Taking Delivery of a Tesla Model Y

On March 30, 2022, I finally received the Tesla Model Y, which I had ordered on September 21, 2021, with the following options:

• White paint
• Black interior
  
• Tow Hitch (for attaching mountain bike racks)
  

The Tesla Model Y was dropped off at around 4:00pm on March 30, 2022. I was contacted a few days before my delivery and had to complete all the required steps using the iPhone Tesla app. Overall, the purchasing process was relatively smooth. The Tesla process was monumentally faster than purchasing a new vehicle at an auto dealer. For example, when I last bought the Audi Q5 from Stevens Creek Audi, I must have spent 2-3 hours at the dealer filling out paperwork. The Tesla App took me no more than 15 minutes.

When the car was dropped off, I looked it over and talked to the delivery person. At first, I thought it was missing the Tow Hitch because it was hidden behind the plastic bumper cover. A Tesla rep called to assure me that the tow hitch was installed and that I had nothing to worry about. However, to avoid damaging the bumper, I needed a unique tool to remove the bumper cover.

The Motor Vehicle Order Agreement is as follows:

I decided to use David Pogosian to install the Nema 14-30R socket in my home, where I could plug in my Tesla Mobile Connector that came with the Tesla Model Y. 

I ordered the front and rear floor mats from WeatherTech:

• WeatherTech Front and Rear Floormats 
• WeatherTech Cargo Liner
  

In addition, I ordered the following accessories from Amazon:

• AutoTech Zone Sunshade for 2020-2022 Tesla Model Y, Custom-fit Windshield SunShade 
• SanDisk 256GB Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB Type-C - SDDDC4-256G-G46   
• Tesla Model Y Glass Roof Sunshade with UV/Heat Insulation Cover Gray Set of 2 for 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2022 Model Y 
• Pry Bar Set for Tesla Model Y Hitch Cover, Removal Tools Set for Tesla Model Y Hitch Cover [2Packs] 
  

I also ordered the following item from Tesla:

• Gen 2 NEMA Adapters

After taking delivery, I realized that my rear passenger-side tire had lower pressure (38 psi vs 41 psi in all other tires). As time went by, the pressure in the tire decreased.

When Inna returned from England and decided to drive the car, the rear tire indicated 32 psi! We called Tesla multiple times to try to get a replacement, but Tesla offered us to pay $380 for a replacement tire. We decided to get a spare tire temporarily so that we could drive the car.

We contacted Tesla, and they sent over an AAA van, which removed the leaking tire and installed a spare. I made an appointment in June for a tire replacement (the earliest we could find one).

Overall, I am very disappointed in how Tesla handled the tire issue. On a new car, Tesla should have taken it better. I still don't know whether I will be forced to pay $380 for a defective tire. Dealing with Tesla Service is unpleasant.

Friday, June 3, 2022

I finally visited the Tesla Service facility at 2801 Northwestern Parkway, Santa Clara. When I arrived for my 8:15am scheduled appointment, I was told that even though my tire was reported as repaired - it was not. I dropped off my car and walked to work nearby. Tesla was offering free Uber rides (but no loaner cars). At about 10:05, I received a message that my car was ready.

It took about two hours for Tesla to patch a tire when it should have been 20 minutes. The cost was $81 (which includes $75 for labor and $6 for parts). Compared to the customer service at Lexus or Audi, Tesla's service is efficient but slow.

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Dinner at Naschmarkt

With Alex's week of Spring Break ending, Inna made dinner reservations at Naschmarkt - our favorite local Austrian restaurant in Campbell.

After parking our Sienna minivan in the garage, we walked to Naschmarkt. Campbell was quite lively, and all the restaurants were busy. There was plenty of live music, and the mood was cheerful. 

We checked in to our restaurant and were seated outdoors, with heat lamps providing additional warmth, so the weather outside was not especially cold.

Once we reviewed the menu, we decided to order the following items:

• Appetizer: Sunchoke (Hazelnut) Soup, Butter Lettuce Salad
• Alex: Lemonade, Beef Stroganoff
• Boris: Galipette Apple Cider (Brut), Weiner Schnitzel
• Inna: Donnhoff Riesling Glass, Weiner Schnitzel
• Dessert: Bread Pudding
  

We enjoyed all of our appetizers and entrees. I really liked the fresh Butter Lettuce Salad and the Hazelnut soup. The Galipette Apple Cider was quite refreshing and not too sweet. The Weiner Schnitzel was exquisite.

Alex's Beef Stroganoff was also exceptional. We really enjoyed our dinner!

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Playing Pickeball with Alex

On Sunday, March 13, Inna, Alex (who was in San Jose for his spring break from Northeastern), and I decided to try playing pickleball and table tennis at AVAC. Initially, Alex considered surfing to The Hook in Santa Cruz, but the wave forecast was unfavorable, and the Surfline cam did not show any respectable waves.

Around noon, Alex and Inna started playing while I took a few photos. I have already played tennis against the ball machine.

Inna and Alex had many long rallies, but Alex was quicker. Alex prevailed against Inna (despite having never played pickleball before). As Inna was tired, she rested while I took my turn playing against Alex. We had a competitive match, and Alex bested me 21-17. 

We then decided to try playing table tennis. At first, I played against Inna, and I managed to beat her. Afterward, I played against Alex and beat him too!

After finishing our racquet sports, we drove to nearby Los Gatos for lunch at Fleur de Cocoa. We ordered the following lunch items:

• Alex: Croque Monsieur, Lemonade, Mousse
  
• Boris: Chicken Sandwich, Mocha, Chausson aux Pommes
  
• Inna: Chicken Sandwich, Latte, Caramel Eclair

After lunch, we picked up Vladik and returned home, resting a bit. 

We decided to try the Pastaria in Los Gatos for dinner at 6:45pm. We wanted to sit outside (as Pastaria gets quite loud), and with the outdoor fire, we managed to stay warm and cozy. 

We ordered the following entrees:

• Appetizer: Burrata (shared)
  
• Alex: Margherita Pizza, Hot Tea
  
• Boris: Tagliatelle Bolognese, Hot Tea
  
• Inna: Frose (drink), Tagliatelle & Truffle Cream Sauce
• Dessert: Bread Pudding with Gelato
  

We enjoyed our quiet dinner time in Los Gatos and our delicious Italian meal.

 

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Lesson 07: Tennis Volley Lesson with Ryan Reidy

As I struggled with my consistency and power on my volleys, Ryan Reidy from 2minutetennis evaluated my serve (using Zoom) and offered excellent pointers for improvement.

 

Volley Technique Improvements

1.  On a forehand volley, turn away from the ball and swing the racquet at the ball, catching the racquet with your left hand.
2. On a backhand volley, use your shoulder to swing  past the ball (for extra power)
3. Use your legs for power power.
   

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USTA Men's 40+ 3.5 Match at LGSRC

Today, I played a USTA Men's 40+ 3.5 doubles tennis match against Los Gatos Swim & Racquet Club's D2 team (Allen Lescure and Matt Railo)at Los Gatos. My partner was Roy Jose, with whom I played only a few times at practice.

The Los Gatos team did not have any key weapons, but they were able to make fewer unforced errors than we did. Allen has an extreme Western grip and hits the balls with significant spin. Matt had very weak serves.

We won 6-4 in the first set despite my poor serving (I was hitting multiple double faults).

In the second set, we lost 3-6.

In the 10-point tie-break, we lost 6-10.

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