Tesla Model S

129965 Views 470 Replies 48 Participants Last post by Nin ja, Apr 14, 2015

smoothoperator

Discussion Starter · Jul 26, 2012

Thought it would be better to create a thread to discuss the Model S instead of having it all go in the comparison thread.

Questions that I have...

How many people have test drive or on the reservation list for the Model S?

Pro's and Cons of the Model S? Thoughts on the interior?

1 - 20 of 471 Posts

dennis

· #2 · Jul 27, 2012

smoothoperator said:
Thought it would be better to create a thread to discuss the Model S instead of having it all go in the comparison thread.

Questions that I have...

How many people have test drive or on the reservation list for the Model S?

Pro's and Cons of the Model S? Thoughts on the interior?

I have a confirmed order for Signature Performance #672, expected delivery now in October. It will replace my wife's Lexus RX400h. My son test drove it with my wife - I was out of town. Both were impressed with the ride and performance.

My wife thought the styling was bland, which partially drove the Performance decision to get the carbon fiber trim to spiff it up and the pano roof for the same reason. We are both pissed that the carbon fiber has been replaced with black, and may do a carbon fiber wrap on those parts if it looks good.

The Sig Perf cost exactly $3800 less than my Karma. We have always been concerned about getting $50K interior materials in a $100K car, and that still is the case. Elon spoke of setting a new standard in interior fit on yesterday's earnings call, but that doesn't make up for using cheesy looking/feeling materials.

We are happy with our decision thus far, but Tesla is not a perfect company, regardless of what the fanboys on the TMC forum may think.

AnOutsider

· #3 · Jul 27, 2012

Dennis, I'm hoping there will be some people who will do some aftermarket cf like nose, mirror caps etc. I think my last remaining issue with the styling is the way the nose sorta points down like a gaping mouth

smoothoperator

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 27, 2012

What are your thoughts on the original "prototype" interior vs the production one?

I too am angry about Tesla removing the CF after many of us have locked in orders. I am not too happy about having a 107k car that looks like the base model 40kwh version. The good news is that there is not much more Tesla can get rid of on the Model S

Are you doing the gray wheels or silver ones?

AnOutsider

· #5 · Jul 27, 2012

Not sure I'd you're talking to me, but I really liked the prototype interior. It looked so much more luxurious and plush. All soft materials and the console was a tad better (a tad). Everyone is mad about the performance thing, I'm more miffed the sigs are getting less and less.

FiskerYes

· #6 · Jul 27, 2012

smoothoperator said:
Thought it would be better to create a thread to discuss the Model S instead of having it all go in the comparison thread.

Questions that I have...

How many people have test drive or on the reservation list for the Model S?

Pro's and Cons of the Model S? Thoughts on the interior?

I'm #2700 or so on the res list. Scheduled to test drive it this weekend. Went and saw it a few mos ago and I thought the seating was like a chevy. Not even close in quality to what you can get out there for 90k- the price of a mod s perf. I sent them an email complaining but got no response. Boo. I plan on getting the car unless a 2nd look changes my mind. Wuld be so nice to go more than 35 mi on electric- the distance i get with my karma. I really dont like driving the karma on fuel. Noisy, slow-ish.

smoothoperator

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 27, 2012

AnOutsider said:
Not sure I'd you're talking to me, but I really liked the prototype interior. It looked so much more luxurious and plush. All soft materials and the console was a tad better (a tad). Everyone is mad about the performance thing, I'm more miffed the sigs are getting less and less.

They know the early adopters will pay (even if they start deleting items)....I am more surprised that Tesla waited for most sig reservation holders to "lock in" before announcing the deletion of items on these cars. They did this with the Roadster but you had to pay for once "standard" options Bad business IMO....

What kind of slap in the face is it to Model S customers when we have have to read about Tesla deleting major CF trim pieces in a blog? Mercedes, BMW, Audi etc would never do that. It is plain ridiculous, funny thing is these pieces were still listed as part of the performance package and are still on "Amp'd cars" (yesterday not sure about today)!

-------
If Tesla or the aftermarket can make an interior like the prototype, I would definitely pay for that.

Personally, I feel like I got bent over by Tesla twice already, once with the Roadster price increase (ended up getting a 2.0 instead of the 1.5 once they pulled their gimmicks) and now with the Model S. I am hoping that another car manufacturer delivers a premium vehicle that can get a decent EV Range (150+ miles).

All these problems are masked by the Tesla Fan Club, who are not willing to look at reality but rather live in their own Tesla-Centric world. I hope the Model S hits it out of the park, it will be a huge boost to ALL EV manufacturers. I just am not sure about the business practices of Tesla with regards to the sale of the Model S. I would rather buy a car the "normal" way where I do not have to keep up with blogs, to find out why special trim I supposedly paid for is missing from my vehicle.

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AnOutsider

· #8 · Jul 27, 2012

Hmm, I think you may being too harsh on TMC. Though there are naturally the crazed fan people (what group doesn't have them? Some guy here wanted to delete anything negative about Fisker), I think many recognize, rationally, the compromises and shortcomings of the company and for whatever reason choose to continue. For me, I've been waiting a long time, there is no BEV alternative, and though I sort of wish I'd stayed a P holder at this point, deferring would make the wait that much longer. That's not to say those are the only reasons, but the reasons to counter the negative for me.

Tesla has until the X to get it 100% right. I figure by then there will be other options on the road. If they don't make the sig thing right and i continue getting fractures in my view of them as a company, I'll go with something else or just keep to my Audis.

It definitely sounds like you've had a rougher ride with Tesla so far. Are you not able to simply cancel the reservation? I bet you could make the case that the car you're getting has changed materially from the car you ordered.

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dennis

· #9 · Jul 27, 2012

smoothoperator said:
Are you doing the gray wheels or silver ones?

we went with the gray wheels because we thought they helped to dress up the white exterior.

smoothoperator

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 27, 2012

AnOutsider said:
Hmm, I think you may being too harsh on TMC. Though there are naturally the crazed fan people (what group doesn't have them? Some guy here wanted to delete anything negative about Fisker), I think many recognize, rationally, the compromises and shortcomings of the company and for whatever reason choose to continue. For me, I've been waiting a long time, there is no BEV alternative, and though I sort of wish I'd stayed a P holder at this point, deferring would make the wait that much longer. That's not to say those are the only reasons, but the reasons to counter the negative for me.

Tesla has until the X to get it 100% right. I figure by then there will be other options on the road. If they don't make the sig thing right and i continue getting fractures in my view of them as a company, I'll go with something else or just keep to my Audis.

It definitely sounds like you've had a rougher ride with Tesla so far. Are you not able to simply cancel the reservation? I bet you could make the case that the car you're getting has changed materially from the car you ordered.

Trying to cancel the order is a hassle (inquired and was told that they have the right to change equipment on the car and I can do nothing about it). I am tired of fighting Tesla and will just take whatever they give me.

With regards to the Tesla Fan Club forum, I think this forum has a lot of Fisker Owners who are realists. They understand the technology and the drawbacks of being an early adopter and the flaws that Fisker has. If an alien were to log onto TMC and read a few posts they would think that the Model S was the pagan God of the people on earth.

I am still excited to get the car and look forward to taking delivery. The car drives great, it looks decent, and the range is better than anything that exists. I guess these are the main things that matter. I just wish it were under different circumstances.

AnOutsider

· #11 · Jul 30, 2012

smoothoperator said:
Trying to cancel the order is a hassle (inquired and was told that they have the right to change equipment on the car and I can do nothing about it). I am tired of fighting Tesla and will just take whatever they give me.

Over on TMC, someone posted that they will likely cancel their reservation because the car was too big for them. GeorgeB (George Blankenship from Tesla) followed up in the thread with this:

GeorgeB said:
Hi Dr Chill,

I'm glad you got to test drive Model S.

My hope is that everyone who gets a Model S loves driving it and can't wait to get behind the wheel everyday. I'm headed to Europe for the next two weeks. My Pearl White, Performance Model S will be waiting for me when I get back... and I can't wait! That's how I want everyone with a reservation to feel...everyday.

It sounds to me like Model S doesn't fit your needs right now and the last thing I want you to do is piss off your wife

Please feel free to send me a private message with your contact info and the name on your reservation and I'll get your refund processed for you right away.

Have a great week!

GeorgeB

So I can't see why they wouldn't let you.

smoothoperator

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 30, 2012

AnOutsider said:
smoothoperator said:

Trying to cancel the order is a hassle (inquired and was told that they have the right to change equipment on the car and I can do nothing about it). I am tired of fighting Tesla and will just take whatever they give me.

Click to expand...

Over on TMC, someone posted that they will likely cancel their reservation because the car was too big for them. GeorgeB (George Blankenship from Tesla) followed up in the thread with this:

GeorgeB said:

Hi Dr Chill,

I'm glad you got to test drive Model S.

My hope is that everyone who gets a Model S loves driving it and can't wait to get behind the wheel everyday. I'm headed to Europe for the next two weeks. My Pearl White, Performance Model S will be waiting for me when I get back... and I can't wait! That's how I want everyone with a reservation to feel...everyday.

It sounds to me like Model S doesn't fit your needs right now and the last thing I want you to do is piss off your wife

Please feel free to send me a private message with your contact info and the name on your reservation and I'll get your refund processed for you right away.

Have a great week!

GeorgeB

Click to expand...

So I can't see why they wouldn't let you.

non-refundable right now.. I lose 10k because supposedly my vehicle is being built

AnOutsider

· #13 · Jul 31, 2012

Ah, I guess it's a gift and a curse

smoothoperator

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jul 31, 2012

AnOutsider said:
Ah, I guess it's a gift and a curse

Yea I doubt I will even drive the Model S much, I still have not fallen out of love with my Roadster(s), plus it is convenient never having to drive when there are more than two people going somewhere

Still have my eye on the Karma though, I am hoping they do some tweaking to the battery (more range) and control center so I can pull the trigger and buy one same time next year

I love the Eco-Chic and see one in my future!

dennis

· #15 · Aug 1, 2012

I found this photo of the Monroney sticker for a production Model S on TMC. Interesting that the made in the USA Model S has 55% US/Cdn parts content, while the assembled in Finland Karma has 50%.

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AnOutsider

· #16 · Aug 1, 2012

Wonder what the bulk of the 45 is? Batteries? They do have a crapload of cells

smoothoperator

Discussion Starter · #17 · Aug 1, 2012

AnOutsider said:
Wonder what the bulk of the 45 is? Batteries? They do have a crapload of cells

On the Roadster, Tesla broke down the countries by % of where major components came from. If I remember correctly the Roadster had a parts content of the high 20's due to the chassis being sourced and assembled in the UK. Japan (where the batteries come from) was not even on the significant % country list. I bet Germany is up there as a lot of the Mercedes switch gear is used on the Model S.

ct-fiskerbuzz

· #18 · Aug 1, 2012

smoothoperator said:
On the Roadster, Tesla broke down the countries by % of where major components came from. If I remember correctly the Roadster had a parts content of the high 20's due to the chassis being sourced and assembled in the UK. Japan (where the batteries come from) was not even on the significant % country list. I bet Germany is up there as a lot of the Mercedes switch gear is used on the Model S.

I'm curious: how is the breakdown done? By dollar value? By part? If part, what makes something a "part"? For instance, a conventional car could be said to have five "parts": chassis, engine, transmission, wheels, steering. But obviously an "engine" can be broken out into block, pistons, valves, injectors, gaskets, etc. A piston isn't actually a single item either: it has a head and shaft, but also rings. In an EV, you have an electric motor, but that is not a single part: it has magnets (if permanent magnet motor), wires, bearings, etc.

In any case, obviously the US government has some definition for how "% domestic parts" defines what a "part" is. But I have no idea what that is.

LonePalmBJ

· #19 · Aug 1, 2012

ct-fiskerbuzz said:
I'm curious: how is the breakdown done? By dollar value? By part? If part, what makes something a "part"? For instance, a conventional car could be said to have five "parts": chassis, engine, transmission, wheels, steering. But obviously an "engine" can be broken out into block, pistons, valves, injectors, gaskets, etc. A piston isn't actually a single item either: it has a head and shaft, but also rings. In an EV, you have an electric motor, but that is not a single part: it has magnets (if permanent magnet motor), wires, bearings, etc.

In any case, obviously the US government has some definition for how "% domestic parts" defines what a "part" is. But I have no idea what that is.

It's done by cost. Obviously it's easy to argue that cost isn't a perfect indicator, but it's what is used.

See this for more info:
A Closer Look at Domestic-Parts Content

Brent

smoothoperator

Discussion Starter · #20 · Aug 2, 2012

It looks like the first "public" deliveries for the Model S are starting to happen:

Not sure if Tesla has a "complete" car as yet:

Hardware items not delivered with our car (due bill):
Cubby under the touch screen
Rear-facing seats
Pano roof sunshade
J1772 adaptor
Roadster HPC adaptor

Software items not included in software delivered in our car (due bill):
Creep and hill hold
Voice activation
WiFi capability
Homelink
Digital owner’s manual (available for computer and vehicle touch screen)
Automatic keyless entry
Key fob memory for seat, mirrors and steering wheel positions

http://www.teslamotors.com/forum/forums/model-s-deliveries-latest-actual-info-dates-and-vehicles-being-delivered?page=2

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