I test drove a Model S P85+ today and it was amazing.

Kinja'd!!! "Saracen" (manualdoucheelitist)
03/28/2014 at 16:00 • Filed to: None

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My dad wanted to test drive one. He wants a luxury sedan with some sportiness to it, but would also rather not have a gas guzzler, as he has a 100 mile round trip daily commute now. He's looked at the Panamera S, and the S350 Bluetec. I figured a Tesla to be ideal for him. The Tesla store is only a few blocks from me and I was quite pleased to see that the test drive car had the P85+ package - the sportiest and most powerful Model S you can buy.

My thoughts:

Alarmingly quick acceleration. Within half a second of dropping the hammer, I dropped an F-bomb. Scary quick off the line. When they say instant torque, they mean it!

I set the steering to "sport" and really liked it. I think the only luxury performance sedan with better steering is the Panamera.

Firm but controlled and comfortable suspension tuning (very BMW-like).

I didn't get to explore the handling too much, but it has great rear traction, and you can feel how low the center of gravity it is. Impressed me enough.

The brakes took getting used to, a heavy pedal without much feedback...however the brakes are pretty good (ought to be, they look like 13.5" rotors with BIG Brembo calipers).

Great seats.

Fantastic interior.

TONS of toys and gadgets.

And of course, it's whisper quiet.

I now want one. And I want my dad to get one (I recommended he get the 85 though.)

There could be a Model E in my future.

SR20 rule:

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DISCUSSION (9)


Kinja'd!!! ddavidn > Saracen
03/28/2014 at 16:02

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Awesome. I was just talking an hour ago about how much I want one of these for my 80-mile daily commute.


Kinja'd!!! The Dummy Gummy > Saracen
03/28/2014 at 18:21

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I never understood the 'I can afford a super expensive car, but can't afford the gas' talk that revolves around the tesla. I love the car, but it never computed for me.


Kinja'd!!! Saracen > The Dummy Gummy
03/28/2014 at 18:51

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So just because someone wants a nice car, it should be a gas guzzler?


Kinja'd!!! The Dummy Gummy > Saracen
03/28/2014 at 20:24

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I didn't say that. You positioned it like he wanted to save money by saving gas which no money would be saved. That's all I meant. Don't take it personal. I didn't mean it like that. I just didn't understand the mentality.


Kinja'd!!! Saracen > The Dummy Gummy
03/28/2014 at 20:33

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Did I say he can't afford the gas? I was inferring that he'd rather not spend the money on it.

Being able to "afford" the gas, and not wanting to spend money on that much gas, are two very different things.

He can afford the gas. TRUST me. But he'd rather spend the money on a nice car than on excessive gas consumption.


Kinja'd!!! The Dummy Gummy > Saracen
03/28/2014 at 20:56

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You're still going to be behind on the difference from a really nice ICE and a Tesla. I love Tesla but their are other luxury cars that are better. Anyways you're clearly taking this way to personally so I'm just going to stop here.


Kinja'd!!! Saracen > The Dummy Gummy
03/28/2014 at 21:19

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having driven several other luxury cars, I disagree.


Kinja'd!!! Audistein > Saracen
04/02/2014 at 21:23

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Awesome, but if you're getting a Model S, definitely get the P85. Even if it's not the +, there is such a big difference that the $12,000 is definitely worth it.

But no matter which one you get, make sure it has the Tech package and parking sensors. You'll really be beating yourself up if you miss out on those. I also highly recommend the panorama roof on any car. Having a glass roof really increases the enjoyment of a car, way more than you would think if you haven't owned a car with it.


Kinja'd!!! mitsustiggy > Saracen
04/02/2014 at 21:33

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You're taking him completely out of context, anyways i agree with dummy gummy. If you're going to spend 100k on a luxobarge, expect to pay the fuel bill that comes with it.