[bondguy]

The Tesla "S" Full Electric car...seats 5 adults and 2 kids..goes up to 350 miles on a single charge in highest battery package. Drop dead gorgeous...full glass roof...45 minute quick charge mode...will be available very soon...about $60K

Model S | Tesla Motors

 

[jimmyc13]

When you "graduate" or when you can actually afford a $60K car?

 

[dgstan]

When you "graduate" or when you can actually afford a $60K car?

If you can afford a $40K car, you can probably afford a $60K car.

I'd be interested to see how much trunk space is available in the Tesla. If it's all taken up by the battery pack, it'll be hard to justify.

 

[bondguy]

I can afford the car...I think going into the future, the problem with all these cars is going to be landfill problems (batteries). I think all of us (worldwide) will be affected by these new technologies including hybrids...it's all a chain effect...people less dependent on oil/gas will cause prices to go down...resale of gasoline only cars will go down...as these newer technology vehicles become more affordable and more people buy them, prices will eventually go down. I hope it causes gasoline to go back to the prices I remember in the early 70's (like 30c/gallon)....how cool would that be to go into a station and pay $3 to till up your car. And, in addition to the great gas mileage, the more people that drive hybrids and electric cars, the better for the environment (except for the batteries in the future...disposal). If I were an oil producing country in the Middle East, I would be concerned...bad for them, good for the rest of the world.

 

[SteveRD66]

What about the Honda Clarity (if we could get the fuel evey where !)

Miles per Kilogram of fuel ? Hehe kind of makes it hard to compare !

Honda FCX Clarity - Exterior Photos - Official Web Site

Also when they say zero emissions ! You need to know how your hydrogen has been made before you can say that as there are clean ways and dirty power using emission ways to make hydrogen.

 

[rehabmax]

The Tesla S certainly is a compelling vehicle. I got to test drive the Tesla Roadster. Unbelievable acceleration. 0-60 in 3 seconds. If you want pure electric would you consider the Nissan Leaf? Much cheaper.

 

[tempo36]

I've been lusting after a Tesla S for at least a year now. Supposedly they have a huge amount of cargo space because of the minimal displacement required for the engine and they can seat 5 adults + two kids in rear facing seats and they still accelerate 0-60 in 5.6 seconds.

I die.

That said, a 300 mile range version runs closer to $75k than the base $50k sticker price and it's still not scheduled for release until Summer 2012. We need a car now, and I just can't possibly afford $75k for a car.

Tesla has discussed that they plan on deploying a network of "gas" centers that will change out your battery pack in 5-10 minutes so that those folks who are road tripping with 100 mile range packs can replace their packs with fresh ones and keep driving, just like refilling gas. They've also said that you can rent a long range battery stack for short periods from Tesla at a competitive rate. If that's true then it might be in everyone's best interest to get 100-200 range stacks and if you plan a road trip just rent a 300 mile stack for a week. Would hopefully be much less than upgrading to the 300 mile stack at purchase.

But yes...someday I'd love a Tesla. I have solar panels on my roof and if I had a Tesla to charge with those I'd be in heaven.

 

[Termin8r]

I'd be interested to see how much trunk space is available in the Tesla. If it's all taken up by the battery pack, it'll be hard to justify.

The battery pack is part of the floor section of the car, so it doesn't take up any trunk space. The car was designed from the outset as a pure electric.

 

[SCT1984]

I would love a Tesla also, but being in a condo won't help with the charging situation. I was considering the Volt over this CT, as there is also $8,000 incentives for ontario residents.. which brings the price down to about $33,000. Not a bad price for a plug-in hybrid which is certainly more versatile for me at this point I think.

Besides, my drive to work coming January will only be 8-10km each way... more than enough for the Volt's charge - I could charge it every 3 days and it would solve my fuel problems all together, and would never have to worry about being stranded.

Except... I love the CT.

 

[YOW]

I can't help but think that an all electric car would be really cold in the winter.

At least the Volt has some kind of gas motor to heat the car or recharge the battery when it gets low. However, GM still isn't selling the Volt in Canada.

 

[johnleigh]

An electric car is only as green as the method used to produce electricity.

The Germans recently voted to ban nuclear power plants on their soil. So they will have to buy their electricity, and they will be buying a lot from the French. Who already produce 79% of their electricity from nuclear power (they even have 2 power plants right on the Franco-German border).

That said, the Tesla S looks a very nice car.

 

[SCT1984]

I can't help but think that an all electric car would be really cold in the winter.

At least the Volt has some kind of gas motor to heat the car or recharge the battery when it gets low. However, GM still isn't selling the Volt in Canada.

I have thought about the same thing actually, but never really got into researching it in any great length... clearly electric heaters, but the fact that I have had two electric space heaters flunk out on me in 3 months... and our winter last year was pretty much from October to May lol... not sure if it's a risk I wanna take

Supposedly, the Volt should be available in Canada "in the second half" or "third quarter" of 2011... depending on what you read. I suspect it will be available in late-july / early-august as a pre-order for a 2012 model, although I have seen one dealership in Toronto advertise that they currently have the first one in their showroom. wouldn't imagine it would be for sale, but at least it shows that the dealers are starting to bring them in to show their customers!

 

[SCT1984]

An electric car is only as green as the method used to produce electricity.

I'd have to agree - although IMHO, the marketing strategy for hybrids / EV's has been much more effective since they shifted from "green" to "most km per tank" ads...

When you think about it, they are being sold to the average consumer, not the masses of environmentalists. Sure they are mentioned as "zero-emissions", "environmentally friendly", and they are shown with nice flowing fields of green grass in the background, but it's not the main theme of these cars anymore.

If the average consumer will see their fuel bill lowered by even 1/3 that of their previous car, while the electricity bill increases 5% due to the EV / plug-in hybrid... I don't think it will matter for the most part what the adverse effects of extra electricity consumption will have on the environment. Besides... if we can save on gas, then we can afford the bigger TV right?

I'm not saying that no one cares... just that in my experience, most don't even consider it in the first place.

It will only matter once the cost of electricity becomes a burden to the masses of EV / plug-in hybrid owners and then we will see a new technology released in mass to consumers - maybe ultra-high-efficiency solar technology?

And you can't charge for sunlight... unless you can put the charging stations indoors We will always be at the mercy of the monopoly.

Rant End. lol

 

[tempo36]

Well you can't charge for sunlight but you sure can charge for the means to collect it

We've got a 5.7 kW system on our roof and it definitely wasn't free (but woohoo for 30% tax credits!)

 

[jimmyc13]

If you can afford a $40K car, you can probably afford a $60K car.

Not sure that I agree with that, plus my CT only cost me $34K.

 

[SCT1984]

+1 - what moronic logic. That's like saying "if you make 60K a year, you pretty much make 80K a year"... or if you can afford a 60K car, you can afford a 80K car... etc. So really, if you can afford a 40K CT, you might as well just buy the LS600Lh...

I wish

 

[jimmyc13]

+1 - what moronic logic. That's like saying "if you make 60K a year, you pretty much make 80K a year"... or if you can afford a 60K car, you can afford a 80K car... etc. So really, if you can afford a 40K CT, you might as well just buy the LS600Lh...

I wish

Wasn't sure who's side you were on until I fully read this. Yeah, I would be in a new Porsche Boxster if I had things my way.

 

[deekortiz3]

If you can afford a $40K car, you can probably afford a $60K car.

Yeah, I know this is not the case for me. Just estimating in California... A car with a $40K sticker with 50% down at 2.9 APR for 5 years is a bit over $400 a month for payments. With the same down ($20K) and same loan terms on a 60K car your looking at a bit over $800 a month.

The CT200h configuration I have coming is a lot closer to 30K... maybe even a bit less after incentives. So I know I could afford this car but no way in heck could I afford a 60K Tesla. Wish I could though, hopefully someday.

 

[SCT1984]

Wasn't sure who's side you were on until I fully read this. Yeah, I would be in a new Porsche Boxster if I had things my way.

But why stop there? After all... if you can afford a boxster, surely you can afford a 911 turbo

If I had things my way, I'd be able to afford my $650/mo fuel bill and wouldn't be on this forum in the first place.

Actually - that's not true - I was in my friend's IS the other day, and I started thinking of when my CT will come in and had the biggest stupid grin on my face.. like as if this car will be the son I love the most and will never disappoint me, and my car now is the ugly step-daughter (no offence to anyone that has or is an ugly step-daugher )

 

[SCT1984]

no way in heck could I afford a 60K Tesla. Wish I could though, hopefully someday.

They are a sweet toy - but for every day, I'd be happier with the Volt I think... just for the hybrid to have that extra security of "in case". It's happened before that I've forgotten to plug my cell phone in at night...

so what would happen if you are rushing inside the house one night because you just drank 3 XL coffees on the way home, and then once you were done in the washroom your phone rang and it was aunt jackie that you haven't spoken to in months... by the time you get off the phone, it's late enough that you are rushing to make dinner, and judging by the 3 coffees you had on the way home, the day was exhausting enough so you just didn't have the energy to think about anything else besides your bed. Oh ya... and you have an important meeting first thing in the morning that you know you have to rest for...

OOPS - I didn't say anything about going back to the garage to plug the car in... you left your lights on, and you only have enough battery life anyways to get to work one way.

So it's pretty exagerated and hypothetical - and maybe I'm neurotic.. but running out of gas isn't quite the same as running out of battery imo.