[beachstartup]

i've owned an NA2 NSX and a 997 911 GT3 and the NSX was much easier to lose control in. it felt unstable in general.

911 grips harder as you turn harder, very strange to get used to but once you 'get it' it feels great. obviously there is a limit but you are not going to hit it on the street in a car like a 911.

i haven't driven any modern mid-engine cars like the R8 or boxster though, i'm sure it's vastly improved from the NSX, which was basically designed in the 80s, so no fault to it. it was a great car. can't wait to see the new one.

right now i drive a performance sedan but my next car will be a "regular" 911, probably a 991 S.

as for the tesla... eh. doesn't give me that "gotta have it" feeling. i still want gasoline and a clutch. call me old fashioned.

i would be interested to know the % of current tesla owners that have ever owned "real" sports cars, not just "sporty" cars. it doesn't strike me as the same crowd.

[vl]

>as for the tesla... eh. doesn't give me that "gotta have it" feeling.

It's actually really easy to test drive Model S. Click big red button on the website, they call you, and boom - test driving Model S Performance.

While I don't think it's time to buy EV yet, I highly recommend test driving Model S Perf - it feels, accelerates and handles beyond amazing for car of it's size.

[beachstartup]

the model S performance competes against M5, E63 AMG PP, Audi RS5/6/7 and can't beat any of those in 1/4 mile or 0-60 times. i would disagree with "beyond amazing", it's at the rear of the pack in terms of acceleration and handling.

if you've never actually driven a fast car, i'm sure it's very impressive, but objectively, it's not fast compared to its competition.

it appeals to a different crowd, the kind that wants EVs. i bet most people who considered/bought the S perf have never seriously considered an M5, E63, RS, or even Cadillac V (since we're talking American cars here). all of those handily beat the S in every benchmark.

[secabeen]

Performance model is even with the M5: Time M5/Tesla: 0-30 2.0/2.1 0-45 2.9/3.1 0-60 4.5/4.4 0-75 6.4/6.1 1/4M 13.8/12.6

Personally, I don't feel a tenth of a second makes much difference, but it's wrong to say that the Tesla is handily beat in every benchmark.

References: http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/m5/2013/road-test-specs.html http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/track-tests/2013-tesla-mo...

[dave1619]

Have you test driven the Model S Performance? It's not just about benchmarks but also about handling and feel.

[beachstartup]

no i haven't, because driving an electric car does not appeal to me in the slightest.

have you test driven a BMW M5 or AMG E63? or does driving a giant, turbocharged, gas guzzling V8 not interest you?

well that's what interests me. not a battery pack.

[dave1619]

I've driven 20+ BMW M3s and Porsche 911s. The Model S spanks them. It's a surreal driving experience. Totally quiet. Instant torque. Amazing handling for a large car.

It's really something you need to experience before you criticize it.

[beachstartup]

so in other words no M5, no alpina B7, no E63. probably no Caddilac V, no LS7 ZR1, no Audi RS either. in other words, you have no idea about other cars in the Sperf's class, just some bullshit cheapie base-model cars that are about $30k cheaper. but you are a tech dude with money who likes the idea of electric vehicles, so you like the Sperf, because it APPEALS TO YOU. and there's nothing wrong with that.

"instant" torque is cool and all, but no match for "more" torque. which also happens to be "instant" when you move beyond a cheapass 3-series M or base 911 with no balls (try a GT2, when you start wearing big boy pants) or V10 in that price range.

[susanhi]

Just curious, have you test driven the model S? Or is it the idea of not having gas/clutch that makes you uninterested?

[beachstartup]

haven't test driven one but it can't beat my current car in performance numbers, so ...

and the roadster just absolutely does not appeal to me. i don't like roadsters in general but it's just too feminine and it looks hideous with the top on.

[dbrian]

Definitely not the same crowd. It's still a 4 door sedan. They're competing against the Panamera not the GT3.

[beachstartup]

also, my current car is an E63 AMG PP, that's the crowd i was comparing, i.e. me.

[beachstartup]

tesla roadster