Tesla Model S waffling

[ZBB]

Originally Posted by clyde

Put a deposit down now on what you think is your best guess spec. Then, make sure that's the spec you want, change if its not. Cancel anytime if you decide you don't a Tesla. Nothing to lose in the meantime, but the sooner your deposit is down, the sooner you get the car if you decide you want it (more or less).

That's kind of how I'm leaning.

But one thing to note -- the deposit is just a reservation for a production spot. You spec it about a month before production...

[robg]

Very cool... when you say the Model S will be cheaper than your previous cars to run, what cars does that include?

[ZBB]

My current '08 Boxster and previous '08 CTS. I ran the numbers against the Boxster, but the CTS payment was nearly identical, and it got similar mileage. The CTS maintenance cost was bit lower though...

I included loan payments, fuel cost, maintenance, and annual registration. I didn't include insurance -- but I don't think it will change significantly (the Boxster is slightly less than the CTS to insure)

[ZBB]

I saw a Model S stopped at a light right by my office this morning - probably the same one I've seen 3 times now within a few blocks of the office.

It is white with tan interior and the panoramic roof. That's the same color combo I would order...

[Jeff_DML]

seem like they are everywhere nowadays. This one is probably too blingy for this board but I thought it looked good. Think it was P.85 as the version.

[clyde]

Originally Posted by ZBB

I saw a Model S stopped at a light right by my office this morning - probably the same one I've seen 3 times now within a few blocks of the office.

It is white with tan interior and the panoramic roof. That's the same color combo I would order...

I saw a dark gray (black?) one this morning in downtown DC driven by a boring looking middle aged dude and a dark red one this evening a few blocks from my house driven by a semi-hot soccer mom looking woman.

[JST]

It would be interesting to know how insurance/repair costs stack up for a Tesla v a regular IC car.

[ZBB]

Originally Posted by JST

It would be interesting to know how insurance/repair costs stack up for a Tesla v a regular IC car.

There's a thread on TMC about insurance cost. Premiums seem to be all over the map -- speculation is that some companies underwrite by going high first, then bringing it down as they get a claim history, while others start low and increase premiums as they get actual cost experience. Another speculation is that Tesla is coming up a "exotic" -- probably because of the Roadster.

I did ask my insurer for a quote, but they don't have Tesla in their database. Kind of ironic since their name is "Electric Insurance". They did a quick quote based on the MSRP, and that indicated that insurance would be ~$300 higher annually (but our rates just dropped by that much for our current policy, so its really a wash from what I'm used to paying...).

My own speculation will be that it will be higher to insure since there is a very high Aluminum content -- including most of the structure (with high-strength steel in safety areas)...

Perhaps Fil can weigh in?

[JST]

Originally Posted by ZBB

There's a thread on TMC about insurance cost. Premiums seem to be all over the map -- speculation is that some companies underwrite by going high first, then bringing it down as they get a claim history, while others start low and increase premiums as they get actual cost experience. Another speculation is that Tesla is coming up a "exotic" -- probably because of the Roadster.

I did ask my insurer for a quote, but they don't have Tesla in their database. Kind of ironic since their name is "Electric Insurance". They did a quick quote based on the MSRP, and that indicated that insurance would be ~$300 higher annually (but our rates just dropped by that much for our current policy, so its really a wash from what I'm used to paying...).

My own speculation will be that it will be higher to insure since there is a very high Aluminum content -- including most of the structure (with high-strength steel in safety areas)...

Perhaps Fil can weigh in?

Apropos of which:

http://jalopnik.com/watch-a-tesla-mo...of-l-450994644

[ZBB]

Originally Posted by JST

Apropos of which:

http://jalopnik.com/watch-a-tesla-mo...of-l-450994644

I watched that this weekend...