# 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:** 17\ **Page:** 5
**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:** [June 28, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/81 "2016-06-28T20:28:19Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Tesla sent me an email about 3 weeks ago that offered the model S 60 for $58 grand, with a financed loan payment $844/month. It was something of a shock to realize I can afford this, assuming I pour all my Uber income into it. I could even afford the $1200/month for the P90, without touching the income from my normal day job. > > Having Uber double my cash income is making me think somewhat dangerous pricey thoughts. So I guess you’re the one Uber driver who isn’t complaining about Uber. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2016, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/82 "2016-06-28T20:30:52Z")
Do It, Do It, Do It…Uber-ing with a Tesla must get you a premium, no? 😃 ---
**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:** [June 28, 2016, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/83 "2016-06-28T20:34:19Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > So I guess you’re the one Uber driver who isn’t complaining about Uber. 🙂 Didn’t I say it was leading me to dangerous thoughts? 😛 I can’t speak for other Uber drivers, but it’s my impression most of the complaints are from people trying to make a living off of it. I’d probably be pissed to if that was my situation, but it’s not. I have a day job that pays my mortgage, health insurance and all the other essentials. As a SECOND job, I have trouble imagining anything better. ---
**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:** [June 28, 2016, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/84 "2016-06-28T20:36:34Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > Do It, Do It, Do It…Uber-ing with a Tesla must get you a premium, no? 😃 I could drive the premium service called Uber Black, but that’s not available in my market. Maybe in Milwaukee – I’d have to look into it. But just the ride there and back would take nearly half the charge of a P90. ---
**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:** [June 28, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/85 "2016-06-28T20:44:15Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Didn’t I say it was leading me to dangerous thoughts? 😛 > > I can’t speak for other Uber drivers, but it’s my impression most of the complaints are from people trying to make a living off of it. I’d probably be pissed to if that was my situation, but it’s not. I have a day job that pays my mortgage, health insurance and all the other essentials. > > As a SECOND job, I have trouble imagining anything better. I imagine it also helps to be a very social person. My hat is off to anyone who does something like Uber. I know I couldn’t, unless it is my only option to generate income. As a second job? No way. I don’t have enough patience to deal with humanity if I don’t absolutely have to. ---
**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:** [June 28, 2016, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/86 "2016-06-28T20:52:23Z")
You rarely have to deal with any one person for more than 10 or 15 minutes, in my town anyway. The consistently worst thing is smells, usually foods that get carried in (and sometimes eaten), often tobacco (smokers reek of it even if they don’t light up in the car), and fairly rarely, BO. But I keep my car cleaned and vacuumed weekly, and after a while with the windows open after a smelly passenger, it still has that new car smell. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/87 "2016-06-29T00:32:21Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > [YouTube video of the brand new perpendicular parking feature](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic8T-kUbaRM). That’s amazing. They’ve turned a 5 second maneuver into 60 seconds of blue-hair lane-blocking. ---
**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:** [June 29, 2016, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/88 "2016-06-29T00:50:58Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > That’s amazing. They’ve turned a 5 second maneuver into 60 seconds of blue-hair lane-blocking. Heh. I always look forward to your Tesla love. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/89 "2016-06-29T01:45:09Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > Heh. I always look forward to your Tesla love. 🙂 it’s frickin faster than a Hellcat in the 1/4 mile. Seriously (or ludicrously) somehow that’s lost on achievements such as opening a garage door. Gaaaahhhhhh. get off my lawn. I just want an old fashion electric car with regular tires and a good stereo. I had to resist the temptation to test an electric motorcycle. Besides the fact that I couldn’t afford it I didn’t want to lose the thrill of shifting through the gears. ---
**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:** [June 29, 2016, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/90 "2016-06-29T02:22:22Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > it’s frickin faster than a Hellcat in the 1/4 mile. Seriously (or ludicrously) somehow that’s lost on achievements such as opening a garage door. Gaaaahhhhhh. get off my lawn. I just want an old fashion electric car with regular tires and a good stereo. > > I had to resist the temptation to test an electric motorcycle. Besides the fact that I couldn’t afford it I didn’t want to lose the thrill of shifting through the gears. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/91 "2016-06-29T02:45:41Z")
Just curious - the P90D is easily a $100,000 car, even after tax credits and such. Did you cross-shop any of the other fantastic cars in that price range? A Mercedes S550, or E63AMG? Porsche 911? BMW M5? Or, various permutations of two excellent $50,000 cars (e.g. a sports car and a SUV)? I thought seriously about getting a P85 a year or two ago, and I thought it was objectively a great car, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what else I could buy for the same money. I ended up buying a new Mustang GT and a new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and still spending less than I would have on the Tesla. What do you think now that you’ve had it for a while? ---
**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:** [June 29, 2016, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/92 "2016-06-29T03:16:51Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > Just curious - the P90D is easily a $100,000 car, even after tax credits and such. Did you cross-shop any of the other fantastic cars in that price range? A Mercedes S550, or E63AMG? Porsche 911? BMW M5? Or, various permutations of two excellent $50,000 cars (e.g. a sports car and a SUV)? I already have a Porsche so that thirst was slaked years ago. I hate BMWs on principle, and I am not in love with either of the Mercedes models you referenced, and although I originally ordered the P90D, I actually purchased and own the 90D, and for well under $100K. > [@Absolute](#): > > I thought seriously about getting a P85 a year or two ago, and I thought it was objectively a great car, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what else I could buy for the same money. I ended up buying a new Mustang GT and a new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and still spending less than I would have on the Tesla. Sometimes it simply isn’t about the money. > [@Absolute](#): > > What do you think now that you’ve had it for a while? I’ve owned my 90D for a little more than three weeks, so my permasmile hasn’t had time to shake off yet, but yeah, I like it a lot. even without Ludicrous it is, by far, faster off the line than any car I have ever owned. I love the range I am getting, and I love the tech. ---
**Author:** ![zwede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ac91a4/32.png) [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/93 "2016-06-29T16:44:26Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > Just curious - the P90D is easily a $100,000 car, even after tax credits and such. Did you cross-shop any of the other fantastic cars in that price range? A Mercedes S550, or E63AMG? Porsche 911? BMW M5? Or, various permutations of two excellent $50,000 cars (e.g. a sports car and a SUV)? In my case I already have a '71 Corvette with a 454 big-block and manual transmission so I have that covered when I’m in the mood to be “old fashioned”. I’ve had my Tesla P85+ for 2.5 years and I still have no desire to get anything else. For me no other luxo car even compares. The Tesla offers a unique driving experience that no ICE car can match. ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/94 "2016-06-29T17:10:47Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > That’s amazing. They’ve turned a 5 second maneuver into 60 seconds of blue-hair lane-blocking. I’m longing for the day I can afford the Model X but I’m in agreement with you here. I can back into a parking space in one shot without turning it into a Y-maneuver. That’s a pretty ridiculous video. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/95 "2016-06-29T22:28:25Z")
> [@zwede](#): > > In my case I already have a '71 Corvette with a 454 big-block and manual transmission so I have that covered when I’m in the mood to be “old fashioned”. > > I’ve had my Tesla P85+ for 2.5 years and I still have no desire to get anything else. For me no other luxo car even compares. The Tesla offers a unique driving experience that no ICE car can match. You shouldn’t stop there. You ought to compare it to something in the same price range and tell us what you like better. If it’s just the acceleration that’s reason enough. ---
**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:** [June 30, 2016, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/96 "2016-06-30T01:57:28Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > You shouldn’t stop there. You ought to compare it to something in the same price range and tell us what you like better. If it’s just the acceleration that’s reason enough. I would tend to agree. It’s somewhat of a habit for body manufacturing people like me to have a critical eye for fit and finish, material quality, and component integration, and I wasn’t impressed with the Tesla (I’ve also been less than impressed with certain Mercedes in Germany, but more impressed with Mercedes in North America and China). And FWIW, I’m not Tesla-bashing; I’ve said before that I would _love_ to own a Tesla myself, but that has everything to do with the technology rather than the objective quality details. ---
**Author:** ![zwede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ac91a4/32.png) [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2016, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091/97 "2016-06-30T13:57:26Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > You shouldn’t stop there. You ought to compare it to something in the same price range and tell us what you like better. If it’s just the acceleration that’s reason enough. Compare to what? I’ve driven Porsches, the big Mercs and BMWs. Yes, the Tesla does not match the fit & finish of a top-of-the-line Merc/Porsche, but like I said: it offers a driving experience those others can’t match. For me it’s not just the raw acceleration, it’s that it’s _instant_. No ICE engine reacts instantly like an electric does. See a hole in traffic? I’m there. I’ve also grown very attached to the touch screen/no buttons philosophy. When I get into any other car I marvel at all the buttons. Also that the owner of the car usually doesn’t know what all of them do! And finally, the no-dealers model has become a very strong point with me. When I need something from the service center there’s never any arguments or problems. They come pick the car up in the morning, leave a loaner Tesla, and return it when it’s done. Before the Tesla I had a Ford (a pretty expensive one), and the dealer was terrible. Makes me appreciate the Tesla service center so much more. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-taking-the-plunge/742091.md?page=4)