Mostly battery size.

The "300 mile" version of the Model S has an 85 kWh battery. EPA rating is 265 miles. 300 miles is based on driving 55mph on a flat road, while the EPA uses a 5-cycle test that appears to be fairly realistic -- a lot of people report getting fairly close to the EPA test (unless they are driving >70 and/or uphill and/or in below freezing weather).

The version I'm getting has a 60 kWh battery. EPA rating is 208 miles.

The Leaf has a 24 kWh battery. EPA rating is 75 miles (for the 2013; previously 73 miles)

Comparison here (may need to click on "Mid-Size and Large Cars" to see the Leaf vs Model S comparison:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evsbs.shtml

I got an email from the Tesla Delivery Specialist today. He confirmed delivery will be first week of June -- so will be able to take advantage of the lower sales tax rate.

Over on the Tesla forum, there are 2 other AZ deliveries with the same delivery window as me -- and both of them are also asking for delivery after June 1, so I'm guessing Tesla is accommodating and just scheduling delivery towards the end of the window instead of at the front of the window...

Good lord. That car has held it's value decently well, too.

That's one of the reasons I can afford the Tesla. Its 5.25 years old and the trade offer is ~38% of its original sticker price! Cars depreciate, but this one has done well.


In other news, I spoke with the Delivery Specialist this afternoon. Couple things:

• The car is now scheduled to finish production on May 29 -- a few days later than the initial email stated (May 24). That puts delivery into the first week of June (min 3 days after production is finished).
• Tesla requires payment in full and paperwork signed before they ship the car. I won't sign until June 1 to ensure the new tax rate applies, so it looks like delivery will be sometime between June 5-8.
• I inquired about the buyback guarantee. It requires financing through the Tesla program directly. Since Tesla doesn't have a dealership license in AZ (due to the car dealership franchise law), they don't offer the direct finance program in AZ. I can take advantage of it though -- but it would mean a day trip to Oregon to sign the paperwork.
• He advised against using the AutoNation trade and looking at private or CarMax instead. I will still look at CarMax -- if their offer is at least $2.5k higher than AutoNation, I'll go with them (that covers the additional sales tax, plus a rental car for a week or so while I'm without a car). I really don't want to deal with a private party sale -- and I'm satisfied with the value from AutoNation already...

Drive a virtual version in Gran Turismo 6

Since delivery is now 10-17 days out, I have to get just a few things done this week:

1) Electrician is coming today to install the 50amp circuit and a NEMA 14-50 outlet in the garage.

2) I have to have the Porsche inspected by AutoNation for the trade. I'll stop by CarMax an hour or so before though -- if their offer is significantly higher, I'll sell it to them this weekend.

3) Need to finalize financing. Since the Tesla guarantee will be a pain to get, I'm going to finance through a credit union that is currently offering 1.49%. Should have this done today or tomorrow.

Edit: Outlet installed!

So... I stopped by CarMax this afternoon. Their offer for the Boxster is $30k -- 11% higher than the AutoNation trade. Works out to ~$1100 more after the tax benefit of the trade. I'll go back to AutoNation to see if they'll match. Probably not -- but its worth a shot since I could then get the tax benefit of a trade (worth $2.1k on $30k).

Oh... as posted in JST's thread -- my Tesla is alive. Its responding to the iPhone app when I log in -- although it just tells me that remote access is disabled.

I saw my first one (live) on Monday. Nice!

Tesla sent me the purchase agreement yesterday -- so I need to digitally sign it and get it back to them. They also activated the "pay" button on My Tesla.

AutoNation called me back yesterday morning. They raised their offer for the Boxster to $28k, but declined to go any further towards matching the CarMax offer. That makes both offers essentially identical -- AutoNation + sales tax benefit is = to CarMax (within about $10).

So the Porsche will go to CarMax tomorrow. I need to part it out early tomorrow morning -- pull out the Parrot Bluetooth kit and MOST-bus adapter, put the amber side marker lights back on, and put the stock brown floor mats back in (I had bought a set of black since the brown ones are too susceptible to staining).

If anyone is interested in any of those parts, just let me know. Otherwise I'll pop them on eBay this weekend. I also have some Porsche cleaning items -- things like the water repellant spray for the canvas top, a bottle of car shampoo and I think a leather cleaner...

(sigh)

someone is going to get a nicely maintained boxster at carmax!