New 70 RWD or classic P85

[rcarpen22]

So, I think with my budget, I am looking at a 70rwd with a few options (or 70D with virtually no options) or a CPO P85. I agonize over decisions like this a bit more than I should, but in this case, it's justified. It's a lot of money! So, it basically comes down to new car with higher build quality and autopilot vs. insane acceleration. I'm really torn. I'm sure there are people out there who have driven both (or similar combinations). I have driven a 60, 70D, and 85 and was impressed by all of them. I know you can't really go wrong with any MS, but thoughts on the subject would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[gimmi80]

CPO P85

 

[vortexz]

get a new one bro.new is always new
you will get 8 yrs warranty and better build quality.why do you need the insane acceleration ? you will only use it for just a couple of times just for fun anyway.the acceleration in the 70d is also pretty good for a car this size !
Go with the 70d !

 

[tstafford]

It would depend on a number of factors:
- How important is acceleration to you?
- How long do you usually keep cars?
- Is AP important or does it seem like a gimmick to you?
- Have you driven a car with next gen seats? What did you think?

Me personally, I'd stretch and get a new 85D with next gens and AP. If I was buying on a budget I know that car with just those two options would make me very happy. I would also carefully follow the CPO Consolidator for a while to see if a nice 85D popped up. For example, there is one right now in OC/SD that is nicely optioned with low miles for $89K. That would interest me.

 

[Magus]

This is going to be a situation in which the first responses give different opinions lol. CPO 85, 70D, 85d. I will add S70. I have the 70D- only because AWD is a thing for me. I would recommend the S70. It's a good car. Range isn't decreased by a whole lot. People do well with the 60 and traveling. The ranges between these models are all still under 300 miles, and all still above 200. Autopilot is amazing and a game changer. If there's a CPO that has autopilot that would be a great option too. I didn't go CPO because even week to week there are improvements and modifications. The newer cars out the gate
are likely more reliable. However, the model S is highly modular and any problem parts in a CPO would have been replaced with newer ones.

All in all, I think that Autopilot is a game changer. Even 1.0 hardware will become better with software updates- and is inherently capable of recognizing stop signs, etc. It transforms the dynamic of driving. You can monitor other cars for trouble signs. When safe to, you can enjoy the scenery. Those times on a road trip where your passengers say look at that? You're a lot more likely to be able to with AP. Heavy traffic is no longer stressful.

 

[rcarpen22]

Thanks for the feedback! Agree that the 85D would be ideal, but one can stretch just so far and that's not a possibility, new or used. Acceleration is something that I really really like, but I test drove a 70D with AP and it is incredible. Also, I have a long commute. I do like nextgen seats, but performance interior is nice too. I'd get more amenities with the P85. Geez...

 

[taurusking]

Thanks for the feedback! Agree that the 85D would be ideal, but one can stretch just so far and that's not a possibility, new or used. Acceleration is something that I really really like, but I test drove a 70D with AP and it is incredible. Also, I have a long commute. I do like nextgen seats, but performance interior is nice too. I'd get more amenities with the P85. Geez...

Actually the decision boils down to one thing....extended warranty

If you are not worried about not able to purchase extended warranty on CPO then buy P85.

Seats does not make much difference IMHO...I have old seats and they are just fine. Search for next generation seats and see how some people say there is not much difference. Again there will be lot of different opinions..

 

[CO2Saver]

Better to get a new car with the color and interior and features you really want.

The Ludicrous mode is something you might feel good claiming you have, but you won't get any real joy out of it except for a few seconds, rarely. The 70 rwd still has awesome acceleration.

A new car will have everything up to date, probably with better build quality. Plus better warranty and, longer term, more trade-in value because it will be a later model with fewer miles.

Next-gen seats: they are better for smaller bod's -- look at the number of people who upgrade -- but not a whole lot. Make this decision for yourself. Some large folks fit just fine in the old seats.

 

[Johan]

new 70rwd or classic P85

Classic P85 fo shizzle. Those beauties aren't made any more. Imagine 30 years down the line, owning one of those very 1st generation proper EVs, with RWD only - a remnant of what they in the 20th century used to call "muscle cars" which were generally highly polluting, ineffective rear wheel only driven combustion cars.

 

[e-FTW]

Thanks for the feedback! Agree that the 85D would be ideal, but one can stretch just so far and that's not a possibility, new or used. Acceleration is something that I really really like, but I test drove a 70D with AP and it is incredible. Also, I have a long commute. I do like nextgen seats, but performance interior is nice too. I'd get more amenities with the P85. Geez...

I have a RWD 70. And a 45 mile commute each way.
The lower price point allowed me to add the pano roof, Autopilot and red multicoat paint without issue.
And if you also have a long commute, get autopilot. You will not regret it! Long drives are much less tiring, and this is just version 1.0 of the software.

On acceleration: I have the slowest car they make right now (pano adds weight). If this is slow, am not sure what to think... My las two cars were WRXs with similar 0-60 times and AWD. I do not feel slower in the slightest!

Also, are you leasing or buying? Do you intend to to keep it for a long time?

 

[dsm363]

Thanks for the feedback! Agree that the 85D would be ideal, but one can stretch just so far and that's not a possibility, new or used. Acceleration is something that I really really like, but I test drove a 70D with AP and it is incredible. Also, I have a long commute. I do like nextgen seats, but performance interior is nice too. I'd get more amenities with the P85. Geez...

How long is your commute? Think a 70D with Autopilot might be nice. New car and for a long commute Autopilot would be a great feature. I have a P85 and love it but the newer cars have so many more toys (folding mirrors, parking sensors....etc) so take that into consideration. And newer builds might be more reliable.

 

[stevej119]

The Ludicrous mode is something you might feel good claiming you have, but you won't get any real joy out of it except for a few seconds, rarely.

A P85 has neither Insane nor Ludicrous modes. 0-60 acceleration is approximately 4.0, vs. 3.1 & 2.8 respectively for Insane and Ludicrous. Still, 4.0 is PDQ.

 

[tom66]

Isn't P85 roughly as fast as 85D?

 

[stevej119]

Isn't P85 roughly as fast as 85D?

Yep. 0-60 P85 4.0, 0-60 85D 4.2.

 

[smilepak]

70 all the way. So much quieter. The p85 Classic noise drives me crazy

 

[MsElectric]

I recommend that you find a P85 with Autopilot Unicorn.

Even without Autopilot I recommend a CPO P85 over a RWD 70. The RWD 70 is not going to be that exhilarating to drive whereas the P85 will put a smile on your face.

 

[dsm363]

I recommend that you find a P85 with Autopilot Unicorn.

Even without Autopilot I recommend a CPO P85 over a RWD 70. The RWD 70 is not going to be that exhilarating to drive whereas the P85 will put a smile on your face.

Rocklin has a P85+ with AP too.

 

[e-FTW]

I recommend that you find a P85 with Autopilot Unicorn.

Even without Autopilot I recommend a CPO P85 over a RWD 70. The RWD 70 is not going to be that exhilarating to drive whereas the P85 will put a smile on your face.

I respectfully disagree. I went out for a drive today, and this boring RWD 70 of mine kicked my ass.
That is all.

 

[purplewalt]

As there is a slight difference between mileage of a new 70 vs a CPO 85, the 70 would be the better value.
Any pre-owned 85 battery pack will have some amount of degradation, so it is less than 25 miles (240 miles NEW vs 265 miles with some amount of mileage loss) difference.

Should you go with the NEW 70: As far as the Next-Gen front seats, it is a slight cost increase if you intend to have black leather seats.
If you intend to have either tan or grey leather, they are ONLY available in Next-Gen.

Either of the cars are plenty quick for daily driving.
If you get the 70 (or 70D), you can outfit the car exactly as you wish, paint color and wheels that you prefer, etc.

One more purchasing Option you might consider looking into: check if you might get a Inventory car with a bit of mileage.
There is still a bit additional savings, you are still eligible for the Federal Tax Rebate ($7,500) and the CA Tax incentive since the car would not have been registered/titled, warranty is started when you get the car.
Best time to look for the Service Cars is near end of a quarter, as TM is trying to get cars into owner's hands, and they are more inclined to offer a better financial deal.
Have your financing worked out ahead of time so that when the right car comes, you can hop on it.
Really a pain to do all the leg work, find a car and then have one slip away because your financing wasn't in place.

 

[mwulff]

70D or S70. If you have a long commute the auto pilot will make a huge difference. Also don't bother with air suspension, next gen seats or ultra hifi. They are not worth it if you are stretching yourself to begin with.

I would recommend the pano-roof as it gives a lot more headroom.

The old P85's are great cars for sure, but a newer 70 is a better built car and comes with more warranty.