About a month ago I booked a test drive at the Preston event. I was in two minds about booking the test drive. I can't afford to buy just yet, maybe next year, but that will be at a pinch. I asked the question about how prospective you had to be in another thread. So I went for it.
First off I want to thank the guys at Tesla who covered the event at Preston, they were really friendly and made me feel at home. At no time did I feel any hard sell.
The car:
=====
P85+ with tech package, air suspension, pano roof, in pearl white with grey 21 inch turbines. Textile interior. I also suspect it had the upgraded sound system, but wasn't sure. (speakers in the A pillar?)
A quick walk around provided information about the luggage space etc.,
Vehicle Access/driving position
===================
I took a couple of Gopro cameras to record the drive, I will link the video when I have edited it, mix new audio and sort out the two camera views. The point of mentioning this is although I don't normally sit in the back of my own cars, I do like to know what it is like back there. I did find access to the back seat a little limited, I fitted one of the cameras to the pano roof with a suction cup. Once in it felt comfortable, space was comparable to my 2007 Mondeo. I am not sure if I would like to be getting in and out of the back seats that often. Although I remember reading somewhere that there is meant to be some improvement in this regard. My main issue was actually the size of my feet catching on the B pillar. More able bodied folks would be OK with it.
One of my reservations about the car, being a sportier sedan was getting in and out. I admit I am not the smallest person in the world, rather rotund (I like that word, its so less disparaging hehe). After moving the wheel in and the seat back I was able to find a nice driving comfortable position. Head room wasn't an issue although this car had the pano roof. I may need to get this option when I purchase.
The drive
======
First off I was nervous, its an expensive car and although it was insured by Tesla I didn't want to wreck it. Oh and I forgot to ask what the excess was if I did crash....
As we were parked at the back of the hotel, we had to go all the way round the grounds. Now I am a believer in speed limits, so I must have looked like Captain slow from top gear ;-)
Off we went driving like a milk float, except it wasn't exactly like one of them, it was silent really silent. Ok so I drive a diesel .....
Tried the different steering settings, ended up in sport mode.
I found it easy to control the speed throughout the test drive, although I suspect it would be tiring to keep my right foot in one position for a long time. In the Mondeo I rest my foot against the wheel well and can just brush the accelerator pedal and rest my foot at the same time. Its just a personal thing that I could get over.
Regen was set to standard, not being used to regen, I found it was quite strong but it took a few minutes to get used to.
If I had to gripe about anything, it would be the park brake. When I learned to drive I was taught to put the hand brake on and take my foot off the brake pedal when I pulled up at junctions or traffic lights. In a manual drive car, it was also sensible to put the car into neutral and not ride the clutch. In my Mondeo, as its an automatic, I put the hand brake on, release the foot brake and leave the car in drive. One of my pet hates is sitting at traffic lights or in a queue of traffic at night and the car in front is blinding you with his brake lights. With the Model S the park button does set the park brake and it presents the handles and turns on the interior lights etc., I am sure I will get used to blinding the folks behind though.
Now to the Tesla grin - I had it most of the way round the test drive, even though for the main I was captain slow. I did get to try the acceleration out, but only to 50 (Its my license and I aint losing it even for fun) I put my foot down, even got the balloon squeal, Man is this car quick, I couldn't put my foot fully down to the floor because the acceleration caused it to lift!!! And I was hanging on for dear life.
The car is fantastic, I want one. Is it too big for the UK roads? Nope. If you have ever driven a Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra etc size car then its no different in size.
All I need now is either a lottery win or patience to sort out the finance to get one
First off I want to thank the guys at Tesla who covered the event at Preston, they were really friendly and made me feel at home. At no time did I feel any hard sell.
The car:
=====
P85+ with tech package, air suspension, pano roof, in pearl white with grey 21 inch turbines. Textile interior. I also suspect it had the upgraded sound system, but wasn't sure. (speakers in the A pillar?)
A quick walk around provided information about the luggage space etc.,
Vehicle Access/driving position
===================
I took a couple of Gopro cameras to record the drive, I will link the video when I have edited it, mix new audio and sort out the two camera views. The point of mentioning this is although I don't normally sit in the back of my own cars, I do like to know what it is like back there. I did find access to the back seat a little limited, I fitted one of the cameras to the pano roof with a suction cup. Once in it felt comfortable, space was comparable to my 2007 Mondeo. I am not sure if I would like to be getting in and out of the back seats that often. Although I remember reading somewhere that there is meant to be some improvement in this regard. My main issue was actually the size of my feet catching on the B pillar. More able bodied folks would be OK with it.
One of my reservations about the car, being a sportier sedan was getting in and out. I admit I am not the smallest person in the world, rather rotund (I like that word, its so less disparaging hehe). After moving the wheel in and the seat back I was able to find a nice driving comfortable position. Head room wasn't an issue although this car had the pano roof. I may need to get this option when I purchase.
The drive
======
First off I was nervous, its an expensive car and although it was insured by Tesla I didn't want to wreck it. Oh and I forgot to ask what the excess was if I did crash....
As we were parked at the back of the hotel, we had to go all the way round the grounds. Now I am a believer in speed limits, so I must have looked like Captain slow from top gear ;-)
Off we went driving like a milk float, except it wasn't exactly like one of them, it was silent really silent. Ok so I drive a diesel .....
Tried the different steering settings, ended up in sport mode.
I found it easy to control the speed throughout the test drive, although I suspect it would be tiring to keep my right foot in one position for a long time. In the Mondeo I rest my foot against the wheel well and can just brush the accelerator pedal and rest my foot at the same time. Its just a personal thing that I could get over.
Regen was set to standard, not being used to regen, I found it was quite strong but it took a few minutes to get used to.
If I had to gripe about anything, it would be the park brake. When I learned to drive I was taught to put the hand brake on and take my foot off the brake pedal when I pulled up at junctions or traffic lights. In a manual drive car, it was also sensible to put the car into neutral and not ride the clutch. In my Mondeo, as its an automatic, I put the hand brake on, release the foot brake and leave the car in drive. One of my pet hates is sitting at traffic lights or in a queue of traffic at night and the car in front is blinding you with his brake lights. With the Model S the park button does set the park brake and it presents the handles and turns on the interior lights etc., I am sure I will get used to blinding the folks behind though.
Now to the Tesla grin - I had it most of the way round the test drive, even though for the main I was captain slow. I did get to try the acceleration out, but only to 50 (Its my license and I aint losing it even for fun) I put my foot down, even got the balloon squeal, Man is this car quick, I couldn't put my foot fully down to the floor because the acceleration caused it to lift!!! And I was hanging on for dear life.
The car is fantastic, I want one. Is it too big for the UK roads? Nope. If you have ever driven a Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra etc size car then its no different in size.
All I need now is either a lottery win or patience to sort out the finance to get one
