[cyaopec]

If you took delivery before July 1 2018, then the LTE service is free for the lifetime that I own the car. It's no longer the case. 1 year free then subscription. But as cyaopec explained, it doesn't have a detrimental effect on the functionality of the car. The wi-fi is much more important IMO.
Tesla plays with their pricing and offerings depending on how the quarter is shaping up which most are familiar with the "free" supercharging that gets thrown around as needed. This was one of those "offerings". One of the reasons (admittedly petty) why I'm reluctant to upgrade to a Model YP.

Yea, I'm sorry. I was wrong about the LTE. It's not free. But conversely it's not needed to use the car. Right now the premium subscription is needed for the media streaming/Hulu/NetFlix,etc. But according to Tesla's web site you can also get the some streaming media features using your wi-fi hot spot. From the quote below it appears you don't get streaming music with Premium Connectivity, which really doesn't matter because you can stream anything through your phone.

Can I get Premium Connectivity features by using a mobile hotspot?
Some features that are available to Standard Connectivity owners over Wi-Fi such as video streaming, Caraoke and the internet browser may also be accessed over mobile hotspots, subject to fees and restrictions of your mobile carrier.

 

[DAC17]

I really fail to understand why video streaming, etc. is necessary (or desirable) in an automobile.

 

[Jcray]

I really fail to understand why video streaming, etc. is necessary (or desirable) in an automobile.

The only time I see it being useful is to kill time when charging or waiting for someone/something like picking up my kids from school. Same thing with the games they offer as well.

 

[NortonCommando]

He bought a used model 3 but the SR+ on the website is $37,990, and it will run circles around a Bolt in snow and ice...

Another bold claim! But you admitted being wrong before, so...
Sounds like Game On!

Just like the Tire Rack Snow and Ice comparison videos, how can we prove this scientifically?
-Stock AS tires.
-Modern Winter Tires.
Let the Best Winter Car win!

I'm into testing claims.
In my yute, I had a '59 Morris 850. A Mini before that was the official name.
My best bud was a VW 'enthusiast'. He had a ' 65 Bug with skinny old school snow tires on all 4's.
My mini had 'whatever' bias-ply 10" tires it came with.

We set up an Oval in a freshly thick snow covered parking lot to 'stage a rally race'.
The Mini was consistently faster around the course.

And my Mini had heat and defrost just sitting at idle! Who remembers that issue?

 

[Sean Nelson]

I really fail to understand why video streaming, etc. is necessary (or desirable) in an automobile.

It's so you can show your passengers movies of car chases and crashes while you're tearing down the freeway at 85+ MPH.

 

[ArizonaJon]

New Tesla for $37,990 plus taxes and fees is available. Just took shot from the Scottsdale AZ inventory.
For me the seating (hip point) is too low in a Model 3. Love the seating in my Bolt.

 

[Dyefrog]

Another bold claim! But you admitted being wrong before, so...
Sounds like Game On!

Just like the Tire Rack Snow and Ice comparison videos, how can we prove this scientifically?
-Stock AS tires.
-Modern Winter Tires.
Let the Best Winter Car win!

I'm into testing claims.
In my yute, I had a '59 Morris 850. A Mini before that was the official name.
My best bud was a VW 'enthusiast'. He had a ' 65 Bug with skinny old school snow tires on all 4's.
My mini had 'whatever' bias-ply 10" tires it came with.

We set up an Oval in a freshly thick snow covered parking lot to 'stage a rally race'.
The Mini was consistently faster around the course.

And my Mini had heat and defrost just sitting at idle! Who remembers that issue?

Well unless we can pit the two against each other on an ice track, we can only base it on stand alone performance for now. But I would enjoy seeing the comparison and would put a large wager on the RWD EV over the FWD EV, same tires, similar specs.

There are a number of video's of Tesla's before AWD became standard on frozen lakes in Scandinavia which i'll link below. There's even a Swedish company that provides the opportunity to race around a frozen lake in a Tesla. That should count for something.

Ice Driving Experience (Tesla)

Experience the thrill of driving on thick cover of snow & ice.We prepare for you the perfect track where you get to live the most thrilling experience in the Arctic.

nordictravels.eu

And then we have the Tesla that beat an 800 hp snowmobile. Can your Bolt do that?

Tesla Model S P85D vs Snowmobile Drag Race on Ice - The Green Optimistic

We know that the Tesla Model S P85D is insanely fast, but just how fast is it really? The numbers speak for themselves - 0 to 60mph (100kph) in 3.4

www.greenoptimistic.com

 

[ZoomZoom]

After driving the Dual Motor, I'd find the extra, even if I had to work nights and weekends as a greeter at Walmart (and I hate Walmart!)

jack vines

Me too. I'd be more than happy to direct people to returns, the bathroom or just wave.

 

[DAC17]

The only time I see it being useful is to kill time when charging or waiting for someone/something like picking up my kids from school. Same thing with the games they offer as well.

That's where it would start out, but knowing typical Americans as we do, it would soon morph into short looks at the screen while driving, and then plowing into a semi while the movie's lead character gets into a chase scene!

 

[Dyefrog]

That's where it would start out, but knowing typical Americans as we do, it would soon morph into short looks at the screen while driving, and then plowing into a semi while the movie's lead character gets into a chase scene!

The entertainment suite is designed to only work in park. The accident(s) you’re referring to was(were) the result of watching videos on a separate device like an iPad or phone. I think it’s actually illegal in the US to allow the functionality you’re referring to in a car.

 

[Sean Nelson]

Just like the Tire Rack Snow and Ice comparison videos, how can we prove this scientifically?
-Stock AS tires.
-Modern Winter Tires.
Let the Best Winter Car win!

Which car is best is a lot less important than how well the car you're in performs given the conditions that you're actually encountering. No matter what you drive, being prudent in your driving style and feeling out your car's handling with a few judicious brake and steering inputs will stand you in far better stead than a more cavalier driver behind the wheel of a superior car.

In real life, the goal is to get you and your passengers to your destination safely, not to beat the other guy.

 

[Jcray]

The entertainment suite is designed to only work in park. The accident(s) you’re referring to was(were) the result of watching videos on a separate device like an iPad or phone. I think it’s actually illegal in the US to allow the functionality you’re referring to in a car.

I agree and as it’s currently configured, it can only be used while in P. However, I bought a third-party DVD player and a grounder that allowed me to play DVDs while driving in a previous car. It was great for passengers, but I can certainly see where it could be something someone could configure to allow for watching Netflix or YouTube while driving. :/

 

[Packard V8]

For me the seating (hip point) is too low in a Model 3. Love the seating in my Bolt.

Agree, with one caveat. Once in the M3 and on the highway, the M3 seat and driving position are far more comfortable than the Bolt. However, our use is 99% urban and for older folk, the low seating position and low roofline of the M3 compromises ingress/egress; making it an ordeal each time; with frequent in-and-outs, the Bolt wins big.

jack vines

 

[Fivedoor]

Agree, with one caveat. Once in the M3 and on the highway, the M3 seat and driving position are far more comfortable than the Bolt. However, our use is 99% urban and for older folk, the low seating position and low roofline of the M3 compromises ingress/egress; making it an ordeal each time; with frequent in-and-outs, the Bolt wins big.

jack vines

Have you test driven a Model Y? Easy ingress and egress due to the higher roof line and due to the seats being on risers, but the seats themselves are the same seats that are in the Model 3... very comfortable on road trips.

Keith