I'm not sure if it shows my account age on this forum, but I've been considering Tesla's for a long time. I've been very close to buying one several times, but each time I couldn't justify it. Other vehicles I bought instead, 2016 Sonata Hybrid, 2018 Nissan Leaf.
My wife and I both do real estate, and the other day, I had to decline a showing for a new client because the Leaf would not have been able to do the range without question, at the speed I needed to do between this request and an already booked appointment. That kicked off the hunt again. I was already considering a 2021 "Plaid" as a goofy splurge into it, with the 500+ mile range w/ tri motor advancement, this just kicked into doing it.
The 2018 Leaf is the one with the 'newer' body style. It no longer looked like a hotdog bun. I wouldn't call it 'sexy' in any stretch, but it didn't look like the original, goofy design. This one landed on my radar as the had gone from 75mi range to 170... Honestly, usable range for my normal commute. Obviously, winter degrades battery use, so instead of the 170 I'd see in the summer, I'd get around 120. Still plenty for work & back commuting, without real estate trips...
The Leaf, fully loaded was $42k, about half of the cost of a Tesla at the time. We loved this car. We loved it enough that when it was time the wife wanted a newer car, I dumped the Sonata just so that we could keep the full EV. That, and what I found to be one of the only real downsides on the Leaf - Depreciation. FIFTY PERCENT in the first year. Trade in was around 20-22k. Yikes.
So, I now had motivation to keep an EV. I love driving them, the instant punch of torque and simplicity is just fantastic. I've vowed I won't be without one... but never know.
So, the last time I was very close to buying one, I rented one for a week using Turo, while on a business trip. This was before I owned the leaf. This was as much exploratory as anything. I even did a review of it -- slightly different than my hobby of reviewing motorcycles!
After that rental, I went to the Tesla dealer in Boston and did a test drive of the Model X Performance. It was faster than the S, but also noticeably HEAVIER. That ruled one of those out, but I also learned I was not excited about a software choice they had made.
I've been in IT for many years. Learning that the NEW car I was driving was not able to do the same things as the previous one was a bit shocking to me. I was informed by the salesperson that due to the new camera system, it was still learning, so it couldn't do it. I asked myself - WHY in the world did they not backport the old data into the new system and let it build FROM that starting point... Maybe there's a real reason, but I still can't believe the old data from the old system couldn't be a better starting base. I still don't, but hey, not my monkey, not my circus. At that time, I was buying a Tesla for their software - the cool adaptive cruise, self driving, etc.
This time, I'm buying a Tesla for range. This is why I didn't buy the performance version - Losing 75mi range isn't worth the giddy-up, considering this car is still WAY faster than my last fun car - A Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4!
I'm very curious how this transition will be. One gripe I have with my Leaf is the amount of distance loss I have when on the Highway. It's probably in the 30% less range at highway speeds. I didn't remember that being the case in a Tesla. Another interesting thing - In my Leaf, it's got CarPlay/AndroidAuto - Waze shows me hazards in the road and ... police... which I don't believe the Telsa does what-so-ever. I assume Tesla's mapping is very good -- it was a few years ago, good traffic data, etc. I will be curious how the Tesla will be. Does it have Pandora? Spotify? Or is it still that 'other' streaming app I can't recall currently... I'm looking forward to the autopilot. The adaptive cruise in the leaf and lane keep assist works VERY well compared to other vehicles we've had with it, but I recall the Tesla being way better. Especially follow distance. The Leaf, at closest distance still leaves New England drivers PLENTY of room to just dive right in, infront of me, causing the leaf to suddenly decelerate. I remember the Tesla actually made me panic a bit - It would follow close to the car in front of it so close it felt like I was riding with my wife!
I also look forward to the adaptive cruise to actually continue driving after waiting at a light. None of my other vehicles seem to pull this off, and it's quite annoying. Especially when you're stuck in traffic bumper to bumper on the freeway.
Anyway, That's my story. Picking up one of their demo units 400ish miles on it, $4300 off this week. White, Long Range, White interior, I wanted 19" wheels for the rougher roads where I live - but it's coming with 21" -- Maybe I'll pick up some winter wheels somewhere. This may determine if I'll do a trade in for the Plaid next year. More range AND power...
Dave aka Ghan
My wife and I both do real estate, and the other day, I had to decline a showing for a new client because the Leaf would not have been able to do the range without question, at the speed I needed to do between this request and an already booked appointment. That kicked off the hunt again. I was already considering a 2021 "Plaid" as a goofy splurge into it, with the 500+ mile range w/ tri motor advancement, this just kicked into doing it.
The 2018 Leaf is the one with the 'newer' body style. It no longer looked like a hotdog bun. I wouldn't call it 'sexy' in any stretch, but it didn't look like the original, goofy design. This one landed on my radar as the had gone from 75mi range to 170... Honestly, usable range for my normal commute. Obviously, winter degrades battery use, so instead of the 170 I'd see in the summer, I'd get around 120. Still plenty for work & back commuting, without real estate trips...
The Leaf, fully loaded was $42k, about half of the cost of a Tesla at the time. We loved this car. We loved it enough that when it was time the wife wanted a newer car, I dumped the Sonata just so that we could keep the full EV. That, and what I found to be one of the only real downsides on the Leaf - Depreciation. FIFTY PERCENT in the first year. Trade in was around 20-22k. Yikes.
So, I now had motivation to keep an EV. I love driving them, the instant punch of torque and simplicity is just fantastic. I've vowed I won't be without one... but never know.
So, the last time I was very close to buying one, I rented one for a week using Turo, while on a business trip. This was before I owned the leaf. This was as much exploratory as anything. I even did a review of it -- slightly different than my hobby of reviewing motorcycles!
After that rental, I went to the Tesla dealer in Boston and did a test drive of the Model X Performance. It was faster than the S, but also noticeably HEAVIER. That ruled one of those out, but I also learned I was not excited about a software choice they had made.
I've been in IT for many years. Learning that the NEW car I was driving was not able to do the same things as the previous one was a bit shocking to me. I was informed by the salesperson that due to the new camera system, it was still learning, so it couldn't do it. I asked myself - WHY in the world did they not backport the old data into the new system and let it build FROM that starting point... Maybe there's a real reason, but I still can't believe the old data from the old system couldn't be a better starting base. I still don't, but hey, not my monkey, not my circus. At that time, I was buying a Tesla for their software - the cool adaptive cruise, self driving, etc.
This time, I'm buying a Tesla for range. This is why I didn't buy the performance version - Losing 75mi range isn't worth the giddy-up, considering this car is still WAY faster than my last fun car - A Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4!
I'm very curious how this transition will be. One gripe I have with my Leaf is the amount of distance loss I have when on the Highway. It's probably in the 30% less range at highway speeds. I didn't remember that being the case in a Tesla. Another interesting thing - In my Leaf, it's got CarPlay/AndroidAuto - Waze shows me hazards in the road and ... police... which I don't believe the Telsa does what-so-ever. I assume Tesla's mapping is very good -- it was a few years ago, good traffic data, etc. I will be curious how the Tesla will be. Does it have Pandora? Spotify? Or is it still that 'other' streaming app I can't recall currently... I'm looking forward to the autopilot. The adaptive cruise in the leaf and lane keep assist works VERY well compared to other vehicles we've had with it, but I recall the Tesla being way better. Especially follow distance. The Leaf, at closest distance still leaves New England drivers PLENTY of room to just dive right in, infront of me, causing the leaf to suddenly decelerate. I remember the Tesla actually made me panic a bit - It would follow close to the car in front of it so close it felt like I was riding with my wife!
I also look forward to the adaptive cruise to actually continue driving after waiting at a light. None of my other vehicles seem to pull this off, and it's quite annoying. Especially when you're stuck in traffic bumper to bumper on the freeway.Anyway, That's my story. Picking up one of their demo units 400ish miles on it, $4300 off this week. White, Long Range, White interior, I wanted 19" wheels for the rougher roads where I live - but it's coming with 21" -- Maybe I'll pick up some winter wheels somewhere. This may determine if I'll do a trade in for the Plaid next year. More range AND power...
Dave aka Ghan
