A Sig Perf reservation holder's take away from the conference call

[Norbert]

I always thought the cup holder is in a good position to keep the right hand on the steering wheel, and take the cup with the left hand (that's what I started doing in my previous car). I also can't remember trying to rest my elbow while driving, so I'm not sure how it would be in the way. Maybe I should bring a drink next time.

[AnOutsider]

It all seems better than my Miata, where if I used the factory "cupholder" (a generous use of the term), it interferes with me just sitting there with my arms in a normal position. Thank god for after-market is all I can say (that only interferes with the passenger's left leg). Lordy, Model S owners won't know how good they have it.

Just to play devils advocate here. Both of you are comparing the Model S, touted as a luxury sedan, to little sports cars only REALLY suitable for 2 adults and not in the "premium" tier. Using the above logics, I could say there's no reason to complain about the dash materials (some didn't feel the leather was supple/luxurious enough) because a Chevy Aveo is all plastic.

[kevincwelch]

Personally, I think this is yet another issue related to the level of communication between Tesla and its customers.

I think the concern is heightened (and deservedly so) because we have put a down payment of sorts on the car. Looking at the demographics polls for range of income that I did, the Model S will be a significant expense for many people. When people pay a lot for an object, especially when it is close to being out of range, expectations at high.

Talk of the Model S being the best car out there no longer is reaching the potential owners with any enthusiasm because comparing the Model S with other sedans in the price range shows glaring deficiencies in the Model S.

I'm not talking about voice control or adaptive cruise control; I'm talking about basic things I had in my $14k Civic 10 years ago. Or basic things you see in the Leaf or Volt.

If you're the type of person who drives 10 miles round trip every day to work and that is all, perhaps cabin lighting or cup holders aren't a big deal. The lack of creature comforts and basic amenities is inconsistent with claims of long range driving: you can drive 300 miles, but don't plan on doing anything but driving and listening to music. Your carpooling buddies will have to hold their sodas for that trip. Don't drive at night because you can read in the back...or maybe the glow of the computer is light enough. Don't check your teeth for gunk, because there's no vanity mirror.

The notion that Tesla has taken money from people for an idea-- a concept-- is unsettling for many, especially that the car isn't finished and lacks what many consider to be basic.

Tesla ideally would be more communicative with folks about these issues. They don't have to say "ok, we'll put in some cup holders for ya!" A simple acknowledgment that they are aware of these specific issues and won't be addressing then because of X. Or, a statement that production in 2013 will have these issues resolved. Something.

I don't mind the Spartan interior: forces me to be cleaner. But please, how about some basic things like lights and cup holders? Make the Model S as convenient as my Honda on the inside.

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2

[dsm363]

We'll have to wait to see what the official word is but the other companies have the advantage of having many of those features for years as you said and the suppliers that can get the parts to them for cheaper than to Tesla I'd imagine. If Tesla had given itself maybe another year to get this car ready all of this would be nothing but they set a schedule and are obviously coming up and through it a little. They also are in the position that they need to start generating revenue soon since the Roadster isn't sold anymore. Most of these growing pains will probably only affect the first few thousand people which is part of the fun of being an early adopter. At close the the 10,000th car made, I think you'll be fine. All of these questions should be answered about the vanity mirror and cup holders before you have to lock down.

[jerry33]

a stronger subwoofer (or the addition of a subwoofer whatever the case may be).

I'm not sure I want a car that rattles all the surrounding cars with a subwoofer and makes you appear to be some dumb sixteen year old.

For example, Tesla spent precious resources to design, engineer, and create a memory function for the rear lift gate. Now you can set the height of how much the rear lift gate opens. Why is this a needed feature??

It's pretty obvious you've never scraped a lift-gate on a garage door. Obviously one of the designers has--or perhaps Elon has. Given that this is something that will save you thousands in repairs, I think it's a great idea and given a choice between cup holders and lift gate memory, I'd choose lift gate memory. Older garages do not have tall openings.

Does this engineering short sightnedness have anything to do with those two senior engineers at Tesla that suddenly resigned several months ago???

Unlikely. Those were European engineers. In Europe cup holders are considered an American affectation (although in recent years they have caught on). If anything, the lack of cup holders is due to those engineers rather than because they left.

Now I have plenty of complaints about Tesla's design decisions (particularly all the chrome) but I'm willing to wait until they have produced a bunch more cars before throwing the car in the trash heap.

[bonnie1194]

I just love the fact that all the complaints are about cup holders and whatnot. Nothing about performance!

Awesome car.

[jerry33]

I just love the fact that all the complaints are about cup holders and whatnot. Nothing about performance!
Awesome car.

+1. Yes. The core functions are about as perfect as you can get (despite all my whining). Right now my main complaint is that I won't get an invite to the Get Amped tour in Dallas. Because the original list of cities didn't come within 1000 miles, I answered No thanks after I received the first invitation. I think that when they added the additional cities, they should have given the No thanks responders (or at least the No thanks responders that were close to the new locations) a second chance.

Yes, I did send an email asking to be reinstated, but no response so far.

[dsm363]

+1. Yes. The core functions are about as perfect as you can get (despite all my whining). Right now my main complaint is that I won't get an invite to the Get Amped tour in Dallas. Because the original list of cities didn't come within 1000 miles, I answered No thanks after I received the first invitation. I think that when they added the additional cities, they should have given the No thanks responders (or at least the No thanks responders that were close to the new locations) a second chance.

Yes, I did send an email asking to be reinstated, but no response so far.

That has to be an oversight. I'd call them then if you don't get an answer.

[digitaltim]

I accidentally permanently deleted my invite to the DC store. I tried to have Tesla resend the message which they said could not be done, but a quick email to the DC store manager got me my requested time slot and day. I then received a confirming email.

Call or email the store.

[ckessel]

I just love the fact that all the complaints are about cup holders and whatnot. Nothing about performance!

Well, the things that tend to make you dislike a car (or hell, anything, even a person) are the day to day living experiences. It could do 0-60 in 1.3 seconds and corner like nothing in the universe, but if I hate sitting it in every day that performance doesn't tip the balance.

That said, I don't really grok kevin's complaints. Hold a soda for an entire road trip? Why would you have a partially filled soda for hours? Drink the damn thing and be done. Or seal it and stick it in the bag at your feet, because every road trip I've ever taken in 30 years required at least a backpack or fanny pack or something to take along as well. Then again, no sticky sodas in my car period. Back seat lighting for reading? No lights allowed on in the interior of my car at night, it causes glare/reflection on the windshield. Get a book light, or better yet, get a backlit kindle/nook/ipad.

I've got 3 kids, the oldest 21 now, I've never had any of the needs on road trip he's described. Kevin seems to be describing road trips with physical adults, but the emotional/mental capacities of 3 year olds. Yea, I'd like some limited rear storage, but the level of ire/concern expressed seems exaggerated to the point of hyperbole.

Now, if the seats aren't comfortable, the AC was poor and the vents didn't have control, the headroom consistently too low, and it lacked rear cup holders, then I can see the cumulative impact of the interior dissuading me from the purchase.