I just got an S75D. It shows 222 miles now. There was a $5K price drop in the S75 and S75D and there is still the $7500 tax credit so in my mind I'm $12,500 to the good.
The car is awesome.
I was on the waitlist for the 3. I'd likely have missed the tax credit on that.
Everyone has his own pricing issues. There are range considerations. Then for some here, the interior seems the most important factor.
My interior is just fine. I got the leather. The radio is good. I got the HiFi. I know the free supercharging is a true cost nonissue but it does make me feel good. I don't drive much, mine is a toy. I'm retired, we keep our cars a long time so this is likely my last car. I know that there will be price changes, new batteries, maybe a heads-up display in the future but my car is just awesome. I thought it might be a little sluggish, now being the entry level car, but it really isn't, not at all. I've ridden in the P100D and I've driven a P85D, that acceleration is too much for me, it is beyond thrilling, it's violent. I'm juvenile enough to want a car faster off the line than any other, but I wouldn't like using it, and that extra $70,000 or so is better used elsewhere.
I've had BMWs in the past, a Nissan 300ZX twin turbo to which I added a kit that increased horsepower by another 100. It was great to drive but after putting my foot into it a few times, there wasn't often that much use for that extra power. So the entry level all wheel drive 75D is good for me. I like that it is an uncommon car. I do not like the current fuss about repair costs. I do expect there will eventually be full self driving, I'm not really concerned about when. There will be a lot of 3s out there in a few years. I think the S will always be less common.
No one is going to be able to help you with your decision. You'll have a whole constellation of decisions about what is important to you and those factors will be different from anyone else's. I think it is not helpful to adopt someone else's priorities as your own. I've found my car. That Porsche interior guy is still looking, he may never find his. If mine stays exactly the way it is, that's OK with me. If something exponentially better comes out tomorrow, that's OK with me as well. My 75D is just great now, and it'll remain just as great from now on.
I wish you well. But you asked for advice, so here is mine. If what is available now doesn't suit you exactly, you should wait for something that does. Remember that other people's priorities are uniquely their's and certainly not your own. Remember that in 3-4 years, this car will be worth about 60% of the price now, so if price is a real concern, you can wait 3-4 years and not only will you see what is coming up shortly, you can get one hell of a deal. If you buy now then find something you want more, you'll give someone else a hell of a deal.
Best,
David
