If you are considering buyback which cars are you looking at as replacements?

[HBarlow]

Exactly! For the price of that appliance one could get an X5 AND a 5 series, for example.

And have a lot of fun driving either one. An appliance . . . not much fun to drive.

 

[bhtooefr]

The idea of test driving a Model S isn't to actually buy one - they're rather expensive new, after all.

The idea of test driving a Model S is... Tesla has no-pressure test drives, and you can get a feel for what electric cars can actually be.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

As I said, there's absolutely no desire to drive an appliance, Tesla S or any other model/brand. To each, their own.

So you're looking at a C class? LOL.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Neither any electrical appliance I've ever purchased, nor, I expect, my ass, would be priced anywhere near $135,000. Neither would any car I would ever buy, even if the price were cut in half. Two-thirds might catch my interest.

I suppose you could choose a lesser-optioned model. $135K is fully equipped with the biggest battery, the fanciest wheels, all of the electronic driving aids, etc. The Model S starts at $66K, and the Model 3 will start at $35K.

I'm not trying to convince you to buy anything - just pointing out that there is a very large price range available.

 

[DanB36]

An appliance . . . not much fun to drive.

Test drive reports of the Model S suggest that it's extremely fun to drive. It's certainly fast--sub-3-second 0-60 times beat just about anything else on the road, no matter what the power source. And the low-end torque of an electric motor can make any diesel look positively wimpy.

I don't have one, and almost certainly never will--if I'm going to spend $135k on a vehicle, it's going to have wings. But to lump the Model S in with things like the Volt and the Prius is simply ignorant.

 

[yadent]

Ah, the Tesla------http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-11-05/tesla-%E2%80%98world%E2%80%99s-safest-car%E2%80%99-explodes-bomb

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Ah, the Tesla------http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-11-05/tesla-%E2%80%98world%E2%80%99s-safest-car%E2%80%99-explodes-bomb

Such an informative article. My favorite part was when they provided detailed analysis of the crash.

 

[kjclow]

Test drive reports of the Model S suggest that it's extremely fun to drive. It's certainly fast--sub-3-second 0-60 times beat just about anything else on the road, no matter what the power source. And the low-end torque of an electric motor can make any diesel look positively wimpy.
I don't have one, and almost certainly never will--if I'm going to spend $135k on a vehicle, it's going to have wings. But to lump the Model S in with things like the Volt and the Prius is simply ignorant.

If I'm going to spend $135k, it's going to be on a second home. I can buy 3-4 cars that I'm comfortable owning for that amount. I'm not saying that electric vehicles don't have a place and I will consider a bolt or volt as my next car. My only reluctance is still range. The kids are currently 2 hours or fifteen hours away.

 

[bhtooefr]

Meanwhile, on the same day as that crash... here's a few news stories about cars that caught on fire, where they weren't mentioned as being EVs, and arson wasn't involved:

http://wkrn.com/2016/11/03/man-burned-in-car-fire-on-i-24-in-murfreesboro/
http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co....ber-bungalow/story-29867801-detail/story.html
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/one-dead-car-catches-fire-in-opotiki-crash
http://wtvr.com/2016/11/03/route-288-car-fire-backup/
http://www.centralctcommunications....cle_f17a8f2e-a232-11e6-be15-ab981f6520a7.html
http://www.somersetlive.co.uk/firef...near-taunton/story-29865696-detail/story.html
http://13wham.com/news/local/man-pulled-from-burning-car-arrested-for-dwi
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...ors-car-catches-fire/articleshow/55236161.cms (CNG)
http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.u...d-tewkesbury/story-29865128-detail/story.html
http://abc7news.com/news/2-men-rescue-woman-from-burning-car-in-oakland/1586891/

Spoiler alert: cars are dangerous. And, EVs blow up less often than ICE cars: http://insideevs.com/number-of-fire-related-deaths-per-year-caused-by-evs/

 

[DanB36]

Wow. Whole lot of axe to grind in that article, with almost none of it having anything to do with the cars as such. Very few facts about the accident, which seems to have served only as an excuse for the author to launch into a paranoid diatribe against Elon Musk, the monied elites, the government, and probably others I missed.

 

[HBarlow]

Test drive reports of the Model S suggest that it's extremely fun to drive. It's certainly fast--sub-3-second 0-60 times beat just about anything else on the road, no matter what the power source. And the low-end torque of an electric motor can make any diesel look positively wimpy.

I don't have one, and almost certainly never will--if I'm going to spend $135k on a vehicle, it's going to have wings. But to lump the Model S in with things like the Volt and the Prius is simply ignorant.

Dan,

I'm sure you can guess what my reply to your label is without my writing it here.

If a car is a transportation appliance an upscale go cart is probably an excellent product.

I've been a car enthusiast since childhood. If you're not a car guy you don't understand and it can't be explained to you.

For those of us who love cars a golf cart will never measure up.

 

[yadent]

"In a press conference following the accident, Indianapolis Fire Department Battalion Chief Kevin Jones explained that although he and his team have been trained on how to respond to fires in hybrid or electrical vehicles, fires related to high-voltage lithium-ion batteries require "copious amounts of water" to extinguish and burn at an extremely high temperature. Jones explained that the accident occurred after the driver lost control of the vehicle while driving at a high speed. He also made it clear that large fires following high-speed crashes are not unique to electric vehicles( with temps generated by 'normal' fire not as high as those of a lit-ion battery one).......A Tesla spokesperson told Mashable the company believed Autopilot was not turned on during the crash. If Autopilot had been engaged "it would have limited the vehicle’s speed to less than 35 mph on this street, which is inconsistent with witness statements and the damage sustained," according to the spokesperson."

 

[tjdeerslayer37]

The replacement has landed!

Edited - Downsized per halfast's request.

So much yes! Ive always wanted one.

 

[sabbotage]

I'm picking up my replacement on Monday. 2016 GMC Canyon All-Terrain Duramax Diesel. I ended up getting it early because a dealer was able to get exactly what I wanted on a dealer trade and GMC is doing 0% financing right now on leftover 2016s. I'll just dump my buyback cash on the loan when I get it and shave off a few years.

 

[derekmw]

If I'm going to spend $135k, it's going to be on a second home. I can buy 3-4 cars that I'm comfortable owning for that amount. I'm not saying that electric vehicles don't have a place and I will consider a bolt or volt as my next car. My only reluctance is still range. The kids are currently 2 hours or fifteen hours away.

Also, not all Model S's cost $120k+. I DO get reactions from most people assuming that is what mine cost though. Little do they know I got it for half the price new. lol. Not cheap by any means, but I too, cannot afford, nor can I see myself spending $120k on a car.

 

[n1acguy]

As I said, there's absolutely no desire to drive an appliance, Tesla S or any other model/brand. To each, their own.

If you actually did drive one you would quickly see how ridiculous referring to them as an electrical appliance really is.
Take lots of cash if you do because you'll want one

 

[nutfinn]

I got this one August 2015, prior to news. Not really a replacement, driving my wife's Mazda 3, it gets around 36mpg so the fuel costs it's about identical with the TDi.

 

[HBarlow]

I got this one August 2015, prior to news. Not really a replacement, driving my wife's Mazda 3, it gets around 36mpg so the fuel costs it's about identical with the TDi.

It looks great. Congratulations. I haven't driven or even ridden in one but I understand the performance potential of the new Mustang, Camaro, and Dodge Charger is scary.

 

[alma]

If you actually did drive one you would quickly see how ridiculous referring to them as an electrical appliance really is.

Take lots of cash if you do because you'll want one

Nope, I don't want one.

What is truly ridiculous is your arrogant certainty that test-driving one of these electrical appliances would change my opinion about them. It won't. Case closed.

 

[bhtooefr]

Have you test driven one?

 

[aja8888]

It looks great. Congratulations. I haven't driven or even ridden in one but I understand the performance potential of the new Mustang, Camaro, and Dodge Charger is scary.

My 71 year old brother-in-law bought a new SS Camero last year. Scary fast but you can't see out of the thing. I drove it all over San Jose last time I was there and it is nice. Strangely, GM cheapened out the door panels (plastic) on a $45K car. Go figure. I haven't driven this vintage of Mustang but have owned 5 or so since 1988 (GT's, V6's, convertibles, etc).

My favorite was our 1989 5.0 GT Convertible (25th year Anniversary Edition) which my 16 year old daughter took one morning without clearing it with me and spun it around on an icy bridge going to school on morning when I was out of town. Totaled it.

I'm at a loss as to what I will buy once my Passat is back in the hands of its creator. I am looking at used pickups (expensive!), the Volt (used - not sure why I am doing this), BMW M3 & M4 roadsters, and some sporty convertibles. I guess I'm the kind of old guy that just can't make up my mind but I can't have them all.

 

[Jeta Life]

I'm at a loss as to what I will buy once my Passat is back in the hands of its creator. I am looking at used pickups (expensive!), the Volt (used - not sure why I am doing this), BMW M3 & M4 roadsters, and some sporty convertibles. I guess I'm the kind of old guy that just can't make up my mind but I can't have them all.

I've always been a fan of the Mazda Miata MX5, keeps a lower profile and good fuel efficiency, reliability and affordable.

Several CPO MX5s in the high teens to lower $20K range.

We're still looking at SUVs (aka Stupid Useless Vehicles) or Mom-Mobiles, waiting on Volkswagen's queue of 300,000 to 400,000.

And as usual, no transparency from VW, no ETA on the buyback funds. It's only been about 14 months and thousands of posts.

I've got a feeling it has a lot to do with the Alltrack's delayed availability.

 

[giovane]

I'm buying a CPO 2014 Audi A7 3.0T in Pennsylvania. Got picked up by the transporter yesterday.

 

[jhinsc]

I would try the Sonata Hybrid if you haven't yet looked at it. I have a 2016 Limited with Ultimate package - it was the most comparable to my SEL Premium, except with bells and whistles. MPG is averaging 43+, slightly higher than my TDI. I do like it's much quieter drive, smooth ride, and overall comfort, but it's not as sporting to drive. Only 2 gripes; fuel tank is smaller, so only seeing mid-600 mile range before having to fill-up, and no spare tire since the hybrid battery occupies that space. While the trunk size is smaller, it's only about 3" shallower than normal, and not oddly shaped, making it fully usable. I drove the new 2017 Accord Hybrid and frankly wasn't impressed. Hyundai won me over due it's longer warranties, huge back seat, the 6-speed auto (vs CVT in all other hybrids), ability to drive 2-4 miles on battery alone, and finally the great deal I got.

 

[HBarlow]

I'm buying a CPO 2014 Audi A7 3.0T in Pennsylvania. Got picked up by the transporter yesterday.

Congratulations. That's a nice car/suv.

I'm partial to TDIs but the turbocharged gasoline V6 is very strong according to everything I've read.

 

[HBarlow]

I admire the Mazda Miata as well as the Mustangs, Camaros, and Challengers but my old and worn knees don't share my admiration. Those cars are low!

 

[aja8888]

I admire the Mazda Miata as well as the Mustangs, Camaros, and Challengers but my old and worn knees don't share my admiration. Those cars are low!

I've driven a couple of Miata's recently and find them a fun ride, but a bit on the small side. They remind me of my old MGB roadster, size wise. The BMW M3 and M4 are a bit larger (but not by a whole lot).

My knees are still very good and I have a new titanium hip.

 

[SOCALGAL]

My husband and I both have TDI's. He decided to go back to a full sized truck and will be getting a Chevy Silverado crew cab (4 door). I want to go back to an SUV and I'm going all out FUN and will be getting a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara (4 door) and I can hardly stinkin' wait!

 

[SOCALGAL]

My 71 year old brother-in-law bought a new SS Camero last year. Scary fast but you can't see out of the thing. I drove it all over San Jose last time I was there and it is nice. Strangely, GM cheapened out the door panels (plastic) on a $45K car. Go figure. I haven't driven this vintage of Mustang but have owned 5 or so since 1988 (GT's, V6's, convertibles, etc).

My favorite was our 1989 5.0 GT Convertible (25th year Anniversary Edition) which my 16 year old daughter took one morning without clearing it with me and spun it around on an icy bridge going to school on morning when I was out of town. Totaled it.

I'm at a loss as to what I will buy once my Passat is back in the hands of its creator. I am looking at used pickups (expensive!), the Volt (used - not sure why I am doing this), BMW M3 & M4 roadsters, and some sporty convertibles. I guess I'm the kind of old guy that just can't make up my mind but I can't have them all.

My husband's wagon was hit last year and while it was in the shop we rented a Mustang which we had to turn in because of a bad tire and got a Camaro. You can't see a darn thing out of the Camaro, we hated it. Loved the Mustang though. The last used car we bought was a 3 or 4 year old Passat TDI wagon, 6 months after we bought it the transmission went. Won't buy used again.

 

[Jeta Life]

I would try the Sonata Hybrid if you haven't yet looked at it. I have a 2016 Limited with Ultimate package - it was the most comparable to my SEL Premium, except with bells and whistles. MPG is averaging 43+, slightly higher than my TDI. I do like it's much quieter drive, smooth ride, and overall comfort, but it's not as sporting to drive. Only 2 gripes; fuel tank is smaller, so only seeing mid-600 mile range before having to fill-up, and no spare tire since the hybrid battery occupies that space. While the trunk size is smaller, it's only about 3" shallower than normal, and not oddly shaped, making it fully usable. I drove the new 2017 Accord Hybrid and frankly wasn't impressed. Hyundai won me over due it's longer warranties, huge back seat, the 6-speed auto (vs CVT in all other hybrids), ability to drive 2-4 miles on battery alone, and finally the great deal I got.

Wow ! sounds awesome, if I can convince the wife to ditch our plans for an SUV ! Sounds like a much more reasonable ride for me. I did test drive a KIA Optima but the headroom and backseat were dealbreakers. Nice drive though.

May give the Sonata a test drive, Thanks ! Good tip !