VINtastic Fabulicious!!
I received my VIN on the previous Thursday morning (9/16) and I now have a delivery appointment on 9/28. It really took me by surprise! Every prior communication with Tesla had left me with the impression that delivery was unlikely until mid October at the earliest. I can't believe it is really happening...
A couple of relatively minor annoyances:
According to the SA I most recently spoke with FSD can only be added (or removed) during a certain undefined period after the initial order. Past that period if you add/remove FSD you're on the hook for any model-wide price increases that have occurred since the original order date. I think the grace period for adding/removing FSD without penalty ends when the order is soft matched for manufacturing. If the add/remove FSD button is visible on the reservation page then (I think) you can make changes without having to worry about price increases. I wanted to remove FSD prior to delivery to save on property taxes, etc. And I wasn't sure if I really wanted FSD to begin with. I initially only added FSD because of all the noise in the forums about how higher margin orders were being filled sooner. Just recently I tried to add a referral link and was told that I can't do that either at this point. I may double check on that.
Moving on:
Most of you probably won't understand this but I'm actually a little nervous about taking delivery. For most of the last 6+ months the idea of actually getting the Model S didn't feel especially real; more like that vague thought of kayaking in Chile. I was going to do it sometime (maybe) but not today. So I didn't invest all that much time in researching the practicalities of having the MS as my sole vehicle. Oops.
This is my first Tesla and my first EV. It is also my first sedan since the early '90s. For the last few years my vehicle of choice has been a wagon (space with enough pace). My leisure activities typically involve a fair amount of wet and/or muddy gear (frequently with a wet and/or muddy dog). Most of that gear is mounted on roof racks (but not the dog). I knew that Tesla offered a branded roof rack for the S, and therefore I stupidly assumed that this meant that I could adapt at least one of the three sets of 3rd party roof racks that I have accumulated over the years. But No. From my belated further research on the subject it appears that, since Tesla went to a fully glass roof, only Tesla's own roof rack will work. That wouldn't be that bad if Tesla's roof rack was more functional and less likely to damage the roof glass during installation. Apparently even Tesla service staff have had difficulty installing the roof rack without causing damage. Misaligned roof glass seems to be the culprit behind potential installation difficulties. No, a hitch-mount rack won't work for all my needs. I need the roof rack for carrying kayaks.
This is my first vehicle purchase where there is not a local factory dealer (or SC). The nearest service center to my home is about 2.5 hrs away. The idea of having to make frequent visits to the SC to correct build issues or rack installation damage fills me with anxiety. Due to the SC's distance from me this is the first new vehicle purchase where I have felt the need to go through a long checklist of potential problems before taking delivery.
The ground clearance (or lack thereof) is also a potential cause of concern for me due to both the steep transition of my driveway and the mildly rough nature of some of the places where I go. I think the pre-refresh MS had a max ground clearance of 6.9" which is fine for what I need. But according to the new owners manual the refresh MS maxes out at 6.1". I don't know if that will be quite adequate. I suppose I will find out shortly.
Thus my alternating excitement and trepidation at thought of actually owning a new MS.
It all feels a little bit like when I was a senior in HS and, in a moment of insanity, I asked the hot biker chic in our senior class to the prom. I had zero expectation that she would agree to go with me. But, stupefyingly, she said 'yes' and I had absolutely no idea what I was supposed to do (or say) next...
Please don't bother telling me that the MS is not for vehicle me or that my 1st world concerns don't matter, etc., etc., etc. If anyone has any insight on roof racks for the MS or usable ground clearance please share. Thanks.