Don't test drive a Tesla . . . unless you want to buy one

[Scoopa]

Yes, we've all heard that before, but it is true. If you know deep down you want one and can financially work it, go take that test drive. Then it's just a matter of time before you end up running numbers, reading forums, thinking about it, asking friends, etc, before you pull the trigger and snag. But if you want one and can't afford it, don't test drive it! It'll ruin your other car driving experiences, or have you consider a purchase that isn't financially going to work.

I got a 2017 Model S 100D after a seeing a buddy of mine snag a Model S earlier this year, and him offering me to drive it. I took the wheel and off we drove. I realized then that I was toast. Done. A couple of weeks later I went to the local Boston showroom and did a test drive. Double toast. Just a matter of time.

Snagged the 100D, and love it. Giggle daily as I zip by cars and voice command songs for my kids in the backseat or use enhanced autopilot. So much fun.

But recently . . . the wife was looking at possibly replacing the old Lexus RX 400H. I like the Model X, but not as much as the S, and without any other really meaningful electric SUV with good range, started looking at ICE cars. Looked at BMWs, Lexus, Mercedes, Honda, Acura, Jeep, Audi and pretty much everything out there. Wife liked the look of Mercedes the most, so went for a test drive of the GLC, GLK, and ML. Cars had nice interiors, and were surprisingly comfy, but the ride felt like we were dragging an anchor around behind us, and really felt very choppy with the gear shifts. I realized then that I had officially become spoiled by Tesla's lightning acceleration and amazing ride. Ugh.

Now we're just going to keep the RX, spruce it up, and wait for the Y or something else sweet down the road. Anyone else had similar experiences with their car purchase and/or experience after driving or owning a Tesla??? Happy driving!

 

[JasJ]

Yes, I can no longer stand to drive my wife's SUV... sluggish in so many ways. More and more, she wants to borrow my car. I too hope to hold out for MY to replace the SUV.

I was 'suckered' in by a friend who had one of the first Teslas in the neighborhood. Now my neighbor who drove my car has one on order.

 

[Scoopa]

Yes, I can no longer stand to drive my wife's SUV... sluggish in so many ways. More and more, she wants to borrow my car. I too hope to hold out for MY to replace the SUV.

I was 'suckered' in by a friend who had one of the first Teslas in the neighborhood. Now my neighbor who drove my car has one on order.

Ha! They call that the "puppy dog close" in sales. Give someone the puppy dog to be with for a test run, and they'll likely buy it. Happened to both of us with the Tesla, and now your neighbor too. Great marketing on Tesla's part. Make something so awesome that your customers are your advertising.

 

[Beaker]

But recently . . . the wife was looking at possibly replacing the old Lexus RX 400H. I like the Model X, but not as much as the S, and without any other really meaningful electric SUV with good range, started looking at ICE cars. Looked at BMWs, Lexus, Mercedes, Honda, Acura, Jeep, Audi and pretty much everything out there. Wife liked the look of Mercedes the most, so went for a test drive of the GLC, GLK, and ML. Cars had nice interiors, and were surprisingly comfy, but the ride felt like we were dragging an anchor around behind us, and really felt very choppy with the gear shifts. I realized then that I had officially become spoiled by Tesla's lightning acceleration and amazing ride. Ugh.

Replace Lexus RX400 with Toyota Highlander and this happened to us. We head to the Factory tomorrow to pick up the X.
Sorry to tell you that you are more correct than you know... it's only a matter of time...

 

[Quick2Judge]

Hello All,. My name is Larry. I had my first Tesla experience August 2016. Since then thinking of Tesla's has ruined my life. Consumed with Tesla forums, researching used Tesla's, speculating on future Tesla improvements, daily visits to the Tesla.com design studio devolved to twice daily and sometimes hourly visits. Finally after 10 months I figured the car would be cheaper than the necessary therapy bills.

Now things are worse! Like casino's gambler help lines I think Tesla has a moral obligation to test ride driver's, no I mean test ride victims like myself, who's entire lives are focused on our next high, excuse me drive.

Thank you for your compassion.

 

[caltechkid]

Hello All,. My name is Larry. I had my first Tesla experience August 2016. Since then thinking of Tesla's has ruined my life. Consumed with Tesla forums, researching used Tesla's, speculating on future Tesla improvements, daily visits to the Tesla.com design studio devolved to twice daily and sometimes hourly visits. Finally after 10 months I figured the car would be cheaper than the necessary therapy bills.

Now things are worse! Like casino's gambler help lines I think Tesla has a moral obligation to test ride driver's, no I mean test ride victims like myself, who's entire lives are focused on our next high, excuse me drive.

Thank you for your compassion.

Welcome, Larry - you are in a place of healing and no judgement. Take it day by day and I'll be your sponsor if you use my referral code for your next purchase.

 

[Scoopa]

Hello All,. My name is Larry. I had my first Tesla experience August 2016. Since then thinking of Tesla's has ruined my life. Consumed with Tesla forums, researching used Tesla's, speculating on future Tesla improvements, daily visits to the Tesla.com design studio devolved to twice daily and sometimes hourly visits. Finally after 10 months I figured the car would be cheaper than the necessary therapy bills.

Now things are worse! Like casino's gambler help lines I think Tesla has a moral obligation to test ride driver's, no I mean test ride victims like myself, who's entire lives are focused on our next high, excuse me drive.

Thank you for your compassion.

Soooo, have you bought the car yet? If so, what did you get? If not, what's the hold up?!

 

[Steve_Velo]

Soooo, have you bought the car yet? If so, what did you get? If not, what's the hold up?!

Agree. Wanted a Tesla for a while a friend let me drive their Roadster. Two days later had purchased a P85+ without even seeing it (apart from photos) let alone driving it. No regrets!

 

[Quick2Judge]

Soooo, have you bought the car yet? If so, what did you get? If not, what's the hold up?!

Ordered a beautiful 75 D in June and took delivery 2 weeks ago. Now I am not checking the forums quite as much but pulling her up on the Tesla app constantly....making sure the wifey parked safely in the corner of the lot, checking her temperature, occasionally honking the horn from 1,000 KM away just because I can.

 

[rpm001]

This is basically what happened to me too. I reserved the 3, went to test-drive the S, having already decided I didn't want to spend that much. But I wanted the "tesla experience" to see what it was all about. Well... that was it. After driving the S I knew I needed to get one. Rest is history.

 

[Rockster]

Same here. We test drove a Model S in August 2013, just for something to do on a hot Saturday afternoon. We knew very little about the Tesla and weren't even looking for a new car. Hooked. We bought an inventory P85 within a month and drove it until we upgraded to a Model S with AP 1.0.

Now, we can't wait for our Model 3 to arrive so that we can be rid of ICE vehicles altogether. I even suggested that we keep our Highlander, long since paid for, as a backup, beater car, but my wife wants it gone.

So, for us, I would modify your comment to read "Don't test drive a Tesla unless you want to be steered away from ICE vehicles forever."

 

[Scoopa]

Ordered a beautiful 75 D in June and took delivery 2 weeks ago. Now I am not checking the forums quite as much but pulling her up on the Tesla app constantly....making sure the wifey parked safely in the corner of the lot, checking her temperature, occasionally honking the horn from 1,000 KM away just because I can.

Nice! Good work. You got the faster 75D as well, which is sweet (not that 5.2 is slow on the older 75Ds). I haven't honked the horn while being away from the car, but may have to try that now. Good heads up! I do like to use the summon feature, if for no other reason as kind of a fun gimmick to impress the neighbors and kids. However, summon did come in handy at a parking garage once, which was kind of cool.

 

[Scoopa]

Same here. We test drove a Model S in August 2013, just for something to do on a hot Saturday afternoon. We knew very little about the Tesla and weren't even looking for a new car. Hooked. We bought an inventory P85 within a month and drove it until we upgraded to a Model S with AP 1.0.

Now, we can't wait for our Model 3 to arrive so that we can be rid of ICE vehicles altogether. I even suggested that we keep our Highlander, long since paid for, as a backup, beater car, but my wife wants it gone.

So, for us, I would modify your comment to read "Don't test drive a Tesla unless you want to be steered away from ICE vehicles forever."

Well done, Rockster. Being an S owner, like you, we are both likely relatively pretty high up the delivery list for a 3, which I have also reserved. But I'll probably bail on my reservation. I really like the 3, and it looks awesome, but what I really eventually need is a family car to replace our SUV. The X looks fun, but not sure if I can swing a new X and an S. I suppose my wife can take over the S and I can take the 3, but kids are getting bigger, so we might need two bigger cars. We shall see. Definitely report back on the 3 after you snag it. Which one are you currently thinking of getting?

 

[WillK]

So true. I usually never spend over $30,000 on my cars. I had my Jetta Deisel for 6 years and was going to drive it at least another 2 or 3 until I could get a model 3. Then Dieselgate happened. I started test driving lower priced EV cars. Right away loved the EV experience but needed more range. Loved the Tesla driving experience. Had dreams about driving it and then the price tag would pop up in my head and I would wake up in a panic attack. No regrets buying it.
Two friends showed interest so I had them test drive it and both bought a model S; one new one CPO.
Beware test driving one.

 

[Scoopa]

So true. I usually never spend over $30,000 on my cars. I had my Jetta Deisel for 6 years and was going to drive it at least another 2 or 3 until I could get a model 3. Then Dieselgate happened. I started test driving lower priced EV cars. Right away loved the EV experience but needed more range. Loved the Tesla driving experience. Had dreams about driving it and then the price tag would pop up in my head and I would wake up in a panic attack. No regrets buying it.
Two friends showed interest so I had them test drive it and both bought a model S; one new one CPO.
Beware test driving one.

Nice ride WillK. Sounds like you did well. Funny your buddies bought one too. That's what happens when test drives happen. I'm also in the previously hadn't spent more than $30K on a car club. Not anymore! But no regrets. Love cruising around in the S.

 

[hulk2k17]

My experience was similar. I was pretty much settled on a V6/Touring Accord but a coworker kept talking up Tesla. So finally i stepped into a gallery. Then a week later, I gave it a test drive. Then I took the family for a second test drive a couple of weeks later. I'm currently expecting delivery of my 75D in early/mid September.

Now if Tesla just made a mini van with the capacity and range (~400-450 miles) of a Honda Odyssey...

 

[EV-lutioin]

The best part of a Tesla test drive is when you get back into your ICE car push down the pedal, hear a bunch of noise and feel no acceleration. At that point you are ruined for life.

 

[Scoopa]

The best part of a Tesla test drive is when you get back into your ICE car push down the pedal, hear a bunch of noise and feel no acceleration. At that point you are ruined for life.

So true! We test drove a bunch of Mercedes with not too shabby engines for the Mrs, but I almost thought it was a joke how slowly they accelerated. I couldn't believe that they were so non responsive. Needless to say, a Mercedes was not purchased.

 

[gavine]

I suppose my wife can take over the S and I can take the 3, but kids are getting bigger, so we might need two bigger cars.

The Model 3 is supposedly quite roomy on the inside.

 

[Struja]

Yes, we've all heard that before, but it is true. If you know deep down you want one and can financially work it, go take that test drive. Then it's just a matter of time before you end up running numbers, reading forums, thinking about it, asking friends, etc, before you pull the trigger and snag. But if you want one and can't afford it, don't test drive it! It'll ruin your other car driving experiences, or have you consider a purchase that isn't financially going to work.

I got a 2017 Model S 100D after a seeing a buddy of mine snag a Model S earlier this year, and him offering me to drive it. I took the wheel and off we drove. I realized then that I was toast. Done. A couple of weeks later I went to the local Boston showroom and did a test drive. Double toast. Just a matter of time.

Snagged the 100D, and love it. Giggle daily as I zip by cars and voice command songs for my kids in the backseat or use enhanced autopilot. So much fun.

But recently . . . the wife was looking at possibly replacing the old Lexus RX 400H. I like the Model X, but not as much as the S, and without any other really meaningful electric SUV with good range, started looking at ICE cars. Looked at BMWs, Lexus, Mercedes, Honda, Acura, Jeep, Audi and pretty much everything out there. Wife liked the look of Mercedes the most, so went for a test drive of the GLC, GLK, and ML. Cars had nice interiors, and were surprisingly comfy, but the ride felt like we were dragging an anchor around behind us, and really felt very choppy with the gear shifts. I realized then that I had officially become spoiled by Tesla's lightning acceleration and amazing ride. Ugh.

Now we're just going to keep the RX, spruce it up, and wait for the Y or something else sweet down the road. Anyone else had similar experiences with their car purchase and/or experience after driving or owning a Tesla??? Happy driving!

Awesome post and it happened to me. I test drove mine and fell in love. Made a deal which ultimately fell apart badly based on my trade in. So, I walked away and I was going to teach Tesla a lesson. I test drove an E63, M5, RS7, GS-F. All great cars but nothing felt like that stupid Model S I drove months earlier. 10 months later I was back and my got my beloved S90D and I buzz around town with a silly smirk all day long enjoying this beast.

Now my wife is eyeing the X, to replace her 2016 RX350!!!!

At least us men, have an excuse... Fast cars boost men's testosterone levels: research

LOL!