There are a few other posts out there too. Hardly a full test, and there is definitely a certain amount of hype/novelty that influences the review, but a glowing review for what it is. I have to admit, at the entry level price point it is somewhat compelling. I don't find the extended range beyond the base worth anything since I still wouldn't take any pure EV out-of-town and the base model's 140 miles covers the worst case in-town one day scenario for me.
The Tesla Model S is now the flagship of Electric Vehicles
I liked the Motor Trend evaluation, considering that they (as will other car reviewers) compare the Tesla with ICE vehicles. A hundred years ago, the first automobile reviewers would compare the new cars with steam vehicles and maybe with horse-drawn carriages. But we know that the EV is the new "king of the road", and the Tesla Model S became the new flagship for BEVs (the Volt and Karma are for EREVs). Definitely it is a much better vehicle than the Nissan Leaf (like comparing an Altima with a Corvette), and its higher price range is justifiable.
If I had the money (as anyone else in the GM-Volt forum), I would buy this Model S, but being more down-to-earth, I will see what the Model X has, and I expect GM to come out with better Voltec EREV and BEV models to compare with Tesla and Fisker.
But I wish Elon Musk and Tesla Motors all the success to sell every Model S, and to continue to be the leader in BEVs in America.
The model S does have a really solid engineering into it, they unfortunately don't have the resources of a GM to vet the design before general sales, I truly hope they get lucky and have no major issues as the ramp up production.
I'm not expecting major issues - most of the fundamental mechanical/electrical design is evolved from the Roadster that they spent several years working out, and EVs really are simpler with fewer things to break.
OTOH, they have a bunch of trick hardware - car turns on when you get in with the key, door handles open when the key gets nearby, etc - that I wouldn't be surprised if they had niggling issues with. It's also very dependent on that touchscreen and the software driving it...
The Tesla is worth the price of admission and a welcome addition to the EV world. I'm betting the Volt will suddenly start getting more and more positive reviews. I wonder how the ELR will stack up to a similarly priced Tesla?
That is one of the reasons I like seeing more competition. Wide variety means EVs will work for more people. And more competition leads, generally, to better products
I might would consider a Tesla when my lease is up, but I am concerned on who would service it and take care of warranty repairs. There are not that many Tesla dealers. There are multiple GM dealers in practically any town. This is why I'm planning on the ELR for my next ride. I believe DC is my closest Tesla dealer, and if my Tesla was to take a crap I don't like my service being that far away.
I probably won't buy another car for 5 to 7 years. However, when that time comes, there is a darn good chance I will be seriously considering a Tesla. Either a Model S or Bluestar if it's out. They have really impressed me. Hopefully by then Chevy and a few others will have some additional compelling options to compete for my dollars. I definitely want more electric range next time I buy. Personally, I would like to see 60 EPA miles for an EREV or 160 EPA miles for a BEV. I also want to see at least a 6.6 charge rate. Price not over $50K before any tax credits. The base Model S is already not far off that mark.
I'm proud to say, there are two cars I'd be proud to own as American-made, American-FUELED. Keep the jobs in North America. Keep the funding out of the hands of Middle East oil barons and terrorists.
Every Electric alternative that helps with economies of scale is a win to get us off Foreign oil. Go Tesla, Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, Prius, Karma, Coda, all of them. My two favorites are the Volt (love the extended range just in case) and Tesla. I need at least assurance of 100 miles. That pretty much takes car of 99% of all my driving needs. I plan to add to the Volt in my garage with the lower end Tesla Model S. I don't really need that superfast version, the lowest level Tesla S is a supreme vehicle. Incredible value with the rebates. I am lucky to have a dealership in Denver and get to sit in the car and see it up close. FAR, FAR, FAR more impressive in person than those yucky pictures I've seen. The Tesla and Volt don't really compete for garage space. Two different audiences, and both are scientific marvels.
I wish every person here could see the Tesla Model S in person.
You'd be changed forever. The car is amazing in person. The Volt and the Tesla S, like it or not by the other manufacturers, are the two touchstones. Both have great curb appeal.
I couldn't agree more. I find myself more and more wrapped up in the S everyday - I think the Model S and the Volt are perfect electric compliments to each other! I'd love to end up with one of each someday!
A friend of mine has an order for the S "Signature" series. He originally had an order for a plain S model from day one of the S model announcement, and just recently thru the dealer was able to swap with someone else's Signature order that wants a particular color not available on Signature Series. He tells me they are predicting it to be delivered sometime in October...and I can relate to his long wait.
I finally caught the funny thing engineers did to S models from watching that video.......from "Spinal Tap" movie, they made the volume control go to 11. Nice to see a company as large as Tesla allow a sense of humor!
So cool....please post some pics after the drive.
I hope to get a drive here sometime soon. A couple years ago I turned them down when they offered to let me take out a roadster. The Volt was still more than a year away from production, and I knew I was too vulnerable to drive that Tesla and then just walk away. I'm glad I waited for the Volt, and by the time it is ready to be sold or traded in, I will have had ample time to see how well Tesla Co. and the Model S have progressed and possibly move up to an S Model of my own . A friend of mine has a signature coming in Oct...will be good to learn from his future experiences ......
Love the Julia Othmer song. I had an offer for a test drive but it was more a test ride. Very limited and only person could drive. Since I'm not the one signed up that was not going to be me! LOL Too far to go to ride around for a few minutes. Sooner or later one of my friends will have one.
I attended the Tesla Model S test drive event today, and I must say that the car is VERY impressive. Solid, quiet, good looking, and ...FAST FAST FAST !
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