Hi,
Here are some pictures of my new Tesla. Work was killing last 2 weeks, only this weekend I got a chance to finally take it out for a spin in the hills. It's worth every penny I paid ( and I paid a lot of them! ).
http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/MyTesla/library/?page=1# (http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/MyTesla/library/?page=1#)
I like the very light grey almost cream colored nappa leather I have in this car. Very upscale to look at and touch.
So far I have been challenged to a race by a brand new looking Camaro and a flat black painted BMW M3. I won the Camaro and refused the BMW M3 (my son was with me in the back in the car seat). I have promised myself no more drag racing. I have attracted several gawkers. Today, a blue-collor worker type came up to me and said, "I am going to buy the stock. I don't have the money to buy a Tesla, but the car is so damn good looking, I will buy the stock". "do you need some spark plugs or some fuel from my truck for that thing?"
I answered: "Do you happen to have some supercharged electrons?" :-) It's been fun. Tomorrow, the first road trip, with supercharging in Gilroy.
I don't get too much time nowadays due to my super busy schedule, but I believe some of you who live close want to drive my car. Let us arrange it one of these days. PM me. My current clients are in Sunnyvale and nearby, I spend most of my work days there.
That is such a pretty car. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Knowing that each mile on it antagonizes Cougs must make it all the sweeter. :lol:
Beautiful car! :ohyeah: :ohyeah: :ohyeah:
Nice looking car. Love the packaging and storage.
Very nice :ohyeah:
The Model S is gorgeous. It is easily one of the best looking sedans on the market today (if not the best).
I would not have the balls to buy one, but I'm envious for sure. Congrats, and best of luck. If you don't mind me asking, what do you do?
Thanks for the comments guys.
Laconian, life is too short to worry about what some people think. This is my dream car. Everyone has a dream, and I believe I am living mine right now.
Antagonize? Nah, the car is fine. Get 'em why you can though ;).
Call_911,
I run a consulting firm. It's for semiconductor design and verification, mainly.
Amazing, beautiful machine. Congratulations! (I'm a bit jealous.)
Quote from: thewizard16 on April 06, 2013, 11:49:45 PM
Amazing, beautiful machine. Congratulations! (I'm a bit jealous.)
I think we all are (except Cougs)! :thumbsup: :evildude:
Awesome! Congratulations!
I initially wasn't a fan of the Tesla but after seeing them around here in the Bay Area I'm a HUGE fan. My mom wants to get one now after having countless amounts of issues with her 7 (namely, the car won't even start now most of the time :facepalm: ).
What battery capacity did you get?
FYI I'm about 10 minutes from Sunnyvale and would love to test drive your car (which is a very generous offer btw) but I don't think I'd trust myself in a stranger's $70k luxury car.
Quote from: thecarnut on April 07, 2013, 01:56:01 AM
FYI I'm about 10 minutes from Sunnyvale and would love to test drive your car (which is a very generous offer btw) but I don't think I'd trust myself in a stranger's $70k luxury car.
Don't bend a wheel!
I know what you mean, though. The guy I know with an modified Elise said I could drive it sometime, but I don't know if I really want to. It'd be a crazy experience, but could also end badly. :lol:
This is great - keep us posted.
Great-looking car. A styling lesson to Porsche on how it could have avoided the fat-bottomed rear of the Panamera.
(http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag125/MyTesla/IMG_5298_zps768adcff.jpg)
Quote from: Morris Minor on April 07, 2013, 08:30:48 AM
Great-looking car. A styling lesson to Porsche on how it could have avoided the fat-bottomed rear of the Panamera.
(http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag125/MyTesla/IMG_5298_zps768adcff.jpg)
I was thinking the exact same thing. Congrats!
Sweet ride. Congrats! :mrcool:
Just never drive that baby with wet hands. The electric shock might kill ya. :winkguy:
Looks great! Very jealous, but not sure I would have the guts to buy one of these yet. I am a late adapter of new technology. :lol:
Thanks SJ. ( and others )
Don't know where you are, but if you get a chance to test drive one.
To quote a former illustrious member: " it will render you like no other vehicle when driven on rough pavement. "
Plus it drives better than a BMW on twisties. :-)
Just a quick update after about 800 miles.
No car will ever seem the same now, after I have driven my Tesla.
The regen way of driving my Tesla feels more natural, as if cars should always have been made this way. ( regen is tied to when I lift my foot off the accelerator, and not pressing the brakes as in other EVs, and an accelerometer senses change in car's speed to turn on the brake lights for you )
Going over rough patches, the car simply ignores them, with just a hint of jiggle and jounce. Yet, when I hit that sweeping curve, the car eggs me to keep increasing the speed until I hear the front tires start to protest a bit. ( under steer is tuned in thanks to lawyers ). Stomping on the accelerator and watch everything start to become smaller in my rear view mirror is becoming an embarrassing habit. ( although I am mellowing in my third week of ownership)
Quick and fast. Efficient. Silent. Clean. Comfortable. Luxurious. High tech. But, ultimately, a great CAR. Period.
Tesla is expected to bring the Gen 3 sedan around 2015, which is expected to be sub 40k and 200 miles range according to Elon. This car appears to be a hit, and the model X SUV should do well, given the rate of their reservations. I sincerely hope this whole EV paradigm takes off.
This car feels natural in a way none of my ICE cars have felt before. That is my sincere opinion.
How is the recharging and range treating you? I wouldn't mind taking a ride in yours, I just don't want to drive it. :mask:
I've seen a ton of Model S's driving around here and they still catch my attention every time. Plus I saw one owner launch it pretty hard from a light and it just moves so quickly but so quietly. It's weird to see.
carnut,
PMed you.
Charging is just fine, range is in excess of 200 miles, though I have not exceeded it yet.
It's such a pretty car! Congrats
One snuck up on me at the parking garage today. Need to outlaw quiet cars!
Lawmakers are talking about having noisemakers in EVs at speeds below 25 mph.
I don't mind it, unlike a lot of EV owners. After all, I don't want to run over someone!
I love the sound of my car when I fire it up. Especially if I put the top down first and I'm in a garage. I don't want to give that up.
Quote from: Raza on April 12, 2013, 10:32:21 AM
I love the sound of my car when I fire it up. Especially if I put the top down first and I'm in a garage. I don't want to give that up.
Serenity, NOW ! :-)
Way fucking cool.
Awesome! Congrats, red shift! As much as I rag on Tesla for the loan situation, they made one hell of a car. Glad you're enjoying it!
Congrats!
Quote from: afty on April 12, 2013, 02:22:06 PM
Congrats!
Did you drive his? ;)
Oh wait, you drove one at work already. :shakesfist:
Quote from: MrH on April 12, 2013, 01:20:57 PM
Awesome! Congrats, red shift! As much as I rag on Tesla for the loan situation, they made one hell of a car. Glad you're enjoying it!
Thanks. They stated they are going to pay back at an accelerated rate.
Going by the allergy to govt loans in some members on this board, I am glad I did not approach govt funding for my budding product, and went straight to the VCs.
Take it from me: it takes a LOT to build , sell products and be successful at it. Money is not the hard part. Sustaining a business is all about the customer and whether the customer likes your product or not.
It's not as easy as 'oh get the money and build a good product'. It's very very tough to make a business work.
Tesla Motors sparks up first profit
The electric car maker, Tesla, has made the first profit in its 10-year history.
The company said it made $15m (£9.65m) in the first three months of the year, thanks to sales of its Model S electric sedan. Total revenues hit $562m, a huge rise on the $30m reported a year ago.
More...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22459631
Tesla had $68MM in revenue came from selling carbon credits (i.e., without the government program they'd be in the red).
Cougs, they also said that going forward, the credits will decline, and that they won't be counting on that revenue.
I hope you didn't believe in your own hoopla and short TSLA, coz a lot of what you write resembles the shorties writing on one of the stock monkey sites.
Just kidding. I hope you did. And I hope you hurt. ;-)
Quote from: red_shift on May 10, 2013, 11:35:03 AM
Cougs, they also said that going forward, the credits will decline, and that they won't be counting on that revenue.
I hope you didn't believe in your own hoopla and short TSLA, coz a lot of what you write resembles the shorties writing on one of the stock monkey sites.
Just kidding. I hope you did. And I hope you hurt. ;-)
Uh, sure they'll count it as revenue - they'll have to. And I wouldn't brag about that even if they c/would - given the slim (manipulated) 2% net they'll need that "revenue" to continue to show black. If/when they can show black without carbon credits I'm all primed and ready to carry on about the vastly below market terms of the government loans :devil:.
Do you know how shorting works? One doesn't get "hurt" simply because the stock gains. But I didn't short it. I think one would be crazy to. Being in effect government sponsored predictability is somewhere between zero and none.
You wuss!
All this talk, but you can't put your money where your mouth is!
Quote from: red_shift on May 10, 2013, 02:31:53 PM
You wuss!
All this talk, but you can't put your money where your mouth is!
But didn't you lease your Model S?
Leasing was not available when I bought it. Wouldn't have bought it even if it weren't.
Why are you asking me, no balls pussy?
Quote from: red_shift on May 10, 2013, 05:26:30 PM
Leasing was not available when I bought it. Wouldn't have bought it even if it weren't.
Why are you asking me, no balls pussy?
Did you finance the purchase?
Quote from: GoCougs on May 10, 2013, 05:57:43 PM
Did you finance the purchase?
Ugh, I sense another senseless rant coming about how nobody should finance cars or have mortgages.
Quote from: TurboDan on May 10, 2013, 11:02:14 PM
Ugh, I sense another senseless rant coming about how nobody should finance cars or have mortgages.
Quote from: GoCougs on May 10, 2013, 05:57:43 PM
Did Quote from: GoCougs on May 10, 2013, 05:57:43 PM
Did you finance the purchase?
Have you had a lobotomy?
I'm seeing more and more of these everyday. They're commonplace now. I see more Tesla Ss than 7 series (doesn't mean much, I see more Lamborghinis than 7s). It is a good looking car, inasmuch as any car built with current regulations can be good looking (though behind the more handsome Audi line, it's better looking than anything BMW has currently and most of what Mercedes makes). I even saw one on the highway the other day, the crazy fool!
Quote from: Raza on May 11, 2013, 06:51:45 AM
I'm seeing more and more of these everyday. They're commonplace now. I see more Tesla Ss than 7 series (doesn't mean much, I see more Lamborghinis than 7s). It is a good looking car, inasmuch as any car built with current regulations can be good looking (though behind the more handsome Audi line, it's better looking than anything BMW has currently and most of what Mercedes makes). I even saw one on the highway the other day, the crazy fool!
There's a dealer in King of Prussia, right? That would explain a lot in the Philly area. We don't have a dealer in southern NJ yet but I'm starting to see them in this area a lot more frequently anyway. They're beautiful cars that aren't gaudy and overstyled. Someone got the design nailed down perfectly on these.
Quote from: Raza on May 11, 2013, 06:51:45 AM
I'm seeing more and more of these everyday. They're commonplace now. I see more Tesla Ss than 7 series (doesn't mean much, I see more Lamborghinis than 7s). It is a good looking car, inasmuch as any car built with current regulations can be good looking (though behind the more handsome Audi line, it's better looking than anything BMW has currently and most of what Mercedes makes). I even saw one on the highway the other day, the crazy fool!
What the.... Where do you live? Beverly
Quote from: TurboDan on May 11, 2013, 09:16:00 AM
There's a dealer in King of Prussia, right? That would explain a lot in the Philly area. We don't have a dealer in southern NJ yet but I'm starting to see them in this area a lot more frequently anyway. They're beautiful cars that aren't gaudy and overstyled. Someone got the design nailed down perfectly on these.
Quote from: TurboDan on May 11, 2013, 09:16:00 AM
There's a dealer in King of Prussia, right? That would explain a lot in the Philly area. We don't have a dealer in southern NJ yet but I'm starting to see them in this area a lot more frequently anyway. They're beautiful cars that aren't gaudy and overstyled. Someone got the design nailed down perfectly on these.
They had to get the looks right. Otherwise they'd be dead by now already.
Some magazine has done an intricate study of the DWB suspension of the Model S. they came to the conclusion that the engineering was top notch, and a bit over-engineered, since this is the first car that is mass market from Tesla, and they did not want to f this up in
Quote from: Raza on May 11, 2013, 06:51:45 AM
I'm seeing more and more of these everyday. They're commonplace now. I see more Tesla Ss than 7 series (doesn't mean much, I see more Lamborghinis than 7s). It is a good looking car, inasmuch as any car built with current regulations can be good looking (though behind the more handsome Audi line, it's better looking than anything BMW has currently and most of what Mercedes makes). I even saw one on the highway the other day, the crazy fool!
I am planning a trip to San Diego in summer in my Tesla.
It's not as hard as you think, especially in California.
On a side note, went to Big Basin the other day. It was great. On my way back, we took the super super windy and narrow highway 9 back. The experience was surreal. This big heavy sedan was twirling like a ballet dancer on the way up to the summit. Silent, more tossable and lithe than my erstwhile BMW 325i, and almost made me feel like superman flying slow and low to the ground up the hills. At the summit, as we all came back from a short hike to collect wildflowers, a nice couple in a Ford 500 waited. The guy says, I waited for you to come back, and went on a 10 minutes quest to find everything about the car. They said they are going to buy it.
Oh, I gained 17 miles on the way down. (10 miles driven plus 7 extra due to regen) :-)
This is the car I have been searching for since that day when I decided the patented BMW feline growl was pointless and a bit childish. I am sorry if I sound arrogant, but you have to drive this to realize how different and wonderful this car is.
Quote from: TurboDan on May 10, 2013, 11:02:14 PM
Ugh, I sense another senseless rant coming about how nobody should finance cars...
Nah, that's a given and doesn't need to be repeated in detail.
My point is it's comical issuing financial throw-downs in a flurry of insecure Internetry when has done such an unwise thing.
Quote from: TurboDan on May 11, 2013, 09:16:00 AM
There's a dealer in King of Prussia, right? That would explain a lot in the Philly area. We don't have a dealer in southern NJ yet but I'm starting to see them in this area a lot more frequently anyway. They're beautiful cars that aren't gaudy and overstyled. Someone got the design nailed down perfectly on these.
I'm not sure. Can't say I ever bothered to look where Tesla dealerships were. But that would make sense.
Quote from: red_shift on May 11, 2013, 10:26:56 AM
What the.... Where do you live? Beverly
Nope, Philadelphia. It's just that BMW barely sells any 7s. I see one everyday, but it's the same one. Some smoking hot chick at work has one.
Quote
I am planning a trip to San Diego in summer in my Tesla.
It's not as hard as you think, especially in California.
Yeah, but I live in
Philadelphia. The land where flash mob went from something fun and unexpected to a horrific random crime spree, not the land of charging stations!
Quote
This is the car I have been searching for since that day when I decided the patented BMW feline growl was pointless and a bit childish. I am sorry if I sound arrogant, but you have to drive this to realize how different and wonderful this car is.
I'll keep my growl.
Quote from: GoCougs on May 11, 2013, 10:59:41 AM
Nah, that's a given and doesn't need to be repeated in detail.
My point is it's comical issuing financial throw-downs in a flurry of insecure Internetry when has done such an unwise thing.
Say what? Try to be coherent, too much lead in your tea.
Teslas are more common than new 5 or 7 series in this area. There are at least a dozen in the work parking garage. Selling like hotcakes!
What is the single-giant-touchscreen system like after using it for awhile?
Quote from: Secret Chimp on May 11, 2013, 04:02:14 PM
What is the single-giant-touchscreen system like after using it for awhile?
(http://www.maximumpc.com/files/u69/BSOD_Main.png)
Actually, the giant touch screen as well as the instrument cluster screen have reboot modes. I have had to do that once to get rid of a bogus TPMS warning message.
People have reportedly rebooted both screens *while driving* and reported no issues. Not that I'd try that. There seem to be redundant/independant systems that govern the driving functions and the information/control consoles.
Also some folks have 'rooted' the Linux based RTOS. They have not yet figured out how to hack this thing coz it seems to use security features galore.
Only a matter of time, given the technical capability of their target demographic.
I saw my first Tesla S today. I can't believe how sexy it is in person. It almost looks like a different car than the pictures.
Quote from: red_shift on May 11, 2013, 10:18:04 PM
Actually, the giant touch screen as well as the instrument cluster screen have reboot modes. I have had to do that once to get rid of a bogus TPMS warning message.
People have reportedly rebooted both screens *while driving* and reported no issues. Not that I'd try that. There seem to be redundant/independant systems that govern the driving functions and the information/control consoles.
Also some folks have 'rooted' the Linux based RTOS. They have not yet figured out how to hack this thing coz it seems to use security features galore.
I meant kind of from a usability standpoint. I had enough bothers trying to use a Touch My Ford whatever screen in a Flex I rented last year, much less something with no buttons for anything.
Quote from: Secret Chimp on May 11, 2013, 11:15:59 PM
I meant kind of from a usability standpoint. I had enough bothers trying to use a Touch My Ford whatever screen in a Flex I rented last year, much less something with no buttons for anything.
It's actually better at accomplishing some things, worse for others. Overall, I find I like it, but wish there were 1-2 dedicated hard buttons. (Sunroof, media source switching come to mind) It also has a web browser, but both HTML5 and Flash video playback is disabled. Regular surfing is not disabled at any time. Capacitive touch screen response is very good, AT&T 3G speed is not. Touch experience is actually on par with the iPad.
There is no off button for the display. I usually load a dark web page from teslatap.com for that. A fix is reportedly in the works, as is an SDK for developers and an App Store for skins, car apps and other junk.
Is there still a milky glow coming from the dark web page?
Quote from: Laconian on May 11, 2013, 01:59:49 PM
Teslas are more common than new 5 or 7 series in this area. There are at least a dozen in the work parking garage. Selling like hotcakes!
But isn't Google also dabbling in the e-car market? That could skew things a little from your perspective.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on May 12, 2013, 02:56:12 PM
But isn't Google also dabbling in the e-car market? That could skew things a little from your perspective.
It has nothing to do with the self-driving car initiative; that's done on a different campus by a secretive blue-sky R&D group; it might as well be a different company. It has mega geek chic appeal, it's practical, and its looks outclass practically everything under $200k (IMO).
I mean, compare the Model S to the next melty-butt Mercedes S-class.
(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/2012-tesla-model-s-fd.jpg)
(http://content.worldcarfans.co/2012/5/22/big/1703884457990157729.jpg)
No comparison even when you don't look at the melty S-class butt.
OK. I wasn't saying its a bad car: I just rarely see any of them: well, the one: but that one was parked at Magna e-car and I assume was there for some sort of business purpose.
Quote from: Laconian on May 12, 2013, 02:49:41 PM
Is there still a milky glow coming from the dark web page?
No, not really, night mode means brightness goes down to 10% or 20% and that reduces the usual bleed-through on LCDs. The menus at top and bottom are static, so they are still visible.
I really wish the night mode would go all orange/red to reduce eye strain like in my BMW. May be there ill be a skin for that.
How is the screen at coping with Dayight (glare/fingerprints/etc...). When I had the rented Cadillac that was my main problem with the otherwise very pretty touch screen interface.
Quote from: Secret Chimp on May 11, 2013, 04:02:14 PM
What is the single-giant-touchscreen system like after using it for awhile?
Smudgy.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on May 13, 2013, 08:03:45 AM
How is the screen at coping with Dayight (glare/fingerprints/etc...). When I had the rented Cadillac that was my main problem with the otherwise very pretty touch screen interface.
It's a magnet for fingerprints.
Simple fix though: fold a piece of cloth 3-4 times and wipe. Touch interface does not react, and the screen is clean in 3 seconds. I did it just yesterday, works so well, it's like magic. ;-)
There are also Matt finish screen protectors available which eliminate this problem.
Quote from: red_shift on May 13, 2013, 08:28:50 AM
There are also Matt finish screen protectors available which eliminate this problem.
That should be standard.
D'oh! I just remembered this thread! I didn't realize you sent me a PM though since I didn't get any notifications like I usually do from other forums and didn't see it till today when I manually checked my pm box. Oops! :facepalm:
FWIW I just replied to your pm, red_shift. Sorry about that. :hammerhead:
Tesla's having no problems at all with getting people into its share & debt offerings.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100746439 (http://www.cnbc.com/id/100746439)
Tesla to repay DOE loan next week. They are prepaying way earlier than the 10 year term of the L O A N ( not a subsidy, for those who seem to be ignorant of how loans actually work)
Even though the latest move by Tesla to raise additional cash should have brought the stock down vis a vis the dilution, funny thing happened... The stock actually went up!
This must make those who were posting hate messages very happy, since their primary stated reason for hating Tesla was that they took the "damn gubment loan"? (While they blithely filled subsidy assisted gasoline in their gas burners)
I kid of course. They will probably never be happy about Tesla, since it is a "loser" as defined by the moron politician who lost the last election...
I am done here. I have enjoyed my years of involvement on this board for a long time. My company prototype will be rolling out next month. Hopefully I can make it. All the while, I enjoy my life and the superb motoring means afforded to me by Elon Musk's passion and perseverance. ( did you guys know he almost went bankrupt in 2010? pouring his personal fortune into Tesla and SpaceX?) anyways, what I want to say is, companies like Tesla and Apple make me want to believe we can do it. It's still possible.
While the product that I am developing is not ground breaking rocket science by any means, if it is a success, I will definitely parlay the returns not something I truly believe in, hopefully to make this planet a better place.
Good bye guys, it's been nice discussing with most of you on here.
Well, the loans will of course be seen as a subsidy, regardless.
Still, no amount of money can make up for a good product if there's no engineering behind it, and by that measure, the Tesla S seems to be a home run (so far), so I'm willing to leave it at that. Lots of companies have taken gubbimint loans and still gone bankrupt while producing crap products, and I'm happy to see Tesla rise above that (even if they DIDN'T hire me in 2005).
Of course government loans are subsidy. That popular discourse asserts otherwise is an example of how FUBAR the current socio-economic-politcal situation is in this country.
Quote from: red_shift on May 17, 2013, 11:17:06 PM
(While they blithely filled subsidy assisted gasoline in their gas burners)
:confused:
Are there a lot of tesla haters in Venezuela? Gasoline in this country is not remotely subsidized, quite the contrary.
Quote from: Lebowski on May 18, 2013, 11:07:18 AM
:confused:
Are there a lot of tesla haters in Venezuela? Gasoline in this country is not remotely subsidized, quite the contrary.
Yer forgettin' Middle East wars, Big Oil corporate welfare and crony regulation (e.g., BP Gulf blowout).
Quote from: red_shift on May 17, 2013, 11:17:06 PM
Tesla to repay DOE loan next week. They are prepaying way earlier than the 10 year term of the L O A N ( not a subsidy, for those who seem to be ignorant of how loans actually work)
Even though the latest move by Tesla to raise additional cash should have brought the stock down vis a vis the dilution, funny thing happened... The stock actually went up!
This must make those who were posting hate messages very happy, since their primary stated reason for hating Tesla was that they took the "damn gubment loan"? (While they blithely filled subsidy assisted gasoline in their gas burners)
I kid of course. They will probably never be happy about Tesla, since it is a "loser" as defined by the moron politician who lost the last election...
I am done here. I have enjoyed my years of involvement on this board for a long time. My company prototype will be rolling out next month. Hopefully I can make it. All the while, I enjoy my life and the superb motoring means afforded to me by Elon Musk's passion and perseverance. ( did you guys know he almost went bankrupt in 2010? pouring his personal fortune into Tesla and SpaceX?) anyways, what I want to say is, companies like Tesla and Apple make me want to believe we can do it. It's still possible.
While the product that I am developing is not ground breaking rocket science by any means, if it is a success, I will definitely parlay the returns not something I truly believe in, hopefully to make this planet a better place.
Good bye guys, it's been nice discussing with most of you on here.
:confused:
Quote from: red_shift on May 17, 2013, 11:17:06 PM
Tesla to repay DOE loan next week. They are prepaying way earlier than the 10 year term of the L O A N ( not a subsidy, for those who seem to be ignorant of how loans actually work)
Even though the latest move by Tesla to raise additional cash should have brought the stock down vis a vis the dilution, funny thing happened... The stock actually went up!
This must make those who were posting hate messages very happy, since their primary stated reason for hating Tesla was that they took the "damn gubment loan"? (While they blithely filled subsidy assisted gasoline in their gas burners)
I kid of course. They will probably never be happy about Tesla, since it is a "loser" as defined by the moron politician who lost the last election...
I am done here. I have enjoyed my years of involvement on this board for a long time. My company prototype will be rolling out next month. Hopefully I can make it. All the while, I enjoy my life and the superb motoring means afforded to me by Elon Musk's passion and perseverance. ( did you guys know he almost went bankrupt in 2010? pouring his personal fortune into Tesla and SpaceX?) anyways, what I want to say is, companies like Tesla and Apple make me want to believe we can do it. It's still possible.
While the product that I am developing is not ground breaking rocket science by any means, if it is a success, I will definitely parlay the returns not something I truly believe in, hopefully to make this planet a better place.
Good bye guys, it's been nice discussing with most of you on here.
Enjoy your car, sad to see you go! Though, I do understand how annoying some on here can be. The trick is to just remember that you are probably just as annoying to them, so it kind of evens out haha.
BTW, I bought TSLA around $35...I love to see the short-sellers rush to cover their positions when news like their loan repayment comes out :)
I hope you guys realize that Tesla is "repaying" the government loans with more loans (bonds) and by selling "equity" (in an pseudo-profitable organization).
Quote from: GoCougs on May 21, 2013, 05:22:25 PM
I hope you guys realize that Tesla is "repaying" the government loans with more loans (bonds) and by selling "equity" (in an pseudo-profitable organization).
A publicly listed corporation using the debt and equity markets? You don't say
Not sure why red_shift is leaving. A lot of us like the car. Madman hasn't left, and everybody hates his car.
Quote from: SVT666 on May 21, 2013, 10:30:31 PM
Not sure why red_shift is leaving. A lot of us like the car. Madman hasn't left, and everybody hates his car.
He's irrationally insensitive to criticism of the company; that he (and others) feel they need to go on jihad IMO says a lot about the criticism...
But, I don't think it wasn't the criticism - he said his business is getting busier/too busy.
Quote from: LonghornTX on May 21, 2013, 09:55:36 PM
A publicly listed corporation using the debt and equity markets? You don't say
Making the "rush" of short sellers non-existent because of the debt/dilution swap repayment a non sequitor...
Quote from: GoCougs on May 21, 2013, 05:22:25 PM
I hope you guys realize that Tesla is "repaying" the government loans with more loans (bonds) and by selling "equity" (in an pseudo-profitable organization).
Wait, you mean investors are using future profitability expectations instead of past profitability of a startup company?!? Alert CNN!! Alert CNBC!!!!! :lol:
I have no idea whether Tesla will be successful or not (I think I would like an electric sport sedan personally, I am just not an early adopter of new technology for the most part) and I don't own the stock, but this is really not that different then when people invested in Google/Yahoo/Amazon etc... when they first came out and were losing money or barely breaking even. Its risky, but the payoffs can be enormous if the company is really as disruptive as some people expect. Its just business GoCougs! :cheers:
No reason to leave just because of Cougs. Just don't engage him and eventually he'll go back to making Randian soliloquies in his mirror like he did before the internet.
PALO ALTO, Calif.-- Tesla Motors announced that it has paid off the entire loan awarded to the company by the Department of Energy in 2010. In addition to payments made in 2012 and Q1 2013, today's wire of almost half a billion dollars ($451.8M) repays the full loan facility with interest. Following this payment, Tesla will be the only American car company to have fully repaid the government.
Quote from: Laconian on May 22, 2013, 04:24:33 PM
PALO ALTO, Calif.-- Tesla Motors announced that it has paid off the entire loan awarded to the company by the Department of Energy in 2010. In addition to payments made in 2012 and Q1 2013, today's wire of almost half a billion dollars ($451.8M) repays the full loan facility with interest. Following this payment, Tesla will be the only American car company to have fully repaid the government.
They borrowed money from China to pay off the DOE.
Quote from: Laconian on May 22, 2013, 04:24:33 PM
PALO ALTO, Calif.-- Tesla Motors announced that it has paid off the entire loan awarded to the company by the Department of Energy in 2010. In addition to payments made in 2012 and Q1 2013, today's wire of almost half a billion dollars ($451.8M) repays the full loan facility with interest. Following this payment, Tesla will be the only American car company to have fully repaid the government.
:huh:
Ford didn't take a govt loan.
Quote from: Lebowski on May 22, 2013, 04:59:48 PM
:huh:
Ford didn't take a govt loan.
Which is why they didn't repay the government, Eisenstein.
Ford got government assistance, it just wasn't done the same way as GM.
Quote from: Lebowski on May 22, 2013, 04:59:48 PM
:huh:
Ford didn't take a govt loan.
Sure Ford did; under the same DOE program as Tesla - and more than 10x as much ($6B).
Quote from: Raza on May 22, 2013, 08:29:42 AM
No reason to leave just because of Cougs. Just don't engage him and eventually he'll go back to making Randian soliloquies in his mirror like he did before the internet.
If he did leave because of me it just speaks further to the irrationality surrounding Tesla (a wave that will soon ebb IMO).
Oops.
Quote from: GoCougs on May 22, 2013, 07:24:02 PM
If he did leave because of me it just speaks further to the irrationality surrounding Tesla (a wave that will soon ebb IMO).
Now tats grasping at straws.
Quote from: Lebowski on May 22, 2013, 07:25:20 PM
Oops.
Much as Telsaists carry on, Fordists did a pretty good job of masking Ford's $6B gubment loan.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on May 22, 2013, 07:25:51 PM
Now tats grasping at straws.
Not at all. He got plain goofy with his last couple of posts. I wasn't criticizing him or the car. I made plain and factual statements about Tesla's (very precarious) financial position yet he was offended at each and every one.
TL;DR - once the early adopters like red_shift fade Telsa is in for a world of hurt.
I disagree. I think Tesla is in it for the long haul. If they can sell enough Model S's, then maybe they can put the powertrain in less expensive cars. More gas for us!
I don't think the government should lend money to anybody, be it students or car companies. But occasionally the government will strike lucky.
I'm reserving judgement on Tesla. It looks promising; the cars are sexy & usable, but we need to go two or three years beyond the current euphoria to see where things really are.
Quote from: Morris Minor on May 23, 2013, 12:33:24 PM
I don't think the government should lend money to anybody, be it students or car companies. But occasionally the government will strike lucky.
I'm reserving judgement on Tesla. It looks promising; the cars are sexy & usable, but we need to go two or three years beyond the current euphoria to see where things really are.
I actually think its a good thing for the US to support this type of development. While I understand the idealistic reasons that people oppose it, the practical matter is that other countries are supporting their emerging industries.
Not every new business will work out, but the only way to guarantee failure is to not even try IMHO. I view this type of thing like R&D. Most of it won't come to anything, but every once in a while a something HUGE will happen that will make the whole thing worth it (and FWIW yes, basic R&D funding is another thing I am glad the US spends a lot of money on).
JMHO of course.
The Other Government Motors
Tesla by the numbers: How taxpayers made an electric car company.
The list of the Obama Administration's industrial policy failures is long, from Solyndra to Fisker Automotive. But now we are hearing that one success redeems them all: Tesla Motors . Tesla's share price has soared this year on rave reviews for its electric car, growing sales and its first quarterly profit.
Rarely noted is how much this profit is a function of government subsidy and coercion. So let's take apart Tesla by the numbers, if only to give our reader-taxpayers a better sense of what they've paid to make Tesla's owners rich.
The decade-old Tesla debuted its first product, the Roadster, in 2006. With a base price of $109,000, it was discontinued before it hit 2,500 sales. Tesla introduced its Model S a year ago and had sold an estimated 9,650 at a bargain $70,000 through April. By contrast, Ford sold 168,843 F-series pickup trucks in the first quarter alone.
Much more... http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324659404578499460139237952.html (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324659404578499460139237952.html)
Quote from: GoCougs on May 22, 2013, 07:35:25 PM
Not at all. He got plain goofy with his last couple of posts. I wasn't criticizing him or the car. I made plain and factual statements about Tesla's (very precarious) financial position yet he was offended at each and every one.
TL;DR - once the early adopters like red_shift fade Telsa is in for a world of hurt.
You're taking one persons responses and producing a stereotype of their entire customer base.yes, it makes you look just a little silly.
Quote from: Soup DeVille on May 24, 2013, 07:10:50 AM
You're taking one persons responses and producing a stereotype of their entire customer base.yes, it makes you look just a little silly.
An appropriate stereotype for an owner might be a country club member whose Model S is substantially paid for by the caddy.
As mentioned before: it's the perverse incentives of the game that's messed up, not the players of the game.
Quote from: SJ_GTI on May 24, 2013, 06:37:36 AM
I actually think its a good thing for the US to support this type of development. While I understand the idealistic reasons that people oppose it, the practical matter is that other countries are supporting their emerging industries.
Not every new business will work out, but the only way to guarantee failure is to not even try IMHO. I view this type of thing like R&D. Most of it won't come to anything, but every once in a while a something HUGE will happen that will make the whole thing worth it (and FWIW yes, basic R&D funding is another thing I am glad the US spends a lot of money on).
JMHO of course.
I tend to agree, especially with the first sentence.
Quote from: Catman on May 22, 2013, 04:34:12 PM
They borrowed money from China to pay off the DOE.
No, they borrowed money from institutional investors, and even Elon himself (he purchased some of the stock that they issued).
Quote from: Laconian on May 22, 2013, 04:24:33 PM
PALO ALTO, Calif.-- Tesla Motors announced that it has paid off the entire loan awarded to the company by the Department of Energy in 2010. In addition to payments made in 2012 and Q1 2013, today's wire of almost half a billion dollars ($451.8M) repays the full loan facility with interest. Following this payment, Tesla will be the only American car company to have fully repaid the government.
From that specific loan program, but Chrysler repaid its loan in full as well.
Quote from: Morris Minor on May 23, 2013, 12:33:24 PM
I don't think the government should lend money to anybody, be it students or car companies. But occasionally the government will strike lucky.
That's what governments have been doing as long as there have been governments. Remember a certain spanish expedition to the new world?
Governments loan money to get an expected return (not necessarily moneatery returns, either). They also GRANT money (Darpa is a prim example of that), as well as pcik and choose amongst contractors for services, and have regulations on where and how they need to "invest" in depressed areas and minority owned businesses. While not loans, they ARE promoting certain types of businesses over others. THis is simply what governments DO.
So loaning money to business to achieve a desired result is normal, and proper use of funds. And it's a bonus when that busines succeeds, as Tesla has.
Quote from: ChrisV on May 29, 2013, 09:28:43 AM
That's what governments have been doing as long as there have been governments. Remember a certain spanish expedition to the new world?
Governments loan money to get an expected return (not necessarily moneatery returns, either). They also GRANT money (Darpa is a prim example of that), as well as pcik and choose amongst contractors for services, and have regulations on where and how they need to "invest" in depressed areas and minority owned businesses. While not loans, they ARE promoting certain types of businesses over others. THis is simply what governments DO.
So loaning money to business to achieve a desired result is normal, and proper use of funds. And it's a bonus when that busines succeeds, as Tesla has.
You're really going to compare Tesla to investing in the Spanish expedition? Holy :facepalm Batman!
Quote from: MrH on May 29, 2013, 12:00:20 PM
You're really going to compare Tesla to investing in the Spanish expedition? Holy :facepalm Batman!
Government loans. Sorry the concept is too big for you to grasp. Columbus wanted to seek out new trade routes for private gain. The government loaned him money to get an expected return out of it. Different scale, granted, same concept. Big loans, samll loans, government loaning to private industry is an old, old concept, especially when the government wants to promote a certain outcome it sees as beneficial.
Quote from: ChrisV on May 29, 2013, 09:28:43 AM
That's what governments have been doing as long as there have been governments. Remember a certain spanish expedition to the new world?
Governments loan money to get an expected return (not necessarily moneatery returns, either). They also GRANT money (Darpa is a prim example of that), as well as pcik and choose amongst contractors for services, and have regulations on where and how they need to "invest" in depressed areas and minority owned businesses. While not loans, they ARE promoting certain types of businesses over others. THis is simply what governments DO.
So loaning money to business to achieve a desired result is normal, and proper use of funds. And it's a bonus when that busines succeeds, as Tesla has.
Ask indigenous peoples if Columbus's trip was a good idea; also, 15th century monarchs were murderous thieves.
Thing is government is irrational in its lending - if it was a rational endeavor private sector entities would likely buck up and loan the money. When they don't buck up irrational endeavors don't get funded and we're all better off for it.
It's a bit generous to call Tesla successful after one quarter of pseudo profitability (i.e., ONLY if but for selling carbon credits) after 10 years of running in the red.
Quote from: ChrisV on May 29, 2013, 02:48:02 PM
Government loans. Sorry the concept is too big for you to grasp. Columbus wanted to seek out new trade routes for private gain. The government loaned him money to get an expected return out of it. Different scale, granted, same concept. Big loans, samll loans, government loaning to private industry is an old, old concept, especially when the government wants to promote a certain outcome it sees as beneficial.
Dude are you seriously pointing to a monarchy as an example of how govt should be done?
Yeah, Gov't financing enterprise isn't new ... That doesn't make it a good idea.
I rode in one earlier this week:
1.) 17" center touchscreen looked dull compared to an iDevice - is it even TFT?
2.) The steering wheel column looked like it was from a kit car (just a plain rectangular box).
3.) Center console area was sparse.
4.) The doors felt flimsy, and not only because the glass in frameless.
5.) Ride was much quieter and smoother than expected; shocking really.
6.) Leather was super soft.
7.) Nice acceleration of course.
8.) Dash was good.
9.) The auto extend door handles seemed like kinda like they were trying too hard.
10.) Touchscreen was too busy; for example sunroof function had a slider that showed % open - TMI.
The door handles are a common complaint. Over designed. The center console has been bitched about too. Looks like just a big bin. Saw a lot of these in CA last week. Great looking car. The storage room is unreal.
It is a great looking car, esp. with the 21" wheels. Didn't get a feel for space in the back but it looked plenty. The only issue that keeps me thinking is the doors - just didn't feel right. I didn't have a lot of time to investigate as the owner was with me the entire time and wouldn't let up about "American manufacturing."
Auto-extend door handles sound like the seatbelt extenders from older CLs. That is, awesome.
Static door handles are a drudgery on a par with taking your clothes to the river & beating them clean on rocks.
Quote from: Raza on July 15, 2013, 02:47:39 PM
Auto-extend door handles sound like the seatbelt extenders from older CLs. That is, awesome.
E92/3 have those.