Who are the oldest Tesla owners? Possibly got my grandparents on the hook to buy MS.

[PwrOutage]

Hey guys, who are the oldest, hence, coolest members on here? Trying to suggest my grandpa, who is 81, to get a Model S. He hasn't got a new car since 2002, a Cadillac Deville.

He complains on how luxury cars don't get good MPG but I'm not sure if that has to do with range. Which is a sore subject but less so since all the superchargers are coming.

The first question he asked over email was "Where is the Tesla Dealer?" I just smiled and replied back to where the stores are and how they pay wadges instead of commissions.

He likes being on the cutting edge to some degree, likes tech a lot. But here's what I think will sell it:
1. Driving experience
2. Digital Spedo, he love digital spedos.
3. Ipad acting display
4. Huge cargo and interior
5. All the tech you don't see anywhere else e.g. key fob/no start button

Obviously, I'm excited. I just want to go with him on the test drive because I'm such a huge fan. Wish me luck on selling one. hehe

 

[dsm363]

Think about which angle will be most effective (environmental, national security and energy independence, American made...etc) and push that. Good luck.

 

[PwrOutage]

Yea American made is a big one, also he hates gas pumps too, he wears gloves. +1 He likes attention and talking to people about his purchases +1000xp

 

[dsm363]

He will love the Model S then. No one will likely come up and ask about the new Cadillac but many will ask about the Model S.

 

[twinklejet]

There was a thread about an old lady who crashed her car into a restaurant... Don't recall her age and no idea if she's still an owner...

 

[astrotoy]

First, I would ask your grandpa to take you on a ride in his Caddy. See how he drives. Any close calls in the first 10 or 15 minutes? Do both in town and freeway speeds. Then you will have a good idea whether he should be driving a Tesla or any car and where and when. I am 68 and probably one of the older members of the group. Some states require drivers at a certain age to have regular road tests to renew their licenses.

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

We know all the other advantages of the Model S over a Cadillac and the like. However, I'd definitely caution that the current seats in the Model S are not particularly ergonomic and comfortable for an 81-year-old.

 

[PwrOutage]

We know all the other advantages of the Model S over a Cadillac and the like. However, I'd definitely caution that the current seats in the Model S are not particularly ergonomic and comfortable for an 81-year-old.

Very true, that's one of the aspects I'm worried about. I've also heard the seats are not all the comfortable.

I've never seen him get into a close call, he's a pretty sharp guy, very smart, still decent reflexes. I actually think driving that unsafe 2 star rated Cadillac may be more of a hazard to other drivers and himself then a Model S. My guess is he will just drive it to the country club and restaurants, he wont be out much, don't worry .

It would be a company car so my guess is my uncle will end up driving it a lot when he is not, driving customers out to eat and such. I'll borrow it if they let me, there are many motives going on here.

 

[jeff_adams]

Make sure to tell them it has impressive safety. Likely the safest sedan on the road

 

[jerry33]

Very true, that's one of the aspects I'm worried about. I've also heard the seats are not all the comfortable.

The comfort is just fine, it's the lateral support that is lacking. If he's not taking it to the track, he'll never notice.

 

[AlMc]

OP...You have given him a good foundation knowledge. Once he drives the car he will be sold. Go with him and watch for the 'tesla grin'...

 

[caddieo]

Attention span/focus, reflexes, flexibility and enough experience with brisk driving (not pillow-car driving) - if one has this, the Tesla S should be no problem. I am 78, my wife is 76, we've driven either BMW's or Audis since the 70's ( I still have my 1973 2002 tii with mods), and both of us have track experience with the BMW and Audi club events. We're both short (5'9 and 5'3) and slim (150 and 108). No problems with the Tesla seats or entry-exit. For the past 13 years we've driven between FL and Chicago at least twice a year - often non-stop. Looking forward to doing same in the S once the SC network is where we want it. So there. :tongue:

 

[LagunaHJames]

From the Dad of one of my 6 year old grandaughter's friends: "Your Grandpa is really cool. He drives a Tesla" - enough said.

 

[RNG]

I'm 67 and the only problem I have with the car from an age standpoint is getting in and getting out. Raising the car helps. There are techniques to get in and out of cars as ones knees and backs create challenges. We had to remind my 89 year old uncle and 93 year old father all the time to put their butts in first and duck their heads. Reverse is true getting out, feet out first then use the door and interior handle to help get out. My 95 year old mom needs only a little help and absolutely loves going for rides in the car.

The car and the Product Specialist (sales person) will have no problem letting him convince himself. You might be more of an obstacle than just letting the pros do their job...You've already done your part, just set up the driving experience and he will have no problem selling himself.

RNG

 

[jomo25]

I seem to recall Pullyap Bill being 81 too. I could be wrong. And if I am, I'm sorry Bill!

 

[PwrOutage]

OP...You have given him a good foundation knowledge. Once he drives the car he will be sold. Go with him and watch for the 'Tesla grin'...

You guys are great, thank you for all the responses, it's great there are so many very cool 70-80 year olds on the forum who own Model S.

I've just have to get him in the car! I'll look for that Tesla grin, he's hard to impress. And I'll let the pros at Tesla tell him about the car and answer his questions. He was over today and he mentioned the big Lexus LS but he wants a V6. I didn't bring up the Tesla because were going out to dinner next week where I hope to ask him about going on a test drive.

Also......My grandma who drives an identical Cadillac needs a bigger car that's easier to get into... Model X -wink wink- but she will likely get a Lexus RX. I don't know how I got them so hooked on Lexus. They have never even owned one. Weird.

 

[yobigd20]

There was a thread about an old lady who crashed her car into a restaurant... Don't recall her age and no idea if she's still an owner...

she was 71 http://www.carscoops.com/2013/04/tesla-model-s-driver-creates-her-own.html

 

[PwrOutage]

UPDATE: We are going on a test drive tomorrow. I got him this far. I'll be looking for that Tesla grin.

His questions so far:
1. Reliability of the electric motor, bearings.
2. Having to drive it to Florida, charge times... waiting. He only drives there once a year. Range... (I said they can always drive their other car, he knows about superchargers a bit)
3. Will the company stay in business?
4. Installing an outlet in the garage, is it even possible and if it is how expensive?
5. Reliability of the car in general because the company is so new.
6. Price, I said most buy the 60kwh for around 70 grand.

I stayed general in response to these because I'd rather let the specialist do the talking.

My Questions:
Is there any business car incentives for zero emission cars?
Is Illinois still doing that 4grand rebate?

If he does buy the car it will be because it's a great car, not because it is green. What do you think his reaction will be? I'm really not sure myself, he is hard to impress. I learned how to play Caribbean steel drum music through slacker, that should make him smile, he likes boating with that music.

 

[Trixie]

We had a 86 year old, who owned a Roadster, join our club. He remembered the days of the electric cars from the 1920s. Unfortunately, he passed away, but not before Linda Nichols interviewed him. His name was Howard. Not sure his last name but I'm sure Plug In America has it on file.

 

[dsm363]

UPDATE: We are going on a test drive tomorrow. I got him this far. I'll be looking for that Tesla grin.

His questions so far:
1. Reliability of the electric motor, bearings.
2. Having to drive it to Florida, charge times... waiting. He only drives there once a year. Range... (I said they can always drive their other car, he knows about superchargers a bit)
3. Will the company stay in business?
4. Installing an outlet in the garage, is it even possible and if it is how expensive?
5. Reliability of the car in general because the company is so new.
6. Price, I said most buy the 60kwh for around 70 grand.

If he does buy the car it will be because it's a great car, not because it is green. What do you think his reaction will be? I'm really not sure myself, he is hard to impress. I learned how to play Caribbean steel drum music through slacker, that should make him smile, he likes boating with that music.

Nice work.
1) Should last multiple hundreds of thousands of miles so if he doesn't have a 100 mile daily commute should last well over a decade
2) I'd just go over Superchargers again and say drive the other car until the entire path is lined with Superchargers
3) Nothing to indicate that they won't at this point but it is always a risk
4) If the house has sufficient service and the breaker box is in the garage already installing a NEMA 14-50 should be cheap. Best to get an electrician to come out and give an estimate. Just tell them you have relatives that stop by with their RV now and then. Sometimes they up charge for EVs I've heard.
5) You can see all the threads talking about issues. Most are minor, some like the 12V issues were a bigger deal but they seem to have been addressed. This won't be know for many years though.
6) Most buy the 85kWh with some options for maybe $87,000 or so (just a guess) but they probably talk about it in their quarterly statement. I'm not sure they break it down by pack size though.

If he's not a performance car driver, have him drive the 85kWh car and floor it. When he says 'this is amazing!' tell him that there is a performance model that is over 1 second quicker. He'll most likely love the acceleration.