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Tesla Tumbles After Consumer Reports Yanks Its "Best Car Ever" Recommendation, Now Says It Has "Poor Reliability"

Tyler Durden's picture




 

In what is truly historic flip flop, just a month after Consumer Reports said the Tesla Model S is the best car it has ever tested, the agency has not only yanked its original review, but has come out with what is clearly a hitjob sponsored by another highest bidder, aimed squarely at Elon Musk's overpriced science experiment.

As a reminder, back in September, in "an expert and unbiased review" Consumer Reports gave the Model S a rating of 100— a perfect score — calling it "the best-performing car that Consumer Reports has ever tested." It added:

"The Model S being the first car to receive 100 out of 100 points is truly a testament to our commitment to continually give our customers enhancements in range, performance and value, and ultimately a better driving and ownership experience."

 

"It really blew up our system," said Jake Fisher, the head of automotive testing for Consumer Reports. "It actually scored above 100 in our system before we had to make some changes to account for this car."

 

Initially, the P85D Model S scored 103 points when Consumer Reportsmeasured the car's acceleration, braking, handling and other key performance characteristics. Fisher and his team then modified their scoring model to make the P85D fit into a 100-point scale.

A little over a month later, the Elon Musk marketing check appears to have bounced, because not only did Consumer Reports yank, literally, its glowing September review, leading to the following 404-ed page...

 

... but has come out with the following unabashed hit job on the car. LA Times has more:

Cnsumer Reports withdrew its recommendation for the Tesla Model S – a car the magazine has previously raved about – because of poor reliability for the sporty electric sedan.The turnabout comes after the influential consumer magazine handed the luxury car a “worse-than-average” rating in its annual report on the predicted reliability of new vehicles issued Tuesday.

 

Consumer Reports surveyed 1,400 Model S owners “who chronicled an array of detailed and complicated maladies” with the drivetrain, power equipment, charging equipment and giant iPad-like center console. They also complained about body and sunroof squeaks, rattles and leaks.

 

“As the older vehicles are getting up on miles we are seeing some where the electric motor needs to be replaced and the onboard charging system won’t charge the battery,” said Jake Fisher, Consumer Reports’ director of automotive testing. “On the newer vehicles we are seeing problems such as the sunroof not operating properly. Door handles continue to be an issue.”

 

Fisher said the flaws could signal future problems for the brand, which plans to roughly double production next year. It has just begun deliveries of a second vehicle, the Model X electric crossover, and intends to introduce the Model 3, a smaller, less expensive electric car, in 2017.

It also notes the following (un)reliability schematic:

 

Adding insult to injury, it adds that "driving range drops considerably when it's cold outside." So just don't drive it when it's cold, then, rigjt?

The bottom line:

 

And so the myth dies (at least until Elon Musk's generous "marketing" check clears), and the stock is responding accordingly.

 

Not pretty...

 

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Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:05 | 6690024 Hitlery_4_Dictator
Hitlery_4_Dictator's picture

#Teslas4lyfe

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:08 | 6690032 LowerSlowerDela...
LowerSlowerDelaware_LSD's picture

That must suck.  $100K for a car that doesn't move.  Hard to be snooty in the driver's seat when you're stuck on the side of the road in a dead car.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:18 | 6690067 J S Bach
J S Bach's picture

What?!  A stock that falls based on actual circumstances?!  Unheard of!  We need more QE to right this ship.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:19 | 6690086 BurningFuld
BurningFuld's picture

Well the fact that it has risen this far is NOT logical at all so you can take some comfort in that.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:28 | 6690122 Manthong
Manthong's picture

Just re-purpose them for FD training, college bonfire parties and wienie roasts.. big new verticals.

 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:20 | 6690355 ss123
ss123's picture

Big new vertical drop in stock price. Looks like start of the next leg down right now...

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 18:45 | 6691601 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

Somebody got paid big bucks and CR to hype it up and then send it crashing months later.

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 01:29 | 6693049 mkkby
mkkby's picture

One of my stupid co-workers bought one of these.  I took a drive in it.  It was okay.  But I knew the battery would have much lower capacity in cold weather.  At best 120 miles on a charge in less than ideal conditions -- certainly not the marketed 200.

To be rational, how do you value a car that has less capability than "normal" cars.  By less capable, I mean you cannot use it for extended trips.  No other car stops for 8 hours and has to be taken home after a moderately long drive. 

Since the car has less capability, it should cost less, not more.  So a rational person would pay less for an electric than a normal car.  I would give maybe $10k for the car.  $100k is for imbeciles with no logical thought processes at all.

 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:38 | 6690127 ZerOhead
ZerOhead's picture

< Lithium ion batteries

< Graphene capacitors

The future is...

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:51 | 6690218 NoDebt
NoDebt's picture

Flux Capacitors.  Or cold fusion.  Maybe Thorium reactors.  You know, what ever somehow sneaks through the petrochemical "it shall never see the light of day" obstacle course first.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:57 | 6690231 Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris's picture

The future is Hopium.  Long hopium!

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:07 | 6690277 Herd Redirectio...
Herd Redirection Committee's picture

Overpromise, under-deliver, profit!

What could go wrong?

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:13 | 6690324 Bunga Bunga
Bunga Bunga's picture

The future is digital printing!

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 15:13 | 6690634 Pool Shark
Pool Shark's picture

 

 

If the American taxpayers handed me hundreds of millions in tax credits, I could probably run a company that builds unreliable electric cars too...

 

 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:01 | 6690247 de3de8
de3de8's picture

Passat diesel,cheap, comfortable,reliable,and 700 miles on 40 bucks of fuel.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:25 | 6690387 cougar_w
cougar_w's picture

pollution

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 15:36 | 6690770 Arnold
Arnold's picture

Sanity doesn't sell.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 16:26 | 6691039 cougar_w
cougar_w's picture

Sanity is going to have to start selling real soon.

But it's okay if it doesn't. The crazies are already killing each other off, and I approve. I have made for myself an ark and I and mine will float away.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 16:46 | 6691107 Mad Cow
Mad Cow's picture

How many can fit on a Unicorn?

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 17:09 | 6691212 AlmostUncirculated
AlmostUncirculated's picture

Yes, or perhaps an 80's/early 90's Mercedes diesel with mechanical fuel injection.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 17:58 | 6691434 Bay Area Guy
Bay Area Guy's picture

Is the 40 MPG your actual or VW's test results?

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 18:37 | 6691563 Anopheles
Anopheles's picture

My Jetta TDI has consistenly gotten around 1000 km on 50 to 53 litres of diesel (620 miles on 13 to 14 gallons, about 45 mpg)  for the past 14 years.  Not going easy either, mixed driving and 75+ mph on the highway. 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:34 | 6690143 ZerOhead
ZerOhead's picture

Then again perhaps the cars are so good that Elon is actually paying Consumer Reports to sabotage the stock price in order to buy back the entire company as cheaply as he can. You just never know these days.

If true then he is probaly making a fortune on his shorts...

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:08 | 6690285 daveO
daveO's picture

Or...the banksters. From my past experiences, I haven't trusted them for years. Time for a rewrite of this BS;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_Reports#Editorial_independence

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:20 | 6690091 knukles
knukles's picture

So why's this not surprise me.  The goobermint goes all in on electric cars.  Remember the Volt?  !,000s per month, 1,000,000s per year.  yeah, right.
All subsidized to beat the band.
Elon's playthings would not even be affordable but to the 1% if it were not for $100,00+ subsidy Per Vehicle!
And when brand new, it was given 5 stars without even being tested!
Y'all don't think that's some kind of government hype now, do ya?

Nah ....

Now about that end user agreement and those 146 A1M1's gone to the terrorists in Iraq

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:39 | 6690165 kliguy38
kliguy38's picture

Doomer.......you know Elon has a hot wife that loves him for his personality and looks........

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:44 | 6690187 insanelysane
insanelysane's picture

And when brand new, it was given 5 stars without even being tested!

Just like the prez and his Nobel prize.  Participation awards are now being given to grown ups.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 16:53 | 6691134 jcdenton
jcdenton's picture

According to Gorbachev's Prime Minister, Nikolai Ryzhkov, the "moral [nravstennoe] state of the society" in 1985 was its "most terrifying" feature: “[We] stole from ourselves, took and gave bribes, lied in the reports, in newspapers, from high podiums, wallowed in our lies, hung medals on one another. And all of this – from top to bottom and from bottom to top.”

Again, it sounds like today’s America, doesn’t it?

Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze made equally painful comments about the lawlessness and corruption dominating the Soviet Union. During the winter months of 1984-85, he told Gorbachev that “Everything is rotten. It has to be changed."

 

WANTA! Black Swan, White Hat pg. 12 (2013)

 

Sound familiar?

https://app.box.com/s/hfgvcqg7gqh7i27at6sv53ywu87lwarp (WANTA-Book)

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:08 | 6690268 de3de8
de3de8's picture

They are fair weather commuter chariots for the 1%. You won't see them in a foot of snow in 20 degree temps. Just part of the climate change brainwashing lies to eventually get their carbon tax which will reap untold fortunes for the govt to keep the free shit train on its tracks.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:14 | 6690331 Osmium
Osmium's picture

On a cold day in Minnesota, you would be hoping the car starts on fire to keep you warm.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:41 | 6690484 SILVERGEDDON
SILVERGEDDON's picture

Anyone ever figure out that the electrical generating capacity necessary to just power recharging all electric car replacements for the city of Los Angeles ALONE would use up the current generating capacity of the entire Western United States electrical grid ?

So, where is all the power going to come from for a brave new rainbow skittle shitting unicorn electric car planet ? 

Where the fuck does all that juice come from ?

Currently in the USA, most electrical energy is generated by - BURNING COAL AND NATURAL GAS.

Fuck all you smug save the planet greensham-wows.

Not even gonna get into the non regulated battery factories poluting the living rat fuck out of their local environnments in China. 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 17:09 | 6691213 inhibi
inhibi's picture

I tell these same ings to every proponent of the electric car.

 

Not to mention the fact that you lose about 30-40% of the energy to the WIRING in the grid. Then of course theres the loss in charging, loss in battery, loss from battery, etc etc etc. Basically, if you tallied up the pollution of the electric car I would not be suprised that it pollutes more than a gas car.

 

Not that Im into black gold...the answer is clearly somewhere between solar and hydrogen, an energy source that is renewable, that has quite a lot of potential energy per unit volume...

But the answer is not Tesla...Not even fucking close. Tesla is a electric car tech patenter. That's really its main focus. As a company, it has value for sure, but it is not in the cars they sell or make. Its in the tech they patent. Its actually a genius company, if you think about it: bilk the government to further research into battery and electric motor tech, and sell cars on the side to put in place  the veneer of credibility/hype.

Made a killing off Tesla few years back. Now? Wouldn't touch it with wooden stick.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 17:57 | 6691430 buzzkillb
buzzkillb's picture

Most people would get lost in these simple explanations explained above.

Wasn't this the site that talked about Tesla's business model as selling carbon credits to other manufacturers? And now that golden goose is gone after this year? I like electric cars if they made faster ones and just called them sports cars. But even Formula 1 which tried to go "green" is failing with their boring super complicated cars. Seems like Tesla is making cars to fund SpaceX.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 18:29 | 6691546 Anopheles
Anopheles's picture

Hydrogen is only a means of storing energy, not a SOURCE.    The entire hydrogen generation, storage, transportation, usage cycle is also very inefficient, around 60% to 70%. 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 18:21 | 6691516 Anopheles
Anopheles's picture

The power to recharge electric cars will come from all those solar farms.   Just plug in your car to charge when you get home at night.....  Ummmm ,  WAIT.... 

 

 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 15:36 | 6690774 Super Broccoli
Super Broccoli's picture

be smart, bet on the dead cat bounce

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 15:16 | 6690668 jerry_theking_lawler
jerry_theking_lawler's picture

Isn't this just a 'souped up' golf cart??

Even with a multiplier of 10x, you should be looking at 50-60k max for this thing......Looks like you would have bettery reliability out of the golf cart though.

EM is a marketing genius...selling people tricked out golf carts since 2003!!

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 15:25 | 6690710 RaceToTheBottom
RaceToTheBottom's picture

They are an upgrade from the golfcarts.  These explode into flames if you get them wet.  Golf carts just get wet.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:06 | 6690025 Ignatius
Ignatius's picture

Man, to suscceed ya gotta deliver on your core claims.  Ouch.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:18 | 6690079 Talleyrand
Talleyrand's picture

And ya' gotta get the door handles right.

 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:21 | 6690094 BurningFuld
BurningFuld's picture

The door handle thing could really be a problem when your car bursts into flames and you can't get out 'cause the door handle fell off.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:07 | 6690027 chrsn
chrsn's picture

Bad reliability is a plus. One can't be a snooty elitist without being able to say, "my Rolls/Jaguar/Bentley/Bugatti/Tesla is in the shop."

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:18 | 6690080 Automatic Choke
Automatic Choke's picture

...yup, even the Prius.  We had one for a couple of years, till the brakes went out 3 times.  What would be a master cylinder on any other car ($50 part and $150-200 labor) is a $2500 "computerized brake actuator".  Sheesh...three times!  Byebye Prius  (replaced it with a diesel VW Jetta, ha!)

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:13 | 6690320 daveO
daveO's picture

LOL, the anti-Prius. +100

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:24 | 6690383 TrumpXVI
TrumpXVI's picture

That's unusual.  My '06 Prius went 135k before its first front pads and rotor turning.  Mine's been bulletproof.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 18:14 | 6691477 Automatic Choke
Automatic Choke's picture

yup.  brakes (pads & rotors) last a very long time on Prius, since most braking is done by the regeneration....only when you slam on the brakes or come to a complete stop does the mechanical brake system engage.  nevertheless, they seem to have problems with brake actuators.  it took years before it started going, but then all the replacements went fast as well...something wrong in their parts chain i guess.

 

(edit:  actually, some people report a problem with brakes making grinding noises that is attributable to rust on the rotor, since the brakes are hardly used...)

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 16:31 | 6690129 jakesdad
jakesdad's picture

what's a "shop"?  sorry, we have lexuses (lexi?) - is that what you call the big hangar-like room where they change the oil?

 

http://money.cnn.com/gallery/autos/2015/10/20/consumer-reports-most-reli...

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:02 | 6690258 sandhillexit
sandhillexit's picture

driving across town in the mid-Peninsula and there was this oldish Indian lady in a Maserati driving about 18 mpr because she didn't want to scrape the bottom on the dip at the corner.  Seriously funny, she looked so nervous.  Nobody told her the cars aren't for driiiving.  

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 00:39 | 6692960 August
August's picture

I had an older friend who sold his business and finally bought his dream car - a seriously customized Porsche 911 - for about half a million bucks.  I actually did feel sorry for the guy when I witnessed him seriously bottoming-out as he drove into our parking lot.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:07 | 6690029 Tim Knight from...
Tim Knight from Slope of Hope's picture

Well, as a Model S owner myself (and one of 20,000 deposit-holders on the Model X) my spidey sense tells me the Model X is going to have a bevy of problems, particularly with their funky-ass gull-wing doors.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:29 | 6690130 Onan_the_Barbarian
Onan_the_Barbarian's picture

*Falcon*-wing, you peasant.  FALCON.

 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:21 | 6690367 de3de8
de3de8's picture

"Chicken wing" doors

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 20:14 | 6691957 nosam
nosam's picture

If you drive these with the doors open, do they fly?

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:44 | 6690185 jakesdad
jakesdad's picture

what's ur experience been?  wife's car is 8 yrs old and since a model s is only a little more than a new ls was thinking about trying to steer her that way but this obviously gives pause...  I know two people w/them (s) who both love them (one of whom also has a ferrari that basically sits in his garage now) so this article comes as a bit of a surprise?

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:46 | 6690194 insanelysane
insanelysane's picture

Methinks people that plunked down 100k for a clunker might not want people to know they got sucked into the hype.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:29 | 6690410 cougar_w
cougar_w's picture

Hit piece. The timing around the VW (diesel in general) bit is interesting.

This would be how GM fights for it's life.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 17:51 | 6691419 carbonmutant
carbonmutant's picture

+1 Consumer Reports got a bigger check...

 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 18:04 | 6691450 buzzkillb
buzzkillb's picture

We just got an IS because my girl's Dad took us for a spin in his new LS. The people I know who want the Tesla want it for the acceleration and laugh at the green part of it.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:07 | 6690031 max2205
max2205's picture

PE reset time

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:20 | 6690358 Osmium
Osmium's picture

The "market" can't let one of it's darlings fall.  Wait till it hits $200 per share and then BTFD!

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:15 | 6690039 Teh Finn
Teh Finn's picture

Consumer Reports has been a corrupt organization for decades.  How is this going to affect the construction of Tesla's two new battery plants(Reno, NV, and TX?)

 

Also:  Dyson is expected to begin integrating Sakti3's advanced solid-state battery technology into its systems within the next year or two.

Dyson and Sastry wouldn't address speculation on whether Sakti3's technology could still make its way into electric vehicles. Sakti3 garnered attention in 2014 when it claimed that its batteries were nearly twice as efficient as the batteries in Tesla's cars.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/10/19/dyson-sakti3-battery...

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:16 | 6690074 Automatic Choke
Automatic Choke's picture

I **used** to trust CR, and still subscribe to them.  This is too much, however, they have really shown their decay.  Nix on resubscription.  You listening, CR?

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:30 | 6690134 Onan_the_Barbarian
Onan_the_Barbarian's picture

I give them credit - 1400 vehicles is only just enough to start measuring reliability.

When the facts on the ground change, should not ones opinion change?

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:32 | 6690144 Teh Finn
Teh Finn's picture

When the facts on the ground change, should not ones opinion change?

Of course, but the Tesla isn't the first product they have ever reviewed.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:01 | 6690253 hankwil74
hankwil74's picture

What does that even mean? From driving the new car they rated it extremely high and published that rating. Only after receiving the surveys from Tesla owners did the questions about reliability comes to light. In light of that new information, CR changed their review. Isn't that how you would want a reputable organization to act?

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:05 | 6690269 Teh Finn
Teh Finn's picture

CR also pushed the Volt when it was coming out.  Why would they even rate it if they didn't have data?  It is called social engineering.  And it isn't just cars.  CR is full of SJW's pushing "right" ideas, lifestyles, and products.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:08 | 6690287 hankwil74
hankwil74's picture

You keep saying this, but never provide anything to back it up. Please provide me a link. 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:10 | 6690306 Teh Finn
Teh Finn's picture

http://nlpc.org/stories/2011/11/07/was-consumer-reports’-chevy-volt-reliability-survey-corrupted

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:22 | 6690370 hankwil74
hankwil74's picture

This entire article is conjecture. Did you even read it?

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 15:12 | 6690642 Teh Finn
Teh Finn's picture

Did you read the article you are commenting in?

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:12 | 6690316 Herd Redirectio...
Herd Redirection Committee's picture

There was a time when I thought I wanted to be a 'smart consumer'.  Then I realized THEY want me to be a consumer!  Thats not what I want at all!  Pretty funny...

 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:00 | 6690243 hankwil74
hankwil74's picture

Link to Consumer Reports being corrupt? Lots of morons (like yourself probably) make that claim, but funny enough I've never seen or read anything that backs up the assertion. I'll be waiting.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 18:14 | 6691487 Anopheles
Anopheles's picture

You mistake what Tesla is doing.  Tesla isn't trying to use state-of-the-art technology, they are using the cheapest COMMODITY components.   That's why their battery packs are made up of 8,000 ordinary 18650 type cells, and not an exotic Li-ion cell like every other EV manufacturer. 

The 18650 cell is whats in lots of computers, and in every lithium cordless power tool.   An 18 volt power tool pack contains 5 x 18650 cells, and extra capacity 18 volt packs, contain 10 x 18650 cells

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 08:28 | 6693496 quartshort
quartshort's picture

My e-cig has 2 married 18650's puff puff... yumtastic!

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:14 | 6690061 lasvegaspersona
lasvegaspersona's picture

Sooooo...not counting fires, Tesla is still OK?

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:42 | 6690182 Arnold
Arnold's picture

If you like your black soot tail pipe plume somewhere else.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:29 | 6690394 de3de8
de3de8's picture

Arnold, hit it on the head, they think they have no source in pollution, but don't confuse them with the facts. +100 for succinct post.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 15:55 | 6690868 Arnold
Arnold's picture

Thanks, but it is not clever on my part.

Any one that built things in the old days looks to where all the component parts of a thing come from, including projected cost of operation.

Longevity of operation is not a factor and dumping the battery pack at the end of a  relatively short useful life is not figured into any of the operating costs.

MBAs don't have time to do that anymore, I recon.

Not if they want to keep their job.

The subsidies alone are a flashing,waving red flag against them.

 

Yupper, Batteries in hot and cold conditions are problematic in almost all applications.

 

 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 20:26 | 6691999 buzzkillb
buzzkillb's picture

I saw a post on a car forum about how little maintenance electric cars have. The schedule was even posted. The one thing missing from maintenance schedule was the battery replacement. It was for a Nissan Leaf. WTF.

I don't know what the big deal is but my 2 seater Honda is at 90k miles and just has had oil changes, tires and brakes pads as regular maintenance. Is an oil change really that hard to do every 5000 miles? Sure I have done the brakes, upgraded clutch/flywheel, performance tires, etc. But really its just tires, breaks, gas and oil if I wasn't enhancing the car. I know plenty of people with Hondas and Toyotas that do nothing major during the first 150k miles. I would imagine creating electricity and producing the 1000's of 18650 batteries is much worse for the environment then the gas, 20 oil filters and 1000 quarts of oil

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:33 | 6690425 ForWhomTheTollBuilds
ForWhomTheTollBuilds's picture

I'm not sure why this necessarily hurts them in the long run.  Jaguars were notorious for being unreliable (see Mad Men plot where guy tries to kill himself with Jaguar but cant get it started).

 

Mercedes cars, among other brands are often as bad or worse than entry level domenstics in reliability, escpecially in the electronics.

 

The issue is, is Tesla selling a dream of "Green motoring" for the masses or are they a luxury brand for doctors and businessmen? If its the later, high profile failures, including fires will only add to the brand's mystique.  If its the former, then look out below.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 16:12 | 6690949 Arnold
Arnold's picture

My chevy 1/2 ton, three on the tree, clutch--50,000 miles x 6

Ford 1 ton dualie crew, 0nce at 80,000 miles, could use it again at 300,000.

MG 10,000 mile clutch, (getting pretty quick at it)

Jaguar XJ  (a buddies) x2 20,000 miles each. (I will never get quick with Jag clutches)

 

Can't change a bat pack out.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 16:21 | 6690974 Arnold
Arnold's picture

Your post reminds me of the 'Doctor Killer'.

 

http://atomictoasters.com/2014/02/forked-tail-doctor-killer-the-beechcra...

 

Thanks.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:15 | 6690065 VWAndy
VWAndy's picture

3d open source cars and trucks. Ill have something for yall in a few weeks.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:19 | 6690085 BlueStreet
BlueStreet's picture

That flip flop makes Gartman look like an amateur. 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:20 | 6690090 nakki
nakki's picture

Still appears to be overvalued by 80%. Then again I'm sure by the 4 quarter of 2030 they'll be profitable. That's when the Hyperloop should be completed. Bwahahahhahhaha. 

Better buy some Facebook with a market cap of one quarter of a TRILLION dollars.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:21 | 6690099 Skateboarder
Skateboarder's picture

Ugh... a dishonor to the greatest of minds. Fuck these poseurs and their faggy poseur king.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:28 | 6690118 cowdiddly
cowdiddly's picture

Consumer Reports: The Standard and Poors of Consumer Ratings.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:07 | 6690279 hankwil74
hankwil74's picture

Link to their corruption? You're aware that they don't take any advertisements and buy every product that they test, right?

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:23 | 6690379 daveO
daveO's picture

So S&P's crooked? Who knew!

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:28 | 6690121 I Drink Your Mi...
I Drink Your Milkshake's picture

These first cars to roll off the assembly line are prototypes at best.

WTF did anyone expect?

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:30 | 6690133 walküre
walküre's picture

that maybe the 2nd or 3rd line of cars would be better?

it's too bad, I really like the cars

and especially since Mercedes, Audi or BMW aren't able to produce any decent alternatives either

Germany's car makes are behind the eight ball on this one

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:55 | 6690559 adr
adr's picture

Audi E-Tron, BMW I-3 and I-8, Porsche 918 Spyder, VW Golf E, and a whole mess of other electric and hybrid cars that are all better than the Tesla.

The Germans all have new electric cars ready to go. You need to take a look at some car mags.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 20:33 | 6692034 buzzkillb
buzzkillb's picture

The 918 is one sexy car in person. I think it was Williams who created the KERS unit for the 918. Some real high tech stuff going on there. Push to pass, exactly where this technology should head.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 18:02 | 6691444 Anopheles
Anopheles's picture

Aren't able to produce?

No, they don't WANT to produce EVs.   They know EVs are a pile of poop with limited market. 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:32 | 6690422 de3de8
de3de8's picture

I drink....
Yeah I would expect a pile of crap for 100k

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:28 | 6690124 walküre
walküre's picture

Many unhappy Norwegian customers.

Imagine raging Vikings coming to the L.A. area during a typical Black Friday riot.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:34 | 6690147 VladLenin
VladLenin's picture

Umm, sounds like SpaceX. The focus is only on the problem of the day and the next unreasonable Elon goal.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:59 | 6690240 I Write Code
I Write Code's picture

yep

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:14 | 6690329 Herd Redirectio...
Herd Redirection Committee's picture

Unreasonable goal?  But he's a visionary!  And we landed men on the Moon back in 1969!  Err.  Robots.  Err, supposedly men.  Err...We just don't really care about going back, OK!

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:36 | 6690156 Gatos Locos
Gatos Locos's picture

Electric cars didn't work in the 1800's.  Nothing has changed.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:55 | 6690223 Teh Finn
Teh Finn's picture

Well...they did work.  They were powered off the combustion of carbon chains...just like today.  The skittle farting unicorn car hasn't been invented yet.  Musk is a rent seeker.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 18:00 | 6691438 Anopheles
Anopheles's picture

Electric cars in the late 1800's worked much better than gasoline, diesel or steam cars of that era.  In fact, it was electric cars that held the early speed records. 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:38 | 6690163 taketheredpill
taketheredpill's picture

Shitty reliability means it costs even more to drive it which should boost it's doucebag cred.  More sales.

 

 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 17:59 | 6691435 Anopheles
Anopheles's picture

There's also a mandatory $600 per year "inspection" fee charged by the dealer.  You don't have to have the inspection, but if you don't the warranty is void, including battery warranty. 

Add that cost to running the car.... 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:51 | 6690209 grumpytga
grumpytga's picture

Yepper, all we need is MOAR tax credits so the masses will pay for cars that won't run!

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:37 | 6690453 de3de8
de3de8's picture

Grumpy,
It ain't the masses buying these things and leads you to question the fairness of providing a tax credit to the rich in the name of efficiency, all on, as you say, the backs of the "masses".

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:52 | 6690210 grumpytga
grumpytga's picture

FuggIt

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:55 | 6690227 City_Of_Champyinz
City_Of_Champyinz's picture

Only an idiot desperate to part with his money would buy one of these Edsel wannabes...

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:34 | 6690430 daveO
daveO's picture

Hey! At least, Edsel's were affordable and fun.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edsel#Design_controversies

The Edsel's most memorable design feature was its trademark "horsecollar" or toilet seatgrille, which was quite distinct from other cars of the period. According to a popular joke at the time, the Edsel "resembled an Oldsmobile sucking a lemon".[16] Some have speculated that the car failed to sell because its grille resembled a vulva.[17] A crude jest that referenced the genital resemblance of the Edsel front grille was 'If you put some hair around it, you'd have an Ethel'.

Then, there's the Vietnam guy; 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edsel#Company_politics_and_the_role_of_Rob...

 

 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 13:58 | 6690233 SillySalesmanQu...
SillySalesmanQuestion's picture

"An overpriced science experiment..."
Thanks Tyler, for summing up in four words, what's wrong with this picture.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:36 | 6690443 cougar_w
cougar_w's picture

When you give up on actual science, you end up being Volkswagon.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 15:34 | 6690759 RaceToTheBottom
RaceToTheBottom's picture

That was science, focused on cheating.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 16:23 | 6691012 cougar_w
cougar_w's picture

I write software, similar as what Volkswagon used to cheat. It's not a science.

I also do science, which is how I got into software.

So I know the difference.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:07 | 6690281 I Write Code
Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:20 | 6690360 starman
starman's picture

Its a government car! End of story. 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:28 | 6690406 RougeUnderwriter
RougeUnderwriter's picture

Tesla to consult VW on new Diesel model

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:45 | 6690506 tommylicious
tommylicious's picture

FUCK YOU, SMUG TESLA DRIVERS!!!!!!        BASTARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:49 | 6690514 PrimalScream
PrimalScream's picture

The auto market is a vicious marketplace.  Really vicious ... very sensitive to consumer perceptions and changes in technology.

You can love Elon Musk, or you can hate him.  But really, what's he TRYING to do?  He is trying to make electric cars "work".  He is trying to make the concept viable and actually get it operating.  That has to be a great goal ... our planet needs these new concepts.  Seriously. 

No need to mention that the regular auto industry played with the idea of "electric cars" and gave up completely.  So it's really only the bold entrepreneurs like Musk, with their "overpriced science experiments", who actually hav a chance to change the game plan.

Tesla's are way outside my price range.  But I've heard that their handling is phenomenally good.  Sounds like the company will need to improve the reliability.  I'm not a stock holder of Tesla, by the way.  The feedback is what I heard from owners of the cars.

BY THE WAY - If Apple goes ahead with their electric i-Car then they are also facing a real chance of getting hammered as well.  Just my opinion, maybe they will prove everyone wrong.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:51 | 6690540 adr
adr's picture

Attach 1000 lbs of weight under your car and it will handle very well too. Might not drive that fast, but it will handle great.

Musk has always taken the quick and easy path, cutting corners any way he can. He is nothing but a Wall Street scam artist. Tesla, Solar City, Hyperloop, Space X and all of his other ventures never would exist if it weren't for the ability to take the entities public and profit off selling shares to schmucks.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 16:15 | 6690977 cougar_w
cougar_w's picture

So capitalism works?

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:47 | 6690516 Spungo
Spungo's picture

Wait a minute. They just figured out that batteries don't like low temperatures? People who live in cold areas have known this for decades. 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:48 | 6690522 adr
adr's picture

The Tesla Model S satisfies three demands of luxury car buyers: it's big, heavy, and allows for high levels of in your face I'm better than you smugness. Sadly it fails at everything else.

The build quality is lower than entry level compact cars and has electrical problems that make a 1960s British car look like a 1990s Toyota.

There is nothing in the Model S that justifies its insane price tag. The seats are terrible, the interior materials are nowhere near what you find in other $100k+ luxury cars, and it doesn't look all that great.

If you can afford to spend $100k+ on a car, you really don't need to worry about affording gas. A Mercedes Benz S class trounces the Model S in every way imaginable other than being electric.

The only reason any 1%er buys a Tesla is to make it look like he cares about saving the planet and attempting to send the few thousand shares of Tesla he probably bought a few percentage points higher.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:55 | 6690560 BellevueTrader
BellevueTrader's picture

Don't mind that their motor cases are cracking....nope! That has nothing to do with it! How's that for reliability??

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 14:58 | 6690573 wissen dass scheiBe
wissen dass scheiBe's picture

Somewhere a delicate voice, mired with postnatal drip is speaking from beyond the grave...(John Delorean)

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 15:12 | 6690640 yogibear
yogibear's picture

Just another toy for the person that has everything else.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 15:22 | 6690696 ChargingHandle
ChargingHandle's picture

They are a great ride for a weekend. If you have kids, live in the northern US, and still like the sound of a fine engine going from 2nd to third, it is not the right vehicle for you. You will look cool picking up your scone and $8 dollar late, but is that enough? It is the rich dude's car that wants to seem eco cool. Cmon...stop pretending...get yourself a S500 and call it a day. It will actually be worth something 10 years from now verus the Tesla. The deprecation of the Model S is terrible. No one is going to want an old electronic car...they will want the new one with a an improved range plus the expensive battery overhaul is a problem for second owners. I may consider a full electronic car in a decade when they are the norm.  Until then no thanks. 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 15:49 | 6690854 trader1
trader1's picture

completely agree.  

there is no incentive for anyone outside the target demographic to purchase a tesla.

 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 16:20 | 6690999 cougar_w
cougar_w's picture

It sells. To people who like expensive things. Who currently are the only ones with any money.

End of story, pretty much.

End of all the stories, probably.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 17:46 | 6691401 Anopheles
Anopheles's picture

Electric cars won't be "mainstream".   If they increase in popularity, then the government will TAX them much more.  Why?  Because governemnts loose $500 to $1500 per year in gasoline taxes on every electric car. 

Do you actually believe governments are going to let that huge amount of tax revenue escape? 

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 07:18 | 6693347 Singelguy
Singelguy's picture

Governments are already talking about taxing mileage instead of fuel, be it fossil or electric. In the end, it will make no difference what you drive. The government will just check in with NSA to see how many miles you drove and send you a bill fir taxes owed.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 15:22 | 6690697 ChargingHandle
ChargingHandle's picture

They are a great ride for a weekend. If you have kids, live in the northern US, and still like the sound of a fine engine going from 2nd to third, it is not the right vehicle for you. You will look cool picking up your scone and $8 dollar late, but is that enough? It is the rich dude's car that wants to seem eco cool. Cmon...stop pretending...get yourself a S500 and call it a day. It will actually be worth something 10 years from now verus the Tesla. The deprecation of the Model S is terrible. No one is going to want an old electronic car...they will want the new one with a an improved range plus the expensive battery overhaul is a problem for second owners. I may consider a full electronic car in a decade when they are the norm.  Until then no thanks. 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 15:48 | 6690848 trader1
trader1's picture

elon should thank them for the customer feedback.  if he's as smart as people claim he is, then improvements will be integrated into the next model release.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 17:01 | 6691166 vincent
vincent's picture

Follow the short positions

 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 17:12 | 6691234 Berspankme
Berspankme's picture

Musk swings on Obama's sack. End of story. car sucks

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 17:21 | 6691283 talisman
talisman's picture

The auto market is a vicious marketplace.  Really vicious ...
very sensitive to competitor's consumer reviews payoffs

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 17:32 | 6691335 Canoe in the Desert
Canoe in the Desert's picture

If it has tits or tires....you are bound to have trouble with it.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 17:34 | 6691349 silverer
silverer's picture

C'mon, guys.  You're expected to buy more than one so you have a backup handy.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 17:41 | 6691381 Nesbiteme
Nesbiteme's picture

It's just a 4,000lb battery sitting on four tires.

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 18:04 | 6691449 ZeroFreedom
ZeroFreedom's picture

In 1 month Consumer Report changes it mind. Also we have to question Consumer Report on everything since they should also be in the spot light on what they are reviewing and reporting. 1 month change what data were they looking at to warrant a dramatic change in opinion. Guess the post are correct the marketing check did not arrive. 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 18:54 | 6691636 Anopheles
Anopheles's picture

Their annual car reliabilty surverys were just done and compiled.    The surveys are sent out only once per year. 

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 18:19 | 6691506 abbottmd
abbottmd's picture

I wonder what the resale value for a 4 or 5 year old Tesla is? I am not sure I could afford the repairs even if someone GAVE me the car

Tue, 10/20/2015 - 18:52 | 6691630 Anopheles
Anopheles's picture

Tesla needs a high stock price.  That's how they raise half a billion dollars of cash each QUARTER, because that's the only way they can keep the company afloat. 

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 01:20 | 6693029 kaboomnomic
kaboomnomic's picture

Those idiots who bought TSLA now feels STUPID ALREADY??

 

I'm majoring in electronic. Electric motors is the most efficient mode of transportation? TRUE!

 

However, i'm NOT that stupid to wanna buy a fully electrified cars/motorcycle. Unless i'll commutes <50 miles/day. The ENABLING technolgy is just ISN'T THERE, YET!! Which is the battery (energy storage system).

Here, comparisons of different kind of energy source.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_density

 

Compared to a same MASS of gasoline? How much the energy density of Lithium-Ion batteries??

 

Unless those energy storage system for electric cars/motorcycle reach AT LEAST 25% of the same mass of a full tank of gasoline/diesel? With the size at least the same or less than that fossil fuel tank? And total car/motorcycle priced match the that fossil fuels car/motorcycle?

 

You only dreaming/delusional about the success of these electrified vehicles.

 

Don't believe? See this TSLA EPS report.

http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/tsla/revenue-eps

 

Do you really invest on that IDIOT company??

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 01:23 | 6693037 talisman
talisman's picture

I sense a great deal of p-envy for Tesla owners and Musk in these comments

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 01:30 | 6693051 talisman
talisman's picture

Steve Jobs
Craig Venter
Elon Musk

True American visionaries
who deserve total respect

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 05:45 | 6693264 kareninca
kareninca's picture

There are zillions of them around here (Silicon Valley).  They are stupid and I would never buy one, but I vastly prefer to share the road with them (in my honda civic) than with yet another monstrously huge GM SUV.

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