I have driven a silver 911 C4S for 16 years, models: 997.1, 997.2, 991.1, 991.2 and two weeks ago I switched to a Tesla 3 Performance. I had wondered what to expect but couldn't find any posts anywhere on making the change; only YouTube 911/Tesla 3P drag race videos!
So, for anyone considering the move and for Tesla 3 Performance owners wondering if they made the right choice (they did!) or what they might be missing (not a whole lot in IMHO!), here are some initial thoughts.
Firstly my own profile since that obviously colors my perspective: I am strictly an on-road driver. I have never been on a race track. I am a pretty aggressive, disciplined, reasonably responsible driver with a Valentine 1 who never exceeds 100 mph but is often driving over 80 mph on the highway and spends a fair amount of time navigating around my fellow NJ drivers! I have been ticket-free for the past ten years or so. I love to drive. I have never used cruise control, ever.
I loved my 911s for all the obvious reasons.They are beautiful sensual cars, especially from the back, exquisitely made and far, far in excess, at least roadholding performance-wise, of anything I ever put them through. My first and second were stick-shift and there was something wonderful about the experience of moving through the exquisite gear box. When they added a seventh gear I gave up and switched to PDK which was wonderful. I never once used the paddles. I kept my 911 in sports mode, always.
I leased all four cars and persuaded myself I wasn't actually paying for all the options. Of course, I was! The sumptuous leather interior, the fantastic Burmester sound system, the PASM, the auto leveling, the four wheel steering in the last one.....everything is extra in a Porsche. Everything.
I never got the sports exhaust which, as someone who despises Harley riders assaulting my ears, I thought was totally obnoxious. And not once did I try launch control. I couldn't imagine sitting at the traffic light gunning my engine to 4,000 RPM with the other foot on the brake. And, honestly, everything about the car was probably a bit obnoxious for anyone looking at mine, especially when I passed them in the right lane at 90. Even driving at 30 mph in our no-sidewalk neighborhood, people walking their dogs would wag their finger at me because although I was not driving fast my car always sounded fast.
Anyhow, the lease was nearly up on my 991.2 and my dealer was asking when I was going to order the 992. With the options I was used to, nothing crazy but this is a 911, the list on it was close to $140K and the lease payment was going to be in the range of $2,200 a month.
And so.....with five clicks (including a double click for the deposit) I ordered and bought a Tesla 3 Performance! (Fun fact: ordering my Apple Watch took ten clicks on their web site!)
So here is my take on the car in comparison to the 911.
OK. It's not as pretty! But it certainly isn't ugly. The S design, to my eye, is one of the finest sedan designs ever. The 3 not as much so, but its just fine. Coupes are easier to design. The new Roadster should be stunning.
Any other minuses versus a $140K 911 from my POV? Of course all the interior 'craftsmanship'. The roadholding on a racetrack where I never took it. Sex appeal?
So what about the plusses compared with a 911?
Performance! OMG. No contest. At least below 110 mph (see above!)
And quiet, no noise, no drama, instantly available acceleration.
Regenerative braking: what a wonderful way to drive.
Drive quality: definitely better than my last 911 with its refined air ride, self leveling, yada-ya. Tesla - better.
Steering quality: excellent. Just right for me in sports mode. Not in any way a letdown from the 911. Road feel? A 911 is also drive by wire these days.
Practicality: space, seating, storage, etc., obviously no comparison.
Automation: amazing! Phone key, auto garage door opening, connectivity.......
Sound system: to my ear at least as good and maybe better (and without the engine noise, much better) than a Bermester which cost close to $6,000 more(!) than the Bose system which was in turn a premium over the standard sound system. You get killed with options. It's the Porsche way.
Call quality: way, way better. Ditto navigation and voice navigation.
UI/UX: OK, I'm still mourning the absence of CarPlay, but wow, what a terrific user experience on balance.
Fun to drive? Different but I love the Tesla.
And this is before the really important stuff: a total change in the driving paradigm. No fossil fuel, automatic updating of features and functionality.
And all for under $60K delivered.
If I'd waited another week to write this I don't think I'd have even bothered. It's already hard to look back. Driving a Tesla changes how you think about driving. It is so obviously the future, as of course is autonomy and eventually cars as a service.
One final thought: when I went to return my 911, the dealer had a shiny new black Taycan Turbo recharging at the entrance. Very lightly optioned it was around $170,000 before tax. Even folding mirrors ($330) would be extra as would the premium Bermester audio ($5,810). A well optioned standard Turbo would be closer to $180K. But it did have one option listed:
- Porsche Electric Sport Sound
And that to me said it all! Vroom-vroom.
How things have changed!
