Tesla Model 3 (2024) after almost a year and 20,000km (12,500mi) | My experience owning my first EV

I have owned my Tesla Model 3 "Highland" for almost a year now and driven over 20000km (over 12500mi) and I share my experience here from before I placed my order, to the delivery experience, driving experience, and to how I feel about it today.

As always, if you have any questions - please feel free to drop them in the comments below - I will try answer everyone's comments.

Thank you for all your support thus far and taking the journey with us.

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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:18 Chapters in this video

01:40 PART I: Why Model 3?
02:10 TL;DR
02:45 Reasoning for buying a new car
05:35 How I discovered the new Model 3 Highland (2024)
07:30 Online Ordering Experience

07:57 PART II: My specific configuration - why not LR?
08:31 Value for money vs BMW?
11:15 What the pre-production reviews thought... baby Model S?
12:15 Range Confusion (WLTP vs EPA)
13:50 My option choices
14:52 Autopilot: Enhanced vs FSD
16:03 TESLA Referral Code
16:32 Don't make my mistake!

20:52 PART III: TESLA Delivery Experience
21:25 Cost-savings too much of trade-off?
24:49 Fetching my car at a cargo storage facility?!
26:24 Compared to other dealers?
29:40 Pre-Delivery Checklist (NB!! I didn't know this)

31:34 PART IV: Experience owning an EV (What did I learn?)
32:37 EV Range vs ICE Range. One melts the other :P
34:07 Energy Consumption update (for this current trip)
35:25 Degrading range on ICE is very different to EVs
36:40 SR vs LR Benefits (besides range)
37:25 Things to consider before choosing EV (and range)
39:35 Ways in which EV can save you a LOT of money $$$
41:00 Other benefits of EV
42:25 #PHEV Plug-in Hybrid EV?

43:12 PART V: General experience with #Tesla and Tesla #Model3
44:18 Tesla Vertical Integration
44:45 Destination Discovery
47:44 Trim Options and Speakers (Regret?)
48:54 Blank Canvas opens up for a LOT of mods
53:00 Worth it at the price point?
57:28 Negatives

61:00 Conclusion & Consumption / Range Review

[airapple]

Best reviews are coming from car owners. Kudos for your great effort!

[AB]

These are the videos I enjoy from you. Nice video.
I have the refreshed M3 LR I took delivery in March. I have over 4000 mi and I love this car my first EV too. I am only getting Tesla. Every time I get to drive it, it literally puts a smile on my face

[marsqnap]

Here from Holland. Own the exact same car. I like your videos. Usually surprising topics or items! You're doing fine. You are also just yourself, which I can appreciate. A lot of information is simply correct. Just like, for example, consumption that is exactly as mine with fairly normal driving behavior. During Yoke installation you were a bit wrong by not disconnecting the 12V battery from your airback, but otherwise self-taught and there is nothing wrong with that. Looking forward to your next video :)

[Edska]

Great video, I got exactly same car for 10 days now and loving it. Here in Lithuania we only have one Tesla Supercharger, but 2 new ones are opening in different locations and so far it's for free. There are also a few other charging stations that are completely free (though quite slow) and some faster ones that are not very expensive. As an EV owner I also get free parking anywhere in public parking spaces and 5000 EUR back subsidies from gov. Overall these are great benefits and I got more than enough range. Though winter time will be significantly reduced.

[Mihovil]

I don't understand. You say you are not emotionally connected to the car, but there are so many videos and recordings with this car. Did you also shoot and research with those other cars?

[remotaurog]

Its a bad idea taking a Tesla for a test drive, it was the best experience I had driving a car, we are expecting our model 3 long range RWD in December, got 0.99% apr on hp which is a great deal, WLTP says 702 km, we will see about that.

[salair]

Nice video and informative. How is the charging situation in Portugal? I’ve seen videos that most charging stations are always full and waiting especially in toll roads.

[vitora.]

I can´t wait to get mine, i hope for 2025 the portuguese government will bring back the incentives...and i hope the price drops till the end of the year, in august you got a discount of +-2000€ in new models, no more discount from Tesla, and referral code doesn´t work...😤

[fabio_milanooo]

Kind of surprised by the lack of emotional connection to the car. I own a model 3 highland too and it’s the most exciting experience and strongest emotional connection with a car I ever had - simply put it’s like driving in the future. And it will be even better with full self driving. Which other car improves over time ?

[patricepnc]

hi, are you happy with the absence of sensors and lack of cameras when city driving / parking ? also about the reliability of automatic wipers?

[jon]

Can you do a video on how you put the dog there? my parents have a model 3 and a doggie just like yours, it looks a nice place to put her in

[INSIGHTSAU]

Looks like you have sorted the autopilot issue?

[wbachd]

your steering whleel is different to the one standard model 3 in the U.S

[pedrosimaoneves]

How do you charge the car? Is it a normal plug in the garage? How many kms can you charge during a night of charging?

[issiewizzie]

on motorways I seem to prefer autopilot without autosteer for some reason.... still testing

[vincearteta]

Hi! Do u think the LR is worth it for the acceleration and sound system?

[VascoPCosta]

How many hours to charge with normal charger from 15% to 100?

[Kruno-wkgi]

what's the phone holder you got there?

[Cloudman_]

It seemed like you liked the car better before you bought all those accessories… ever since you made that camping video…

[INSIGHTSAU]

Just commenting on your point of buying experience. Unfortunately the concept of buying a car being turned into a commodity item (can on beans) is somewhat disconcerting but I don’t Tesla understands the transitory nature of the market.