Hi there, I am placing my order this week to take advantage of the referral discount that ends 10/15 that a friend of my provided me. I know a lot of people post a lot of things about getting the fastest best Model S available out there, but I never found a good post about someone looking for the reasonably priced Model S. The one that is not stripped down to stock that no one ever buys - or is ever completely happy with, but one that is configured for mainly commuting, some luxury and just a dash of spirited driving.
Now I have been driving the same car for 15 years, it's in really good condition and it drives very well (no mechanical issues), and I have done performance modifications. I definitely would not place it in the "race" category by any means but it was a nice tuner-lite, daily driver from when I finished school. But it's time for me to treat myself to a new vehicle, hence the Model S.
I live in the Los Angeles area and my commute is roughly 18miles each way, so really nothing to worry about here and I am sure any of the alternative plug-in hybrids or smaller EVs would do, but I want something that is nice, that I would enjoy driving and that would give me an alternative my wife's GL
I really don't plan on driving out to the mountains in the winter in the Model S, I have a Mercedes GL for all the long family trips. But I do want to cut down on the GL driving during the week if I can - gas is just another added expense, and I am a solar customer that owns his own solar system that is over producing, so my electrical bill is literally $0 (plus the $22 LADWP connection fee that is).
I have 3 kids 5 and under so carseat is still in my foreseeable future. But I'm not the one primarily shuttling them around.
So here are my considerations:
Now I have been driving the same car for 15 years, it's in really good condition and it drives very well (no mechanical issues), and I have done performance modifications. I definitely would not place it in the "race" category by any means but it was a nice tuner-lite, daily driver from when I finished school. But it's time for me to treat myself to a new vehicle, hence the Model S.
I live in the Los Angeles area and my commute is roughly 18miles each way, so really nothing to worry about here and I am sure any of the alternative plug-in hybrids or smaller EVs would do, but I want something that is nice, that I would enjoy driving and that would give me an alternative my wife's GL
I really don't plan on driving out to the mountains in the winter in the Model S, I have a Mercedes GL for all the long family trips. But I do want to cut down on the GL driving during the week if I can - gas is just another added expense, and I am a solar customer that owns his own solar system that is over producing, so my electrical bill is literally $0 (plus the $22 LADWP connection fee that is).
I have 3 kids 5 and under so carseat is still in my foreseeable future. But I'm not the one primarily shuttling them around.
So here are my considerations:
- Keeping costs low or reasonable - Decision: 60/75, as fast as the 90D or above is I'm not needing the range or the performance. I'll be purchasing not leasing the vehicle.
- Rear-wheel or Dual - Decision: Rear-wheel, I'm really on the fence on this one. I am not planning on doing winter driving, and even pre-D Model S's were quite capable of winter conditions. So what am I really gaining for $5k other than 8-10 miles of range and .3 sec off of a 0-60? If performance is NOT my primary concern, will I really be missing the Dual motor? And let's put it this way, if I don't get a Dual motor, I could go on a nice Island vacation without guilt, purchase a few nice firearms before they are banned in 1/1/17 or probably more responsibly add $5k to the kids college fund. Can I afford an extra $5k, yes, but will I be disappointed not getting a D?
- Premium Upgrade Package - Decision Add it - doesn't make sense not to have this package.
- Auto Pilot - Decision: Add it - I'm commuting, in LA. Sure probably doesn't work 100% of the time but I'm not going to be taking a nap, but my stress and frustration will hopefully be less if I can just set it and enjoy being an active passenger. Suppose there could be an argument here to add this feature down the road and take advantage of a feature now that I can't, like D or Premium Sound
- Smart Air Suspension - Decision: Skipping it. I know the ride is a bit smoother with it, and there's the capability of raising your car if you are driving on a steep driveway, but no where in my daily commute do I have these conditions, and the few times I may be approaching a condition where this might be useful, I'm used to navigating carefully with my current car which is lowered. I actually prefer a bit more of the sporty feel of coils, makes me feel more connected to the road. I also had an issue with the Mercedes air suspension once and it was only 2 months out of warranty and that cost me $4000 for the front pair only to replace. An expense I'll look to avoid.
- Sub-zero Weather - Decision: Skipping it. Again, I'm in Los Angeles. This would make sense to add if I were in a cold climate zone but I am more worried about cooling my butt than heating it.
- Ultra high fidelity sound - Decision: On the fence. Arguments can be had for or against this. I am an audiophile when it come to my home AV equipment but I don't typically listen to a lot of music in the car. I enjoy audiobooks for commutes most of the time, but I can see times where even in my current vehicle I wish I had some more oomph to the system. I'm a far cry from my teenage self where blaring music was really fun. I also read that even with the UHF option, the sound is not superior to aftermarket. I'm leaning towards skipping it, but I want to hear some feedback in this area too. I'm a DIYer so I'm not opposed to NVX BOOST bass kit or a Light Harmonics replacement of stock. It's about the same price in the end but from what I've read much better quality.
- Rear-facing Seats - Decision: Skipping it. As I am looking at a purchase vs a lease, it's an investment with diminishing returns for me as a family man. My kids will be in the back row most of the time but the few weeks I might have my parents visiting I could stick my two older boys in the back. But kids will only grow bigger and eventually won't be able to sit back there. And if I seat them back their I won't have space for luggage, strollers or other things, putting me back into my GL if I need to haul 7.
- Charge Upgrade - Decision: Skipping it. Majority of my driving will be local and on the off chance I take the Model S vs the GL on a road trip, I can afford to take the little bit extra time to let the vehicle charge and enjoy what's around a charging station.
- Personalization - I'm not really looking for much feedback in this area as I believe any owner customizing his/her own car will have their preferences, I will share what I decided to go with. Decision: Pano roof, Red paint, Light grey interior/2nd gen seats, stock 19" wheels. All I will add here is that I opted for 19" wheels because it's cheaper to replace the tires eventually, provides a better ride, you won't cringe and pray you didn't bend a wheel if you it a pot hole and performance wise is actually better if that's what you're looking for over 21".