Should Tesla Reconsider Policy re: Credit for 19" Sig|Perf Wheels?

[Robert.Boston]

There is always the possibility of a robust secondary market, @swegman, whereby you take delivery of the 21" rims, also buy 19" rims, and resell the 21" rims to a buyer who bought the 19" from Tesla but wants a set of summer performance rims. Still, a lot of transactions costs in that, compared to Tesla doing the right thing.

[roblab]

Well, for the other side, Tesla is in business. I don't expect any business to do the right thing if it gets in the way of profit, and they won't be in business if they don't make a profit big time, this year. I have spent more on this car (which I have never seen yet) than any of several cars I have bought, combined, but I am supporting Tesla, and EVs, and sustainability principle. We might not win that. And then, Tesla has to get customers, many of whom will not think like each other, will buy a car simply because they like it, and will want both sets of rims given to them, along with extra leather, and some CF thrown in. From my point of view, obviously biased, obviously wrong-headed, I think Tesla has done remarkably.

Not too long ago there was no Tesla. No one ever thought any car company could get into the market unless they were already established, and the established companies did a lot of things that people didn't like, too, not just rim running. You could lease an EV, or build one. You could get a heavy steel body with 800 lb of batteries, and it might go 100 miles at 45 mph. It cost more than any gas car, and the dealer was surly. I'm on Tesla's side. If you don't like the offer, sure, Tesla is THE FIRST car maker to actually listen to design ideas and be unusually transparent, but don't expect too much.

Their first job, which we all want them to complete, is to make a profit. I support them.

[Larry Chanin]

Well, for the other side, Tesla is in business. I don't expect any business to do the right thing if it gets in the way of profit, and they won't be in business if they don't make a profit big time, this year. I have spent more on this car (which I have never seen yet) than any of several cars I have bought, combined, but I am supporting Tesla, and EVs, and sustainability principle. We might not win that. And then, Tesla has to get customers, many of whom will not think like each other, will buy a car simply because they like it, and will want both sets of rims given to them, along with extra leather, and some CF thrown in. From my point of view, obviously biased, obviously wrong-headed, I think Tesla has done remarkably.

Not too long ago there was no Tesla. No one ever thought any car company could get into the market unless they were already established, and the established companies did a lot of things that people didn't like, too, not just rim running. You could lease an EV, or build one. You could get a heavy steel body with 800 lb of batteries, and it might go 100 miles at 45 mph. It cost more than any gas car, and the dealer was surly. I'm on Tesla's side. If you don't like the offer, sure, Tesla is THE FIRST car maker to actually listen to design ideas and be unusually transparent, but don't expect too much.

Their first job, which we all want them to complete, is to make a profit. I support them.

Hi Rob,
With all due respect, you're preaching to the choir.

The issue is not whether we support Tesla. We certainly can support Tesla and still offer constructive criticism. The fact is that Tesla listens. They have read these forums in the past and have made adjustments. Those changes benefited BOTH Tesla and their customers. For example, adding sun shades to the panoramic roof. Many folks living in warm climates simply would not have purchased the panoramic roof without the shade. By making an accommodation they probably increased profitability. In the case of these wheels without an accommodation a number of Signature reservation holders may feel compelled to downgrade to a General Production model and spend much less overall.

As was stated earlier, offering the roof option is much more logistically difficult and therefore more costly than switching wheels, yet nevertheless Tesla still offerred roof options.

Larry

[NigelM]

The 4.4s 0-60mph is a performance version only standard and the performance wheels have the Continental tires which provide the grip to enable that. That suggests that a performance version will not achieve 4.4s if it's got the standard Goodyear tires. What will it achieve? 5.0s? 5.3s? I ask the question as I'm not sure I understand why someone would buy a performance version and then effectively slow down the car. Will that change of wheels slow it down till there's only a negligible acceleration difference to the standard 5.6s?

If I felt strongly about the wheels/tires I think I'd just get a standard version and then fully load with every conceivable extra....and I'd get the price I want:

Fully Loaded Standard S = $82,350
Loaded Performance S...= $94,350
Performance S w/o 21"...= $90,850 (assuming Tesla gives a $3,500 discount for trading down to 19" wheels)

So (provocatively) if you're not getting performance acceleration, aren't you just paying $8,500 for snazzier leather and the option to get CF bits?

Personally, I think even with the Signature Model I would get a Standard Sig rather than a half-hearted Performance version. I know lots of people are going to respond about the state of their roads, but if you really live somewhere that bad then does it make sense for you to invest in a Performance model at all?

(Runs for cover...)

[Doug_G]

There are other tire options for 19"; you don't have to run the rubber the factory gives you.

Mind you, it's a waste to toss out perfectly good stock tires. If I were to get 19" I'd probably ask for winter tires on the car and a spare set of rims so I could buy my choice of summer tire.

[qwk]

Its very easy to just put sticky tires on whenever you want(track events), but very difficult to upgrade to performance on a whim.

[NigelM]

There are other tire options for 19"; you don't have to run the rubber the factory gives you.

Mind you, it's a waste to toss out perfectly good stock tires. If I were to get 19" I'd probably ask for winter tires on the car and a spare set of rims so I could buy my choice of summer tire.

21" performance for summer, 19" spare rims for winter! Easy.....

Its very easy to just put sticky tires on whenever you want(track events), but very difficult to upgrade to performance on a whim.

True, but how many are really going to track events in the family car. Performance junkies (moi? ) will buy the performance wheels anyway.

[Doug_G]

21" performance for summer, 19" spare rims for winter! Easy.....

Well, I am planning on 21" summer and 19" winter, but I was just pointing out there are options...

True, but how many are really going to track events in the family car. Performance junkies (moi? ) will buy the performance wheels anyway.

Our local sales rep suggested that the Model S could be a very good track car. It's got liquid cooling for the PEM and motor, and very low center of gravity for cornering, so in those respects it could be better than the Roadster. I'd be very tempted to try it once just to see how it does.

(I've actually taken my "family car" to the track several times. The G37 did pretty well - better in the straights than the corners - but it needed upgrades to the brakes.)

[NigelM]

/\
So you prove my theory correct. The racers will get the performance wheels anyway.

[qwk]

21" performance for summer, 19" spare rims for winter! Easy.....



True, but how many are really going to track events in the family car. Performance junkies (moi? ) will buy the performance wheels anyway.

You are in Florida, but not every performance junkie lives in the tropics. I live miles away from pavement, and go places that the performance wheels/tires would be trashed in weeks. Does this mean I have to settle for a snail car? No way.