Have not seen too many here on the East Coast.
I used to worry about range, but after almost a year of use, you just think ahead if you’re taking a long (ie, > 250 mile) trip. I occasionally do long trips, but have not had an issue when I do. I’m old enough that, pardon my bluntness, I have to pee more often than I need electrons, so I plan on coordinating the needs.
That’s the thing. I already have enough to plan. Prefer not to add another if it can be helped.
I have seen them, they are kind of cool, but given my budget couldn’t afford one. For me likely it would work out okay, since most of my driving is local, but so far I don’t see a lot of charging stations around where I live and the last road trip I took, from NJ to Boston, I didn’t see any charging stations at rest areas and such (could be I wasn’t looking). I was fascinated when I got to my hotel in Boston, which was a pretty modest kind of hotel, in their parking lot they had charging station slots, which was kind of cool.
The Tesla actually is probably having more impact outside the car world in some ways, the battery technology they have helped push the limits on is showing up elsewhere, for example in cordless tools where cordless drills and the like have gotten to the point that for most tasks you don’t need wired tools, the batteries are powerful and last long enough, and it is getting that way with other things as well.
Interesting question, given the nature of the car, what kind of maintenance schedule do they have, if any? Cars have belts and hoses, a ton of fluids, that need to be changed, filters and the like, other than things like brakes and shocks, what kind of routine maintainence does a Tesla require? Or is it pretty much bring it in when it breaks?
Electric vehicles, including Teslas, need less maintenance than other cars. However, Tesla maintenance is expensive, like maintenance on other expensive cars (an electric vehicle from a less expensive brand like Chevrolet should have much lower priced maintenance). The large high performance tires are also quite expensive when you have to replace them when they wear out.
http://insideevs.com/tesla-increases-price-of-maintenance-plans-for-model-s-x-adds-additional-services/
@MassDaD68 you need to visit the Newton to Metrowest area more frequently. Weston, Wellesley out to 495 belt.
I see multiple Teslas every day. There are a lot of people in the high tech industry living in this belt, and those are the people that I think are most drawn to the Teslas. They appreciate the engineering and the innovation, and the ambition it took to go from start up to full production.
Relatively common in my area; multiple friends and coworkers have them. A friend had one of the first, and let us take it for a spin. I’m NOT a car person, but OMG that car had the spouse and me laughing out loud in delight as we accelerated in seemingly nothing flat onto the freeway.
We were visiting D2 in Claremont over the weekend and saw one of the new Tesla X SUVs parked in the village, and another one on the freeway while driving back home. Now THAT’S an expensive vehicle, but hey, it has gull-wing doors!
Not sure why it’s a “warped” world if it’s commonplace to see them. Is it that they’re a luxury item? Most of the folks that I know who’ve bought one did so because it was at the time the only full-electric car, or the only one with substantial range. Yes, they had the means to buy what’s clearly an expensive car, but they did so because they are committed to going gas-free. We’re talking folks who have solar panels, and who found cars like the Leaf unusable for their commutes. My workplace just installed a substantial number of charging stations; this is clearly the future drift of things. Assuming that we are even driving (or owning!) our own cars in the years to come.
@musicprnt We bought a 4-year service plan for a tad under $2000. Routine maintenance is every 12,500 miles or once a year. We’ve had some little problems (mostly software based) that were all fixed at no charge. A cool thing Tesla offers is a valet service. They drive another Tesla to our house, pick up our car, then switches them back when it’s done. I think you do need to live within 10 miles of the service center to use their valet.
Not “warped”, but more of a sign of being in a wealthy area. Tesla Model S prices range from $68,000 to $167,500 depending on options. Of course, Teslas are not the only expensive cars that one can see in wealthy areas.
I saw my first one about 3 or 4 yrs ago in Newport Beach CA. I thought it was gorgeous but had no idea what it was. Of course my D, who was in the car with me, said “Mom!!! Don’t you know about Teslas??”
At that time there was a dealership in the Newport Beach mall which I thought was so weird.
I want one bad. Have never ridden in one. But it doesn’t seem practical for me because I am always shoving building materials in my truck and I would ruin it quickly
It also goes against my nature to spend that kind of money for a car. I’m not a car person. But I really want one solely on the looks:)
I think they look a little bit like an Aston Martin, but it’s easy to tell the difference by sound. Tesla is fairly rare around here (North Carolina) but I do occasionally see them. Saw one with vanity plate, “EFFOIL”. When we were in California they were everywhere, so it’s definitely a regional thing. I think the generous California state tax incentive in addition to the federal tax credit helped to boost sales in that state vs other states.
“I have not realized what a time saver a Tesla (or a Leaf or a Volt) could be: no driving around looking for a gas station when you are already late for a meeting and no stupid oil changes either!”
I see a number of them in my area and the nearest charging station is at an upscale grocer not far from my house. I agree with the above statement but there is one major item to consider. Once the battery gets low it will take at least a half hour to fully charge even at a high voltage charging station. It is not nearly so convenient as filling up your gas tank. I think it would be an excellent vehicle for someone to drive locally. Not so great for longer trips. Perhaps someday hotels etc will have the capacity to handle all the electric cars parked outside. Currently, while they provide a list of charging stations, I don’t consider it a good choice for your only car.
Yes, we rarely drive more than 30 miles a day (my long commute is all public transport), so a Tesla or even a shorter range car like a Leaf would be just fine.
We flew to Oakland and picked up our Tesla at the factory in Fremont. At the time, buying one was the only way to take a tour of the AMAZING factory/production line. (That requirement may have changed.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G41VHi5M8U
The drive back south meandered through Carmel/Pebble Beach/Monterey to Paso Robles for wine tasting then back home. We stopped at the Supercharger stations along the way, which are located by malls and restaurants so we timed the stops around a meal. No problem.
By sheer luck, our Tesla was in the first batch equipped for autopilot. We had a hard time getting away from curious Tesla-heads hanging out by the Superchargers who wanted to check it out.
Our Tesla “dealership” is at a local mall. Anyone can call and request a test drive. Do it, you’ll have fun!
For those of you who are Tesla owners, do you have other cars that are conventional, gas powered vehicles? Do you tend to do long drives and road trips? I get that you can plan stops along the way but it’s not unusual for us to do 6-7+ hour drives with nothing more than a quick gas/bathroom break. I could see having a Tesla as our local “run the errands” car but would be hesitant to make it my only vehicle given outdriving needs until the range is greater.
Lots of Teslas plugged into the charging stations in front of the Krogers (supermarket) here in the suburbs north of Atlanta.
I don’t think H will ever, ever give up his diesel mercedes. It’s the closest he’ll ever come to loving an inanimate object, and he regularly gets 40 mpg + in it.
He has been in a Tesla, and likes them (he’s 6’4" and they fit him), so I might end up with a Tesla someday because I am super nerdy about cars+tech.
Right now I love my car (Ford Flex Gen2 ecoboost with 375hp and a lot of fun to drive), but once the extended warranty is out on it (125k miles), those twin turbochargers are a liability so I’ll trade it in. I’m at 77k miles so I have time.
I’ve been eyeing the Volvo diesel+electric vehicles over in Europe. Those are pretty sweet.
@doschicos We do generally take our Lexus on road trips. For us, that’s mostly between Los Angeles and San Diego. The Lexus can do it easily on one tank. In theory, the Tesla could do it on a full charge, but getting gas is easier than finding and waiting at a charging station.
DH has a 60 mile round trip commute and always drives the Tesla.
Another question for Tesla owners: As they increase in popularity, long with other electric vehicles, have you ever encountered a situation where you’ve had to wait to use a charger?
We’re in the market for new vehicles so have been contemplating our options. One disadvantage we have is living in a state with VERY high electrical rates (we are not solar).
@doschicos, the newer Teslas have range of 335 miles, so longer trips are not ruled out. Superchargers are also getting faster, and can recharge a depleted battery quicker.
More importantly, I’ve found that my trips are different. I used to travel at 80-85 in NJ/NY/CT, tense, becoming upset if someone was holding me back. Now, with Autopilot, I drive slower (uh, I set the car to drive slower), and enjoy the ride. I still pay close attention, but I refer to it as having transitioned from staying in the lane to managing the cockpit. It is something that takes a while; your first few hours of Autopilot will go from freaking out at every curve to being in a calmly observant state.
To answer your first question, yes, we have other cars. DW has a Supercharged Range Rover that is very comfortable and very fast. She loves it and will probably get another one. I don’t understand, but that’s what makes horse races.
@doschicos, I hear that there is some crowding on the west coast. I have never had to wait on the east coast for a charger. New chargers, and Superchargers, open up all the time. Newer Teslas have disincentives to charging at Superchargers for local use, as they no longer are free for unlimited use. I think that was necessary, as even Tesla is not immune to the tragedy of the commons.