Tesla and lunch in Santa Clara today

[AgentTripleX]

SFC VXN and SPR VXN are heading to Tesla today to have a look at what's going on. We're heading to Dasapakarsh around 11:30 am for lunch in Santa Clara. If anyone wants to have lunch with us, feel free to show up or give me a call at 415-351-5104. I know it's last minute, but thought we'd be spontaneous. We'll post pictures and news from Tesla later. This invitation is for lunch only.

[AgentTripleX]

I've never been to a car company before so this was a unique experience for me. I had to sign a non-disclosure so I can't share all the details. I appreciate them having me as their guest.

I think Tesla is definitely doing something right. It's amazing to see them pull off this technology. Unfortunately I will not be in the market for one anytime. I think that we get more bang for the buck with our cars. If I had an extra 100k sitting around I would buy a more practical car in addition to my Elise, like the GT I've been dreaming about. That said, I did ask them who their target clientele is and they mentioned celebrities and executives. Our good ole' governor Arnold has an order in.

Tesla is a wonderful makeover and upgrade to the Elise. The interior has more amenities, including heated and wider seats. The car is actually 1 inch wider and 6 inches longer than the Elise. It weighs about 2700 lbs. I know for some of you this is old news, but I haven't really been following them until now. Depending on what kind of driving you are doing you can get 200 - 260 miles out of a charge. That's reasonable and great for someone using the car as a commuter.

Tesla does have more in the works that I think will be attractive to a wider audience. If more companies follow suit this will definitely help with our oil shortage and price worries. Tesla uses 6800 batteries that are a little bigger than AA batteries to charge the car. The casing is huge. I forgot to see if there is any trunk space, but I'm curious where it fits. I took some photos I'll post later. Tesla also, made the body panels separate, so if someone backs into your bumper, you only have to replace that piece instead of the whole clamshell. I imagine repairs will be less expensive.

I was lucky enough to go for a ride with one of the engineers. The car is quite and an automatic. Those are very anti-Lotus features. I love my double tip arquay exhaust and driving a manual sports car. The good news for Tesla is that they'll be able to attract more buyers. A lot of customers that come to my dealership ask about the noise in the cabin of an Elise and some don't know how to drive stick. The drive feeling felt similar to me. It was a lot easier to get in and out of the car because of the lower sills, even on the passenger side.

When SFC VXN and I were leaving there were some guys hanging out by our Elises. That was a nice feeling.

The drive back from Santa Clara after lunch was awesome. The left lane on 280 N was empty. We flew home, hehe.

[smicker]

Originally Posted by AgentTripleX

When SFC VXN and I were leaving there were some guys hanging out by our Elises. That was a nice feeling.

They were wondering why you were parked in the motorcycle spots

[perryeyges]

Supervix,
Nice Myspace site.
I'll make the run through the tunnel for you in my car if you want to destroy your sound recording equipment(F1 comes to mind!)

[AgentTripleX]

Originally Posted by perryeyges

Supervix,
Nice Myspace site.
I'll make the run through the tunnel for you in my car if you want to destroy your sound recording equipment(F1 comes to mind!)

Thanks. Please do come visit.

Here are some pix. I was asked not to post any top secret ones so I will be respectful.

Pic #1 - Notice the RPMs go to 15k!!!
Pic #2 - Leather interior, arm rest, window & light controls
Pic #3 - Storage cubby
Pic #4 - Full length center console, interior & drive controls
Pic #5 - We're ready to go. Vroom vroom... oh wait... Shhhh.

[smicker]

Originally Posted by AgentTripleX

Pic #1 - Notice the RPMs go to 15k!!!

Speedo says you're going 50 even when sitting still

[AgentTripleX]

Pic #1 - Rear view
Pic #2 - Exposed Carbon Fiber - Yum
Pic #3 - Fun colors
Pic #4 - Outside in most of it's glory. Where's the badge?
Pic #5 - See ya later suckers. 0-60 mph in less than 4 seconds.

[AgentTripleX]

Originally Posted by smicker

Speedo says you're going 50 even when sitting still

That better not be how they calculate the speed of the car.

The car wasn't sitting still, just you. I was flooring it, hehe.

[Nikki]

So, if electrics are the future, based on your experience, would you buy one? Personally, I don't care whether its internal combustion, electric, or whatever, as long as I can rev to the sky and bang gears (even with an electronic paddle shifter). The only drawback is throaty exhaust sound. They might be able to computer-program that. LOL.

[perryeyges]

The dash needs to match those beautiful door panels(full leather).. It definitley needs a wheel upgrade and some decent tailights and hey, MAYBE....... I wonder where you would get a 5 lug wheel for a Lotus Elise??
I could get used to 15,000rpms though...

[Gizmo3000]

read something in the paper today that Car and Driver found it to be the fastest of ANY car to do 30-70mph (or 30-60?, something like that).

I'm sure we'll start seeing them all over the place here in LA.
- I"ll actually be seeing a friends brother this weekend who should be getting his shortly.

[AgentTripleX]

Originally Posted by Nikki

So, if electrics are the future, based on your experience, would you buy one? Personally, I don't care whether its internal combustion, electric, or whatever, as long as I can rev to the sky and bang gears (even with an electronic paddle shifter). The only drawback is throaty exhaust sound. They might be able to computer-program that. LOL.

If I didn't already have an Elise and I would be more interested in this car than I am now. I think what gets me is the price. There are other cars I would buy for 100k before that car. I'm not saying it's not worth the price, I think the Tesla will do quite well, but it's not in everyone's budget. If the Elise and Tesla were the same price, I would go for the Tesla as an upgrade. Unfortunately I do not have a lot of experience with their brand so I don't know how they compare. On paper it seems like a better car. I asked the engineers to consider an exhaust. That's half the fun with a sports car.

[mopho]

Originally Posted by perryeyges

I could get used to 15,000rpms though...

15k rpms is meaningless when there is no noise to accompany it


Been in the car as well, the acceleration is akin to taking off in a commercial jet, one big linear push, but not all that exciting IMO

Would make a great runnabout/daily driver but with no engine noise or shifting, I would not want one as my toy.

[perryeyges]

Originally Posted by mopho

15k rpms is meaningless when there is no noise to accompany it


Been in the car as well, the acceleration is akin to taking off in a commercial jet, one big linear push, but not all that exciting IMO

Would make a great runnabout/daily driver but with no engine noise or shifting, I would not want one as my toy.

I forgot about that. Did you see where Lotus is engineering sound emitters for electric car and hybrid car companies.. "Vroom, Vroom"

[mopho]

There was a rally team a few years ago running a Prius, they had to eventually put a siren on the car because you could not hear them coming down the road and it was dangerous

[ChrisB]

Originally Posted by perryeyges

... I wonder where you would get a 5 lug wheel for a Lotus Elise??

Off of a Vauxhall VX220 / Opel Speedster?

[gameson]

it looks like they fill in the door sill such that we do not sink when we get into the car? any interior pic? i want to compare to the lotus one.

how about side mirrors? are those powered? it looks stock lotus to me

ooh, you look cute, i want to date you.

[lotus4fun]

Well **** you should of called me, I work in Menlo Park now.

I really wanted to see that.

[rob13572468]

I like the shot with all the network test connectors in the passenegr footwell. looks just like my car. Also the big red emergency stop button inspires confidence this late in the game...

[rob13572468]

oh and also the label that says "driver side" on the driver side footwell... just in case the engineers forget which side is which