Oh! Hell, yeah!! I just drove a Tesla.

[TomInTib]

I was walking over to the Post Office to check on something for DUer Raven...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3607899

when I spotted this cool, cool car in the parking lot behind our Gallery. I couldn't figure out what it was, so I walked over to get a better look and saw that it was a Tesla. Except for photographs, I had never seen one before.

Check it out...

http://www.teslamotors.com/

I felt like a rube, standing there, looking in the windows and all around, over, and under this radical little auto.

Went over to the PO and, naturally, they were closed.

Walking back to the Gallery, I stopped and looked at it just one more time.

And this woman walked out, opened the door, and started to remove these canvas roof panels.

So I just had to ask some questions.

Long story short, I just got back to the Gallery and I am so amped that I can barely type.

I have driven some incredible cars in my time, but nothing remotely approaching this thing.

Felt just like cutting through the air. Except for the speedo and things flying past, there is no sensation of speed. The damned thing sticks to the road like a Formula car.

I am sweating, I am so amped.

[Squatch]

1. "I am so amped"

:thumbsup:

:applause:

[rwenos]

2. Zero to 60 = 3.9 seconds

Could you hear the electric motor? Did you try it from a standing start?

Lucky you, 'mon. I hear they're planning a $30k sedan with a 220 mile range in a couple of years.

[TomInTib]

11. You only hear the motor when you put it in gear.

A low, growl.

When you punch it, it is like flipping a switch. Instant torque, instant acceleration.

I drove it up to 110 on an extremely winding road.

There is nothing like it. And I have driven some of the fastest production (and limited-production) cars ever made.

I want one, right now.

[rwenos]

21. Zowie!

I can only envy you, my friend. Every time I fill up my poor little Ford Escort with "blood gas."

[tishaLA]

3. I'm jealous

I'm not impressed by high tech cars by any means, but ever since I saw the Tesla, I've been trying to figure out a way to marry into wealth so I can have one.

[TroglodyteScholar]

4. Wow, only $109,000 to reserve one

Safe to say these won't be solving all our energy troubles.

:crazy:

[SmileyRose]

32. My house isn't worth that much

I suppose I could live in the Tesla though............

:)

[jgraz]

5. Would it be a violation of DU rules to say how much I hate you right now?

:P

Sounds like an awesome ride. :thumbsup:

[TomInTib]

16. Oh, Buddy.....

I was so adrenalized that my hands are starting to cramp.

[XOKCowboy]

6. It's beautiful but....

it'd have to be a second car and an expensive one at that. I live out west where a 220 mile range gets you around town but not much more.

I am happy to see the technology advancing though and expect to see more as demand goes up.

[Booster]

9. Yes, you'd be in big trouble if you live in West Texas. ha

[dysfunctional press]

17. a 220-mile range would be MORE than enough for most ammerican commuters.

i don't, but my wife does- her current commute is just under 25 miles each way, and in our vw beetle that's about a gallon of gas each way. if we could get a reasonably affordable electric that could drive at highway speed and get 100 miles to a charge- we'd snap one up right away.

[XOKCowboy]

27. Oh I see your point..

Most Americans live in urban areas (I live in Denver) and only use their vehicles for commuting to work, going to the store, etc. I don't have a normal commute. I go where the work is and sometimes that means driving several hundred miles.

Just pointing out that out west the distances are sometimes a little farther than in other places. :)

As I also said I'm very happy to see the technology advancing so quickly.

[dysfunctional press]

49. one possible solution for the more expansive west- especially with pick-ups an suv's-

would be to double-up on the batteries. bigger vehicle platforms might work for that- although i would assume that as you add weight it also diminishes range.

[Selatius]

7. The roadster is proof positive that electric cars are a viable avenue to explore.

The only thing left would be to transition the power grid off of fossil fuels because the grid is ultimately what the Roadster needs to recharge.

[CoffeeCat]

8. Wow....I want to drive one...

How awesome that you had that experience! Sounds like a lot of fun.

So, this car was owned by a woman? And she let you drive it?

It sounds like a great car. Fast and smooth.

You'd better go throw some ice water on your face!

:)

[smalll]

26. I found that a little weird too - some random woman lets "Tom" drive her car.

And to Tom: did you have sex with her too? Guess not, or you would have told us about that as well for sure. But still, "Tom," you did get some random woman to let you drive her car, so even though there was no sex involved, you get one:

:eyes:

[CoffeeCat]

28. I didn't find it weird...

...I found it intriguing.

Tom seems like a pretty cool guy. I'd let him drive my Tesla, if I had one. But I don't.

I'd let him drive my shamemobile SUV around the block once--but that would cost about $20.55 in gas, so I'd have to charge him.

[rwenos]

30. It's Marin County, Baby

I'm thinking TomInTib lives in Tiburon. Marin County, that is.

Things like that have happened to me in Marin County. More specifically, at the old Trident bar and seafood restaurant, down on the waterfront. Mmmmmmmmm . . . . :-P

[TomInTib]

37. Tiburon is right.

If people have not spent time here, they just cannot comprehend.

[TomInTib]

36. I'd pay good money to drive you around the block, TwoSparkles.

Anytime.

Tom

[lonestarnot]

29. You have never seen Tom

:eyes:

[smalll]

31. I am a little curious about him. Is he a celebrity? /nt

[lonestarnot]

34. I will never fucking tell! My lips are sealed.

[TomInTib]

38. Next thing you know....

they'll think that I play music, too.

[lonestarnot]

40. LOL and good music at that! Personal avowal!

[TomInTib]

35. It's her family's business.

These cars aren't even in release, yet.

You would have to understand where I live. Tiburon is not just an everyday small town.

And I would have ripped off my clothes at 110mph if she would have asked me, but, als, no such luck.

[Lorien]

48. I knew a couple from Tiburon

a friend and I went hiking with them in Vermont. Turner was 74 at the time and had just had knee surgery three weeks earlier. I was 32 and my friend was 50. He beat us-and his 63 year old wife-to the top of every mountain every day of our trek! He was a WWII war hero (pilot) and owned a company that built huge shipping vessels and, I believe, carriers. He and Betty were worth hundreds of millions of dollars, but both were liberal Democrats.

When they said they lived in Tiburon and loved it I thought it must be a fairly unique place!

[kestrel91316]

10. You are SOOOOO gonna hate me , lol -

I think they're ugly.

[TomInTib]

13. Yeah, I know.

Those style lines are definitely not for everyone.

But the driving experience is surreal.

[patrice]

12. Comes in BRG, how poetically just!

Cool wheels! kind of skewed to enhance the suggestion of movement or speed, bet they aren't standard.

Good photos of the plug-in and the plug.

Couldn't findout how much . . . $80 - 100K?

[TomInTib]

33. Somewhere around $110, I believe.

And worth every cent.

It was as if it was just slicing its way through the air. I have driven some of the fastest cars made, and every one of them felt as if they were either pushing or pulling you along. But not this one.

[roamer65]

14. We're getting closer to getting rid of oil as a vehicle fuel.

I want one of these cars!

Imagine when we start applying that new dye to solar cells they mention in news reports the other day. 10x boost in photovoltaic output. With that and wind power we could blow right past Kyoto targets like they were standing still.

[LeftyMom]

15. I want one. I'd probably kill myself and eight innocent bystanders if I got to drive one,

but I'd be really fucking happy for the last few minutes.

[TomInTib]

39. Heck, I would probably kill eight innocent bystanders just to get one.

So cool, so fast.

[hisownpetard]

18. So, umm, you were walking to the Post Office and you were wearing a Speedo?

:blush:

[TomInTib]

24. Doesn't everyone?

This is a pretty progressive Town.

[WillyT]

44. I Just Wanna Know How The Speedo "Flew Past" !!!

I mean... that's gotta involve some major aerodynamics!

:wow:

:evilgrin:

:hi:

[WillyT]

45. OK... I'd Probably Lose My Speedo With This Too !!!

:evilgrin:

[XOKCowboy]

19. It really doesn't say how it charges...

It does say that it will charge overnight from "most" outlets. I'm wondering if the Hampton Inn will run me an extension cord to my "charging unit" and if it really does give off that little golden glow when it's plugged in.



OK this is a little facetious but it seems like a car for big metropolitan cities and people who don't drive much. Now put some really efficient solar panels on it.....

[n2doc]

20. So fast you lost your swimsuit, eh?

oh, speedometer....

[TomInTib]

25. I wish...

You shoulda seen that woman.

She works for Tesla, and that is why she had the car.

[n2doc]

52. Life just ain't fair....

Oh well, if I had the extra cash I would certainly be looking hard at a Tesla. Figures Tiburon would be a good place to see one. Back when I lived near Chevy Chase, Md I always got to see people driving the latest fancy cars before anyone else I knew who lived elsewhere.

[ThatsMyBarack]

22. LUCKY!

That is one sharp ride! B-)

[mdmc]

23. My dad has a 62 Jag for sale

I'll post the specs in the DU marketplace...

[wtmusic]

41. Address of gallery please, need to ask car owner some questions

:thumbsup:

I'm Jealous!

[TomInTib]

42. Here

www.opiahome.com

The woman works for Tesla.

I think she has seen me playing somewhere. I was astounded when she offered to let me drive.

[Lorien]

43. Cool shop. I'm going to send the link to

a friend in Glendale who has a huge number of antique Asian furniture to sell. Looks like just the place.


Obviously, the woman from Tesla is a great salesperson. She saw an opportunity and now you are selling the car for her! ;-)

[YankmeCrankme]

46. Wonderful artwork by Jei Wei. nt

[upi402]

47. Who Killed the Electric Car? video link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vD33UMAtBY

...and I _paid_ to see it!

[alfredo]

59. You can also find it on Google, and it isn't cut into eleven pieces.

[eppur_se_muova]

50. I remember reading *years* ago that the thing that would sell electric cars ..

was the acceleration, if people only knew.

I'd like an electric car for the potential to run carbon-neutral and efficient. Better acceleration is just gravy.

[BlooInBloo]

51. That's so hawt! (jealous)

[Pavulon]

53. Really cool car and concept..

I am a car guy. When I travel I rent fun cars, to bad they dont sell HSV (holden) here in the US.

The tesla is a great move and hopefully increased demand will bring the cost down to the 60's. There is is placed with Lotus and M3s, vehicles that are similar in design and performance.

As a car guy I know the rush and love it.

First Corvette drive, First Porsche, First Ferrari..Love that stuff. It is like a good drug.

[Ichingcarpenter]

54. I'm so jealous we have some electric cars around here

but they look like this.

[Flying Dream Blues]

55. Wow...that sounds so cool! nt

[Wiley50]

56. You're lucky the Post Office was closed. I'd be pissed.

man, I'd love a couple of those cars (one for my son). Next lifetime maybe.

[kiranon]

57. Parked nose to nose with a Tesla about a year ago

About a year ago, I parked my car in Redwood City, CA nose to nose with the most beautiful car I had ever seen. Read the name on it and it said "Tesla". Had never heard of it then but since I have. Wish it weren't so expensive.

[cabbage08]

58. Looks like a real nice car

:kick: