Tesla Model X...

[experimentjon]

I don't know if you have children, but here's my experience seeing the X.

At the lab school here, every morning, there is a Model X that pulls up in the drop off queue. The passenger side gullwing door opens in dramatic fashion. Two kids hop out. The door closes again smoothly and silently and the mom in the Model X drives off. The casual drama of the drop-off really is something to marvel at...and it turns heads every time. The kid getting out of the 911 Turbo didn't even get that much attention.

[uscmatt99]

Originally Posted by experimentjon

I don't know if you have children, but here's my experience seeing the X.

At the lab school here, every morning, there is a Model X that pulls up in the drop off queue. The passenger side gullwing door opens in dramatic fashion. Two kids hop out. The door closes again smoothly and silently and the mom in the Model X drives off. The casual drama of the drop-off really is something to marvel at...and it turns heads every time. The kid getting out of the 911 Turbo didn't even get that much attention.

This may make my wife spill her wine when she reads it later

Every day she dreads the drop-off and pick-up, and anything that could make it less agonizing would be worth it to her. Instant torque from the line to get the hell out of the line is a perk. She could care less about the lack of an exhaust note or the range. She hates filling up gas and would love to just plug in the car every day. I think she's THE target market for the X. Too bad it's not the prettiest thing on the road. I'm trying to convince her a Cayenne is the way to go, but we'll see.

[dba]

Originally Posted by rozyd

Am I the only one who thinks a Model X looks like a slightly better Pontiac Aztek?

Same guy that drew the Aztek also drew the C-6 and C-7 Corvettes. I guess everyone is allowed an "oops"

[rozyd]

Originally Posted by dba

Same guy that drew the Aztek also drew the C-6 and C-7 Corvettes. I guess everyone is allowed an "oops"

True... those two are beauts. I guess you have to crank out a bad one every now and then to truly appreciate something beautiful.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by rozyd

True... those two are beauts. I guess you have to crank out a bad one every now and then to truly appreciate something beautiful.

the aztek lol one of the worst ever.

[Tommyk]

I recently got out of the high line auto world and have 2 friend that work for tesla and from a automotive perspective this is what I've seen.

The Tesla Model X is a neat car, it has a lot of WOW factors that wins the hearts of customers instantly. Its brings back that thrill that children have when they wish they could drive golf carts. And that is essentially what it is.
Every customer that I interfaced with and interviewed who was cross shopping and bought a Tesla was already mentally sold on buying one before they went into the competitions dealers (There are exceptions to this of course).

There are negatives and positives to both sides.
Con: Tesla owns it repair facilities and does not have any 3rd party technicians.
Con: Range
Con: The vehicle is essentially more technology than it is a car
Con: The battery costs nearly $45,000
Con: The build quality is far bellow the price point.
Con: Expensive
Con: Ergonomics aren't great

Pro: Strong Resale value (For now)
Pro: Looks (some love them)
Pro: Green Friendly (if you don't count electric power coming from coal/gas)
Pro: Tax credit
Pro: Technology
Pro: Reapairs minimal (as of right now) Air suspension has its faults though

Ive had sat in meeting lasting hours going over this questions and it goes on and on.

Personally knowing as much as I do about cars I would not buy one. The ONLY reason i considered it for a split second what because of resale value being relatively high you can drive it and trade it pretty easily.
Ive personally seen auto pilot over react and throw a Model X on the freeway doing 70 MPH in SoCal and it was not a reassuring sight.
There are other cars out there that have way better build quality and finer materials and far superior engineering for the same and for less money.
That doesn't mean its not a good car, its just that there is other options on the market place. The biggest debate is that there is no clear competition with the Tesla. Its the only luxury EV in the market at this time and for that I'm pleased that they seem to be doing well.

[vipereaper30]

Any updates OP? I recently started shorting TSLA...please tell me you aren't picking one up!

[Rock]

It's not a bad looking vehicle (if you like SUVs)
I wondered what that hideous thing was that Walter White drives in 'Breaking Bad'. Now I know. The Tesla looks nothing like that.

[Andad]

Interesting thread......

[airchitect]

I'd check into this a bit more as the general auto journalism community reviews seem to have been on the "pass" side. Do the research here, don't buy into a gimmick.... the model s though.....that's a great car.

[tritium8]

I LOVE the X (and S but need the space for work/kids that an SUV provides); however, I have some of the same concerns as those listed here. The build quality seems to be well below average. There is a body shop in Burbank (right by the new Ikea) that is loaded with Teslas. They get the car right after the owner takes delivery and fix all the issues that somehow passed QC (misaligned body panels, loose parts, seats, etc).

The other cars i'm looking at are the Volvo XC90, which has a lot of the features of the tesla plus the T8 is a plug in hybrid (HOV access, even in Cali) and the Audi Q7 (V6). If you look around, most of the car manufacturers are catching up with tesla in terms of tech but with much better quality. $100k should buy you a lot of car.

Regarding the falcon wing doors, I've had more than one friend say it's cool but it takes forever to open and drives them nuts.

[btinl]

Originally Posted by tritium8

I LOVE the X (and S but need the space for work/kids that an SUV provides); however, I have some of the same concerns as those listed here. The build quality seems to be well below average. There is a body shop in Burbank (right by the new Ikea) that is loaded with Teslas. They get the car right after the owner takes delivery and fix all the issues that somehow passed QC (misaligned body panels, loose parts, seats, etc).

The other cars i'm looking at are the Volvo XC90, which has a lot of the features of the tesla plus the T8 is a plug in hybrid (HOV access, even in Cali) and the Audi Q7 (V6). If you look around, most of the car manufacturers are catching up with tesla in terms of tech but with much better quality. $100k should buy you a lot of car.

Regarding the falcon wing doors, I've had more than one friend say it's cool but it takes forever to open and drives them nuts.

I looked at the same cars. I ended up ordering the Audi Q7. It should be arriving in the next week.

[c41006]

Originally Posted by rozyd

Am I the only one who thinks a Model X looks like a slightly better Pontiac Aztek?

I will never be able to get this out of my mind now... the Model X is ruined for me.

[tritium8]

Originally Posted by btinl

I looked at the same cars. I ended up ordering the Audi Q7. It should be arriving in the next week.

Prestige (V6)?

The only thing that is turning me from the Volvo XC90 is the 4 cylinder engine (reliability?!?), otherwise it's an amazing car.

[SearChart]

Tesla's are very commen here in the Netherlands, you see the model S everywhere and the X is also popping up here and there. They're cool cars.

Originally Posted by Etschell

the aztek lol one of the worst ever.

Never seen one over here, I looked at some pictures and I must say it's kinna funky. Would definitely turn some heads if you're driving that, but not in a Ferrari kind of way

[One Ping Only]

The only Tesla I have seen in northern WI was an X. It stood out in a sea of SUV and pickups. Not sure it's really practical here.

[btinl]

Originally Posted by tritium8

Prestige (V6)?

The only thing that is turning me from the Volvo XC90 is the 4 cylinder engine (reliability?!?), otherwise it's an amazing car.

Yep, Prestige 3.0T.