-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
bonnie
I play a nice person on twitter.
Have you driven a Model S? I was surprised at the great braking performance. Several other posters have noted the same.
kevincwelch
Active Member
During my recent test drive, I slammed on the brakes going about 45 mph and was impressed with the stopping power. Normally, my Honda's ABS system would have engaged, but the feeling in the Model S was totally different. (And boy, did I feel it!)
It's the low center of gravity again. Just like it improves cornering by reducing the weight transfer, it reduces the weight transfer that occurs during braking. The back wheels actually have some weight on them and are significantly contributing to the braking.
smorgasbord
Active Member
The car could be at least 4" narrower if the doors didn't need to be thick enough to have retractable door handles.
My guess is that you don't get 2012 five star side impact without really thick doors. Since they had the space they put in the retractible handles. I would have rather had storage pockets, but it's been said that storage pockets reduce the safety ratings.
Jaff
Active Member
Dr. C, do you drive an EV currently?
Not sure I'd agree with your "wearing off" comment...even after driving electric for almost two years...I'd bet most Roadster owners would agree...
Not sure I'd agree with your "wearing off" comment...even after driving electric for almost two years...I'd bet most Roadster owners would agree...
Last edited:
strider
Active Member
I have not driven a Model S. I'd love to, but not badly enough to fly to Seattle. But I'm not in the market for it. Mainly, it's just too big a car for me. I don't care about the weight, though all else being equal, a heavier car will use more energy. But I don't like driving a big car. My first car was a Jeep CJ5. Good size with plenty of space for my needs. Then a Civic wagon. A little bigger than I really needed, but still fairly small. Then the Prius. That's already too big a car for me, but I liked the technology. The Zap Xebra was the perfect size car for me. With the aftermarket charger in the right rear footwell, I had room for myself, two adults, and a child. Or I had room for a lot of bottles and cans for the recycling center. The Roadster is longer than I'd have preferred, but it needs the space for batteries.
The Model S is just too big for my needs. I considered it briefly when I was getting desperate for a freeway-capable EV and my other options were not panning out, but for me the Roadster was the better choice, and I have no need for another EV.
As for the OP and a few other people canceling their orders, it's better to cancel than to get a car that you're not entirely happy with or cannot really afford, since dissatisfied customers are the worst kind of publicity. The OP remains enthusiastic about Tesla and waits for the GenIII, rather than buying a car that does not really suit, and telling friends what's wrong with it. And Elon has said that orders are not the problem. Production is the bottleneck. Tesla will sell every S it can build for some time yet.
The Model S is just too big for my needs. I considered it briefly when I was getting desperate for a freeway-capable EV and my other options were not panning out, but for me the Roadster was the better choice, and I have no need for another EV.
As for the OP and a few other people canceling their orders, it's better to cancel than to get a car that you're not entirely happy with or cannot really afford, since dissatisfied customers are the worst kind of publicity. The OP remains enthusiastic about Tesla and waits for the GenIII, rather than buying a car that does not really suit, and telling friends what's wrong with it. And Elon has said that orders are not the problem. Production is the bottleneck. Tesla will sell every S it can build for some time yet.
Agreed. The "wearing off" hasn't happen for me in the Prius in nine years (other than the disillusionment with Toyota dealer service). I suspect the Model S will be even better over the long term.
I agree with this too. I still love my 2006 Prius b/c it gets 46 MPG...after starting out at 42 MPG! Then the Model S comes along - and it's big, lots of storage space/leg room, 5-star crash rating, fast, fun, looks cool, has a 17" LCD with apps, large pano roof, and all the while it frees me from the whims of OPEC.
(Of course it doesn't have rear seat cup holders for my son's drinks and it embarrasses me that I have to spend $1.00 for a cheap window walmart cup holder to hang off one rear seat window like an early 1980's vehicle. I can't wait for my friends to laugh at me and the car.)
sublimaze1
8Dec2012 / Leeroy Jenkins
First, I guess I can't put myself in your shoes and remove myself from the reservation list. I have waited a long time (like many others). But, that is opinion.
As far as the size of the car, and since I live in Texas, it is not a big deal. I drive a Ford F150, Diana has a Nissan Armada (that thing is massive, I don't care what you say), and I have a Citroen 2CV. Yes, that Citroen. So I drive big. I drive small. Soon I will drive a computer !!!!
WJ
McKinney, Texas
MitchL
S#945
I thought that the Model S was huge until I compared it to my minivan.
It's almost exactly the same size as my '08 Odyssey.
Since I've been driving minivans for 13 years now, I figure I won't notice much except sitting significantly lower !
But (going back to the original post) - I can definitely relate to hugeness being a minus -- I kind of wanted the S to be smaller, and only use the "it's the same size as my van" as a way to convince myself that it's no big deal
.
/Mitch.
It's almost exactly the same size as my '08 Odyssey.
Since I've been driving minivans for 13 years now, I figure I won't notice much except sitting significantly lower !
But (going back to the original post) - I can definitely relate to hugeness being a minus -- I kind of wanted the S to be smaller, and only use the "it's the same size as my van" as a way to convince myself that it's no big deal
./Mitch.
STxTesla
Sig #1278
I think huge has been an overused word to describe the size of the Model S.
I personally feel that the Model S is the perfect size. Spacious? Definitely. Too big to maneuver around to park in a crowded parking lot? Nope. It's just right.
I personally feel that the Model S is the perfect size. Spacious? Definitely. Too big to maneuver around to park in a crowded parking lot? Nope. It's just right.
I have on numerous occasions called the Model S stupid huge. Well it is big. Perhaps really big. But I went and test drove a Ford Taurus (which is pretty much the exact size of a Model S) and it was big, but not in an unwieldy way.
And on the spec sheet it says the turning circle of the Model S is only 1 foot more than my GTI!?! I find that hard to believe as my GTI turns pretty sharply. But it sounds really good for a car that size.
And on the spec sheet it says the turning circle of the Model S is only 1 foot more than my GTI!?! I find that hard to believe as my GTI turns pretty sharply. But it sounds really good for a car that size.
Similar threads
