Tesla Model S test drive

How do you turn the car off?

 

Thanks. That was a fun tour.

 

Any idea how you force a system kill? On the Prius (including the Plug-In), if the system is active and you press and hold the power button for a couple of seconds, the system is forced off no matter what you are doing. This is to provide a non-negotiable SHUT-DOWN-RIGHT-NOW-I-MEAN-IT even if there are malfunctions in the control system that, for example, lead to a run-away situation.

 

I haven't had this much of a CRAVING to buy a car since Nov. 03. I could afford it too, if I divorced my kids, and sold the house.

The wife would divorce me...I'd start getting speeding tickets again...have to pack a gun to protect it...

 

I'm hoping that I can keep the center area open myself. It will be a very convenient spot for my computer bag and my wife likes it as a convenient place for her book bag or purse.
Thanks much for the review! I can't wait till I get a chance to see or drive one.

 

There are two important things that most people don't realize about the Tesla that I consider significant drawbacks to the way the car is designed.

1. The main screen and all the toys (like Google maps) that are accessible is completely dependent on there being a 3G cellular signal. No signal/bad signal = those things don't work.

2. Virtually everything is controlled though the main screen. While computer geeks (I'm probably included in this) love the idea, many don't think about the advantage of having actual knobs and buttons - you don't have to take your eyes off the road to operate some features of the car (such as the radio - not every control is steering wheel mounted).

 

Those are important things to keep in mind when looking at the Model S.
I felt the same way about physical buttons untile I started paying attention how often I feel the need to look at where the buttons are when using any but the most common controls, and sometimes even those
And since physical buttons for the most common controls are on the steering wheel of the Model S, that is not a drawback in any way for me.
The 3G connection is also not a drawback for me, I can see why it would be for those in areas of unreliable connections. I do hope they have a local/non Internet dependent Nav system soon as well as an upgrade to 4G.

There is already award drive for storage, so I hope this will be as easy as a software update.

 

Thanks for the review, and I'm glad you enjoyed your test drive.

I am probably just suffering from PR fatigue, I just cannot get excited about a touchscreen as a radio interface, or a car that reminds me of a Honda Accord -- no matter how pleasant it looks.

The air suspension sounds interesting though. I'd like to hear more about that.

 

You get the usual nav with the tech package.

 

What's your take on how the regen brake works?

 

Kinda jealous. I hope this car does well for Tesla. I want to see the company make bigger inroads and become a truly profitable enterprise.

 

Would they have done better between the tractor trailers going uphill?