Tesla Model S Wins Motor Trend ‘Car of the Year’ Prize

[SlyPokerDog]

http://money.cnn.com/2012/11/12/autos/tesla-model-s-motor-trend-car-of-the-year/index.html

 

[Denny Crane]

Too bad GM didn't invest in Tesla when they had the chance. Daimler did. This is a hot car company that will likely be profitable even if they serve a niche market.

 

[Natebishop3]

They're really expensive though.

 

[Denny Crane]

Niche.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

OMG THEY ARE TEH APPEL OF CARS!!! :MARIS61:

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Big deal. Car companies pay for that award.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

They're really expensive though.

that's their business model. they start with a high end sports car, build a reputation for being pricey...then they will introduce a sedan around $50k (I think its out now)...then a less expensive all electric car in the 25k-30k range. Its pretty fascinating how Elon Musk is building that company...I know someone who has a Tesla and he loves it.

Its actually an electric car I'd get...if I had the disposible income for one.

 

[Boob-No-More]

that's their business model. they start with a high end sports car, build a reputation for being pricey...then they will introduce a sedan around $50k (I think its out now)...then a less expensive all electric car in the 25k-30k range. Its pretty fascinating how Elon Musk is building that company...I know someone who has a Tesla and he loves it.

Its actually an electric car I'd get...if I had the disposible income for one.

Actually, the S is the $50K model. It's out now and they have a dealership at the Washington Square Mall. It can go 300 miles between charges and is hot as hell. It's really not that much more than a comparable BMW. or even an Acura, Infinity or Lexus.

BNM

 

[Natebishop3]

I wonder if there will ever be a Model T (every man's car) in electric. Something affordable, because right now spending 40 to 50k on an electric car isn't really high on my list.

 

[mook]

I wonder if there will ever be a Model T (every man's car) in electric. Something affordable, because right now spending 40 to 50k on an electric car isn't really high on my list.

Well, the Model T came out about 23 years after the invention of the gas-powered car, and 123 years after the first steam-powered car.

The first 5 years of Model T production totaled only 175k cars. The 6th year they built 225k cars. The average price in 1910 was $925, but by 1916 it was $352.

Tesla was founded in 2003, and obviously the market and technology is vastly different. Batteries have a fundamental disadvantage of energy concentration over gasoline that's tough to overcome even with modern technology. But you have to respect the progress Tesla has made in such a short time. Hopefully they are at the beginning of a pretty drastic growth curve.

 

[mobes23]

I just checked the tesla website and the $50k version only has a 150ish mile range, $60k gets you 230 miles range and $70k gets you 300 mile range. I'd think most would opt for at least 230 mile range, but I guess we'll see what the market says about that.

A co-worker has the roadster -- it's big bucks but a sweet car. The cost to fully charge is next to nothing. Only downside is that thing is LOW to the ground, but I might be biased from driving a Highlander.

 

[HailBlazers]

Sweet Ride, First time ever a car has won 'Car of the Year' unamiously

Would buy it over a Mercedes or what have you

 

[Boob-No-More]

I'd love to have the Tesla S Performance. 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds! But, I could never justify spending $85K on a car, any car. Hell, I have a hard time justifying $20K on a car, even though I could afford much more. Don't get me wrong, I love cars and love to drive, but there are plenty of great, used cars out there for less than $20K. I only spent $16K on my last NEW car three and a half years ago (and them put $4K into performance, and appearance upgrades to make it more fun - and safer - to drive).

Anyway, if they ever offer something with the specs of the Tesla S Performance for below $50K, I'd have a real hard time saying no. I take good care of my cars and keep them a long time. So, I could probably rationalize the $50K sticker price amortized over 10 - 15 years of ownership - especially given the low "fuel" costs and zero emissions.

BNM

 

[Eastoff]

[video=youtube;1kCG-WqpVnI]

 

[Eastoff]

If all the batteries are on the bottom, you would not want anything scraping that car going over speed bumps. right?