Got mine on 12-11-12. No need to post photos of Performance, silver, carbon fiber, pano roof - everyone's seen photos before. Here are my findings as an owner:
Positive feedback:
1) Tesla nailed it. The driving experience is faster than an Aston Martin Vanquish (according to MotorTrend). So fun to drive.
2) The car fob is NOT affected by cell phone proximity (Galaxy Note II) like my Prius was. Now, I can keep car fob and cell phone in same pocket if I want.
3) It is a beautiful car whose styling is not over the top and showboat-y. But people really do take pictures while stopped at red lights.
4) Center console - Now I see why center console weirdness is the way it is. The design allows for the rear seat, middle passenger to put his/her feet on the floor without bumping into center console b/c it is "cut out" to allow for this room for feet. The console's open, minimal design for its front part emphasizes the car's "no stupid middle hump" that's in all other gas cars. The result is that there isn't much space within the console itself to allow for any concealed space (though I imagine it could still be possible even just a little concealed space).
5) After I got the car, it updated it's software to 4.something at 2AM. The car then became faster on acceleration and door handles pop open when approaching car. Very cool new behavior and very cool the car can be updated over the air like that.
6) Bluetooth music/phone and internet radio works great.
7) Bass - When the EQ is adjusted, the stereo sounds fantastic. Our Hybrid Escalade only sounds a fraction of a hair better and sometimes I question that.
8) Sunglasses and phone fit quickly and easily in chin cubby under LCD screen. Can't say enough about the utility of the "frunk". So good to have and keeps car interior empty and therefore clean.
9) For any TSLA investors: the truck driver told me they were moving a lot of cars from the factory. His company alone had 4 trucks loading when he got there, and there were several other truck companies there too. (However, he did say he has had to bring Model S car's back to Fremont for servicing!).
10) I like how the charge port opens up by itself when I bring the charging cable close to it. I also like how there is no "cut out circle" to open a charge port (or fill up on gas) b/c charge port is hidden. Clean lines all throughout the design.
Negative feedback:
1) Upon delivery, B pillar was and still is smudged with dirt/oil or something. I had to take delivery of a smudged/dirty car!
2) I'm getting a low windshield wiper fluid level error and I haven't used any yet. I need to check if level is really low. If it is low, bad. If it isn't, worse, as now I'm questioning reliability (and haven't sold my Prius yet).
3) Delivery experience in Texas. I couldn't drive the car until the next day, 12-12-12, b/c Tesla hadn't sent dealer tags with the car. I had to wait for the overnight FedEx of the dealer tags (or risk getting car impounded driving with no tags). I had to get car inspection myself and then go into the DMV to register and pay taxes. Lame.
4) No rear seat floor mats makes me think Tesla is a nickel and dimer. Although I want to buy Tesla T-shirts and caps and coffee mugs and hoodies, I haven't bought any yet....am saving up for the rear seat floor mats. Heck I think just a free Tesla T-shirt and cap with every 100k car purchase would help to establish brand loyalty among customers, offer free advertising for Tesla and ease the sting of no rear seat mats. Sort of like including Apple stickers in the box of an Apple product.
5) No rear seat cup holders. For females: no vanity lights in the sun visors. Discussed ad nauseum.
6) Lack of power folding side view mirrors is NOT a big deal for me as I originally thought b/c the car fits fine in my single car garage. BUT I now agree with others that Model S should have blind spot detection. For example although my mom wants to buy a Tesla also, she simply can't b/c of the lack of blind spot detection like in her Mercedes or in our Hybrid Escalade. Blind spot detection is her main requirement in a vehicle of all things.
Overall:
I was choosing between leasing a Volt for two years and then getting Model S 2.0. But I'm glad I took the early adopter plunge (and avoided a silly price increase) b/c 1) no more dirty gas stations and smelly, time-consuming fill-ups 2) a cleaner environment 3) driving a Tesla makes me actually enjoy the drive (and I severely dislike driving). All of which would not be the case if I got a Volt. So overall, I'm pleased with this Model S purchase and slowly my initial skepticism is wearing away - but it has only been 3 days since I've taken delivery. It all depends on reliability at this point. I've even offered my wife to trade in the Hybrid Escalade and get the Model X! To which her response was a simple "no thank you" (like my mom, she wants blind spot detection and a little more creature comforts).
Here's a photo of the dirty/oily smudge that I see every time I get into the car. Was present on delivery of vehicle:
Positive feedback:
1) Tesla nailed it. The driving experience is faster than an Aston Martin Vanquish (according to MotorTrend). So fun to drive.
2) The car fob is NOT affected by cell phone proximity (Galaxy Note II) like my Prius was. Now, I can keep car fob and cell phone in same pocket if I want.
3) It is a beautiful car whose styling is not over the top and showboat-y. But people really do take pictures while stopped at red lights.
4) Center console - Now I see why center console weirdness is the way it is. The design allows for the rear seat, middle passenger to put his/her feet on the floor without bumping into center console b/c it is "cut out" to allow for this room for feet. The console's open, minimal design for its front part emphasizes the car's "no stupid middle hump" that's in all other gas cars. The result is that there isn't much space within the console itself to allow for any concealed space (though I imagine it could still be possible even just a little concealed space).
5) After I got the car, it updated it's software to 4.something at 2AM. The car then became faster on acceleration and door handles pop open when approaching car. Very cool new behavior and very cool the car can be updated over the air like that.
6) Bluetooth music/phone and internet radio works great.
7) Bass - When the EQ is adjusted, the stereo sounds fantastic. Our Hybrid Escalade only sounds a fraction of a hair better and sometimes I question that.
8) Sunglasses and phone fit quickly and easily in chin cubby under LCD screen. Can't say enough about the utility of the "frunk". So good to have and keeps car interior empty and therefore clean.
9) For any TSLA investors: the truck driver told me they were moving a lot of cars from the factory. His company alone had 4 trucks loading when he got there, and there were several other truck companies there too. (However, he did say he has had to bring Model S car's back to Fremont for servicing!).
10) I like how the charge port opens up by itself when I bring the charging cable close to it. I also like how there is no "cut out circle" to open a charge port (or fill up on gas) b/c charge port is hidden. Clean lines all throughout the design.
Negative feedback:
1) Upon delivery, B pillar was and still is smudged with dirt/oil or something. I had to take delivery of a smudged/dirty car!
2) I'm getting a low windshield wiper fluid level error and I haven't used any yet. I need to check if level is really low. If it is low, bad. If it isn't, worse, as now I'm questioning reliability (and haven't sold my Prius yet).
3) Delivery experience in Texas. I couldn't drive the car until the next day, 12-12-12, b/c Tesla hadn't sent dealer tags with the car. I had to wait for the overnight FedEx of the dealer tags (or risk getting car impounded driving with no tags). I had to get car inspection myself and then go into the DMV to register and pay taxes. Lame.
4) No rear seat floor mats makes me think Tesla is a nickel and dimer. Although I want to buy Tesla T-shirts and caps and coffee mugs and hoodies, I haven't bought any yet....am saving up for the rear seat floor mats. Heck I think just a free Tesla T-shirt and cap with every 100k car purchase would help to establish brand loyalty among customers, offer free advertising for Tesla and ease the sting of no rear seat mats. Sort of like including Apple stickers in the box of an Apple product.
5) No rear seat cup holders. For females: no vanity lights in the sun visors. Discussed ad nauseum.
6) Lack of power folding side view mirrors is NOT a big deal for me as I originally thought b/c the car fits fine in my single car garage. BUT I now agree with others that Model S should have blind spot detection. For example although my mom wants to buy a Tesla also, she simply can't b/c of the lack of blind spot detection like in her Mercedes or in our Hybrid Escalade. Blind spot detection is her main requirement in a vehicle of all things.
Overall:
I was choosing between leasing a Volt for two years and then getting Model S 2.0. But I'm glad I took the early adopter plunge (and avoided a silly price increase) b/c 1) no more dirty gas stations and smelly, time-consuming fill-ups 2) a cleaner environment 3) driving a Tesla makes me actually enjoy the drive (and I severely dislike driving). All of which would not be the case if I got a Volt. So overall, I'm pleased with this Model S purchase and slowly my initial skepticism is wearing away - but it has only been 3 days since I've taken delivery. It all depends on reliability at this point. I've even offered my wife to trade in the Hybrid Escalade and get the Model X! To which her response was a simple "no thank you" (like my mom, she wants blind spot detection and a little more creature comforts).
Here's a photo of the dirty/oily smudge that I see every time I get into the car. Was present on delivery of vehicle:
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