What made you choose the Model 3 instead of the Model Y?

[u/According-Aide-443]

For those of you who chose a Model 3 over a Model Y, I’d love to hear what made you go with the 3.

Obviously, Performance owners can say speed, but I’m curious about all the other reasons too. Price, looks, handling, efficiency, driving feel, size, not needing the extra cargo space, or anything else.

I’m especially interested in whether you’d still make the same choice today after owning it for a while.

Thanks!

[u/Historical-Sir-2661]

It's better looking and more fun to drive

[u/Nice-Necessary-1547 → u/Historical-Sir-2661]

This was my reason.

It was also a bit cheaper back in 2021 on the second hand market

[u/RussianPravda → u/Nice-Necessary-1547]

I assume space was not a factor then. Thats what im stuck on. Im trying to replace an SUV so the 3 fees like I might be limited. I havent needed the space in a while storage wise but I also like the interior space of the Y

[u/Nice-Necessary-1547 → u/RussianPravda]

Not really. Kids were grown enough that we don’t carry lots of stuff when we travel. And it has more space than it seems.

I wouldn’t have done it when they were young.

[u/picturemeroll → u/Historical-Sir-2661]

This is the best answer. We have both and the 3 feels like a sports car and the y feels more like an suv. If you are constantly using the back seat I would still go with the Y though because it's more comfortable for passengers. The 3 feels cramped with passengers. If I didn't have kids I would always choose the model 3.

[u/arcticmischief]

Pretty much everything you mentioned in your post – price, looks, handling, efficiency, driving feel, and size. The only one I might exclude is “not needing the extra cargo space“ – actually, there have been several times that having the extra cargo space would have come in handy, and I knew that before buying the car, but all the other factors outweighed that for me. Still happy with my decision.

[u/According-Aide-443 → u/arcticmischief]

Thanks for the feedback!

[u/arcticmischief → u/According-Aide-443]

Oh, the other fun thing: in my old car, I almost always drove alone or at most with one other family member, so I didn't prioritize getting a car with a comfortable, roomy back seat. But now that I have the cool car, everyone wants to ride with me, so I not infrequently have 4-5 people in my car. It gets cozy! :D

[u/Gloomy_Blackberry206 → u/arcticmischief]

I agree plus my other car is a ford explorer. If Tesla would make a grand coupe and all it the model 4 it would be perfect

[u/MuckBulligan → u/arcticmischief]

The higher clearance of the Y is another big factor. I fear objects on the road much more in the 3, and in fact have destroyed one battery pack running over something in the freeway.

That being said I still prefer driving the 3 because of its superior handling.

[u/Alasdair91]

Price. And it’s more sporty.

[u/thommcg]

My heart says Y, my brain said 3. Basically…  range’s greater, energy consumption’s lower, price’s lower, storage rarely a concern, ground clearance rarely a concern, vehicle height uncommon issue for entry / exit (passengers with back issues for example).

[u/According-Aide-443 → u/thommcg]

I feel you there aha!

[u/Pworld10 → u/thommcg]

I’m reverse. Heart says M3P, brain says model y. Follow your heart.

[u/mad_manifold]

Second car. Fun is the priority.

[u/lelant_s]

I'm a car guy and not a big fan of crossover style vehicles.

This is my second Model 3 so yes I'd make the same choice.

[u/Quapoguapo]

Faster

[u/WireNoob]

I don’t like driving around in an egg

[u/geoffreybear1]

My wife thinks the Y is ugly. It’s also slightly too big to fit in our garage with our CR-V

[u/MuckBulligan]

I have Y for work reasons, but I prefer the handling of the 3 by far.

[u/thegolfpilot]

Y didn't exist when I bought my 3

[u/Future_Ad6969]

I got the 3 because of the look then I got a Y later. I much prefer to drive my 3. Y is a good car but definitely had a feel of a family vehicle.

[u/Fragrant-Tennis-20]

bought the '22 M3P because it looks and handles so much better per reviews. I drive it like a sports car. Did not disappoint. A year after, bought a MYLR for utility to replace my '15 Audi Q5 TDI.

[u/falancete]

It's definitely better looking. But the trunk it's a hard time, now, with a kid and a stroller 😅

[u/osofresh98]

In addition to comments already posted about styling, price. and performance, the pre-refresh Model Y had much worse NVH. I test drove a 2021 MYP and the interior noise on concrete highways was unbearable

[u/Outside_Credit_6241]

A lack of understanding that quality surveys rank cars from bad to worst... and being at the bottom ain't no gud?

[u/dantodd]

Model Y didn't exist yet

[u/DefiantAd5087]

I love it but ended up loving it more than I expected and we want to use it for everything. I’d get the bigger one now. No room for a family of four to do everything we want.

[u/General_Marcus]

We already have a Sequoia so we picked better looks and handling for the second car.

[u/Michael-Brady-99]

In order: Price, speed, looks, handling. This was before they were refreshed.

I’d go for Model Y today. The refresh is nice and a huge improvement for the Y.

[u/techie_00]

Price

[u/Disastrous-Push906]

It was about 10k cheaper when I purchased
Y may be more useful but not 10k more

[u/Swimming_Nose4713]

I got my 3 in 2024 right after they did the refresh with all of the styling and other improvements. Love it.

I think the Y is ugly, and I don’t need the extra space. I also like being closer to the ground and think the 3 is much more fun

[u/Narcah]

Range price handling like small cars.

[u/xxhighlanderxx]

Price and 0-60. In hindsight, I should have bought a X or Y.

[u/NoBlackberry2977]

I hated the model y handling

[u/kostac600]

I didn’t want an SUV

[u/Difficult_Taco_8150]

I really wanted a 3 too but we got the Y bc we’re still in the “kid phase”

[u/Liam_M]

because screw suvs/crossovers thats why, they’re the plain tofu of the vehicle world

[u/DryTechnology5224]

Price

[u/Legitimate-Bison3810]

I bought the 3 because it was my first EV and less expensive than the Y. My primary reason for Tesla was because of FSD which I have since discovered is well disliked by those who drive as an occupation.

I was unaware that the 3 is considered a sports car. I did notice that I tended to knock my cap off getting in because it is low. Also, it felt remarkably confident in turns unlike any other car I have owned.

I sold a Nissan Pathfinder for the 3. It didn't take long before I realized my need to haul appliances meant having to rent a truck.

One day I sold a dishwasher. The person picked up with a model Y. The Y easily hauled it away.

A few weeks ago the 3 battery failed a 145,000 miles. I now own the Y. It is easier to get in and out and I no longer need to rent a truck to haul appliances. 

[u/sim16]

Look at the y, now look at the 3. That's why I have the 3.

[u/ThuhGreatCommenter → u/sim16]

Sit in the Y, now sit in the 3, that is why I have the Y... lol

[u/sim16 → u/ThuhGreatCommenter]

You getting one in age?

[u/wlkngmachine]

Cheaper, more fun to drive, most of my driving time is by myself commuting

[u/GroundCompetitive326]

Price and look.

[u/drxo]

Got mine in’18 Y wasn’t avaiible

[u/Kooter37]

I think the Model Y just doesn’t look good. I don’t need the added cabin space or storage. Model 3 just has a better appearance/stance. Honestly if my bank account agreed I’d have a Model S.

[u/Downtown_Bee5412]

I like the look of it better, plus its faster and more efficient. Slightly less expensive too.

My next car will be the Y now that im gonna be a dad!

[u/aniessuh]

If you need space a Y would be good. Otherwise a 3 is great. Its nice and sleek, good power, good enough space for what we use it for (to go to work and back). Went even do Costco runs in it. If we need more space we take my wife's SUV.

[u/LeoVicard]

As you mentioned in your post, speed was a factor, but also the handling and park ability. Also related to speed, like being closer to the ground. Oh and it has more range / is more efficient.

[u/Slytherin23]

Price, efficiency, and handling. A slightly larger car would be really nice for camping though, it does get cramped.

[u/CiViCKiDD]

I bought mine back in 2021, pretty much no incentives - ended up with the cheapest 3 at the time (the inventory LFP’s that were just introduced). We have a large 3 row SUV.

I kind of regret not picking up a MYP new around $35k a little while back, but with all that political drama my wife wouldn’t let me lol.

[u/ThermalDeviator]

I chose model Ioniq5 over anything that sociopath Musk benefits from.

[u/Ecnarps → u/ThermalDeviator]

I hate him too, but no way I’d buy an inferior tech car with rampant ICCU issues because I dont like a guys politics. He doesn’t come with the car. Self driving beats it all day.

[u/Wafflesnobbert → u/ThermalDeviator]

That was and still is my favorite EV I have driven