# Tesla - Taking the Plunge **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 3, 2016, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091 "2016-01-03T20:54:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/21 "2016-01-04T14:17:24Z")
> [@zwede](#): > > Speaking of heater/AC, the remote HVAC controls are a killer feature! I can turn on HVAC via the phone app, so I don’t have to get into a hot or cold car. Another nice feature is that the phone app has a map showing the car and the location of the phone. Makes finding the car in a big parking lot really easy! Yep, Tesla demonstrated the smart phone app for me. It is very cool. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/22 "2016-01-04T14:26:45Z")
Are the Model X’s in showrooms and available for test drives? Because with a big family that’s the one I’m most interested in. I’ve wanted an electric vehicle forever, and although it’s expensive, the Tesla looks like the best choice which may meet the family’s needs. It needs to sit full-size humans, my kids aren’t small, so the rear-facing jump seats option doesn’t work for me. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/23 "2016-01-04T14:36:47Z")
Has anyone tried the Model X yet? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/24 "2016-01-04T14:38:56Z")
> [@zwede](#): > > It’s also the first car I owned with seat heaters and I never knew what I was missing! MMMMMMMMmmmmm, Buttwarmers! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/25 "2016-01-04T14:46:26Z")
> [@zwede](#): > > Speaking of heater/AC, the remote HVAC controls are a killer feature! I can turn on HVAC via the phone app, so I don’t have to get into a hot or cold car. Another nice feature is that the phone app has a map showing the car and the location of the phone. Makes finding the car in a big parking lot really easy! Keep in mind that this sort of thing is common, at least on luxury autos today. ---
**Author:** ![zwede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ac91a4/32.png) [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/26 "2016-01-04T15:09:32Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Keep in mind that this sort of thing is common, at least on luxury autos today. Not last time I checked. Sure, they have “remote start” but you have to be close enough for the remote to work so what good is that, you’ll be in the car within the next 5 seconds. And having your car idling in your closed garage is a no-no anyway. Tesla has a phone app, so I can turn HVAC on no matter the distance. I turn it on when I get ready to leave the office, and 5 minutes later when I get to the car it is at temp. Same thing in the morning, I turn it on 5 minutes before I leave while it is in my garage. No ICE can do that that I’m aware of. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/27 "2016-01-04T15:54:01Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > Has anyone tried the Model X yet? I have seen one but have not test-driven it. I have no interest. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/28 "2016-01-04T15:57:38Z")
> [@zwede](#): > > Not last time I checked. Sure, they have “remote start” but you have to be close enough for the remote to work so what good is that, you’ll be in the car within the next 5 seconds. And having your car idling in your closed garage is a no-no anyway. Tesla has a phone app, so I can turn HVAC on no matter the distance. I turn it on when I get ready to leave the office, and 5 minutes later when I get to the car it is at temp. Same thing in the morning, I turn it on 5 minutes before I leave while it is in my garage. No ICE can do that that I’m aware of. I can’t speak for others, but BMW has a phone app that can do this ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/29 "2016-01-04T15:57:43Z")
> [@zwede](#): > > Not last time I checked. Sure, they have “remote start” but you have to be close enough for the remote to work so what good is that, you’ll be in the car within the next 5 seconds. And having your car idling in your closed garage is a no-no anyway. Tesla has a phone app, so I can turn HVAC on no matter the distance. I turn it on when I get ready to leave the office, and 5 minutes later when I get to the car it is at temp. Same thing in the morning, I turn it on 5 minutes before I leave while it is in my garage. No ICE can do that that I’m aware of. Yep, I am going to love being able to warm up my car in the parking lot on an icy day from the fourth floor of my office at work. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/30 "2016-01-04T16:03:31Z")
> [@zwede](#): > > Not last time I checked. Sure, they have “remote start” but you have to be close enough for the remote to work so what good is that, you’ll be in the car within the next 5 seconds. And having your car idling in your closed garage is a no-no anyway. Tesla has a phone app, so I can turn HVAC on no matter the distance. I turn it on when I get ready to leave the office, and 5 minutes later when I get to the car it is at temp. Same thing in the morning, I turn it on 5 minutes before I leave while it is in my garage. No ICE can do that that I’m aware of. No, regular cars have phone apps which link to the vehicle as well. Remote start, lock/unlock the doors, from anywhere in the world. It uses cellular networks for communication. You can adjust the climate control settings as well. Granted, the car need to be on to make heat, so its not a good idea for the garage. But it’s great for everywhere else. To keep a car warm in the garage, one can just buy a $15 room heater to keep the whole garage warm. That way, the car doesn’t require warming up. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/31 "2016-01-04T16:05:13Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > Plasti Dip allows me to have the exact color and finish I want for just $800. Whoa whoa whoa — you’re going to do [this](http://www.dipyourcar.com/?gclid=CPLIl4nFkMoCFQErHwodE1QNEw) to your $85,000 car? ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/32 "2016-01-04T16:16:04Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Whoa whoa whoa — you’re going to do [this](http://www.dipyourcar.com/?gclid=CPLIl4nFkMoCFQErHwodE1QNEw) to your $85,000 car? Nope - he’s going to do it to his [$120,000 car.](https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=p90d+price) ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/33 "2016-01-04T16:30:36Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Whoa whoa whoa — you’re going to do [this](http://www.dipyourcar.com/?gclid=CPLIl4nFkMoCFQErHwodE1QNEw) to your $85,000 car? > [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Nope - he’s going to do it to his [$120,000 car.](https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=p90d+price) Heh. 🙂 Not to worry. The process is completely safe and actually protects the original paint under the coating, which will peel off in sheets when (if) I want it removed. See images [here](http://s74.photobucket.com/user/adamkean/media/WP_20131123_005_zpse3da93b3.jpg.html) and [here](http://s74.photobucket.com/user/adamkean/media/WP_20131123_006_zps0cffef26.jpg.html) of Plasti Dip being removed from a vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![zwede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ac91a4/32.png) [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/34 "2016-01-04T16:33:22Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > No, regular cars have phone apps which link to the vehicle as well. Remote start, lock/unlock the doors, from anywhere in the world. It uses cellular networks for communication. . Ok, I wasn’t aware of that. The most expensive car I ever bought before the Tesla was $45K and didn’t have anything remotely high tech like that. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/35 "2016-01-04T16:57:26Z")
I’m now toying with the idea of driving a couple of hours down toward Chicago and taking a test drive. I’d feel a little guilty as there is simply no conceivable way I could afford to buy one. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/36 "2016-01-04T17:08:53Z")
> [@zwede](#): > > Ok, I wasn’t aware of that. The most expensive car I ever bought before the Tesla was $45K and didn’t have anything remotely high tech like that. I haven’t seen an app system as standard equipment in any of the cars I’ve been shopping for recently, but they’re available as aftermarket accessories for maybe 2-3 hundred bucks, not including installation. I’m looking into adding one to my car, (Mazda3, under 20 grand) also so I can warm it up in winter or cool it in summer before getting into it. ---
**Author:** ![zwede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ac91a4/32.png) [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/37 "2016-01-04T17:09:45Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I’m now toying with the idea of driving a couple of hours down toward Chicago and taking a test drive. I’d feel a little guilty as there is simply no conceivable way I could afford to buy one. Have you checked [http://ev-cpo.com/](http://ev-cpo.com/) ? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/38 "2016-01-04T17:15:14Z")
> [@zwede](#): > > Have you checked [http://ev-cpo.com/](http://ev-cpo.com/) ? No, but if a used Tesla’s value drops so much that even I can afford it, it’s probably a pretty shitty car. 😛 I just bought a brand new car for about 18 grand, and even if I could trade it in for double that amount, I still couldn’t afford one of these Teslas unless I start a new hobby like bank robbery or coke dealing. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2016, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/39 "2016-01-05T02:47:01Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > Heh. 🙂 Not to worry. The process is completely safe and actually protects the original paint under the coating, which will peel off in sheets when (if) I want it removed. How much does it weigh, and how will it affect your range and handling? ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2016, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/40 "2016-01-05T03:53:23Z")
Just here to say, “I want.” I’ll wipe up the drool and move on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091.md?page=3)