Friends, Romans and countrymen,
I just test drove both the 70d and 85d back to back. I did not test drive the p85d for fear of liking it too much.
As background, I had never driven Model S before (I've sat in one) or for that matter an EV. My current car is a high end Acura sedan (don't laugh).
Here is my review.
This car is f'ing nuts! It leaps like a bunny. It feels lithe like a 16 year old gymnast. It looks sexier than all hollywood starlets, smoother than their female counterpart's legs, and yet strong like putin.
The car is big, but doesn't feel big when you drive it. You look behind and really appreciate how big it is, its uncanny. Goes without saying, its roomy and comfy.
You will not like driving an ICE after you drive this - I mean I don't hate driving my ICE, but certainly I feel the vibration and noise now.
The difference between say a ruckety 1985 corolla vs. my car, and my car and Tesla is approximately the same.
The MS is smooth smooth smooth. And even at 45mph on an inside road, with the pano roof open, I coud hear the wind rustling through the leaves.
I could hear tire noise with the pano roof open though (but it had 21" wheels). With the pano roof open 100%, there is significant buffeting, but at 75% its fine.
The sun does not beat down on you with the roof closed.
I couldn't tell the difference between coils/19" and SAS/21".
The Audio both base, and the 2500 ultra hifi whatever are WEAK, both of 'em!.
The $2500 audio is weaker than my Acura, which is just sad. But the $2500 audio is better than the base audio.
Now between 70d and 85d, the freeway speeds here are 55. Frankly the 85d was SLIGHTLY faster, but not 10k faster.
0-30 I don't notice any difference. At 60+ (which I didn't try of course), there was minor difference. My feeling is, get 85d for range, not speed.
Both cars had enough power for normal use. Maybe if your speed limits are 75 routinely, the 85 makes more sense. At 65 speed limit - uhh its a toss up.
At 55, the 85 to me makes zero sense except the extra range.
The speed limit recognition works VERY well. The TACC works well enough for my needs. Didn't get to test the autoheadlights and autopilot isn't out yet.
Finally, they had a new blue on the floor with tan interior. There aren't enough pictures of this new blue on the interwebs, so I took some pictures for all of us to enjoy and lust over.
The new blue is gorgeous, looks especially nice with tan. I saw the new blue from a distance at a service center earlier, didn't care much for it.
But maybe it was the showroom lights? Not sure! I'm back to confused, black or blue! Hmm!
Anyway, here are the pictures, drool away my darlings!
Finally, if this post gets indexed, searched, goes viral, please also do realize, Model S is far from perfect.
High maint. costs, questionable reliability, and high repair costs are things you MUST consider.
Please also see this thread - Model S reliability issues
My choice is going to be - I'm gonna go for it. But I will eventually get the extended warranty.
I just test drove both the 70d and 85d back to back. I did not test drive the p85d for fear of liking it too much.
As background, I had never driven Model S before (I've sat in one) or for that matter an EV. My current car is a high end Acura sedan (don't laugh).
Here is my review.
This car is f'ing nuts! It leaps like a bunny. It feels lithe like a 16 year old gymnast. It looks sexier than all hollywood starlets, smoother than their female counterpart's legs, and yet strong like putin.
The car is big, but doesn't feel big when you drive it. You look behind and really appreciate how big it is, its uncanny. Goes without saying, its roomy and comfy.
You will not like driving an ICE after you drive this - I mean I don't hate driving my ICE, but certainly I feel the vibration and noise now.
The difference between say a ruckety 1985 corolla vs. my car, and my car and Tesla is approximately the same.
The MS is smooth smooth smooth. And even at 45mph on an inside road, with the pano roof open, I coud hear the wind rustling through the leaves.
I could hear tire noise with the pano roof open though (but it had 21" wheels). With the pano roof open 100%, there is significant buffeting, but at 75% its fine.
The sun does not beat down on you with the roof closed.
I couldn't tell the difference between coils/19" and SAS/21".
The Audio both base, and the 2500 ultra hifi whatever are WEAK, both of 'em!.
The $2500 audio is weaker than my Acura, which is just sad. But the $2500 audio is better than the base audio.
Now between 70d and 85d, the freeway speeds here are 55. Frankly the 85d was SLIGHTLY faster, but not 10k faster.
0-30 I don't notice any difference. At 60+ (which I didn't try of course), there was minor difference. My feeling is, get 85d for range, not speed.
Both cars had enough power for normal use. Maybe if your speed limits are 75 routinely, the 85 makes more sense. At 65 speed limit - uhh its a toss up.
At 55, the 85 to me makes zero sense except the extra range.
The speed limit recognition works VERY well. The TACC works well enough for my needs. Didn't get to test the autoheadlights and autopilot isn't out yet.
Finally, they had a new blue on the floor with tan interior. There aren't enough pictures of this new blue on the interwebs, so I took some pictures for all of us to enjoy and lust over.
The new blue is gorgeous, looks especially nice with tan. I saw the new blue from a distance at a service center earlier, didn't care much for it.
But maybe it was the showroom lights? Not sure! I'm back to confused, black or blue! Hmm!
Anyway, here are the pictures, drool away my darlings!
Finally, if this post gets indexed, searched, goes viral, please also do realize, Model S is far from perfect.
High maint. costs, questionable reliability, and high repair costs are things you MUST consider.
Please also see this thread - Model S reliability issues
My choice is going to be - I'm gonna go for it. But I will eventually get the extended warranty.