With last night’s announcement of the Performance Model 3, how do you justify buying a Model S 75D?
Model 3 Performance:
- 3.5s 0-60mph
- 310 miles range
- 155 mph top speed
- 78k all options included (except autopilot)
Model S 75D:
- 4.2s 0-60mph
- 259 miles range
- 140 mph top speed
- 74.5k (without any upgrades)
First of all, I happen to own an S 75D, and I think the two cars mentioned here are great cars and best in their respective classes. But that's just it; they belong to different classes. It's sort of weird to compare them, but I'll play along. Based purely on the figures you listed, then there's no denying the P3D is superior. But the question one first needs to ask is whether those better numbers with P3D are relevant or the most important factors to them. For me, the answer is no, as what my S 75D gives me is already more than enough for my needs. Acceleration-wise, 4.2s 0-60 mph is already way faster than any cars that I previously owned,
I'm more than happy with its 259 miles range, and I have never needed to hit its rated top speed of 140 mph in my life (and suspect that I won't ever need nor want to), let alone 155 mph.
So if those P3D's better numbers are not relevant, then I believe S outshines it in the other areas due to it being bigger, better-equipped, and IMO more luxurious. A few examples in my case:
1. Roomier interior: We are a family with 2 teenage kids and when I took them to sit in a 3, they all felt like it was too cramped. Granted, they are used to bigger cars like our SUV and my S but it would've been a tough sell to convince them that they would be happy in a 3 judging from their reaction.
2. IC display: I look at and rely on the IC display far more often than the MCU, which is
why I didn't care that newer cars got the MCU 2. When I sat in the 3, the lack of the IC display felt disconcerting. I could probably force myself to get used to without one if I really had to, but I don't want to.
3. More cargo room: We typically bring anywhere between 4-5 luggages plus a few bags of assortments on road trips, all of which was a piece of cake for my S on the one we took in it. It would've been a stretch to fit all of that in a 3.
4. Better exterior look: This one is a bit subjective, but while I laud Tesla's achievements in coming up with an EV that is more affordable to a wider customer base, I LOVE the look of my S and would take it anytime over the 3's. The shapes and lines of the S just combine to make for such an attractive and striking exterior look. It just feels and drives like a really solid car with a good heft to it, which I like.
Last but not least, my S came with free supercharging for as long as I own it. Depending on one's driving needs, this may be a minor benefit, but it has sure come in handy for me with the latest one being just today. In short, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that there are many other people who have the same considerations as I do here, and why you won't see the demise of S 75D just yet.