I ordered a Plaid and a Long Range model S Jan 28 2021. We also put a deposit on a 2nd long range on 1/29/21 incase we changed our mind about the Plaid. We still haven’t gotten the 2nd long range order (reservation 1144) I got the Plaid early August and the 1st long range the end of Sept. Here is the experience I had. The yoke. I got used to it in about 2 weeks but I have never driven on a tight curvy road where my hands rotated very quickly. The Plaid is scary above 60 mph but both vehicles will give you tunnel vision during full acceleration. After I scared a half a dozen people in my Plaid I got my wife’s Long range and I can say the plaid is not worth the extra money. I could barely tell them apart. I got MSM for both and black interior. The long range handles better (feels a little lighter) rides better (I have 19”tires on the long range and had 21’s on the Plaid) and brakes a little better. (same brakes but lighter car)As I noted, plaid sport is 0 to 60 in 3.5 and LR insane is 3.1.
The long range has gone up 15k and I’m not surprised because the plaid is not worth $50k more. That was the price difference when I ordered. Tesla is laughing all the way to the bank selling the Plaid for 50k more than the long range. I’m laughing too as I was able to sell my Plaid for $24,000 more than I paid and that was after paying 11k in CA sales tax on that car. I love the Model S LR and I feel strongly that it’s the better deal. I really feel like I dodged a bullet being able to get my money back and then some on the Plaid. It’s only advantage was pulling like a jet aircraft from 60. You really need some smooth large sections of asphalt to pull it off safely. Yes it was amazing but the long range still wows me every time I accelerate beating even Charger hellcats easily.
I can say from my Draggy that the Plaids average 0-60 was 2.41 and the long range was 3.11.
People who think they can feel a difference of 7/10 of a second from zero to 60 are crazy.
The long range will do 11 second quarter miles
at 125mph. That’s crazy.
If you get a Plaid the only reason is not the zero to 60 time it’s the 60 to 150 time. That is where it feels like you are being catapulted off an aircraft carrier. The long range still moves after 60 but the plaid motors seem to spin up faster.
I wish everyone had a chance to try both for a few months because if they did they would be thrilled with their decision to get the long range.
I think it’s the secret Tesla doesn’t want you to know.