As someone who reads TMC a lot but rarely posts, it's hard not to notice that there are a lot of complaints and claims of injustice by many posters. There is a tendency to forget the amazing things that Tesla has accomplished for its customers and sustainable energy. As I celebrate my car turning 4 this week, I thought it might be helpful to remind the newer TMC members what Tesla was like only 4 years ago. I hope this helps a few folks remember that TMC is a site for Tesla enthusiasts, and we all want to see Tesla succeed in making customers of the non-enthusiast masses.
I reserved my model S in April 2012 and was told my production reservation was in the 9000 range and I would get a car in May 2013. I was driving a 2002 Maxima and was ecstatic to get my new car. In mid December 2012 I got a call from a Tesla employee based in Florida (I am in Dallas and at the time Tesla had a service center in the works but no actual presence in DFW). He stated that my car was ready to be confirmed for a December build. I was thrilled to get moved up and received my car a few weeks later when I walked to the end of the block and a grimy truck driver crawled through the window and backed it off an 18 wheeler.
My car has been a dream for 4 years - it had a fair number of early build issues and is on its 4th drive unit - it has no folding mirrors, park sensors, autopilot, etc. But it's still tons better than any new 2017 car not made by Tesla!
We are all fortunate that this amazing company exists - it was almost bankrupt when it sold me my car - in 4 years it has done an incredible job of executing on it's vision - please remember that when something is not perfect. We all want, no, need Tesla to succeed.
Happy New Year!
I reserved my model S in April 2012 and was told my production reservation was in the 9000 range and I would get a car in May 2013. I was driving a 2002 Maxima and was ecstatic to get my new car. In mid December 2012 I got a call from a Tesla employee based in Florida (I am in Dallas and at the time Tesla had a service center in the works but no actual presence in DFW). He stated that my car was ready to be confirmed for a December build. I was thrilled to get moved up and received my car a few weeks later when I walked to the end of the block and a grimy truck driver crawled through the window and backed it off an 18 wheeler.
My car has been a dream for 4 years - it had a fair number of early build issues and is on its 4th drive unit - it has no folding mirrors, park sensors, autopilot, etc. But it's still tons better than any new 2017 car not made by Tesla!
We are all fortunate that this amazing company exists - it was almost bankrupt when it sold me my car - in 4 years it has done an incredible job of executing on it's vision - please remember that when something is not perfect. We all want, no, need Tesla to succeed.
Happy New Year!