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  1. M

    How long until you break even?

    I don't think your math is correct. Price of gasoline and electricity is not a fixed cost, and you don't account for other variables. Plus, if you drive your Model S for 400,000+ miles, the value of your Model S will probably accrue other costs, making the break-even a moving target, and Tesla...
  2. M

    Mercury Insurance

    If they've had this problem with LM for some time, they really should have let you know when they brought in the car. I know in my state (California), we are able to able to dispute / file paperwork against the insurance company to recoup the additional out-of-pocket expenses. There may be a...
  3. M

    Random Roadster Sightings

    In case anyone wanted to see a California Roadster with the top up. This is Roadster EP2, at TechShop in Mountain View, on May 3, 2007. (It was sprinkling, but I believe this is right after the talk Tesla gave about the development of the Roadster).
  4. IMG_6959S

    IMG_6959S

    Tesla Roadster EP2, at TechShop Mountain View, May 3, 2007
  5. M

    Mercury Insurance

    I think he was saying that his Tesla-certified body shop is a (primarily) Mercedes body shop. Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar all have a fair amount of aluminum body work, so most of those are going to be able to pass the Tesla-certification process since they will have the tools needed to do repairs on...
  6. M

    End of lease decision P85D help.

    I'm guessing from your lease expiration, that you started your lease in March of 2015. That's around the same time I bought my Model S (I tend to keep my cars for 10 years+). In the past, the Model S major updates/features/refreshes have happened in April, July, and October. October 2014 --...
  7. M

    Garage Prep

    I had an NEMA 14-50 installed when they built my house, but I also installed a HPWC (at 80 amps) shortly before taking possession of my MS. What I've done after taking possession of my MS is add two metal Jack Daniels tins to the garage to give the AP radar larger targets to bounce off of...
  8. M

    My refreshed S90D

    On the current Model S, as far as I know, the next-gen leather only covers the front seats. The rear next-gen seats were only offered for a few months before they were discontinued. This link contains photos of the next-gen rears: Next-gen REAR seats no longer available for new orders, please...
  9. M

    Are all Teslas 72A max instead of 80A now? When did this change?

    I believe the refresh on the charging setup was when they did the facelift -- so if you have the old nosecone, it was capable of having a dual-charger setup. I believe the facelifted MS was announced 4/12/16.
  10. M

    Spotting of a Model S Self-Driving Car

    CA is just picky in general about cars :/ That's for the windshield in front of the vehicle and defined in California Vehicle Code 26708 (b) (3). (3) Signs, stickers, or other materials that are displayed in a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from...
  11. M

    Spotting of a Model S Self-Driving Car

    It's not illegal to drive in CA with the rear windshield covered as long as you have both side mirrors. The Tesla HQ is also a service center too. It very well might be a Stanford researcher doing LiDar mapping using his Tesla. Before Google got into the self-driving thing, Stanford...
  12. M

    Spotting of a Model S Self-Driving Car

    One of the things I notice about that photo is that it has the white carpool stickers. You can't apply for those without a plate -- so it is likely a returned CPO 85. Perhaps the previous owner went to Stanford, and forgot to remove the plate holder, however, Tesla is usually very good about...
  13. M

    Are all Teslas 72A max instead of 80A now? When did this change?

    Prior to the refresh, on the Model S, there was a single 40A charger installed, unless you upgraded to dual-chargers, which would supply 80A. After the refresh, there is a single 72A charger, with a software limit of 48A. I purchased the dual-charger on my Model S, because I was planning on...
  14. M

    Need some Model S Counseling

    Congratulations! Your DS will call/email you to set up a date of delivery. They'll also probably send you a checklist of things you need to bring to the delivery and remind you to secure your financing.
  15. M

    Picking the right color

    White holds up well without washing -- you'd have to get pretty close to notice the dirt unless it's splattered with mud. I've had several white cars and the only time I've ever felt like I needed to wash the car was when I had come back from skiing and all the dirt clung to the car. I like...
  16. M

    Why is Elon so obsessed about the doors ?

    It's not just about the looks. The retractable door handles cuts down on the coefficient of drag which is why they go flush with the doors. The falcon doors are because it makes it easier to put in the car safety seats for the children. (In California, children have to use the safety seats until...
  17. M

    Dilemma: 90D vs P90D?

    My gf threatens to vomit all over the upholstery if I do any launches while she's in the car. (She gets motion sick easily) The launching is fun (and I never get tired of it) but for me, it's the day to day extra passing speed that Ludicrous provides that I notice every time I need to change...
  18. M

    Tesla moments

    Two Tesla moments for me this week. Friday night I'm picking up family at LAX and walking to the parking lot from the baggage claim when a Model X is passing through. Overheard by passerbys: "That's one nice SUV! What is it?". "Wow, that's a Model X" I'm sitting inside the hotel lounge waiting...
  19. M

    Need some Model S Counseling

    Things might have changed since last year, but if you have the VIN, then it's in the queue. Depending on whether it's a P, it may skip to the beginning of the queue and your Model S may be on the earlier end of the timeframe. Tesla's ordering website is a little wonky on the delivery dates...
  20. M

    No more california rebate

    No, but you can still get on the waitlist if they get more funding.
  21. M

    How often do worthwhile OTA updates come (especially for pre AP cars)?

    I think there's a ton of stuff that could be done on non-AP vehicles -- they're limited by engineers working on the improvements, but if you think about all the things people have been asking for, such as Waze or Spotify integration -- these wouldn't be limited to AP-equipped Teslas. However, I...
  22. M

    No more california rebate

    Blame the writer for wording it badly. This is the California State $2,500 EV Rebate. Previously it was open to all incomes, then they changed it to be ratched down by income level. There were additional subsidies for low-income residents of SJV and LA. When I bought my Model S, this is...
  23. M

    Favorite and least favorite supercharger locations ?

    I agree that the San Diego Supercharger is terrible. It's also far from a freeway exit/entrance. I've only been there once on a weekend, and that area was a ghost town. I think the Superchargers I like tend to have some things in common: * It should have plenty of stalls, and it shouldn't be...
  24. M

    Be honest: is SCing on a long trip annoying?

    I'm actually surprised that there aren't more locations clamoring to be Supercharger sites -- you have people who are driving an Tesla staying for 15-20 minutes or more. In CA, we have many of them in Outlet malls and Shopping areas. I'd be curious to look at their numbers before and after the...
  25. M

    Be honest: is SCing on a long trip annoying?

    Not very long. We don't have the charging numbers for the new 60 yet, but if it charges at the same rate of S70, probably around 20 minutes or so.
  26. M

    Dilemma: 90D vs P90D?

    The P90D has a bigger rear motor. I think they used to have pictures on the site of what the motors looked like in the the configure page. I was stuck in a similar situation, choosing between the 85D and the P85D -- I decided to go with the P. (When I buy cars, I typically go with the biggest...
  27. M

    Tesla suddenly turned off the nags for me this morning - how about you?

    I think it has to do with the road condition and markings -- in places where the markings are confusing to the sensor (or disappear/fade), the Model S is more naggy when it can't follow a car. The place that AP nags about is always the same, and it only nags for me when there's no car to follow.
  28. M

    Be honest: is SCing on a long trip annoying?

    Not annoying at all. In an ICE car, you're basically stopping to use the restroom or refuel on a long trip anyways. All you need is to have enough charge to hit the next supercharger. The way I look at it is this -- in an ICE car, you're spending time before the trip getting gasoline to fill up...
  29. M

    Announcement of new Model S June 9th

    I don't mind the extra time charging -- I think the stopovers at Superchargers are some of the most relaxing parts of road trips.
  30. M

    Downgrade 70 > 60? Would you?

    I think used Model S' are fine, so long as they have autopilot (built after November '14) -- those pre-autopilot versions are going to have a lower price vs. a new Model S, or even a used Model S with Autopilot. Good analogy with the iPhone -- the technology of the Tesla gets better with every...
  31. M

    Odd buzzing sound coming from the dash

    There are several SC's in the Bay Area -- might want to give them a call to see if they can get you in sooner.
  32. M

    Announcement of new Model S June 9th

    I think I'd rather not have Tesla giving them more battery capacity that the owner wouldn't upgrade for. I suppose if Tesla gets the car back as a lease return, they can resell it as a 75, but having the extra capacity in there does have a cost too, especially if the owner never upgrades the...
  33. M

    Announcement of new Model S June 9th

    I think I read somewhere that someone asked Tesla how much it'd cost to change out the 85 battery for the 90, and the price he was quoted was on the order of 22k. Elon has been quoted as saying that present Model S owners should probably wait until a more significant bump in battery capacity...
  34. M

    Autopilot In SoCal freeways?

    The Autopilot works very well. Pretty much anytime I need to drive and take any freeways, I take my Tesla. This is because I never know how bad traffic will be, and in stop and go traffic, I can have autopilot do all the work. I'm usually driving West across the 91 (into the sun) around sunset...
  35. M

    Ugh, Got the no loaner available letter the day before service

    Interesting. This is the service center I use, and they've been able to put me in a loaner Tesla every time I've been there (usually it's a Classic 85 without Autopilot (and sometimes without parking sensors) which makes me appreciate my car so much more. I wonder who is buying all the loaners...
  36. M

    Is buying a Model S still worth it?

    The savings for the 10 kWh of battery is worth it. Range is only a factor on Long Distance Travel/Superchargers. I purchased an 85 over the 70 because I thought the extra 15 kWh of battery would make an impact on my range. It doesn't make much of a difference. 60 = 210 miles EPA = 100% 75 = 249...
  37. M

    Announcement of new Model S June 9th

    I made a spreadsheet of the prices and options. During post-facelift: Upgrade to 75 kWh - 3250 (OTA) or 3,000 at Purchase. AWD add 5000. 70 (RWD) $71,500. 70D (AWD) $76,500 75 (RWD) 74,500 75D (AWD) 79,500 Today's Pricing changes the upgrade from 60 to 75, but the overall pricing remains...
  38. M

    Higher than estimated range with city-only driving?

    Yes, you're right. I have no idea how they got 237.5. The best my math could do was this: single motor 85 kWh / 265 miles = 320 Wh/mile dual motor 85 kWh / 270 miles = 315 Wh/mile performance dual 85 kWh / 253 miles = 335 Wh / mile
  39. M

    Announcement of new Model S June 9th

    Remember also that the non-Ds have a bigger frunk. The price of the 75D is exactly the same as it was yesterday -- 79,500.
  40. M

    Higher than estimated range with city-only driving?

    EPA rated Wh/mi is 237.5 (for a 85kWh battery). I typically see my Wh/mi usage around 340 or so at highway speeds. The only times I've ever gotten close to the EPA is with Autopilot on in stop and go on the highway (where due to congestion, the speed is around 20 mph). I've seen a negative Wh/mi...
  41. M

    Is buying a Model S still worth it?

    Not very likely, but I suspect that people will start flipping the Model 3 as soon as they're confirmed for the configure and build process. I strongly believe that the preorder number will do nothing but decrease from here -- that 400,000 are people who have put in deposits -- end of 2017 (or...
  42. M

    AC: I just have to ask....

    It was at 6.
  43. M

    More desirable badge? 60 60D....or....60/75 60D/75D

    They'll give you new badges if you upgrade, though I'm pretty sure there's no "/" character so you could do 60 75 on your rear if you really wanted to.
  44. M

    AC: I just have to ask....

    I was sitting in the car for an hour the other day in the parking lot for an hour with the AC on (and the radio off, but GPS on) and my range distance reduced by 2 miles.
  45. M

    Is buying a Model S still worth it?

    With the new version of the S/60, it now has less than the advertised range of Model 3. I think range only matters on long distance drives -- for day to day commuters, most people do not have a 200 mile round trip commute, and I don't really think people understand that when you wake up in the...
  46. M

    Announcement of new Model S June 9th

    I think it's quite brilliant that they've re-introduced the MS 60, with all the new updated features. It gets buyers in at a lower price point, and the range and autopilot is upgradeable post-purchase. When the leased MS 60s come back, if they haven't been range increased, Tesla can sell them...
  47. M

    Ready to go hard on a P90D

    I like the Midnight Silver and the Grey Next Gen seats. Pano and Air... I think if you end up getting Pano, you'll also want to get that tinted. It really warms up the interior of the car quite a bit. Air... I have mixed feelings about. I like that I can raise it, but part of me wonders if I...
  48. M

    Anyone able to add ludicrous as second owner for 5k?

    I'd see if the Ludicrous Upgrade is still available in the Tesla Shop. My guess is that as long as you preorder it, they'll do it for you for 5k. The preorder will require the VIN number of the P85D. I have a 3/15 build and they were able to Ludicrous it without much issue.
  49. M

    Is buying a Model S still worth it?

    Ugh. Sorry to hear about your FR-S. I think going to a MS from a FR-S will take a bit of adjustment; the FR-S is a great car, but much smaller and lighter than a MS. The MS 70 will handle differently than what you've been used to -- it feels more like a BMW M6 than a Z4. Personally, I think it...