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Getting to test drive all three current models, I can say that the actual test drive was what convinced me to start looking at purchasing a Tesla and making com

Getting to test drive all three current models, I can say that the actual test drive was what convinced me to start looking at purchasing a Tesla and making compromises/adjustments in my life (charging stations, range, etc). No amount of marketing can give you the thrill that you get when you slam the accelerator.

technothrasher 8y ago
Interesting. Test driving one is what killed all the hype for me. It was definitely fast but it just drives wierd and I found the interior feels cheap compared to similarly priced cars. Still, definitely more interesting than any of the other mainstream electric cars out there currently.
- sf_rob 8y ago
  Yep, going to a showroom convinced me that a Volt was a good decision. I think they're both great cars, but I actually prefer Android Auto and the fit and finish of the Volt. That said I'd probably buy a Model 3 today since the part supply chain of the Volt will probably be drying up in the next decade (it's been discontinued).
  - MBCook 8y ago
    At this point I think it may be a serious question of how long the Tesla part supply stays around. Between uncertainty of the company’s future and just not knowing how well they support cars long term it could be an issue.
- joejerryronnie 8y ago
  Yeah, driving a Tesla feels like driving a go-cart to me. I like to feel the rumble of the engine. Maybe it’s just because that’s what I grew up with.
  - cycrutchfield 8y ago
    Yeah, driving a Model T feels like riding a train to me. I like to feel the hoofbeats of the horses. Maybe it's just because that's what I grew up with.
    - joejerryronnie 8y ago
      Haha, I’d probably enjoy galloping on a horse better than driving a Model T, as well. Also, congratulations on your 130th birthday ;-)
  - gameswithgo 8y ago
    I grew up with mustangs then corvettes, competitive amateur auto racing. A Tesla P90D made of all those gasoline cars I used to have feel stupid. I can only imagine what insanity awaits us when electric drivetrains with that power are in actual sports cars rather than large sedans.. unnfffff
    - apearson 8y ago
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Roadster_(2020) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Roadster_(2020)
    - rad_gruchalski 8y ago
      For the first 20, maybe 30 minutes of driving.
  - Zanni 8y ago
    I expected to feel that way when I got my Tesla, but it's turned out to be the opposite. I switch back and forth between a Model S and an Audi TTS, and whenever I get in the Audi, the engine rumble feels primitive, like a spinning hard disk instead of an SSD.
- r00fus 8y ago
  I would agree with both. When I test drove one a) I realized the acceleration was otheworldly compared to my Prius b) Autopilot was good but not amazing c) I still wanted one badly (and still do - until recently I couldn't justify the cost esp. insuring it, will get one after my current lease ends).
- lozaning 8y ago
  I went to the model 3 AWD performance test drive day at their HQ, and walked away knowing I wouldn't buy one. The entire driving experience to me just felt so floaty, with essentially zero road feel. Im sure my mom would love it, but it's the antithesis of what i'm looking for. You can pry my all mechanically/hydraulically linked pseudo racecar from my cold dead hands.
morsch 8y ago
Seems like the right moment in time to legislate a maximum acceleration for street legal cars.
- makerofspoons 8y ago
  Why does the acceleration matter if we already regulate velocity?
  - londons_explore 8y ago
    Acceleration clearly impacts interactions between drivers. If I see a car stationary at a junction, I can assume that 0.5 seconds from now, it will either still be stationary, be a little further forward or a little further back. The range of possible positions is significantly reduced with an acceleration limit.
    - NullPrefix 8y ago
      By the same logic minimum stopping distance should also be regulated.
      - londons_explore 8y ago
        Arguably this is a good idea. If all cars had a precise 'maximum braking', then if everyone slammed the brakes on at the same time, nobody would crash. If some cars stop better than others, then if everyone slams the brakes on, the poor souls in cars that don't stop as well will collide. Keeping a safe distance between cars mitigates this though.
- londons_explore 8y ago
  Interesting concept. I suspect you'd have a lot of the car industry against your campaign though...
- extrapickles 8y ago
  It’s already regulated as reckless driving. If you burn rubber starting from a stoplight a cop will probably write you a ticket for it.
ams6110 8y ago
> No amount of marketing can give you the thrill that you get when you slam the accelerator. Have you driven another high-performance car such as a Porsche Turbo or GTS? They have similar acceleration times as the best Tesla.
- outworlder 8y ago
  Key word being 'similar'. The engine can be even more powerful, but there's still 'lag'. Also, we are comparing a sedan, with plenty of space for passengers and cargo, with a dedicated sports car.
  - georgerobinson 8y ago
    It depends on the motor and what is determined as "lag". The 4.0 motor in the 991 GT3 and GT3 RS does not have lag, the throttle response is immediate.
    - jonlucc 8y ago
      The 991 GT3 is $140k?
      - georgerobinson 8y ago
        Yes. It is cheaper than the Model S P100D in the U.K. 991 GT3: £111,802 (https://www.evo.co.uk/porsche/911-gt3/19269/new-2017-porsche-911-gt3-review-is-it-still-the-best-of-the-breed https://www.evo.co.uk/porsche/911-gt3/19269/new-2017-porsche...) P100D: £129,400 (https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tesla/model-s/98337/tesla-model-s-p100d-2017-review https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tesla/model-s/98337/tesla-mode...)
    - fivefive55 8y ago
      It's not so much 'lag' that people notice as much as the torque roll on. Even a supercar doesn't deliver 100% torque the second you hit the throttle, the RPM has to build to increase the torque, hence the reason torque and HP are on a curve. Electric on the other hand has ALL the torque available ALL the time. Generally they actually have to limit it for takeoff otherwise every Tesla would just roast the tires if you slammed the throttle.
outworlder 8y ago
> No amount of marketing can give you the thrill that you get when you slam the accelerator. And this is something that is unique to EVs. Sure, a Porsche will have a very high max speed. But even it can't beat an eletric motor in acceleration. Instant torque at any speed, not having to "rev up" and no gears are a massive benefit of having such simple drive trains. I think other companies should take notice, and start offering higher performance EVs. Specially since the battery is the main cost driver, and electric engines are tiny. Add more power a 'premium' option. It's not just about the environment, there are some measurable benefits of EVs for car enthusiasts.
- georgerobinson 8y ago
  One of the largest challenges with high performance EVs is cooling and weight. Both of these affect performance. A Lotus Exige 380 Cup, with the 2GR-FE 3.5 supercharged V6 from the Toyota Camry weights just 1105KG, of which 163KG is the engine, excluding the supercharger. The 85KWh cells in the Model S weighs 540KG in comparison and is almost 50% of the Exige's total weight. I'm not sure how far off we are from solving this but I'm quite looking forward to improved cooling and lightweight cells that will make electric viable for ultra high performance sports cars.
  - gameswithgo 8y ago
    on the bright side, that weight penalty can be located very very low. That doesn't help with acceleration but improves braking and cornering performance.
    - georgerobinson 8y ago
      This is a common misconception. Mass is still mass, no matter how optimally it is placed in the chassis. A Lotus Exige already has near perfect weight distribution and low center of gravity. Since it is mid-engined it also has 160KG of engine over the rear axle which improves traction. Adding an extra 500KG and putting it lower in the vehicle will not improve braking performance, handling or agility.
  - 8y ago
jasoncartwright 8y ago
Absolutely. I've driven my Tesla Model S 28,000mi in 14 countries and I'd never go back to a petrol car. 250-350mi range. 'Tank' full every morning. Supercharger, destination chargers and plugs in garages everywhere. Free parking in my London borough, no road tax, no congestion charge. Does 60mph in 2.8sec, absolutely toasting everything at the lights with no nonsense noise byproduct or fuss.
- jasoncartwright 8y ago
  The Hacker News crowd might be interested in how I charge whilst not having off-street parking, in central London. They converted all the street lights to LEDs, meaning there is excess electricity delivered. So they put plugs on the posts. Works brilliantly. https://imgur.com/a/I5AtwJk https://imgur.com/a/I5AtwJk https://www.ubitricity.com/ https://www.ubitricity.com/
  - frosted-flakes 8y ago
    That is interesting. How is your usage metered so they know how much to charge you?
    - jasoncartwright 8y ago
      The box on the proprietary cable reports back via a mobile phone network, and I get a bill each month.
      - nikon 8y ago
        how much do you think it costs to "fill" your Tesla via this provider?
        jasoncartwright 8y ago
        I pay 0.12GBP per kWh on that cable. Car has a 90kWh battery, so £10.80 fills from 0 to 100. I get 250-350mi from that.
jpatokal 8y ago
This is well known in car sales in general: "The feel of the wheel seals the deal".

technothrasher 8y ago

Interesting. Test driving one is what killed all the hype for me. It was definitely fast but it just drives wierd and I found the interior feels cheap compared to similarly priced cars. Still, definitely more interesting than any of the other mainstream electric cars out there currently.

sf_rob 8y ago
Yep, going to a showroom convinced me that a Volt was a good decision. I think they're both great cars, but I actually prefer Android Auto and the fit and finish of the Volt. That said I'd probably buy a Model 3 today since the part supply chain of the Volt will probably be drying up in the next decade (it's been discontinued).
- MBCook 8y ago
  At this point I think it may be a serious question of how long the Tesla part supply stays around. Between uncertainty of the company’s future and just not knowing how well they support cars long term it could be an issue.
joejerryronnie 8y ago
Yeah, driving a Tesla feels like driving a go-cart to me. I like to feel the rumble of the engine. Maybe it’s just because that’s what I grew up with.
- cycrutchfield 8y ago
  Yeah, driving a Model T feels like riding a train to me. I like to feel the hoofbeats of the horses. Maybe it's just because that's what I grew up with.
  - joejerryronnie 8y ago
    Haha, I’d probably enjoy galloping on a horse better than driving a Model T, as well. Also, congratulations on your 130th birthday ;-)
- gameswithgo 8y ago
  I grew up with mustangs then corvettes, competitive amateur auto racing. A Tesla P90D made of all those gasoline cars I used to have feel stupid. I can only imagine what insanity awaits us when electric drivetrains with that power are in actual sports cars rather than large sedans.. unnfffff
  - apearson 8y ago
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Roadster_(2020) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Roadster_(2020)
  - rad_gruchalski 8y ago
    For the first 20, maybe 30 minutes of driving.
- Zanni 8y ago
  I expected to feel that way when I got my Tesla, but it's turned out to be the opposite. I switch back and forth between a Model S and an Audi TTS, and whenever I get in the Audi, the engine rumble feels primitive, like a spinning hard disk instead of an SSD.
r00fus 8y ago
I would agree with both. When I test drove one a) I realized the acceleration was otheworldly compared to my Prius b) Autopilot was good but not amazing c) I still wanted one badly (and still do - until recently I couldn't justify the cost esp. insuring it, will get one after my current lease ends).
lozaning 8y ago
I went to the model 3 AWD performance test drive day at their HQ, and walked away knowing I wouldn't buy one. The entire driving experience to me just felt so floaty, with essentially zero road feel. Im sure my mom would love it, but it's the antithesis of what i'm looking for. You can pry my all mechanically/hydraulically linked pseudo racecar from my cold dead hands.

morsch 8y ago

Seems like the right moment in time to legislate a maximum acceleration for street legal cars.

makerofspoons 8y ago
Why does the acceleration matter if we already regulate velocity?
- londons_explore 8y ago
  Acceleration clearly impacts interactions between drivers. If I see a car stationary at a junction, I can assume that 0.5 seconds from now, it will either still be stationary, be a little further forward or a little further back. The range of possible positions is significantly reduced with an acceleration limit.
  - NullPrefix 8y ago
    By the same logic minimum stopping distance should also be regulated.
    - londons_explore 8y ago
      Arguably this is a good idea. If all cars had a precise 'maximum braking', then if everyone slammed the brakes on at the same time, nobody would crash. If some cars stop better than others, then if everyone slams the brakes on, the poor souls in cars that don't stop as well will collide. Keeping a safe distance between cars mitigates this though.
londons_explore 8y ago
Interesting concept. I suspect you'd have a lot of the car industry against your campaign though...
extrapickles 8y ago
It’s already regulated as reckless driving. If you burn rubber starting from a stoplight a cop will probably write you a ticket for it.

ams6110 8y ago

> No amount of marketing can give you the thrill that you get when you slam the accelerator. Have you driven another high-performance car such as a Porsche Turbo or GTS? They have similar acceleration times as the best Tesla.

outworlder 8y ago
Key word being 'similar'. The engine can be even more powerful, but there's still 'lag'. Also, we are comparing a sedan, with plenty of space for passengers and cargo, with a dedicated sports car.
- georgerobinson 8y ago
  It depends on the motor and what is determined as "lag". The 4.0 motor in the 991 GT3 and GT3 RS does not have lag, the throttle response is immediate.
  - jonlucc 8y ago
    The 991 GT3 is $140k?
    - georgerobinson 8y ago
      Yes. It is cheaper than the Model S P100D in the U.K. 991 GT3: £111,802 (https://www.evo.co.uk/porsche/911-gt3/19269/new-2017-porsche-911-gt3-review-is-it-still-the-best-of-the-breed https://www.evo.co.uk/porsche/911-gt3/19269/new-2017-porsche...) P100D: £129,400 (https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tesla/model-s/98337/tesla-model-s-p100d-2017-review https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tesla/model-s/98337/tesla-mode...)
  - fivefive55 8y ago
    It's not so much 'lag' that people notice as much as the torque roll on. Even a supercar doesn't deliver 100% torque the second you hit the throttle, the RPM has to build to increase the torque, hence the reason torque and HP are on a curve. Electric on the other hand has ALL the torque available ALL the time. Generally they actually have to limit it for takeoff otherwise every Tesla would just roast the tires if you slammed the throttle.

outworlder 8y ago

> No amount of marketing can give you the thrill that you get when you slam the accelerator. And this is something that is unique to EVs. Sure, a Porsche will have a very high max speed. But even it can't beat an eletric motor in acceleration. Instant torque at any speed, not having to "rev up" and no gears are a massive benefit of having such simple drive trains. I think other companies should take notice, and start offering higher performance EVs. Specially since the battery is the main cost driver, and electric engines are tiny. Add more power a 'premium' option. It's not just about the environment, there are some measurable benefits of EVs for car enthusiasts.

georgerobinson 8y ago
One of the largest challenges with high performance EVs is cooling and weight. Both of these affect performance. A Lotus Exige 380 Cup, with the 2GR-FE 3.5 supercharged V6 from the Toyota Camry weights just 1105KG, of which 163KG is the engine, excluding the supercharger. The 85KWh cells in the Model S weighs 540KG in comparison and is almost 50% of the Exige's total weight. I'm not sure how far off we are from solving this but I'm quite looking forward to improved cooling and lightweight cells that will make electric viable for ultra high performance sports cars.
- gameswithgo 8y ago
  on the bright side, that weight penalty can be located very very low. That doesn't help with acceleration but improves braking and cornering performance.
  - georgerobinson 8y ago
    This is a common misconception. Mass is still mass, no matter how optimally it is placed in the chassis. A Lotus Exige already has near perfect weight distribution and low center of gravity. Since it is mid-engined it also has 160KG of engine over the rear axle which improves traction. Adding an extra 500KG and putting it lower in the vehicle will not improve braking performance, handling or agility.
- 8y ago

jasoncartwright 8y ago

Absolutely. I've driven my Tesla Model S 28,000mi in 14 countries and I'd never go back to a petrol car. 250-350mi range. 'Tank' full every morning. Supercharger, destination chargers and plugs in garages everywhere. Free parking in my London borough, no road tax, no congestion charge. Does 60mph in 2.8sec, absolutely toasting everything at the lights with no nonsense noise byproduct or fuss.

jasoncartwright 8y ago
The Hacker News crowd might be interested in how I charge whilst not having off-street parking, in central London. They converted all the street lights to LEDs, meaning there is excess electricity delivered. So they put plugs on the posts. Works brilliantly. https://imgur.com/a/I5AtwJk https://imgur.com/a/I5AtwJk https://www.ubitricity.com/ https://www.ubitricity.com/
- frosted-flakes 8y ago
  That is interesting. How is your usage metered so they know how much to charge you?
  - jasoncartwright 8y ago
    The box on the proprietary cable reports back via a mobile phone network, and I get a bill each month.
    - nikon 8y ago
      how much do you think it costs to "fill" your Tesla via this provider?
      - jasoncartwright 8y ago
        I pay 0.12GBP per kWh on that cable. Car has a 90kWh battery, so £10.80 fills from 0 to 100. I get 250-350mi from that.

jpatokal 8y ago

This is well known in car sales in general: "The feel of the wheel seals the deal".