I drove the 2024 Tesla Model 3. It's a big improvement from older versions, but the Model Y is still the better buy.

• Andrew Lambrecht, who owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3, test drove the new 2024 Model 3.
• While the new Model 3 comes with better materials and a fresh interior, it lost its tax credit.
• He says the more spacious Model Y, which is still eligible for a tax credit, is the better buy.

The 2017 Tesla Model 3 changed the EV game. Offering rapid acceleration, plenty of range, and a somewhat affordable price, the Model 3 squashed most preconceived notions about what electric cars should be.

But the original one didn't come without flaws. From noisy cabins to build quality woes, the early Model 3s excelled in some areas but lacked in others.