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After 3 weeks of ownership a few random thoughts

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Just a few random thoughts about owning a Model S:

PROS:
[1] Fast, so fast. I find myself slowing at yellow lights so I can be the first one in line when it turns green so I can floor it...
[2] Interior is so elegant and "Zen". Overall quality is impressive (with a few missteps...see below).
[3] I have less "range anxiety" with the Model S than I did with my ICE, since every morning I have a full "tank", whereas with my previous car I tended to run the tank down to near empty before heading to the gas station.
[4] Whenever I approach my garage and the Homelink automatically presents the open garage door button, I smile a little bit.
[5] So, so quiet. I find myself frequently driving without the radio on and with the HVAC off just so I can hear...nothing.
[6] I'm pleased with, although not blown away by, the Sound Studio system.
[7] There's two trunks! I don't have anything in either of them, but I've got two trunks!
[8] That touch screen! Really elegantly designed interface. Certainly blows the iDrive out of the water. If Apple designed a car, this would be it.

"CONS":
[1] Hard plastic panels on the doors, although they look high quality, are a bit disappointing in a $90K+ car.
[2] I'm pleased with, although not blown away by, the Sound Studio system. The Dolby button seems to make things worse. Doubting this option was worth it.
[3] While my 128GB USB stick, synced with my iTunes library is working great, it's still disappointing that there's no baked-in iTunes integration. I am missing my playlists and shuffle.
[4] No Center Console/storage. (I shelled out the extra dough for the Center Console Insert which is awesome. But c'mon, Tesla, this should be part of the car to begin with...
[5] A little disappointed there aren't more in car apps. Seems like the center touch screen has so much more potential than is currently exploited. Hoping for some worthwhile software enhancements in the coming months/years.
[6] The owner's manual came in a paper envelope with a red-string closure. Pretty minor gripe, but really an embarrassing afterthought in a $90K+ car...
[7] Why are all the street labels on the map upside down when I'm driving south? (Rhetorical question).

Anyway, it's fun to do the "if I designed the car, I'd change this..." game. Regardless, this is easily the coolest car I've ever had*, hands down!


*My storied car history: Renault Le Car, Honda Accord 2-door, Ford Escort, Honda Accord, Audi A4, BMW 3-series, MB CLK, Lexus RX, BMW 3-series, Lexus GSh, Acura TL, BMW 5 series, Tesla Model S"
 
For CON 3 - Are you saying that if I use BT Audio (A2DP) that i cannot control my iphone from the giant touchscreen?

You can only pause and move back or forward a track. You can't select specific tracks/artists -- you have to do that from your phone if you are using Bluetooth. (This is a limitation of Bluetooth). Which is why full (wired) iTunes integration would be nice...
 
I love LOVE "after a few weeks of ownership" stories. It reaffirms that we're not just drinking the Kool-Aid.

It's clear that the pros far outweigh the cons!

@Argelius: You owned a LeCar?!?!? Wow. Props. Curious: How does the GSh compare to the MS? That was what I wanted before becoming a Tesla-ite.
 
@Argelius: You owned a LeCar?!?!? Wow. Props. Curious: How does the GSh compare to the MS? That was what I wanted before becoming a Tesla-ite.

I LOVED my Le Car. My very first car. It wouldn't go uphill and I had to add brake fluid in it once a week. But I loved that car.

As far as comparing the Model S to the GSh, it's a tough one. For me, the fact the Tesla is a pure electric vehicle makes it completely impossible to compare it to anything else. The GSh was a nice car, and fast, but it was sort of boring like all Lexi.
 
[1] Fast, so fast. I find myself slowing at yellow lights so I can be the first one in line when it turns green so I can floor it...

be careful with this. there have been an (IMO) unusually high amount of Tesla's getting broadsided. (not Tesla owner fault). but perhaps due to tendancy to goose it at a light and end up catching a red light runner? always look, even if light is green. may save your life some day (well, in this car, probably more like may save the OTHER guy's life).

[5] So, so quiet. I find myself frequently driving without the radio on and with the HVAC off just so I can hear...nothing.

just wait until next summer, when you'll be wanting to turn the HVAC off so you don't have to hear how loud it actually gets.

[1] Hard plastic panels on the doors, although they look high quality, are a bit disappointing in a $90K+ car.

mine's leather. but my early P85 had the extended nappa trim on the doors included for free...

[2] I'm pleased with, although not blown away by, the Sound Studio system. The Dolby button seems to make things worse. Doubting this option was worth it.

"supposedly" this is actually one of the best (if not THE best) factory sound system ever put in a car due to some very very unique properties of the system (like directional center channel) BUT the piece that is lacking is the software audio drivers for it. when they expose an EQ and some audio driver tweaks this should drastically improve the existing sound system.

[4] No Center Console/storage....c'mon, Tesla, this should be part of the car to begin with...

this is a "feature" , not a bug :)

[5] A little disappointed there aren't more in car apps. Seems like the center touch screen has so much more potential than is currently exploited. Hoping for some worthwhile software enhancements in the coming months/years.

software SDK for the public, "us", to write cool apps is coming next year... :) I can't wait for this!!! (I am a software engineer...with lots of ideas!!)
 
[1] Fast, so fast. I find myself slowing at yellow lights so I can be the first one in line when it turns green so I can floor it...

What I sometimes like to do on this 2-lane 40mph road we have here.

Slow at the yellow light and wait during red.
More often than not, the lane beside me will stay empty for a while except during rush hour.
Once the light is green (and you're sure it's safe), wait for another car to carry on through the green light in the other lane - he'll be travelling at 40mph.
Start accelerating once the nose of the other car is next to yours.

Even though you're starting from 0mph, and he's starting from 40mph+, you'll be able to overtake it before it passes you (and before he even fully cross the intersection). It leaves some surprised drivers!
 
What I sometimes like to do on this 2-lane 40mph road we have here.

Slow at the yellow light and wait during red.
More often than not, the lane beside me will stay empty for a while except during rush hour.
Once the light is green (and you're sure it's safe), wait for another car to carry on through the green light in the other lane - he'll be travelling at 40mph.
Start accelerating once the nose of the other car is next to yours.

Even though you're starting from 0mph, and he's starting from 40mph+, you'll be able to overtake it before it passes you (and before he even fully cross the intersection). It leaves some surprised drivers!

With a BIG Tesla grin! Isn't it great?
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be careful with this. there have been an (IMO) unusually high amount of Tesla's getting broadsided. (not Tesla owner fault). but perhaps due to tendancy to goose it at a light and end up catching a red light runner? always look, even if light is green. may save your life some day (well, in this car, probably more like may save the OTHER guy's life).

I second this suggestion. The dashcam video from my accident will soon be available to see online.

It dramatically demonstrates how a reckless driver can come from literally nowhere and potentially take your life.

If you really want to show off how fast your car is from the start line follow yobigd20's advice. Let someone else go into the intersection first and clear it for you, then show them how easily you can catch up.