I don't disagree entirely MsElectric but I would say "many" rather than "most" purchasers in that category. I think that will prove less true as more people gain confidence enough to consider an EV.
The reason I said "many" considering the S85D may go for the P85D is that most looking to pay around $85-90K for a vehicle are already familiar with sub 5 second 0-60 acceleration offered by the S85. That's A6, BMW 5 series, E class territory. Though fast that's not that special. I think many may want to pay a modest sum extra and experience Lamborghini level acceleration that leaves the entire Mercedes AMG line-up in the dust.
If Tesla had an AWD vehicle somewhere in between the S85D and the P85D we would have bought it but we really didn't want something that accelerated just about what our 550i would do. I realize without a transmission the S85 might be "quicker" but we wanted a car that was faster than what we would be giving up and the P85D is all there is.
I really think at some point they need to bump up the performance of the S85D. There is too much of a gap between that and the P85D and though fast I don't find the S85D to be fast enough. When we test drove the S85 though it was nice, the P85 is where we actually had fun driving and sold us on Tesla as a brand. I'm excited our own Tesla is going to be even better
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Prices on used P85 and P85+ are currently way down. I personally think it is too soon to know if:
- This is a temporary drop in price based on a large increase in supply (many high end P85s being traded/sold to upgrade to the P85D). This is comparably to the sharp drop in Tesla Roadster prices when many were traded in/sold when the first Model S cars were sold. Used roadster prices later stabilized at higher levels.
- This is a permanent drop in P85 prices that will continue to drop further
My personal opinion is that if new P85s were continued to be produced the used price drop on P85s would likely continue. But with the very large price gap between new 85 and P85D, there is room for used P85s to be attractive. I of course have no idea if I am right. I do not expect many used P85Ds on the market in the next 6 moths however so I do not think used P85D prices will impact used P85 prices in the near future. But who knows
I doubt the bottom has yet fallen with the P85 values. The plus package will be almost worthless in the used car market before long as it is no more faster than the P85 and it come with larger wheels and seats with a decoration. The P85s are already in the 70s. In December through early part of next year when more Tesla customers trade up for a D the P85 values will likely drop further.
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RWD is lots more fun than most AWD cars. The problem is people who buy cars, who are fearful about tail wagging, or, with Tesla, want the day to arrive where they can let go of their steering wheel.
Fun, maybe if you really know how to handle it. Most people, including virtually everyone I know don't. If you loose control of a RWD car, unless you know what you are doing you are done as you are likely looking at a horrible disaster.
With an AWD car there is a lesser chance you will do something dumb with the car and loose control and I personally would never buy a high horsepower car without AWD. There is a reason why pretty much everyone premium car manufacturer is moving towards AWD only vehicles in their higher trim levels... Apart from a very few driving enthusiasts who like RWD cars I bet the majority of potential Model S buyers would prefer to have AWD and this is likely why Tesla discontinued the P85. With the P85D available, it made no sense.
