I've owned more than a dozen performance cars before my first Tesla, yet nothing prepared me for how quickly a Model 3 Performance Stealth became my permanent daily driver.
My Early Flipping Days and Cars Before Owning Tesla
I used to joke that I had car ADD. Starting with a turbo-kitted Honda Civic Si, I bought, modified, and flipped vehicles every year or two. That first EP3 Civic taught me how fun front-wheel-drive could be until the oil leaks from the homemade turbo kit ended the party.
From there I moved straight into the Subaru world. A bugeye WRX led to back-to-back 2004 and 2005 STI models, including a clean white 2005 with gold wheels. The Tesla vs Subaru STI debate still comes up in the comments, and I get it—the STI was raw, loud, and incredible in the snow with proper winter tires. Looking back, that 2005 STI is probably worth twenty to thirty grand today with low miles.
Switching From BMW to Tesla
After the Subarus came the BMW phase. An E46 M3 with 80,000 miles showed me why I hate high-mileage older cars, so I upgraded to a 335xi, then a newer 335 sedan, an E92 M3 with a V8 and Meisterschaft exhaust, and eventually two M5s. Those BMWs were fantastic, but maintenance costs and the constant need for freshening up pushed me toward something newer and more reliable.
The GT-R Detour Before My Tesla Daily Driver Story
I even owned two Nissan GT-Rs—one low-mile white 2014 and a later refreshed model during COVID. Six months was about the average ownership length for me with those cars. They were thrilling but not practical for Los Angeles traffic.
How I Got Into Teslas and Why I Stayed
The first Tesla arrived in 2019: a Model 3 Performance Stealth. Moving to LA made me realize I needed a car that could handle daily commuting without drama. That Model 3 quickly became the centerpiece of my Tesla daily driver story.
I still miss the sound and vibration of a high-revving engine at times. Teslas feel almost soulless compared to redlining an E92 M3 or an STI. Yet the usability, instant torque, and now Full Self-Driving make them unbeatable for real-world driving. Sitting in LA traffic, I’d rather let the car handle the boring parts while I listen to podcasts.
Counterarguments and My Conclusion
Plenty of people leave Tesla and return to gas cars successfully. I understand the appeal of a Porsche GT3 or GT4 as a dream car. For now, though, the technology, efficiency, and low-maintenance ownership keep me in the Tesla camp. I’ve tried the same vehicle twice before and it got boring fast, so I have no plans to repeat past mistakes.
If you’re curious about the full timeline, check out the video here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=brhQ57dcGwE. What was your first impression after switching to a Tesla?
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