One year away from a great Zeppelin tune…
My 2012 S just flopped over 60k miles and is now nearly 9 years old… causing me to reflect on what I was thinking when I signed up for this hayride. So, here are 7 things I can recall:
1) loved the idea of having an electric ride and supported the sustainability mission. Still do.
2) even though I placed reservation before knowing what it would look like, I loved the lines (except for the nose cone), and loved the minimalist interior. Still do, and the nose cone has grown on me. To me, the original S is one of those timeless designs that still looks modern a decade later, and still will in another decade. people still stop me as I’m walking to/from car to tell me what a beautiful car it is. Sycamore brown with PPF, custom wheels.
3) was concerned about spending nearly $100k on the first mass production car from a new company. Would they last or go bust? They have lasted so far.
4) was concerned about battery. Would it last, or would I need to replace at huge cost? I know a few have had problems, but I’m still charging to (and getting!) a healthy 250 miles rated range at 100% (vs 265 new).
5) was concerned about range. What would I REALLY get? Was car really viable outside of daily city driving? Well, lifetime WH/MI is 314. Summer and winter. Driven mainly in northern Il and WI. YMMV
6) was concerned whether the promised supercharger network would materialize, and then whether it would really be feasible for distance travel. It has. I have charge limited A battery, but I guess everyone’s is now. Hasn’t ruined my trips, I’ve enjoyed the breaks.
7) would it be reliable, or constantly in the shop? And could Tesla provide service? I’ve had my one “grinding noise” DU replacement, contractor replacement, EMMC replacement, one air shock replacement, all under warranty, and all done promptly… most with Tesla loaners. I’ve regretted buying 8 years of prepaid annual service because even Tesla realized it was totally unnecessary. Seemed like good insurance at the time..,
So, all in all, I guess a pretty good success!
My 2012 S just flopped over 60k miles and is now nearly 9 years old… causing me to reflect on what I was thinking when I signed up for this hayride. So, here are 7 things I can recall:
1) loved the idea of having an electric ride and supported the sustainability mission. Still do.
2) even though I placed reservation before knowing what it would look like, I loved the lines (except for the nose cone), and loved the minimalist interior. Still do, and the nose cone has grown on me. To me, the original S is one of those timeless designs that still looks modern a decade later, and still will in another decade. people still stop me as I’m walking to/from car to tell me what a beautiful car it is. Sycamore brown with PPF, custom wheels.
3) was concerned about spending nearly $100k on the first mass production car from a new company. Would they last or go bust? They have lasted so far.
4) was concerned about battery. Would it last, or would I need to replace at huge cost? I know a few have had problems, but I’m still charging to (and getting!) a healthy 250 miles rated range at 100% (vs 265 new).
5) was concerned about range. What would I REALLY get? Was car really viable outside of daily city driving? Well, lifetime WH/MI is 314. Summer and winter. Driven mainly in northern Il and WI. YMMV
6) was concerned whether the promised supercharger network would materialize, and then whether it would really be feasible for distance travel. It has. I have charge limited A battery, but I guess everyone’s is now. Hasn’t ruined my trips, I’ve enjoyed the breaks.
7) would it be reliable, or constantly in the shop? And could Tesla provide service? I’ve had my one “grinding noise” DU replacement, contractor replacement, EMMC replacement, one air shock replacement, all under warranty, and all done promptly… most with Tesla loaners. I’ve regretted buying 8 years of prepaid annual service because even Tesla realized it was totally unnecessary. Seemed like good insurance at the time..,
So, all in all, I guess a pretty good success!