How many of you took a "Leap of faith"?

I didn't take your 'leap of faith'. But I did fly over 600 miles, with the specific purpose to see my first Model S in person, and drive it. I had my car ordered within about an hour of the test drive was finished. So close.

I had to vote no because I went to the local service center and was able to see and sit in one, but have never driven it and ordered anyway because the nearest test drive location is 5 hours away (Washington DC).

Never saw one live.
Never drove one.
300 miles from closest Tesla service center.
Best decision ever!

Deposit in 2010, 8 minute test drive in 2012, finalize before any local Sigs got theirs.
I answered NO but it was a serious leap of faith.

I put in a reservation for a S and an X in without having seen but a mock-up at the Frankfurt Auto Show, I think it was 2009. Even signed up for a Sig. Then got interested in Tesla (and TSLA). 2012 in July I bought a Roadster that had been used as a demo car in Munich. I drove that one twice before the purchase.

I used the money from the Model S Sig to help pay for it. So downgraded to P.

Test drove the Model S on Jan 25, 2013, again in May. Finalized in June and can't wait to get the car (probably Oct.)

My faith in Tesla

- let me put down a Sig Reservation (30.000 Euro)
- buy a Roadster
- buy plenty of TSLA (the stock)

Now that will pay for the S. And more.

Answered no, but:

1. Put down a $5,000 deposit to get an invitation to test drive the Model S at the "Get Amped Tour" when it was in my area (July 2012)
2. "In My area" turned out to be a 225 mile each way drive to Northern New Jersey. Drove down and test drove it. Never asked for my deposit back and finalized my order. Took delivery in January of 2012

I placed my online deposit before seeing a Model S in the flesh. I eventually saw one at a Tesla store and got a test drive, but it only confirmed what I already knew.

Here is my timeline that I posted before. It was a leap of faith for me!

Here is the timeline of events. It took 3 years and 11 steps to bliss but it was totally worth it. The journey was worth every bit. My kids and the geek in me loved the factory tours and drive events. I think many of you took the same journey too.

1. 12/5/09: Made reservation

2. Nearly forgot about Tesla for 2 years

3. 10/1/11: Factory Tour and Ride Event
View attachment 12934

4. 6/23/12: Test Drive Event
View attachment 12937

5. 8/7/12: Finalized order
View attachment 12935

6. 11/26/12: Received VIN

7. 11/29/12: Received email that car is ready for delivery
View attachment 12936

8. 11/30/12: Completed delivery survey. Given delivery window of 12/7/12 to 12/21/12
View attachment 12933

9. 12/9/12: Received call on cell phone at 3:36 pm from Delivery Specialist
Scheduled delivery for Tuesday 12/11
View attachment 12932

10. Picked up car on Tuesday 12/11/12 at noon
This when I handed over a check for the car and received the keys!
View attachment 12930

11. Bliss!
View attachment 12931

AC1K said:

How many have purchased the Model S but have never seen one in person before your own delivery?

so no contact in person with any tesla period, never test drove one, never sat in someone elses or at the store, etc.

youtube videos dont count (no matter how high quality they are)

Click to expand...

I voted Yes on the grounds that our Roadster hadn't been delivered when we put down the deposit on the Model S over 4 years ago.

No leap of faith here, there's a model S that lives in my neighborhood and I didn't have to go to far for the test drive.That being said I probably would have taken the leap given the buy back guarantee.

I voted no on the grounds that I waited until my Roadster had been delivered before risking more money on a Model S deposit. :wink:

Besides, I did get to drive a Model S before taking delivery, but I flew DEN-SEA to do it.

Took the leap. Reservation 2984 with no ride until just 6mo before delivery.

Babylonfive said:

Took the leap. Reservation 2984 with no ride until just 6mo before delivery.

Click to expand...

But the OP framed the leap of faith he wanted to find out about as having taken delivery of the car without seeing a Model S in person, much less driven one. Shouldn't you have voted No on that basis?

I believe all owners/investors have taken a leap of faith, but oh how that leap is paying off!

I voted no because I went to the Get Amped tour. However, had there not been one, I would have still purchased. I did purchase the 2004 Prius before I even saw a picture (based on how good the 2001 Prius was).

I ordered without seeing one in person, however there was a local club meet up at the Tampa SC about 2 weeks before my delivery, and I couldn't resist at least seeing them. I turned down an offer to drive another club member's P85 as I wanted that first experience to be with my own...

I voted "no" because I did happen to have a chance to drive both a Roadster and a Model S before I bought them.

But both were accidents of convenience that happened after I decided to buy the car - if the rides had not happened, I still would have bought them. My previous three cars (2003 RAV4-EV, 2005 Honda Insight hybrid, 2000 Golf TDI) were purchased from afar without me ever having been in a sample or even seen one up close (though I had seen a few Insights and a lot of Golfs drive by on the roads).

Of course it helps that I'm of fairly average stature, so I don't have to worry about whether or not I will fit.

No by your definition but yes by almost any other.

I put down $5000 when the first opened up reservations during the worst of the financial crisis. No factory. Unsecured loan to Tesla.
Later bigger unsecured loan and stock investment.