Answering my own question here, sort of. My order included FSD at $10k and I was comparing a new order base price without FSD.
While R1S is also a good looking car... grass always seem greener on the other side. R1S has yet to be made, untested in mass market, no charging network and support centre. Is like buying a Tesla 8 years, imagine the pain back then.
Same, I'd like to continue to give Tesla my money, but the number of compromises I currently make and would have to make on an X is too much. I have other things I don't enjoy about the X, but being the only 3 row BEV on the market, I keep coming back to give it another look. I was really hoping they were going to "fix" the things I didn't like and move in a more conventional direction. They clearly are moving in the opposite direction of my preferences and as a long time supporter and investor it's disappointing.
The "they haven't made any cars at volume before" argument doesn't carry much weight compared to the _known_ terrible QC and customer support of Tesla. Rivian is definitely an unknown, but that unknown _could_ be good. Whereas Tesla is known, and known to be poor. Sure some folks get lucky, I honestly count myself as one of them, but I've been met with the dreaded "in spec" comment before for things that certainly aren't "in spec" on a 55k+ car, and sure as hell wouldn't be OK IMHO on a 90k+ car. In short, I'll take my chances on an unknown company vs taking another chance on a Tesla. The SC network is certainly one of the selling points of a Tesla. But the CCS networks are continuing to expand, and with Biden at the helm likely expand faster now. For my longer drives I already have coverage that essentially matches 2018 Tesla SCs along my route when I got my Model 3. It was doable before, a touch stressful at times, but doable. I'll also be springing for the "max" pack on the R1S and the 350-400mi that this offers as additional insurance.
I found the answer to my own question in Tesla’s list of convenience features. This also says automatic front doorS. So passenger side front door will also automatically open? I wonder how this is implemented with the phone as key?
Probably similar to how it works today. Double-tap key fob, so likely a button in the app. Auto-presenting is Driver door only based on bluetooth triangulation.
I guess they could extend it if you have a second paired phone and enable auto-present on the passenger side as well. Eg, my wife's phone.
Well, they wound up giving me almost exactly what I was hoping for! Although it’s clearly divisive, I like the new yoke. I think quite a few people have missed the fact that it appears many of the controls from the stalks are now going to be buttons on the Yoke; you don’t have to dig through menus as you do in the 3/Y. Having turn signals and highbeams be controlled by a button right next to your hand on the wheel might actually wind up being easier to use. Very happy to see that they’ve added active noise cancellation and finally brought back ventilated seats! In my opinion, lack of ventilated seats and road noise were some of the biggest issues on the X, compared to similarly priced vehicles. For less than I’m paying for my 2018 X 100D lease, I’ll be getting a new X that is faster, has longer range, faster charging, more high-end features, and a brand new interior that I personally really like. I’ve already ordered and I’m hoping for delivery in May!
Doubt it. I think it’s going to decrease the values since it will now very clearly be an outdated model. I have a feeling that once people get to try it, many will like the new yoke. I think having many of the functions of the stalks as buttons on the yoke will wind up easier to use.
Call me a fanboy (well, I do have an X and a M3P), but I have found that Tesla is usually right when it comes to ergonomics. They nail it. It's not always obvious from photos, but when you experience the car, the interface, it generally all makes sense and works well. Buying a $90K vehicle sight unseen is pretty crazy, when you consider it, but for some reason I'm confident the decisions the team made are based on a tonne of research and testing. Having said that, getting an early version of the car off the production line is a TOTAL crapshoot in terms of quality.
That’s a very interesting scheme they have that you can choose what interior setting you want. I wonder if they will offer the interior upgrade in the future
The most unnecessary part of the upgrade is the rear screen. It will get kicked, scratched, broken, outdated, etc. An iPad is always going to do a better job with kids entertainment. Can you imagine driving around in your new Model X or S with a shattered rear screen after a few weeks of kids riding in the back. That’s going to be lovely. In my opinion this is money down the drain. A third party will have to make an accessory to cover it. Ventilated seats are not important to me even that I know some people like them. I also worry on the white interior that they will not look as good/clean as the edges of the small holes begin to absorb stains and dirt. The biggest disappointment is the decline in range. I can’t believe it didn’t at least get a 10 mile bump like the MS It will be interesting to see how gearing is managed with no stalks. I’ll stay tuned on that. Being lucky enough to own a Ferrari with turn signals on the wheel, I can tell you this takes some getting used to. Going between cars that don’t have that feature and back is always tricky, not to mention a guest or child taking your car out to the store etc. At least on a Ferrari, the left turn signal button is on the left side of the wheel and the right one is on the right side. On the Tesla both are on one side. One higher and one lower. Doesn’t seem to be particularly intuitive. Very glad they kept the driver info screen in front of the wheel. That’s would have been a deal breaker for me. The steering wheel is massively cool IMO. Although I’m sure it will take some getting used to. Having nothing blocking the driver screen is awesome, and feeling like you’re driving a Formula 1 car isn’t bad either. I guess no more driving in the “Fifi the poodle begging style” with both hands draped from the top of the wheel. A good driver knows hands go at nine and three. You turn the wheel with both hands initially and if it is a very tight turn your crossover is actually on the bottom of the wheel. Worst case is it will teach Fifi drivers how to correctly hold a steering wheel. Not totally crazy about the brown wood in the White/Black interior configuration. It looks good in the all black version and beige, but is a little funky in the white/black. Obviously this saves them on parts by having only one choice. The exterior looks in the pictures to be slightly sleeker as opposed to the current X’s slightly bulbous shape which I think is a good change. Removing the chrome is a godsend and brings the car into the modern era.....finally! Thank you baby Jesus The price increase is of course a real bummer. Based on the European order rumors, I was expecting 5k but not 10k. Ouch! Because of the rumored increase and the release of the battery video, I thought there was an outside chance they might be debuting the new 4680 cells early in their flagship Model S&X. Not to be. Overall I like the refresh and have put an order in for my wife. I’m a pioneer early 2013 Model S buyer, which I sold four years ago, and am excited to get back in the Tesla family.
As several others have noted, I don’t believe this will possibly be the case. I think they likely do have some inventory vehicles of the old design that they will now sell, but no chance that they will still be manufacturing the old design. That assembly line is gone.
That's exactly what I am thinking. Hoping that the shudder issue in the new Model X is fixed ! R1S is what I am inclining towards.
That would be so sneaky smart. Keep some old inventory hidden and pair them to the ones that don't want to pay extra for the new model, selling old models at regular prices.