First Tesla - "Meh" experience so far

[Galve2000]

after reading this thread i feel like the only one on TMC that drives with a lead foot. Then again, I do much better on the highway than local city driving. I just don't get to the highway much.

also, since your 60 is a software limited 75, there is no reason not to charge to 100% whenever u need without worrying about degradation. the top 15 kW remain untouched until you software unlock them so you are not stressing any cells b/c 100% charge on the 60 is not really 100%.

another perk of the 60.

welcome to the club!

 

[Science fan]

Congratulations on your new S60! If my S70 was in less than perfect condition when I picked it up, I probably would have written a note on this board, so you may be getting a biased sample from some owners who experienced a problem in that regard. At the risk of jinxing myself, my S70 has been perfect through 4,200 miles and about three months. As hard as I try, I cannot find even the slightest flaw in form or function. Hope the same for you.

 

[doubleohwhat]

You can also charge at the 32A J1772 charger at Waco, GA and grab a bite to eat at the truck stop.

Awesome! I'll probably make a stop there and give myself a bit of peace of mind.

Btw, someone from Tesla must be reading this board. Over the last hour (10-11AM EST on a Saturday) I've received emails from three different people at the Marietta, Ga and Decatur, GA locations. Apparently they don't start caring until you publicly call them out.

Again, I haven't had any major issues thus far but I'd stay away from the Marietta, GA store if it's an option.

 

[purplewalt]

Great that you have ordered your S60, and will soon be driving it home.

You have plenty of range in your battery to make it home with a fully charged pack.
The car's Nav system is great, and you can engage it for your first trip.
You might consider driving around 65 mph or so the first half of the trip, and assess how you are doing WRT range and remaining charge.
After that, you probably will be able to drive at a higher speed for the rest of your way home.
I try to give myself a 20 - 30 mile buffer so that I always have that bit of comfort.

You might be able to learn to use the regen feature on your car a bit too on your drive home.
Going up hills and mountains, kinda ease off the throttle a bit, and give it a bit more push on the way down the hill (to pick up additional momentum). All the extra kinetic energy gained going downhill turns back into range via the regen feature.

I also had taken the leap of faith, and purchased my S85 over three years ago without benefit of a test drive. (I did go to Austin to do a test "sit and fit" to ensure the car had enough head room though).

Hope you will love your car as much as I still love mine.

 

[doubleohwhat]

Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely take it easy at first and play around a bit if I have enough energy once I'm closer to home.

So, apparently I now have a new delivery specialist at the Decatur, Ga location and that is also the location I'll now be taking delivery at. I didn't request the change but I'm not about to complain. It'll be a better location to drive home from. Yay!

The new delivery specialist apparently is a bit of a sourpuss though. Apparently I contacted Alliant "too soon". I called up the guy I've been talking to over at Alliant and he's like "what's the problem" and I'm like "I dunno but the delivery guy said I contacted you too soon" and the Alliant guy was like "It's fine. I'll send an email saying it's fine".

Anyway, my car is now in the paint shop! Woohoo!

 

[MikeC]

I would consider detouring to the Auburn Supercharger. Your drive will be farther, of course, but you will find that that is not necessarily a bad thing in a Tesla. That way on your first drive you can drive the car like it was meant to be driven.

 

[doubleohwhat]

Not a bad idea. Thanks!

 

[DiamondDave]

The new delivery specialist apparently is a bit of a sourpuss though. Apparently I contacted Alliant "too soon". I called up the guy I've been talking to over at Alliant and he's like "what's the problem" and I'm like "I dunno but the delivery guy said I contacted you too soon" and the Alliant guy was like "It's fine. I'll send an email saying it's fine".

That's strange. I got approved by Alliant and a couple of other vendors before I even ordered. I wanted to be sure I was approved and had a reasonable rate before I made the commitment. When the car was ready to be picked up Alliant sent the check to Tesla.

 

[theslimshadyist]

Lastly, I want to comment on how great the guys over at Alliant are. I had initially planned on just paying cash for the Tesla but sent in a application to Alliant when I saw how low their rates are. I've never had a finance application handled so quickly and with such great communication despite it being handled 100% over the internet/phone.

This is great to hear because I'm planning on using Alliant as well and don't have a branch where I live. You are correct, the Nashville (Brentwood) Tesla center is awesome! Very friendly, informative, and they do email and call back fairly quickly.

 

[doubleohwhat]

That's strange. I got approved by Alliant and a couple of other vendors before I even ordered. I wanted to be sure I was approved and had a reasonable rate before I made the commitment. When the car was ready to be picked up Alliant sent the check to Tesla.

Makes sense right? Get the approval before committing to the car. That's what a lot of people would do. I honestly think it's just a lack of employee quality and employee training at the Georgia locations around Atlanta. Again, I have not had any issues when speaking to anyone from the Nashville location or out in California.

This is great to hear because I'm planning on using Alliant as well and don't have a branch where I live.

If you do end up getting someone at Alliant less than helpful just send me a PM and I'll share the contact info for the guy I'm working with. They all really seem to be great over there though.

 

[AZ Desert Driver]

I am in lockstep withdoubleohwhat. I Ordered on Aug 24, Confirmed on Aug 30. MyTesla still has me unscheduled for production, but my DS has confirmed that my VIN qualified for the Sept 30 delivery acceleration. Warm bodies say its happening, web site seems lagging a tad. Guess which I believe in more?
I too will have a long drive from Phoenix to Tucson - 100 miles with four riders. Will probably stop at Casagrande supercharger for a bite and a virgin use of elon-tricity.
Now that I am within 30 days of getting my sled, its time to contact Alliant - like the 1.49 and 72 month .

 

[theslimshadyist]

If you do end up getting someone at Alliant less than helpful just send me a PM and I'll share the contact info for the guy I'm working with. They all really seem to be great over there though.

Will do and thanks for the offer!

 

[theslimshadyist]

That's strange. I got approved by Alliant and a couple of other vendors before I even ordered. I wanted to be sure I was approved and had a reasonable rate before I made the commitment. When the car was ready to be picked up Alliant sent the check to Tesla.

I assume that the time interval was longer than 30 days from the time that you applied through Alliant, ordered your car, then delivery? If so, did Alliant do another credit check? That's what I'm trying to avoid, 2 hard inquiries on my credit report. Can you confirm your experience?

 

[doubleohwhat]

That may have been why the delivery person I spoke with was all fussy about me having already contacted Alliant. Alliant hasn't mentioned anything though.

 

[Snerruc]

That may have been why the delivery person I spoke with was all fussy about me having already contacted Alliant. Alliant hasn't mentioned anything though.

I applied early and Alliant did a second pull after 30 days. Didn't affect my numbers.

 

[theslimshadyist]

I applied early and Alliant did a second pull after 30 days. Didn't affect my numbers.

That's what I figured and thanks for the confirmation.

 

[Zeromus-X]

That's what I figured and thanks for the confirmation.

Just to give you a second data point, they did pull mine after 30 days (I was told before the first pull that I should wait until the 30 day mark, but I didn't want to be in a situation where I was denied and couldn't cancel) and I did not see a second hit to my FICO score. That said, I did find out that an 80k revolving credit line makes a hell of an impact on that score.

 

[DiamondDave]

I assume that the time interval was longer than 30 days from the time that you applied through Alliant, ordered your car, then delivery? If so, did Alliant do another credit check? That's what I'm trying to avoid, 2 hard inquiries on my credit report. Can you confirm your experience?

Good question. I applied with Alliant on March 31 and got the approval at the beginning of April. I purchased a CPO which was delivered early May. I ended up asking Alliant to process the check the day before I picked up the car to avoid having my credit run again. I believe the approval was good for 30 days.

My Owner Advisor or Delivery Specialist (can't remember which) did mention that a surprising number of people place the order then have their financing declined after they've committed.

 

[theslimshadyist]

Good question. I applied with Alliant on March 31 and got the approval at the beginning of April. I purchased a CPO which was delivered early May. I ended up asking Alliant to process the check the day before I picked up the car to avoid having my credit run again. I believe the approval was good for 30 days.

My Owner Advisor or Delivery Specialist (can't remember which) did mention that a surprising number of people place the order then have their financing declined after they've committed.

I can see where that could apply to some but I'm not concerned as my credit score is currently sitting at 832.