2024 Model S vs. Plaid

[sorka]

Yeah I wish more people understood this. The braking performance is comparable to any other heavy high end sedan (M5 etc). What’s different is it can accelerate nearly as quickly as it can brake which scares some people. But that’s just physics when you’re traction limited in both directions. You have to plan your moves more carefully, much in the same way as you’d have to anticipate more when driving in rain, snow, etc.

But it is true in spirited twisties. The Plaid gets to much higher speeds between the turns so you have to slow down much more for each turn.

 

[sorka]

You know what you’ll have to do, the Lucid Sapphire is your only option post Plaid.

Except that so far, the Sapphire is slower than the Plaid.

 

[dsm363]

First, thank you to all who have been super helpful.

I have been debating the Model S vs. Plaid version. To start, I do not need any of the performance of the Plaid as the Model S is plenty for me. I do not intend to track the car and I've driven my Model Y on "Chill" mode for the most part. I do happen to like the styling of the Plaid however.

Curious if anyone else has had the Model S vs. Plaid debate in their head? How did you ultimately select?

I've had a 2016 Model S and a 2020 Model Y.

I plan to order in the next week as my lease is over late-March on my Model Y.

Thanks in advance,

It sounds like you'd be happy with the long range Model S then. I'd save the $15,000 or so and put that towards sales tax, PPF, tint...etc

0-60 in 3.1 seconds isn't exactly a slow car as well. You can still have some fun with that.

You can add spoiler back for less than $400.

Model S Plaid Performance Spoiler - Real Molded Carbon Fiber

Model Y Performance Plus Spoilers - Real Carbon Fiber Molded

www.rpmtesla.com

 

[sorka]

Went with the LR...will transfer to a Plaid inventory if my combination comes ups with incentives. My sales person said you can swab a steering wheel for a yoke post delivery. This is not true based on my research.

I think they're confusing the fact that you can pay Tesla to swap from Yoke to Round but not the other way around. If you want that, you have to buy the yoke yourself and swap it which isn't hard.

 

[uscbucsfan]

Still don't know why wood isn't an option in the Plaid. The carbon fiber just seems tacky. Had it in my MXP and did't like it at all.

There was originally.

 

[uscbucsfan]

I think they're confusing the fact that you can pay Tesla to swap from Yoke to Round but not the other way around. If you want that, you have to buy the yoke yourself and swap it which isn't hard.

There have been people here who went from round to yoke from Tesla. Just put in a service request.

 

[sorka]

There have been people here who went from round to yoke from Tesla. Just put in a service request.

There may be some sporadic tales here and there of someone convincing a service center to do it, but most won't as it's not a listed modification you can pay Tesla like the Yoke to Round change.

 

[sorka]

There was originally.

From what I understand, the wood was briefly offered at the beginning with the CF shortage but it wasn't configurable on the order page. Customers got calls asking if they'd accept their Plaids with wood to prevent delays.

 

[popgodazipa]

There have been people here who went from round to yoke from Tesla. Just put in a service request.

Hold my beer..

 

[AMPd]

Except that so far, the Sapphire is slower than the Plaid.

Yeah I saw that one video that was posted, but I also saw one where it was quicker.

 

[sorka]

Yeah I saw that one video that was posted, but I also saw one where it was quicker.

What video would that be? Don't bother posting if the only link you have is one from a review where Lucid provided the car for the purpose of the review. That obviously doesn't count.

 

[WilliamG]

I thought it was an inch wider due to the slightly extended rear wheel wells?

Nope. Same.

 

[WilliamG]

But it is true in spirited twisties. The Plaid gets to much higher speeds between the turns so you have to slow down much more for each turn.

Honestly, if people are doing spirited twisties they should be in Track Mode for better handling AND significantly increased regen. If they’re still overheating their brakes they are 100% going too fast for the twisties and are a danger to themselves and those around them.

 

[sorka]

Honestly, if people are doing spirited twisties they should be in Track Mode for better handling AND significantly increased regen. If they’re still overheating their brakes they are 100% going too fast for the twisties and are a danger to themselves and those around them.

Got it. Early articles said the Plaid was 0.9 inches wider than the long range, but they must have been comparing it to the early 2021 non refresh and earlier which is 77.3 vs 78.2 for the refresh S.

 

[WilliamG]

Got it. Early articles said the Plaid was 0.9 inches wider than the long range, but they must have been comparing it to the early 2021 non refresh and earlier which is 77.3 vs 78.2 for the refresh S.

That makes far more sense. The car is wider front and rear than pre-refresh, but all the new S are the same dimensions.

 

[Jayskywalker21]

Still don't know why wood isn't an option in the Plaid. The carbon fiber just seems tacky. Had it in my MXP and did't like it at all.

Why'd you get rid of your MXP?

 

[SilverGS]

I thought it was an inch wider due to the slightly extended rear wheel wells?

No it isn't. The LR and Plaid is the exact same size.

 

[reddogva99]

Got any pics?

My phone kind of sucks taking pics but here you go!

 

[sorka]

No it isn't. The LR and Plaid is the exact same size.

Really?

 

[uscbucsfan]

Really?

It's the same car with different motors, a spoiler, different brakes, different seats, and CF instead of wood.

The exact same car.