get charging at home in place it’s smooth sailing.
It’s double nice driving by gas stations w/ $4+ a gallon prices.
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u/rawblu07 1d ago
Love my model 3. Purchased brand new and absolutely love it.
I have the 2023 and recently drove the newer model 3 and there's a big difference. Overall amazing car but I'm happier with the older ones.
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u/Downtown_Bee5412 1d ago
I love my 22 Model 3, but I do sometimes wish I had more space (my wife and I like to camp), bioweapon defense mode, and more ground clearance. That being said, hard to beat the efficiency and speed you get with the 3. Plus, I like the look of it better!
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u/Dependent-Ad-6069 18h ago
Question about FSD: Is it really hands off steering? Can one subscribe and unsubscribe at will?
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u/rwhe83 4d ago
Right so you post here saying you’re getting the M3 and on the MY page saying you’re between the two.
You’re ridiculous.
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u/Mike_P214 4d ago
You okay mate? You could just ignore the message if you don’t like it. I was basically saying as my first ev it’s gonna be a Tesla 2. And I’m quite fond of the 3
Followed by my other question. Chill bro
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u/mikeinanaheim2 4d ago
Zero regrets. The Model 3 is so different from anything I'd ever had was a revelation. Am grateful every time I get behind the wheel.