|
Other Vehicles & General Automotive Discussions Discuss all other cars and automotive news here. |
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
![]() |
#1 |
Stole my avy from zGrinch
Join Date: Sep 2014
Drives: 2015 Audi S3
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 472
Thanks: 330
Thanked 348 Times in 193 Posts
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
|
Tesla Test Drive Experience
I've been considering placing a deposit on the upcoming Model 3, but haven't had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Tesla. Tesla will begin accepting deposits on March 31, and only the earliest adopters of the Model 3 will have a chance at scoring the full $7500 federal tax credit, so I dragged my fiancee out to the store in Raleigh for a look. I searched the web for a test-drive write-up and didn't find anything too encompassing, so thought I would write up my experience.
Making an appointment is very easy - from Tesla's website, pick your store and then pick a time. You'll get an email confirmation and they will send you a text reminder the day before and the morning of your appointment. When we arrived for our appointment, my fiancee was concerned that we were in the wrong place! Their Raleigh store is tucked back in an industrial office complex, very nondescript. Walking in, it resembled an Apple store, if Apple sold cars, and we were immediately greeted by a couple employees who took down our information and made copies of our licenses. A minute or two later, we were headed out the door and were introduced to our demo Model S 90D, which looked identical to this one: ![]() Dark blue exterior, anthracite turbine wheels, tan interior and black alcantara headliner. It looked very nice in this color combination and standing next to it, you really get the sense of how large a car it actually is. The Model S is pretty massive and is only about 8" shorter than a Tahoe. The Tesla associate showed us around the vehicle and I was honestly impressed, though a few things stood out to me as resembling something from a "cottage industry" vehicle. Just odd placement of a few things, not as tidy fit and finish, wasted space, etc. The retractable door handles are neat, but are not something I would want. On the demo, they seemed a little fussy, but that could have been because we kept walking around the car with the fob in hand. Hopping behind the wheel, it was easy to get comfortable. The demonstrator was pretty much loaded, and I was easily able to get my seat, mirrors and the steering wheel adjusted to my liking. I didn't bother trying to spend time configuring the driver's display, so I left that alone showing the basic information (speed, range, etc). The huge screen in the center stack is overkill, in my opinion. It was nice to have a map that's, well, the size of an actual paper map, but sort of unnecessary. It's large enough that you can have a backup camera on and a full-size map on at the same time. Neat, but not really necessary, at least to me. The gear selector is a little stalk on the right side of the steering column. A couple taps down and the car was in Drive. There's no perceptible change to making this selection, aside from the car hunkering down (it must've had the air suspension option). The parking brake disengages as soon as you begin to accelerate and silently, we were off. Initially, aside from the silence, the first thing that surprised me about the Model S was the regenerative braking. The product specialist told me to be aware of it, because as soon as you lift off the throttle, you're essentially braking. It's not a hard form of braking or disconcerting, but when you're used to coasting in an automatic transmission vehicle, it feels much more similar to dropping a gear and using engine braking in a manual. Once we got out of the office complex, a straight section of road opened up and the specialist told me that this was a good opportunity to feel the Model S acceleration, and it's very impressive to say the least. No noise, no fuss, just pinned to your seat as the car accelerates faster than you think it has any business doing. I think we went from about 20mph to 60mph in 2-3 seconds. After that, we hopped on the interstate for a few miles, and the Model S is really an excellent cruiser. Just whisper quiet, the only noise you hear is a faint hum of the tires and a little wind noise. As I appreciated the silence, the specialist asked if I'd like to try autopilot. If you're unaware, this is Tesla's cruise control and lane-keeping software. I was both nervous and excited to give it a try, and with two quick flicks back on the cruise stalk, autopilot was engaged. The initial feeling is freaky to feel the car take control. I wouldn't lift my hands more than an inch off the wheel to start, but after the Model S showed its chops, I sat back and let it do the work. It holds the lane and speed perfectly. Someone pulled in front of us and the car slowed on its own. If you turn on the blinker, if the lane is unoccupied the car will change lanes on its own. Autopilot would be an extremely nice feature on a long trip. Disengaging autopilot is as easy as making an input on the wheel and/or hitting the brake pedal. We pulled off the highway and swapped drivers and my fiancee hopped behind the wheel and got comfortable. Her impressions were basically the same as mine - amazingly quiet, unbelievable power, deceptively nimble for its size/weight and just an extremely nice and easy car to drive. Overall, my honest opinion is that its a technological masterpiece. I know the Model 3 won't have all the bells and whistles that the Model S does, but I wouldn't be surprised if any (or all) of them are on the option sheet. I'm 99% sure we are going to place a deposit on a Model 3, even with the knowledge that we likely will not have it until early to mid 2018. As with deposits on the Model S and Model X, it is fully refundable in case circumstances change according to the specialist. If anybody else is intrigued by a Tesla, I would very much recommend scheduling a test drive at your local store.
__________________
2015 Audi /S3 | Panther Black | DSG Gone...2014 BRZ, 2010 Lexus IS F-Sport, 2006 Mazda MX5, 1997 Mustang GT |
![]() |
![]() |
The Following 12 Users Say Thank You to pinski For This Useful Post: | Cole (02-29-2016), DarkSunrise (03-05-2016), dhuang (02-29-2016), Hot-Lava_Dave (02-29-2016), mdm (02-29-2016), MisterSheep (02-29-2016), NotSoJDM (03-07-2016), rookie (02-29-2016), shiumai (03-07-2016), soulreapersteve (02-29-2016), STV3 (03-07-2016), Ultramaroon (02-29-2016) |
![]() |
#2 |
Cannonball Record Guy
Join Date: Jul 2012
Drives: Series.Yellow, 4C, Fit
Location: Houston / Atlanta
Posts: 493
Thanks: 480
Thanked 429 Times in 223 Posts
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
|
I test drove a P85D -- didn't have any of the fancy autopilot stuff, but I did get a chance to use 'insane' mode (slower than 'ludicrous' mode on the P90D). Even though I was on non-performance tires, the thing launched hard. I was seriously blown away and I've been in exotics with variations of launch control.
Complaints: Steering, even in the sportiest setting, still felt numb Seats didn't grip me very well, maybe they have a performance-oriented seat as an option Sparse rear passenger accommodations Eerily quiet :P I can't wait for the Model 3, but I personally have to wait and experience it before putting down a deposit. Maybe a lease makes more sense. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Drives: 10 Series #974 6m/t
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,956
Thanks: 1,357
Thanked 1,141 Times in 669 Posts
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
|
Man i love the way they sound
|
![]() |
![]() |
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to NyC Zn6 For This Useful Post: |
![]() |
#4 | |
Stole my avy from zGrinch
Join Date: Sep 2014
Drives: 2015 Audi S3
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 472
Thanks: 330
Thanked 348 Times in 193 Posts
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
|
Quote:
![]()
__________________
2015 Audi /S3 | Panther Black | DSG Gone...2014 BRZ, 2010 Lexus IS F-Sport, 2006 Mazda MX5, 1997 Mustang GT |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Drives: 2013 FRS
Location: Winter Wonderland
Posts: 46
Thanks: 38
Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
|
What's pricing on these?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Stole my avy from zGrinch
Join Date: Sep 2014
Drives: 2015 Audi S3
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 472
Thanks: 330
Thanked 348 Times in 193 Posts
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
|
The Model S that I tested was optioned to about $100k, but the Model 3 that I'm interested in will start at $35k before federal and state tax incentives.
__________________
2015 Audi /S3 | Panther Black | DSG Gone...2014 BRZ, 2010 Lexus IS F-Sport, 2006 Mazda MX5, 1997 Mustang GT |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Drives: Subaru BRZ
Location: UK
Posts: 6,050
Thanks: 7,673
Thanked 6,211 Times in 3,488 Posts
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
|
I was expecting to read a shocking review... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Drives: 2003 S2000, 2008 Fit
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Posts: 1,990
Thanks: 2,584
Thanked 1,154 Times in 688 Posts
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Am I the only one who acknowledges what a marvel this car is, but somehow just cannot bring myself to like it?
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk |
![]() |
![]() |
The Following User Says Thank You to daiheadjai For This Useful Post: | super-86 (03-02-2016) |
![]() |
#9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Drives: 2014 Subaru BRZ
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 588
Thanks: 22
Thanked 430 Times in 248 Posts
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to 14stu For This Useful Post: |
![]() |
#10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Drives: 22 BRZ (Previously 13 FR-S)
Location: USA
Posts: 5,794
Thanks: 2,165
Thanked 4,242 Times in 2,220 Posts
Mentioned: 48 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
|
Sounds like a case of getting your wires crossed!
__________________
"Never run out of real estate, traction, and ideas at the same time."
2022 BRZ Build 2013 FR-S Build |
![]() |
![]() |
The Following User Says Thank You to DarkSunrise For This Useful Post: | JD001 (03-06-2016) |
![]() |
#11 | |
Stole my avy from zGrinch
Join Date: Sep 2014
Drives: 2015 Audi S3
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 472
Thanks: 330
Thanked 348 Times in 193 Posts
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
|
LOL.
Quote:
![]() LOL LOL - you guys. ![]()
__________________
2015 Audi /S3 | Panther Black | DSG Gone...2014 BRZ, 2010 Lexus IS F-Sport, 2006 Mazda MX5, 1997 Mustang GT |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Drives: 2020 Hakone
Location: London, Ont
Posts: 69,845
Thanks: 61,656
Thanked 108,286 Times in 46,456 Posts
Mentioned: 2497 Post(s)
Tagged: 50 Thread(s)
|
Well the comment did have it's positives and negatives.
__________________
Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar, because Racecar.
|
![]() |
![]() |
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Tcoat For This Useful Post: |
![]() |
#13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Drives: 2013 DGM BRZ, 2020 C8 Corvette
Location: USofA!
Posts: 1,760
Thanks: 963
Thanked 1,893 Times in 787 Posts
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
|
Tesla threads are always so polarized.
__________________
My DGM BRZ vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OL9OhxexAA
My car journal thread: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43402 |
![]() |
![]() |
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to shiumai For This Useful Post: |
![]() |
#14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Drives: 2020 Hakone
Location: London, Ont
Posts: 69,845
Thanks: 61,656
Thanked 108,286 Times in 46,456 Posts
Mentioned: 2497 Post(s)
Tagged: 50 Thread(s)
|
The real info gets lost in the static.
__________________
Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar, because Racecar.
|
![]() |
![]() |
|
|
![]() |
Tags |
model 3, model s, tesla, test drive |
|
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Do you drive an Exedy Stg. 2 Clutch? Come in and share your experience. | Sportsguy83 | Engine, Exhaust, Transmission | 170 | 10-25-2016 06:47 PM |
Tesla Motors. Anyone test driven one yet? | SirBrass | Other Vehicles & General Automotive Discussions | 30 | 03-27-2014 11:33 PM |
My drive experience | crouchy35 | AUSTRALIA | 9 | 08-12-2012 04:39 PM |
My test drive experience | Rejor11 | Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 GT86 General Forum | 7 | 06-07-2012 05:18 AM |