Observation on Tesla drivers

[Deschodt]

Wondering.... I live in the Bay area which is a hotbed for Teslas. Dual motors, ludicrous, non ludicrous, all those cars are pretty fast - even the base 3, and they are everywhere. And yet in all my time here, I've *never* seen a Tesla actually haul a$$. Even a little. (I've experienced it once with my boss' car, doesn't count if I'm in it). Every day, the slowest cars on the road that I pass are P100 model S, or Dual motors 3, both of which are sub 4 second 0-60 cars. And I'm not driving illegally either. I don't get it, I commute mostly in an E-golf which is the relatively slow red headed stepchild of the E-world (don't judge, it's so cheap it's free), and yet every chance I get I stomp on it and enjoy that instant rush of torque, it's fun as hell... even if only 0-40, without being a hooligan... Based on my experience, filling a tesla probably costs only a few $ and is good for a week, so eeking out the extra miles might save you a quarter, you have all that fun torque, and you don't use it? Ever? I swear 99% of them drive like a Corolla with the handbrake on and eggs in the trunk... Odd. I'd have hoped that when people discovered the joys of instant power they'd use it a little, but it seems people just don't care - it's just transportation.... I guess car enthusiasts are a dying breed.

[sammyg2]

I see lots of teslas every day on my commute, averaging 15 or 20 mpg in heavy traffic.
I don't notice as many on the open highways when I get out of town headed to Nevada or Aridzona.

[legion]

It's probably how the car drives on autopilot. The chief selling feature to most Tesla owners I know is the ability NOT to have to pay attention to the road.

[Sooner or later]

I have never seen a Tesla in SW Okla.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by legion

The chief selling feature to most Tesla owners I know is the ability NOT to have to pay attention to the road.

They actually have said this to you? Essentially, I would rather not pay attention to where my car is on the road?

[widebody911]

both of which are sub 45 second 0-60 cars

Hell, my Unimog is a sub-45 second 0-60 vehicle (barely)

[legion]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

They actually have said this to you? Essentially, I would rather not pay attention to where my car is on the road?

One person told me that now she can watch movies during her commute and "not have to worry about hitting stuff".

[Icemaster]

Originally Posted by legion

One person told me that now she can watch movies during her commute and "not have to worry about hitting stuff".

This attitude scares the $chit out of me.

[asphaltgambler]

In the Northern Va area - there are LOTS of those things. I really like the ("S" ?) big sedan - the way it looks - but I've never seen anyone get on it and air it out............ever

Maybe 'cause they seem so cool and could smoke most other cars - they just sandbag.............like having a AE black card and using it to buy a bag of popcorn..........

[MMARSH]

That's funny. I was driving my Model S on the freeway this weekend, going out of town to a wedding. I thought the same thing. I passed several Teslas and everything else on the freeway. I wasnt going crazy, but a nice 12-15 over the posted limit. In fact, in the short time I've had my S, I dont think I've ever been passed by another one

I've found that the autopilot is great if you are in very heavy traffic or very light traffic. In those conditions, I can set the speed and it doesnt require much from me. In moderate traffic, where maybe your constantly having to change lanes to go around slower traffic, its slower and not smooth.

I guess I'm in the minority, I bought it specifically because of the way the electric motor delivers the power...I find it an enjoyable car to drive and exploit its sub 3 second 0-60 second acceleration every single day.

[GH85Carrera]

I see several in my area.

I saw one not long ago on the Turnpike to Tulsa. The legal limit is 75, and virtually no one goes that slow. Most of traffic is rolling along a bit faster. Of course since I never speed I see them all fly past. I saw a Tesla rolling along at easily 100 MPH a few weeks ago. It is just 90 miles from OKC to Tulsa and I guess he was in a hurry.

[Mike Billings]

It's happened twice now. Light turns greens, I've got my foot in it as usual.

Then when I slow for a turn, the Tesla blows by me, going 60 in a 40!

I didn't know I was racing.

The Teslas worry me. Novice speed demons in a 5000 pound missile on crappy tires and brakes.

[legion]

Originally Posted by Icemaster

This attitude scares the $chit out of me.

She's only severely injured one motorcyclist.

[MysticLlama]

Mine came with P4Ss tire wise, and has big brakes, just because the tires are showing noticeable wear in 9 months doesn't mean they are crappy, haha.

But to the OP, I don't see the need to blast around much higher than the speed limit when traffic allows, though I definitely blast the onramps and some stoplights.

I think some of what you're seeing is the same as I used to see on twin turbo S class Mercedes around here when a little wet out, often driven by someone who looked terrified at 30-45 mph. I think they just went in and asked for whatever was most expensive, with no eye towards the power at all.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by widebody911

Hell, my Unimog is a sub-45 second 0-60 vehicle (barely)

60 mph would be exciting in that thing

[JackDidley]

Not many in my area. Hell, I may have the only Porsche in my town. (small town) If not for the buy in I'd probably have one.

[Porchdog]

There's a local guy with a black Tesla (I don't know one model from the next) who moves pretty good on the back roads. I'm pretty sure it's the same guy, Teslas are pretty rare around here.

A couple weeks ago he was dogging my ass while I was in the 911. Of course I was behind a Jeep, so I wasn't going fast enough to have any fun.

[bleucamaro]

I don't really pay attention to Teslas because most people drive them slow...

A while ago, It was raining and I was going to the grocery store in the Focus RS. I pulled up next to a Tesla Model S at a red light. When it went green, he took off like a shot. I was still letting the clutch out and he was across the intersection, and then gone. I was absolutely blown away by how quick it was. And this was in the wet.

So, they can be fast. . . just most of the time, aren't.

[MysticLlama]

There are probably also a fair amount of AWD Dual Motor Model 3s out there set to chill mode - limited to 200hp, slower and less scary - because that person basically wanted an electric Subaru Legacy.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

There are a lot of them around here. I have only seen one jackrabbit start and no general performance driving.

The Model S is such a beautiful car. 3's have grown on me. The weird SUV thing is still weird.