Owners delivery stories, photos and first impressions

[DIL]

Well I have had my car for about two weeks. A few quick observations:

1) It is BIG. Big and EXPENSIVE. It takes me forever to park and get around in parking lots for fear of scratching it.
2) I scratched it something awful parking already
3) I have yet to be bowled over by someone interested in talking about it. I can't tell if everyone is over it already or if the awareness is so low where I am that people don't recognize it as unusual.
4) Put me in the camp of people who justify the model S as financially sound. I think that with gas and maintenance savings the car will have an inexpensive lifetime of driving, provided I keep it for 15 years which is my plan. However, I wasn't prepared for people who look at as a lavish luxurious purchase. I would never buy a high end Mercedez or BMW 7 series but there are those who do not distinguish. I wasn't ready to be perceived as "that guy".
5) Twice I have creeped up on people walking on a residential street and they didn't know I was there. It puts us in a funny spot, where honking is way too much. I almost wish there was an external engine noise speaker for certain situations.
6) The best unexpected feature of owning the car is its relative quiet. I know that is hardly a surprise, but what I find is that I actually *listen* to and enjoy music on long drives. In most cars increasing the volume high enough to hear just gives a headache. We were very actively DJ'ing on our one long trip we have made so far.
7) public charging EV parking spots are being placed in a wrongheaded way. Many places are converting the very best parking spots, beyond handicapped spots, into EV spots. This creates a lose-lose-lose. First, ICE's are sorely temped to park in them. It really isn't clear that they should not really. Its not clear ethically why they should make room for us. The strongest argument is that the proprietor intended that so they should respect those wishes. Then, model S's don't really need the range 99% of the time, so parking in them is a pain (back in, get out the cord, figure out the charge point etc) while people walk by prying with polite curiosity at best. Far better to place the EV spots further back in lots so they will be clear and not in the way. Supercharger spots seem to be following this philosophy.
8) The fan speed should be a permanent button along the bottom. We fiddle with it more than any other control. I would happily trade that for the seat heater buttons or something. The steering wheel control is a bit hard to use too; I find myself having to look at it quite a bit while doing it.
9) Overall, even though I had test driven and sat in the car dozens of times before I got mine, I was left surprised by the overall quality and solidity of the car. It feels more high end than I figured on.

I even put 7 people in it for a short drive, no problem I had 2 12 yr old girls in the back, which was not the best fit for them but they loved the novelty.

First, Congrats! And thanks for sharing your observations.
#6: It's definitely quiet, but in my test drives, I didn't find the silence to be that surprising. Wonder if you're rolling on 19's and that helps? Your sig doesn't say.
#7: Interesting point. I hadn't noticed before, but you're right, the EV charging parking spots could be seen as VIP. Here in California, the state is definitely doing everything it can to encourage EVs.
#9: Good to know that you're so impressed with the build quality.

 

[Mayhemm]

Well I have had my car for about two weeks. A few quick observations:

1) It is BIG. Big and EXPENSIVE. It takes me forever to park and get around in parking lots for fear of scratching it.
2) I scratched it something awful parking already
3) I have yet to be bowled over by someone interested in talking about it. I can't tell if everyone is over it already or if the awareness is so low where I am that people don't recognize it as unusual.
4) Put me in the camp of people who justify the model S as financially sound. I think that with gas and maintenance savings the car will have an inexpensive lifetime of driving, provided I keep it for 15 years which is my plan. However, I wasn't prepared for people who look at as a lavish luxurious purchase. I would never buy a high end Mercedez or BMW 7 series but there are those who do not distinguish. I wasn't ready to be perceived as "that guy".
5) Twice I have creeped up on people walking on a residential street and they didn't know I was there. It puts us in a funny spot, where honking is way too much. I almost wish there was an external engine noise speaker for certain situations.
6) The best unexpected feature of owning the car is its relative quiet. I know that is hardly a surprise, but what I find is that I actually *listen* to and enjoy music on long drives. In most cars increasing the volume high enough to hear just gives a headache. We were very actively DJ'ing on our one long trip we have made so far.
7) public charging EV parking spots are being placed in a wrongheaded way. Many places are converting the very best parking spots, beyond handicapped spots, into EV spots. This creates a lose-lose-lose. First, ICE's are sorely temped to park in them. It really isn't clear that they should not really. Its not clear ethically why they should make room for us. The strongest argument is that the proprietor intended that so they should respect those wishes. Then, model S's don't really need the range 99% of the time, so parking in them is a pain (back in, get out the cord, figure out the charge point etc) while people walk by prying with polite curiosity at best. Far better to place the EV spots further back in lots so they will be clear and not in the way. Supercharger spots seem to be following this philosophy.
8) The fan speed should be a permanent button along the bottom. We fiddle with it more than any other control. I would happily trade that for the seat heater buttons or something. The steering wheel control is a bit hard to use too; I find myself having to look at it quite a bit while doing it.
9) Overall, even though I had test driven and sat in the car dozens of times before I got mine, I was left surprised by the overall quality and solidity of the car. It feels more high end than I figured on.

I even put 7 people in it for a short drive, no problem I had 2 12 yr old girls in the back, which was not the best fit for them but they loved the novelty.

Congrats! Couple comments on your comments :tongue::

1) This concerns me as well. I don't think I'll be doing much parallel parking the first year, even if I have to walk a lot further.
4) I consider the car an investment. I want to use it to further the EV cause in my region, where it is currently non-existent. I also love new tech and support the company mission (I can't say that about any other company) so it has some benefits for me personally as well.
5) Some people are such zombies that they wouldn't notice you even if you were waving flags and flashing your lights. Lots of dazed jaywalkers around here.
6) Do you have the parcel shelf? If so, do you think it contributes to the vehicle quietness?
7) Parking spaces are usually determined by the run-length of the utility lines, since installation costs increase dramatically for long runs. Most often, the shortest run ends up being closest to the building, resulting in their use in "premium" parking spots. Elitism isn't really a factor.
8) If you map the fan speed to the steering wheel control, it's just a knob. What's to look at?

Enjoy the car!

 

[austinEV]

Maybe I am not doing the wheel right. If I just turn it it scrolls through the stuff I CAN control. So I have to select fan speed by rolling an click the wheel. Then u have just a few seconds to operate the fan speed. Am I doing it wrong?

I have 19s. I haven't driven with the parcel shelf. It's kind if gathering dust in the garage...

 

[Mayhemm]

There is an option to have the scroll wheel ask you each time what you want it to control (fan speed, sunroof, climate control, etc). I believe this is what you currently have selected.

There is also a way to permanently assign the wheel to any of the options. That way you simply have to roll the wheel to increase/decrease fan speed (in your case). No real thought involved.

I believe you hold down the right scroll wheel until you are presented with the list of available options. Select "fan speed" and from then on that wheel will only control the fan speed. (if I have this wrong, owners please feel free to correct me)

UPDATE: I was indeed wrong as to the procedure above. You press the bottom button on the right side of the steering wheel, then choose "customize". From there you can choose the desired function for the scroll wheel.

 

[fmda]

There is an option to have the scroll wheel ask you each time what you want it to control (fan speed, sunroof, climate control, etc). I believe this is what you currently have selected.

There is also a way to permanently assign the wheel to any of the options. That way you simply have to roll the wheel to increase/decrease fan speed (in your case). No real thought involved.

I believe you hold down the right scroll wheel until you are presented with the list of available options. Select "fan speed" and from then on that wheel will only control the fan speed. (if I have this wrong, owners please feel free to correct me)

UPDATE: I was indeed wrong as to the procedure above. You press the bottom button on the right side of the steering wheel, then choose "customize". From there you can choose the desired function for the scroll wheel.

Can you choose height of the body as customized button?

 

[WhiteP85]

I know this is not news but what an amazing car!

After reluctantly starting to shop for a replacement for my 2006 LR3 with 55,000 miles and early rear diff issues I decided it would be fun to test drive a Model S. Although I was not really serious and intentionally having never spent more than 35k on a car, I decided to take a family test drive at the local Natick mall. Given a choice I chose the P85+. Wow! The car was not limited and it stuck to the corners just like a 911 that I once test drove. The effortless power and speed blew me away and I realized that I had to have one for no rational reason other than I wanted it. This car is a game changer and I was hooked.

I am now a proud owner of a P85 and finding all sorts of excuses to go for a drive.

Based on my two weeks of experience here are a few thoughts and comments:

1. I would really like a credit card size fob that will fit in my wallet. The Tesla car fob is cool but my wallet is always with me and that would be much handier.
2. I love the definition that the white color offers but I have had to learn all about detail spray to keep the rear clean. The car is so aerodynamic that it creates eddies at the back that allows black tire and road dust to settle after even one trip.
3. Like others I have my power cable hanging down from the roof. I rigged up some 2x4s painted them white and attached a Cable organizer bracket. Works great and keeps the cable out the way and off the floor. I will post pics later.
4. I am an avid follower of Artsci's mods and plan to follow in his footsteps. If you have not done so search for his name and read a few. He has shared some great projects.

Just a quick post to say hi.

 

[WhiteP85]

Thanks! Too true.

(BTW I am a bit of a geek and posted a long technical response with a few pictures to one of Artsci's post regarding my new PCB design for the camera board). I message flashed up and then disappeared. Something to do with requiring a moderator to review the post. I do hope it has not gone into the ether ad it took me about 40 minutes to post. A newbie lives and learns - probably spam protection. Ugh!)

 

[paco3791]

I received my car almost exactly a week ago and needless to say I'm loving the reality of the car after so many years of following Tesla and the Models S here and else-where.

It's a dream that came true a lot quicker than I was expecting, since as little as 3 weeks ago I wasn't sure if I would be getting the car at all since I had yet to convince my better half to so much as take a test drive or even take the time to look over an article talking about the car's safety testing scores (needless to say she is not a car person). But with the help of one of her friends, that lived close to the Oak Brook Mall store here in the Chicago area, who agreed to watch our oldest while we went and test drove the car I was finally able to get us our first seat time in the car. We brought our 4 month old with us and the first thing that impressed was that we could fit our double stroller in the Frunk! Walk around back and the rear facing seats in the hatch also elicits an "Oh, cool!" from the wife. Go take our test drive and she is also suitably impressed by how the car drives, things are looking good.

Now I knew before we came to the store that Tesla was selling off some loaner and Demo cars but I didn't know a lot of details so I made a point of asking for more information after the test drive. Turns out we had come in at exactly the right time. Not only was there a significant discount available on loaner cars until the end of Sept. but one of the cars that had almost all of the options I wanted (rear facings seats were a must for me), was also decidedly in my price range (S60's only for me). Plus because the car is an earlier production model it wasn't subject to some of the options price increases! All told the car was roughly $9k less than buying new. I was a little worried about the brown color at first but since receiving the car the color has gotten rave reviews and has really grown on me.

So far there have been almost no issues with owning a loaner, the car arrived with about 2200 miles on the clock from the Queens Service center and except for a small paint chip on the nose of the car (see below) is in like new condition.

The day after I picked up the car there was an issue with the 12V battery during an attempted software update, but 12V problems aren't exactly rare and what other car company comes to your office to work on your car for you, problem fixed within 24Hrs! Only other outstanding issue is a sometimes flaky mobile charger (ranger coming to look at it tonight). Otherwise zero issues, and the car and Tesla have lived up to some very high expectations.

 

[texex91]

I received my car almost exactly a week ago and needless to say I'm loving the reality of the car after so many years of following Tesla and the Models S here and else-where.

It's a dream that came true a lot quicker than I was expecting, since as little as 3 weeks ago I wasn't sure if I would be getting the car at all since I had yet to convince my better half to so much as take a test drive or even take the time to look over an article talking about the car's safety testing scores (needless to say she is not a car person). But with the help of one of her friends, that lived close to the Oak Brook Mall store here in the Chicago area, who agreed to watch our oldest while we went and test drove the car I was finally able to get us our first seat time in the car. We brought our 4 month old with us and the first thing that impressed was that we could fit our double stroller in the Frunk! Walk around back and the rear facing seats in the hatch also elicits an "Oh, cool!" from the wife. Go take our test drive and she is also suitably impressed by how the car drives, things are looking good.

Now I knew before we came to the store that Tesla was selling off some loaner and Demo cars but I didn't know a lot of details so I made a point of asking for more information after the test drive. Turns out we had come in at exactly the right time. Not only was there a significant discount available on loaner cars until the end of Sept. but one of the cars that had almost all of the options I wanted (rear facings seats were a must for me), was also decidedly in my price range (S60's only for me). Plus because the car is an earlier production model it wasn't subject to some of the options price increases! All told the car was roughly $9k less than buying new. I was a little worried about the brown color at first but since receiving the car the color has gotten rave reviews and has really grown on me.

So far there have been almost no issues with owning a loaner, the car arrived with about 2200 miles on the clock from the Queens Service center and except for a small paint chip on the nose of the car (see below) is in like new condition.

The day after I picked up the car there was an issue with the 12V battery during an attempted software update, but 12V problems aren't exactly rare and what other car company comes to your office to work on your car for you, problem fixed within 24Hrs! Only other outstanding issue is a sometimes flaky mobile charger (ranger coming to look at it tonight). Otherwise zero issues, and the car and Tesla have lived up to some very high expectations.

Looks great paco--glad it's exceeding expectations!

 

[JRP3]

Serious TMC OG gets his car, congrats.

 

[paco3791]

Serious TMC OG gets his car, congrats.

Thanks, JRP3. It's been great to see this community grow. Glad to finally be a more literal part of the club!

 

[SweetP]

I'm drinking the Kool-Aid! Got my S85 today and am just thrilled with the performance and beauty. No glitches or noticeable defects (didn't use a micrometer or magnifying glass) and everything works wonderfully. I knew I'd like it but I'm blown away. All the ambivalence about options; pano/no pano, leather/fabric, S/P, sensors/no sensors, now seems trivial. I would like this car in any version. It's resting (and recharging) now, as am I, for more fun tomorrow! Does the Porsche seem like a rattle trap? Yep.

 

[SamGarber]

My delivery story (PA)...

Okay - finally my turn for my story of magic, then of woe, then magical again and finally exhausting until practically midnight when I got a chance to post this...

15:02 Eastern time:
I arrive at the Norristown, PA Tesla Service Center to pick up my car with my wife in tow (in my leased Toyota Camry Hybrid). I am excited and scared, since other than my house, this is the single biggest purchase I have made, and also the only car that I ever really bought, since I have leased all of mine until now. I was 2 minutes late for my 15:00 appointment since I had to figure out exactly where on Boulevard of the Generals the Service Center really was - the sign is green with white little letters and a bunch of other tenants, so I had to go up and down the street to figure out where it is. Once located, it is actually past a bunch of loading docks with trucks parked to the point where you have to do this S maneuver to get into the parking. There they actually have a Tesla red pole/sign. Very unassuming, like a standard office, but reception is pretty Teslaesque with white walls, grey futuristic chairs and some knickknacks for purchase like cups and those lambswool blankets as well as water and soda for customers. Really useful stuff that I wanted was maybe in the back was my hope at the time.

15:10-15:20
I am greeted by Bryan Hawn, the Delivery Specialist I have been dealing with over email for the last month or so. My wife and I are sitting on the grey chairs in the lobby and Bryan tells us to just keep sitting there, and pulls up a low magazine holder/shelving unit to sit on while we finish up paperwork. TechCU already sent ahead the check, so all I really need to sign off on are some papers on temp registration and of course on my share of the money in the form of personal check. I will have to do taxes, tags and inspection at an autotag place and mechanic since Tesla cannot do this in PA. Once that is done, Bryan pulls out a sealed baggie with 2 keys and off we go to the back of the building (via outside route).

15:22-16:00
I see my beauty sitting there diagonally parked across some parking spaces with the background of some other unwashed Model S's that are yet to meet their owners... She is beautifully grey and sparkling in the sun. I get one key, and the wife gets the other! We walk up and handles are auto-presented (thanks Tech Package!). We pop the frunk, discuss the escape route for the possible kids (and maybe some wayward adults) who might get locked in! We open the trunk and check out the parcel shelf, foldback seats, and UMC charger pouch contents. We sit inside, and the magic begins! Bryan proceeds to systematically review all systems and screens and options. He probably has this down pat because he does 3-4 of these deliveries a day... I manage to surprise him with showing him the easter egg I learned about on the forums (where you press the "85" on the about screen and out pops a Tesla group picture with the red Model S). I feel like all that time spent on the forums was time well spent! Bryan gets done his song and dance, welcomes me to the Tesla Family and we done! I ask about All Weather Floor Mats and Frunk/Trunk Mats since I was told I can get them in the Service Center and am a bit disappointed when I am told they have nothing there and I will have to order online. Oh well - taxes probably would cover shipping. Hope no crazy snow/rain/mud gets tracked in.

16:00-16:15
The wife and I take the obligatory pictures with our MS:

We then proceed to inspect the plethora of other Teslas there... all sorts of colors options and trims! I think as many as 15 were around including some getting detailed for delivery or after service...

16:15-16:30
We are off to the races (literally)! The Camry tries to keep up with the Model S and predictably spends most of its time with a high-pitched whine to it's poor ICE engine! It's battery is of no help to the poor Hybrid! We drive to return the lease to the nearest Toyota dealer - happens to be Sloane Toyota of Devon which is a 10 minute drive from Norristown in the direction we want to go anyway (King of Prussia for some shopping time at Pottery Barn and of course the Tesla HPWC at the Gallery). The car handles like a dream, TeslaGrin occurs almost immediately after I get accustomed to the re-gen effect the almost instant stopping when you take foot of the accelerator pedal. It handles beautifully on the back roads the Tesla GPS makes me take for some reason (I wish they had route options like a normal GPS would - maybe they do?). I am distracted by all the info and the urge to play with the big 17inch screen, but make it to the dealership with my wife behind me. By then I am feeling pretty good about myself!

16:30-16:45
This is where my tale of woe begins. When I turn into the dealership, my wife goes behind me, but I can get no further into the entrance because they parked their cars really close on both sides and a woman in a Volvo is coming to exit and is smack middle of the entryway so of course I cannot easily enter. I try to steer a bit to the right so that my wife is not stuck in the middle of the road waiting and sure enough there was a hidden curb there and I hear a cruuuuuunch!!! I now have curb rash on my front right rim not 15 minutes after taking delivery of a brand new car... Now, I knew about curb rash, and I planned for it, having purchased AlloyGators ahead of time and even asked Bryan if I can drop them off ahead of time so they get installed before I come even if I have to pay extra. I got a no (due to their new policy I guess). I decide it is ok, and I will take it to the local tire shop tomorrow... Yeah, that was a good plan... I sulk for 13 of the 15 minutes we are waiting for the sales guy to accept the lease return until I am cheered up by my wife and by the thought of driving my Model S again...

16:45-17:00
We set off for King of Prussia, now both in the car, and whooowee, the TeslaGrin is back and my woe and sulking are pretty much a memory. I feel my face pulling back as I accelerate off the ramp onto highway 202! Air suspension engages and lowers us, and it is beautiful. I ignore all the orange lines and my indicators saying I am really sucking down some battery since I am heading towards the HPWC in the Tesla Gallery at King of Prussia. By the time we make it there, I have reduced my rated range from 235 down to 199 in only 6 miles... I am happy. We arrive and I park next to the only Tesla there, a black demo P85 with grey 21s. It is currently plugged into the HPWC, and of course, is locked. I see a roadster charger (can't use_ and 5 other NEMA outlets, and decide that my baby needs the best since we are only in the mall for maybe an hour tops. I let my wife go to Pottery Barn while I make my way to the Gallery and have the very helpful sales guy come out with me and switch out the HPWC to my car! First drink of power after delivery is sweet! We walk back to the Gallery - taking the quick route that goes through the back of the store (I wish I could do that without them too since the walk otherwise is a bit circuitous from the charger area. We chat about Tesla of course, and I mention that if they had brochures, I am happy to hand them out to gawkers when I drive around. They say they have some that they can give me since they can't give them out in the store (they have 40kWH model on them). I take the huge stack!

17:00-18:00
The wife shops while I hang out at the Starbucks wishing I can see the car charging on the iPhone app, but since there was a delivery after me, Bryan had not been able to mark my car delivered thereby activating the app. I get over it quickly. I finally understand that free juice from the HPWC is not free when I see my wife's purchases. Oh well... We walk out and the Tesla is fully charged up to 235 again! Full speed @ 80A!

18:00-18:40
We drive on to Huntingdon Valley to visit my grandparents via the PA Turnpike, and I open her up again! The EZ-Pass works great mounted behind the mirror although I will be calling to replace it with the slimmer one they seem to have been giving out lately. We hit traffic around the mid-county interchange but are not concerned since our Tesla is using very little juice idling... We try out buttwarmers, we find them nice! I am wishing the headrests moved forwards for better support like on my ML350 and consider getting my plane neck pillow to put in the car! Bryan suggested using the back camera as a constant better mirror due to low visibility out the back - it works great on split screen! We arrive, and I usually park backwards there, but find the lack of guide lines on the camera disconcerting but the parking sensors are awesome!

20:00-20:15
We drive on to visit my mom and other grandpa and I find myself on a one lane road behind a really old car that is going 25 in a 35 and then a 45 zone... Next intersection has a turn lane... Model S makes short work of this by taking it pedal to the metal swoops around leaving that car in the dust. A practical use for the acceleration: good! The wife meanwhile whoops beside me. I am happy I am not the only one enjoying myself!

21:00-23:59
We finally get home and I am excited to see if my house blows up after the Model S starts sucking from my HPWC. This of course does not happen! After some figuring out how to best run the cable to the charge port, I plug it in and some whirring and clicking occurs, and off we go! I watch the charger handshake, test out first a low charge speed, then increase, and stabilize at 239V@79A which translated out to 56mi/hr! I take one of those Instagram videos to commemorate the occassion: http://instagram.com/p/foZTM8K0H6/
I proceed to apply the cool red wheelcap T stickers I got from Roger! I try his trick with the ball of tape to get the caps off, but no go, have to do this on my knees, but it works anyways! I then spend 2 hours in the car while it is charging setting up homelink, Slacker, HD Radio, weblinks and other stuff until I remember I am hungry and really want to go to the bathroom! Wow... time sure flies when Tesla is actually delivered. I decide to write this, and I proceed to do so!

I guess that's it for now... We are off to Center City Philly tomorrow and will be trying the Franklin Institute parking garage charger while hanging out the Art Museum neighborhood!

 

[DIL]

I'm drinking the Kool-Aid! Got my S85 today and am just thrilled with the performance and beauty. No glitches or noticeable defects (didn't use a micrometer or magnifying glass) and everything works wonderfully. I knew I'd like it but I'm blown away. All the ambivalence about options; pano/no pano, leather/fabric, S/P, sensors/no sensors, now seems trivial. I would like this car in any version. It's resting (and recharging) now, as am I, for more fun tomorrow! Does the Porsche seem like a rattle trap? Yep.

Congrats! Enjoy her and post some pics!

- - - Updated - - -

Okay - finally my turn for my story of magic, then of woe, then magical again and finally exhausting until practically midnight when I got a chance to post this...
...
I guess that's it for now... We are off to Center City Philly tomorrow and will be trying the Franklin Institute parking garage charger while hanging out the Art Museum neighborhood!

Super write up! Really appreciated the minute by minute roller coaster ride with you. Congratulations!!! Keep the reviews coming as you learn more about your new baby...

 

[Brett]

Incredible write up. You really know how to engage the reader and pull them into the story. Big congrats to you on your new beauty. One car at a time, we can change the world...

Don't sweat the curbing. It's really hard to keep a car flawless forever. Just shrug it off and appreciate that life isn't always perfect. No worries!

 

[ipryor]

Awesome write up! I have been emailing with Bryan too but I could tell he was swamped with dleiveries so I've tried to back off a bit. I am sure when T-Day comes for me I will do all the same stuff. Congratulations! I hope you have a great experience with it and maybe I'll see you on the roads around Philly soon!

 

[SamGarber]

Thanks guys. Had my first ICE-ing today at the Franklin Institute in Philly today... But then got in a spot an hour later. They don't mark their spots as EV but rather Handicap so there is the fear of ticketing. Good thing I don't have a plate or really any info visible other than the VIN on the CA registration paper.

 

[Mayhemm]

Thanks for the post, Sam. Very interesting read!

I notice you mentioned "Galleries" a lot, rather than "Stores". Is Tesla banned from selling in PA like in TX?

 

[SamGarber]

Haha only on Sundays. They become like TX then. Only viewing, no prices or sales.

Thanks for the post, Sam. Very interesting read!

I notice you mentioned "Galleries" a lot, rather than "Stores". Is Tesla banned from selling in PA like in TX?

 

[texex91]

Haha only on Sundays. They become like TX then. Only viewing, no prices or sales.

Good news is--no stopping the Tesla sales. Was in Austin store today--said they have been very busy. Said base S is basically sold out until Jan--no surprise. P and P+ can still get theirs this year.