Aug 28, 2016
fallen888 Down payment matters, but it was only ~$6K - not an insane amount (and I'll get it back in state rebate and tax credit). I also got $20K for the trade in. The point being that you don't have to be rolling in it to afford a Tesla.
Also, I'm not leasing.�
Aug 28, 2016
rocketdallas I had a funny moment last week. My annual state safety inspection was due and as I had a poor experience at the local car wash/oil change place near me last year, I thought to ask the new Mercedes-Benz dealership (not far from my home and my wife owns a MB) if they would perform the state inspection for me. They said "sure" so I brought it into service.
Pulled up my car into a line of MB cars/SUVs and into the service bay and got curious looks from the other drivers. Two porters headed my way and seeing each other, one outran the other to get to me first. He was excited about seeing a Tesla and I spoke with him about my safety inspection and not needing the emission test because it's an EV. He got me squared away and I went inside the waiting area with my wife.
A manager came out to drive my car away and could not move it. After a few minutes, I walked over to help and saw three or four service people looking in and around the steering wheel for a start button or something to get the car started. Coming upon the group and their manager, the gentleman sheepishly told me he has never driven a Tesla before and I did a quick orientation for him so he could drive away. He was amazed the car was already "on" and all smiles as he drove away.
Once inside, a number of service technicians wandered over to look over the car and I saw several advisors leave their desks to wander into the garage also. Great and fast inspection and they were very enthusiastic and respectful with my car.�
Aug 28, 2016
Pollux Love it!�
Aug 29, 2016
Xenius Haha, I'm with you. I'm hardly in the earnings territory (or cash territory) of some of the members here. That said I'd been saving for two years for a Tesla, ended up putting down significantly less than I had in the "Tesla Fund". I decided I was fine with a 1k/mo payment (had been saving more than that) and once I realized that's what my payments were going to be and I was already saving more than that, figured I may as well be driving the car around
Anyway, now for this weekends' Tesla moments.
1) On Saturday morning stopped by my parents house who had some family friends visiting. They had stayed at the Westin Hotel in Norfolk, VA the day before and saw whole mess of Teslas pull up (the convoy for the Electric road Trip). I offered them a quick ride in mine as they hadn't been yet. We load up and I back out of my parents driveway and stop the car. I asked the woman (sitting in passenger seat) and her husband if they were "ready". She says, "uh, yeah" and I punch it. You should have seen here holding on for dear life (I "only" have a 60D, mind you). We were rapidly approaching a sharp turn in the road and she was like "we're running out of road!". I slowed down and she was just laughing and laughing, big 'ole grin on both their faces, they then chattered about it when we came back into the house and my parents had knowing smiles on their faces.
2) Also Saturday, met up with some of the crew from here and other local fans for drinks/dinner at the hotel near where Tesla was doing their electric field trip event, had a great time! Also found a new restaurant to try out, the owners were there and sounds like they really know food.
3) Sunday, preparing to leave my sisters house in Williamsburg, their neighbors come over as I was loading up and started asking all sorts of questions. Apparently the husband had been following tesla for a year or so and looking into them. Great knowledge spreading opportunity.
4) Later Sunday, on the road trip up from Williamsburg to Philadelphia. Starting in one of the tunnels at baltimore (not the 95N one). I noticed a car shoot by me in the right lane, and then suddenly start rapidly dropping back. It was two younger kids in (I think) a Scion from Jersey. The kid in the driver seat was no *sugar* holding a hardcore camera (probably DSLR) and totally doing a photoshoot of "Thor".
I was in autopilot and we were in a tunnel so I didn't try to speed match with them, but I did open the sunroof and give them two thumbs up (look ma' no hands!). They stayed with me for the next several miles, was almost hoping they'd follow me when I pulled into Newark so I could get their email address. I bet some of those pictures will come out bad-ass, so if any of you are in jersey and have your friends (or friends kids') tell you about a blue facelifted Model S they saw Sunday, get those pictures and I'll get you a beer!
And here's the odometer as of halfway through Maryland. I picked him up August 11th. That's almost 2k miles in 2.5 weeks!
�
Aug 29, 2016
fallen888 Haha. That reminded me of "Where we're going, we don't need roads."�
Aug 29, 2016
aesculus After 5k miles I still want to press on a parking brake to set/release and also reach up and press the garage door opener. Those two functions are programmed into my brain. I'll bet this same problem occurred to people when they made the switch from manual to automatic transmissions decades ago. They probably constantly found their left foot twitching.
�
Aug 29, 2016
eyespii Give it some time, and then you'll start to forget to "power off" and "lock" your ICE cars.�
Aug 29, 2016
NullException Decades ago? I'll be making that switch in 3 weeks when I pick up my S60D!�
Aug 29, 2016
Cnasty I still look back multiple times as i just walk away without locking or turning the car off to make sure the mirrors fold and know it is locked.
It's so cool!�
Aug 30, 2016
Xenius I do this too, I still feel like I should be taking some action when I get out of the car. I keep having a ghost hand make me reach to pull a key out of an ignition.�
Aug 30, 2016
RogerHScott Funny, I find myself Tesla-ing my ICE car all the time, but almost never vice versa. Hmmm...�
Aug 30, 2016
Ugliest1 I like to say "there's a panel on the floor of the driver's side, it slides back, you put your feet down, and run like he11!". Invariably the response is "like the Flintstones!".�
Aug 30, 2016
wdolson My old car had a steering wheel shifter, but probably every car I've borrowed or rented in the last 20 years has had a center console shifter. For the first few weeks whenever I parked the Tesla I would reach for the center console shifter.�
Aug 31, 2016
Xenius Yeah, been doing this as well. I came from a manual transmission, I still have a ghost shift in my right hand sometimes.�
Aug 31, 2016
Btrflyl8e I had a 2 month gap between selling my 60 and taking delivery of my 90D. TMC member @LoL Rick loaned me his old 2000 Jetta 5 speed manual. Just before delivery, he and I took his 85 on the Williamsburg road trip, and he found it hilarious that for the first few legs I drove, I kept lifting my left foot when I went to brake. I never did find the clutch in that thing!�
Aug 31, 2016
Bgarret That hits close to home. Getting to be so I may be prohibited from driving my wife's Acura (until she gets her Model III). Can't tell you the number of times I've had to double take, slow down and think my way through the transition in and out of her car. Going to leave it running and in gear one of these days and it will roll away......hmmmm....�
Aug 31, 2016
Chopr147 Those ICE cars really have some roll to them. Driving my wife's Lexus I have to use that thingy to the left of the accelerator�
Aug 31, 2016
RogerHScott You mean the schedule-possible-acceleration-for-some-unspecified-future-time-or, as opposed to Tesla's accelerate-NOW-or?�
Sep 1, 2016
306 Megajoules I took my stepson to a Nissan dealer to check out a used car. Pulled up and all the sales staff came out to check out Joules. The sales manager came up and asked if he could sit in it. I said not only could he sit in it but he could take it for a "test drive". His eyes lit up and off we went. I told him to put his foot in it and a few seconds later we were doing 60. He turned to me and said "This is an electric car?" I said yep and didn't Nissan sell one too? The Leaf? He just looked at me and said "Yeah well ..."�
Sep 1, 2016
Pollux Too bad I can't click on more than one of those little grey icons...
I would've said Funny AND Informative. And, if there were such an icon, I'd also have added Sad.�
Sep 1, 2016
green1 A few days ago I was driving around Vancouver and realized I was stopped between a Lamborghini dealer, a Bentley dealer, and a Maclaren dealer. And then I realized that the guy on the sidewalk taking pictures wasn't photographing any of them, he was taking pictures of my car.... That felt pretty good!�
Sep 1, 2016
beeeerock This makes me realize that I've *never* had the clutch instinct in this car. It's happened in every other car I've owned that has had an automatic transmission. So it's obviously an audible RPM trigger that causes it - for me at least... which just isn't heard in the Model S!�
Sep 2, 2016
Chopr147 Drive-in movie last week upstate NY. One of the employees there followed me on foot to my spot. He walked like 1/2 mile to get to me
He was 20 years old and knew alot about Tesla's, the company,Elon etc.....BUT, he never saw a Tesla in real life. Talked with him until the movie started (and longer)
Also nearly got a parking ticket for the missing front plate�
Sep 2, 2016
Xenius Two recent Tesla moments, they're starting to get too numerous to post all of them here (awesome).
Yesterday I gave a co-worker a ride to the Toyota place in Ardmore as his prius was there for yet another issue. As we pulled up so I could let him out there were three services guys outside and EVERYONE was just staring as my friend got out of the car. They were really just eye fscking the heck out of my car as I pulled around the building to pull back out of the lot, feels good man.
This morning I ran over to Advance Auto Parts to pick up some of the rain-x all season windshield washer fluid. As I walked in the guy working the counter was already at the front door and greeted me, asked what I needed. As I was checking out and gather my four gallons of rain-x guy says "That is nice looking Tesla man". Took a second to get to my car because some guy in a truck was very slowly driving by as he stared at it before noticing I was waiting right there.�
Sep 2, 2016
fallen888 Does it qualify as a Tesla moment if I haven't taken delivery yet?
I almost walked away from my current car with it still on.�
Sep 2, 2016
Cnasty Went to a reputable shop in the area to quote photosync and blacking out my window trim and had an almost anti/non tesla moment but in a good way.
I went to them because they do so many Teslas that poor Electra was treated like any other normal car even though he did acknowledge how amazing Teslas are.
I am so over all of this chrome and no tint!�
Sep 2, 2016
BigAirHarper Had a couple from yesterday:
Driving down street in front of a high school where cross country practice was going on, kid stops and stares holding hands out, turns 180 to follow car as it passes and I see him waving hands in air and mouthing something
Then 3 min later road bike headed opposite direction gives several enthusiastic thumbs up, which I of course returned. This car is so awesome.�
Sep 2, 2016
tslaaustin I was showing my new tesla to one of my friends near our community pool. Another lady (home owner) also was sitting there by the pool and when she heard the word Tesla her face was completely lit up and the first word out of her mouth was OMG. She also came to the parking outside the pool and continued saying the word OMG several times as i showed around the car, the frunk and trunk and demonstrated the summon feature.
She probably took more pictures of the car on her cell phone than what i have taken so far and immediately sent to her husband.
I think its just beginning!!!�
Sep 2, 2016
Chopr147 You are right! The more Tesla's on the road, the more drooling stares we get�
Sep 2, 2016
wdolson Last Friday we had a friend down from Seattle and another local friend came over. It got late and we decided to order some take out. I volunteered to fetch and the local friend came along because she needed to get something while we were out. As we got into the car she said she knew if we were going anywhere it was going to be in the Tesla.
After picking up the food I was threading through the parking lot and some guy in a white short sleeved shirt and tie waved at me from his car and I waved back. My friend asked where I knew him from and I said I had never seen him before. She was really confused why some random stranger would wave at me and I explained the Tesla Moment thing.
She's from Boston and the idea of waving at random strangers is very weird to her. Growing up a white kid in East LA I learned to keep to myself too, but I'm adjusting to the Tesla etiquette.�
Sep 4, 2016
Pollux Love these stories!
I'm shameless -- anyone who looks even remotely interested, I'll stop, talk to them, try to coax them into sitting in the car, going for a quick ride with me, sometimes even driving the car. (I usually snap a picture of the person's driver's license.)
I am absolutely convinced that these conversations make a difference. They change perceptions from "rich man's folly" to "awesome and someday I could have one".
I have never, not once, had a problem or even a scary moment. Not saying you should be stupid about doing something like this -- 1 in the morning in a deserted parking lot is different than noon on a city street -- but so far what I'm seeing is that people who actually notice the car are pretty much by definition people who can be approached and who welcome the interaction.
There ARE people who turn out not to be that interested, and that's just the way it is.
Finally, when you are talking to people, whether it's aggressively like I do or just in casual conversation at a cocktail party, try to let them know that not only is the Model 3 coming, at $35K, but also that Tesla is working on a PICKUP TRUCK and a SEMI and already has an SUV. Tesla is knocking down use case after use case. I talk to plenty of people who can't trade their pickup truck for a Model S because the pickup truck is used in a different way. So letting people now that there is a pickup truck in the work also changes their perceptions. ("Not just for spoiled city folk environmentalists. Also for people who need to get a job done.")
Alan�
Sep 4, 2016
RogerHScott ... but now also for spoiled rural environmentalists!"�
Sep 5, 2016
Old Wyseguy I got that too, and finally got fed up and got an attitude with another guy I work with so told him something like this: Just look around the parking lot, Everybody has their "thing". There are crew cab dually diesel trucks with a 5th wheel in the back to pull huge campers. They also have a hitch to pull their boats around and have most likely spent more on their idea of fun. My idea of fun was a Tesla. Don't even get me started on the price of motor homes when 15 years ago very nicely appointed ones were around a quarter mil! So it boils down to NOT how much money you make, but how you opt to spend it.�
Sep 5, 2016
Swissmoneychf I usually say that I sell drugs when anybody asks me "how did you manage to own such an expensive car" (even with my current car that is only 70k).
The fact is that I'm "only" 27 and people of my age range are more focused on partying and smoking joints than making money like I do.�
Sep 5, 2016
Old Wyseguy My wife does that every chance she gets . . .�
Sep 5, 2016
BigAirHarper That's a funny comeback.
I get those looks too, 28, but a face of a 18 year old. It's good to be driven and accomplish the goals we want in life. Life is too short to sit idly by on the couch, make the most of it!�
Sep 5, 2016
RogerHScott Alternate reply: "You don't like people making money? I'll be sure to mention that to your boss next time you're up for a raise."
Maybe it's just because I come from a background where "polite people" really don't pry into the financial affairs of others, but I'm still
a bit shocked by the strangers who just can't take a hint that I'm not interested in getting into specifics about the cost of my car.�
Sep 5, 2016
hmmm My newest Tesla moment(s): using my car as a phone booth to take conference calls: in complete darkness in the garage, ambient lighting on, ac gently on and the smell of leather. Better than my home office with a whiny toddler across the way.
Tomorrow I am putting these cupholders to good use and am bringing a stiff drink along.�
Sep 5, 2016
jstack6 A Tesla moment on the way home from TMC Connect 2016 in Reno and after the Giga Factory tour we started driving back to the Phoenix area 750 miles away. A policeman came after us for 72 in a 60. While he was talking to my friend who was driving I mentioned we just got back from the awesome Tesla presentation and tour. He wasn't aware of it. We used Auto Pilot and almost mentioned that but he would really freak if he tried to understand it. Then he asks, is this an electric too. Yes and I explained how it doesn't use any gas or oil or transmission. He is very impressed and only gives my friend a 5 mpg over notice with no license points or insurance visibility. He can't wait to check out the factory and cars at Tesla.�
Sep 5, 2016
wdolson I was wondering about your mention of getting points on your license. I'm familiar with some countries that have point systems, but I wasn't aware of any states that do. I looked it up and it appears there are only 7 states that don't have a point system. Washington and Oregon are among the 7 in the minority.�
Sep 6, 2016
mmccord Very generous considering your friend was infinite mpg over!�
Sep 6, 2016
andyaycw This reminds me of a few months ago...I went to a new barber for a haircut and he wanted to give me a student discount because he thought I was still in high school. I was 28
I picked up my 70D at 27. Fortunately, not many people ask how I could afford it at such a young age. I don't like the attention, so...win win. A few close friends and some acquaintances have asked, but the most I've gotten from strangers is just stares as I get into or out of the car.
Oddly enough, I really don't see that many other tesla's here in Orange County, Southern California. I used to see a lot when I was commuting down the 405 in the carpool lane, but on city streets, I hardly ever see any. I get excited and grin whenever I see another one because it's still a rare sight for me to see another tesla. So, I just had a huge grin on my face when I came out of the parking lot today at work and saw a red P85D parked right next to me.
As someone who's a bit more picky about where I park now (to minimize the chance of door dings) I thought to myself "yep, I'd have parked there too [next to another tesla]"�
Sep 6, 2016
Fresco Arrived at In-N-Out drive thru
order taker : "wow what a beautiful tesla. I want one when grow up, she is so shiny and pretty"
I drive to first window...
Cashier who sticks almost his whole body out the window : "what a beauty, its gorgeous"
I drive to second window...
"Do you want ket...that is a NICE car, is that a tesla? Its so nice.�
Sep 7, 2016
PaulusdB Somehow you didn't get the Connect 16 badge on your profile. Maybe @doug should look into that?�
Sep 7, 2016
DrGuest Bozeman is a relatively small western college town and so I was surprised to see another Model S parked at a spot I often go to for lunch. The blue P85D parked behind me was playing music as I approached and it turned out to be another Bozemanite that got his car about a year ago. We visited and he told me he was visiting a big city and decided to test drive a Maserati Grand Turismo since this $144,000 car was on sale used for $44,000. He said he stepped on it, and was totally Underwhelmed! No Maserati not even for a discount, Totally spoiled by his Tesla!
�
Sep 7, 2016
Cnasty Not my happiest of Tesla moments but earning me points as a husband is this week's ride program we have going on in our house.
It is my wife's birthday this week so has asked to have the car all week as a gift as well.
The Model 3 can't come soon enough so she can back up off of my car!!�
Sep 7, 2016
Bgarret I picked up my black 2014 S85 on June 16th in Chicago...7,000 miles, 13 states and 2 countries later - a few Tesla moments.
The first time my wife rode in it, we were in Brooklyn and we parked at Fairway market to get groceries. When we came out of Fairway, there was a couple circling Black Betty and the woman was filming it on her phone - all 360 degrees. My wife turned to me and asked, "Does this happen often?....It's a little creepy." Stayed and talked Tesla with them for a few minutes.
Parked outside getting takeout in Grand Haven, Michigan during a busy tourist time of year and the 15 year-old with a skateboard and flowing locks looks back over his shoulder and says in his coolest slacker voice, "Tesla....respect, man." (Whew, I was sweating his approval).
Stopped for 15 minutes crossing the border back from Canada - problem with the passports? - No, the customs agent wanted to talk about Tesla. Got out of the booth, did the full walk around, I opened the trunk and frunk for him.
Had a minor ding from a relative backing into my car in a crowded parking lot - took it to the body shop in Grand Rapids and they couldn't wait for me to bring it in to work on it. I had to delay from a Friday to Tuesday and they were audibly disappointed. When I dropped off the car, only thing in their appointment book was TESLA, written in all caps. When I picked it up (they did great work) we talked for 20 minutes about changing technology, Model III, all kinds of Tesla talk.
Can't tell you the number of "Hey man, nice car", pedestrian whiplash or people who "stalk" the car when it's parked and they think they can't be seen (or don't care).
It's been fun.�
Sep 7, 2016
RogerHScott Missoula?�
Sep 9, 2016
Old Wyseguy Weather permitting I'll be taking the Tesla to the areas largest car show at Landmark Park in Dothan Alabama on Oct 1st. I've already taken the Friday before the show to give the car a good cleaning. I even intend to wash the titanium belly and plan to bring a mirror to show that as well. I know it's not exactly close to my other Tesla friends, but it would be cool if I was not the only one. Any takers? I'm hoping for at least a few Tesla moments while there . . .�
Sep 9, 2016
JediNinjaLady If I finally get mine by then I would really like to go! If you could provide me a link or flyer that would be great.�
Sep 9, 2016
Old Wyseguy Landmark Park | Landmark Park Benefit Car Show�
Sep 9, 2016
BigAirHarper Had my best Tesla moment yet last night:
I was sitting outside with my wife finishing dinner at a restaurant with the car parallel parked right in front of us. (It's nice to enjoy dinner and check out your own car, hahahah) A friend I hadn't seen in a long time, who I used to work with years ago at my summer job while home from college, came strolling past. We recognized each other, chatted for 20 min and the discussion turned to cars. I knew he was big into technology so I asked if he knew about Tesla, he said of course. I just pointed behind him.
Friend: "oh wow very nice, you know I've been seeing a lot of these in Destin lately. "
Me: "oh really?"
(Slighly reaching into my pocket for the key)
Me: "have you ever sat in one?"
Friend: "no"
(Friend facing me, then turns to see the car unlocked)
Friend: "expletive, expletive, no expletive way! Sick! You got a Tesla!"
Me: "wanna go for a ride?"
Friend: "yes of course!"
Tesla talk proceeded and took him for a ride which he was blown away with. Great moment that made my night. He ended with "guess I know what I'm saving up for."
Another potential Model 3 owner!�
Sep 9, 2016
bjelkeman I just passed the first 24h with my Model S 60D. A few moments to share.
- I drove my friend home from band practice. On a nice and empty piece of road, slowly rolling. Then I floored it. He shouts straight out: "Oh my god!" And I have a slow Tesla.
- I parked in town to load some stuff into the office. An elderly woman stops, walks up to me and bursts out: "What a beautiful car!"
- The cars feels like a wolf in sheep clothing. One can tip-toe around town. Quietly, with superb low speed control. The you push a bit, and it turns into a a snarling beast... eh, well no. Quietly shoots you out of a canon.
- I was dropping my friend of at home. We where slowly gliding into the parking lot, whilst talking. He turns to me and asks: "Why are we whispering?" The car is so quiet that we instinctively whispered as we pulled up to the houses in the evening, as if we were sneaking around.
�
Sep 9, 2016
Max* There is no such thing.�
Sep 9, 2016
Cyclone Well, the closest would be a Tesla that is being Summoned�
Sep 9, 2016
Boourns A Tesla waiting to be delivered.�
Sep 9, 2016
Btrflyl8e We'll be on our way home from Indiana that day, so I'll have to look and see if we could route that way.
Edit: is 16 hours of driving to get there... Too bad, looks like a good time!�
Sep 9, 2016
wilheldp I saw a girl in the passenger seat of a car take a picture of my car with her cell phone when I passed them on the interstate the other day.�
Sep 9, 2016
bjelkeman Which I am finding out, to my delight.�
Sep 9, 2016
Wknapp0924 My 70 makes grown men giggle when I floor it. I have gotten used to it and I have the ludicrous itch. Ha.�
Sep 10, 2016
Old Wyseguy So far, Alabama is not Supercharger friendly but we have often used Jack Ingram Motors (Montgomery) and Benton Nissan of Hoover. Both have been very Tesla friendly. You would need a CHAdeMO adapter which comes in very handy not only here in Alabama but great to have along on road trips. I'm anxious for more Superchargers in Alabama.�
Sep 10, 2016
Cyclone Today we had the kickoff event in Charlotte for National Drive Electric Week. While getting set up, we say a few ICEs just park amongst us and go inside the stores of the shopping plaza. So I went ahead and blocked one section off with my car and put our tent at the other end.
After setting up I went inside to the Panera to grab a drink and when walking back out, I heard two ladies in the line talking to each other and one goes "Did you see that car with the hood up out there? It has no engine!!" My Tesla grin came out.
�
Sep 10, 2016
theslimshadyist B'ham desperately needs a SpC!�
Sep 11, 2016
fallen888 Had a cool Tesla moment today at the Tilted Kilt in King of Prussia, PA. Parking lot was pretty full, but I did find one spot and was in the middle of parking there. Just then a valet attendant runs over to me and says I can park my Tesla right in front. I said I didn't see any free spots up there. And he says, "Yeah, we have a spot for your Tesla there." So I circle back to the front of the parking lot and the guys waves in towards an area right by the entrance to the pub that seems reserved for deliveries or handicapped people. I confirmed if it's really ok to park there, and he says, "Definitely, this is where we let our customers with Teslas, Ferraris, etc park." So I did just that. I was pleasantly surprised by this bonus.�
Sep 11, 2016
fallen888 Furthermore, I came out hours later and noticed a Porsche parked next to me.�
Sep 11, 2016
BigAirHarper First, LOVE KOP and the Devon area. Wife was there for 1 year for an internship.
And LOVE this moment. I know the feeling because same thing just happened to me. Went to a vineyard in N. Georgia where huge event was going on so they were shuttling people into huge fields. We got to go straight to the event and park right out front where the Tesla chargers were. Such a good feeling!�
Sep 11, 2016
bmah I had one of five Teslas being shown at the National Drive Electric Week event in Novato (Marin County, CA) yesterday. So many mini-Tesla moments!
Basically four hours of Tesla Time (the only downside is that I was so busy I only got to see a few of the other cars / vendors). I totally recommend this experience...if you like talking about your car, showing it at an NDEW (or similar) event is a great way to spend a day, and hopefully get more people interested in EVs (whether Tesla or otherwise).
- Took a day off from work the day before, mostly to clean my car (I figure it had to be presentable), and discovered a new use for summoning while cleaning the wheels (kind of hard to clean around the brake calipers). Basically, the idea was clean as much as I could then summon the car forward and walk alongside, stopping it when the wheel rotation revealed a part that I missed. I am sure that my neighbor across the street (who works from home) was wondering what crazy thing I was doing with my car.
- Arriving at the event and being directed next to a couple of other TMC members (@Blu Zap and @ChrisJ). Sure was glad I'd taken the time to clean my car the day before because theirs looked sharp! (@ChrisJ actually parked last and completed a perfect right echelon formation.)
- Lots and lots of questions! The most common ones I remember were: "How far can you go on a charge?" "How long does it take to charge?" "What do you need to charge at home?" (Glad I brought my UMC and adapter collection.) "Are these the next-generation seats?" (Kind of an unexpected question, but two people asked this.) "How much does it cost?" (Well, they start around $65K and go up from there. Talked about the Model 3 and its price-point, saw some lightbulbs go on in people's heads.) "Do you have solar panels on your house?" (Also a little unexpected, but I got that question three times.)
- Grandma to her two grade-school grandkids: "OK kids, see if you can find the cameras on this car." (Go Grandma! They needed a little help but we ended up having a nice talk about radar, ultrasonic sensors, and cameras.)
- Getting mistaken for a Tesla employee, at least twice. (No, I don't work for Tesla, I just own this one here.) "Really? This is your car?" (Yep.) "Wow, you must really like it!" (Yep!)
- A tweenage girl hopping behind the wheel, probably not realizing this wasn't a demo car. Watching the screens light up, she whispered, "Wow it's like a dream."
- From the mom of said tweenager: "Are you a pilot?" (Um, no...mumble mumble...3.5 hours in log book...my wife made me stop...mumble mumble...why do you ask?) "This looks like the cockpit of an airplane!"
Bruce.�
1/1/2015
guest This would be a good time to post a link to the Drive Electric Week events page.
National Drive Electric Week 2016 - Events
I did one in Sarasota last weekend with a couple of my Tesla buddies and we're doing Oldsmar next weekend. We get mistaken for Tesla employees all the time.�
1/1/2015
guest Thanks for posting the link. I just registered for an upcoming event - National Drive Electric Week Event - Wayne�
1/1/2015
guest Hey @fallen888 always been meaning to get over there to Tilted Kilt. Are you aware of the charging spots for the Tesla store in the Kop Garage near Rock Bottom Brewery? The Tesla employee's will be happy to move a car to let you charge if you show up and there aren't any spots. I've done it several times now, they're a great bunch in that store.
Shout out to Moe in the Tysons Corner, VA location. I was there visiting family this weekend and only had about 30-40 miles on the battery. Went to the store thinking they might have some chargers (strangely, they don't). However Moe (whom I had briefly met at an event in VA Beach a few weeks before) offered to have someone pull me into the Service Center and use the private supercharger. Apparently this isn't something they normally do, but will do it in "emergencies" and gladly pulled me in.
Got to go on a P90X test drive with the wife and sister in law while we were charging. They were making "Ludicrous" jokes for the rest of the day�
1/1/2015
guest You might recall from one of my previous posts, my wife printed up a loose leaf binder for car shows and cruise in nights with FAQ'S about our S90D and we normally leave it displayed in the open trunk so the public can flip through it.�
1/1/2015
guest @Old Wyseguy that's an awesome idea. You guys happen to have the document you printed the information from handy?�
1/1/2015
guest Things like that are all my on my wife and she just left with the car for work. I will ask her, but for the most part I can tell you much of what is contained is simply cut and pasted right from the manual and other Tesla information and photos gathered from the net. I know there is one photo of the titanium belly! I will get back to you with more information in a day or two.�
1/1/2015
guest I've had my car for about a month now. For the most part, my wife couldn't care less. She never disliked it, but was not as obsessed as we all are. She has not driven it yet . . . . not bc I won't let her, but bc she doesn't care. That is, until yesterday. We drove out to brunch. Found a tight space right in front of the restaurant. Her first words, "you'll never squeeze this monster into that space". My parking P popped up, I hit the button, and it squeezed in automatically. My wife FINALLY HAD THE GRIN!!! She went on and on how amazing that was. When we met our friends, it was the first thing she said to them (OMG, the car parked itself in that amazingly tight spot). Now she wants to drive it. I told her I'd think about it�
1/1/2015
guest What is the best way to find out about events in the Charlotte area? I went to the National Drive Electric Week website, but any other places I should check for future events?�
1/1/2015
guest Hey, Bruce! I spent the day in Santa Rosa doing the same thing. I was giving rides and drives, would walk over to the Tesla "static display" and ask the people ogling the car if they'd like to drive one. And off we go. I'll be going up to Ukiah (at the SCs) Saturday to do it again. Tons of questions, everybody amazed, people sold on Tesla.
Anyone not in a coma needs to contact their local Tesla Club or the Electric Auto Assn. and get on the email list for shows that happen all year. Our local college likes to do things for earth day, the local fair wants EVs to be present. And, as you say, it's just four hours of Tesla Time and great memories.
Great to know you are sharing the dream.�
1/1/2015
guest Very cool. Thanks for letting me know.
I was cutting it close on the way home after KOP stop.
![[?IMG]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sYOZgk3m9OGlPrWK85MOOzChwry4JMVwXMjrEZTxxNMZTtJF1YifNLiNP8F1jExm1pbk49Mcryr50EGnRTnQQU6-dORQBArtvhQqrvqsefZF_FVOGte6I5G_mrCF9-1bnHVacKBK80A6Zn0VdVCmfIQRU6tKnOrxeIk-CYratj6NyF0JO0jpZvOwAtpdOJSJubrjmiSNZ6SGjLu6hr45gyJDY1_-aceMzBG2yTKqF8PXn9O9febXBj44b-0ENRQtptnp-Cwp9sZ87414qmBwLilrTTN1_qRXazkwWbUmXIP-2lbq_BFS4K-Kl-jURVHyXcME3OOvRrJCUDGrrOQ-6_U6YZKTuZGZZpB99HTa4c-fqe9LOZK0FXWRV_kSx5P3qh0F_Csbcm8_xd8peiIB5sXdGIUqJh1rUL_-fxWp5J4IDYJgqMCceLc_XuIRfXUSlz5yRkbm8xmlkRoSAU8AODP9LVF3_YdtSaaEvqrqYguHiXhW1LXzellFDKfMX0OSBap5c-c2AqabaWhM7WxgSGZgIh6tdMMA3h7qvhnVA2zXa3p6MfFlMBOiYW3S-XPLd6h2aK3lTIZNS0kMJls0CZagTTicEqrMfZ2Gor4dpKWLm0UIcw=w696-h927-no)
�
1/1/2015
guest Charlotte events were last weekend but this one in Pembroke is next weekend. National Drive Electric Week Event - Pembroke
Other than that, I would suggest contacting local owners, like maybe @Cyclone. We have a group of 6 close-knit owners that get together periodically to do regular car shows. For instance, a local diner has a cruise-in every Thursday night that we crash sometimes. We also do Saturday morning Cars & Coffee events and there are several of those around town. Of course anywhere we go with 6 Teslas is automatically a show.
Edit - ok, I googled it for you. You guys should totally get the Charlotte owners together for this thing. Charlotte AutoFair - The Largest Collector Vehicle Event in the Southeast!�
1/1/2015
guest NDEW is always a source of endless Tesla moments, and is always a blast. Highly recommended showing your car or giving test rides. The EV community is one of the main reasons EVs are finally starting to take over, so have some fun and participate.
I like to park my S near the entrance and open the frunk, so anyone entering the event gets to gaze in wonder upon the frunk. It's fun to watch people rubbernecking while walking. Often results in jaw-droppping facial expressions. Plus it attracts others for tons of questions.
This was the first year I've done test rides. Rides make all the difference. Especially when someone experiences a 320kW launch. From reading all the hand wringing on the forums you'd think my old P85 was obsolete -- but everyone who got a ride was blown away with the acceleration, tech, cargo space, and interior styling. Many couldn't believe my car was 3.5 years old.�
1/1/2015
guest I got this quite a bit at the show I took mine too, also. A number of people assumed I was a sales rep or something. I didn't say
"Yeah, right, like Tesla would have a schlub like me selling their cars"
customers are better salespeople than any paid salesperson could hope to be.�
1/1/2015
guest Yeah, sometimes it seems like people too immersed in "Tesla space" lose all perspective and forget how awesome even the most
"humble" Tesla is in an absolute sense.�
1/1/2015
guest Tesla never made slow cars. Or ugly, either.�
1/1/2015
guest I drove down south from LAX on the 405 through Orange County the other day, and at one point there were no less than three Model S on the freeway right in front of me.
A few days earlier in San Marcos, there was a Model X and two Model S in one intersection at the same time going in different directions.�
1/1/2015
guest Way to go!!!!
�
1/1/2015
guest Five test rides at the South Paris ME NDEW event, and I lost count at South Portland this past weekend. Talked about and showed how autopilot is not autonomous and proved that an EV does not have to drive like a golf cart with a little launch demo. Scared one car-full (in a fun way) with Summon, once they were all strapped in I got out and the car started moving out of the parking space. Several Tesla�s were at the South Portland event were the stars of the show, including the one other (that I know of) Maine Model X, but the other smaller used/new EV�s on display and available for rides/drives/questions really brought home the idea that EV's are great daily driver cars with no gas bills and minimal repair costs. These events are great ways for people to explore how an EV can fit into their lives; I recommend all enthusiast owners bring their cars to one and be prepared to enjoy a few hours of Tesla Moments.�
1/1/2015
guest Thanks for being there and for all the rides you guys gave! I was there helping at the dealer Ride and Drive, and having to run and get copies of licenses for one of the dealers that was doing test drives. The lady at the community center who did most of the copying commented that "Maine needs a Tesla dealer", and I mentioned to her that Tesla owners were doing ride-alongs, so maybe when she was on break she could go ask for a ride. At one point I thought she'd gone home, but sure enough, when I came back later for another copy, she was back and told me she'd had a ride in a Tesla and loved it.�
1/1/2015
guest https://www.facebook.com/groups/748440881913046/�
1/1/2015
guest We do First Friday lunch at the Tesla Supercharger and First Saturday Cars and Coffee at the Windstream office in the Matthews neighborhood. We are trying to set up regular meetups for our South Carolina neighbor's too so they don't drive 50ish miles to meet with us. @muleferg drives 150ish miles from North Wilkesboro sometimes to meet with our group. He always has the best stories (was/is a paratrooper). A great group. @Btrflyl8e has been to one of our meetups. We are a welcoming group.�
1/1/2015
guest I had two Owner Advisors from Tesla at the event chatting over the X they brought (last year they offered test drives in an S), so I'm not surprised that with my Tesla hat, Tesla shirt, and Tesla grin that I kept getting asked what it's like working for Tesla.�
1/1/2015
guest Bruce, I did the same thing in Maumee, Ohio (near Toledo) on Saturday. I plan on doing the event in Columbus, Ohio next Sunday.
The Maumee event was about 6 miles from the local Supercharger location. The event in Columbus is across town from the local Supercharger in Grove City, but it is only about 15 miles from home so no big deal.
I love these NDEW events. I first drove a Model S two years ago. I got my car about 2 weeks before last year's event in Columbus.
I get most of your questions when ever I am showing off the car.�
1/1/2015
guest Kind of a Tesla and a dad moment. I was having a Clark Griswold/Christie Brinkley moment in my freshly tinted black Model S this past week. A fairy attractive woman was in her Mustang convertible and she was eyeballing the hell out of the S and here I was keeping up with her on the highway speeding a long.
Well she points and mouths something which I think comes out to "cute". And I am all smiling and enjoying this little interaction but then she points and I see my son in the rear view mirror waving at her from his booster seat.
She speeds off, I go back to discussions about Woody and Buzz and my wife calls me to don't forget to pick up the dry cleaning on the way home.
Reality.�
1/1/2015
guest Tinkerbell?�
1/1/2015
guest There are a decent amount of Tesla's in the area, that I usually just go around my business oblivious to the outside world and don't have any "Tesla moments".
My wife is traveling, and I get to pick up my daughter from school. As I'm waiting my turn in the Kiss&Ride line, the school staff person who opens the door and lets the kid in, looks at my car and yells "WOW, IT'S A TESLA! NICE TESLA!". In the 10 seconds that it takes my daughter to get in the car, she tells me about how much she loves Tesla and how her boyfriend really wants one, I smile, thank her, wish her a nice day, and drive off.�
1/1/2015
guest You get points for saying "I get to pick up my daughter..." Instead of "I have to pick up my daughter"�
1/1/2015
guest Small Tesla moments over the weekend:
Drove the Tesla to Gainesville for the Gator game. Showed up on campus about 2 hours prior to kickoff (late by SEC tailgating standards) and was able to squeeze the car in to a tiny spot that was the last one left where we normally park. As I get out I see a small grey box on the wall. No way that's a plug, I think to myself. Sure enough it was, and you better believe I plugged in just for fun to charge at 3mi/hr. Got several looks, points, and questions of passerbys.
After the game we pull up to a red light and I look left to see a girl who couldn't be older than 9 giving me enthusiastic thumbs up with her dad smiling in the background. I gave the thumbs up back, we Gator chomped back and forth, and I demonstrated the 0-60 on the green for smiles all around. I never knew a car could bring this much joy.
PS: This is the ultimate tailgate car, being able to have it chilled as we leave the stadium and diving in the icebox after sitting in the sun all day was incredible.�
1/1/2015
guest Let's try this again -- the audio in the first video was bad.
This happened today -- watch for the "running man" on the left at the very start of the video:
�
1/1/2015
guest Was that actually a "stop" at 1:41? You'd better hope the local constabulary doesn't subpoena your dashcam video!
I like the idea of one form of responsible transportation (Tesla) assisting someone in using another form (train).
I notice you're as bad as I am at forgetting to put it in Park before people get in/out, thus the beep-beep-
beeps�
1/1/2015
guest Yeah, there are a few stop signs in town where *nobody* even attempts to "stop"... and this is one of them. I would have stopped fully if I wasn't trying to get to the station quickly.�
1/1/2015
guest You know, people who run red lights and cause horrible accidents say pretty much the same thing. I think you were better off stopping
at "everyone runs this stop sign, and so do I" as your justification. Just sayin'...�
1/1/2015
guest �
1/1/2015
guest
It wasn't really a justification... it was a rolling stop... against the law? Probably. But at least I made an effort to stop(ish) and look. Most people don't even do that. There's one stop sign at the end of our street which is a "traffic from the right does not stop" stop sign... but you wouldn't believe how blatantly people don't even make an attempt to stop there, and several times have almost caused an accident with "traffic from the right" (including me). I have a few videos of that somewhere too. I actually do stop at this and all other stop signs... but like I said, it was a rolling stop, not a "I don't care and I'm not even going to try to stop" stop like most people do do here.�
1/1/2015
guest Here's the kind of people I'm talking about in this town... and this woman ran a clear red light!!! And nearly hit me.
�
1/1/2015
guest Wow�
1/1/2015
guest Extra Karma points for you today good sir. Well done!�
1/1/2015
guest We won't have any Tesla moments for a couple years, but I wanted to thank the driver of the blue Model S who smiled and waved back at my 8 year old daughter yesterday afternoon at the intersection of Oak Bay & Richmond (in Victoria, BC). She's been giddy ever since�
1/1/2015
guest This is not really an impromptu Tesla moment but:
Today I participated at one of the EV events for the National Drive Electric week. Mostly Prius plug-ins, a couple of BYD's (didn't know they were in USA)Volt's, Ford Fusion couple of others......and a fuel cell hydrogen Toyota Mirai (interesting)
The biggest hit of course were the 2 Tesla Model S's. Mine and another P85D
Answered a ton of questions, showed off the car ,was asked for test drives but declined.
( I have the car 3 weeks, i'm not giving test drives ) sorry
The Tesla had me talking for 6 hours straight. I am NOT that sociable
I was asked by a few people if I work for Tesla (Toyota,Ford and BYD had rep.'s there.)
I would say no this is my car and some would give me a look like "really? You seem to be selling
Sorry, no. Just here to show off�
1/1/2015
guest This reminds me of the time I was exiting my S. A fellow club member smilingly said, "Wow, I really like MY Tesla". Noting the puzzled look on my face, he then said, "Well, some of my money paid for that with government subsidies, etc.. I had to bite my tongue to avoid discussing subsidies in farming, banking bailouts and ICE company bailouts.�
1/1/2015
guest Actually, this is not funny. The last time we drove from FL to Chicago using the ICE minivan, we were so tired (non-stop, 18-19 hours) that after unloading and eating, we hurriedly started getting ready for bed. That's when we realized the cosmetics bag was still in the van. So I went to get it and the heat and smell in the garage with the car running for the previous 2 hours was sickening. I think we were just a few hours short of being CO victims.�
1/1/2015
guest Another reason why everyone should have a CO detector.�
1/1/2015
guest Showed the car to my mom today. She loves fun cars and always have. Grandfather was a car mechanic and always had interesting cars. Mom was blown away. After she had driven it for a minute she said: "What is the next one going to cost?" I told her the Model 3 estimates. "I want one!" she burst out. Then she proceeded driving the car around the countryside with a spririted attitude. Fun times.�
1/1/2015
guest I like your mom!�
1/1/2015
guest My parents love my S, and whenever I drive up to visit them (they're 4 hours away) they always like to sit in it and take it for a test drive.
When they heard about the 3, they put down a deposit on opening day.�
1/1/2015
guest I've come to the conclusion white Ss are nearly invisible. My car is pearl white and I've only had one person talk to me in a parking lot about it and a couple of people stare. All the stares were from people with sports cars or under 25. It took three weeks for any of the neighbors to notice.
My car was in the service center to have the A/C vents checked and they gave me a red 70D as a loaner. First person I encountered in a parking lot, a 70 year old woman, wanted to talk my ear off about the car.
I'm not complaining, I like flying below the radar, but I did think it was kind of funny.�
1/1/2015
guest Perhaps it is your location, our white 90D turns heads wherever we go. We can hardly get out of the car without the occasional Q/A session, some very brief, some quite lengthy.�
1/1/2015
guest I'd think twice before doing that - unless you have specific permission I'm pretty sure that would count as theft is someone had a bad day and reported you.�
1/1/2015
guest And it's no joke, it's happened before: Electric car owner arrested for �stealing� 5 cents of electricity
Man detained for 15 hours for plugging in for 20 minutes.�
1/1/2015
guest Let's not start that old conversation again. There was much more to the story than initially reported. The Leaf owner had previously been warned about trespassing there.�
1/1/2015
guest Sure. Fair enough.�
1/1/2015
guest 3 days after picking up my car, I had to take my wife's car for an oil change...30mn waiting in a filthy area with empty quarts of oil everywhere. I guess you could call it a very un-Tesla moment.�
1/1/2015
guest My latest Tesla moments are the number of cars that are waiting to pull out of side streets and get into your traffic lane. They see you way off, especially at a stopped light, so they pull out. Before they even get into the lane you are on top of them and having to brake. And I just have a 90D and am pretty conservative on the accelerator.
Most of the time they seem to move over which I am grateful for. I just don't think the average driver has any clue how fast these cars accelerate, even when not in ludi mode.�
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