Windsor, ON Test Drive Event Jan 16-18 (b/c Michigan is the King of Luddites)
I live near Detroit and despite the not-so-progressive approach to selling cars here in Michigan, I was able to attend the afore mentioned test drive even this past weekend and I had an opportunity, correction the privilege, to test drive the P85D. Before I get into my thoughts about the car, I just want to say how amazing TMC is and what an awesome place for people like me to read all about the owner’s experiences. I am a long time stalker of the website but first time poster. I hope to join the owner’s circle one day but that day is still a little while away (student loans) but enough about me, here is what I thought of THE BEAST!
Where do I even begin?! First impression as I drove up to the hotel (Waterfront Hotel) and saw two beauties just sitting there in the valet circle, a Grey and a Black, both had the 21” dark wheels and despite being covered in dust and salt, they both looked absolutely gorgeous, the black more so than the grey but thats just a personal preference.
There were three Tesla employees present at the hotel, one from Toronto and the other two from Columbus, OH. The two employees from Columbus drove the two Model Ss (I think thats the correct pleural) from Columbus the day before the event. Of note, they told me how difficult it was for the Canadian Border Customs Officer to understand why they had to cross into Canada until one of the employees pulled up the Tesla webpage on the touchscreen with the event details and only then did the border patrol allow them to pass!
After some more back and forth about the car, we walked out to the car and mind you, this was the first time I have seen a Model S for more than a few seconds at a time. I couldn’t help but stare and I quickly realized that the Model S is a sizable car! We get into the car and the employee starts going over the features of the car and I was taken aback by the size of the touchscreen. It was monolithic, it was unfathomable, how dare a car company place this Brobdingnagian monstrosity in the center of the dash?! I loved it to say the least. This particular car did not have the Next Gen seats but I found the seats to be very comfortable, the driver position was ideal. I adjusted my seat and off we went.
The very first thing I noticed was aggressive regen but after a few minutes of driving, I started to get hang of it and found it quiet enjoyable. The roads around Windsor aren’t in pristine condition but I could not believe how comfortable the ride was (air suspension) despite the massive wheels with the low profile winter tires. We drove in traffic for a little while and I got to test the TACC which was fantastic, why don’t all car come with this technology standard?! Then we finally made it to a local freeway and this is where I got to experience the launch. From a complete stop, I mashed the go pedal and in an instant, my body felt a force that reminded me of my days at Six Flags, I wanted to scream but no sound would come out, it was truly spectacular and all the words in the English language cannot describe the awesomeness of that experience until you experience it in person. I was also amazed at how "small" the car felt from behind the wheel, it felt like it was on rails around curves, very precise and no wasted movements. I finally had a Tesla grin of my own. It was everything I had hoped for and more.
Lastly, Nothing that I have written in this review is new information but I felt compelled to do so because despite Michigan lawmakers bending over backwards for the franchised dealers, Tesla found a way for those of us near Windsor to experience a Model S in person that is pretty cool. The future looks bright for Tesla and no Luddite will be able hinder their progress.
I live near Detroit and despite the not-so-progressive approach to selling cars here in Michigan, I was able to attend the afore mentioned test drive even this past weekend and I had an opportunity, correction the privilege, to test drive the P85D. Before I get into my thoughts about the car, I just want to say how amazing TMC is and what an awesome place for people like me to read all about the owner’s experiences. I am a long time stalker of the website but first time poster. I hope to join the owner’s circle one day but that day is still a little while away (student loans) but enough about me, here is what I thought of THE BEAST!
Where do I even begin?! First impression as I drove up to the hotel (Waterfront Hotel) and saw two beauties just sitting there in the valet circle, a Grey and a Black, both had the 21” dark wheels and despite being covered in dust and salt, they both looked absolutely gorgeous, the black more so than the grey but thats just a personal preference.
There were three Tesla employees present at the hotel, one from Toronto and the other two from Columbus, OH. The two employees from Columbus drove the two Model Ss (I think thats the correct pleural) from Columbus the day before the event. Of note, they told me how difficult it was for the Canadian Border Customs Officer to understand why they had to cross into Canada until one of the employees pulled up the Tesla webpage on the touchscreen with the event details and only then did the border patrol allow them to pass!
After some more back and forth about the car, we walked out to the car and mind you, this was the first time I have seen a Model S for more than a few seconds at a time. I couldn’t help but stare and I quickly realized that the Model S is a sizable car! We get into the car and the employee starts going over the features of the car and I was taken aback by the size of the touchscreen. It was monolithic, it was unfathomable, how dare a car company place this Brobdingnagian monstrosity in the center of the dash?! I loved it to say the least. This particular car did not have the Next Gen seats but I found the seats to be very comfortable, the driver position was ideal. I adjusted my seat and off we went.
The very first thing I noticed was aggressive regen but after a few minutes of driving, I started to get hang of it and found it quiet enjoyable. The roads around Windsor aren’t in pristine condition but I could not believe how comfortable the ride was (air suspension) despite the massive wheels with the low profile winter tires. We drove in traffic for a little while and I got to test the TACC which was fantastic, why don’t all car come with this technology standard?! Then we finally made it to a local freeway and this is where I got to experience the launch. From a complete stop, I mashed the go pedal and in an instant, my body felt a force that reminded me of my days at Six Flags, I wanted to scream but no sound would come out, it was truly spectacular and all the words in the English language cannot describe the awesomeness of that experience until you experience it in person. I was also amazed at how "small" the car felt from behind the wheel, it felt like it was on rails around curves, very precise and no wasted movements. I finally had a Tesla grin of my own. It was everything I had hoped for and more.
Lastly, Nothing that I have written in this review is new information but I felt compelled to do so because despite Michigan lawmakers bending over backwards for the franchised dealers, Tesla found a way for those of us near Windsor to experience a Model S in person that is pretty cool. The future looks bright for Tesla and no Luddite will be able hinder their progress.
