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Comment by toomuchtodo | Hacker News Reader

My Model Y, delivered within the last few weeks, has no panel gaps (edit: the panel gaps, measured with an $8 tool at delivery, are within spec). It was delivered in perfect condition and is garage safe. I can even park next to other cars safely.

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I test drove a M3P six months ago in Melbourne, and the panel gap quality of the two cars in the showroom was absolutely awful. I couldn't believe it. They were the refreshed model with the chrome delete, too.

Then my friend bought one, and it was as good as any other new car I've seen. It looked great.

I found that quite strange. Is it a roll of the dice based on where and when they're made, or would the demo models have come from a pool that were rejected for sale somehow?

Demo models are likely earlier VINs where the manufacturing line was getting into its rhythm. Can’t say for sure of course, only the ground truth visible to me and what I hear from other Tesla owners.

China Gigafactory produced Teslas are typically higher quality than Fremont builds.

But the refresh didn't change the panel layout, right? I did wonder whether the demos were from Fremont, I believe my friend's M3 came from Shanghai.

Edit: Ah, I see your edit. But if that's what's happening, it's not a line maturity thing. The new factory is the one making the good models.

There is a huge amount of variability. You just have to check the one you got before you sign for it and make sure it isn't one where everything is misaligned.

Yes but consider a non homeowners situation. How much would one have to pay for a parking permit? Add on to this the cost of switching registration (as is necessary in Cambridge, MA to get an on street permit). Model Y is untenable unless you’re making Draper cash! Volt on the other hand…

Your car has panel gaps, it's just a question of whether they're within spec. Most people who aren't either in the automotive industry or really big car buffs won't notice until it gets really bad.

For a vehicle that approaches $80,000, I would hope so.

I paid $53k (long range with a factory installed tow hitch). Average new car price is $41k, and I will save at least $5k over five years in fuel costs.

EDIT: Compare to the top end of Chevy vehicle pricing: https://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/chevrolet/

That's still a lot for a car, so it had better be built right.

It's firmly in BMW, Mercedes, Land Rover territory, not Chevy territory, which it's being compared against.

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