I'm planning on upgrading my 2017 Model S LR to a new Model S LR or maybe a new Model X LR too. I'd go with the 5-seater base model of the Model X because nothing else gets the $7500 tax rebate.
Getting to transfer FSD and FUSC and get $1000 off for my Cybertruck reservation is just too good to ignore.
Either way I'll lose my power sunroof and my free Premium Connectivity, so that's a wash. I don't suppose anybody has heard rumors of a future free sunroof transfer?
What I want is the best ski and road trip vehicle. So the greater cargo capacity of the X is its big win, and the greater range of the S is its. Back in 2017 I rented a Model X and drove it around on vacation for over a week, then decided to upgrade my 2014 RWD Model S to a new Model S, so I've gone through this process once before.
Here's my list of pros and cons for staying with the S...
Pros:
~57 miles more range*
noticeably faster 0-60
more efficient (~15%)
a couple of inches less wide
don't need new set of wheels and snow tires
wheels / tires are less expensive
better headroom in the middle back seat (due to falcon wing door mechanism)
wireless device charging in the back seat
no weird falcon wing doors to cause problems***
less likely to have problems and repairs are cheaper**
insurance is cheaper**
Cons vs X:
- ~$2K more expensive after $7500 rebate on X
- another $1K for tow package
- X has an inch or two more ground clearance
- X has substantially more cargo capacity
- X sits higher, so easier to enter and exit
- X has more room in front seats
- X has more width in back seats
- X has better headroom in back outside seats
- X has lighted vanity mirrors
* As the 405 mile number for the Model S range has not been adjusted for EPA test changes, I'm comparing it to the pre-adjustment Model X number (348 rather than 335).
**I don't know this, but base it on buying an extended warranty from
Xcelerate.com being 20% more expensive for Model X for the 8yr warranty for a 2023 model with 20,000 miles on it that I looked at.
*** Are the falcon wing doors still causing various problems for people? I know they used to.
Happy to hear people's thoughts on this, especially if I've gotten anything wrong.