Posted on 01/28/2008 3:12:40 PM PST by dynachrome
Most people are lucky to experience one life-affirming moment while they're on this earth; I experienced mine last week. AutoblogGreen's Sam Abuelsamid called to ask if I was interested in accompanying him on his exclusive First Drive of the Tesla Roadster. Aside from the company's own employees, only a few customers and the major automotive print publications have driven the Tesla Roadster so far. But you won't have to check your mailbox or drop $4.95 at Barnes and Noble to read about what it's like to drive this truly revolutionary vehicle. Follow the jump for our full road test (with video!) and check out the gallery of amazing images below.
(Excerpt) Read more at autoblog.com ...
Video at the link.
Anyone see the newly designed Camaro?
A couple of other concerns -
The carbon-fiber laminate support - how will that hold up in the sun for a few years? Last I checked, that stuff doesn’t like heat or direct sunlight...
And as you posted, battery life (and replacement cost/difficulty), recharge time, etc.
Reliability - I guess would depend on the battery itself.
And I am sure it is all super-expensive. Will be for those Hollyweird types who like to drop big-bucks on a status symbol, while pretending to be “green”...
there are a few points I’m plannin on adding to my ‘69
$100K is quoted in the video.
“that stuff doesn’t like heat or direct sunlight...”
I did not know that. People have talked up carbon fiber bodies for cars before, but large price and maybe the sunlight thing killed that.
The price to buy and the total cost are actually a pretty good measure of how “green” it is. The cost of the car is a measure of the resources that go into making the thing. The cost of disposing of dead batteries and buying new ones is part of the cost of resources used.
I may be wrong, but that may not be the full price. I could have sworn they were talking about $125k or perhaps even a little higher, full price. Perhaps they’ve already put down $25k or so as a deposit.
For the money I would buy an Audi A8L or even better, R8.
Yes, and that includes the labor. At first, the Tesla will be built in relatively small numbers. If it's a success, then those numbers will increase and the price would drop.
I don't know if it will be a success, but it's very innovative and we do like innovation, don't we? I won't buy one -- couldn't afford it -- but it represents the type of entrepreneurship I'd expect Freepers to be encouraging instead of disparaging.
R8? A Mazda R8? For $100,000?
“The carbon-fiber laminate support - how will that hold up in the sun for a few years? Last I checked, that stuff doesn’t like heat or direct sunlight...”
You better stay away from Airbus jets
.
http://www.tapplastics.com/info/carbonnews.php
No, the Audi R8.
None of that matters. Take it home and put it in the garage up on blocks so your great-grandkid will have something to start an impressive collection of antiques with.
Seen yer commercial.......sexy !
:) She really is! (that’s my color, too!)
It is nice... you should be proud and enjoy it as I am sure ya are !
Good luck with it , rubber side down now........Stay safe !
“Last I checked, that stuff doesn’t like heat or direct sunlight”
Carbon fiber masts have been used for boats for years now. Paints work on them as well as on other materials.
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