First and foremost, I am a bit neurotic, enjoy fine cars but not really a passionate car "nut", considered to be frugal by some, fiscally conservative and cautious by many.
So.......my (then) 12 year old son started bugging me to check out Tesla and on a trip to Seattle several years ago we happened upon a Tesla store. We took a Roadster out for a bit and I was hooked. The nature of the effortless, powerful acceleration coupled with the noticeably quiet environment led me to conclude that I had to have a Tesla. But a Roadster,? 2 Seater? How could I justify this......
Well, the Model S was coming out "soon" and it made much more sense to order a car more suitable for my family - after all, that reasoning helped with my rationalization to purchase a $65,000. car of "new" technology, with limited range and questionable prospects for a real world charging solutions. Purchasing from a start up at a time when auto manufacturers were failing at a pretty steady clip didn't really fit into my persona of a fiscal conservative. In my many anxious moments, I would tell myself, hey it's a family car, good for the environment and priced at a level consistent with some of my other autos. So, I put my $5,000. refundable deposit down in Sept 2011. And over the next many months... I still would get VERY anxious.
I started with a base 60 - I thought, hey it's a great, sensible way for me to go, with more than enough range for most of my driving. I would still have an ICE vehicle for those longer journeys.
And then the erosion of my willpower began......
Well, geez, I really should get the 85 as that seemed to make more sense - it expanded my driving range options. Then over many months the thought of ordering the Performance 85, 21" wheels, getting leather, technology package, upgraded audio, panoramic roof, air suspension, metallic paint all began to weigh on and make sense to me......I began to rationalize my "need" for all of those options but..... ok, this was way out of my target price and beyond anything I ever had expected. I bit the bullet (gulp!) and finalized my order in 1/13 with the final, final, final option (and increase in price) of multi-coat red. BTW - before this...there was NO way I was getting a red car, just no way.... until I saw the multicoat (or what I thought was) - it was stunning. This is one expensive car!!!!!.... but I loved it and there are no more options that I could possibly want....right?
Well......2 months later and .....damn you Elon Musk......a performance plus option??? No way..not going to do it....don't need it.... how much more?, what are the benefits??? Will I really need it, feel it, appreciate it?
Needless to say, I bit a bigger bullet and went ALL IN.
Also...just to be clear, along with all of my other anxiety around the car I REALLY became concerned about the 21" wheels and the risks/expense associated with them - what had I done? (I did say earlier that I am a bit neurotic).
I took delivery last week of my P85+, multi red, 21" silver, tan, matt obeche, pano, Model S and I have never, ever been happier (I know it's still early) with a car. The sheer effortless power is breathtaking, the handling and cornering is incredible. The color is gorgeous and it is really hard to capture the depth of it's beauty with a camera lens. The overall build quality is very impressive.
The car however, is NOT perfect. I have issues with inconstant backup camera operation , no microphone recognition on my iPhone, spotty 3G (internet radio drop out) even though my phone 3 G is fine and also minor body fit issues. Tesla service has been very responsive and I hope to have these items resolved soon. I REALLY love the modern interior however the absence of concealed storage, better placed cup holders, interior roof handles and better quality mats are all misses in my estimation for a $100,000 car. The aesthetic would not be compromised if those items were handled in a thoughtful way. We shouldn't have to spend another $1,000. just to get console storage!
My only regret so far.... not buying TSLA when it was at $27 when my (then) 14 yr old son Ethan encouraged me to do so....smart kid. He got to meet Elon and George last year - a real highlight! Thanks Ethan, for making me a Tesla believer.
Also, I had XPEL film put on the hood, front and rear bumper, headlights along with 3M Crystalline 70 window tint - all done by Detailing Dynamics on Long Island (66 Windsor Ave Mineola, NY 11501 (516) 747-4114). Eddie and his team did a magnificent job. I have no affiliation with them but I highly recommend the company.
So that it my journey so far....... from an extravagant expense of a $65,000 very fine automobile to the blissful ownership of $110,000+ of a really fast, movable (along with well made and incredible handling) piece of art. My neurosis in check -I'm happy.
Don't fret too much - order whichever S works for you - you will not be disappointed.
So.......my (then) 12 year old son started bugging me to check out Tesla and on a trip to Seattle several years ago we happened upon a Tesla store. We took a Roadster out for a bit and I was hooked. The nature of the effortless, powerful acceleration coupled with the noticeably quiet environment led me to conclude that I had to have a Tesla. But a Roadster,? 2 Seater? How could I justify this......
Well, the Model S was coming out "soon" and it made much more sense to order a car more suitable for my family - after all, that reasoning helped with my rationalization to purchase a $65,000. car of "new" technology, with limited range and questionable prospects for a real world charging solutions. Purchasing from a start up at a time when auto manufacturers were failing at a pretty steady clip didn't really fit into my persona of a fiscal conservative. In my many anxious moments, I would tell myself, hey it's a family car, good for the environment and priced at a level consistent with some of my other autos. So, I put my $5,000. refundable deposit down in Sept 2011. And over the next many months... I still would get VERY anxious.
I started with a base 60 - I thought, hey it's a great, sensible way for me to go, with more than enough range for most of my driving. I would still have an ICE vehicle for those longer journeys.
And then the erosion of my willpower began......
Well, geez, I really should get the 85 as that seemed to make more sense - it expanded my driving range options. Then over many months the thought of ordering the Performance 85, 21" wheels, getting leather, technology package, upgraded audio, panoramic roof, air suspension, metallic paint all began to weigh on and make sense to me......I began to rationalize my "need" for all of those options but..... ok, this was way out of my target price and beyond anything I ever had expected. I bit the bullet (gulp!) and finalized my order in 1/13 with the final, final, final option (and increase in price) of multi-coat red. BTW - before this...there was NO way I was getting a red car, just no way.... until I saw the multicoat (or what I thought was) - it was stunning. This is one expensive car!!!!!.... but I loved it and there are no more options that I could possibly want....right?
Well......2 months later and .....damn you Elon Musk......a performance plus option??? No way..not going to do it....don't need it.... how much more?, what are the benefits??? Will I really need it, feel it, appreciate it?
Needless to say, I bit a bigger bullet and went ALL IN.
Also...just to be clear, along with all of my other anxiety around the car I REALLY became concerned about the 21" wheels and the risks/expense associated with them - what had I done? (I did say earlier that I am a bit neurotic).
I took delivery last week of my P85+, multi red, 21" silver, tan, matt obeche, pano, Model S and I have never, ever been happier (I know it's still early) with a car. The sheer effortless power is breathtaking, the handling and cornering is incredible. The color is gorgeous and it is really hard to capture the depth of it's beauty with a camera lens. The overall build quality is very impressive.
The car however, is NOT perfect. I have issues with inconstant backup camera operation , no microphone recognition on my iPhone, spotty 3G (internet radio drop out) even though my phone 3 G is fine and also minor body fit issues. Tesla service has been very responsive and I hope to have these items resolved soon. I REALLY love the modern interior however the absence of concealed storage, better placed cup holders, interior roof handles and better quality mats are all misses in my estimation for a $100,000 car. The aesthetic would not be compromised if those items were handled in a thoughtful way. We shouldn't have to spend another $1,000. just to get console storage!
My only regret so far.... not buying TSLA when it was at $27 when my (then) 14 yr old son Ethan encouraged me to do so....smart kid. He got to meet Elon and George last year - a real highlight! Thanks Ethan, for making me a Tesla believer.
Also, I had XPEL film put on the hood, front and rear bumper, headlights along with 3M Crystalline 70 window tint - all done by Detailing Dynamics on Long Island (66 Windsor Ave Mineola, NY 11501 (516) 747-4114). Eddie and his team did a magnificent job. I have no affiliation with them but I highly recommend the company.
So that it my journey so far....... from an extravagant expense of a $65,000 very fine automobile to the blissful ownership of $110,000+ of a really fast, movable (along with well made and incredible handling) piece of art. My neurosis in check -I'm happy.
Don't fret too much - order whichever S works for you - you will not be disappointed.
