In September the lease on our 2023 Octavia ends, and the Tesla has set the bar so high in everyday use that the decision is simple – we're not keeping the Octavia. We do want a second, backup car that's cheaper than the Tesla Model 3, though, so we've started researching the market – from Chinese brands to a potentially used Tesla.
Chinese brands: mixed impressions
- Omoda E5 – We've booked a test drive in January (04.01–06.01) at Carsed. What's more, we'll get the car for the whole long weekend, so it's a great opportunity to test it in everyday use. Detailed impressions will definitely get a separate post.
- BYD Dolphin – Unfortunately, here we ran into terrible customer service. The salesman did everything he could to put us off the car, until he finally succeeded. The price and quality of this model looked great, but after such a bad attitude we don't want to go back to it.
Or maybe a Tesla after all?
- Tesla 2/Q – announced for 2025, it could be an interesting alternative.
- A used Tesla Model 3 or Model Y – leasing a used car or bigger promotions are also on the table. It all depends on what the market looks like when we make the decision.
Tesla: what's new in the system
Tesla recently introduced an interesting “Energy” tab, which resets after every car update. It shows data from the last 300 km and calculates the theoretical range based on average consumption. It's a nice way to better understand how your driving style affects battery efficiency.
Summary
Ahead of us is a decision that will affect our everyday life behind the wheel. One thing is certain – our experience with the Tesla means our expectations of any new car are high. The Omoda E5 in January will answer a few questions, and we'll make further decisions fully aware that driving quality matters enormously to us. 🚗✨