[xeromal]

I own a Tesla and my model S definitely has panel gaps, but it always surprises me how much people care. I feel like people complain because they became aware of the issue through the internet itself.

Makes me wonder how many people would notice if someone didn't inform them that it was possible.

As long as my car doesn't leak water and it drives straight, I'm a happy camper.

[acomjean]

When Lexus was a new brand in the 1990s the introductory ad was one showing Its refinement by having a ball bearing roll across the panel seams. It won some awards and is credited with pushing manufactures to better tolerances.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_Bearing_(advertisement)

[rudedogg]

The commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AktHnnA9QIM

[devilbunny]

Their current models are ugly, but I owned an ES350 and it is absolutely the best-made car I have ever driven. And when, rarely, something breaks, it’s a Camry under the hood, and every mechanic everywhere can fix it.

[0des]

It is because it is a symptom.

As an example: Nobody cares about clubbed fingernails either, but it can indicate something much worse.

[wincy]

I was really concerned you were talking about the old wives tale that clubbed fingers meant you were more likely to be a criminal or something… but I googled it and apparently it correlates to having lung cancer? Interesting.

[genocidicbunny]

Can be correlated to lung cancer, or heart disease.

[tristor]

You’re probably just less picky than me, but I absolutely noticed on Teslas in the wild and it’s for this same reason I also don’t buy/own any GM products. It’s just shoddy, and for a car as expensive as they are these days (and Tesla especially) it’s unacceptable.

Toyota and Honda economy cars are assembled with more rigorous quality standards than a $100k Tesla.

[dazc]

> Toyota and Honda economy cars are assembled with more rigorous quality standards than a $100k Tesla.

Not playing devil's advocate for Tesla here but how long have Toyota and Honda been building cars? It's true that every iteration is superior but they started out making some fairly bad cars back in the day.

Showing my age here but when Japanes cars started getting popular in the UK it was only because British cars had become so bad. Even then, it was common knowledge that a Japanes car was only good for 2 or 3 years since the bodywork couldn't cope with our weather and would just rust away.

[heymijo]

In the original iteration of Tesla’s Fremont factory Musk insisted on automation.

Global automakers in the 80’s learned the limits and perils of automation. Musk decided he had to learn that mistake for himself, years later admitting the process needed people more than he imagined.

The collective knowledge gained in making quality automobiles since Toyota started until now is widely available, especially with someone who has the resources to hire people with that experience.

[dazc]

> The collective knowledge gained in making quality automobiles since Toyota started until now is widely available...

Yes, this is a fair point, I do concede.

[Gareth321]

>how long have Toyota and Honda been building cars?

86 and 59 years, respectively. If it takes Tesla another 72 years to figure out how to build high quality cars someone else will eat their lunch.

[0des]

Even my Toyota from 1980's had better tolerances.

[xeromal]

I realize that I'm in the minority as this, but if you see a Tesla as an EV and not a luxury car, you worry less. I bought it as an EV. If I wanted Luxury, I'd get a mercedes or Porsche

[Gareth321]

I once spent four hours fixing a squeaky bench in my entranceway because the sound drove me nuts. Someone else might not even notice. This kind of detail is generally what separates mass market consumer cars from luxury brands. Tesla upended that by asking luxury prices but offering lower end build quality. They succeeded because their core features were much better than the competition. This is a totally reasonable trade-off. Still, many people really, REALLY hate panel gaps, and I am one of them. Those people prefer to buy other cars without panel gaps.

[xeromal]

I just wanted the best EV that I could get. The Porsche might be better with quality, but I wanted the biggest and best battery. Everything else came second.

[martyvis]

My son's model 3 (delivered just before Christmas, built in Shanghai) needed all it's taillights replaced because they were getting condensation building up inside and not dissipating. We've had a record wet summer here in Sydney, but still. I think one of the door seals need looking at too. But overall he is very happy.