...just introducing myself from Southern California, down in the Carlsbad/La Costa area.
In recent years, I've owned 2 Lexus RX (SUV) hybrids beginning the month they were introduced back in 2005, along with a couple German toys -- a 335i and presently an SLK. As much as I have enjoyed Lexus reliability, service, along with exquisite fit & finish in my 5 Lexi since 1995, their new IMHO over-the-top aggressive styling is not what I want to own one day, even though it's likely to appeal to a newer driver generation.
I'm more into the sporty, but elegant and classy look. Lexus tech has been refined for my purposes, but has always lagged the German brands in what was offered between major model generations (unlike the constant updates Tesla appears to provide). The German brands have had awful reliability and service compared to what I've had all these years with Lexus, so even MBZ remains problematic and always a haunting question mark for me today. Anyway, the new Lexus models opened Pandoras Box, and I've found myself exploring future options, even though I had no intent to get a new ride for at least another couple years.
I've become more aggressive in my Tesla reading the past couple of weeks -- spending several hours a day in my exploration. I've been reading forums/blogs here and over at Teslamotors.com (lots more to do); have watched 100% of Tesla's and Nick Howe's YouTube videos; ordered Nick's book, as well put Ashlee Vance's book on Elon on my iPad that I need to get going with. I am a big research hound and a stickler trying to understand detail, and have a lot more to do. I still need to get beyond the whole range anxiety thing (it's improving); figure out financially if I can come to grips with this given my existing rides are relatively new and paid-for 2013 & 2014; set up a test drive and see a physical Model S in-person perhaps next week. If I jump into the Tesla family, my present idea is to sell both my RX450h and SLK, and now that I'm a single retired guy, consolidate to a single S90D. I'm a low <7500 miles/year driver, generally around town and destinations no more than an hour away, but do take several road trips each year (e.g. San Diego to Vegas, Fresno, Monterey, etc.). I don't go to the track, so performance models are not necessary, but I do like my on-ramps and torque I've enjoyed with my RXh AWDs and my little SLK in the past. No kids and it's just me and my Golden Retriever who accompanies me on errands around town, so I really don't need the size of a full SUV or a future Model X any longer. I've got to find a solution allowing my girl to ride in the back seat (no Canine Cover for a Model S, that is so excellent in my RX450h) -- have found other threads I need to read closer exploring all the links to see if there are any solutions to keep my ride looking great, deal with her shedding between frequent car detailing sessions I like to do myself, while allowing me to easily put the Model S back into "human-only occupant mode" when I take friends and family with me upon occassion. I'm a neat freak, and my rides are always clean, well taken care of, and smell like new when I eventually sell or trade them, so a solution to having my most-of-the-time 65-lb "dog passenger" is as important to me as understanding some of the details on the vehicle itself and going all-electric. There is plenty more info about me and my automobiles over on my personal website if you're so inclined.
Thanks in advance for your future help, advice and coaching. I've already learned a lot from my first few days reading TMC. I hope to become as frequent a contributor here as I've been in the Club Lexus forums since 2001 -- and step up from my 10 year-old life as a hybrid owner, to 100% Tesla electric. WOW!
In recent years, I've owned 2 Lexus RX (SUV) hybrids beginning the month they were introduced back in 2005, along with a couple German toys -- a 335i and presently an SLK. As much as I have enjoyed Lexus reliability, service, along with exquisite fit & finish in my 5 Lexi since 1995, their new IMHO over-the-top aggressive styling is not what I want to own one day, even though it's likely to appeal to a newer driver generation.
I'm more into the sporty, but elegant and classy look. Lexus tech has been refined for my purposes, but has always lagged the German brands in what was offered between major model generations (unlike the constant updates Tesla appears to provide). The German brands have had awful reliability and service compared to what I've had all these years with Lexus, so even MBZ remains problematic and always a haunting question mark for me today. Anyway, the new Lexus models opened Pandoras Box, and I've found myself exploring future options, even though I had no intent to get a new ride for at least another couple years.I've become more aggressive in my Tesla reading the past couple of weeks -- spending several hours a day in my exploration. I've been reading forums/blogs here and over at Teslamotors.com (lots more to do); have watched 100% of Tesla's and Nick Howe's YouTube videos; ordered Nick's book, as well put Ashlee Vance's book on Elon on my iPad that I need to get going with. I am a big research hound and a stickler trying to understand detail, and have a lot more to do. I still need to get beyond the whole range anxiety thing (it's improving); figure out financially if I can come to grips with this given my existing rides are relatively new and paid-for 2013 & 2014; set up a test drive and see a physical Model S in-person perhaps next week. If I jump into the Tesla family, my present idea is to sell both my RX450h and SLK, and now that I'm a single retired guy, consolidate to a single S90D. I'm a low <7500 miles/year driver, generally around town and destinations no more than an hour away, but do take several road trips each year (e.g. San Diego to Vegas, Fresno, Monterey, etc.). I don't go to the track, so performance models are not necessary, but I do like my on-ramps and torque I've enjoyed with my RXh AWDs and my little SLK in the past. No kids and it's just me and my Golden Retriever who accompanies me on errands around town, so I really don't need the size of a full SUV or a future Model X any longer. I've got to find a solution allowing my girl to ride in the back seat (no Canine Cover for a Model S, that is so excellent in my RX450h) -- have found other threads I need to read closer exploring all the links to see if there are any solutions to keep my ride looking great, deal with her shedding between frequent car detailing sessions I like to do myself, while allowing me to easily put the Model S back into "human-only occupant mode" when I take friends and family with me upon occassion. I'm a neat freak, and my rides are always clean, well taken care of, and smell like new when I eventually sell or trade them, so a solution to having my most-of-the-time 65-lb "dog passenger" is as important to me as understanding some of the details on the vehicle itself and going all-electric. There is plenty more info about me and my automobiles over on my personal website if you're so inclined.
Thanks in advance for your future help, advice and coaching. I've already learned a lot from my first few days reading TMC. I hope to become as frequent a contributor here as I've been in the Club Lexus forums since 2001 -- and step up from my 10 year-old life as a hybrid owner, to 100% Tesla electric. WOW!
