Tesla Plaid

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by thor66

how are the panel fits?

do the doors open? close?

etc. etc.

Tesla's cars have gotten better over the years, but the fans have had a lot of problems with the objects of their desire

too bad JB isn't there any more

Mine fit like crap and the paint is largely garbage but it goes like stink.

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by stealthn

Fast is fun but unless you are drag racing everyday what’s the point? Is it fun to drive through the twisties? Does it make you smile when you get in? Porsche just hinted at a new EV that it will unveil in Munich, some are saying it’s a sports car, so we’ll see.

I've said it repeatedly and I'll say it again: I love driving my Model 3 Performance.

It only has a paltry 480ish horsepower but it is like a big go kart. The steering is fast and honest and with the battery sitting so low in the body, it feels like it weighs 1000 pounds less than it really does. The design is cab forward so a lot of the basic dynamics have an interesting resemblance to 911s when you're driving within sane limits of tire grip. Also, the dual motors do not squeal tires. I have gone 0-60 in 3 seconds in front of a cop and they don't really bat an eye.

It's also a really easy car to drive. It's quiet. You don't realize how many things you think about when operating a gas vehicle that you don't when driving an EV.

I have considered upgrading to a Plaid but I really can't make sense of 1020 horsepower over 480 for a street car. My Model 3 is already so blindingly fast for any and all driving that I do that adding another 500+ on top of that is just irresponsible, especially for another $90,000.

[Geronimo '74]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Sorry, I confused with another Pelican with a similar name...

All good

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by MrBonus

I've said it repeatedly and I'll say it again: I love driving my Model 3 Performance.

It only has a paltry 480ish horsepower but it is like a big go kart. The steering is fast and honest and with the battery sitting so low in the body, it feels like it weighs 1000 pounds less than it really does. The design is cab forward so a lot of the basic dynamics have an interesting resemblance to 911s when you're driving within sane limits of tire grip. Also, the dual motors do not squeal tires. I have gone 0-60 in 3 seconds in front of a cop and they don't really bat an eye.

It's also a really easy car to drive. It's quiet. You don't realize how many things you think about when operating a gas vehicle that you don't when driving an EV.

I have considered upgrading to a Plaid but I really can't make sense of 1020 horsepower over 480 for a street car. My Model 3 is already so blindingly fast for any and all driving that I do that adding another 500+ on top of that is just irresponsible, especially for another $90,000.

I had a single motor Model 3 and thought it was pretty quick. I was going to get a dual motor and do the $2K performance upgrade for a budget Performance model, but fell backwards into an employee deal on a Polestar 2. It's faster at 4.4 seconds and I rarely wish for more, but I like the Volvo quality fit and finish, and safety. It's got an instrument cluster directly in front of me as well as a smaller portrait screen in the middle. Suits me better at 65 years old. If you haven't driven a good EV, I'd recommend it. No visceral engine experience, but it's an alien technology with a lot going for it. I've yet to see one other on the road yet, after over 3 months. If I could afford what I want, I'd like a Taycan Cross Turismo.

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qen0ZlZM0ZA

Dayum now I know what Alton Brown would sound like doing a car review!

[911 Rod]

I have a hard enough time avoiding speeding tickets now!

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by MrBonus

Mine fit like crap and the paint is largely garbage but it goes like stink.

I agree, My wife's Model 3 paint has a few issues. It seems to be very thin in some spots. My Older Model S paint is actually really good. I'm surprised at how well it has held up.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Just fix the AC and it can be very comfortable. I drive my 85 911 in HOT weather all the time. Needles CA was 118 and the AC struggled some, but I never broke a sweat. In Savannah, GA with the heat index of 135 that afternoon my wife asked me to turn the temperature UP because she was cold at lunch time. The outside of the car would get wet like a can of beer from the fridge with the AC cranked in 95% humidity.

I did 130 miles of track time at Eagles Canyon Raceway just outside Decatur, TX in my 911. I used about 3/4 tank of gas and was getting about 8 MPG. I needed to buy 10 gallons at the track just to be certain had enough to finish the day, and get on to a gas station on the interstate.

I can't begin to compare my 36 year old 911 to a not yet released new Tesla. The only thing they have in common is 4 rubber tires. My 911 is going up in value and Teslas will go down in value once the supply chain fills up.

Come bring your 911 to SoCal and commute in it for a month in stop and go traffic, then let's talk. Can it be done, Sure, I've done it. Used to drive my Carrera from Northridge to Marina Del Rey everyday via 405 fwy...But there are lots of things I used to do that I personally am just not interested in doing anymore...what can I say,, I'm getting soft man. Lol. Different tools for different jobs. Regarding value, I don't buy cars for investments, if they go up great, that's a nice side benefit.

[upsscott]

All that technology gives me anxiety. Too much. Not ready for it.

[Steve Carlton]

Wait until Dodge starts making these things.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by MMARSH

Come bring your 911 to SoCal and commute in it for a month in stop and go traffic, then let's talk. Can it be done, Sure, I've done it. Used to drive my Carrera from Northridge to Marina Del Rey everyday via 405 fwy...But there are lots of things I used to do that I personally am just not interested in doing anymore...what can I say,, I'm getting soft man. Lol. Different tools for different jobs. Regarding value, I don't buy cars for investments, if they go up great, that's a nice side benefit.

I understand.

The world's greatest cars of the 1980s suck big time if compared to a 2021 Hyundai or Kia or other cheaper cars.

I have driven the 405 in summer, and I could not stand traffic like that on a daily basis.

I have driven my 911 in 41 states, and Canada. From -1 degree to 118 degrees, to northern Maine to Key West, down to International Freedom Park at the border to Mexico at the ocean. From Highway 1 breathtaking vistas to Boron, Ca the armpit of the world, the UP of Michigan and lots of national parks. For a 36 year old car it just does great. It keeps my wife and I comfortable, and gets us to our destination, and back home safe and sound. Name one other car on the planet from 1985 that can do that, and triple in value in the process.

[thor66]

Originally Posted by MrBonus

Mine fit like crap and the paint is largely garbage but it goes like stink.

and that (plus the "driving the future" idea) is why they sold as well as they did

Mary Barra, Ford, and the Germans are in hot pursuit, tho I think Tesla will survive

[thor66]

Originally Posted by MMARSH

I agree, My wife's Model 3 paint has a few issues. It seems to be very thin in some spots. My Older Model S paint is actually really good. I'm surprised at how well it has held up.

A lot depends on when your model 3 was built - the early ones were hand welded - not sure re painting

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Wait until Dodge starts making these things.

Chuckle of the day.

[Steve Carlton]

I'm going to need a Rimac Nevera.

https://insideevs.com/news/527462/rimac-nevera-tesla-plaid-race/

[Rodney Nelson]

Doug's reaction to the acceleration is definitely telling about the speed of the Plaid. I mean seriously, he actually looked scared every time he floored it.

I would love to have one of those in my garage next to my 911. 911 for Fridays and fun and the plaid for everyday driving and humiliating anything that may come my way during my daily commute.

[GH85Carrera]

I have never owned a truly fast car. Stop light racing has never interested me even a tiny bit.

Most any modern car can get to deadly, go to jail speeds in seconds. I just can't care less about street racing at any level. Maybe that is why I have not had a ticket since the 1970s and I have never totaled a single car. The only wreck I ever had was when 16 and in the era of chicks micro mini skirts. I was full of hormones, and a total hottie was walking along is a skirt that was skin tight and did not come to her fingertips. For some reason I was not watching traffic and hit a car stopped in traffic. That was in 1973. My only wreck. It was not an accident, just a wreck.

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

I had a single motor Model 3 and thought it was pretty quick. I was going to get a dual motor and do the $2K performance upgrade for a budget Performance model, but fell backwards into an employee deal on a Polestar 2. It's faster at 4.4 seconds and I rarely wish for more, but I like the Volvo quality fit and finish, and safety. It's got an instrument cluster directly in front of me as well as a smaller portrait screen in the middle. Suits me better at 65 years old. If you haven't driven a good EV, I'd recommend it. No visceral engine experience, but it's an alien technology with a lot going for it. I've yet to see one other on the road yet, after over 3 months. If I could afford what I want, I'd like a Taycan Cross Turismo.

Very nice!

I agree on the Taycan Cross Turismo but it's just in another stratosphere of pricing.

[911boost]

How has the KITT steering wheel not been mentioned yet? Is that the production wheel?

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by 911boost

How has the KITT steering wheel not been mentioned yet? Is that the production wheel?

It is, but it isn't like KITT or F! in that the axis of rotation is at the top of the wheel so it is like driving around holding the bottom half of a regular wheel instead of the sides. For the rip up Pikes Peak, Randy had them put a regular wheel on.