Thanks for the discussion, good points added by everyone. Let me add a bit more info as well:
Breaking this down:
1. Increased efficiency - yes, given it's a smaller, lighter car. On the flip side, load it up with 5 people and luggage and the gap lessens.
2. Newer design - absolutely. Not sure whether that is a positive or negative, given Tesla's trademark "we'll enable it later", for example ChaDeMo adapter. Also, older is a proven design, new batteries on the 3 have no long term reliability data yet.
3. Lower price - After add the early depreciation you're going to have to eat to the M3, the "lower price" will probably apply only when you go to sell it. "P" might be even above your trade-in value.
4. Increased range - similar to #1, no free supercharging though so increased but more expensive travel range
One thing you said also is confusing: you said you are considering a P but don't care about lower performance if P is not available. If you don't care about lower performance but do care (as you stated) about a lower price, go for non-P even if it does come out soon.
1 - yes, of course you're right that a smaller car is not as luxurious and comfortable for many passengers. I should state that I am single, so usually my car has max one other person with me, no kids or car seats which would strongly weigh me in favor of keeping the S.
2 - Fair enough. I view a newer design as a positive, and like the model 3 balance of scandinavian sparse design, and American conveniences like door pockets.
3 - I feel the depreciation of the 3 is slowed down by (1) the full tax deduction, and (2) continued constrained supply for the next year or two while they work through backorders
4- Don't really agree on this one. I use supercharging but not that often (and it's not great for the batteries). I feel the increased efficiency in terms of Wh/mi will outweigh the cost of paying for electricity at superchargers. Plus, the M3 will have better range than my MS, so I'm likely, on average, to SC less.
I am quite curious on your next steps as I am in the exact same situation and like the size, driveability and range of the 3.
I would love to have the AWD, but the math is already pretty bad without adding another 5k to the mix. Do keep us posted on the numbers if you dont mind
Will let you know. I have been skiing for 37 years and used to go to Tahoe on weekends. Loved the Audi quattro w/ snow tires for this purpose. But honestly, I motor around the Bay Area and kitesurf locally much more these days. If I only go up to Tahoe a few times per year, I can borrow/rent an AWD and so that doesn't really matter to me.
The two reasons why I purchased a RWD MS were (1) felt the power in the seat of my pants better than AWD, and (2) $5k cheaper. If I cared about being in the snow that much, (2) wouldn't matter. I am not cash constrained, so this is really just an optimization question for me.
Have a M3 reserved but everytime I throw a bedroom set, or rocking chair, or dishwasher, or whatever in the back of the MS I cannot imagine using a M3 in its stead. Considering changing M3 deposit to new MS.
Each person has their own situation. Luckily, I have friends with larger vehicles to borrow for these kinds of uses. This is really just about my daily driver. And I am excited about the M3 P series, whereas the MS P100D is just too expensive for me to be able to justify. But I have a feeling the M3 P will fit a sweet spot.
Did you really fit a dishwasher in the back of your MS??? Impressive!
