Tesla Owner Says, “People Who Take The Tesla Logos Off Their Cars Are the Worst, Either Drive Your Tesla Enthusiastically and Ignore the Haters or Get Rid Of It”

"If you are ashamed of your Tesla vehicle, you should get rid of it and buy something you don't hate."

One Tesla owner, Dima Piunov, says that on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Owners Club Facebook page. He says to be proud of what you drive or buy something else. Don't try to disguise your Tesla car with other brands' logos. 

Dima says, "People who do this are the worst. Sorry. We all see you. Either drive it proudly and ignore the haters or get rid of it and buy something you don't hate."

Wayne Edward says in jest, "My Tesla Model Y LR has the blue and yellow Hella Horns, so it could pass as a Subie."

Now, imagine that you live in Seattle, WA, San Fransisco, CA, or Boulder, CO. You have endured getting the middle finger, shouts of anger, and other drivers in a Subaru Outback who give you looks that could kill as they sit next to them at a stop light. 

You are concerned that someone may key or spray paint your Tesla Model Y, Model 3, or Cybertruck. You are legitimately worried for your car's safety. So, you decide to join other Tesla owners who are trying to disguise their cars with another brand's logo.

You Want To Sell Your Tesla, But You Can't

If you want to trade in your Tesla vehicle, you will lose too much money, so you must keep it. What do you do now? You switch out the logo and try to disguise your Tesla vehicle so others will leave you and your car alone.

It's a shared concern among Tesla owners.

There is a trend among owners to hide their Tesla models in plain sight, a collective response to a shared problem.

molesrcool says, "Why are so many people right now trying to hide the fact that they own a Tesla vehicle? It's not just the Cybertruck. It's all Tesla models. Something is going on right now where people don't want to be associated with this brand."

"I've seen a Tesla Model 3 disguised with a Mazda and a Honda logo. This trend continues as people are desperate to get rid of their Tesla vehicles and can't."

What are Other Tesla Owners Saying?

Reddit user MeanderingMolecule says, 

Tesla Model X owner x-Mowens-x says, "I mean, my Tesla has been bought and paid for. He already got my money. If I sold it out of spite, the only person that would hurt would be me. So yea. I'm keeping it. Plus, the other cars out there suck."

Tesla Cybertruck owner Shygar says, "Try driving a Cybertruck. My wife's Model Y hasn't got any hate yet, but I have with my Cybertruck."

Some Tesla owners want to get rid of their Cybertruck and can't 

"People can't get rid of their Tesla Cybertruck. One owner said it was impossible to get rid of a Tesla Cybertruck. I want to cut my losses and move on, but I can't give this thing away. I've lost so much money already," one owner says. 

What Should Tesla Owners Do If They Are Concerned With Safety?

A report from USA Today says the fear that some Tesla owners feel is real. Many Tesla owners are being harassed and targeted by "anti-Musk vandals."

The report says, "Teslas are already equipped with security features including cabin cameras, alarms if the trunk or doors are opened without a key, and Sentry Mode, which monitors the environment around unattended cars. That feature can use external cameras and switch on alerts and alarms to dissuade potential thieves or vandals − and alert owners via a mobile app that something is happening."

What Should Tesla Owners Do Instead of Switching Out the Tesla Logo? 

Leverage Tesla's Security Features:

• Sentry Mode: This feature uses the car's cameras to monitor the vehicle's surroundings when parked and can alert you to suspicious activity via the Tesla app. 
• PIN to Drive: This feature requires a PIN entry before the car can be driven, adding an extra layer of security. 
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings:
• Parking Location: Choose well-lit parking spots that have good visibility. 
• Time of Day: Avoid parking in areas that are known to be unsafe or have high crime rates, especially during late hours. 
• Be Mindful of Potential Targets: Be aware of any suspicious activity or individuals that might be targeting your car. 

Consider Additional Security Measures:

• Security Cameras: If you're concerned about vandalism, consider installing additional security cameras around your home or workplace to deter criminals. 
• Alarm Systems: You can also consider installing an alarm system on your Tesla to alert you to any unauthorized access or tampering. 

Know Your Rights and Resources:

• Tesla Customer Support: If you experience any issues or concerns, contact Tesla's customer support for assistance. 
• Local Law Enforcement: If you are the victim of harassment or vandalism, report it to the local police immediately. 

Conclusion:

When Tesla owners try to disguise their vehicles with another automaker's logo, you know things are bad. Owning a Tesla vehicle in many U.S. cities and Europe is not a good time.

Tesla owner harassment is real and will not go away anytime soon. The anti-Elon Musk sentiment, which is a negative perception or dislike towards the CEO of Tesla, runs deep with many people.

This sentiment is echoed by many, but there are also those who believe in standing up for what they own, regardless of public perception.

Facebook top contributor Ian David says,

“For some reason, people have harassed me and my Tesla a lot less with my new passenger, (as he shows his rifle sitting in the passenger seat). Two temp plates ripped off, one metal plate stolen, one cup of soda thrown, many times being called fun slurs!” 

It's Your Turn

Do you own a Tesla car or Cybertruck, and what have you experienced where you live? If so, we encourage you to share your experiences by clicking the red 'Add New Comment' link below. Your insights can help other Tesla owners.

Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: Tesla Owner Says, “Charging My Cybertruck Is Unfair, There’s No Line, No Pump, Or Wasted Time. Every Morning, My Truck Is Already Full While I Slept

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Jules Madridejos