Why Are Tesla's Hated So Much?

dylanando on 17/11/2024 - 15:21
Last edited 17/11/2024 - 15:33

Teslas often seem to be a magnet for frustration and anger, which I find quite strange. By now, most people know that Teslas have Sentry Mode, constantly recording their surroundings, yet they still get targeted. It’s odd that a car can provoke such strong emotions.

I’ll admit it—I own one, and the number of ‘snarky’ comments I get from random strangers is unreal. Just the other day at a car wash, an older guy came up to me and asked, “Won’t you get electrocuted washing that thing?” Seriously, I had to laugh.

But it does make me wonder—why are Teslas hated so much?

This was uploaded yesterday with a girl throwing a glass bottle at one in Moolooaba, QLD.
https://www.carexplore.com.au/tesla-targeted-woman-throws-gl…

Poll Options Mon, 25/11/2024 - 00:00

  • 102
    I hate Tesla because of Elon
  • 1
    I hate Tesla because im Old
  • 0
    I hate Tesla because its an EV
  • 86
    Tesla's are ok
  • 43
    I hate Tesla because their owners bang on about them non stop.
Automotive

Comments

  • GordonD on 17/11/2024 - 15:29
    +18

    Why Are Tesla's Hated So Much?

    Only by people who can't use apostrophes correctly.

    • dylanando on 17/11/2024 - 15:30
      +6

      I cant be perfect, i drive a tesl'a.

      • dassaur on 17/11/2024 - 15:40

        The irony is you used it wrong in the original post and in the poll which seemed to go straight over your head!

        • dylanando on 17/11/2024 - 16:07
          -2

          perhaps i put them their so youd' comment?

      • GordonD on 17/11/2024 - 15:44
        +1

        I referred in another thread to the phenomenon that people who buy Teslas appear to do it to get approval as indicated by the fact that they then have to start a thread here about it as an excuse to tell everyone else that they did. No-one who buys any other brand of car does that.

        And that's the answer to your question. Its not the Teslas that other people hate. Its the attitude of Tesla purchasers that they expect to be considered morally superior, and told they are by everyone, for having done so.

        You could afford a Tesla. Great. You made a sensible decision and bought one. Great. But the rest of us aren't interested.

      • freefall101 on 17/11/2024 - 16:27
        +3

        That's my favourite character from stargate!

    • MisterQ on 17/11/2024 - 21:37
      +2

      Looking at a new and was considering a Tesla - some concerns raised - apparently vehicle weight means they are heavy on tyre wear. The cost of Batteries means much higher insurance premiums.

      Going with a PHEV instead

      But them main reason for avoiding Tesla - Elon (aka Mrs Trump the fourth) is such a knob.

      • supersabroso on 17/11/2024 - 21:49
        +1

        Nothing to do with Elon, Teslas are just a rip off for people who have too much cash to splash around. You'll never recoup your fuel savings due to the high purchase price and insurance fees vs getting a conventional hybrid like the Haval H6 Ultra hybrid or even the BYD Sealion 6 PHEV.

      • Mregmi on 18/11/2024 - 00:28

        He has only 13% ownership, other people who own the rest are maybe 'nice' people.

  • ihfree on 17/11/2024 - 15:31
    +5

    There's a lot of FUD spread by certain media - most recently that EVs will depreciate, environmental impact of mining for batteries, they catch fire more often than EVs(they don't), the battery will die, etc.

    As of more recent, it would a different group due to Musk and his views/general acting like a idiot on X.

    Real reason however, is the lack of an indicator stalk.

  • MS Paint on 17/11/2024 - 15:32
    +9

    Need poll option…

    I hate Tesla because their owners bang on about them non stop.

    • dylanando on 17/11/2024 - 15:34
      +1

      Fine, i added x

      • arkie0 on 17/11/2024 - 15:44
        +2

        Can you add

        I hate Tesla owners because they can't take a joke and think my comments are snarky.

    • 87percent on 17/11/2024 - 16:46
      +3

      You don’t drive a car, you drive a Tesla

      • Mechz on 17/11/2024 - 19:52
        +1

        Exactly. Whitegoods aren't real cars.

        • Ginger1 on 17/11/2024 - 20:57

          Brutal but I actually agree

  • CuteWittleCorgi on 17/11/2024 - 15:33
    +1

    Because they have cameras that record 24/7. Which for some reason people still forget. The number of private parts I’ve seen through my Teslas cameras in 30+ months of ownership is staggering.

    • dylanando on 17/11/2024 - 15:34

      Yeah, most are quite sickening haha

    • ihfree on 17/11/2024 - 15:36
      +1

      Body prints on the frunk as well?

    • freefall101 on 17/11/2024 - 16:28
      +8

      Your garage sounds like the place to be.

    • DoctorCalculon on 17/11/2024 - 21:25
      +1

      WTF! Are people peeing on your Tesla?

  • FireRunner on 17/11/2024 - 15:33

    I read the title as Telstra

    • dylanando on 17/11/2024 - 15:34
      +4

      Ill make that post tomorrow lol

  • Euphemistic on 17/11/2024 - 15:45
    +3

    Its a mixture of reasons. Tesla fanbois who think its the best thing ever and have to tell everyone. A bit like the way vegans are stereotyped. They were premium vehicles. Bit like hating on Mercs or BMW. Anti EV crew who have been stirred up by years of misinformation. And fnally Elon has turned into a complete goose.

    • MS Paint on 17/11/2024 - 15:50
      +5

      Q. How do you know if someone drives a Tesla/is vegan/etc?

      A. Don't worry, they will tell you.

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 17/11/2024 - 18:03
      +2

      For a full explanation just see the South Park episode about the Toyota Prius.

    • Mechz on 17/11/2024 - 19:56

      At least the BMW EVs look awesome.

      • Euphemistic on 17/11/2024 - 21:27

        For some maybe. Im not a fan.

  • this is us on 17/11/2024 - 15:50
    +5

    I don't hate Tesla. I think they were really important to expand the possibilities in terms of EV.
    I don't like the cars as they are too minimalistic and lack luxury but it's always good to have options, people that like Tesla and people that don't. I'm glad there are many other options these days.

    • Euphemistic on 17/11/2024 - 16:12
      +1

      I think they were really important to expand the possibilities in terms of EV.

      Absolutely they were. They've lost their edge though. The last few years have turned as self driving hasnt eventuated. People are deciding that buttons are better than touchscreens for lots of driving functions. Other manufacturers are catching up, and surpassing in some ways.

      • this is us on 17/11/2024 - 19:01

        Agree… I don't like the iPad like Interface for everything, the reason why I wouldn't buy Tesla myself.

  • theHMASfriendship on 17/11/2024 - 15:51
    +1

    Can you add a poll option “I’m just here for the bargains”? 🙏

  • Hvrd on 17/11/2024 - 15:53
    -2

    Because he doesent play ball with the media / corporations

    • ihfree on 17/11/2024 - 15:59

      The Tesla's or the CEO of a corporation?

      • Hvrd on 17/11/2024 - 18:43

        CEO and the byproduct is the corporation

    • Euphemistic on 17/11/2024 - 16:13

      They havent matured. Theyre like that kid who has a girlfriend but shes from another school. All talk and substance is hard to come by.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 17/11/2024 - 15:54

    Generally the ones I’ve seen have people that drive like phuckwits behind the wheel, booting it off at sets of lights and merging dangerously.

    • contrafibularities on 17/11/2024 - 16:16

      That may be however dual cab Ute driver often do much worse and they are not the target of random vandalism. There is something else happening.

    • ihfree on 17/11/2024 - 16:24

      I think there are enough of them now that there is a big range of behaviours.

      I've noticed a lot of reasonably incompetent Tesla drivers that drive slowly, struggle to keep their vehicle between lane lines or change lanes unpredictably.

  • leiiv on 17/11/2024 - 15:55
    +1

    Maybe because Tesla is the first one that sells direct to customers bypassing many greedy car dealers aka middleman and thus some people really hate it because their livelihood is under attack. For me though, it is Tesla's major selling point.

    • Mechz on 17/11/2024 - 20:26

      Enjoy your lack of ability to negotiate a better price. Why even be on this website if you prefer being ripped?

    • MisterQ on 17/11/2024 - 21:30

      Yeah, I have heard people having day zero problems with their teslas and having to go back to have things fixed that should have been picked up in a pre-delivery check.

  • Some Human on 17/11/2024 - 16:01
    +3

    Their logo reminds me of my internal ladybits and it makes me uncomfortable

  • SpaceNinja on 17/11/2024 - 16:15
    +1

    Tesla are ok but I believe some of the design choice they make are purely to satisfy eccentric thoughts of their supreme leader rather than what's best from product, customer perspective.

    • Cybertruck's angular/raw design.
    • Removed radar sensors: Camera-only Autopilot issues.
    • 4680 battery focus: Unproven technology emphasis.
    • Self-driving timelines: Unmet autonomy promises.
    • Falcon Wing doors: Reliability concerns.
    • Minimalist interiors: User experience compromised.
    • Yoke steering wheel: Mixed user feedback.
    • No physical controls: Touchscreen reliance.
    • Electric door mechanism with in-accessible manual door release, straight-up safety issue.
    • Needlessly "pointy" rocket design for SpaceX, which he has openly admitted he preferred. "I thought it would be funny to make it more pointy, so we did."
    • MisterQ on 17/11/2024 - 21:33
      +1

      Yeah, the CYbertruck which is "bulletproof" but apparently rusts if put through a car wash.

      Door mechanism - know someone with a Tesla who has had his door handle replaced 5 times under warranty - he asked how much when it goes out of warranty - he was told a couple of thousand for a door handle.

  • contrafibularities on 17/11/2024 - 16:21
    +2

    I’m not a fan of Teslas ( I have another brand ev) but they are the most recognisable brand of ev and therefore the lightening rod for every Neanderthal that feels their puny manhood is being threatened by ev technology. The average ev hater is a close relative of the climate change denier and anti vaxxer. They generally don’t like change but not intelligent enough to articulate the reasons for their anger and rage they have to express it in illogical notions and verbal and physical abuse.

  • Nugs on 17/11/2024 - 16:27

    I like my powerwall (so far)
    No intention to buy a car though
    .

  • Seraphin7 on 17/11/2024 - 16:27
    -2

    There's something about Tesla drivers. Those that can't drive seem to be over-represented in the ownership group.

  • c64 on 17/11/2024 - 16:54
    +1

    But it does make me wonder—why are Teslas hated so much?

    all of the above

  • harshbdmmaster718 on 17/11/2024 - 17:01
    -2

    I heard Electric vehicles are very unpopular in australia. like a low % sold compared to other countries. might have something to do with long drives with no towns between cities compared to america which means you are in trouble if you can't find a place to charge.

    anyway low % sold, but I have seen plenty of tesla's. so they aren't hated at all?

    I guess it helps I can't tell any other car is a Electric vehicle unless it obviously shows "Green Power" or something on the badge. oh one more way I found I can tell EV's is they have like a single long headlight and brakelight. fancy.

    • harshbdmmaster718 on 17/11/2024 - 21:44

      I think some users have too much invested in the meme value of this thread.

      seriously I’m not wrong am I? if you counted every single EV in Australia, 60% would probably be Tesla cars.

      at least until very recently. I noticed a lot of lower priced china EV threads so maybe it’s like 30% Tesla now. but probably beating the next most popular Chinese EV brand which might be around 25%.

  • RotundPolarBear on 17/11/2024 - 17:09

    Elon Derangement Syndrome.

  • Danstar on 17/11/2024 - 17:16
    -1

    3 years ago lefties loved EVs and Elon.

    Now they still love EVs but have been told to hate Elon

    • cashless on 17/11/2024 - 18:02
      +2

      Righties here in Aus. We have right hand drive cars I believe

    • icomeforthecomments on 18/11/2024 - 00:25

      Told to hate lol. I think you’ll find the sheep are on the right. Trump has no pushback from his supporters - he can do or say whatever he wants and his peeps will apologise or bend over backwards to justify his positions or statements. That’s not normal. All political leaders need to be held to account. I’m impressed people on the left or centrist are taking a stand and rejecting the Elon/Trump worldview. If only those on the right grew a spine.

  • Ryk on 17/11/2024 - 17:21

    people don't like change, it scares them.

  • pegaxs on 17/11/2024 - 17:28

    Damn, how do I click on ALL in the survey?

    I dont hate "Telsa" as a car. They are fine. They get the job done and are just another vehicle to pick from. They were a little over priced there for a while due to being the only "decent" player in the market, but even now that is changing and they are becoming cheaper… They are a little quirky though… Pushing the envelope or just too left field for some… (I like my blinker and wiper stalks.)

    Reasons I hate "Tesla" is that the owners are usually insufferable turds. The whole… "How do you know someone owns a Tesla? Dont worry, they'll let you know." I dont think I even need to start in on the owner of the company…

    So, I guess I dont hate the "cars", but I wouldn't own one based solely on the perceived stereotype of the standard owner and on the fact that I do NOT want to give that shitbag douche canoe, Elon "Trump simp" Musk a single cent.

  • JimmyF on 17/11/2024 - 17:39
    -1

    Why Are Tesla's Hated So Much?

    Because the unwashed listen to MSM about how 'bad' Elon is, as big oil and big legacy car OEMs pays their bills, so got to make him look bad.

  • 0FoxGiven on 17/11/2024 - 17:59
    -1

    I used to be a big fan when they were leading the change and making EVs more mainstream but then:

    *The cars look positively plain/ugly compared to most EVs in a similar price range IMHO. The new Model 3 looks somewhat better though.
    *Except for maybe the self driving capability and Sentry mode, I don't feel like the Tesla's have anything that justifies their kinda premium prices.
    *Musk being highly associated with the brand doesn't help after going full mental
    * Tesla Fans acting like they bought a Merc equivalent or something and like it's a flawless car.

    • JimmyF on 17/11/2024 - 18:43

      when they were leading the change

      LOL They are still leading the change…. Who is doing it better? GM!

      The cars look

      The cars look like this for low drag. There is a reason the kWh/100kms is so low compared to 'others'. The Volvo SUV EV uses nearly twice the kWh at highway speeds to the MY!

      Except for maybe the self driving capability and Sentry mode, I don't feel like the Tesla's have anything that justifies their kinda premium prices.

      Do you own one? The car just 'works', the app is great, the keyless entry is great, the profiles linked to the phone is great, the nav is great, the planning charging on route is great. The stereo is great, the space is great. The charging network is great!

      And when I say great, I mean great to use and great to what the other OEMs offer.

      Musk being highly associated with the brand doesn't help after going full mental

      Sure Musk is out spoken I'll give you take one, but as Steve Jobs Crazy ones speech said the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do. So you gotta be a little crazy to take these things on.

      After Steves passing, it came out he was a totally ahole to work for and was batshit crazy when not in the public. Elon is Elon, what you see is what you get. There is no public facing Elon that the people see, and a Elon behind doors.

      Tesla Fans acting like they bought a Merc equivalent or something and like it's a flawless car.

      Fans love the car as they get better over time, unlike other OEMs that to get a new feature you have to buy a new model!

      Merc or BWM are not what they used to be, I wouldn't be aiming for their build quality levels anymore. The tech is out dated.

      • DoctorCalculon on 17/11/2024 - 21:18
        +2

        Elon that the people see, and a Elon behind doors.

        Elon is not the genius behind the cars or the original tech. Sure, he owns the company but the actual work is done by their talented designers and engineers at Tesla.
        Hating on Tesla because of EM is simply idiotic.

        Fans love the car as they get better over time

        Spot on. Every aspect of the vehicle is software controlled, and by now they are so many third party accessories in the market if you are into customising your Tesla.

      • 0FoxGiven on 17/11/2024 - 22:45
        +2

        Who does it better?

        • BYD has better battery tech
        • BYD, Hyundai, Kia, etc (look better inside and outside. But the outside is subjective)
        • BYD, Hyundai, others have similar real world kWh/100km power efficiency as those of Teslas

        It just works?

        • My Toyota just 'works' as well. Mates who have a BYD hybrid and EVs have not used a charging network yet. And Tesla's charging network is going to be extended to other brands as well. I don't own a Tesla and don't plan to either. I have driven a Model 3, a Hyundai Ioniq, A BYD sealion 6. I liked the Hyundai and BYD better overall. I felt the model 3 handled a bit better though.

        • Only new features that can be enabled in a Tesla are software enabled ones which I personally don't care about and wouldn't want to pay extra for. But I'll agree that it helps when any bugs or enhancements can be pushed OTA. And I'd be surprised if that other brands dont just do the same soon

  • Gervais fanboy on 17/11/2024 - 19:23
    +2

    +32 - I hate Tesla because of Elon

    Appreciate these lot for being honest for once.

    • MS Paint on 17/11/2024 - 19:27
      +2

      +1 - I hate Tesla because im Old

      It was great that jv voted

  • hsbc on 17/11/2024 - 19:38
    -3

    Only idiots hate Tesla, it's the best car and I love my Tesla.

  • mirz on 17/11/2024 - 19:59
    -1

    People hate EVs just because they been pushed hard by government and throwing away tax payers money on EVs subsidies.

    It’s not just Tesla, every EV isn’t paying its fair share of taxes. So hate is obvious.

    • ihfree on 17/11/2024 - 20:17
      +1

      Do people hate raptors and other trucks for the same reason?

  • kool on 17/11/2024 - 20:10

    Tesla is the best EV when you consider the super charging network. Over the air software update makes up to date with feature enhancements.

    Of course novated lease is the icing in the cake which tipped me over to Tesla band wagon.

  • hasher22 on 17/11/2024 - 20:17

    Every Tesla owners I've met makes it their personality then goes on and on about their car and environment. They are so smug…..

  • DoctorCalculon on 17/11/2024 - 21:11
    +1

    Poll Option > We love Tesla EVs.

  • sinizter on 17/11/2024 - 21:37
    +3

    I have one. A Model 3 Long Range.

    I have only experience one experience of someone being an arse on the road - a ute blocking both lanes of the freeway by driving in the middle and not allowing me to pass (I could have booted in past without any drama, but decided to just hang back and chill till he had enough). No verbal interchanges about it - positive or negative. No one has exposed themselves to my Tesla either.

    They are a mediocre car with a reliable battery and electric drive train.

    Their AutoPilot s****s a**. And the name is complete misnomer of what it is. It is not quiet inside it, unless you are on a PERFECT road surface - which makes it loud for a car without an engine.

    Handles decently enough for something this heavy.

    It's fast. I'll give it that one. Definitely the fastest new car I could get my hands on at that price.

    I still have it 3 years on, because of how cheap it is to run.

    It no longer goes on any runs requiring a charge during school holidays. I completely and utterly lack the patience to wait even 30 seconds for a charger to free up, should I need to recharge. I'll happily pay for petrol to avoid this. The fact that the other car is quieter inside (except when I make the engine make noise), feels better inside, drives better, and even has auto lane holding that I find superior in my preferences compared to the Tesla… all are simply genuinely appreciated bonuses.

    I sincerely doubt that my next car will be a Tesla. It may or may not be an EV.

    • noz on 17/11/2024 - 22:34
      +1

      I agree much with that you say, but what issue do you have with Autopilot (AP)? I find it to be quite good. Maybe you mean in built up areas, but wasn't designed for that. When I first got my Tesla RWD 1.5 yrs ago the AP was mainly good, but experienced a lot of phantom braking. With firmware updates over time it has become much better. Something that does really suck though is the auto wipers.
      What you said about it not being quiet inside .. true … but I drove a neighbour's Highland model 3, and it is much quieter, and the driving feel is a dream.

  • BobLim on 17/11/2024 - 21:39

    I like:

    • Manual transmission
    • good steering feel
    • good styling (subjectively to me)
    • real handbrake
    • standard control layout
    • not very much "technology" to "help me" with the car
    • real buttons for all useful functions
    • lots of options for servicing
    • quick refuelling
    • good driving sound

    As best as I'm aware, Tesla generally offers none of these. For a time I liked that people were buying sedans again, but now they've got the Y that's dropped off too. At least the Y isn't enormous I guess. They all look like plastic toy cars to me (see also BMW iX with its full plastic fake grille - but at least they know it'd look even worse with no grille at all)

    There are plenty of other vehicles I dislike for many of the same reasons, but Tesla seems to cover the most of them, plus their fanboys in general (and especially when claiming they;re somehow not included in the "chinese EVs" category, or implying they've got a nice BMW M3 which I generally do like for the reasons above).

    One of the key Tesla selling points seems to be straight-line acceleration, and this also annoys me. I've seen how fast people prefer to drive, and the capabilities of the vehicle itself never seems like any significant part of the problem. If it was, there wouldn't be so many slow cars with even slower drivers.

    Speed is very clearly not a priority for the average Australian midrange buyer - it's just a back-rationalisation for their Tesla purchase if it's mentioned.

  • Payne on 17/11/2024 - 21:50

    I always thought people hated them because they were seen as a status symbol more than a car.

    • AustriaBargain on 17/11/2024 - 22:36

      They have been fairly expensive for what they are since they came out. I understand they are going to get cheaper though.

  • Ryanek on 17/11/2024 - 21:54
    -1

    You need an All of the Above option.

  • noz on 17/11/2024 - 22:25
    +2

    My take: I have a Tesla Model 3 "povo pack" (RWD, white). There's things I like about the car, and things I dislike. I purchased it because (1) I had had an i30 for 13 years and it was time for a new car, (2) I already had a big PV system and was wasting a lot of potential electricity - an EV was the perfect thing for me to soak up the excess energy (3) also because of FBT-exemption and subsidies bringing the effective cost down greatly (4) in Nov 2022 when I ordered it, there wasn't much choice in EVs - I found Polestar 2 to be not as good, I wanted a Kia EV6 but had a waiting time of 18+ months (and ridiculous purchase conditions). I like the car, but am not evangelical about it, and never tell people I have one, but happy to have a convo with anyone that is curious about it and asks. I don't have a personalised number plate. I don't like Elon.

  • rickdwp on 17/11/2024 - 23:24

    No snarky comments, I've had the Coles/woolies employees comment on the frunk when I use it, but that's about it.

    They aren't anywhere near as hated as they were 5-6 years ago but Elon Musk has gone full turd sandwich. But most CEO's are total assholes, Musk is just extremely loud about it and now is basically buying the oval office, which is fun -.-

  • ncm on 17/11/2024 - 23:49
    +1

    Model Y is the best selling car 🚗 .. love Elon and Tesla… Elon is the most inspiring , innovative and hope for humanity

  • THICKnSLOW on 18/11/2024 - 00:59
    -1

    OP should fire back with "As much chance as you set yourself on fire filling up a gas car", seriously some people need to get educated.

    If moreTesla drivers paid more attention to driving, their surrounds and learn how to drive then maybe they will get less flack. There is a certain demographic that loves Teslas as a status symbol and drive them around like gold chariots, oblivious to other road users and potential accidents they will cause by being timid and placid on the roads. Or maybe that's the AP taking over?

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