2023 Beijing Car Purchase Journal

💡Disclaimer: This article does not target any country, any car manufacturer, any dealership, any vehicle model, or any individual. It solely shares personal subjective thoughts based on my car-buying research experience. If any content is offensive, please contact me, and I will remove the relevant sections after understanding the reasons.

Background Introduction

Driving in Beijing, like driving anywhere else, requires a car and a license plate (obviously +1). However, Beijing has its unique characteristics, which I’ll elaborate on below.

License Plate Terminology:

• Gasoline Indicator (油标): The quota for traditional fuel vehicle license plates.

• Electric/New Energy Indicator (电标/新能源标): The quota for electric/new energy vehicle license plates. While the term “new energy” technically includes hydrogen and nuclear power, only electric energy has achieved commercial success in vehicle manufacturing. Thus, “new energy vehicles” are equivalent to electric vehicles here. Some nitpickers might argue, “What the hell is a ‘new energy vehicle’? It’s just a damn battery-powered car!” (Read this in a Beijing accent.) You can replace any mention of “electric” with “new energy” for formal use.

• Gasoline Plate (油牌): The abbreviated term for the license plate issued under a gasoline indicator, also known as a blue plate.

• Electric Plate (电牌): The abbreviated term for the license plate issued under an electric indicator, also known as a new energy plate or green plate.

Since license plate demand exceeds supply, a lottery system is used to ensure so-called “fairness.” Here, “license plate” actually refers to the license plate quota, which is divided into gasoline and electric indicators. A gasoline indicator can be used for either a gasoline plate (blue) or an electric plate (green), but an electric indicator can only be used for an electric plate.

In ancient times, when the world was still in chaos, indicators weren’t divided into gasoline and electric categories—all were allocated via lottery. In recent years, to encourage the development of the new energy industry, Beijing’s policies have favored new energy vehicles. Not only are they exempt from purchase taxes and eligible for government subsidies, but early allocation of new energy plates was also done via a queue system, making them relatively easy to obtain. However, as new energy vehicles became more popular, demand surged, and the queue for new energy plates grew longer. To address this and prioritize family needs (personal use is often a soft demand for improving quality of life, while family use—like transporting children or elderly—is a hard demand with higher priority), a policy was introduced to prioritize new energy plate allocation for families. If three generations of a family are Beijing locals with no registered cars, their points will be very high, making it easy to obtain a new energy plate. For those with only a Beijing work/residence permit and one generation (like us), it’s much harder.

To participate in the lottery, you must first apply and pass eligibility review. Specific eligibility criteria can be found on the official website. New energy indicators are allocated on May 26 each year (based on points; only those above a certain threshold receive plates—check last year’s cutoff). Gasoline vehicle indicators are allocated via lottery on June 26 and December 26. Why the 26th? Maybe it’s the bureau chief’s daughter’s birthday.

New energy plates are allocated via a queue system based on points, calculated as follows:

As of February 26, 2023, my family’s points total 10 (damn it):

For more details, visit the official website: [Beijing Passenger Vehicle Indicator Management System]([object Object])](link).

Obtaining a License Plate

Leasing

Leasing a license plate isn’t something openly discussed because, while not illegal, it violates regulations. In reality, many people do it because there’s market demand, and the process doesn’t disrupt the market environment, so it’s not illegal—getting caught won’t result in fines or jail time. However, the leasing agreement isn’t legally protected. If either party backs out and negotiations fail, both sides lose: the plate owner forfeits their quota and is barred from the lottery for years, while the lessee loses their upfront payment and is also barred from the lottery. Here’s how the leasing process works—I must clarify I haven’t leased a plate; this information comes from a friend who went through the process, and both of us have since luckily won gasoline plate quotas.

First, you need to find a plate owner, which typically happens in three ways:

• Referral by acquaintances: Usually word-of-mouth. If a friend or colleague leased a plate through an intermediary without issues, they might recommend that intermediary to you.

• 4S dealerships: To facilitate sales, dealerships may help you find a plate owner or introduce you to an intermediary, who then connects you with one. Most dealerships collaborate with intermediaries—it’s mutually beneficial: the intermediary earns a fee, and the dealership sells a car.

• Direct leasing from acquaintances: This usually involves two scenarios:

  • The acquaintance is a long-time Beijing local, with older family members, parents, spouses, and in-laws who each own a plate (yes, such people exist). If the elderly stop driving, selling the car would forfeit the plate, so they lease it for profit.
  • The acquaintance leverages Beijing’s family-based new energy plate system (local families with three generations get triple the points—30 vs. our 10) to obtain a new energy plate but leases it instead of using it.

Generally, it’s best to start with acquaintances. As of 2023, gasoline plate leasing costs around 41,000–45,000 RMB for 3 years or 61,000–65,000 RMB for 5 years. Gasoline plates are slightly more expensive than electric plates, but the difference is only about 1,000–2,000 RMB per year.

The leasing process is as follows:

1. Choose and order a car.

2. On the day of pickup, go to the DMV to register the plate. The following people must be present:

3. The intermediary, who will be paid in full on the same day (they will deduct their fee and transfer the remaining amount to the quota holder).

   1. The quota holder: Once the intermediary receives the payment, they will arrange a meeting between you and the quota holder (similar to a real estate agent).
   2. The 4S store employee at the DMV: The 4S store will handle vehicle-related procedures for you at the DMV, for which you need to pay. For Volvo, the fee is 3,500. They claim to have connections at the DMV, so you won’t need to worry about the process.

4. Afterward, the four of you (you, the intermediary, the quota holder, and the 4S store employee) will go to the DMV together to register the license plate. The quota holder will print the quota form and complete other procedures. Since the 4S store employee handles everything, the quota holder only needs to cooperate by answering a few questions and completing a verification.

5. Once the license plate is registered, everyone goes their separate ways.

Sham Marriage

According to the law: If an individual holds a license plate quota, they can transfer the quota to their spouse’s name after being married for one year. This exploits a legal loophole, but the key is having connections at the DMV. After all, DMV staff specialize in this and can easily tell whether a marriage is genuine or a sham for obtaining a license plate. Without connections at the DMV, it’s impossible to succeed. If caught, the quota will be confiscated, and you’ll face a fine and a three-year ban from applying for a quota. Therefore, this route requires an intermediary, as ordinary people won’t have DMV connections. In 2023, the cost is generally around 120,000.

Acquiring a Company

Companies that meet certain conditions (e.g., paying 50,000 in taxes annually—specific criteria can be researched) can participate in the public license plate lottery, which offers better odds than the individual lottery. The license plate is registered under the company’s name, with the legal representative responsible. If the company goes bankrupt, the quota is revoked. To retain the quota, you can acquire a company that already holds one. This is the only legal and legitimate way to obtain a license plate. In 2023, the price is generally around 350,000, with significant fluctuations—sometimes up to 100,000 in a year.

Other Methods

Other methods include “backdoor vehicles” (cars that cannot be transferred, such as those owned by deceased individuals). You can research these further, but they come with extremely high risks, so we won’t elaborate here.

License Plate Rental Considerations

• To protect the quota holder’s rights, they may require the lessee to purchase third-party liability insurance with a coverage of 2 million. Although the lessee is the actual user of the vehicle, in cases of major accidents (e.g., hit-and-runs or severe crashes), the vehicle’s registrant (the quota holder) will be responsible for handling the aftermath. This is where the 2 million insurance comes into play.

• To protect the lessee’s rights, the lessee may require the quota holder to register a “mortgage” at the DMV. This involves signing a legally recognized agreement stating that the quota holder is borrowing a certain amount from the lessee and mortgaging the vehicle to them (even though the lessee paid for the car, it must be registered under the quota holder’s name, giving them nominal ownership). This ensures that if the quota holder’s assets are frozen by a court due to debt repayment, the vehicle (though purchased by the lessee) is already mortgaged to the lessee, so the court cannot demand its return. Thus, the car remains with the lessee.

• Pay attention to timing. Sometimes, the quota holder’s license plate is still on a vehicle, and they need to sell that car first to free up the quota. For example, with Tesla, if you don’t pick up the car within two months of ordering, the 1,000 deposit is forfeited. Therefore, you must secure the license plate within two months of ordering. Even with a 45-day temporary license plate, you still need the quota to apply for it. It’s best not to wait until the last minute—leave some buffer time to ensure a smooth process.

The Vehicle

Once the license plate is secured, the next step is researching the vehicle. Vehicles are broadly categorized into electric and gasoline-powered. Key points to note:

• Although hybrid vehicles come in several types, all hybrids require a gasoline quota. However, only plug-in hybrids can be registered with a new energy license plate. In other words, even if your plug-in hybrid uses a new energy plate, you still need a gasoline quota. Therefore, if you have a new energy quota, you cannot purchase a hybrid vehicle.

• While browsing cars online, I came across some anecdotal advice. Take it with a grain of salt, but here’s what I found:

  • Hybrid cars have both power supply and fuel consumption systems, leading to dual maintenance requirements—higher costs and greater susceptibility to breakdowns.
  • The actual range of electric vehicles (EVs) falls short of advertised figures, with significant discounts. In winter, using features like air conditioning and seat heating further reduces range—decent models may achieve 60% of the claimed range (e.g., 300 km instead of 500 km), while poorer performers drop below 50%.
  • Gasoline cars suffer from high fuel and maintenance costs (compared to EVs), though generally, a 2.0T engine’s upkeep is cheaper than a 1.5T’s.
  • EVs have simpler structures, primarily consisting of three systems: motor, electronic control, and battery, resulting in lower maintenance expenses.
  • Always opt for a four-cylinder engine—three-cylinder models vibrate noticeably (e.g., the base BMW X1).
  • The same car model may have high and low configurations, some purely software-based (like automatic parking) and others hardware-dependent (e.g., collision warning with additional radar).
  • Price differences often reflect comfort features: steering wheel heating, seat heating (some only for the driver, others for all seats), air conditioning, etc.
  • In winter, EVs feel colder since they don’t generate heat while driving, requiring battery power for warmth, which reduces range. Gasoline cars stay warm due to engine heat, even needing coolant circulation—acting like a heater.
  • As of February 26, 2023, Beijing restricts gasoline cars with certain license plate endings on specific days; EVs face no such limits.
  • EV purchases in 2023 no longer qualify for government subsidies but remain exempt from purchase taxes. Details ]([object Object]).
  • “The future of new energy vehicle brands can be inferred from their names—think Tesla as Apple, Xpeng as Xiaomi, and NIO as Huawei.” — Wang Xing.
  • BYD’s blade batteries have safety flaws, with spontaneous combustion being a design issue (per a battery researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences).
  • Japanese cars are lightweight and fuel-efficient but unstable at high speeds; American cars are powerful but gas-guzzling; German cars prioritize safety; domestic models focus on visible features while cutting corners elsewhere.
  • Honda (or Toyota—can’t recall) is famed for its “indestructible engines,” known for durability.
  • EV brands, closely tied to the internet, attract vivid labels from netizens:
    • Li Auto: A dad’s favorite.
    • NIO: Battery swap king.
    • Xpeng: Constant price drops (denied), with the P7 being its peak—later models declined while the P7 stagnated.
    • AITO: Strong infotainment, but Huawei backlash.
    • Zeekr: “Junk-keer.”
    • Tesla: Brake failures, minimalist interiors, stellar autopilot.
    • BYD: Battery fires, China’s tech pride.
    • Others: Voyah, Arcfox, Polestar, Aion, Neta, HiPhi, Avatr, Jidu, IM.

Note: Hybrids include plug-in, range-extended, and other types. Only plug-in hybrids qualify for EV plates (though they still require gasoline quotas).

Pros and Cons Analysis

EVs

Pros:

• Low operating costs: Electricity is cheaper than gas—floor the accelerator guilt-free.
• Rapid acceleration: 0-100 km/h in ~5 seconds is standard.
• Instant power response: EVs deliver immediate torque, a stark contrast to gasoline cars.
• High-tech appeal: As “new energy” pioneers, they boast features like smartphone control, remote operation, and automated parking.
• Cheaper license plates: EV plates are more accessible and thus less expensive than gasoline plates.

Cons:

• Range anxiety: Advertised as 545 km, real-world range varies with AC, seat heating, etc. Winter cuts it to 50-60%, making long trips (e.g., 930 km from Beijing to my hometown) impractical—requiring multiple charges and 12+ hours (vs. 10 for gasoline).
• Charging queues: Even superchargers take 15-30 minutes, far slower than a 2-minute gas stop.
• Sparse charging infrastructure: As of February 27, 2023, my county has only three charging points—no superchargers; the nearest is in the city.
• Safety concerns: Regardless of smear campaigns by “vested interests” (e.g., century-old automakers), frequent reports of brake failures (Tesla) and battery fires (BYD) highlight EV risks.
• Longevity: State subsidies spurred domestic EV brands (Xpeng, NIO, Li Auto, Zeekr, HiPhi). Would they survive without government backing?

Gasoline Cars

Pros:

• No range anxiety: EVs’ weakness is their strength—refuel in five minutes and go. “A magical liquid: just 9 liters propels a 1-ton car over 100 km.”

• Convenience: Quick refueling saves time.

• Better safety: Gasoline vehicles have been developed for over a century. The components, areas where corners were cut, reasons for lower costs, and justifications for higher prices are all transparent. After long-term validation, mature solutions for safety and comfort have been established, such as how to handle collisions from the left, frontal impacts, or even submersion in water. In contrast, electric vehicles (EVs) have yet to develop solutions for issues like “spontaneous combustion,” and Tesla has only recently added a “manual door release” pull cord in its newer models to address how to manually open doors and escape when the electrical system fails (e.g., due to electromagnetic pulse attacks in warfare or simple system malfunctions).

• Wider range of options: Gasoline vehicles span from under 100,000 yuan to 1 million yuan, offering a small step between models to suit everyone. In contrast, the only EVs worth buying are Tesla, BYD, and a few others, resulting in limited choices.

• Long-term reliability: Gasoline vehicles have undergone over a century of refinement, with only the most competitive models remaining. These excel in specific areas, such as safety (German brands like Volvo), power (American brands like Cadillac), fuel efficiency (Japanese brands like Honda and Toyota), or affordability (domestic brands). You can choose based on your priorities.

Disadvantages:

• Higher driving costs: As of February 27, 2023, the average price for 95-octane gasoline is 8.37 yuan per liter. At 8 liters per 100 km, this amounts to 64 yuan. In comparison, an EV like Tesla’s standard-range model (60 kWh battery) costs about 90 yuan at 1.5 yuan per kWh to travel 300 km (winter conditions), making gasoline significantly more expensive.

• Slower acceleration: Due to the limitations of internal combustion engines, gasoline vehicles require fuel intake, combustion, and then motion, resulting in typical 0-100 km/h acceleration times of 8+ seconds. While not a critical drawback (most drivers don’t race), the occasional emergency situation—like being the first to accelerate at a green light with a 5-second 0-100 km/h time—can turn heads.

• Weaker power response: Similarly constrained by internal combustion principles, there’s a lag of about a second after pressing or releasing the accelerator before speed changes take effect. Higher-end gasoline vehicles perform better in this regard.

• Larger steering dead zone: Again, due to engine limitations, gasoline vehicles are designed with a 3–5 degree dead zone in steering. The car only responds to steering inputs beyond this range. Strictly speaking, this isn’t a flaw but a matter of driving habit.

• Outdated tech feel: As a friend put it, gasoline vehicles cater to “old-school shareholders”—mostly men over 40 who prefer physical buttons over modern interfaces, even at the cost of aesthetics. This explains the persistence of button-style gear selectors (mentioned later).

• Higher license plate rental costs: Gasoline plates are more expensive than electric ones.

Our Requirements

• Consider both EVs and gasoline vehicles, test-driving both without restricting type or model tier. Comparison leads to better decisions.

• Budget of 200,000–300,000 yuan (including license plate rental), prioritizing lower costs without compromising safety.

• Must be an SUV for family use.

• Exterior color must be white, ideally without an upcharge (Tesla charges 8,000 yuan for white; Lincoln’s Corsair only adds 2,000 yuan for pearl white, with other colors freely interchangeable—both criticized).

• Following our electronics purchasing habits (and general approach to high-value consumer goods), we exclude domestic brands, though they serve as reference points.

Viewing & Test Drives

First, we wanted to experience Tesla, given its reputation as the “Apple of cars.” However, my wife raised concerns about charging difficulties and range anxiety during holiday trips, citing a colleague who avoided using the AC in their EV. Since I had no prior experience with cars (gasoline or electric), we explored all options without bias.

💡A noteworthy detail: Only Volvo and Mercedes-Benz conducted post-viewing/test drive phone follow-ups, indicating superior service. Tesla's sales team was the most enthusiastic, with post-test drive surveys—likely because IT professionals are their target demographic. Other domestic EV startups also called to invite test drives, but I declined. In contrast, Cadillac, Lincoln, and BYD showed no follow-up interest after viewings or test drives.

2023.02.04 Sanlitun

💡Note: It's better to visit xxx centers rather than xxx experience stores, as the former can secure more benefits for buyers, while the latter may close unexpectedly.

【Viewing】BYD Sanlitun Experience Store

• Song Plus DM-i: Slightly small trunk, priced around 170,000 yuan.

• Frigate 07: Spacious but excessively large for our needs.

Overall, the BYD Song felt cheap. As my first car-viewing experience, it initially seemed decent—white exterior, comfortable seating, ample rear space, and unremarkable but acceptable interior. Nothing stood out as particularly impressive or problematic.

However, you can’t compare things when shopping. Later, I checked out XPeng’s cars and stumbled upon Avatr while walking around—it’s said to be a joint venture between Huawei and two other companies. I’d never heard of it before and initially thought it was some obscure brand. After asking around, I learned it’s actually a premium product starting at 340,000 RMB—that’s when I realized what “premium” truly means. Luxury cars, in terms of immediate sensory experience (excluding driving performance for now), differ from budget cars in the following ways:

• First, the exterior features a glossy metallic paint, which plastic paint can’t match in appearance or texture. The process involves applying a base color coat followed by a clear coat, making it more scratch-resistant and highly reflective.

• Next is the tactile feel—it has a solid, heavy metal sensation, unlike aluminum alloy or plastic doors and panels.

• Then there’s the design: frameless doors, genuine leather seats, high-end tires (though these aren’t immediately noticeable; some differences only become apparent at highway speeds compared to cheaper cars), etc.

• Finally, there are the thoughtful features, like heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a heads-up HUD display.

I asked the salesperson and was told that ordering a BYD Song Plus would take over two months for delivery. It was my first time car shopping, and I forgot to take photos.

【Car Shopping】XPeng Sanlitun Flagship Store

• P5 Sedan: Quite nice, positioned as a rival to the Model 3. As a sedan, it’s taller than average, so the rear seating space is relatively spacious. The trunk is recessed (a hallmark of sedans being low—the trunk slopes and isn’t tall, so it extends downward).
  • The interior is decent, but the lack of physical buttons on the center console is a downside—it feels less secure. Then again, Tesla doesn’t have physical buttons either, but their system is smooth! XPeng’s status bar and battery display clearly scream “Android system.”

• G9 Large SUV: Very impressive. My wife loved it—the rear seats are super comfortable. However:

  • It’s too big and hard to park.
  • We don’t really need something that large.

• G3i: I test-drove it. Though it’s an SUV, it’s a compact one—tiny. Not considering it. The vertical touchscreen is comfortable for navigation but lacks physical buttons. The Android-style virtual buttons give me anxiety—what if it freezes or the navigation lags? That could be dangerous. Pass. One unique feature is the windshield, which extends over the driver’s head. A matter of taste—differentiation for competition’s sake, no strong opinion.

• P7: Sat in it for a feel. Overall good, decent space, but my wife just doesn’t like sedans, so it’s out. I mainly wanted to experience XPeng’s interior and comfort across models to get a sense of their lineup.

Overall, XPeng’s differentiating points (both good and bad):

• Voice Control: Eliminates many physical buttons, which makes me uneasy. Domestic tech like this is fine on phones—if it crashes, just reboot, no big deal. But in a car, at best it’s annoying; at worst, it’s life-threatening. I’m skeptical.

• Gear Selector on the Turn Signal Stalk: Placed where traditional cars have the turn signal (right stalk). Same operation: push up for R, middle for N, down for D. They said Mercedes does this too. No strong opinion—personal preference (later learned Tesla does the same and thought, “Oh, humans…”).

• Inconsistent Infotainment Systems: Each model feels different—no clear design language.

• Interior: Mediocre.

• Dozens of Speakers: Nice, but unnecessary.

Also, the Sanlitun store is their flagship, the first in North China. When asking about pricing, they mentioned having some P5 display and warehouse cars for sale. The latter are technically new but cheaper by 5,000 RMB with free lifetime charging. Another category: cars where the buyer changed configurations after placing a deposit (no cancellations, haha), so they’re left in the warehouse—also brand-new. Custom orders take about a month. Later, I found out online that this is their standard sales pitch—basically, the cars aren’t selling. As others吐槽ed, “XPeng keeps cutting prices but won’t admit it”—just using excuses to discount, haha.

One more thing: My wife and I went just to look, but the salesperson said there was an SUV (the G3) in the underground garage not on display and offered to have a colleague bring it up. I thought it was just “to see,” so I agreed. But once there, they had me sit in it, asked for my driver’s license to register, and since I rarely drive, they suggested a test ride instead. The salesperson gave a detailed explanation while driving. While I wasn’t opposed—“since we’re here”—the lack of upfront clarity that “to see” meant “to test-drive” left me feeling a bit manipulated.

2023.02.05 CapitaMall

【Car Shopping】AITO CapitaMall Experience Store

Checked out the M5—impressive. The driver’s seat has speakers on both sides of the headrest. The center console tablet is the sharpest I’ve seen in a domestic car, likely the same as Tesla’s, with a similar UI. It’s clearly targeting the Model Y, priced similarly.

The space is decent, and the doors, paintwork, etc., are well done—better than BYD, though it is over 80,000 RMB more expensive. However, my wife felt there was no difference compared to BYD, and given Huawei’s consistent brand debuff in digital products (top-tier at boasting, garbage user experience), both are just budget cars. Seems they’ve gotten a bit too full of themselves.

The M5 comes in both extended-range hybrid and all-electric versions, priced at 250,000 RMB. But after checking Dongchedi, I saw listings for 220,000 RMB all-in—not sure how that works (possibly due to Shenzhen’s 30,000 RMB subsidy last year).

【Car Viewing】Cadillac LYRIQ at the CapitaMall Showroom

The reason I suddenly noticed the second-tier luxury brand Cadillac was because, after checking out the AITO M5, I spotted a Cadillac display car across the way. Upon asking, I learned it was their only pure electric model, the LYRIQ.

However, the starting price of 430,000 RMB was over budget. The salesperson mentioned a lower-spec electric model launching around May this year, priced around 300,000 RMB. The current model boasts a 650 km range.

But my wife was instantly smitten—luxurious interior, a futuristic ultra-long integrated display, spacious cabin, and even a sunroof that actually opens (haven’t seen many EVs with that feature).

Additionally, after a “friendly reminder” from the Cadillac salesperson (likely because I mentioned I’d looked at the BYD Song DM-i), he said hybrid tech is just a transitional product. “Look at older hybrids, like those that have been on the road for eight years, and you’ll see what I mean.”

2023.02.08 Solana Blue Harbor

Took the afternoon off to prepay 550,000 RMB on our mortgage (shortening the term by 10 years and saving nearly 1 million RMB in interest—pure bliss for zero-risk-tolerance folks like us who don’t invest and just grind). With time to spare, I dragged my wife to Solana Blue Harbor for some car shopping.

【Car Viewing】Tesla at Solana Blue Harbor

Originally, we passed the Li Auto store first when entering from the north gate, but we skipped it in a hurry to find a restroom. On the way, we stumbled upon Tesla and checked out the Model Y.

“Flamboyance is the passport of the flamboyant, simplicity the epitaph of the simple.”

As the internet says, the interior is like a bare concrete shell. But to my surprise, my wife loved it, calling it the minimalist aesthetic an electric car should have—unlike other brands cramming in gimmicks (e.g., NIO’s in-car assistant, mentioned later).

The overall vibe was clean. Sitting inside felt great; the storage space was massive; the exterior and metallic paint were impressive (side-eyeing the thin paint on the BYD Song Plus here).

After seeing it, both my wife and I were hyped and nearly ready to buy. We each posted on WeChat Moments asking friends for reasons not to get a Tesla. Responses ranged from brake issues and pricing concerns to brand recommendations and sleep-deprived nonsense:

【Car Viewing】Li Auto at Solana Blue Harbor

Over 300,000 RMB for an EV? Too expensive, pass. Saw some buyers snagging the Li One for just 240,000 RMB—no idea how, maybe last year’s subsidies. We briefly asked at the storefront but didn’t even take photos before leaving.

【Car Viewing】Audi Q4 Pop-Up Display at Solana

Spotted an Audi Q4 EV display near the entrance and took a look. No one bothered to acknowledge us the entire time—guess we weren’t their target demographic:

【Car Viewing】Ford Mustang Mach-E at Solana

Ford is an established brand, after all—the inventor of the world’s first automotive assembly line. Though I’d never looked into this model before, we gave it a glance out of courtesy. The exterior design is subjective, but the dashboard gave off strong “middle-aged man trying too hard to dress trendy” vibes:

【Car Viewing】NIO at Solana Blue Harbor

NIO’s cars are packed with features, including unnecessary gimmicks like that AliGenie-like gadget in the center console. The vehicles are huge, hence the steep price, but it’s overkill and doesn’t align with our expectations.

PS: Later, while scrolling through Douyin, I saw someone decorate the middle “little sprite,” which felt surprisingly fitting (Bobo):

Note: Bobo is a character from Dragon Ball, serving as the attendant and companion to the gods (Japanese manga is read from right to left):

【Car Viewing】Volkswagen ID Blue Harbor Experience Store

Volkswagen ID ads frequently appear in my WeChat Moments. I forgot which model I went to see this time—maybe the ID.4. I wasn’t planning to buy, just wanted to test it out. Also, the price wasn’t cheap, and the salesperson wasn’t very enthusiastic:

【Car Viewing】Arcfox Blue Harbor Experience Store

When I first went to check out BYD, I saw Arcfox on the map while looking at nearby car dealerships in Sanlitun. But when I got there, I found no store at that location. So I contacted customer service online, left my phone number, and kept getting calls from Arcfox salespeople urging me to visit their Blue Harbor store. I repeatedly said I’d contact them in advance if I planned to go, yet they’d still call me every weekend—super annoying. After seeing Tesla, other electric cars just didn’t appeal anymore. I just went for a casual comparison:

No strong impressions, no standout advantages, and the salesperson wasn’t enthusiastic either.

We’d pretty much seen all the major electric cars. The ones we missed included Aion and HiPhi. Though some EVs weren’t our target, we still wanted to see the differences—how high-end and low-end models varied. But given Tesla’s place in our hearts, we didn’t bother with other EVs afterward.

As mentioned earlier, we initially had no preference between gas and electric cars. It was only after seeing Tesla that we fell in love, which led many friends to mistakenly assume we’d ruled out gas cars entirely. Again, it’s all about “comprehensive comparison.”

When considering gas cars, it’s essential to understand some basic parameters. Here’s a quick primer—though I’ll admit, the technical details fade fast. What matters is knowing how to tell good from bad (I started knowing nothing too; just search whenever you’re unsure):

• 3-cylinder/4-cylinder engine: 4-cylinder is better than 3-cylinder—more stable, less vibration (think of the “putt-putt” sound of a four-wheeled or hand-tractor engine).

• Fuel consumption: Measured in liters per 100 km (how much gas is needed to drive 100 km).

• 0-100 km/h acceleration: The time it takes to reach 100 km/h. Shorter times mean better engine performance. Due to inherent differences, EVs typically accelerate faster than gas cars, which is one of their selling points. While only sports cars among gas vehicles can hit 0-100 km/h in under 5 seconds, EVs do it easily.

• Air intake: Two types—naturally aspirated and turbocharged. If you’ve played Crazy Kart or QQ Speed, you get the idea. Turbocharged engines have a “T” after the number (e.g., 1.5T, 2.0T).

• Displacement: The total distance all cylinders travel multiplied by their cross-sectional area. Common values: 1.4, 1.5, 2.0. Higher numbers mean more power.

• 95/92 gasoline: Forgot the specifics, but remember 95 is more expensive than 92. The car manual will specify which to use.

• Torque: Higher torque means more power and faster acceleration, though acceleration also depends on vehicle weight (lighter cars accelerate faster—basic physics: F=ma). Other terms like horsepower, power output, and RPM—higher generally means more power and speed (usually).

• Transmission gears: Mostly automatic. Common variants: 6, 7, 8, or 9 gears. More gears mean smoother acceleration. “Automatic” means it shifts for you, sparing you the hassle of manual gear changes. With a fixed top speed, more gears mean smaller steps between shifts, leading to smoother acceleration. Some cars offer “manual-automatic” modes for those who enjoy driving manually.

• Transmission type:

• Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD)—where the engine’s power is delivered.

• Suspension: How the car body connects to the wheels. Good suspension enhances driving comfort, especially during turns, minimizing body roll and reducing the risk of tipping. Online discussions often mention “stiff suspension,” meaning noticeable body lean during turns, which can cause discomfort or motion sickness.

• Tire size: Larger tires mean more wind resistance and higher fuel consumption.

• Driving modes: Common options are Normal and Sport. Sport mode lets you feel minor vibrations (e.g., rolling over a pebble or bump), ideal for drivers who want precise feedback for a “car-and-driver as one” experience. Normal mode reduces vibrations. Some cars also offer a Comfort mode, minimizing bumps on rough roads.

• Tire type: Tires come in variants like sporty, similar to driving modes. Thickness also affects ride quality.

• Driver assistance: Most cars today offer L2 (partial automation)—helping with tasks like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, and lane changes while keeping hands on the wheel. Tesla has achieved L3 (conditional automation), allowing hands-off driving. However, Tesla’s full self-driving isn’t legally permitted on Chinese roads yet.

• 60,000 km maintenance total cost: Includes parts inspection, replacement, etc. The mechanical complexity of fuel vehicles determines their maintenance costs are far higher than electric vehicles. For example, fuel vehicles have spark plugs, oil ducts, cylinder heads, etc., while electric vehicles have only three key components: battery, motor, and electronic control, with the most complex and problematic being the electronic control.

• Three Electric Components: Refers to the battery, motor, and electronic control of an electric vehicle, which represent the performance and quality of the car.

• Active Safety: Reflects the technical level of automakers, including features like automatic braking, collision avoidance, lane departure warning, etc.

• Others: Fuel delivery method, cylinder block material, brake type, tire pressure monitoring, HUD, parking radar—these are self-explanatory, and there’s little online comparison of these, so I didn’t look into them closely.

Online research on joint-venture fuel cars priced between 200,000 and 300,000 yuan revealed models like the BMW X1, Cadillac XT4, Volvo XC40, Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Lincoln Corsair. Below is a breakdown.

First, I did an online survey and found the following common critiques for each model. Some can be verified during viewing or test drives, while others require highway driving or long-term use to confirm:

• BMW X1: Skimpy on features, 7-speed transmission, strong jerking with the three-cylinder engine (later upgraded to four-cylinder), and many say you’re just paying for the badge. The BMW iX1 has a plug-in hybrid version abroad, but it’s not yet available domestically—worth waiting for.

• Cadillac XT4: I really like its specs and design. The 2.0T engine with 237 torque outperforms other cars with 1.5T, 1.4T, and 173 torque. It supports CarPlay, but downsides include a cramped back seat (per one review) and high fuel consumption. Economical driving yields around 7L/100km, normal driving 8L, and city driving with stop-and-go traffic can hit 10L. Based on my 50km daily commute, driving every day would cost nearly 10,000 yuan a year in fuel—my wife says that’s too expensive.

• Volvo XC40: A friend (a single young woman with a car, house, and no loans—open to chatting with quality single men in Beijing, no油腻 and comparable conditions) owns this model. I’d prefer not to have the same car, but it’s not a dealbreaker. She mentioned the trunk is small, and her passenger seat lacks electric adjustment (though the 2023 base, mid, and high trims all have it). Otherwise, no major flaws. Considering safety, interior materials, and odor, it’s a top contender among fuel cars for us.

2023.02.11 Tesla Owners in the Neighborhood

On Saturday, while walking back home, I counted how many people in the neighborhood owned Teslas—turned out there were many. Just near our building, there were three Model Ys and one red Model 3. I took a closer look and suddenly saw the headlights flash. I vaguely remembered Tesla’s Sentry Mode, which alerts the owner via the app if someone approaches the car.

No big deal—we’re not troublemakers. Spotting the owner’s contact info on the dashboard, I added them as a friend and asked about charging in Wangjing, winter driving experience, displayed vs. actual range, etc. No major issues:

2023.02.18 Jingoal Auto Park

After lunch on Saturday, we planned to go car shopping, but my wife dozed off until 4 PM. Previously, I’d only visited showrooms in malls, which close at 10 PM like the malls themselves, so I assumed the same for 4S stores and headed out.

[Car Viewing] Cadillac

💡Named Beijing Lutongwei Auto Sales & Service Co., Ltd.

First, we checked out the Cadillac XT4—it looked great. With no prior experience, I just took a photo and asked about fuel consumption and discounts.

A colleague said she bought the XC40 and had also considered the XT4 but found it too “dad-like.” My wife and I loved it, though—Cadillac has a luxury feel (albeit second-tier), solid materials, and honest configurations. Unlike other brands that use weaker engines for lower trims, Cadillac uses the same 2.0T engine across models like the XT4 and XT5, with no pay-to-upgrade nonsense. So, I’m leaning toward Cadillac.

I asked about pricing. The salesperson said certain colors/models qualify for loans or full payment. I mentioned we’d need to lease a license plate, and they said that’s fine—the lessee and actual user can differ (the so-called “loan separation”). When I asked whether financing or full payment was better, they insisted financing was, explaining that banks give rebates to dealerships, which are then passed to customers as discounts. However, they didn’t mention the “financial service fee,” which I know goes to the dealership. When I brought it up, they hesitated and admitted it exists but is negotiable. This dishonesty made me uncomfortable—I’m skeptical, and a dishonest salesperson can’t earn my full trust. Later, at Volvo, the salesperson upfront stated loans only involve bank interest, no dealership fees.

Previously, ordering an electric car meant waiting weeks for delivery (custom-made), though some ready-made units were sold at a discount (like the Xiaopeng mentioned earlier). The immediate availability of fuel cars confused me, but a colleague explained it’s normal—just ensure the manufacturing date on the car’s nameplate isn’t older than six months at delivery.

Then the conversation turned to fuel consumption. The salesperson said, “It depends on personal habits—some owners can get it down to 8 characters.” I was shocked because I had previously calculated that even at the “maximum” fuel consumption of 8 liters per 100 kilometers, it would cost nearly 10,000 yuan a year in gas. But now, according to the salesperson, I’d have to drive conservatively just to hit 8 liters. When I pressed further, he added, “If you floor it every time, some owners have hit 12.” I was speechless. I glanced at my wife, and she seemed equally unimpressed. We had been considering the XT4, but now it seemed we’d need to rethink.

We also wanted to check out the Mercedes GLB and GLC at Jinguang, but the Cadillac salesperson told us this auto center didn’t carry regular Mercedes—only commercial models—so we skipped it.

【Car Shopping】Volvo

💡The dealership is called Beijing Yanhao Automobile Sales and Service Co., Ltd.

Next, we went to Volvo. As mentioned earlier, I assumed all the stores here closed at 10 PM, but they actually closed at 5:30 PM. By the time we arrived, there were no salespeople available to assist us, so we just took a quick look at the cars and left.

On our way out, we noticed a BMW showroom near the entrance and decided to check out the X1. However, we were told there was no display model available. While we hadn’t seriously considered the X1, we thought it’d be interesting to experience what people often call “just buying the badge.” Unfortunately, we didn’t even get to see it—frustrating.

Across from Jinguang, there’s a Tesla delivery center at Xie Island, about 2 kilometers away. We weren’t sure if test drives were available, and with the strong wind that day, we decided to head straight home instead.

2023.02.19 Tesla Center in Wangjing

【Test Drive】Model Y

After having lunch at home with a friend, the three of us drove to the Tesla Center in Wangjing. Honestly, there wasn’t much to see—we just wanted to learn more since our previous visit was at an experience store, not a larger center. Coincidentally, our friend had never tried a Tesla before, and since she owns a car, we thought it’d be fun to test-drive one together.

Upon arrival, a salesperson greeted us but had to attend to a scheduled appointment midway, leaving us waiting. It wasn’t until I mentioned wanting a test drive that another salesperson stepped in to assist. While we were there, three or four couples came in to look at cars—all of them techy guys with receding hairlines and attractive partners, which was amusing.

The salesperson was a young guy, quite enthusiastic, explaining how to operate the car, use the turn signals, shift gears, and engage autopilot. Initially, my friend was the one test-driving, but seeing how straightforward it was, I asked if I could try on a wider stretch of road. Despite having a license but zero driving experience, the Tesla salesperson reassured me, “Absolutely, this car is easy to drive. Don’t worry—if anything happens, we’ve got insurance; it’s on us.” So, under the nervous watch of the salesperson, my friend, and my wife, I took the wheel and drove back to the experience store. Using single-pedal mode the whole way, it was surprisingly smooth and easy.

My friend noted that the steering wheel felt heavier than her Volvo’s. Having driven my cousin’s BYD Song Plus DM-i before, I agreed—Tesla’s steering is indeed weightier, but a slight turn results in a sharp change in direction. The Model X and Model S even feature a square steering wheel called the “Yoke,” as shown below:

Imagine if the steering ratio weren’t high—it’d be impossible to make it square. Back when I was learning to drive, I had to turn the wheel multiple times to make sharp turns, but with Tesla, just one rotation suffices. Still, my friend insisted it was heavier than her Volvo XC40’s. I’ll have to test that myself later.

Postscript: After placing our order, I went back to gain more experience with test drives. Coincidentally, a Model S had just arrived at Lango, so I gave it a try—it was impressive. This made it clear that the “cheap” interior of the Model Y/3 is purely a cost-cutting measure, despite what Tesla fans claim about “minimalist tech aesthetics.” Ridiculous.

Considering Model Y Variants

The main difference lies in the batteries: lithium iron phosphate (LFP) vs. ternary lithium. The former handles heat better, costs less, but suffers in cold weather; the latter is heat-sensitive, more expensive, but performs better in low temperatures. Given Beijing’s chilly winters, we leaned toward the Long Range version.

Coincidentally, when we first started considering Tesla, the Model Y Standard Range had just dropped to 259,900 yuan, with the Long Range at 309,900 yuan. But while we were hesitating, both versions increased by 2,000 yuan—more than the price of an AirPods Pro 2. This was hard to swallow, so I vented on Weibo (though I mistakenly said 4,000 yuan—it was actually 2,000 per variant):

Plans change. After my wife had dinner with her colleague and former boss—“good advice is worth its weight in rice”—she came back with their recommendations, including the “Lynk & Co,” a brand we hadn’t paid much attention to before. We’d mostly focused on well-known brands, so we decided to test-drive a gas car for comparison, since we hadn’t driven many of those either.

My previous test drive experience with Tesla made me less afraid of driving, but I still felt a bit uneasy since gas-powered cars might be different. So on Saturday, I booked a driving instructor recommended by a colleague and drove from Fuxingmen in Xicheng to my doorstep in Wangjing, totaling three hours. Since we started driving around 4 p.m. and Xicheng has particularly many traffic lights, there were only a few minutes where the speed exceeded 60 km/h. By the time we finished at 7 p.m., it was already dark, which gave me a chance to practice night driving—it felt manageable. After returning home, having dinner, and tidying up by around 9 p.m., I directly booked test drives for the next day, Sunday. I planned to try the Volvo XC40, Cadillac XT4, and also spotted the Lincoln Adventurer and BYD (though I wasn’t planning to buy them, I wanted to compare the differences). However, I couldn’t reach the dealership by phone, so I decided to go directly the next day for the test drives.

I also wanted to take advantage of my familiarity with gas-powered cars to test drive the Tesla Model Y at the nearby Xie Island Delivery Center (Tesla has two delivery centers in Beijing, one of which is at Xie Island). But since I arrived as late as 9:50 a.m., I only had time to test the first three brands before noon and then headed home.

2023.02.26 Test Drive at Jingang

Booking

First, let me talk about the booking process. Among the three brands—Volvo, Cadillac, and Lincoln—I didn’t book Lincoln in advance and went directly since I wasn’t planning to buy it, just to compare the driving experience with the other two. I had visited the Volvo dealership at Jingang once before, but the salesperson was off duty, so I left without seeing anyone. On Friday, they contacted me and asked me to come for a test drive. At the time, I didn’t plan to go, so I said I’d be free the following weekend. However, after my driving practice, I changed my mind and felt I should test drive while the experience was fresh. So around 9 p.m. on Saturday, I contacted the Volvo salesperson and said I wanted to come for a test drive. She was still very enthusiastic—probably because of performance incentives and commissions.

As for Cadillac, I had visited before. After checking out the car, the salesperson added me on WeChat, but I forgot to respond due to oversight and didn’t add them back. The salesperson likely felt ignored or assumed I wasn’t interested in Cadillac anymore, so they didn’t follow up. After contacting Volvo at 9 p.m., I reached out to the Cadillac salesperson to schedule a test drive. They agreed, but responses were slow, possibly because they use corporate WeChat.

💡Here’s a side note: Tesla, Volvo, and Lincoln salespeople all added me on personal WeChat, while every Cadillac salesperson used corporate WeChat.

As mentioned earlier, I test-drove the Volvo XC40, Lincoln Adventurer, and Cadillac XT4. Below, I’ll describe the process for each, interspersed with comparisons (since all three brands chose the same test drive route—likely because I told them I was a beginner, so they unanimously picked a nearby driving school section used for the driving test). My wife slept in today, so I went alone for these test drives.

💡Note here: The test drive agreement might include clauses like "Any damage to the vehicle during the test drive will be borne by the driver." I initially thought all test drives were like Tesla’s—"Drive however you want; scratches or dents are on us. You’re new to driving? No problem, come to our store and practice with the Model Y. I’ll even be your instructor." It wasn’t until the Cadillac salesperson told me, "Try to avoid scratches during the test drive, or you’ll be liable for damages," that I realized not every brand offers service as good as Tesla’s.

[Test Drive] Volvo XC40

Since I contacted the enthusiastic Volvo salesperson first, I went to their dealership first.

Upon arrival, I realized the person greeting me wasn’t the salesperson I’d spoken to—she was a pre-sales consultant responsible for lead generation. The in-store explanation and test drive were handled by another salesperson (also a woman). Volvo salespeople also accompany customers during test drives:

I got straight to the point: “I contacted [name] and am here to test-drive the XC40.” After checking my driver’s license, I waited briefly before a salesperson had me sign a test drive agreement (which I didn’t read carefully) and took me out for the drive. I mentioned I was a beginner and asked her to pick a less crowded route and guide me more. She agreed.

The salesperson, who also served as the test drive instructor, explained the car’s startup and lighting systems. Since I was a beginner, she first took me on a demo drive and only let me drive on the return route. The test drive went smoothly, except at one intersection where I accidentally ran a red light. The salesperson reassured me, “Don’t worry, any fines are on me,” which made me feel a bit guilty.

During the drive, she highlighted the car’s safety features for children (since I mentioned planning for a baby) and the air purification system, which is practical for Beijing’s pollution. She consistently focused on explaining the car’s features, which was great.

After the test drive, we returned to the dealership, where she patiently calculated the costs for both financing and full payment. I’ll cover those details later.

[Test Drive] Lincoln Adventurer

By comparison, Lincoln’s entire process was quite absurd. First, I was stopped by the security guard at the gate (before even entering the building), who asked, “What are you here for? What’s your name? Do you have an appointment with a salesperson?” (Absurdity +1). I was taken aback and retorted, “Isn’t the pandemic over now? What’s this about—am I not allowed in or do I need to register? I’m here to check out the car and test drive it. No, I didn’t book a salesperson.” As I walked toward the entrance, the guard behind me shouted, “Mr. Cao! Someone to assist! Here for a test drive!” (Absurdity +2). Then a row of about 7 or 8 people standing at the door chimed in with, “Welcome!” I was baffled again, thinking to myself, “Don’t they have work to do? Do they just stand around greeting people to earn their paychecks???” (Absurdity +3).

Then a middle-aged man—who had actually noticed me at the door but ignored me (annoying)—finally approached after I entered and mentioned I wanted to see the Corsair and take a test drive. He led me to the car, pointed at it, and said, “This is the one.” (Since I hadn’t seen a Lincoln in person before), I got in to check out the seats, trunk, and rear space. Here are some observations:

The rear legroom is surprisingly spacious—finally something normal:

The gearshift design is quite novel—it’s button-operated. Note the gear buttons below the AC vents on the center console:

The seat adjustment buttons are placed on the door panel. Later, I noticed the Mercedes GLC does the same (Sorry, Lincoln, I take back what I said earlier—maybe I was too harsh):

The trunk release button is positioned slightly to the right of the center, which had me searching for a while. Another salesperson noticed and said, “Let me help you with that,” making me feel awkward (the arrow in the image below points to the trunk release button):

However, one positive aspect was the test drive. The guy who accompanied me was very enthusiastic in explaining the car’s features, and his driving skills were excellent (compared to mine, at least). He was also very handsome—so kudos to him. Like the Volvo test drive, he took me to a driving test site and had me drive back.

Back at the dealership, I asked the salesperson to break down the costs—like loan vs. full payment options and whether “loan separation” was possible. He said, “The model you just test-drove has been discontinued. We’re selling the remaining stock, so there’s a discount now. But since you won’t be buying for another month, you might want to wait for the 2023 Corsair—though the discount will be smaller then.” (I asked for a price breakdown, and he started talking about old vs. new models—Absurdity +8). He only gave me a rough estimate: up to 260K, depending on whether I chose the old or new model, and said we could negotiate further when I was ready to commit.

【Test Drive】Cadillac XT4

On the way to the Cadillac dealership, I passed by a Kawasaki motorcycle shop and snapped a photo:

The Cadillac test drive was the most frustrating experience, so much so that I only took photos of the display models and skipped documenting the test drive itself:

As soon as I walked in, the same salesperson (not the one I’d booked the test drive with, but the one who’d assisted me during my first visit) greeted me. I said, “I’d like to test drive today,” to which he immediately replied, “Didn’t you say on the phone last time that you weren’t considering gas cars anymore?” That threw me off because, yes, I’d been obsessed with buying a Tesla recently (like, full-on tunnel vision), and maybe he’d called during that phase and I’d brushed him off. Or maybe I’d just casually said, “Not considering gas cars” at some point—but the fact that I was here now meant I was reconsidering. His tone made it clear he wasn’t thrilled about me test-driving. Ugh (Annoyance +1).

I said, “Right, but after test-driving the Tesla, I wasn’t impressed (actually, the opposite—it was amazing!), so I thought I’d try a gas car (subtle jab).” He took my license for registration. When he returned, he warned, “Please drive carefully and avoid scratches or dents. Even though the car is insured, you’d still be liable for damages.” (Do I look like I can’t afford it? Or do I seem like someone who frequently dings cars? If I’m here to test-drive, it means I know how to drive, okay? Annoyance +2). Then an older guy who’d been standing nearby said, “Let’s go. I’ll take you for the test drive,” and I followed him out.

During the drive, the guy floored the accelerator like he was showing off his skills or trying to rush back (Annoyance +3), weaving through traffic aggressively. When it was my turn to drive, he kept nitpicking: “Why are you constantly adjusting the wheel? Once you’re straight, stop moving it—you’re making the car wobble.” (I’m a beginner, damn it. Annoyance +4). “You really need more practice. You’re not ready to drive on the road!” (If I were road-ready, would I have asked you to take me somewhere quiet for the test drive? Annoyance +5).

Back at the dealership, I asked for a cost breakdown—loan vs. full payment—but he insisted it was pointless since prices fluctuate and I wouldn’t be buying for another month or two. I pressed him to calculate based on current prices, and he reluctantly did (Annoyance +6). The terms were restrictive: loans required 70% financing, and there were additional fees like financial service charges for the dealership. More on taxes and pricing later.

Test Drive Impressions Comparison

During the test drive of the XC40, I felt exactly as my friend who owns an XC40 and joined me in test-driving the Tesla Model Y had described—the steering wheel was quite smooth (I later learned that Tesla offers options like Sport Mode and Comfort Mode to adjust steering wheel stiffness). In comparison, Tesla’s steering wheel felt stiffer (which is why Tesla has a square-shaped steering wheel—it turns sharply with minimal input, and the stiffness is also related to its autonomous driving features). I also tried accelerating hard, making sharp turns, and slamming on the brakes, among other maneuvers. I paid close attention to vibration damping (how it felt over bumps and speed bumps), noise insulation, and interior odor, all of which seemed normal (though I don’t drive much), and I didn’t notice any discomfort.

When test-driving the Lincoln Corsair, I repeated the same maneuvers and found it quite similar to the XC40—there wasn’t much difference in feel, except that the accompanying salesperson was more pleasant (though the XC40’s female staff was also great).

The test drive of the Cadillac XT4, however, raised issues. Even before reaching 30 km/h (while the salesperson was driving to the test route), there was noticeably loud noise inside the cabin. Surprised, I asked, “Are all the windows closed?” The salesperson confirmed they were and, likely anticipating my next question, added, “This car has larger 21-inch wheels, and the tires are stiffer—it’s a sportier model.” They continued, “An experienced driver can even feel a single pebble under this car; it’s very sporty.” It dawned on me that “sportiness” in this context meant achieving a sense of “oneness between driver and car,” where you physically feel every feedback from the vehicle—if the car jolts, you jolt; if the tires are noisy, you hear it loud and clear. I decided to cross the Cadillac off my list.

After test-driving these models, I found myself torn between the XC40 and the Model Y. Meanwhile, my wife, during her downtime, was asking colleagues who owned Model Ys about their driving experiences and exchanging notes with others planning to buy. This conversation nearly led to an impulsive purchase:

Later, when I asked my friend who owns an XC40 about its drawbacks, they mentioned the small trunk and the lack of electronic adjustment for the passenger seat (though newer models might have it; theirs was an older version). I considered checking out the XC60 but didn’t want to test-drive it—just a quick look would suffice, as it’s tens of thousands more expensive, larger (a midsize SUV), and more than I needed.

With Tesla’s Investor Day on March 1st approaching and rumors of a new model launch circulating online, I devised the following strategy:

Then I suddenly remembered Lynk & Co, which I hadn’t looked into yet. But after reading a few negative reviews—mentioning rusty drive shafts, strange noises, and loose buttons—and our preconceived notions about domestic brands, I decided to drop Lynk & Co from consideration.

2023.03.05 Yaojiayuan

Last time, when I test-drove Volvo, Cadillac, and Lincoln at Jingang, my wife stayed home to sleep in. This time, she wanted to join me, so I planned to test-drive the XC60, Mercedes-Benz GLC 260, and Tesla Model Y. However, I couldn’t find a location where all three were conveniently close. So, I proposed two options to my wife:

• Test-drive Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, then find a Tesla dealership on the way back. This plan would take us to Beichen Asian Games Village Auto Market:

• Test-drive Mercedes-Benz and Tesla, then find a Volvo dealership on the way back. This plan would take us near Yaojiayuan:

She chose the second option because it was close to her former workplace, Liebao Software Park, and she wanted to revisit the area. Plus, it’s near Chaoyang Joy City, so we could grab a meal after the test drives.

Booking Process

The booking process was interesting. For Mercedes-Benz, I simply said I wanted to test-drive the GLC, added a salesperson on WeChat, received a confirmation text, and that was it—just a location shared via WeChat.

Tesla’s process was more involved. Since I’d previously test-driven at the Wangjing Tesla Center, the Yaojiayuan Tesla Center could see my record. They asked why I was test-driving again after the last time, and I was honest: “The first time was just a casual drive with a friend, and I didn’t focus on specific features. This time, I’m here to eat nearby and thought I’d drop by to experience it properly, while also booking test drives for other cars like Mercedes-Benz (I think ‘drop by’ was a nice touch).” They then asked what I wanted to focus on this time. I mentioned the creep mode in gas cars and the comfort mode for steering wheel stiffness, as my friend had complained about the heavy steering. I also expressed concerns about the single-pedal driving safety. Only then did they confirm the booking. They seemed eager to reassure me, likely because many potential customers worry about Tesla’s occasional reports of brake failures (though I don’t recall their exact wording).

The next day (Friday), they called to confirm the time, citing busy weekend schedules to avoid long waits. On the day of the test drive, they called again to reconfirm (I wondered if this level of confirmation was really necessary).

Then came the interesting part. On my way to Yaojiayuan, the sales guy from Wangjing asked me why I was going to Yaojiayuan for a test drive (I was surprised he even tracked where I was test-driving—impressive dedication). He asked if I was going to place an order and confidently stated that whatever they could offer, his store could match. Tesla sales are direct (unlike traditional gas car dealerships that work with distributors, Tesla sells directly from the factory), so pricing is transparent, meaning the price you get is the same at any store. If they can throw in extras, so can he. I explained that I hadn’t tested some features during my last visit to his store, and since I was meeting a friend nearby for dinner, I booked a test drive at the Tesla center in the area. I probably wouldn’t be placing an order today. Only then did he relax and remind me to contact him when I was ready to order! (Talk about professionalism.)

【Test Drive】Mercedes-Benz GLC 260 SUV

I had booked a test drive with Mercedes first, so I headed to the dealership. The address was “Beijing Boshi Ruida Automobile Sales and Service Co., Ltd.” This place handles Mercedes sales, after-sales service, and sales for other brands, so it’s huge and crowded:

Right at the entrance, I spotted the high-end version of the car we wanted to test drive—the GLC 300L SUV, with 4WD, more power, larger wheels, running boards, etc.:

No surprise for a luxury car—my wife was instantly smitten (to be honest, I trust her taste; she always picks the most expensive option without even knowing the price). The interior, little details (like a vanity mirror in the back seat!), etc. If only we had the money, we’d have bought it on the spot.

Next, we handed over our driver’s licenses for the test drive. Weekends are packed, and we actually had to queue. The salesperson explained that they also sell other cars like Maybach, so it’s always busy. While waiting, they ran some numbers for us. What surprised us was that while most car loans involve bank partnerships, Mercedes has its own finance company, claiming slightly lower interest rates than banks. Other costs were similar to other cars—more on pricing later.

Then it was time for the test drive. Before starting, they went through a formal spiel (which felt awkward), reciting their service pledge:

“Customer first, treat with respect; honest business, lawful and proper; clear pricing, transparent and open; parts channels, clearly disclosed; no forced bundling or consumption; no fake parts or inferior substitutes.”

After the recital, they took us to the test car (later, Mercedes even followed up to ask if the salesperson had recited the pledge—apparently it’s a performance metric, impressive). The driving experience didn’t feel drastically different from other gas cars, but the infotainment system was a mild surprise—it was surprisingly small and, oddly, offered driving modes similar to electric cars: Sport, Standard, and Comfort, each affecting acceleration and fuel efficiency differently. The test driver was very patient and thorough—big plus.

But as usual, the jerky acceleration and deceleration of gas cars were a bit uncomfortable. At the time, I wasn’t sure if it was just this car, but later I realized even luxury cars like Mercedes have this quirk, so I let it go. My friend Xiao Wang sat in the back and didn’t notice any issues either.

The salesperson mentioned that the car we test-drove was a 2022 model, hence the 50,000 RMB discount. The 2023 model would launch around May with no discounts.

【Test Drive】Model Y

Next, I headed to the Tesla Yaojiayuan Center, passing by Lynk & Co, Smart, Feifan, AITO, and others along the way (though I did glance at Lynk & Co later, even though they were already closed):

Plenty of Teslas parked outside (obviously):

Also spotted a DUAL MOTOR Model S—now that’s luxury!

I’d seen the interior twice before, so nothing new to photograph. Since the purpose of this visit was to test-drive, I’ll skip ahead to that. This time, I told the Tesla salesperson I wanted to try Autopilot and the non-one-pedal driving mode, aka “Creep” mode, which mimics traditional gas cars—releasing the accelerator doesn’t brake aggressively like in one-pedal mode but lets the car coast. However, since Tesla’s regenerative braking can’t be fully disabled, even in Creep mode, the car slows down faster than a gas car would.

Perhaps knowing I’d test-driven at Wangjing and wanting to stay competitive, this salesperson patiently explained details the Wangjing rep hadn’t covered last time, like lightly pressing the brake to slow down at red lights or pressing harder to engage Auto Hold.

They also explained why one-pedal driving is great, but I’m still hesitant. For example, when I spot a pedestrian far ahead or see a yellow light, my instinct is to ease off the accelerator and lightly brake. But in one-pedal mode, releasing the accelerator causes rapid deceleration, so I end up stopping way too early.

I also tried the assisted driving feature. A light double tap downward on the gear lever activates the Rainbow Road assist (this needs to be set in the Toy Box; the default Autopilot only shows two blue lines on either side of the road). Honestly, even though the speed was only around 30 km/h at the time, I felt a bit nervous when the salesperson told me to take my hands off the keyboard steering wheel. The left side was close to a fence, there were motorcycles riding illegally on the right, and Meituan delivery riders kept weaving in and out. Plus, we were approaching an intersection where cars ahead were already braking to slow down. However, after trying it, I realized that even in assisted driving mode, hands still need to stay on the wheel. The steering wheel also becomes noticeably heavier, making it impossible to override the system without applying force, which prevents accidental lane departures due to unintended steering wheel contact.

After the test drive, we discussed discounts, but as expected with Tesla’s direct sales model, there were none. So, the test drive ended there, and on the way back, I was already set on buying a Tesla.

On the way, we passed by a Lynk & Co showroom. Since we still had time before dinner, we decided to stop by. There was no Lynk 02 on display, so we checked out a Lynk 05 instead. My wife seemed to like it:

On the way back, we spotted a new model of Meituan bike—this one without a physical lock, requiring the app to unlock and lock it. I joked with my wife, “Want to test drive this one? It looks like a new model, seems nice.” She replied, “I bike 20 minutes to work every day—I’m practically a VIP Meituan rider! I’ve got an 18-yuan monthly membership. There’s no Meituan bike I haven’t ridden!”

Vehicle Purchase Costs

• Base Vehicle Cost: This is the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). Typically, dealers offer significant discounts—for example, the Volvo XC 40 has an MSRP of 310,000 RMB but a direct dealer discount of 60,000 RMB. Tesla doesn’t do this; their pricing is uniform nationwide.

• Insurance Costs: Generally includes compulsory traffic insurance (mandatory by law, with nationally standardized premiums, though the number of seats affects the cost) and commercial insurance. The latter typically covers third-party liability (covering damages to others, with options ranging from 500,000 to 3,000,000 RMB), as well as optional add-ons like collision, scratch, or seat insurance (covering driver/passenger injuries, purchasable separately). While insurance doesn’t have to be bought at the dealership, purchasing it there often comes with additional discounts.

• Vehicle Purchase Tax: Electric vehicles are exempt from this tax until December 31, 2023. For gas-powered cars, it’s around 10% of the vehicle cost. Since Tesla is electric, this doesn’t apply.

• License Plate Fee (Dealer Service Fee): Covers the dealership’s assistance with DMV paperwork. This is negotiable, and you can handle registration yourself (though you’ll still pay for photos and administrative fees). Tesla charges a flat 320 RMB fee, as they partner with a service provider called “Karski”—just look for their reps at the DMV.

• Vehicle and Vessel Tax: Electric vehicles are exempt. If you purchase third-party liability insurance, the insurer acts as the withholding agent and includes this tax in the premium.

• Financing Service Fee: The dealership’s charge for facilitating auto loans. This is negotiable and can sometimes be waived.

💡Note: Financing applies only to the base vehicle cost, excluding insurance and other fees.

Generally, financing is more cost-effective than paying upfront because automakers collaborate with banks, passing on rebates to consumers. Some brands, like Cadillac, offer fixed down payment rates, while others, like Volvo, allow down payments as low as 10% or as high as 85%. Mercedes-Benz, with its in-house financial services, offers slightly lower interest rates than banks.

Why Tesla?

Here are the key reasons, with core competitive advantages in bold:

• Tech Appeal: No physical buttons—not even a power switch. Step on the brake, shift gears, and you’re off. All settings are in the touchscreen, smartphone-style.

• Transparent Pricing: Every cost is upfront. No haggling or worrying about getting a worse deal than someone else. My wife, who hates feeling shortchanged, would rather eat dirt than overpay.

• Assisted Driving: After testing many brands, Tesla’s Level 2 (Level 3 isn’t road-legal yet) system stands out. Others like Xpeng and Volvo also advertise L2 but didn’t offer test drives. In assisted mode, hands can rest lightly on the wheel (though prompts to steer occasionally appear), while the car handles lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control.

• Service Quality: Maybe because we’re in the tech industry—a key Tesla demographic—the sales staff were notably more engaged. At brands like Volvo, Mercedes, Cadillac, and Lincoln, we felt overlooked, possibly because we didn’t fit their typical family-of-five buyer profile. The lack of enthusiasm was palpable.

• Excellent driving experience: Electric cars are probably all similar in this regard—smooth acceleration, quick pickup, and none of the jerky shifts you get with gas-powered cars.

• Satisfies vanity: Tesla is highly controversial, so once you become a Tesla owner, you’re bound to be either mocked or envied—either way, you’ll be the center of attention. If you buy a Mercedes, Audi, or BMW, people might at most say, “Oh, look at you, big spender!”

• Low operating costs: A major advantage of electric vehicles, and Tesla’s Supercharger network is more extensive than other brands’.

• Global brand: Considering long-term brand stability and the inevitable lack of integrity among domestic manufacturers, Tesla clearly has the upper hand.

The Tesla Purchase Process

Here’s a little side story: After my second test drive at Yaojiayuan on a Saturday, around 9 PM that night, I suddenly received an email with a Tesla order asking me to pay a 1,000 yuan deposit. I was confused because I hadn’t requested an order at any store or location:

I’d left my phone number at all the Tesla stores I visited, so I wasn’t sure which one had placed the order. I called Tesla’s 400 customer service line, and they told me they’d verify within 24 hours who had submitted it. Less than two hours later, the salesperson from Yaojiayuan contacted me, saying the 400 team had reached out to him. He explained that during the test drive, he’d mentioned sending a “pre-configuration” order to my email for me to review the specs. Maybe he did say that, but I didn’t recall it, and the salesperson at Wangjing hadn’t mentioned anything about a “pre-configuration” order. So, I’ll assume the worst here: Since all Tesla stores can see a customer’s order and test drive history, if the Wangjing salesperson saw that the Yaojiayuan salesperson had placed an order for me, they’d stop reaching out—effectively competing for the customer.

Placing the Order

At this point, the car-shopping process was basically over. All that remained was placing the order at the right time. Before doing so, I asked friends and colleagues about their purchase experiences. Sadly, none of them managed to get any perks from the store—it’s truly like buying a phone, with fixed prices nationwide. Depressing.

Eventually, I went to the store to place the order. I originally wanted the Long Range version, but the salesperson advised that the Standard Range would suffice and said I could always change my mind later. So, I went with the Standard Range, used a friend’s referral code, paid the 1,000 yuan deposit, and left.

The next day, someone from the delivery center called to confirm details. I mentioned I wanted to wait until after April to pick up the car (since my year-end bonus wouldn’t arrive until late March). Later, the salesperson added me and the delivery contact to a group chat, where they outlined next steps, loan procedures, etc. The official delivery window was 2–5 weeks, but a colleague who ordered a Model Y Performance got theirs the following Sunday—just days after ordering on a Tuesday. This suggests that the more customized the car, the faster the delivery. I later confirmed this during another test drive chat with a salesperson (though you’d think more standard configurations would be readily available—maybe demand is just higher). After that, a rep from China Merchants Bank contacted me about loan requirements, so I provided the necessary info. They said loan approval takes at least two days and advised finalizing it no later than a week before pickup.

I did more research (even though I’d already looked into it, I still wanted the Long Range) and ultimately decided to switch to the Long Range. So, I contacted the salesperson to update the order.

The waiting period was dull, so I remembered the salesperson’s earlier boast: “You can come to the store anytime to practice driving.” I reached out and said I wanted more test drives to practice before pickup, so I went a few more times.

Coincidentally, my salesperson had transferred to Langan, where a Model S had just arrived. Before the test drive, I checked out the Model S—780,000 yuan is definitely luxury territory (after all, it’s imported since it’s not produced domestically).

An Unpleasant Incident

Overall, the experience was great, but there was one unpleasant moment. After test driving at Yaojiayuan (as mentioned earlier, I thought Tesla salespeople didn’t earn commissions, so it didn’t matter where I test drove), I placed the deposit at Wangjing. Then, on March 28, the Yaojiayuan salesperson called to ask if I’d decided to buy a Tesla. Without thinking much (since online sources said Tesla salespeople don’t earn commissions and it doesn’t matter where you order—just that test drives are required), I said I’d already ordered at Wangjing. The salesperson immediately sounded upset and asked, “Then why did you come to my store for a test drive if you’d already ordered?” I was taken aback and said I hadn’t placed the order when I test drove there. They pressed, “Then why did you test drive at Wangjing after testing here?” I explained that I’d mentioned during the test drive that I was visiting a friend nearby and noticed a Tesla store, so I tried it out again. The salesperson just said, “Okay, goodbye,” and hung up. I thought it didn’t matter where you test drove? So, I asked the Wangjing salesperson:

In short, as a sales service professional, hanging up on a customer really rubs me the wrong way. The fact that I bought your car means I recognize your brand, and I explicitly mentioned that choosing Wangjing was purely because it’s closer to home—not because of better gifts or service. So, as long as the service is good, I’d still recommend friends to buy from you. But after this stunt from the Yaogoyuan salesperson, I’ll never suggest anyone go to the Yaogoyuan store for a Tesla again. Instead, I’ll recommend my own salesperson.

It reminds me of my test drive experience in Wangjing. My usual salesperson was away, so another salesperson temporarily assisted me. Their emotional intelligence was spot-on when they said: For a salesperson, landing one customer means landing an entire group of potential customers.

Loan/Payment Options

I originally planned to make a 50% down payment and finance the rest through Tesla’s official partner banks. But after browsing Xiaohongshu, I learned there are lower-interest options for car purchases and other consumer spending in Beijing, so I researched loan methods.

First, Tesla’s official partners include banks like China Merchants Bank and Bank of China (see the list below)—we only inquired with these two. Both offer a simple interest rate of 3.5%. Since I’m a premium client at China Merchants Bank, I qualified for a 3.3% rate. How is simple interest calculated? It’s principal × interest rate = annual interest, multiplied by the loan term for total interest.

For example, if I borrow ¥100,000 at 3%, the annual interest is ¥100,000 × 3% = ¥3,000. Over three years, that’s ¥9,000 in interest. The total repayment would be ¥100,000 + ¥9,000 = ¥109,000, divided into 36 monthly installments: ¥109,000 / 36 ≈ ¥3,027.78.

Lower interest rates are always better. Currently, I know banks offer large-denomination certificates of deposit (CDs) with compound interest rates around 2.8%–3%. Compound interest means recalculating the interest periodically (annually or monthly) based on the accumulated principal + interest.

💡Compound interest is the most powerful force in the universe.—Einstein

Of course, banks present loans using simple interest for clarity, but internally, they use compound interest. Simply put: when we deposit money, we’re the lenders, and banks pay us compound interest. When we borrow, banks are the lenders, and the interest is still compound—but they pitch it as simple to make it seem lower and easier to grasp. Crunching the numbers, our 2.88% simple annual rate translates to a compound rate just under 5% for the bank (still lower than mortgage rates). All Tesla’s partner banks and others calculate this way, so just pick the lowest rate—obsessing over the math is pointless.

Tesla’s official partner banks mostly offer similar rates and allow “loan-indicator separation,” meaning the loan applicant and the vehicle registrant can be different people. China Merchants Bank only requires the registrant’s ID, no additional agreements. Bank of China doesn’t need any registrant info but offers no discounts—just a flat 3.5% rate, with no under-the-table rate reductions at certain branches. So, we looked into regional banks. Xiaohongshu frequently mentioned Shanghai Bank and Bank of Beijing.

Since Tesla is a Shanghai specialty, Shanghai Bank offers dedicated Tesla purchase loans as low as 2.76%—a great deal. However, the registrant and borrower must either be the same person, direct relatives, or jointly sign a “co-borrower agreement” during vehicle抵押. Some registrants insist on “no书面 ties to the car,” ruling out上海 Bank loans.

Then there’s Bank of Beijing. Initially, a phone/WeChat inquiry revealed a 3.2% rate for groups of 30+ borrowers, otherwise 3.3% minimum (a friend got 3.2% via Tesla’s China Merchants Bank). I knew I couldn’t rally 30 people, so I visited a branch. At first, they said they didn’t handle auto loans, but a staffer mentioned a 2.88% consumer loan option. Intrigued, I spoke with their manager, who confirmed my eligibility (income,公积金, no debt, etc.). They offered to visit my company the next day. I asked, “Your branch is in Wangjing; my office is in Xi’erqi—is that okay?” They said a phone verification would suffice, but I figured I’d have them come anyway.

After completing all the formalities, here’s how it went. The 2.88% interest rate offered by Bank of Beijing is fixed for a 5-year repayment period (shorter terms are possible but come with higher rates). This loan product is called the “Premium Loan,” which essentially involves applying for a credit card. Within 45 days, the card’s limit can be raised to 500,000 yuan (subject to eligibility, with 500,000 being the maximum). If the funds aren’t used within 45 days, the limit increase is automatically canceled, resulting in no loss to you. When you need the money, simply swipe the card, and the amount will automatically be divided into a 5-year installment plan. For Tesla, this counts as a full payment (we paid half upfront and swiped the card for the other half, which Tesla considers a full payment).

My reasoning was that our mortgage rate is over 4.8% (if I recall correctly), so it makes more sense to prioritize paying off the mortgage first. There’s no rush with the car loan, which is why I opted for this Bank of Beijing loan. Later, I received a delivery notification instructing me to pick up the car on April 22. The required documents included my ID card and the license plate quota certificate. Since I live in Wangjing, the delivery location was naturally set at Xiedao.

A special note for those renting license plates in Beijing: when picking up the car, only the latest ID card of the quota holder (if there are multiple) is required. Arrange insurance a day in advance (though it can be done on the same day, it just takes more time). Settle the final payment two days beforehand to get the invoice issued. For luxury cars, it’s advisable to visit the DMV with the quota holder to complete a vehicle mortgage registration. If the quota holder can’t be present, their ID card, a pre-drafted mortgage agreement, a loan agreement, and their electronic authorization on the 12123 app will suffice.

The overall process can be summarized as follows:

1. Settle the final payment on a weekday, one day in advance →
2. Tesla’s finance department issues the invoice →
3. Arrange insurance (can be done on-site or in advance, as long as you have Tesla’s invoice; compulsory insurance takes effect immediately, while commercial insurance takes effect after 2 hours) →
4. Obtain a temporary license plate (staff will ask you to photograph the invoice and vehicle certification for formal license plate application) →
5. Vehicle inspection (official tinting partners may accompany you to pitch their services—note they are not Tesla staff) →
6. Confirm delivery (once the car is verified) →
7. Drive away.

Note: For the subsequent license plate registration, documents like the insurance policy, vehicle registration certificate, compliance certificate, and the “big green book” (vehicle title) are held by Tesla’s license plate partner (referred to as “Karski” below). These will be returned to you when the formal plates are issued.

After delivery, you can request to charge the car at their facility or take their test drive vehicle for a spin to get familiar with the handling (which is exactly what I did).

License Plate Registration

Next comes license plate registration. Since Tesla has a service partner called “Karski,” after selecting my plate number via the 50-choose-1 system on my phone, I scheduled an appointment through their mini-program, submitted the required information, and headed straight to the DMV. The specifics are likely handled by Karski in collaboration with the DMV.

Important notes for the 50-choose-1 process:

• The quota holder must log in using their phone (the web version is recommended; take a photo of the QR code and have the quota holder scan it to log in).
• For rented plates, the quota holder must issue an electronic authorization via the app. Bring both their ID and yours to the DMV.

I chose the Shunyi location. Upon arrival, just follow the queue and instructions. One thing to note: you’ll need to take out the red warning triangle and safety vest from the emergency kit in the car and place them at the rear for photos. I didn’t know this initially—when the staff asked me to get the triangle, I blankly said I hadn’t bought one. The staff member sighed and told me to check the trunk, as it’s included! I insisted I hadn’t seen it, to which they replied, “If you don’t have it, we can’t inspect the car today—but you definitely do, it’s in the trunk!” Then I remembered the orange bag under the trunk’s floor panel from delivery. Sure enough, that was it. Major facepalm moment.

💡With this, the car-buying journey largely concludes. This article was written after I drove 1,600 kilometers back from a road trip in Inner Mongolia. Below, I’ll add some usage impressions.

Tesla Usage Impressions

Driving Experience (Mixed)

• AP (Autopilot): Even the basic version (lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control) is a game-changer for highways. Though I grip the wheel nervously when passing trucks or navigating curves, Tesla has never made a mistake—it’s incredibly reliable. AP is also very energy-efficient at speeds under 110 km/h.

• Gear Shifting: Unlike traditional cars where you need to move your right hand off the wheel to shift gears, Tesla allows you to shift using just your ring and pinky fingers without letting go of the wheel. This is a lifesaver for beginners during parallel parking or reversing, reducing fumbles.

• Distance Alerts: These work flawlessly 95% of the time, but occasional glitches occur—especially when another Tesla is ahead (based on my observations). The display might falsely warn you to stop immediately (usually triggered at <30 cm), even when several meters remain. This is clearly a bug.

• I use the Creep mode (where the car moves when releasing the brake, just like a gas car). When parked (in P gear), if I directly shift to D/R gear without fastening the seatbelt, there’s a certain probability (depending on the braking speed before shifting to P gear) that the car will move immediately upon releasing the brake, instead of the expected behavior where it only moves when pressing the accelerator. This has startled me several times. Sometimes, I just want to move forward or backward a few dozen centimeters, so I shift gears without fastening the seatbelt, only to have the car move as soon as I release the brake, forcing me to quickly hit the brakes again.

• Do not enable Autopilot (AP) during slow-speed driving. I once encountered a scenario where the car ahead had clearly accelerated away, but my Tesla suddenly slammed on the brakes before immediately accelerating again (the infamous “phantom braking”).

• Never enable AP if the lane markings on the road are unclear—it can be very dangerous. A friend of mine experienced this: after a turn, the lane markings were either unclear or blocked by a barrier, causing the AP to fail to recognize the lane and steer back in time, resulting in a scrape to the front of the car.

• When using Tesla Superchargers, pricing varies by time of day. I once arrived to charge at 8:30 PM when the rate was 2.13 yuan/kWh, but after 9:00 PM, it dropped to 1.89 yuan/kWh. I naively assumed Tesla would charge proportionally—applying the 2.13 yuan rate for the half-hour before 9:00 PM and the 1.89 yuan rate afterward. However, when I checked at 9:04 PM, the rate was still 2.13 yuan. Turns out, the pricing is locked in from the moment you plug in and doesn’t adjust mid-session. So, after 9:00 PM, I unplugged. The Tesla app immediately notified me of an unpaid charging order. Since it was my first time charging, I had to bind a payment method. After a minute or two, the payment went through, and the payment method was successfully linked. But when I tried plugging back in, the app kept showing “Unpaid order, please pay promptly.” Even after driving out and returning, the issue persisted until about 5–6 minutes later, when charging finally started. Apparently, after the first payment setup, there’s a verification process—so just wait it out. You won’t be charged for idle time while parked in the stall.

• A common critique of EVs is that charging takes longer, making long trips more time-consuming. But here’s a bold thought: gas cars lack Tesla’s AP feature, so driving is more tiring, requiring breaks every two hours. With Tesla’s AP, you can drive for four or five hours without stopping. Overall, gas cars save time refueling but lose it resting; EVs lose time charging but save it on breaks—so it balances out 🤣 (Are there any gas cars with AP, though?).

• When using AP, you’ll notice Tesla intentionally veers slightly away from large trucks when passing them. Normally, AP keeps the car centered in the lane (better than most humans), but when overtaking a slow-moving truck on the right, it subtly steers left to maintain a wider gap. Pretty interesting.

• Tesla’s built-in navigation is its most criticized feature—it lacks lane-level guidance and traffic light countdowns, which is frustrating.

• Not sure if it’s because I sometimes manually turn off Bluetooth, but twice, the Tesla app couldn’t display the car’s status (though the Bluetooth key still worked). Each time, I had to reboot the infotainment system (hold both steering wheel buttons for five seconds). Friends haven’t reported this issue. Once, while at a Tesla service center, I asked the staff (who likely handle hardware, not software), and they suggested rebooting the system monthly (awkward).

• Using the A/C and recirculation settings correctly can maximize heating/cooling efficiency with minimal energy use. I’ve even beaten the estimated range with the A/C on the whole time (verified by my tests). For example, with a full charge showing 521 km, I drove 285 km from Sumushan Highway Service Area to Beijing with AP engaged about 50% of the time and the A/C set to 22°C. The remaining range was still 280 km, and the system even estimated 434 km left (which I found exaggerated).

• Normally, enabling AP only shows blue lines on both sides of the road. To activate the “Rainbow Road” effect seen online, you need to manually enable it in the Toybox. Alternatively, pulling the gear stalk down four times in a row also works, but this triggers Rainbow Road with loud, inexplicable music (no idea why it’s designed this way).

Must-Have Accessories

• Bug mesh (buy any on Taobao): No explanation needed—just look at the photo 👇🏻. Without it, these bugs would end up inside the front grille. Highly recommended:

• Starbucks coffee cup: Many complain the center console cup holders are too big, suggesting the need for a cup adapter. Actually, it’s just a matter of finding the right cup. I had a Starbucks coffee cup at home that fits perfectly. Check Taobao if you’re interested.

• More to come as I think of them.

Summary

💡Below is Notion AI's summary of this article (seems it can only analyze recent paragraphs due to word limits).

In this Notion document, the user shares their experience of owning a Tesla in Beijing, covering aspects such as the driving experience, usage of autonomous driving, and charging at Tesla Supercharger stations. The user also provides tips on how to maximize efficiency and save energy using the air conditioning system.

The user recommends several must-have items for Tesla owners, such as a front-end bug screen and a Starbucks coffee cup. While the document is primarily image-based, the user offers helpful explanations and descriptions for each image.

Overall, the document provides valuable insights for anyone considering purchasing a Tesla in Beijing. The user’s personal experiences and suggestions can help new owners avoid common pitfalls and make the most of their Tesla ownership experience.

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