Tesla roadster
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From: Ventura, California, USA
Originally Posted by ace123,May 19 2008, 09:39 PM
i think its a great idea and it may be a great car, but with the transmission challenges they've had already and the $60k they want to hold, i'd wait for a year or two until they prove the technology and have a few cars with 10-20k miles on them and happy owners.
one issue, unlikely as it may be, is this: if they go out of business, are you going to get your $60k back? (i'd doubt the answer is yes)
one issue, unlikely as it may be, is this: if they go out of business, are you going to get your $60k back? (i'd doubt the answer is yes)
There's lots of good debate in this thread. Legitimate concerns about the car are warranted. Excetp for the bankruptcy concern the 60 k deposit is fully refundable until you spec the cat. That's 3 months before production. In an estimated 15 month time that gives me a year to see the quality of the vehicle being produced, and be able to benefit from things learned. Then if I end up taking delivery I have a 3yr 36k mile warranty extendable to 4/50. Also I'm sure Arnold or Obama/Mccain will give me a federal tax credit for a full electric.
I do see a future of solar power use at least partially. That will lessen the cost of ownership.
I am an ideal customer for the company because my daily commute is 5 miles rt and I put about 250 miles/month on my s2000.
So I'm still considering it pending personal research as well as a visit to the LA dealership.
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From: UCF Knights!
If I was in the position to do so, a Tesla would be on my to-get list. What most people don't realize is, without the first batch of brave souls to buy into new technology, there's not enough capital to further the R&D, thus no advancement. This particular car has a world of potential, but needs more R&D. With the free upgrade, and the attention to customer support that appears to be a strong point of focus for Tesla, they seem intent on becoming a major player in the exotic car market, with trickle down technology making it into lesser models. If they're still around in another 3-5 years, I'll be giving them a call. A 2nd gen or even 3rd gen Tesla roadster, by that time, ought to be something quite special, not that the 1st gen issue isn't.
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if you're comfortable with the costs and any risks, it sounds like a neat car. i'd say go for it.
obviously you could get better performance for the same money by any or all of the typical metrics. but we drive s2000s. i know and accept the fact that could have gotten a faster car for the same money. for example, apparently the new chevy cobalt SS will beat my S2000 around Nuremburg. they cost ~$22k new, and mine is still worth more than that. but i don't want to sell my S2000 and buy a cobalt SS; i like my car better. it's not about the metrics, it's about the experience.
the tesla seems like it would be a fun car to drive every day.
and as an aside, it's a neat technology. and even though i don't believe the currently explanations of global warming, i'd be happy in a "warm and fuzzy" sort of way if i were helping to fund "high-performance electric car" R&D.
obviously you could get better performance for the same money by any or all of the typical metrics. but we drive s2000s. i know and accept the fact that could have gotten a faster car for the same money. for example, apparently the new chevy cobalt SS will beat my S2000 around Nuremburg. they cost ~$22k new, and mine is still worth more than that. but i don't want to sell my S2000 and buy a cobalt SS; i like my car better. it's not about the metrics, it's about the experience.
the tesla seems like it would be a fun car to drive every day.
and as an aside, it's a neat technology. and even though i don't believe the currently explanations of global warming, i'd be happy in a "warm and fuzzy" sort of way if i were helping to fund "high-performance electric car" R&D.
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From: Doh!!
Originally Posted by s2000raj,May 19 2008, 01:51 PM
Suddenly Im intrigued by the Tesla. The 2009 is available to preprder, at a cost of 110k base. It also requires a 60k deposit. That's 60 k to be held for over a year until the car is built, despite that I am intrigued.
I'm thinking if they have a decent warranty program it would be cool.
Pros:
New car with warranty
125mpg equivalent
Rare
Supercar performance
Cons:
can't afford this and a Gallardo
new unproven tech
60k in limbo for over a year.
Another thing is to put the deposit and possibly flip it when build date comes.
I'm thinking if they have a decent warranty program it would be cool.
Pros:
New car with warranty
125mpg equivalent
Rare
Supercar performance
Cons:
can't afford this and a Gallardo
new unproven tech
60k in limbo for over a year.
Another thing is to put the deposit and possibly flip it when build date comes.
which car impresses the ladiezzzzzz more? that's should be first on your list
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Originally Posted by Malloric,May 19 2008, 07:33 PM
Oh, and hondabeater with the $60,000+ you could save by buying a better performing and more practical Elise you could buy enough fuel to go 250,000 miles at $5 per gallon. If instead of the Tesla you bought an S2000 you could go 350,000 miles on the savings. The Tesla isn't exactly the car for people who can't afford gas. For that you might look at a Fit, which you could drive for a whopping 670,000 miles on the savings. Or perhaps a Prius (780,000) miles. Or say something entirely different, like a Hummer H2, which you could still drive for 108,000 on the savings.
electric cars are the best answer for the future of driving
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My mistake, I thought they were out seeing how I saw 2 them in such a short span of time 
. I even have cell phone pics of one. I wonder why they'd be driving prototypes around Daly City and the Sunset district of San Francisco.
hondaBeater, I'm happy for you that you like the car so much. I bet everyone that has been willing to put down a deposit feels the same way. However, I hope you understand if I do not share the same enthusiasm.
I like my sports cars to be shooting flames, wailing like banshees, and smelling like burning oil. I may be alone in this with everyone going green but there's a reason why I drive a rotary and have a 2-stroke motorcycle. I envy no man when I hit the roads.
. I even have cell phone pics of one. I wonder why they'd be driving prototypes around Daly City and the Sunset district of San Francisco.hondaBeater, I'm happy for you that you like the car so much. I bet everyone that has been willing to put down a deposit feels the same way. However, I hope you understand if I do not share the same enthusiasm.
I like my sports cars to be shooting flames, wailing like banshees, and smelling like burning oil. I may be alone in this with everyone going green but there's a reason why I drive a rotary and have a 2-stroke motorcycle. I envy no man when I hit the roads
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From: Bay Area, California
It is very possible that they were launched already. It is so possible that it was a prototype you saw around town as their headquarters is in the Peninsula. My client did drive one of the prototypes a few months ago for like 30 minutes around SF.