This isn't a dramatic plea for attention, more for opinions.
I've been all over this forum since I found out about the Model S (only since around May, I think), and I put down the $5k deposit within a week. My assumption, back then, was that I'd go for a 40kw, or maybe a 60kw. However, thanks to some fairly sophisticated marketing (or me being easily influenced, depending on your point of view), I've now convinced myself that only the P85 will do. I know others have been through this slightly bizarre process, just a few months ago I thought $50-60k was a lot to spend on a car, now, somehow, $90k+ seems perfectly reasonable. I've no idea how it happened, but it did, and I do know that even though I'll very rarely get to use the additional power of the P85 (over a standard 85, or even a 60), it's the model I'd have to buy. This is partly just a mind-set thing, partly because with the particular set of options I'd choose, the premium of the performance over the normal 85Kw is quite reduced, making the P85 a relative bargain. Relative, that is, to other cars I could barely afford.
I was never buying the Model S as an EV. It was always because it was a great car, fast, techy and good looking. However, in the ~$80k arena, there's lots of cars like that. And, to qualify what I regard as 'affordable', I've got maybe $30k of equity in my current car, insignificant savings, and enough money left over each month to afford $600-700 in a loan, so on that basis, $80k is affordable (with a long loan), but it's by no means a no-brainer for me. I do not want to gamble with the residual value of the car. Based on every car I've ever owned, I fully expect to be bored with it in 3 years, and want something new.
I'll be the first to admit I got wrapped up in the hype of the Model S, and I genuinely believe in what Tesla are trying to do. I've got the cap, the t-shirt and the Telsa iPad skin. I own stock. I preach to anyone that'll listen about Tesla. I'm getting a charging bay built in the company parking lot. Part of this coming to a head now is that I was about to by a vanity plate, that would have something to do with Tesla or Electric, so I really need to decide. Plus, as I'm P8901, I guess I'll have to lock-in within the next month or so.
I'm not American, but I think the idea of building innovative products in the US is great. Car-building is, arguable, something the US is/was good at, so it makes sense to evolve that. Most everything is made in China these days, often for valid reasons, but premium cars are not a strong point for China, so this is an area in which American manufacturing can actually take a lead. this is one of the reasons I'd happily 'take a chance' on a Tesla, I want then to thrive, and even if history just remembers them as the company that finally kick-started mainstream EVs, then that's still a huge achievement.
Like many, I think Tesla's communications have sucked lately, and the charges for service, super-charger access for the smaller batteries, unknown data plans etc all add to the monthly cost of the car. I like the 21" wheels (and dislike the 19's), so I probably need to add in a set of tires each year. There's some bugs in the software, that, although cosmetic, I feel should have been ironed out. I find it surprising that none of the extended reviews so far have noticed, or commented on these issues, almost as if they were turning a blind eye to a few of these trivial little issues in return for getting the car for an extended test. Who knows.
Anyway, now I find myself going back to my original short-list that I had back in May, which was the Audi A7/S7, Range Rover Evoque, or a Merc E Coupe. I've discounted the Merc, but I am very taken with the Range Rover, and the S7 is beautiful, inside and out. It'll cost around $80k, and has solid residuals, I can all bit guarantee what it'll be worth in 3 years. A fully loaded Evoque is $55k, with the same solid residuals. It's nowhere near as fast, but it does have the looks and technology. And I'd only need a loan for $25k rather than ~$65k.
So that's what I'm struggling with. Some of the appeal of the Model S has diminished, but I do realize that the nature of these forums can sometimes be critical (as they should be). As I said at the beginning, the fact it's an EV was a happy bonus for me, not a reason to buy. The annual savings are trivial, based on my mileage, and some of the additional costs that I wouldn't pay for the ICE cars. The gadget-freak in me knows, for sure, that the Model S is the best gadget I could ever own, for now, at least. But the slightly practical side of me is saying buy an ICE, keep it for 3 years, then see where Tesla is at. I don't need something the size of a Model S, so maybe a loaded GenIII will be the ideal option for me, once the tech has matured a bit. However, that approach is not at all typical of my normal MO.
Ultimately, the reason for this indecision is because the marketing has steered me towards a P85 as being the only option. I'm annoyed at myself for that, but that's how it is. And in that price range, there's a lot of very worthy ICE cars.
Help? Questions, comments all welcome. Maybe I'm not the only one in this position, I feel like I'm getting pulled 2 ways, and I do value everyone's opinion on here.
I've been all over this forum since I found out about the Model S (only since around May, I think), and I put down the $5k deposit within a week. My assumption, back then, was that I'd go for a 40kw, or maybe a 60kw. However, thanks to some fairly sophisticated marketing (or me being easily influenced, depending on your point of view), I've now convinced myself that only the P85 will do. I know others have been through this slightly bizarre process, just a few months ago I thought $50-60k was a lot to spend on a car, now, somehow, $90k+ seems perfectly reasonable. I've no idea how it happened, but it did, and I do know that even though I'll very rarely get to use the additional power of the P85 (over a standard 85, or even a 60), it's the model I'd have to buy. This is partly just a mind-set thing, partly because with the particular set of options I'd choose, the premium of the performance over the normal 85Kw is quite reduced, making the P85 a relative bargain. Relative, that is, to other cars I could barely afford.
I was never buying the Model S as an EV. It was always because it was a great car, fast, techy and good looking. However, in the ~$80k arena, there's lots of cars like that. And, to qualify what I regard as 'affordable', I've got maybe $30k of equity in my current car, insignificant savings, and enough money left over each month to afford $600-700 in a loan, so on that basis, $80k is affordable (with a long loan), but it's by no means a no-brainer for me. I do not want to gamble with the residual value of the car. Based on every car I've ever owned, I fully expect to be bored with it in 3 years, and want something new.
I'll be the first to admit I got wrapped up in the hype of the Model S, and I genuinely believe in what Tesla are trying to do. I've got the cap, the t-shirt and the Telsa iPad skin. I own stock. I preach to anyone that'll listen about Tesla. I'm getting a charging bay built in the company parking lot. Part of this coming to a head now is that I was about to by a vanity plate, that would have something to do with Tesla or Electric, so I really need to decide. Plus, as I'm P8901, I guess I'll have to lock-in within the next month or so.
I'm not American, but I think the idea of building innovative products in the US is great. Car-building is, arguable, something the US is/was good at, so it makes sense to evolve that. Most everything is made in China these days, often for valid reasons, but premium cars are not a strong point for China, so this is an area in which American manufacturing can actually take a lead. this is one of the reasons I'd happily 'take a chance' on a Tesla, I want then to thrive, and even if history just remembers them as the company that finally kick-started mainstream EVs, then that's still a huge achievement.
Like many, I think Tesla's communications have sucked lately, and the charges for service, super-charger access for the smaller batteries, unknown data plans etc all add to the monthly cost of the car. I like the 21" wheels (and dislike the 19's), so I probably need to add in a set of tires each year. There's some bugs in the software, that, although cosmetic, I feel should have been ironed out. I find it surprising that none of the extended reviews so far have noticed, or commented on these issues, almost as if they were turning a blind eye to a few of these trivial little issues in return for getting the car for an extended test. Who knows.
Anyway, now I find myself going back to my original short-list that I had back in May, which was the Audi A7/S7, Range Rover Evoque, or a Merc E Coupe. I've discounted the Merc, but I am very taken with the Range Rover, and the S7 is beautiful, inside and out. It'll cost around $80k, and has solid residuals, I can all bit guarantee what it'll be worth in 3 years. A fully loaded Evoque is $55k, with the same solid residuals. It's nowhere near as fast, but it does have the looks and technology. And I'd only need a loan for $25k rather than ~$65k.
So that's what I'm struggling with. Some of the appeal of the Model S has diminished, but I do realize that the nature of these forums can sometimes be critical (as they should be). As I said at the beginning, the fact it's an EV was a happy bonus for me, not a reason to buy. The annual savings are trivial, based on my mileage, and some of the additional costs that I wouldn't pay for the ICE cars. The gadget-freak in me knows, for sure, that the Model S is the best gadget I could ever own, for now, at least. But the slightly practical side of me is saying buy an ICE, keep it for 3 years, then see where Tesla is at. I don't need something the size of a Model S, so maybe a loaded GenIII will be the ideal option for me, once the tech has matured a bit. However, that approach is not at all typical of my normal MO.
Ultimately, the reason for this indecision is because the marketing has steered me towards a P85 as being the only option. I'm annoyed at myself for that, but that's how it is. And in that price range, there's a lot of very worthy ICE cars.
Help? Questions, comments all welcome. Maybe I'm not the only one in this position, I feel like I'm getting pulled 2 ways, and I do value everyone's opinion on here.
I hope you choose a Tesla, let me know if there are any other questions you may have for me in my decision making. To give you some idea of my financial situation. I bring in maybe... 3600 a month, my bills sum out to maybe 1300 because I have no car payment. So, its obvious I could take a large loan out to just buy the top one, but again finances are very different from person to person and the choices therein. I am *cough cough* trying to become debt free and the Model S is NOT HELPING.
