Hi All,
Anyone recently taken a Roadster for a test drive? As a Model S reservation holder, can I ask to take one even though my only intentions are to purchase a Model S? I know they aren't even selling it anymore but can the accommodate if asked?
As a Model S reservation holder, I'm sure they'd have let you test-drive a Roadster as long as they had a demo available. Obviously, you won't be allowed to take someone else's car out for a drive. If the display cars are not street legal they would not be able to let you drive one. So you may have missed your chance.
Renting one sounds like a great idea, as you are "itching" to drive one.
Not in the same class of car, but I was curious about the Volt, so I went to the nearest Chevy dealership. I told them I'm not going to buy one since I already own an EV, but could I drive one just to see what it feels like? They were happy to let me. I think Tesla was more particular about who they allowed to drive a Roadster, but a Model S reservation holder certainly would have been allowed to.
One or two Roadster owners have reported allowing people to drive their cars, so if that rental place is too far away for you, maybe you could find someone who'd let you drive theirs. I'd be scared to let anyone drive mine.
Mostly I figure the S for a more refined ride overall. Tho the Roadster is prolly every bit the lightweight supercar, I was looking to compare to sedan, not sportscar.
I'm sure the S will be far more refined. The Roadster is small and getting in and out requires some contortion even for me, and I'm 5' 6.5" and 138 lbs. The seats are so uncomfortable that I use a double cushion. The driver's seat moves forward and back a few inches, but has no other adjustments. The optional "infotainment" system is a joke.
The car handles like a dream and has torque up the wazoo and is more fun to drive than a barrel of monkeys, but "refined" is not a word I'd use for it. Driving the S will be an entirely different experience. I'm not willing to go all the way to Seattle to test drive one (I would if I could make it at freeway speed without a charging stop) but I'm hoping that some day they'll bring one to Spokane for test drives.