New Tesla - Slap Some Sense Into Me

[audreyh1]

I’m not an EV fan, but drove my buddies new Rivian R1S SUV. Holy keeeerist! For a 9500lb vehicle, when I stomped the accelerator, it went from zero to ludicrous speed in an instant. Zero hesitation and 100% torque from zero rpm. Sweet car and cool as hell, but not a fan of 230 mile range in winter, and constantly on lookout for superchargers. The thing will tell you where they are as well. It’s a very nice vehicle, but the cost of that thing…olalalalalala

Yes, you got to experience the amazing power of an EV.

I’m not constantly looking out for superchargers. The car knows where they all are, and routes me when needed. I don’t ever need them locally because I charge at home. On a long distance road trip the car already has superchargers in the route. I can pick alternate superchargers if I prefer and it updates the route. Easy peasy, seriously, you don’t look out of the car while driving searching for superchargers like you do for gas station signs.

 

[audreyh1]

The new Tesla Utra Red versus previous Red Multicoat.

 

[sdtech]

We got the Ultra Red Model S last year. We love it more than any car we've previously owned. I have to say that I waited too long to buy it and missed out on Tesla's for several years. I might be upgrading an older Model Y for a better ride but like computers - holding out for the "next chip" keeps people in the just one more year phase like when to retire.

No good advice for you since you already have one except upgrade to the current Juniper model if it is worth it for you. If you think too much about the next upgrade you will probably be forever in a non decision loop. Now if you didn't have one, I'd buy the Juniper as soon as I could afford it.

 

[aja8888]

The new Tesla red versus old.

View attachment 54138

Which one is the new model?

 

[audreyh1]

Which one is the new model?

Ultra red, the lower image. Red Multicoat is what we have.

 

[aja8888]

Ultra red, the lower image. Red Multicoat is what we have.

Thanks, it wasn't clear in the photos. It looks lower and sleeker.

 

[audreyh1]

Thanks, it wasn't clear in the photos. It looks lower and sleeker.

I think there is just a slight angle difference in the photo, quite obvious if you look at the nose. It’s just showing the paint difference. They are probably both 2021+ models.

 

[joesxm3]

If I did not have a Tesla I would jump on it immediately.

However, I just saw that the white interior is sold out. After hearing Audrey talk about red I was starting to think about red with white interior. Now I might have to wait for the standard trim model and pay the extra $3000.

I saw some with white interior at the grocery store and even my current white one would look nice with white interior.

Funny that to me the model Y is nice in white. Reminds me of the movie 2001. But the model 3 looks nicer to me in grey or red. Probably because they are lower and more sleek.

 

[audreyh1]

If I did not have a Tesla I would jump on it immediately.

However, I just saw that the white interior is sold out. After hearing Audrey talk about red I was starting to think about red with white interior. Now I might have to wait for the standard trim model and pay the extra $3000.

I saw some with white interior at the grocery store and even my current white one would look nice with white interior.

Funny that to me the model Y is nice in white. Reminds me of the movie 2001. But the model 3 looks nicer to me in grey or red. Probably because they are lower and more sleek.

We have red with the cream interior. I just don’t like stark white. Personal taste.

 

[Midpack]

Would never buy a Tesla...Elon has made is so!

I bought a Tesla before Elon went nuts. I don’t think I’d buy one today, though there’s no other EV brand I’d buy yet, so I’d be probably be stuck with yet another hybrid until Tesla has a real competitor. Others are getting closer every year, and that’s good for all concerned.

 

[joesxm3]

We have red with the cream interior. I just don’t like stark white. Personal taste.

Did you mean white exterior with white interior, or did you mean that the current white interior is too white?

 

[Midpack]

Did you mean white exterior with white interior, or did you mean that the current white interior is too white?

Model S/X has three interior options. I’m sure I’d opt for Cream too, white is blinding to me - that’s what we drove on our test drive and didn’t like it.

 

[audreyh1]

Did you mean white exterior with white interior, or did you mean that the current white interior is too white?

I don’t like the stark white interior.

 

[sdtech]

I liked the white - but not dw... we have the cream which she loves and I'm ok with.

 

[folivier]

So how difficult is it to keep the white white?

 

[joesxm3]

I was worried about cleaning the white interior but have seen lots of comment that it cleans was easily. That said, I think the launch model has some new "suede" texture. So that may change things.

 

[MarieIG]

If I were to buy an EV, Tesla is where I would start the search.

Hopefully, there will be plenty of self driving options before the kiddos take away my keys!

 

[audreyh1]

Model S/X has three interior options. I’m sure I’d opt for Cream too, white is blinding to me - that’s what we drove on our test drive and didn’t like it.

That’s exactly what our interior looks like except that we have a yoke.

 

[joesxm3]

Here are a few more things to help me think about.

I can get a brand new (enroute) incentive red model Y with black interior for $11,000 plus my old car.

So, basically, I am getting the HW4 computer and two years worth of new car for $11,000.

How much loss of value to attribute to the obsolete model? This price includes a $3000 incentive.

I thought about leasing but it seems total lease cost $16,000 ignoring interest I might earn on the $28,800 trade-in.

What do you think about the risk of owning FSD and not getting properly compensated if the car is totalled? Cost of doing business?

I am toying this in my mind but still leaning towards waiting to see what happens after the launch edition is finished. Do you think that probably won't be until well into second half 2025?

It breaks my heart to see X posts of new FSD 13 versions downloading.

 

[RetMD21]

That sounds like a deal. In theory if totaled insurance should compare to comparable age vehicles that have FSD. IDK how that works in reality.

 

[joesxm3]

I don't know if this is a reaction that to people like me freaking out over Elon's HW3 comments but I am loading A new update as I type this.

Maybe reacting to the driving down the middle on country roads tendency.

 

[Midpack]

While the AI4 FSD version 13.x might come sooner than HW3 version 12.x - what makes you so certain it's inferior? Are you going to go through the same dilemma when AI5 hits?

 

[audreyh1]

I don't know if this is a reaction that to people like me freaking out over Elon's HW3 comments but I am loading A new update as I type this.

Maybe reacting to the driving down the middle on country roads tendency.

I think you suffer from a strong case of FOMO. I see that on Teslamotorsclub.com a lot.

Fortunately I haven’t run into the driving down the middle of the country road tendency even though we are a bit out of the city.

Yesterday’s errand outbound across two cities (they merge together here) with FSD 12.6.1 ran with no interventions! That may be a first for me. There were a couple of interesting moments: a pickup turning left from the center lane went ahead and crossed right in front of me. The car slowed a little, pickup cleared easily, but still was close. The car had to break harder than usual after it ooched closer to another pickup in front at a light. This version definitely gets closer to the vehicle ahead when stopped waiting at a light.

 

[joesxm3]

While the AI4 FSD version 13.x might come sooner than HW3 version 12.x - what makes you so certain it's inferior? Are you going to go through the same dilemma when AI5 hits?

I am basing my HW3 thoughts on the comments Elon made on the earnings call.

Ashok said that they are working hard on HW3. Elon interrupted and said basically that HW3 will not be able to handle the cyber cab level AI. He said that it will be extremely painful but people with HW3 that purchased FSD will get A free upgrade and he is glad so few people were early purchasers.

I think there will be a limit hit where HW3 does not have the memory to load future models. I also suspect that the sudden slow downs are caused by some process not running fast enough. The equivalent of us getting sun in our eyes.

Yes I probably will have a similar reaction when AI5 comes out. And I plead guilty to FOMO.

The other side of FOMO is the nearly 40% of my equity being TSLA. I try to sell some but I end up buying it back when it dips.

The road map Elon gave was
2025 meh
2026 picking up steam
2027 and 2028 unimaginably massive.

So I can see TSLA getting sucked down by some 2025 macro or market trends and am not looking forward to 40% of my equity position magnifying that trend.

BTW Elon said that in 2025 the limiting factor is how many batteries they can get. I suppose that also highlights A big risk if relations with China tank.

 

[joesxm3]

Oh and the notes to today's release specifically mention the slowdown problem. That might support my theory that they did more code optimization to be more efficient on the older hardware.

I digress but I just heard that the Chinese AI company with the more efficient model threw out the NVIDEA high level programming language and did the equivalent of GPU assembly language programming to be able to run on the older equipment bought before the export restrictions.