It's funny to me. The P90D was the most amazing thing on the planet when it was released. It's 0-60 in 3.1 seconds was unheard of. There are thousands of YouTube reaction videos of people going nuts over the way it felt. The new Long Range has the same "Insane Mode" the original P90D did, Yet, is actually better. The P90D got to 60 in the blink of an eye, but then hit a brick wall. The new LR keeps accelerating beyond 60.
I had a P90D and while it was cool to feel that insane acceleration, I NEVER used it other than to demonstrate it to passengers. But, can't imagine that people's reaction wouldn't be the same today. There is clearly no "need" to go any faster on the street. I think Plaid will be a tougher sell as it's just beyond ridiculous how fast it is and 98% of the public will never use it.
For me, the cost is just way too much to justify for just a larger rear motor that accelerates faster. With just about every other car, the "performance models" come with A LOT of extra features and further add value. Even the Model 3. It's only $8,000 and you get several other items with it. $45,000, I mean seriously, that's a lot of friggen money for just a bigger motor to go faster than a car that's already faster than just about any car on the planet. On the street, without a grippy surface, what other car is there that will accelerate to 60 in 3.0 seconds or less?? Even the cars technically capable of it, could never do it on the street. Tires just light up. The Hellcat I think barely gets below 4.0 seconds on the street. The Tesla LR range can repeat 3.0-3.1 all day long and probably in the rain too.
Plus, the Plaid, to get maximum acceleration, you have to wait 15 minutes for the car to prep itself. Who the heck is going to do that? Pull up to a light and someone wants to race, are you going ask them to wait 15 minutes??? LOL. It's closer to 2.2 or 2.3 without Launch Mode or Cheetah mode. Whatever it's called. So, really, other than at the race track, the real world difference is just 7/10ths or so. I just think that for almost everyone, the LR will give the same shocking satisfaction each time you slam the throttle. I'd rather take my $45,000 to Vegas and do a one-hand money play on Black Jack to see if I could double it.
Add that to the fact that I won't blow $10,000 on FSD again and it's actually $55,000 for two things that have no practical use on the streets. If you're one that buys $300,000 to $400,000 exotic cars on a regular basis, then $55,000 is nothing. Go for it. But, for the rest of us, you'll never feel like you're missing out on something by not ponying up for the Plaid. I'll guarantee that you could lie to just about every passenger you have and say you got the best one and with their shock at feeling the 3.1 0-60, they'd believe you. It's still that good!
$55,000. Seriously!. That's more than half the price of a LR Model S. You could get a Model 3 for your wife or kid (or mistress..LOL). For many, that's a hefty down payment for a house. Would send your kid to many colleges. If you happen to buy two Plaids, it would be $110,000. More than the cost to get a 3rd Model S. Or TWO Model 3's. It's just mind baffling money for a larger rear motor that likely doesn't cost Tesla any more than $1,000 over the cost of the smaller motor. Sure, there's value to the development of it and I'm all for Tesla making a profit. But, $55,000 for a rear motor and flip of the FSD switch? Nope, regardless of the fact that I could afford it, I can't in good conscious justify it.
