Hello TMC,
It's been a journey! I have loved my P85 Model S for 37 months and 48K miles but it was time to take advantage of my Resale Value Guarantee and get the family into an X. My youngest two (of three) kids were approaching the maximum size for the jump seats so my 7 seat Model S was about to turn into a 5-seater (not to mention that the novelty has worn off and none of them want to sit in the jump seats). I've posted my thoughts here before...why we couldn't go double-Tesla and bought an XC90 last summer for my wife as our main ski/camp/hike SUV:
My Story: 3 kids, a Model S, cancelling my Model X, and a...Volvo?
I posted recently about why I stick with Tesla:
Mindset Regarding Quality From Model S Owner
Picked up my beauty today. Some thoughts on delivery:
It's been a journey! I have loved my P85 Model S for 37 months and 48K miles but it was time to take advantage of my Resale Value Guarantee and get the family into an X. My youngest two (of three) kids were approaching the maximum size for the jump seats so my 7 seat Model S was about to turn into a 5-seater (not to mention that the novelty has worn off and none of them want to sit in the jump seats). I've posted my thoughts here before...why we couldn't go double-Tesla and bought an XC90 last summer for my wife as our main ski/camp/hike SUV:
My Story: 3 kids, a Model S, cancelling my Model X, and a...Volvo?
I posted recently about why I stick with Tesla:
Mindset Regarding Quality From Model S Owner
Picked up my beauty today. Some thoughts on delivery:
- Yes, got the matte seat backs. Love them.
- When the design studio changed to the matte seat backs it also showed the monopost on the side/under the seat changing to matte as well from the chrome. It didn't for us. Still chrome.
- Still have the "old" FWD buttons...didn't luck into the new ones (New FWD switch design)
- Car is darn near perfect. I have a seal on the bottom of one of the rear doors that is a bit bowed in a few spots but I'm not worried. I figured I'd wait for the seals to settle for a few weeks/months then have them address at a service. FWDs are well aligned except for a small misalignment over the wheel well. Again, figure best to wait for everything to settle before addressing. Driving home I went to hit the volume on the screen and noticed the smallest little dent on the silver trim surrounding the screen. I emailed my DS at a red light and by the time I got home he emailed me back and told me they ordered a new trim piece. I had trim replaced on my old MS twice. It is so prone to dents. Wish they'd come up with a different material. Outside of that, car seems to be rock solid.
- Haven't driven in dark yet so I don't know if I have ghosting
- Except for losing the swag, the delivery experience is significantly advanced from what I had three years ago. Smoother process. Better facilities. Much more refined.
- Trading in through Tesla was insanely easy. Along with financing through them the entire "transaction" part of the process took less than 5 minutes. Even the trade-in quote was handled days before as the DS sent me a link to fill out a form on my car and submit pics. Didn't even have to look at my trade today. I know I could get more on the open market but given that WA gives sales tax relief for the trade-in value, I "saved" about $5K in sales tax. Add that onto my trade-in value and it appears to be the approx going rate for my car re-sale (plus, zero hassle)
- I just LOVE how big and open this car feels. Sure my MS was fun to drive but the five of us always felt squished. The kids loved the three seats in the second row and how spacious they were...not to mention how high they are. 2nd row has more space than my wife's XC90. I know people prefer the 6-seater but with 3 kids that second row is perfect for us.
- The fit and finish is a significant step up from my 2014 Model S. Simple things like lighted USB ports feel more refined. Finally I have a turn signal on the top, not the bottom. My steering wheel is finally adjustable. Materials feel better. Those glorious seats (I had the original seats). I can go on...
- The few people that have seen it so far all freak out over the white interior. I love my white/carbon combo.
- Got two door false positives today. Makes me nervous. Went to back up out of the garage and it said that a door was open. It wasn't. I opened/close the passenger door and good to go. Got home from dinner and driver's FWD "detected obstruction" even though there was none there. The doors were my biggest concern with this thing. Hope those demons disappear!
- Going to dinner my wife said "how long until Mom gets clocked in the head because a daughter closed her door while I'm getting out of the car." We laughed. After dinner my 6 year old gets in and as I'm opening my door she closes her FWD. DAD almost got clocked in the head. We talked with the kids about FWD rules after this.
- Kids, BTW, think the doors are the coolest thing in the world. They start talking about who gets to open them before we even get to the car (2 doors, 3 kids...need to rotate)
- AP2 was calibrated and ready to go on my second drive. The highway was wet from rain but the sun was peaking through creating that high-glare situation where's it's tough to see white lines. AP2 tracked solid. I could barely see and it had no problems. Impressive.
- After getting frustrated that Tesla still doesn't have rear WeatherTech mats for my VIN, I just ordered the ToughPros from Amazon. I'm really impressed. Half the price. Fit great. Not nearly as obnoxious to the eye in person as they look online. In fact I think they kinda look baller with the white/carbon interior.
- Bought the full-set of Abstract Ocean LEDs and have installed most of them now. Was SUPER AMPED that I did not get the PUP but the wiring and harness for the underseat lighting is there waiting to be used. Popped in the Abstract Ocean LEDs and bam...I've got underseat lighting without PUP.
- Side note concerning an almost death-by-FWD incident while installing the lights. I was lying on my back accessing the underseat lights. I had loose gym shorts on with my key in my pocket. Both the driver's door and FWD were open. After getting the light in I started to get up when my FOB in my shorts bumped up against the B-Pillar. BEEP!!! Doors start closing, I'm lying on my back. Ahhh! Got out right as the FWD and front door shut. Won't mention that one to my wife. Live and learn.