It’s SO easy to set up, and you’ll be able to try out Tesla’s new models. Here’s the website you’ll use to sign up: https://www.tesla.com/drive. A couple days ago my 99-year-old Mom and I checked out the Model Y at the new Tesla Service Center in Warminster, PA. This is the first time I have been in a Model Y and Mother, who likes anything on 4 wheels, thought the car was great. She has trouble getting in and out of most cars – seat too low, seat too high, no grab bar above the door to hoist herself in (her 2017 Subaru Forester is perfect in this regard), etc. The Model Y seats were a bit too high (I didn’t think to lower them for her), and there’s no grab handle. Anyway, she’s not in the market for a new car so no harm no foul. This test drive was mostly for me, and to give Mom some enjoyment driving a Tesla.
Then today, my sister and I checked out the refreshed Model 3 (Long Range). She drove my 2023 Model 3 to the Service Center so she could experience a Model 3 with stalks, then during the test drive compare the driving experience in a car with no stalks. Turns out, she thought the new controls were intuitive and didn’t miss the stalks, and she liked ‘no stalks’ better. This was a surprise to me, but I expect Tesla drivers moving from stalks to no stalks will adjust quickly and find the no-stalk driving experience to be one more step forward to simplifying the Tesla user interface experience.
Other impressions I came away with during this test drive include better suspension, quieter cabin, updated interior and audio system, more comfortable seats (also ventilated), better cameras, relocated Tesla key card sensor, and I do like the little screen at the back of the arm rest. The refreshed Model 3 still needs organizers in the center console, and the usual mods (mud guards, floor mats, brake and go-pedal covers, screen protector and swivel, etc.).
The other thing about the Tesla demo drive experience is the no-pressure staff. If needed, some young person (they’re all young it seems) will come out and provide basic instruction prior to departure. However, if you’re a seasoned Tesla owner, you get a key card in exchange for an image of your driver’s license and you’re off for your 30 minutes of pure bliss in a Tesla of your choice. Then when you come back, you’ll probably be asked if you’re ready to purchase a Tesla and you say “No, not right now”, and they say “Well I hope you enjoy the rest of your day. Thank you for considering Tesla.” Nice!
This is so different than test driving a car at a non-Tesla dealership, or interacting with a sales associate at any dealership that isn’t Tesla. Tesla knows you’ll consider other options and that you’ll be back because, admit it, Tesla is BEST! So, they have nothing to lose by not pressuring you to make a decision then and there. That said, I heard an interesting comment about EV ads played during the Super Bowl. Tesla, as you know, doesn’t really advertise. But other companies spend $7 million dollars for their 30 seconds of air-time and what Tesla found was that their sales increased significantly. Once people went to the showroom to look at the EV model in the ad, they quickly decided that if they were going to go electric, Tesla really is the only sensible choice. Tesla is great value for the money, and as Tesla continues to improve their cars like they have with the Model 3 refresh (Highland) and will soon with the Model Y refresh (Juniper), the already great products just keep getting better.
If you don’t believe me, then you’re just a demo drive away from finding out for yourself. And if you think about it, please use my referral code and you and I will both benefit. Here it is: https://ts.la/glen27381, and thank you!
Parting shot (my sister after driving the 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range):
And another demo drive with a friend in a Model X. What a car!
And the ‘car’ in the showroom they wouldn’t let us drive (insert sad-face emoticon here):
Notice they’re charging this beast on a wall outlet (probably 15 amp). I guess since nobody’s driving it, the 4.5 days it’ll take to charge it this way is a non-issue…