@oregon101 how far do you need to drive? We considered a Leaf, but the range was not sufficient for my husband to get back and forth to work each day.
And if you want comfort and lack of noise…the Prius isn’t going to give you comfort…probably.
How long can you wait for a new car? @jym626 how long is the waiting list for new folks for the Tesla 3?
I have found the Leaf seats to be rather uncomfortable, even for short drives around town. I wouldn’t want it for my daily driver, but YMMV.
I just rode in my DS#1’s Leaf. It was fine, IMO.
As for the Tesla. @thumper1, there happen to be several on the lot in Fremont CA for people to buy as configured. OF course that location probably isnt helpful to someone in Oregon. I have heard that the wait time from config to delivery is now only a month. That’s really no different than any other car built to order.
Meant to add the hybrids are quiet as well . Prius can be used either way.
@milee30 The Macan (or the larger Cayenne) would be at the top of my short list, if I purchase another new/used car. Typically, Porsche’s have a fantastic exhaust note (although it changed somewhat when they went from air to water cooled cars in 1997), but I personally don’t mind some “noise” with my cars.
@jym626 can you configure your Tesla the date you put in your deposit?
Lots of choices here…but the OP needs to sit in and drive to see for comfort…I didn’t think the Tesla 3 could be taken for a test drive. You just have to take it on faith that you are going to love it.
But really…unless she gets a base with practically zero upcharges…coming in at her price point is going to be hard for the Tesla 3.
But if she is willing to spend more, and take a chance on comfort for her…yep…great car.
Chevy Volt. Can’t get much quieter than silent. LOL.
I believe its now available for immediate config. @thumper1
As an aside, we bought the Tesla 3 sight unseen- no test drive. Wasn’t available then. The current options available for the Tesla 3 cannot be purchased within the OP’s current budget. That said, I was at the Tesla shop the other day and a woman was asking me questions, saying she was buying a slightly used one with 3K miles on it that was , I guess, repo-ed.
I really don’t want a Prius. Tessla is all electric, so no.
I had read about the Porsche, is it reliable??
There are many different types of noises that make a car’s cabin loud or quiet. Engine noise is only one. For a very quiet cabin, road noise is often the bigger issue than engine noise.
Whats wrong with all electric if you want quiet? The Tesla, which TBH I didn’t think I’d like, I LOVE. Fun car!
Nothing is wrong with the concept of electric. There is plenty wrong with the actual implementation. Generally people who own electric at this point are fanboys or have very specific usage requirements. And it’s usually not worth wasting time debating specifics with fanboys because their choice isn’t based in logic and they don’t want to hear it. In a few years when there are more electric options and reliability, access to parts and service is better established, electric may be a reasonable mainstream choice. But for now, it’s about hopes, dreams and wanting to believe.
Cue swarms of fanboys jumping in to profess their love…
Actually, I was asking the OP. You are right about the fanboys. Learned quickly to stay out of certain Tesla Facebook groups (there are some good ones where a newbie can aske questions, and some other Tesla forums to ask questions about the car, screen error messages, how to do certain things, etc,) but by and large I am greatly enjoying it. I have range anxiety so would have to really plan out a roadtrip if we took the car, but we have 2 and would probably take the ICE (internal combustion engine) car for longer trips.
Have to say, I smile at discussions about the price of gas. I hope E. Musk keeps his company afloat. But as for “hope and dreams”, this is the beginning of a very new era in cars. And its not a dream. Its here. Audi just announced its electric car. Its not available yet but its in process.
And a few short years ago diesel was the Great Hope. Sometimes it’s better to wait for a few years and let the fanboys be the guinea pigs while little issues like - service, parts, etc get worked out. Sometimes, like with diesel, the whole dream implodes before it ever gets worked out and people are stuck with orphans…
Within the next 2 years there are several electric cars coming out- BMW, Audi, Mercedes, MIni Cooper, Volvo, Jaguar… not to mention the Chevy and Nissan that are already here. I think Hyundai and Kia also have EVs.
Tesla has been building its EVs for 10 years.
Yup, same group that was going all diesel a few years ago…
No specific recommendation from me, but OP may want to check reviews on Car and Driver as they routinely measure interior noise levels at 70mph as part of their testing. It’s important to note that perception of “noise” can vary based on the type and frequency (high, medium, low, etc) of the noise, and an objective decibel measurement shouldn’t be taken as an absolute indicator of how you personally will perceive the same noise level.
I browsed a few results and thought I’d jot them down here.
MB C300 4matic: 69db
Lexus IS200t F Sport: 69db
BMW 330i: 69db
Audi A5 Cabriolet: 68db
Audi SQ5 Prestige: 66db
Porsche Macan S: 68db
Caddy XT5 Platinum: 68db
Tesla 3: 69db
Nissan Leaf: 65db
According to Consumer Reports:
Consumer Reports rated the 2018 as “recommended.” Predicted owner satisfaction of 5/5, Predicted reliability of 4/5 and Road Test of 85/100. The 2017 is rated highly as well. The 2015-2016 are not. 2015 was the first year.
Porsche “fanboy” here! Oh and the basic structure of the Macan is shared with Audi Q5, but after that, they’re quite different.
@milee30 - There will be many who stay with ICE cars. And that’s fine. But the EV is not going away. I never, ever thought I’d be one of the (relatively) earlier adapters, but its been a hoot. Feel free to be cynical. I still have lots of luddite friends 