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P85D sighting / test drives

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Beyond (not?) being able to push them down flat, I see a couple of other issues:

- in case you have young ones to transport in a car seat back there, assuming that the LATCH positions work out, can a wider booster/car seat be accommodated in the middle seat? Those bolsters are really going to limit the size of car seats in there. The likes of the Britax Frontier 85/90/95 - the 85 was very instrumental in keeping my son safe during our terrible accident in August - will definitely not fit there (the 85 used to spill out into the neighboring seats both at the top and at the bottom).

- is the pillar at the bottom of the picture already showing signs of wear that the pre-redesign B-pillar leather used to show with early cars? Looks like folks are going to hit that often as they get in and out.
 
My Specialist said when you buy a Ferrari or McLaren you don't get a test drive.

That is not true. The McLaren dealer in Palo Alto has always had 2 demo cars - one on display in the showroom and one for test drives. Even people who placed deposits on the 12C before it was first delivered got a chance to test drive a production prototype that was sent over from the UK and toured the US dealerships back in 2011.
 
That's absolutely not true for Ferrari, at least. Sure, if you walk in off the street you probably won't get a test drive, but if the dealer knows you, or you even call and make an appointment, they'll certainly let you drive. In fact, in some cases they will let you take a car overnight.

My Specialist said when you buy a Ferrari or McLaren you don't get a test drive. I sort of chuckled... while the P85D is an incredible car it's still not quite the same apples to apples comparison to a McLaren or Ferrari.
 
That's absolutely not true for Ferrari, at least. Sure, if you walk in off the street you probably won't get a test drive, but if the dealer knows you, or you even call and make an appointment, they'll certainly let you drive. In fact, in some cases they will let you take a car overnight.

I agree that's why I chuckled. My young specialist obviously doesn't know his facts too well... If I was to drop a quarter million plus on a super car I'm sure I'd be able to take it around the block.

I assume I would have to show I am somewhat a serious buyer and not just coming in on my lunch break for a quick spin.

In regards to car seats I honestly didn't think about that concern with the side bolsters. After about 12 years of messing with car seats in our cars we are finally down to one booster which stays in the SUV cause my 6 year old daughter likes to sit in the back jump seats in the tesla.
 
I test drove an S85 today. In talking to the Tesla representative, he noted that it's looking as though more pre-qualification of customers will probably be necessary for P85D test drives. The analysis is that 0-60 in 3.2 is going to attract more than a few young guns who have no ability to buy the car, but do want to experience the acceleration just for kicks. I hope that they don't resort to pulling credit reports on customers without explicit permission. That's an old dealer trick that I find very intrusive. It's also a practice that can be slightly damaging to one's credit on a short term basis.
 
I test drove an S85 today. In talking to the Tesla representative, he noted that it's looking as though more pre-qualification of customers will probably be necessary for P85D test drives. The analysis is that 0-60 in 3.2 is going to attract more than a few young guns who have no ability to buy the car, but do want to experience the acceleration just for kicks. I hope that they don't resort to pulling credit reports on customers without explicit permission. That's an old dealer trick that I find very intrusive. It's also a practice that can be slightly damaging to one's credit on a short term basis.

It's also illegal.
 
2014 85 air, roof ,21", much more...

Nice.

But that is discouraging. I have a 9/12/2014 confirmed P85 order. It said the Performance versions had delivery priority when I ordered. My delivery window was December, then Late November and now back to second half of December. Here is the last communication from my DS as to my schedule. "There have been some major shifts in the production schedule that have affected all customers." That appears to be rushing to make some P85D's.

The anticipation is killing me. This Friday I am having a 14-50 installed in my garage.


I had a scheduled delivery of 2015, I made the mistake of taking a factory tour, feel in love bought one right then and there. 2 days after delivery, they announced the " D ", I want one... If you know of anyone that wants my Blue one and would like to save $12k please contact me, you can have it for Thanksgiving $90k, 703.626.6917, located in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado
 
Newbie to TMC! My wife booked me a MS test drive for my birthday and now I'm a believer. I've run the numbers and the Total Cost of Ownership for us is the same or better than owning an ICE for 6-8 years. No brainer with the amount of km's we drive up here in Ontario, going back and forth to the cottage on weekends in the summer (>40,000 km/yr). Just need the Barrie supercharger to open and need to test drive teh MX first before we make our final decision. The D is a definite for our winter driving. Can't wait!
 
Ken, what color was it? I live in San Mateo, I'll look out for it. I see so many Teslas around here that I don't look at each and every one that closely.

It was black (or blue, since it was 9PM). I see a lot fewer Model S's in San Mateo than the places I frequent, so I was surprised to see another one on the road that I took notice as it approached and drove past me.
 
I just drove a P85D !

Just got back from the Tesla delivery center in Costa Mesa and an employee from the LA region office was down (maybe Hawthorne) and he had a P85D with DLR plates on it.

Naturally I asked for a spin in it and thought they would only give me a ride along. Well, we went down the street and he pulled over and let me drive it back! (Not going to name names in case that was against company rules)

Anyway, I have a P85+ so thats what I will compare it to. Ok, this car is FAST off the line. For about 3 seconds it feels quicker than my P85+, but after about 65MPH it feels the same as my P85+. I punched it from 65 to see how quick it could get to 80, and while there is a difference, a normal person wouldn't feel too much of a difference from a P85. I was very unimpressed with the performance except off the line. If coming from a P85, it really isn't huge. Other than that it felt the same handling, looks the same- etc- so nothing else to report. Oh, it had newer seats but I didn't even notice until halfway through the test drive when my side started to hurt and feel a bit unconfortable from the oversized bolster pushing into my rib cage after a bit of driving. I love my seats better.

Anyway, it will be my next car, but the 691HP seems to only work sometimes and definitely is not a 700HP vehicle when already driving over 60MPH. Its not like a 700HP ICE vehicle that 700HP is available any time you go WOT, it seems the rear motor is always working unless its launching - I think its a bit of a marketing gimmick.

But wow, off the line, for 3 seconds or so, it is a rush. After that, not so much.
 
It was black (or blue, since it was 9PM). I see a lot fewer Model S's in San Mateo than the places I frequent, so I was surprised to see another one on the road that I took notice as it approached and drove past me.

That's the Palo Alto demo car. Confirmed by phone with my DS and the Palo Alto local team. You can book an appointment now if you want to take a ride in it.
 
I'm planning on taking a factory tour at Fremont next Tuesday and will try to get a ride in a P85D.
They said they don't have one there yet (Palo Alto is the only one in the SF Bay Area for now) but is likely they'll get on by Tuesday.