Friday night Oct 10:
The last 24 hours have been an emotional and intellectual roller coaster. I was not surprised. Most forum readers expected the dual motors reveal. I thought a lot about it before the reveal. AWD is a good thing. My current car is AWD and I really appreciate its benefits when driving upon wet roads. But most of my driving is not icy/snowy roads where AWD is a clear advantage.
Can pending orders be changed?
I expected Tesla would tell me my confirmed order is in cement and I would forfeit my deposit if I wanted to change. I was willing to consider that loss and spent the day considering what I wanted to order. Then this evening my DS confirmed I am free to change my order and move my deposit without forfeiture. Now I really have to decide what I prefer.
Note that Tesla made a very wise and very appreciated policy decision to give the DS that authority!
What are the differences in performance and cost:
Of course every person's choices will alter the numbers somewhat. I carefully designed what I would choose today as near as possible to the choices made last August. Some options like fog lights, parking sensors and premium lighting are no longer choices.
I plan to trade my car in three to five years. This is more like a technology product than a car. Think about that. All today's Tesla Model S versions are really going to be outdated in three years. What is your tolerance to keep outdated tech gadgets? I'm holding a 5S iPhone and it is outdated. I won't be trading for a while anyway. But, I would trash a phone that I used three years ago! I am using a three year old and very outdated computer right now. My wife literally laughed at my angst choosing whether to switch, while I used a three year computer that is slower than her phone. I will accept using my old Model S for years after it is not the newest, or I would not spend $100,000 for it. I will not choose the expense of keeping on top.
My conclusion at the end of today is that the resale market will prefer the Performance version, even though not the AWD version. My P85 will hit 60 in 4 seconds. My friend owns an Audi R8 that will get there in 3.4 seconds. Amazing that the P85D will beat him. I enjoyed taunting him today that I could upgrade, but you know, I'm not really drag racing too often for pink slips. In three years, there will be AWD versions that are more economical with higher range. If I choose the 85, I think I will suffer more depreciation. But, the $13,000 to upgrade to the P85D is just past my breaking point. I can afford it, but I just do not feel I receive the value for that extra money. In three years, I don't believe I get that back on resale, compared to the value of a P85.
The "Auto Pilot" features will not be on my current order. The sensors probably will be installed. I suspect that the hardware to use that information can be added. To be honest, I'm not sure I want my car changing lanes just because I used the turn signal. I do like the variable cruise control. In three years, any car without that will truly be dated.
Those are my thoughts, after reading a lot of news from people who are not paying for the car, and a lot of posts here from people who already received their cars. There are very few of us who really are having to choose whether to change.
I want my P85. And I'm really tired of waiting for it! It is a big deal to me to delay my delivery from November to February.
I hope to hear, soon, from others who are similarly evaluating the decision whether to change their orders. Please don't post comments if not related to that narrow question.
The last 24 hours have been an emotional and intellectual roller coaster. I was not surprised. Most forum readers expected the dual motors reveal. I thought a lot about it before the reveal. AWD is a good thing. My current car is AWD and I really appreciate its benefits when driving upon wet roads. But most of my driving is not icy/snowy roads where AWD is a clear advantage.
Can pending orders be changed?
I expected Tesla would tell me my confirmed order is in cement and I would forfeit my deposit if I wanted to change. I was willing to consider that loss and spent the day considering what I wanted to order. Then this evening my DS confirmed I am free to change my order and move my deposit without forfeiture. Now I really have to decide what I prefer.
Note that Tesla made a very wise and very appreciated policy decision to give the DS that authority!
What are the differences in performance and cost:
Of course every person's choices will alter the numbers somewhat. I carefully designed what I would choose today as near as possible to the choices made last August. Some options like fog lights, parking sensors and premium lighting are no longer choices.
Downgrading from the P85 to the non-performance S85 D?
$10,500 less.
I lose the performance features. More than just 1 second more to 60mph. I gain the AWD, the "Auto Pilot" and about 15 miles more range.
I lose the performance features. More than just 1 second more to 60mph. I gain the AWD, the "Auto Pilot" and about 15 miles more range.
Upgrading from the P85 to the P85D?
$13,000 more.
Gaining huge performance characteristics: (1) larger motors, (2) Two motors, (3) larger wheels and the formerly "Plus" enhancements that I previously declined. More than just 1 less second to 60mph.
I also gain the AWD and the "Auto Pilot"
Gaining huge performance characteristics: (1) larger motors, (2) Two motors, (3) larger wheels and the formerly "Plus" enhancements that I previously declined. More than just 1 less second to 60mph.
I also gain the AWD and the "Auto Pilot"
Consider the later effect on value in the used market in three years: I plan to trade my car in three to five years. This is more like a technology product than a car. Think about that. All today's Tesla Model S versions are really going to be outdated in three years. What is your tolerance to keep outdated tech gadgets? I'm holding a 5S iPhone and it is outdated. I won't be trading for a while anyway. But, I would trash a phone that I used three years ago! I am using a three year old and very outdated computer right now. My wife literally laughed at my angst choosing whether to switch, while I used a three year computer that is slower than her phone. I will accept using my old Model S for years after it is not the newest, or I would not spend $100,000 for it. I will not choose the expense of keeping on top.
My conclusion at the end of today is that the resale market will prefer the Performance version, even though not the AWD version. My P85 will hit 60 in 4 seconds. My friend owns an Audi R8 that will get there in 3.4 seconds. Amazing that the P85D will beat him. I enjoyed taunting him today that I could upgrade, but you know, I'm not really drag racing too often for pink slips. In three years, there will be AWD versions that are more economical with higher range. If I choose the 85, I think I will suffer more depreciation. But, the $13,000 to upgrade to the P85D is just past my breaking point. I can afford it, but I just do not feel I receive the value for that extra money. In three years, I don't believe I get that back on resale, compared to the value of a P85.
The "Auto Pilot" features will not be on my current order. The sensors probably will be installed. I suspect that the hardware to use that information can be added. To be honest, I'm not sure I want my car changing lanes just because I used the turn signal. I do like the variable cruise control. In three years, any car without that will truly be dated.
Those are my thoughts, after reading a lot of news from people who are not paying for the car, and a lot of posts here from people who already received their cars. There are very few of us who really are having to choose whether to change.
I want my P85. And I'm really tired of waiting for it! It is a big deal to me to delay my delivery from November to February.
I hope to hear, soon, from others who are similarly evaluating the decision whether to change their orders. Please don't post comments if not related to that narrow question.