ChadS
Last tank of gas: March 2009
Since you have an S, I will try to compare it to that.
We have had an S for 4 years. We wish it was smaller and cheaper, but other than that we love it. Smooth, quiet, safe, roomy, comfortable, quick, high-tech, good-looking...what is not to love? In fact it's so great I'm ordering a second one for myself.
BUT...to get it, I have to give up the Roadster I have driven for 7 years. I am giving it up for practicality, not because I don't want it anymore - I most definitely still want it. Yes, the Model S is more practical. The P*D versions are quicker. But the Roadster is SO MUCH MORE FUN to drive. Why?
Mind you, the Roadster is not for everyone. Downsides include:
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My favorite Roadster story was from the day I took a driving course put on by an Audi group. Part of it included navigating a little autocross section. Because we were beginners, an instructor had to ride along with us. I pulled up to the start of the autocross course, and there was a group of people talking. Distracted by the others (and thinking my car was a Lotus, as I soon found out), an instructor climbed in to my car. I made a joke about the tough part being over, now that he was in the car. He buckled his seat belt and said "no big deal, I have been in a lot of cars like this."
Just then, the flag dropped. I took off. The instructor's body slammed back in the seat, his arms flailed forwards, his eyes bugged out, and he yelled, "NOT LIKE THIS!"
We have had an S for 4 years. We wish it was smaller and cheaper, but other than that we love it. Smooth, quiet, safe, roomy, comfortable, quick, high-tech, good-looking...what is not to love? In fact it's so great I'm ordering a second one for myself.
BUT...to get it, I have to give up the Roadster I have driven for 7 years. I am giving it up for practicality, not because I don't want it anymore - I most definitely still want it. Yes, the Model S is more practical. The P*D versions are quicker. But the Roadster is SO MUCH MORE FUN to drive. Why?
- It is a full TON lighter than the Model S. The Model S does well for its size, especially with the weight down so low, but you still really feel it in corners. A ton is a lot.
- It has direct steering, rather than electronic. While the Model S steering is accurate, with the Roadster you can feel the road surface.
- It is WAY smaller than the Model S. Easier to park, feels less intrusive and dangerous in high-traffic lane changes, passing, etc.
- The top comes off! Opening the pano roof is just not the same.
- You don't just sit in the Roadster; you pretty much put it on. While cruising in the Model S, the car can fade in to the background. But while driving the Roadster, I always know I am driving it, and I am looking for opportunities to use its abilities.
- I just freaking love that remote pod-racer sound it makes
Mind you, the Roadster is not for everyone. Downsides include:
- Taut ride
- Little storage space in the cabin or trunk
- Noisy (wind noise, road noise, rattles and squeaks)
- Poor rear visibility
- Difficult ingress/egress
- Very low driving position means pretty much any car blocks your view, and not all cars can see you
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My favorite Roadster story was from the day I took a driving course put on by an Audi group. Part of it included navigating a little autocross section. Because we were beginners, an instructor had to ride along with us. I pulled up to the start of the autocross course, and there was a group of people talking. Distracted by the others (and thinking my car was a Lotus, as I soon found out), an instructor climbed in to my car. I made a joke about the tough part being over, now that he was in the car. He buckled his seat belt and said "no big deal, I have been in a lot of cars like this."
Just then, the flag dropped. I took off. The instructor's body slammed back in the seat, his arms flailed forwards, his eyes bugged out, and he yelled, "NOT LIKE THIS!"
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