Buying a Tesla S when you live "in the middle of nowhere" ?

[byt]

Have you all read the services web page?

Service | Tesla Motors

Blog Entry on the subject from TM:
Transforming Automotive Service | Blog | Tesla Motors

 

[efusco]

So, what happens if one is in an accident and needs significant repairs? I thought I read that rangers could only do a limited subset of repairs.

I find it hard to believe my insurance company is going to ship my car 800km to be repaired...

This is all covered on the above linked page. But yes, if the vehicle requires extensive repair and/or needs to be on a lift to perform the repairs then it has to be flat bedded to the service center.

 

[dsm363]

Hey Dave, didn't Tesla say that the $600/yr is discounted to $four-something if you do 4 years at one time, in addition to the free rangers?

Hi. It is $1,900 if you prepay the 4 year service plan ($475/year) but it doesn't include free Ranger visits
Service | Tesla Motors

The Ranger fee is $100 per trip with that plan. You're really only paying $100 (if you were planning on Ranger visits anyway) for the unlimited plan so I think it's worth it. This is assuming you were going to use the Ranger anyway for annual checkup at end of year 1-4 (4 x $100).

Since you live in a city with a service center (soon) it might not be as useful to you though.

 

[Nixx]

This is all covered on the above linked page. But yes, if the vehicle requires extensive repair and/or needs to be on a lift to perform the repairs then it has to be flat bedded to the service center.

Assuming one isn't worried about being without their vehicle for weeks, has anyone successfully had their insurance provider pay for this? I cannot imagine it would go over smoothly.

 

[byt]

Assuming one isn't worried about being without their vehicle for weeks, has anyone successfully had their insurance provider pay for this? I cannot imagine it would go over smoothly.

Different kind of car, different set of excuses from the insurers. Fun! :/

 

[dsm363]

Assuming one isn't worried about being without their vehicle for weeks, has anyone successfully had their insurance provider pay for this? I cannot imagine it would go over smoothly.

Doesn't your insurance cover towing the car to the nearest qualified service center? I'd double check with them. Since Tesla is the only game in town to fix the Model S, they really don't have a choice.

 

[Nixx]

Doesn't your insurance cover towing the car to the nearest qualified service center? I'd double check with them. Since Tesla is the only game in town to fix the Model S, they really don't have a choice.

I'd have to agree with you, they don't have much of a choice if the vehicle is not drivable. After considering your reply I'm now a bit more concerned if the vehicle WAS drivable but not fixable by a ranger. In the past when in an accident, insurance has asked if the vehicle is drivable or needs to be towed. I can see it now... Having to drive my car across two provinces just to get serviced.

I think I'm going to have to wait until they have plans to open a service shop in Saskatchewan.

 

[dsm363]

If the vehicle is drivable but not fixable then Tesla should tow it back for you and fix it. That's what they did with my Roadster at least when the AC stopped working. I assume it would be the same with the Model S but am not sure.

 

[Doug_G]

So, what happens if one is in an accident and needs significant repairs? I thought I read that rangers could only do a limited subset of repairs.

Around here the Rangers wrestle the car into their trailer and head off to Toronto. (Not had this happen myself.)

 

[carrerascott]

Thanks, we'll have to have a Virginia (not Northern) get together some day. I've heard there are 3 in the Charlottesville area, I know of one person who has one. So in 9-12 months, it will be 4-ish here.

Thanks all for the responses, the Ranger service definitely sounds like the way to go.

Also not awfully upset to wait 9-12 months and let some of the early production problems get worked out before I get my car. (Sorry to the folks who have to experience the problems, but you DO have your car now! ).

Scott

Hi Scott, welcome! Glad to see another Virginian looking at the Model S!

If it makes you feel better, I'm in Smithfield (Hampton Roads), so you're an hour closer than me. You are far from the middle of nowhere. *I* don't even consider myself to be the middle of nowhere. Ranger service ought to be perfect for you. I also think that in a few years you'll be fairly close to a Tesla Supercharger site expected on I-95. That's a plus!

 

[Mayhemm]

Perspective....

I thought this thread was about getting service in the middle of nowhere!
My nearest service center is 1750 miles away!
I have to drive further than you guys do just to reach a city, much less a service center! :redface:

I think I'm going to have to wait until they have plans to open a service shop in Saskatchewan.

I'm in the same boat as you...and I'm afraid we're in for a looooong wait. The best we can hope for is Calgary or maybe Winnipeg in around 2020. :crying:

UPDATE: I stand corrected. The Colorado service center is actually closer at only 1300 miles away.

 

[carrerascott]

I guess in the middle of nowhere is all relative.

I can't get DSL, cable, or any internet (including cellular) other than a dedicated T1 where I live (which I had to get for my business). So I consider that the middle of nowhere... And yes I've tried satellite internet and it was terrible.

I thought this thread was about getting service in the middle of nowhere!
My nearest service center is 1750 miles away!
I have to drive further than you guys do just to reach a city, much less a service center! :redface:

I'm in the same boat as you...and I'm afraid we're in for a looooong wait. The best we can hope for is Calgary or maybe Winnipeg in around 2020. :crying:

UPDATE: I stand corrected. The Colorado service center is actually closer at only 1300 miles away.

 

[stevezzzz]

I thought this thread was about getting service in the middle of nowhere!
My nearest service center is 1750 miles away!
I have to drive further than you guys do just to reach a city, much less a service center! :redface:

I'm in the same boat as you...and I'm afraid we're in for a looooong wait. The best we can hope for is Calgary or maybe Winnipeg in around 2020. :crying:

UPDATE: I stand corrected. The Colorado service center is actually closer at only 1300 miles away.

Y'all come and visit when you bring your S down to Denver for a TPMS reset, hear? :wink:

All kidding aside, if Tesla is willing to sell you a car and a Ranger service plan, go for it. Ranger service will pay for itself, instanter.

 

[Plug Me In]

I, too am a Virginian (Lynchburg) and pretty close to pulling the trigger on a reservation. The availability of service was a big concern of mine until I took a detailed look at the Service web page. This thread has also done a lot to ease my concern. I recently bought a Plug-in Prius, and that hooked me on EV driving. It kills me now when the ICE starts up in the Prius. I'm looking to replace our other car, 2006 Prius. I'm looking forward to round trips to C-ville without using any gas.

Thanks to all for all the "behind the scenes" info on the Model S. BTW Scott, when I lived in Richmond, I used to think I lived in Central Va, but now I see Richmond as "big city". Wouldn't be surprised to see a Tesla center there in the next year or two.

 

[carrerascott]

Would be nice, just because the traffic in Richmond is a fraction of the traffic toward DC. We're in northern Albemarle County, so close to 1.5 hr drive from Richmond too -- but certainly would prefer the drive to RIC on 64 vs to DC on 29...

When we get our Model S's, we'll have to meet up!

Scott

I, too am a Virginian (Lynchburg) and pretty close to pulling the trigger on a reservation. The availability of service was a big concern of mine until I took a detailed look at the Service web page. This thread has also done a lot to ease my concern. I recently bought a Plug-in Prius, and that hooked me on EV driving. It kills me now when the ICE starts up in the Prius. I'm looking to replace our other car, 2006 Prius. I'm looking forward to round trips to C-ville without using any gas.

Thanks to all for all the "behind the scenes" info on the Model S. BTW Scott, when I lived in Richmond, I used to think I lived in Central Va, but now I see Richmond as "big city". Wouldn't be surprised to see a Tesla center there in the next year or two.

 

[Mayhemm]

Y'all come and visit when you bring your S down to Denver for a TPMS reset, hear? :wink:

Ain't that the truth! Unfortunately, in that case I would have to just live with the little warning icon until my next scheduled service.

All kidding aside, if Tesla is willing to sell you a car and a Ranger service plan, go for it. Ranger service will pay for itself, instanter.

I definitely worked that into my budget, but would Rangers even come out this far? I'm sure Tesla is thinking more the couple hundred miles that most others deal with on this board; not my thousand plus. I fear I may be out of range of even the Rangers (Ba dum bump). They're probably like the "free" tow my auto insurance offers; ie: "maximum 80km from a major center."

 

[Robert.Boston]

Rangers fly to Hawaii to service Roadsters there. Of course, they probably had more volunteers for that particular trip than they will for trips to Saskatchewan!

 

[Al Sherman]

I wish I'd paid closer attention over the last few years. I would already have my Model S. I was waiting for a service center closer to MY middle of nowhere. They are opening one in March within 150 miles. When I reserved the Model S the product specialist described the Ranger service (which Tesla just announced the ability to extend) and it was a no brainer. Should have reserved the car years ago. Oh well. I'll have to wait 'til summer 2013.

 

[dsm363]

I wish I'd paid closer attention over the last few years. I would already have my Model S. I was waiting for a service center closer to MY middle of nowhere. They are opening one in March within 150 miles. When I reserved the Model S the product specialist described the Ranger service (which Tesla just announced the ability to extend) and it was a no brainer. Should have reserved the car years ago. Oh well. I'll have to wait 'til summer 2013.

Welcome! My parents live in Indiana and they've already had the Rangers down from Chicago to drop off the Winter wheel package and install them. They did a great job so you're good to go.

 

[rogbmw]

Something else you may want to look at is your insurance. I have USAA with towing insurance, and if I have a problem my towing will take the car to the closest "authorized service center". My son, when in college, had a problem on the road in his car - a 12 year old BMW. USAA paid to truck (flat-bed) it to the closest BMW dealer. So, you may want to check the wording on your policy.