Book Review: "Getting Ready for Model 3"

When 200,000 people reserved a Model 3 in the first day, you could bet a lot of those were enthusiasts or current Tesla owners.  As reservations continued their rocket-ride through day 2, totaling over 250,000, the bandwagon was officially rolling.  Blasting through 300,000 just as easily, they’re widely speculated to be hovering somewhere in the atmosphere above 400,000 and that bandwagon is promised to get several more hard shoves leading up the first deliveries.

Transformation Begins at New Pittsburgh Service Center

After a quiet break for the Thanksgiving holidays, workers at the new Tesla Pittsburgh Service Center have dramatically picked up the pace with an opening date in early 2017 squarely in their sights.

Final Verdict: Does the Light Harmonic Speaker Upgrade Make Cents?

Of all the things to review, this has to be among the most complex. Not only are there reams of technical procedures to consider, there’s also established testing protocols that require some level of expertise to be properly executed.

Light Harmonic's Speakers Go Head-to-Head With Tesla's

 
I finished the installation of the Light Harmonic speakers and then gathered up a small fleet of comparison cars. Rather than get bogged down in stats, we did more of a focus group approach.

Installing the Light Harmonic Speaker Upgrade

I’m going to take a deep breath before I explain to you how easily these speakers went in. Light Harmonic claimed they would be plug and play but the set I received -- which I was later told was not reflective of changes made to the production run -- was decidedly not cooperative.

Studio Test of the Light Harmonic Speakers

Before I installed the entire system in the Tesla, I wanted to gather some benchmark data. With the help of my friend Joseph St. Onge (who does have some legit audio expertise), we tested a pair of each speakers in a soundproofed production studio. 

Introduction: Light Harmonic Speaker Upgrade

 

If it’s true that “a picture is worth a thousand words,” then look at those two speakers. Can you see the difference? Alrighty then, that’s pretty much my review. Let’s get this out of the way early: I am not an audio expert or engineer. But before you click away, let me assure you I’ve assembled a very qualified team and we’re going look into this subjective minefield of Tesla audio and see if I can’t persuade you to hear with my written words.

Happy Halloween!

I figured if I was going to sit and hand out candy (since my kids are old enough they don't want chaperones anymore), I might as well make the garage a little more intimidating.

Service Center Has a Lot Going On

This is actually the fourth update on the new Service Center's construction.  With a harsh winter forecast for Pittsburgh, it seems the bulk of the construction work has been to the systems and exterior of the building.

 With one glaring exception... the facade itself.  While it looks like something is happening here, it isn't.

Seeking a More Perfect Union

While visiting a local tourist attraction, I found myself-- as is still often the case-- approached by someone wanting to know about the Tesla.  "How long have you had it?" was the first question, following the usual script.  After I told him tongue-in-cheek that it was an "antique" he went straight for the standard rebounds, "How do you like it?" and "Have you had any problems?"

Having passed 2 1/2 years of ownership, I've certainly had a few of the latter (which I'll address once they're sorted) but I think it's our approach to the prior question that defines our place in the Tesla realm:  We like this car but we don't accommodate it.