Well, after many years of having my 911c4s and soon to be losing some garage space I’ve decided to jump ship sell the 911 (sold under 10 minutes on 911 forum) and the A8 and scale down to one car.....

never in a million years did I ever think I’d jump ship and go electric - I drove the Tesla on a whim, and was blown away by the performance, handling and auto driving experience....



Tesla let me keep it for 24 hours and was SOLD ....

I took a 19’ from Inventory at a discounted rate and now am the owner of a model 3 performance (sleeper) -

I want to thank everyone who helped me with all my 911 projects and those who offered great insight ....

my wife has a macan and Im sure I’ll be back someday with another Porsche .....

But for now, I’m going to try something totally different ...

Thank you ! Off to charge my battery 😉

 

I have had a Leaf, an i3rex, and we passed on a Model 3 for a Bolt. I was sold on the Model 3 but my wife makes the EV decisions because she is the primary driver. Nevertheless, I always want an EV on hand from now on. We have had one for close to a decade now, and they are great, especially around town, and here in LA in the carpool lanes! My fantasy would be to have a vintage car like a 356, a sports car like a GT3, an EV, and some kind of truck/SUV that can haul stuff and go chill at a campsite. In any case, enjoy. I think the #1 thing my wife likes the best is that for at least 8 years now, she has not gone to a gas station! The gas isn't her issue, she just hated getting gas more than any other person I have ever known. My favorite thing is the instant HP/TQ, or maybe using the carpool lanes solo on my way to work cutting my commute time in half. Enjoy!

 

If Tesla cars didn’t have performance, they wouldn’t have been nearly as successful. But it’s hard to refute. They are really great cars, top 5 car, maybe my #1 choice if money were no object. Even an older used 2013 model S would be a great buy for me, as long as I could keep my vintage 996.

 

I saw a video somewhere where the model 3 romped a M3 competition around the track. Still don't think I could do it.

 

OP: Nothing against the Model 3 but I also chose a Bolt over it because I wasn't willing to wait an extra 2 years to get one. Leased the Bolt in Feb 2017 and have been very happy w/it. The Bolt lease expires shortly and I'll have to decide whether to keep it (buy out or extend the lease), get another EV or just do without.

Most likely I'll just do w/o another EV for awhile, because the Bolt is my 6th vehicle and 5 will do. The others are a 996 C4 Cab, BMW 335i, Toyota MR2 Spyder, MB ML350 SUV and a Ford F250.

I had the opportunity to drive a Model S for a day as a loaner when my BMW 335i was in for service. Had to pay an extra $40 for the privilege but it was well worth it. A nice car if you are looking for a large touring sedan but, although it's got the speed, the driving "experience" felt sterile/insulated and lacking in tactile/audible feedback to me. Generally feel the same way about my Bolt. Not so my 996, MR2 or 335i. The MB's ride is the most "insulated" of the bunch but still nothing like the Model S.

It all depends on what kind of ride you need/want and are looking for. If the Model 3 is anything like the Model S, I'm sure that it will serve you well, Congrats!

 

This pretty much sums up the whole EV thing for me. Not really interests, but I also work from home when I'm not traveling and don't sit in traffic.

The Porsche Taycan is the first EV that has any sort of look that would make me consider one, but after having a friend with a Leaf who can't drive so certain events his kids participate in on his way home from work because he won't be able to make it home from the event, they all still seem a bit ridiculous to me.

Sorry to see you leave the 997 group though Redhot.

 

Driven and sat in Model 3. Not impressed for the price point but that is just me. Cabin already looks dated, quality is poor for price point, comfort is poor for price point, and I don't get how it can even be perceived as a substitute for a 911.

Of course, if there are practical and space constraints, I can understand having to make a change like this.

I really don't see the Taycan as hitting quite the right points either (yet). I am guessing the next generation (or maybe after that) being compelling.

 

Congratulations on the new purchase OP. I hope you enjoy it!

 

I don't understand you statements.... dated cabin? poor quality? poor comfort for the price point?

I bought a Model 3 Performance Earlier in the year and my experience could not be different. I went and drove EVERYTHING just for the fun of it. Cadillac CTS V, BMW M3, Acura.... but I will qualify this by saying I was actually looking for a Sports Sedan to do the daily driving so I wouldn't have to drive the truck or GT3 into work (2hours). I just wanted a 4 door sporty vehicle... Tesla WAS NOT on my radar.

I loved the Model 3s blank interior. I do not need a bunch of buttons, it can do all the same things on a touch screen and it SUPER EASY. Its clean and utterly uncluttered, sort of like Modern Furniture compared to the frilly puffy furniture. Just sleek and clean. Its super intuitive and simple and very comfortable. So I can't imagine people saying it uncomfortable. I saw no poor quality issues on my car... but that might be luck. It looks great to me.

Then the self driving is MASSIVE for me since I have to travel into L.A. on a 2.5 hour drive... I just set it and let it do the stop and go and it has eliminated my frustration from that. Then the Performance is GREAT.. yes I said GREAT. The freaking thing utterly RIPS around where I live, and I live in an area with twisties for 10 miles before hitting the freeway. It trumped all the vehicles I tested by a decent margin in acceleration, when you stomp on the gas and accelerate out of corners. It has so much low end torque that is just utterly fun to drive. People who say its sterile or whatever doesn't make sense to me... It blasts out of corners and handles pretty good, so when you are "on it" you are needing more bolstering for sure. How can something be "sterile" when you being pushed back in the seat and pulling g's laterally. I don't need to be rowing gears and that is NOT its intention. I think that thought process is just trying to be more "purist" oriented, yet this is an electric car, so why compare it to a ICE car. I drove an BMW M3 and it felt SLOW comparatively, though handled a little better, but the 4 wheel drive on the Tesla does things differently than a two wheel drive.

In the end It flat out rocks, and is arguably one of the best cars I have owned. Simple, easy to drive long distances, quick as HELL and drives itself. Its a massive home run across the board. And the final nail was the buying experience (for me ) was flawless. Just went on line pressed some buttons to select what I wanted. Waited 3 weeks and they brought it by and I was done. It all was a really good experiance for me in everyway.... and as I said it was NOT on my radar, I was just at another Dealer and Tesla dealer was across the street. After the test drive I was sold. Last I love charging at home.... just overnight charge and done. So it a super cool car. But I'm not a Tesla crazed person, I just really like good products and they did it well.

 

It’s no replacement for my 911, BUT is a car that does everything well. I can hang with supercars, have a tack day , has curb appeal , handles like it’s on rails , comfy, even drives itself , and the best part UNDER 50k, specifically 46 after rebates - that’s crazy **** !! And to top it off , ownership will only cost <1k per year vs 8-10k owning my 911 and a8 and these were paid for ! I loved my 911 and someday will get another but the Model 3 performance is hard to beat on all levels given the price point

 

First off, I like a lot of different types and varieties of cars - and have nothing against Tesla. But my comments are pretty simple. The cabin already looks dated - it has a screen that sits in the middle and the overall design language is clearly just an Apple rip-off (like all of Tesla's current offerings). Like everything that so clearly revolves around a snapshot in time / era, its design almost immediately looks dated. Like cars in the 80s that went overboard with LCD displays and the latest digital screens for every element). It dates the vehicle almost immediately.

The cabin also has exceptionally poor ergonomics. Compared to my other cars the seating position and the headrest are inferior. Particularly compared to a Volvo (which I was most directly comparing the Model 3 and Model X to, though clearly different models).

Other issues - having a massive touchscreen as the sole source of a lot of functionality adds unnecessary distracting references to the middle of the car. To open a glovebox it requires the use of the touchscreen???? Who on earth thought that makes any sense whatsoever? ***** and other ways to feel your way around a dash is much more logical when you should be looking at the road, which given the issues with the autonomous modes, people should still be doing even in a Tesla. Using a touchscreen to unnecessarily replace other more direct ways to interact with the car is a big, gimmicky fail. Zero net benefit of requiring the touchscreen to open a glovebox - only a net negative for added complexity and inconvenience.

Quality at the price level - how about the seatback adjustment levers (in the back row of the Model X) being painful to operate and of low quality plastic? Or that the center console cubby holes requiring the exact right ("gentle") touch to close? Instead of having physical clicks or other ways to feel out the operation of interior parts, the Tesla requires eyes to be focused on things other than driving and/or requires use of a touchscreen to operate... The quality of the other parts... yes very similar to the "quality" of a lot of modern furniture out there. Big prices for subpar quality and craftsmanship. On the surface it might look fine... and that is where I think Tesla was hoping to claw back some profit...

Half the features in the touch screen on both the X and 3 are gimmicky.

At the relevant price points, there are much nicer cars out there. Controls that require eyes off the road are the biggest failure.

Finally, it seems likely that the autonomous drive modes in Teslas have caused more deaths than they have prevented (directly or indirectly through drivers ignoring warnings to use the systems properly). Volvo XC90 total production/sales since 2004 is higher than total Model S volumes... yet not a single recorded fatality has ever happened to someone in that vehicle. The conditions those are driven in are, on average, likely far worse too (more inclement weather miles, etc). So what is Tesla providing on that front other than enabling people to become even worse drivers with an even greater outsized and misplaced sense of safety?

I actually think Tesla is doing some good by driving more development in the area of electric vehicles. I just don't see any compelling reason to buy one of their current offerings. Maybe the roadster 2.0 will change my mind.

 

First off... congrats on trying something new! No doubt about EV torque and performance. Impressive. Some how I don't think you will get many tesla fan boys in this forum loaded with die hard flat six 997 fans

We all go through different phases with age, health, work, commute, family and have different needs/wants at different times. It's your time to try out a Tesla and if I had a crazy commute in stop and go traffic I would probably try one too as a commuter, although there are cheaper alternatives for just commuting to work. I am Just not into having a robot as my sole car for my driving pleasure just yet. But that's just me at this phase of my life.

You may be back into a 911 some day as you say. One of my close friends sold his 997 and got a Tesla model S a year ago. Can't touch ev acceleration off the line, but he still calls me every few months begging to borrow my 997 for a fun blast through the canyons and to listen to a screaming flat 6 engine... Problem for him is... I don't let anyone borrow or drive my 997

Enjoy it in good health.

 

Will people please think about exhaust notes?

Read recently EV cars need to start producing an exhaust noise to warn walkers of their approaching presence.
All top shelf mfg's have patented their exhaust noise, so not sure what is left, maybe Wankle sounds downloaded.

Its not even remotely fair to compare an EV to a IC motor, EV produces instance torque and hp that no IC motor can match (their are exceptions) so I think it really comes down to driving experience w/ exhaust noise.

I have nothing against them but do see their future in mass transportation and trucking industry but for this gear head, I need to hear engine noise.

 

Subwoofers and speakers can help the sound

 

Ok hear you go...