Vraiment, Thanks for a really great drive this morning. Sometimes the (relatively) unplanned events are the best! Maybe we can get this guy to join http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/worlds-fastest-ferrari-288-gto
Sorry I missed the drive. It looks like it was a good one. (but when is it not?) Hope to see you all in 2 weeks.
Very cool vid Jonathon that is one fast 288 GTO mod. I have a feeling there are a couple in this group that are daring enough to push this car faster. BTW it is was shocking to see the gas tank as the navigator.
I tested the Roadster Sport right after our drive this morning. The Tesla Roadster Sport has nice lines but nothing inspirational, basically an electric version of the Lotus Elise but over twice the cost at around a buck thirty. The Tesla initially feels like a large bumper car on steroids. Push the pedal and it glides. Floor it and it takes off like a rocket; 0 to 60 in a blistering 3.7 secs. Wow!! A small cockpit that felt a little tight but I dont think da1235 would fit in this car. The only evidence of the exhaust is a muffled high whirling sound. The nice sales person said you would get used to not hearing the sound if you like driving exotics. Rut Row! I noticed no power steering when I was parallel parking the car and pulling the car out from the parking spot- what a drag. I thought I was in my moms old station wagon. Bit of understeer quickly rounding onto the freeway and through some twisties. That battery alone weighs 1000 lbs. and situated in the rear of the car perhaps the weight could have been distributed better. This is a rear engine car and weighs only 2700 lbs. No doubt this technology is amazing, zero emissions and no gas. If you like sports cars and you want to go green this is the car for you. I asked my eight-year old son, What did you like about the car? He responded, Almost Everything! My overall review you ask? Its a cute car. It may be the most exciting electric sports car on the market but it aint no Ferrari. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I drove a regular Tesla about a month ago and had much the same impressions. The acceleration was amazing and quiet except for the electric motor whine. But it left me the feeling of driving a very nice golf cart. Of course maybe that is just my 20th century prejudices speaking and future generations will mostly likely view internal combustion engines with alarm as noisy, dangerous, overly complex, inefficient contraptions.
One of my buddies has one and let me drive it. I had the same "golf cart" impressions as both of you. Someone told me there is something about the resonance of an internal combustion engine that's hard-wired into our DNA. Obviously that DNA pre-dates IC engines but nonetheless, there's a positive effect it has on a fair amount of people. One thought I had was since the Tesla is so silent, you could, if you wanted to, add your own soundtrack! Actually, make it several. Record your favorite Ferraris, Lambos, etc. and sync it to the electronic throttle and speed sensors and voila! Your Tesla can sound like your favorite IC-engined car! Heck, you could even use the sound of a Formula One car. And you only need to pipe that music into your ears via speakers inside the car, so on the outside, you need not bother your neighbors. Speaking of "neighbors" of the road, I couldn't make the drive last morning for a variety of reasons but my wife and I did manage to get out on the road later, to be accompanied by....some chapter of a Harley club. Their train of bikes was about 1/8 to 1/4 mile long (and we think WE get strong participation on our drives) so it wasn't easy to pass them and I wasn't about to go ripping by them what with all the attention from their noise and with the strict speed enforcement on Marin's 101, so I had to bear with them for some time. Talk about LOUD. They completely drowned out the melody from my Tubis. I'm not against bikes or bikers, but they are a nuisance when I'm trying to enjoy the song of my own car. And of course, it being a nice day and all, I had the top down so closing the windows did nada. I seriously considered pulling off the road and waiting. Fortunately by the time I was going to do that, they took an exit.
Saw something similar, but not nearly as long, out at the coast in the morning ...maybe they were headed to meet the party you got stuck behind... 4RE, I followed that demo home from your house Saturday, it had the same plates. Woman at the wheel. I guess a late night arrival from Menlo. The cockpit of the Tesla seems pretty sparse...I wonder what the impact rating is on that car.
The woman was likely the Tesla sales rep. She drives the car around the Bay area for people to test drive for small events. She mentioned she drives the car home as well. Supposedly, Tesla is planning to open up a dealership in Marin, Corte Madera or San Rafael by 2012. The Model S, Tesla's four door sedan is due to launch in 2012 and is expected to compete with the BMW 5 series, Mercedes E series and Audis A6. Looks interesting. The car will be priced around $55,000 - $65,0000. Here's the car. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
PinoyP, Is that Boracay...Palawan? Nothing beats those Philippine beaches that are as white as sugar. We've all been trying to take your place as resident historian. Your past work is appreciated and looked forward to on our future events. Look forward to seeing you soon, and hearing about the family and the homeland. 4RE, "That F430" clearly outclasses the Tesla Roadster in front of that Sausalito Hotel. We have some great weather at the moment. See all of you out there soon.
Weather looks cooperative...both days saturday and sunday, Saturday slightly better... I am open for either day...please include your preferred day after your handle. 1. 1974gt4, saturday preferred