Any Lucid owners who are previously Tesla owners? Curious about your thoughts on your experience and if you prefer Lucid

[hmp10]

And I wonder if this isn't somehow linked to owners that complain about wind noise emanating from the side view mirrors.

Although I haven't noticed any issue with wind noise, it could be a contributing factor for those who notice it.

 

[Drendino]

We took delivery on our second Tesla, a Model S Plaid, on August 21, 2021, the tenth year of Model S production and and the fifth month of production for the updated model.

We took delivery of our Lucid Air Dream -- car No. 154 off the production line -- on December 31, 2021.

The Model S Plaid had more manufacturing defects upon delivery than the Air. These included misaligned body panels, misaligned interior trim, a steering yoke that scuffed the steering column when turning, an outside rearview mirror that wasn't firmly attached to the car, the front passenger door requiring a hard slam to latch properly, and a protective film inside the door handles and ahead of the rear wheels that was noticeably yellower than the white car. Within the first month of delivery, a rubber grommet came off the hatchback lid, exposing a metal stud, and the driver airbag had to be replaced (twice, actually, as the first replacement was also defective).

We had the outside mirror replaced, the grommet replaced, and the yoke scuffing corrected. We're just living with the rest of the issues, as we've become used to Tesla build quality after seven years of owning them.

All three hardware issues with the Air -- poor license plate frame attachment, misaligned trunk lid, and detached weather strip on top of trunk -- were corrected quickly and properly.

The issues with Lucid's software are another subject entirely. Suffice it to say that Tesla's software, while not completely free of bugs, is much better at doing what it was engineered to do. But some of what it was meant to do -- such as forward/reverse selection, aiming air vents, passenger A/V controls -- is poorly conceived.

Wow, that’s quite a list of defects! I’m thinking about picking up a used Model X. Is there a golden year, where the build quality was better? I don’t feel like dealing with a lot of problems. My AGT leaves me wanting more driver’s assistance and I’m thinking Tesla can scratch that itch. At the rate we are going, it will be years before Lucid catches Tesla on tech.

 

[hmp10]

Wow, that’s quite a list of defects! I’m thinking about picking up a used Model X. Is there a golden year, where the build quality was better? I don’t feel like dealing with a lot of problems. My AGT leaves me wanting more driver’s assistance and I’m thinking Tesla can scratch that itch. At the rate we are going, it will be years before Lucid catches Tesla on tech.

Sorry, I don't know enough about the Model X to hazard an opinion. While I've heard of certain persisting problems (falcon-wing doors wearing down paint on sills, inadequately-sized sun visors), I have no idea whether these have been addressed.

 

[joec]

After having owned both, I can say unequivocally that I greatly prefer the Lucid. It's just a completely different class of car.

While my Tesla was a "lowly" Model 3, I've been in enough Model Ss over the years to say it's not a matter of price or model, either.

Also, everyone who has been in my Lucid so far, even those who own a Model S, have almost immediately remarked how much more luxurious the Lucid is. The choices of materials on the interior are just night and day.

Nothing wrong with Tesla, if that's your bag. I just think it's hard to compare the two from a "feeling" perspective. On paper, you can make lists all day long that show Tesla has this or that thing the Lucid doesn't have, and vice versa. But none of that translates to how you feel when you drive both.

The Lucid feels like a car made by people who love to drive. The Tesla feels like a car made by video gamers. It exudes bells and whistles and entertainment for prepubescent males.

Even on the software front, where many just assume the Tesla is way better, I have to disagree. I've experienced relatively few real issues with either car. I'd say the Lucid is certainly a bit buggier, but not in a way that takes away from the driving experience most of the time.

But I greatly prefer the "experience" of the Lucid operating system. It's easier to grok without hunting around for the right buttons. There are more physical switches that Tesla refuses to add. And it just looks a thousand times more elegant. The Tesla OS looks like Linux compared to Lucid's macOS, essentially.

The ADAS systems may not check as many boxes on paper, but I'm a hundred times more calm using Highway Assist on my Lucid than I ever was using Autopilot or FSD in my Tesla. HA feels like it gives me a chance to rest my right foot and loosen up a bit on the wheel. FSD felt like it was trying to take over the entire driving experience, and it suuuuuuuuuucked at it. So much so, I had to be MORE alert whenever I engaged it, because it was only a matter of a few minutes before it tried to kill me.

I will say my wife loved the Model 3. She liked that it was small and nimble; the Lucid feels significantly larger to her. But the more she drives the Lucid, the more she is getting to like it. I think she's just a bit more resistant to change than I am. (Not to mention apprehensive about driving such an expensive machine.) I think once Lucid releases a small-ish sedan in four or five years, that could easily become the ideal car for her.

 

[xponents]

Wow, that’s quite a list of defects! I’m thinking about picking up a used Model X. Is there a golden year, where the build quality was better? I don’t feel like dealing with a lot of problems. My AGT leaves me wanting more driver’s assistance and I’m thinking Tesla can scratch that itch. At the rate we are going, it will be years before Lucid catches Tesla on tech.

Based on other peoples opinions, the model x is MUCH louder and harsher than the s. Wait for the gravity, get a r1s, or even an eqs suv.

 

[Drendino]

Based on other peoples opinions, the model x is MUCH louder and harsher than the s. Wait for the gravity, get a r1s, or even an eqs suv.

I keep hearing this, so I better pay attention. One thing in common from all the X owners that I talk to who live their cars, they have never driven a Lucid. The drive and feel of my AGT has ruined my ability to buy a second car, even though it’s intended to be the soccer family/carpool car. Nothing that’s available comes close. I really hope that they get pricing on the Gravity in line with Rivian and Tesla. If they do, they will own that market if the software is corrected by then.

 

[Drendino]

Sorry, I don't know enough about the Model X to hazard an opinion. While I've heard of certain persisting problems (falcon-wing doors wearing down paint on sills, inadequately-sized sun visors), I have no idea whether these have been addressed.

I think the falcon doors are the reason I’m even interested. My inner 10 year old digs them. Lol

 

[xponents]

I keep hearing this, so I better pay attention. One thing in common from all the X owners that I talk to who live their cars, they have never driven a Lucid. The drive and feel of my AGT has ruined my ability to buy a second car, even though it’s intended to be the soccer family/carpool car. Nothing that’s available comes close. I really hope that they get pricing on the Gravity in line with Rivian and Tesla. If they do, they will own that market if the software is corrected by then.

Apparently gravity has the "2nd gen" pilot panel. No idea what to expect.

 

[Bobby]

Apparently gravity has the "2nd gen" pilot panel. No idea what to expect.

What is your source for the information you are posting? It seems you are not an owner of either of the vehicles. Do you work for Tesla?

 

[xponents]

What is your source for the information you are posting? It seems you are not an owner of either of the vehicles. Do you work for Tesla?

I can show you where it says the 2nd gen pilot panel. What other information were you referring to?

 

[xponents]

My bad, its the next gen glass cockpit, not the pilot panel.

 

[SM_NCarolina]

Based on other peoples opinions, the model x is MUCH louder and harsher than the s. Wait for the gravity, get a r1s, or even an eqs suv.

I owned new X and now Air GT. Sold my X simply because it was not worth that kinda money at all. The quality and feel in the X was awful for that money. Only software was the thing that worked OK but it had lot of kinks and issues in that too.

 

[xponents]

I owned new X and now Air GT. Sold my X simply because it was not worth that kinda money at all. The quality and feel in the X was awful for that money. Only software was the thing that worked OK but it had lot of kinks and issues in that too.

First, nice license plate! Secondly, how was the cabin compared to the GT? I realize it may not be a fair comparison(suv vs sedan) but I want to know!

 

[SM_NCarolina]

First, nice license plate! Secondly, how was the cabin compared to the GT? I realize it may not be a fair comparison(suv vs sedan) but I want to know!

GT is better. I agree SUV to Sedan comparison is not fair and that is applicable only for space, usability and capacity etc. Anything on quality, feature or luxury at that price point is fair game. We can't separate them on those irrespective of class.

 

[hmp10]

Remember, Tesla "doesnt do" refreshes.

Tongue in cheek?

Common automotive lingo uses "refresh" to refer to an ongoing model with changes in discrete components ranging from body panels to suspension and drivetrain updates. A complete redesign of an existing model is referred to in this lingo as a "next generation".

Call it what they will, the Model S has had a series of refreshes during the model run. Some were major, such as the addition of a second motor in 2014 and a third motor in 2021; some were mostly cosmetic, such as the 2016 nose cone change; some upped battery pack capacity; some made significant suspension changes, such as the "Raven" changeover. But all stopped short of what the car industry usually refers to as a "next generation" model that is readily obvious to all observers at all familiar with the cars.

 

[Dr.E]

First, nice license plate! Secondly, how was the cabin compared to the GT? I realize it may not be a fair comparison(suv vs sedan) but I want to know!

I had a Model S which I sold when I got my Lucid AGT, I had the model S since 2012, did not have any significant mechanical issues with the car but the wind noise was horrific and no matter what they did to try to lessen it nothing worked. I wanted a car with newer safety features compared to the 2012 Model S and I would not consider buying another Tesla because of Elon. The ride in the Lucid is much better, the interior is significantly better and the cabin is much quieter. My wife still has her Model X, when I ride in the passenger seat I think I am in a bumper car, the ride is terrible, extremely bumpy even on smooth roads. The wind noise is even worse than the Model S. In my opinion the only thing that Tesla has going for it is their supercharger network which hands down is the best. I personally would never buy another Tesla, my wife prefers to keep her Model X because we have free supercharging for life, similar to my Model S but at some point it is going to have to go.

 

[xponents]

I had a Model S which I sold when I got my Lucid AGT, I had the model S since 2012, did not have any significant mechanical issues with the car but the wind noise was horrific and no matter what they did to try to lessen it nothing worked. I wanted a car with newer safety features compared to the 2012 Model S and I would not consider buying another Tesla because of Elon. The ride in the Lucid is much better, the interior is significantly better and the cabin is much quieter. My wife still has her Model X, when I ride in the passenger seat I think I am in a bumper car, the ride is terrible, extremely bumpy even on smooth roads. The wind noise is even worse than the Model S. In my opinion the only thing that Tesla has going for it is their supercharger network which hands down is the best. I personally would never buy another Tesla, my wife prefers to keep her Model X because we have free supercharging for life, similar to my Model S but at some point it is going to have to go.

Wow! You were one of the first with a S?

 

[hmp10]

. . . I had the model S since 2012, did not have any significant mechanical issues with the car . . . .

I have mixed feelings about Tesla's manufacturing trajectory. Our 2015 Model S P90D arrived with considerably fewer build quality issues than our 2021 Model S Plaid which also had more controls relegated to annoying screen icons instead of the more convenient buttons and stalks of the earlier model, all changes which I attribute largely to Tesla's campaign to drive down manufacturing costs.

On the other hand, our Plaid costs about the same as the $128,500 we paid for a Model S over six years earlier, with the newer car having much more power and range as well as several more features and a somewhat better rear cabin.

So . . .

Door No. 1 or Door No. 2?

 

[Tesla2.0]

I have mixed feelings about Tesla's manufacturing trajectory. Our 2015 Model S P90D arrived with considerably fewer build quality issues than our 2021 Model S Plaid which also had more controls relegated to annoying screen icons instead of the more convenient buttons and stalks of the earlier model, all changes which I attribute largely to Tesla's campaign to drive down manufacturing costs.

On the other hand, our Plaid costs about the same as the $128,500 we paid for a Model S over six years earlier, with the newer car having much more power and range as well as several more features and a somewhat better rear cabin.

So . . .

Door No. 1 or Door No. 2?

Or Door No. 3 Rivian truck/SUV. J/K!

 

[Bus Driver]

Wow, that’s quite a list of defects! I’m thinking about picking up a used Model X. Is there a golden year, where the build quality was better? I don’t feel like dealing with a lot of problems. My AGT leaves me wanting more driver’s assistance and I’m thinking Tesla can scratch that itch. At the rate we are going, it will be years before Lucid catches Tesla on tech.

One problem that has not been addressed by Tesla is that dreaded “shudder” coming from the front wheels under hard accelaration. This defect makes itself known, either at the beginning when the car is brand new, or several thousand miles later.”

The only “fix” Tesla have been able to come up with is to replace both half shafts at the front wheels. You can minimise the onset of the “shudder” if you only accelarate with the air suspension set to “LOW”. Basically, Tesla under-designed the front suspension system. The front wheel components were not designed to absorb the tremendous amount of torque that’s generated when the car launches from a standing start.

My X lasted about 25,000 miles before the onset of the “shudder”. I ignored the problem for another 20,000. Finally, the car shuddered under any accelaration, hard or gentle, and I finally took it in to get the half-shafts replaced. By then I was bumping up against the bumper-to-bumper warranty. I had the replacment done just in time. Since the replacement, my X STILL shudders under hard accelaration, even at the air suspension set to LOW. I just ignore it these days, knowing there’s no real fix, and knowing that the replacement will be out of pocket.

Not exactly a defect - the car is LOUD. There’s no doubt about it, the Model X is loud. I didn’t realise how much I’d come to just accept all that wind and road noise, especially the road noise, until I started driving my Lucid. Even our oldest Tesla, a Model S75D is quieter than our Model X.

After four years, our Model X has developed various and sundry squeaks and rattles of indeterminate origin. Driving over anything but the smoothest of glass smooth surfaces, our Model X sets up a cacophony of squeaks and rattles that I just do my best to ignore. I did take it in to Tesla service once, and they isolated some rattles coming from the rear hatch area. They replaced four clips and charged me $160. $40 for each clip. Eventually, the rattle from the rear hatch area came back.

Perhaps the best reasons I have for keeping our Model X is the FUSC - Free Unlimited Supercharging - a benefit that is no longer offered; and my parents, both in their 80s and 90s find it a lot easier to climb into and clamber out of the Model X than the Model S or my Air GT. It also has six seats, and though it’s rare that we have all six seats filled, it’s a really nice thing to have.

If I had it to do over again, I wouldn’t buy a Model X. I would hold out for another crossover EV that seats six or eight instead.

ADDENDUM - I just re-read your post. The FSD in Tesla, even in its current very primitive state, is both remarkable and terrifying. There’s a lot that Tesla’s FSD can do, and can do better than Lucid. For starters, Tesla’s auto lane changing is completely automated, and in my estimation, works perfectly every time. Lucid’s auto lane change is clunky.

There’s also a lot it cannot do, at least not in a manner that doesn’t leave other drivers wondering what the Hell you’re doing. There’s also the the continuing, vexing matter of “phantom braking”, something that curiously, my Model X does with far more regularity than our Model S, which does NOT have FSD. I don’t know if FSD or the lack thereof has any bearing on this ongoing problem. I’ve sent a “bug report” via the scroll wheel and voice activation, every time I get a phantom braking event, but they still happen.

Don’t be under any misapprehension however - Tesla’s FSD is not. What Tesla’s FSD is in reality, is a very sophisticated suite of driver assistance features. But “Full Self Driving” definitely it is not.