Today I confirmed my Model S order. I've been here on TMC talking for a while, but I feel like I should introduce myself as someone with an actual factory product in process for real this time. This will be my first Tesla 
Ordered Options: Due to my financial situation, I went as cheap as possible, except for the must-haves. In my case, the must-haves are:
Lucky options: Here are the items I lucked out on in terms of options that come standard with the above that I prefer:
Due to my expected use patterns (I averaged 39,752 miles per year in my Mercedes between October 5, 2012 and August 27, 2016, and I graphed a bunch of milage timepoints, and it's prettymuch a straight line, so it's pretty consistent, and I would often rent a car for long trips while my ever-breaking-down Mercedes was in the shiop), I assumed I would do 50,000 miles per year on this car. This eliminates lease options as sensible, and requires that I maximize my warranty coverage. I am going to roll the dice and get the 8 year service plan within 60 days of delivery, and the 4 year extended warranty coverage before the 50,000 mile mark. This means I have some type of warranty coverage up to 100,000 miles. I expect to reach that in 2 to 3 years. Then, I will continue to drive the car until it starts to fall apart, then trade it in. I will either get a Model X if I can afford it, a Model S if I can afford it but not a Model X, or a Model 3 or Y if that is the better option for me at that time. I will likely try to get a CPO Model X with the options I want, so someone out there please order a fully loaded Model X with white or tan perferated seats, Pearl White exterior, towing, Captain's Chair (6 seat) configuration, etc....
I am getting solar panels installed, and will be getting a panel upgrade, so will get the 100 Amp charging options installed. I already ordered all the charging accessories, and am awaiting delivery of those items. I will plug in and charge to maximum recommended level every time I come home, since I often go on long distance trips; about 1,000 miles per week. Whenever I work, I work a one hour drive away over a hill, too, so whenever I return from a normal commute, I'll have used up a good portion of charge.
Ordered Options: Due to my financial situation, I went as cheap as possible, except for the must-haves. In my case, the must-haves are:
- HEPA air filter since I want clean air (in the Premium Upgrades Package (PUP)) $3,000
- Sound (Ultra High Fidelity Sound), because I listen to Classical music and am extremely picky about quality of sound $2,500
- Dual Motor, only because I absolutely knew I would regret it if I did not get this. I almost did not order this, and then I realized this would have been a huge regret for a long time (one factor in this decision is that I do copious twisty mountain driving). Too bad, too, since it costs $5,000.
Lucky options: Here are the items I lucked out on in terms of options that come standard with the above that I prefer:
- Standard Suspension instead of Smart Air Suspension (SAS). A while back, I did an A-B comparison between two cars which I discussed at Smart Air Suspension: what does it mean and is it installable later? , and found out I actually prefer the Standard Suspension in terms of ride quality. This is a great opportunity for me to save a lot of money on this feature ($2,500). If I was forced to get Smart Air Suspension, I actually like air suspension in my Mercedes and liked the test drives I did in all the Model S's and Model X's with Smart Air Suspension, so I would be happy with SAS, for instance, in a used Model S, any Model X which I would actually want (which I would get with towing and max length cargo, both which require SAS), or in a fully loaded Model S (because why not if I had the $ and it would count toward the "fully loaded" tag, which at this time is unimportant to me (see next point), I absolutely don't need, can't afford).
- I have always wanted a happy colored car. Today, white is one of the best happy colors. It is, after all, all colors. I prefer Pearl White, but I need to scrimp and save everywhere, and plain White is better financially, since it is the cheapest. It's also good in another way: I do not want to look pretentious. Here's why. I actually like looking pretentious 80% of the time, when I'm around other pretentious people, or other people that are so annoying that I want to separate myself from them. But, there are four cases where I do not like being pretentious: whenever I'm around my mate, spouse (here's hoping), or other such person(s); whenever I'm around those assessing my financial situation in any way (this ties in with all these points actually); whenever I'm around jealous people (so driving anywhere that's not fancy, which I must do); and whenever I'm parked even within earshot of anybody at where I work, since they are intensely value-minded folk, and would take offense at anything that is not value-minded, up to and including vandalism (which on a Tesla could be expensive). Perfect: cheapest and happiest color, and the least pretentious of them all. This trumps my preference for a top-notch beautiful car. I can always wrap or spray-coat it with other colors, reversibly, if I find the opportunity.
- Upgradable options: this allows me to get them later if I want them and have the money. This includes +15kWh more in the battery (saved $8,500 during order), Autopilot Convenience Features (saved $3,000 during order), High Amperage Charger Upgrade (saved $1,500 during order), and the wheels (see next point). I can upgrade Autopilot for $3,500 and the charger for $1,900. I don't know how much +15kWh is. Before I make that decision, I will check to see if upgrading to the highest range battery (100kWh now) is possible, and financially what I want to do. This also includes Dark Ash Wood Decor (see below): I prefer the Matte Obeche Wood Decor, but I can wrap that later if I want, so this saves $750.
- Standard wheels: I prefer the larger sidewall tires, since around here, the smaller sidewall tires get chewed up too fast. These are no additional cost. If I ever can afford lower-sprung rolling weight (which I of course prefer), I can go to T-Sportline or another vendor and get the best carbon fiber wheels. I would still prefer larger sidewall. I might optimize at 20" size if I go that route, and still stick with the best brand tire that Tesla recommends, or something better if the market has it. I've had bad experience straying too far from the recommended tires on my Mercedes. I of course would have to swap in the factory wheels every time it goes in for service. I already purchased a jack that makes that easy. I'll have to confirm its lifting points.
- Seats. I prefer the Multi-Pattern Black Seats, not because of their color (ugh), but because of how they feel. While I would prefer the seats in the Model X over any seat in the Model S, and would like white or at least tan, and would like perforated, I do not have the money for a Model X (see below). So, I lucked out here in saving $2,500.
- Body Color Roof (saves $1,500): I carefully studied headroom, and found out with my long trunk (I haven't measured it), Body Color Roof gives me more headroom, and lets me see a bit more high up above the car (such as red lights, etc., a huge safety factor). Luckily, white roof means less sun heat, too.
- > 6' cargo room, for when I'm between hotels and run out of being awake. I can go back there and sleep.
- Model X. I hugely prefer the comfort, visibility, and space inside a model X for the driver and middle row passengers, and its ability to tow. Unfortunately, I also need the 6' space (see last point above) and would never get a Model X without towing (I'd use towing a lot), so I need the Captain's Chair configuration (6 seater) which requires Smart Air Suspension, and that with the premium for Model X puts the total price +$15K over the Model S I ordered, which I just can't afford today. Also, with the Model X, I'd really want the best seats.
- Dark Ash Wood Decor. While it's OK, I would have preferred the Matte Obeche Wood Decor ($750). This I can upgrade later by wrapping it with something I prefer, so this is an opportunity to save $750.
- Any configuration which allows me to have a lighter interior colored seats. I think this means, for me, the Model X, since I don't like Model S next gen seats (they hurt, since I'm wide boned). I can always wrap the seats, later.
- 90D battery. Longer range and faster charging would be nice.
- P100DL. I mean, yeah. Duh. Longer range, faster charging, and no problem repositioning the car where I want to.
- Subzero Weather Package. I would have preferred having it on any configuration, but where I live, it is unnecessary, and saves $1,000.
Due to my expected use patterns (I averaged 39,752 miles per year in my Mercedes between October 5, 2012 and August 27, 2016, and I graphed a bunch of milage timepoints, and it's prettymuch a straight line, so it's pretty consistent, and I would often rent a car for long trips while my ever-breaking-down Mercedes was in the shiop), I assumed I would do 50,000 miles per year on this car. This eliminates lease options as sensible, and requires that I maximize my warranty coverage. I am going to roll the dice and get the 8 year service plan within 60 days of delivery, and the 4 year extended warranty coverage before the 50,000 mile mark. This means I have some type of warranty coverage up to 100,000 miles. I expect to reach that in 2 to 3 years. Then, I will continue to drive the car until it starts to fall apart, then trade it in. I will either get a Model X if I can afford it, a Model S if I can afford it but not a Model X, or a Model 3 or Y if that is the better option for me at that time. I will likely try to get a CPO Model X with the options I want, so someone out there please order a fully loaded Model X with white or tan perferated seats, Pearl White exterior, towing, Captain's Chair (6 seat) configuration, etc....
I am getting solar panels installed, and will be getting a panel upgrade, so will get the 100 Amp charging options installed. I already ordered all the charging accessories, and am awaiting delivery of those items. I will plug in and charge to maximum recommended level every time I come home, since I often go on long distance trips; about 1,000 miles per week. Whenever I work, I work a one hour drive away over a hill, too, so whenever I return from a normal commute, I'll have used up a good portion of charge.
