2024 Model 3 Performance

[stormrider762]

All things considered I was looking for a vehicle I would absolutely love for it’s looks, performance & to stay that way at least in my mind for the next 10-15 years.
My 2021 Taycan CPO fit the bill. My
only concern is what will happen after my extended warranty & battery warranty expire. It could get very expensive at that point in 2030 but I hope not to care by then.
For now my base Taycan handles like a dream, comes off the line as quick or quicker than any ICE car I’ve ever owned and it jumps ahead of any vehicle when you need to pass quickly.
All this plus the beautiful coffee beige color that turns heads everywhere I go (including mine) comes with the fact I don’t have the best range at 185 miles @85% charge, it doesn’t remember my seat position automatically by my key fob or that the battery may end up becoming a huge liability when the warranty expires.
I’m 64 now and will be 70 when my Porsche warranties expire. I’m hoping Porsche will not allow my Taycan to be considered a disposable vehicle after warranty with one incredibly expensive repair after another. Maybe an extended repair insurance program for people who like to collect beautiful Porsches to keep forever. My 2000 Boxster was perfect before I got T boned. It cost a few thousand a year max to keep it perfect from a mechanical perspective even though I only had 42K on it after 22 years.
If my Taycan requires a battery replacement for $50K+ compared to an ICE replacement which is unlikely until at least 200K to 300K miles or I need to replace a PCM for $10K+, a rear drive motor for $15K+ or a panoramic glass roof for $15K+ or all of the above in a few short years after warranty then I will have gotten taken by Porsche as they would have moved from a high quality brand to a version of their vehicles which are actually disposable.
I have to believe Porsche does not want this to become the new reality in their proud heritage. Taycan is my test case with Porsche’s future. If I get burned after 2030 then I will look elsewhere for an EV. No Porsche, Audi or VW EVs would be considered for me but I have to believe Porsche understands this and will find a way to make their EVs cost effective over time…

Absolutely this! As well as what another poster said above - I don’t look at (or, fortunately, need to look at) cars as an investment. We have many other things for that: our businesses, real estate, stocks, etc. cars are FUN for me. Much more than just something to get to work in - I enjoy the experience.

Coming from muscle cars in the Scat Pack and Hellcat, to a Tesla and now into the Taycan 4S, I couldn’t imagine going back to the “old days” of when I just got what I could afford to drive me to work. When I car shop, I’m looking for an experience- something that makes me grin behind the wheel and take a glance back when walking away. The Taycan absolutely does that in spades. I was in the same boat looking for something that would give that feeling for the next 5-10 years.

With the CPO warranty, battery warranty and option to extend the Porsche coverage in 4 years when my CPO coverage expires, I have almost zero concerns with any expensive repairs that may come up. At worst pay a deductible, and I feel confident that considering we are talking about cars in the 6 figure range - pretty much all of us can swing the $500-$1000 deductible payment in a worse case scenario!

Life is short! Drive what gives you butterflies behind the wheel and have no regrets my friends.

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[fullmetalbaal]

I relate to this 100% - great write up!

optimizing car ownership for personal preferences and opinion is an expensive affair…OMG the amount of ? I've wasted over the years on car ownership - I'm simply embarassed, chagrined and should probably be removed from any decision making authority about my finances for my own good…

Porsche makes a great car and a mediocre EV
Tesla makes a great EV and a mediocre car

I like driving my Porsche(s)
I like my checking account balance with my Tesla(s)

I'm unconcenred about $72k repair bills for minor damage because that will be covered by my insurance company's comprehensive damage plan - and after 1 or 2 of those Porsche will have a big problem with insurance companies - Insurance will total me out of the vehicle I get to sample what's new on the market - not ideal, but I'll be fine (as will most of us)…

nothing is optimal in this world, but I firmly believe life is too short to have any regrets…

get what you want (heart & mind) and the rest is simply BS…

I'm looking forward to my Macan EV Turbo - I'm sure Porsche will get most of it right, and the things they don't get right will make all of us shake our heads in amazement - I have few if any delusions, but I _KNOW_ I'll prefer the Macan EV to a Model Y (even a refreshed Model Y).

I think in 2024, it's more like this:

1- porsche makes a better sports car.
2- tesla makes a better EV
3- tesla makes a better daily driver.
4- tesla makes a better car for family road trips.

In my particular situation, (1) is important to me, (2)-(4) are important to the whole family (including myself).

I'm struggling with Porsche EVs because they actually IMHO don't deliver on (1) anywhere close to what Porsche ICE do - The Taycan transmission, the brake feel, the weight - it's not great.
This is the first Porsche I haven't bothered taking to the track...

It's to the point where I'm almost thinking the answer is buy something not Porsche for (2)-(4) and either wait for a true Porsche sports car EV as a third car, or get (gulp) another ICE Porsche as the third car (back to a 911??).

 

[DerekS]

Two factors to add to the criteria:
The buying experience and the service experience.

You’re right!

Porsche buying experience: finding a dealer and salesperson you like, negotiating the price, fielding junk addons during closing, and leave feeling like you might have overpaid.

Tesla buying experience: all handled online like buying anything from Amazon. The only shenanigan they pull is trying to take “fuel savings” off the price, but you can shut that off. It’s absolutely painless.

Porsche service: well, we see how that’s going. Exorbitant costs and lengthy turnaround times especially if it ends up being a battery issue. Recalls are not handled well as the parts seem to be unavailable for most of them so far. Software updates have traditionally required service visits, inexplicably. Not sure if that is rectified now or not.

Tesla service: scheduled easily online via the app. Most issues can be handled at your home or work via mobile service. Costs are reasonable in comparison to Porsche. Even bodywork is better as some repairs can be handled by installing new factory painted parts.

I just wish Tesla had a more diverse product mix. If that roadster was real it would already be mine.

 

[DerekS]

Probably a stupid question, but do you have the electric steering column? Having it move up automatically was something that I was keen on getting, but when I placed my order a little over a year ago, I was told that a chip shortage meant that they were reserving that option for the higher trims, so I couldn't order it.

Yes I do.

 

[fullmetalbaal]

You’re right!

Porsche buying experience: finding a dealer and salesperson you like, negotiating the price, fielding junk addons during closing, and leave feeling like you might have overpaid.

Tesla buying experience: all handled online like buying anything from Amazon. The only shenanigan they pull is trying to take “fuel savings” off the price, but you can shut that off. It’s absolutely painless.

Porsche service: well, we see how that’s going. Exorbitant costs and lengthy turnaround times especially if it ends up being a battery issue. Recalls are not handled well as the parts seem to be unavailable for most of them so far. Software updates have traditionally required service visits, inexplicably. Not sure if that is rectified now or not.

Tesla service: scheduled easily online via the app. Most issues can be handled at your home or work via mobile service. Costs are reasonable in comparison to Porsche. Even bodywork is better as some repairs can be handled by installing new factory painted parts.

I just wish Tesla had a more diverse product mix. If that roadster was real it would already be mine.

You and me both.

 

[hshm]

I’m really on the fence. Despite all the Taycan faults I just like it better.

I think you summed it up nicely here.

On paper, Tesla wins. Behind the wheel, Porsche wins. There is just something about Porsche that can’t be captured in a spreadsheet.

 

[bluesky]

In the entire history of cars, there has never been a perfect one. Only a set of compromises that best suit your own requirements.

Some of those requirements can't be measured by a stopwatch etc. And the more expensive a car is, the less rational the purchase becomes (broadly) so more subjective considerations bubble up to the top (the way a car looks, feels and smells for example).

Neither a Taycan nor a Model 3 is perfect. The question is, which compromises suit you the most...and there's nothing wrong with that being 50k in your back pocket (or however much the difference is)

I supposed I provoked this because I used the word “perfect” without qualifying it by expressing basically the sentiment you wrote. Yes, the problem is that I’m not yet finding the right set of compromises that raises a choice to the top. I liked the way the Taycan drives, better than other EVs. But I don’t like many things about the Taycan, both with the car and with the Porsche dealership experience.

 

[DerekS]

I supposed I provoked this because I used the word “perfect” without qualifying it by expressing basically the sentiment you wrote. Yes, the problem is that I’m not yet finding the right set of compromises that raises a choice to the top. I liked the way the Taycan drives, better than other EVs. But I don’t like many things about the Taycan, both with the car and with the Porsche dealership experience.

That sums it up pretty well. I'm holding for now, partly to see how @Maelstrom 's issue resolves, and partly to give myself a "cooling off" period to make a reasoned decision.

I'm already salty about my experience from the roof repair, so it doesn't take too much to push me out. I'm completely fine driving an appliance for 2 years while waiting to see what happens.

If the E-Boxster comes out and is compelling, it may follow the same depreciation curve as the Taycan and I could get a used one for half off.

 

[Jonathan S.]

Seems like a more fair comparison would be with the Model S? Or perhaps Taycan sedan to Model 3, and Taycan CT/ST to Model S.

I also second – or is that third? – the rec to look into the i4 M50. My wife’s i4 M50 is really close to my CT for driving experience, while better than the Taycan is many regards, and certainly better than any Tesla in many regards, and closer to the Tesla in many areas where Tesla is admittedly the best. Plus you can pick up an i4 M50 used now, with almost no differences among the model years, and relatively few optional packages, so that finding one to your liking is far easier than the Porsche a la carte system.

Note also that for the charging network, the i4 M50 has hit its charging curve at all our Magic Dock sessions. Granted, that’s starting at only a little over 200kW, but still quite speedy. Obviously Magic Dock coverage is wildly uneven, so this might be totally irrelevant to you, but for us, the new Magic Dock stations from Boston down to Philadelphia have totally changed our ICE vs EV roadtrip calculus. (Taycan is also ok at Magic Docks, in the 130s, but that means slower than the i4.)

And Porsche engineers would definitely disagree with this: “The Tesla […] also seems to last longer real-world due to the forced regen of one-pedal driving.” Plus you can also use one of the two Taycan regen settings.

 

[Vision]

I think you should be looking at a Plaid. I have that and a model 3 performance and there is a huge difference between the two Tesla's. My Plaid even has some nicer interior parts than my Taycan (eg b pillars on the Taycan are plastic, on the Plaid they are covered in carpet, etc). Performance is next level. Only downside I would say is the steering/handling/braking aren't as good as the Taycan, but hey it does cost 1/2. So...

 

[mystermykee]

The buying experience is IMHO hands down better with a Tesla/Rivian/Lucid.
You pick what you want and press buy... no haggling, no wondering how much you left on the table, no upselling, no attempts to change what was agreed upon.

Disagree. With few options to choose from and clicking buy is a rather short lived experience, one I wouldn't consider better. Perhaps better with regard to not having to deal with a salesman. There's nothing like spending a few weeks to a month figuring out exactly which options you want. I find that experience more rewarding than having a few cookie cutter options that everyone and their mom has optioned. Funny rather. Option a Tesla and it's "available now!"

 

[Fish Fingers]

I've got a couple of unrelated question, that could be relevant in the longer term situation.

Last time the Taycan went in for (what would have been very expensive) faults / recalls again recently and I spent a week in a new Taycan loaner it got me wondering:

1. How much profit does an average car manufacturer hand back in warranty repairs?

2. How much till the cars lose money?

3. What are the figures for the Taycan?

The reason I think this is relevant, is Porsche are looking to be 80% electric in the near future.
If all these cars have the same issues as our mk.1 Taycans have had, the company would surely be in trouble.
It would just be completely overrun in expensive warranty work/recalls, with long waits and not enough technicians and it's reputation in tatters.

So that means they need to improve the whole Porsche EV proposition........and fast, or they become obsolete.
I personally think this may be the companies no.1 priority - but is dependant on the answers to the questions above......how much wiggle room is built into the price of these cars for future warranty work?

Personally, I will find it interesting to see if Taycan 2 and Macan EV have greatly improved reliability compared to Taycan 1.

If it is greatly improved, that's a possible next car option (relevant to this thread) - with the downside that our Taycan v1 values will go down as it becomes the used dog to avoid.
If the issues are replicated in future models (which I doubt) it's an existential threat to the company. And with current repair costs, they become uninsureable.

My bet is the learning curve is fast and steep and future cars will be in line with Porsche's reputation of old - as they are not stupid.

 

[fullmetalbaal]

Disagree. With few options to choose from and clicking buy is a rather short lived experience, one I wouldn't consider better. Perhaps better with regard to not having to deal with a salesman. There's nothing like spending a few weeks to a month figuring out exactly which options you want. I find that experience more rewarding than having a few cookie cutter options that everyone and their mom has optioned. Funny rather. Option a Tesla and it's "available now!"

Yeah, I specifically meant the "dealing with the salesperson" part.
The selection process is not really the buying experience for me - I do that without the help of salespeople.

And I agree that Tesla needs more options, especially when it comes to color, wheels and interior color and seats.
But I also think that Porsche went in the other extreme. Many of the "options" should just have been included in the vehicle by default (and increase the price, that's fine... but there are some options that really make no sense to be optional).

 

[WasserGKuehlt]

1. You do you, never let others spend your money (even by influence).
2. Spreadsheets/numbers mean squat in car buying. (Already mentioned above.)
3. “How I’m treated”, “not luxurious enough”, “sw sucks” - all bullshit. These are incidentals, and only become core problems if you let them.
4. (Jenner mentioned this already.) There really is no fucking substitute.

I’ll elaborate a bit on #4: after years of procrastinating, I signed up for a track day (with PCA/PNWR). I was reminded constantly why this company didn’t die off. It wasn’t the “savior cars” (the 924/944, 986/996, Cayenne) - people who believed in the 911 kept buying their other offerings, because there is no substitute. Prepping for the event, my 20 year old 911 has brakes that put to shame any contemporary competitor - vastly overbuilt and made for easy trackside pad swap. Well, you can stand on them for lap after lap, and they just work.
The paddock was full of - well, everything, but mostly GT cars - of all ages. They go nuts, tick themselves cool, then repeat - and then drive home.
That’s what this company does: it builds cars that are a delight to drive, supremely capable on the track, and - as a consequence - dead reliable. It’s not fun paying through the nose to replace some glass, or a battery, but that’s not a priority.

I’ll keep buying Porsches; done my part buying a new one (so going used for a while), but my buying “the badge” means something else to me than others.

 

[SHM]

Really love my 2024 Model 3 Performance. It's got good sound insulation, handles well, adaptive dampers, better stereo than before.

Missing stalks took a couple of drives to get used too. But the new red, included forged wheels make it a very good deal. New seats with active cooling is also nice.

For the price it's a real fun car, feels agile.

--

Ps. I've also had X, YP 2023, 3P 2019, Taycan etc. And a lot of fossile cars.

The 2024 3P is much more refined than the old 2019 3P. I do have one 3P from China. Fit, finish, paint, detailing was perfect. In Europe you can tow 500kg with new 3P also. So ok for a bike.

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