We all know the Tesla is the by far cooler car. but the question is which is the better car?
For reliability and longevity, it seems almost certain that the Toyota will outpace the Tesla in longevity. Toyota has been around a lot longer than Tesla, which gives it a good likelihood that the cars for the long period of time, will also be more reliable.
What is the better designed car?
Certainly the Tesla has superior aesthetics. if you want them more beautiful car that is more robust to change over time, the Tesla is probably the better bet. With Toyota, every new generation of their car has subtly different styling. It is quite certain that every new generation tesla will remain about the same. However every new Toyota will look different.
What is the more fun car to drive?
I’m making assumptions here, but the Toyota 86 or the Toyota supra is probably more fun to drive than any Tesla car. Of course the Teslas far faster. But if you want the manual transmission experience, Toyota is your best bet.
Also, if you like modifying your car, Toyota is certainly better.
I believe that driving a manual transmission car will always be more fun and interesting than any automatic car, whether gasoline, hybrid, or electric. Also one of my interesting insights is that if you want to have more interesting thoughts while driving, manual transmission is the way.
Also driving manual is a more zen experience, because by having to use two hands to drive, it forces you to focus. It forces you to be more engaged. Otherwise best to just get a Tesla with auto pilot feature.
What is the most convenient car?
It seems that hybrid car is still more convenient than an electric car. Especially if you go on long road trips. Even one of my good friends Chris (very successful) opted for buying a Toyota RAV4 hybrid over a Tesla. His rationale was charging time is still the crutch to a Tesla car. Far faster to refill a gasoline or hybrid car then to recharge an electric car. And he’s rich enough to afford either.
What is cheaper?
Certainly the Toyota is a much cheaper car and much more affordable. You get more bang for the buck with a Toyota then a Tesla.
So if saving money is your goal, then it seems like Toyota is your best bet.
What is more interesting?
Certainly the Tesla is far more interesting than the Toyota. Tesla has constant over the air updates which means that overtime, in theory the Tesla will improve, whereas the Toyota is robust at best. so the interesting thing: in theory, the Tesla actually improves and gets better over time. A very rare thing with physical or technological things.
Can’t you just own both?
This is also another interesting thought: maybe it is best to just on both. If you could afford it, own one Tesla and one Toyota car. Not too unreasonable considering that most Americans own and at least two cars.
Maybe the Tesla could be the daily commuter car, whereas the Toyota hybrid could be the good long range road trip car.
Or if you just want a fun car to take to the track, get some sort of fun manual transmission car.