Some of us like to drive further than to the store
Some of us like to drive further than to the store
Hurl wrote:
I think a $140K car is for wealthy people, but maybe that's just me.
That said, a used Tesla at $40K or even under is a tremendous deal. Never buy gas, never change oil, go 0-60 in 5 seconds. Duh.
Never underestimate the wisdom of the wealthy, though, I agree. Just look at million dollar houses (that's a wealthy bracket, right?) on Zillow or somewhere. Just because you have money doesn't mean you have good taste!
I love Tesla but the whole "no gas" thing is a terrible justification. Yes, electricity is a lot cheaper... but why does no one factor in battery depreciation? They only last a few years and then a new one costs almost as much as you would have spent on gas.
+ the batteries are handicapped in cold weather.
I could easily afford a Tesla, but am biding my time as my very reliable Ford Focus gets 35-40 MPG. I don't need fast, don't need to be first, and really don't want to advertise my financial situation. Besides, Tesla's strike me as over-priced transportation and it would drive me crazy to always be searching for the special stations on longer road trips. I'm glad that not everyone is like me, though, because I'm happy somebody is rewarding the innovation. The future looks bright.
Funny thing is, my neighbor couldn't really afford one, but couldn't resist. I think he just delayed his eventual retirement by a full year.
Tesla just screams "I'm a douche bag", kinda like the Hummers a few years back, only for the other side of the aisle.
oh, and barefoot/toe shoe runners.
d-bag is what d-bag posts wrote:
Not even Irish wrote:You shouldn't judge people based on the cars they buy.
It's not a judgment. It's a prediction.
It is neither a judgment nor a prediction. It is plain fact. The only person to ever step out of a Hyundai Veloster of their own free will was simply a huge D bag. Trans Ams and Grand Ams are magnets for them too. I used to think that perhaps I was being classist with regard to the Pontiacs, but then I realized there were other cars in the same price range that didn't attract such douche bags, so it's not a class thing. Also, it's not a Pontiac thing either as anyone who drove or drives a Vibe is a good person...probably because they know it was really a rebadged Toyota Matrix.
Flagpole wrote:
d-bag is what d-bag posts wrote:It's not a judgment. It's a prediction.
It is neither a judgment nor a prediction. It is plain fact. The only person to ever step out of a Hyundai Veloster of their own free will was simply a huge D bag. Trans Ams and Grand Ams are magnets for them too. I used to think that perhaps I was being classist with regard to the Pontiacs, but then I realized there were other cars in the same price range that didn't attract such douche bags, so it's not a class thing. Also, it's not a Pontiac thing either as anyone who drove or drives a Vibe is a good person...probably because they know it was really a rebadged Toyota Matrix.
Henceforth, Flagpole, I will refer to you as "Butthead." Or "Buttplug."
So we are talking about the middle class now? There is one easy answer to that (among many). You can actually buy a good used Nissan Leafs for as low as $10,000. A middle class family with kids could just buy that and pay for a year of college with the money they saved on NOT buying a used Model S.
Dndjdjbbd wrote:
Tesla has been selling used Model S in the $30k's the last two weeks, with extended warranties and free unlimited Supercharging.
Why wouldn't a middle class person buy this?
A previous poster was incorrect about charging infrastructure. Essentially, the only remaining gap in coverage is in North Dakota, for the 48 states.
Also, S and X are aluminum. That, combined with the electric powertrain, mean that these cars could go damn near forever.
The Tesla could be nice second car or around town car to say, "Hey look... I'm rich," but I don't see it as a car I'd want for my only car.
I just made a 500 mile round trip journey. I was able to stop whenever I wanted to eat, get gas, or bathroom break. With the Tesla, I would have been forced to find a charging station en route and wait. When I arrived, I would be forced to stay in a specific hotel to access a charger.
Saving the cost of gasoline is way overrated as a benefit. I drive 12,000 miles a year and spend maybe $1,200-$1,300 on gas and oil annually, or about $5,000 every 4 years. A $100,000 car depreciates about $15,000 a year. If you can afford the depreciation, you can certainly afford the gas.
I bought a Tesla for my trophy wife, and for my ex: a 1975 Dodge Dart.
Yeah, sure, a few years from now I'll be seeing the taillights of the Tesla for the last time, but the headlights of the Dodge will show up the first of the month for the check, forever. Sigh.
Pontiac has been shut down for years.
Anyone driving a Pontiac is simply driving an older car.
I'd love to have a classic Smokey and The Bandit Trans Am, though.
But Trans Ams were the same as Camaros so you should put a Camaro driver in the same category.
And a Grand am was a pretty basic every day driver sedan. Nothing douchy about it.
And finally, anyone judging others for the kind of car they drive is no different than anyone buying a car to fit into a certain class.
I don't buy a car to appeal to to others. But I do buy a car that appeals to me. And not just for transportation.
All that said, I do have an issue with Prius drivers. Get out of the left lane.
I own one and I love it. I could not care less if my neighbors or MB posters think I'm a douche. I had my previous car for 10 years and my Model X is like going from B&W TV to color. I understand some people like to hear engine noise. Super for you. Some people like luxury interiors. Lovely. I happen to value fully-electric (solar charged), American made (California-made!), update-able (not a word), cargo-friendly (seats 7), self-driving (mock it after you try it), and it's the safest SUV on the road with 5 stars in every category and sub-category. The car is perfect for how I and my family use a vehicle. Some people consider Tesla owners religious fan boys. I just happen to have a long list of things I like about the car*. Is there technology risk with Tesla flunking? I suppose, but it won't happen overnight and I'm not ruined if I take a loss on the vehicle. Is there debate about how "green" it is? Sure, but I don't have a license plate that claims I'm eco-friendly. I just need to drive A to B and I like doing it in a Tesla. I use too much water, too.
-T. rati.
* Falcon wing doors is not one of them. Mine work perfectly, but it's not a reason I bought one.
fisky wrote:
The Tesla could be nice second car or around town car to say, "Hey look... I'm rich," but I don't see it as a car I'd want for my only car.
I just made a 500 mile round trip journey. I was able to stop whenever I wanted to eat, get gas, or bathroom break. With the Tesla, I would have been forced to find a charging station en route and wait. When I arrived, I would be forced to stay in a specific hotel to access a charger.
Saving the cost of gasoline is way overrated as a benefit. I drive 12,000 miles a year and spend maybe $1,200-$1,300 on gas and oil annually, or about $5,000 every 4 years. A $100,000 car depreciates about $15,000 a year. If you can afford the depreciation, you can certainly afford the gas.
A fully charged Tesla will get you to your destination without stopping if the round trip is 500m....so that's incorrect.
Unlike other cars you can charge much faster at a supercharger. The car will help you choose a route, you don't have to find it. Also many people stop for food. Supercharging works well in that time frame unlike every other electric car which doesn't have infrastructure built out for rapid charging.
You forgot to mention that it is also a pretty good looking car.
There is something to be said about having nice looking things.
If you wash your car to make it look good, does that make you pretentious? No
Star wrote:
Pontiac has been shut down for years.
Anyone driving a Pontiac is simply driving an older car.
I'd love to have a classic Smokey and The Bandit Trans Am, though.
But Trans Ams were the same as Camaros so you should put a Camaro driver in the same category.
And a Grand am was a pretty basic every day driver sedan. Nothing douchy about it.
And finally, anyone judging others for the kind of car they drive is no different than anyone buying a car to fit into a certain class.
I don't buy a car to appeal to to others. But I do buy a car that appeals to me. And not just for transportation.
All that said, I do have an issue with Prius drivers. Get out of the left lane.
What makes a car a douche bag car are the drivers who drive them. Grand Am appears at first glance NOT to be such a car, but then when you see the people who step out of one, the truth is revealed -- douche bag car.
I am fine with putting the Camaro in the same category.
I bought a new car on Sunday.
I am in Europe, but a Tesla wasn't even on my radar. I wanted something that could handle large journeys, and be luxurious. Initially I expected to go for a Mercedes S Class but in the end, I (surprisingly at least to me) ended up with a BMW 5 series.
Electric cars might be the future, but they are another 5-10 years off being mainstream and having the battery life needed to convince me.
Separately, I do have friends with Ferrari's / Maserati's etc. They have a cool factor that Tesla does not have. I would even go further and say that Tesla attracts a particular type of demographic, that some people wish to avoid. However the image might just be outside of the US, and inside perhaps you consider it cool?
Mrr82 wrote:
fisky wrote:The Tesla could be nice second car or around town car to say, "Hey look... I'm rich," but I don't see it as a car I'd want for my only car.
I just made a 500 mile round trip journey. I was able to stop whenever I wanted to eat, get gas, or bathroom break. With the Tesla, I would have been forced to find a charging station en route and wait. When I arrived, I would be forced to stay in a specific hotel to access a charger.
Saving the cost of gasoline is way overrated as a benefit. I drive 12,000 miles a year and spend maybe $1,200-$1,300 on gas and oil annually, or about $5,000 every 4 years. A $100,000 car depreciates about $15,000 a year. If you can afford the depreciation, you can certainly afford the gas.
A fully charged Tesla will get you to your destination without stopping if the round trip is 500m....so that's incorrect.
Unlike other cars you can charge much faster at a supercharger. The car will help you choose a route, you don't have to find it. Also many people stop for food. Supercharging works well in that time frame unlike every other electric car which doesn't have infrastructure built out for rapid charging.
500m (meters) yes 500 miles no, not even close. Real world driving on a charge gets about 200 miles. Watch the reviews online.
You can get close to 300 miles if you don't use the AC and drive at 58 miles per hour on the high way.
Not even Irish wrote:
Mrr82 wrote:A fully charged Tesla will get you to your destination without stopping if the round trip is 500m....so that's incorrect.
Unlike other cars you can charge much faster at a supercharger. The car will help you choose a route, you don't have to find it. Also many people stop for food. Supercharging works well in that time frame unlike every other electric car which doesn't have infrastructure built out for rapid charging.
500m (meters) yes 500 miles no, not even close. Real world driving on a charge gets about 200 miles. Watch the reviews online.
You can get close to 300 miles if you don't use the AC and drive at 58 miles per hour on the high way.
Exactly. Some people here are really underestimating the battery/charging issue with Tesla's.
They are great for shortish journeys, say to work then put it on charge and drive back at the end of the day. But for a road trip, or long journey's to areas with limited infrastructure for charging. No chance.
Tesla's as stated, get around 200-250 miles of range with normal driving. The 'supercharger' takes SEVENTY FIVE MINUTES to fully charge. That's if you can find one. The ordinary chargers are up to SIXTEEN TIMES slower.
I can fill my tank in seconds.
OP must work for Tesla.