Life before your S

[D.E.]

I had a 1996 Ford Econoline 250 van.

The handling wasn’t as good but there was more trunk space.

I bought it for $2600 and sold it 5 years and 30,000 miles later for $2200. It could haul all my telescopes and equipment to star parties and then I could sleep in it. It helped my kids move, I used it to transfer their large Ikea purchases. It drank gas 16-18 MPG at 60-65 MPH. It was loud, I couldn’t really hear the radio, no cruise control, and it was really bouncy on rough roads. It was a two seater. Apart from that it went from one place to another just like the Tesla.

Well, almost, it didn’t have phantom braking.

 

[Aleks0404]

My current car is an Audi S5 Sportback which i am trading in for a Model S/P which is currently on order.

 

[SilverGS]

Benzes, BMW's. Sold the E55 and miss it. Fast, brutal acceleration, big V8 with a blower. Great interior materials, etc.
Still have the 1991 560. Only 67k miles. Refurbished it last year. Excellent condition. Im second owner. Most things original (including paint).

I love the E55! Awesome ride!

 

[bishoppeak]

2010 Corvette ZR1

 

[2101Guy]

I love the E55! Awesome ride!

not to get too far off topic, but as far as bang for the buck? One of the best used values out there. AMG build quality, with 516lb/ft of Torque STOCK. And used E55's can be had for $10k USD and less in good condition.

To put it into perspective as to how far ahead of its time the E55 was...a 2020 Lamborghini Huracan puts out 443lb/ft of torque...


All that said? While I miss it, after owning my Model S for 4 months? I have zero..I mean ZERO....desire to ever go back to ICE engine car.
The only ICE vehicle I envision myself getting from this point forward, would be a golf cart when I retire in 5 years and move south of the border somewhere

 

[SilverGS]

I have zero..I mean ZERO....desire to ever go back to ICE engine car.

Same here

 

[Sethach]

I have had a Mercedes E class 320 cdi 4Matic, until I made a test rent of a Model S. The Benz had to go...

 

[morrisdl]

Tesla replaced two ICE cars: Cayenne Turbo and Scion xD

The Cayenne was a bit of a unicorn w/factory lockers, tree sliders, disconnecting sways.
If I didnt have the Land Rover, I would have wheeled it.

 

[Huachipato]

My Model S replaced 2 cars. I needed something big enough to take the family (with was the MBs job) but still fun. I love the Tesla - but still miss the Cobra.

An old MB W220 S430 that was in constant need of repairs:

But also sold my beloved '04 Cobra that I had purchased brand new back in '04:

I miss the Cobra.... Just wish I could fit a family of 6 in her....

 

[FatherTo1]

Had two previous Lexus LS generations and loved them both for their refinement, serene cabin and ride quality, and quality craftsmanship.

Love the S for all the reasons everyone else is aware of. We take it everywhere, even semi off-roading. Set the suspension on very high and followed the line of SUVs and Crossovers to dig for shark teeth.

 

[dannycamps]

My car ownership history went as follows:

1985 Buick Regal (purchased in 1995 when I got my license, sold in 2001)
1996 Dodge Intrepid (purchased in 2001, sold in 2004 - nice car but man did it have issues)
2002 Dodge Durango (purchased in 2004, sold in 2011)
2011 Dodge Journey (first new car purchase in 2011 - still own - now demoted to third car)
2017 Chevy Volt (the perfect EV gateway drug - purchased new in 2016, traded it in to Tesla in 2019)
2015 Tesla Model S 85D (purchased in 2019 - totaled in accident)
2019 Tesla Model S 100D (purchased in 2019 - daily driver)

So the car I had before my Model S was a Chevy Volt.

 

[djinn1]

BMW 5 series (replaced by 2012 P85D and then 2016 90D). I missed not having a stick shift for about ... 2.9 seconds. Never looked back.

 

[Destiny1701]

1990 Toyota Camry
1995 Lexus GS300
1998 Lexus ES300
1999 Acura TL
2001 Toyota Highlander
2003 BMW 540i M sport (best ever ride)
2010 BMW X5 5.0 M sport
2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
2015 VW Passat diesel
2016 Tesla MS 90D (miss it)
2017 Tesla MS P100D (miss it, caused neck issues lol)
2018 Tesla MS 100D (best balance of power and range)
2018 Highlander Hybrid Limited - want to sell and get an MY by 2021

 

[2101Guy]

1990 Toyota Camry
1995 Lexus GS300
1998 Lexus ES300
1999 Acura TL
2001 Toyota Highlander
2003 BMW 540i M sport (best ever ride)
2010 BMW X5 5.0 M sport
2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
2015 VW Passat diesel
2016 Tesla MS 90D (miss it)
2017 Tesla MS P100D (miss it, caused neck issues lol)
2018 Tesla MS 100D (best balance of power and range)
2018 Highlander Hybrid Limited - want to sell and get an MY by 2021

ahh yes...2003 540 M sport (with 6 speed manual) was my car prior to the E55. Was rear ended (540) by a texting teen.

 

[Destiny1701]

ahh yes...2003 540 M sport (with 6 speed manual) was my car prior to the E55. Was rear ended (540) by a texting teen.

ouch. That wasn’t me lol.
The 540 rode and handled amazing. Not like the modern bimmers made for the masses.

Would I go back to ice? Hmm...there are times I miss the basics of a fully functioning wiper blade or non leaking trim to be honest. My Highlander feels more solidly built inside and things like wipers shaking were solved 50 yrs ago.

my buddy has a 2016 535d Msport, premium pack etc and he can go 1000km on one tank of stupidly cheap gas these days. He chipped it for 550lbs torque and he can take my 100D no problem and leaves me in the dust on the highway lol. I do miss the build quality, the exhaust and engine growl at times.

Even given all this...I’d never trade my S for anything!

 

[Ciaopec]

Lexus LS430, GS450h, LS600hL

 

[2101Guy]

ouch. That wasn’t me lol.
The 540 rode and handled amazing. Not like the modern bimmers made for the masses.

Would I go back to ice? Hmm...there are times I miss the basics of a fully functioning wiper blade or non leaking trim to be honest. My Highlander feels more solidly built inside and things like wipers shaking were solved 50 yrs ago.

my buddy has a 2016 535d Msport, premium pack etc and he can go 1000km on one tank of stupidly cheap gas these days. He chipped it for 550lbs torque and he can take my 100D no problem and leaves me in the dust on the highway lol. I do miss the build quality, the exhaust and engine growl at times.

Even given all this...I’d never trade my S for anything!

Sorry. What I meant was that MY 2003 540, was rear ended by a texting teen (She was in an old Acura).

Yes..the turbodiesel BMW's are torque MONSTERS.

 

[dk10438]

1998 M3
2001 Boxster S
2003 G35
2005 Mini Cooper S
2005 Lotus Elise
2007 C4S
2012 GTR

Of those, the GTR was my absolute favorite car. Love it or hate it looks and extremely fast. I really thought that I'd miss the car but after having the Tesla, ICE cars seem kinda dumb and archaic...

 

[EVortex]

M3, M5, S500, SL55. What got me interested in EV was the Gemcar. Sort of a glorified electric golf cart, but had many car-like features - bought one and I was hooked. Followed EV1, but didn’t buy. Followed Tesla and their Lotus Elise-like Roadster, but still didn’t pull the trigger. Fell in love with the Model S, but still didn’t buy yet. Why did I wait? A combination of risk adversity for early adoption and waiting for more options at a lower price point. Finally bought Mercedes B Class Electric drive in 2014 and really liked it although it only had a 90 mile range. After 65k miles of gas free driving, it was finally time to buy the Model S in 2018. Wow, best car I ever owned. I don’t plan on ICE ever again.

 

[EVortex]

M3, M5, S500, SL55. What got me interested in EV was the Gemcar. Sort of a glorified electric golf cart, but had many car-like features - bought one and I was hooked. Followed EV1, but didn’t buy. Followed Tesla and their Lotus Elise-like Roadster, but still didn’t pull the trigger. Fell in love with the Model S, but still didn’t buy yet. Why did I wait? A combination of risk adversity for early adoption and waiting for more options at a lower price point. Finally bought Mercedes B Class Electric drive in 2014 and really liked it although it only had a 90 mile range. After 65k miles of gas free driving, it was finally time to buy the Model S in 2018. Wow, best car I ever owned. I don’t plan on ICE ever again.