CT FS Fit and Finish

[Celiboy]

I own a 2018 mazda cx5 currently. I do not see any major gaps/misalignment issues with that and that with a 32k price tag. One of my friend recently bought a R1S and it looked solid both from outside and inside. I have always been nit-picking when it comes to cars. I didn’t have a tesla before and maybe that is the reason a lot of those folks in the 99% would probably not see anything since their eyes are calibrated to seeing it as common.

You didn’t see any major gaps/ misalignments on your Mazda but you saw a 1 mm misalignment on a truck you couldn’t get closer that 10 feet to from a cell phone picture? Sounds like your goal was to find something.

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[DumpsterFire]

Did you ask her the question after showing her the "issues"

One of the forums I read where a husband and wife had made a hobby in going to different dealers and looking at the gaps. All model and manufacturers had issues.
If you go in looking for them, you will find them. Just as I looked at your pictures and had to look extremely closely to find ANY issue. I'm quite sure that over 99% of the people walking through the store didn't see any issues.

I respectfully disagree.

I own a summer version of the infamous 2018 Model 3 that looks like it was put together by a drunk toddler.

When I went to look at BMW X5 plug in hybrids for my wife this past spring I was very aware of gapping and other fit and finish problems. I looked the X5 we purchased over for 30+ mins and found zero, nada, zilch fit and finish issues. No gaps, misalignments or any of the other issues I have with my M3.

I’m still going to get the CT AWD FS when it arrives. I was invited to order and did so on 12/15 and am eagerly awaiting its delivery.

that being said, let’s not pretend that fit and finish is not and hasn’t been an issue with Tesla more so than any “luxury” brand I can think of.

 

[Unemployed]

That's interesting, it doesn't seem to say it on the tailgate.

I remember seeing it in numerous places including the tailgate. I went through my pics and was surprised that it wasn’t showing up in the pics. Even the one on the side was barely noticeable in the pics.

 

[DumpsterFire]

I can't tell if this is a serious post or not. Are you being sarcastic and I'm just missing it?

In fairness, he did state >1mm.

 

[George Costanza]

I respectfully disagree.

I own a summer version of the infamous 2018 Model 3 that looks like it was put together by a drunk toddler.

When I went to look at BMW X5 plug in hybrids for my wife this past spring I was very aware of gapping and other fit and finish problems. I looked the X5 we purchased over for 30+ mins and found zero, nada, zilch fit and finish issues. No gaps, misalignments or any of the other issues I have with my M3.

I’m still going to get the CT AWD FS when it arrives. I was invited to order on 2/16 and am eagerly awaiting its delivery.

that being said, let’s not pretend that fit and finish is not and hasn’t been an issue with Tesla more so than any “luxury” brand I can think of.

I disrespectfully disagree: the role of a drunk toddler is purely to design, develop, test, and approve FSD.

 

[DumpsterFire]

I disrespectfully disagree: the role of a drunk toddler is purely to design, develop, test, and approve FSD.

Hey now! Drunk toddlers can do both.
Nobody puts baby in the corner…

 

[George Costanza]

Hey now! Drunk toddlers can do both.
Nobody puts baby in the corner…

Mea culpa!

 

[csphili]

Remember when everyone was complaining about the falcon wing doors? Takes me back!

 

[MC1987]

I think it is a lot about expectations.

I have being addicted to the forum for the last few months and have read many, many posts about terrible panel gaps, the CT looking great in person, looking smaller in person.

I went to the Portland store this weekend and saw the same CT.

I was expecting to see terrible panel gaps and it to look smaller in person than in pictures.

I scrutinized the truck and was pleasantly surprised with the panel gaps, it was a hell of a lot better that loads of other pics I have seen. I did notice what I would consider minor imperfections. (Contrary to my user name, my career is focused on precision and fit and finish) So I went in expecting it to be a mess.

With that said I thought it looked huge in person. Much bigger than expected and appeared much bigger than my friends F150 lightning and Rivian R1S (both I saw outside, not inside)
In fact my wife didn’t belief that the f150 is technically larger in almost all dimensions.

I agree with you. I have never purchased anything worth 120k and was kind of setting a very high bar for fit and finish. When i saw it in person, I loved the look and the size and everything that it has under the hood. No questions there. I was thinking about these imperfections and wanted to gauge what other think about it. Apparently some people are very salty even to mention the word panel gaps. ? thanks for sharing your thoughts!!

 

[MC1987]

I remember seeing it in numerous places including the tailgate. I went through my pics and was surprised that it wasn’t showing up in the pics. Even the one on the side was barely noticeable in the pics.

It is a FS series and not a pre production version

 

[Kurt Rebyc]

I think if you take issue with what you saw on the outside, you'll have a field day with the interior fit, finish and materials - especially in first half of the first model year (Foundation edition).

I just get a sense, from Kyle's video, that interior quality is lacking both as designed and in terms of quality control. Both are things that will be improved with time.

 

[TXCYBRTK]

I recently visited the Portland Oregon store to see the CT in person. What a sight!!!
It was a foundation series in the service center. I tried to examine the exterior from a fit and finish perspective and here’s my thought and some pictures to go along with it.
1- I still saw >1mm misalignment. Not sure if this is very common or not. The previous RC versions had a lot of misalignment issues in multiple places. I thought that the ones given to customers would probably be flawless.
2- the tail gate to side of ct body panel area had a large gap>3mm and it was inconsistent.
3- the top triangular bend was extending out and was not in plane with the top glass corner.
4- all the edges are rough as confirmed by multiple reviews previously. I didn’t get to test it myself.
5- although, I didn’t see the interior but I presume it also will have quality issues.

i just want to know from all of you if you think this is a deal breaker if it remains like this and you pay >100k for this.

My wife gave her unbiased opinion and it seemed she would not buy it given it is a 120k. She felt it was built in somebody’s garage. I didn’t have that strong of an opinion since i am biased but i also couldn’t ignore the defects that i saw. When time comes, i will probably buy it but it certainly have raised some confusion in my mind.

I must be panel-gap blind or simply do not see anything in your pictures that is an issue at all, let alone a deal breaker. But if this is a big deal to you, then don't buy it because it will always bother you and it is too much money to feel that way about a purchase like this. Another option is to wrap it in black like many people are planning to do. That will conceal most of the "gaps" you are referring to. Good luck in making your decision when it comes time to decide.

 

[Carnut12]

I agree with you. I have never purchased anything worth 120k and was kind of setting a very high bar for fit and finish. When i saw it in person, I loved the look and the size and everything that it has under the hood. No questions there. I was thinking about these imperfections and wanted to gauge what other think about it. Apparently some people are very salty even to mention the word panel gaps. ? thanks for sharing your thoughts!!

I plan to order one when I get the invite, I’m in no rush. I own 2 Tesla’s and have owned many cars, for a while I stuck to German cars only due to build quality. I love my Tesla’s, but the fit/finish is unacceptable for $100K. They have to keep working on it, on the same note the service isn’t good either. If they don’t recognize and work to address these issues they will regret it. Soon other cars will be able to use their biggest advantage, their charger network, that will frustrate Tesla owners (wait times) and shift the advantage. Competition is great it forces improvement, Tesla hasn’t had much but they will in time.

 

[Unemployed]

I agree with you. I have never purchased anything worth 120k and was kind of setting a very high bar for fit and finish. When i saw it in person, I loved the look and the size and everything that it has under the hood. No questions there. I was thinking about these imperfections and wanted to gauge what other think about it. Apparently some people are very salty even to mention the word panel gaps. ? thanks for sharing your thoughts!!

So did you order a foundation series? If so look forward to seeing it on the road in PDX. I am too far down on the list to get an invite. Maybe next year when they (if they) become cheaper.

 

[Darth abbott]

I remember seeing it in numerous places including the tailgate. I went through my pics and was surprised that it wasn’t showing up in the pics. Even the one on the side was barely noticeable in the pics.

I believe you, it must just be the lighting.

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