In case this is useful for anyone. I realize it's one man's view and many will disagree with these choices, but having actually now owned two Model S with radically different specs, I have a clear preference:
My first was a p85 performance with every option, my second was a 60kwh, lightly optioned: metallic paint, leather, tech package, rear seats.
Difference between the two cars was about $30K, or 50% more expensive for the first.
Having driven them both a bunch:
* for general bay area usage, in my case the 60kwh is PLENTY of range, obviously this is a personal situation element
* however, I would not get the performance package again. I have other real (i.e. handling) performance cars. The 60 is fast, for sure. the 80 is ridiculous in straight line, mediocre in corners (which is fine, it's a cruiser) and you totally can't make use of the performance power except rocketing up onramps. fun for the first couple of months, fun for showing off, but not worth the $. 60kwh acceleration is still good.
* I prefer the 19s to the 21s. the tesla is the first car I've ever put curb rash on, and I think I have it on three wheels! the rims are super vulnerable, and with how wide this thing is and the visibility, I found it impossible to avoid. 19s much better for this, I personally think they look better than the turbines, ride better, cheaper tires... I think the 19s are a no brainer. but, I also think this isn't the car to throw around corners, and if you did maybe you'd disagree
* tech package is a no brainer, you have to get it, what you want to live without turn-by-turn navigation?
* stereo: the quality difference is marginal, both are mediocre, but it's not overly expensive, I could go either way on this one but when I take the lower spec car I've never once thought that the radio was noticeably worse
* twin chargers: waste of money in the first car, I wouldn't get again, this is a car you charge overnight
* Pano roof: up to you, no insight for you
* Active air suspension: hmm. I would say the ride benefits are not at all noticeable. I would probably not buy this. I have a steep scrap-y driveway in low cars, an so when I got the performance model I would raise it and avoid scraping. But the geometry of the suspension and the 19" wheels, that car doesn't scrape in basic configuration, so it turns out not to be necessary, and the on-road benefits are not noticeable in my view. ALso the reliability history of every car company that has done air suspension (audi, merc) has been lousy, and it's expensive when it breaks, so I'd definitely get the warranty if you get this
* Paint armor: I would definitely get this, either from tesla or somewhere else. I got a little scrape on the pax rear fender (this car is wide!) and to my surprise the paint armor there largely saved me.
Anyway, I'm quite surprised, I would be the type of person who'd generally want the most car money could buy, but if I did it again, even without a ton of price sensitivity, I would go much more lightly optioned, and if you are price sensitive, I would argue it's a no brainer, at least if you're like me.
My first was a p85 performance with every option, my second was a 60kwh, lightly optioned: metallic paint, leather, tech package, rear seats.
Difference between the two cars was about $30K, or 50% more expensive for the first.
Having driven them both a bunch:
* for general bay area usage, in my case the 60kwh is PLENTY of range, obviously this is a personal situation element
* however, I would not get the performance package again. I have other real (i.e. handling) performance cars. The 60 is fast, for sure. the 80 is ridiculous in straight line, mediocre in corners (which is fine, it's a cruiser) and you totally can't make use of the performance power except rocketing up onramps. fun for the first couple of months, fun for showing off, but not worth the $. 60kwh acceleration is still good.
* I prefer the 19s to the 21s. the tesla is the first car I've ever put curb rash on, and I think I have it on three wheels! the rims are super vulnerable, and with how wide this thing is and the visibility, I found it impossible to avoid. 19s much better for this, I personally think they look better than the turbines, ride better, cheaper tires... I think the 19s are a no brainer. but, I also think this isn't the car to throw around corners, and if you did maybe you'd disagree
* tech package is a no brainer, you have to get it, what you want to live without turn-by-turn navigation?
* stereo: the quality difference is marginal, both are mediocre, but it's not overly expensive, I could go either way on this one but when I take the lower spec car I've never once thought that the radio was noticeably worse
* twin chargers: waste of money in the first car, I wouldn't get again, this is a car you charge overnight
* Pano roof: up to you, no insight for you
* Active air suspension: hmm. I would say the ride benefits are not at all noticeable. I would probably not buy this. I have a steep scrap-y driveway in low cars, an so when I got the performance model I would raise it and avoid scraping. But the geometry of the suspension and the 19" wheels, that car doesn't scrape in basic configuration, so it turns out not to be necessary, and the on-road benefits are not noticeable in my view. ALso the reliability history of every car company that has done air suspension (audi, merc) has been lousy, and it's expensive when it breaks, so I'd definitely get the warranty if you get this
* Paint armor: I would definitely get this, either from tesla or somewhere else. I got a little scrape on the pax rear fender (this car is wide!) and to my surprise the paint armor there largely saved me.
Anyway, I'm quite surprised, I would be the type of person who'd generally want the most car money could buy, but if I did it again, even without a ton of price sensitivity, I would go much more lightly optioned, and if you are price sensitive, I would argue it's a no brainer, at least if you're like me.
