MilliM
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- Joined
- May 7, 2020
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- Future Cybertruck Owner!
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- #1
So much has been written by so many, so I'm going bullet style w/ a stream of thoughts and happy to answer follow-up questions.
*Exterior Styling - Purely subjective so I'll leave it at no comment.
* Interior - The R1S feels the most luxurious to me, but the Lightning Platinum w/ its massaging & ventilated seats and massive cabin was the most comfortable. Tesla is obviously super minimalist, and while I appreciate elements of that, at this point I prefer the feel and dual screens of the R1S.
* CT-Specific: Rearview Mirror - For $100-120k I feel like we deserved a full-sized rearview mirror w/ a digital display. I'm getting used to the mirror on the screen, but it doesn't seem to be as clear as some digital mirrors I've used (could be my aging eyes & distance from screen). I REALLY hope we get an aftermarket option for that.
* CT-Specific: Sideview Mirrors - I appreciate staying true to the angular design, but you lose a decent amount of the viewable area w/ the triangular shape. I typically like to look *before* signaling, so I still rely on these compromised mirrors to start.
* Controls/Buttons/Etc - we've had the R1S for nearly a year and I think they did a great job w/ everything. Regular updates keep adding and enhancing functionality & features. That said, some of the dedicated knobs & buttons for AC/Volume/Etc on the Lightning were nice, especially for my wife who doesn't appreciate change in cars. I ultimately think I'll come to the dark side and embrace the extreme minimalism of the CT, but I'm still getting used to everything.
* Driving Experience - Too early to call for the CT, but I feel like the Lightning Platinum was the best road tripper. Did I mention massaging & ventilated seats, and those were coupled with a super smooth ride. Massive frunk and a tailgate with the step & old-man bar to help pull yourself up to the tailgate. We drove ours home from Vail to OC over about 18 hours and it was a dream (even w/out supercharger access). Rivian is great, but not nearly as much space in the second row for the kids. I suspect the CT will feel similar to the R1S to them, but they are already completely enamored w/ YouTube & Netflix in theater mode. Suspect I'll be hearing lot of their shows going forward.
* Daily Driver - the shorter dimensions & luxury of the R1S make it the best daily for us. I don't appreciate that the lines in my rear-view camera are misaligned, so parking between the lines of a slightly tight space is regularly a challenge. The Lightning was a beast (for me) to park in normal spots, but comfortable to cruise in. That said, I think FSD will be a gamechanger for me and something that puts me over the top in the CT camp. Based on the FSD videos I've watched over the last couple days it looks like a next level experience. I have an incredibly boring drive to work and would much rather have our future AI overlords drive me.
* Steer-by-wire & rear-wheel steering: As MKBHD said, underrated. The CT handles so well, and when I drive the R1S it almost feels antiquated. As much as I prefer certain elements of the R1S and the Lightning when it comes to driving, the combination of steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering and forthcoming FSD basically outweigh any perceived faults or shortcomings on my side (at least for now).
* Powershare - we'll see how much the installation quote comes in at (relative to the $4k credit and free hardware), but I feel much better about going w/ Tesla Powershare over Ford's Home Integration System for this. I have no doubt that this will become a regular offering for most Tesla cars over time, whereas who knows how Ford may roll it out. The one bummer for me is that I have solar but no battery backup, and Powershare won't benefit from, or integrate with, solar if the grid goes down. Conversely, if you have a Powerwall, that's apparently all the hardware you need for the CT to enable Powersharing, and you have the added benefit of solar if the grid goes down. The bummer is I assume I may lose my install credit if I'd do that...we'll see...maybe they apply the credit toward a Powerwall install (if Tesla is ok w/ it) More details here and here.
* Attention - just duh...no comparison at all.
I've already written a short novel, but hit me up w/ any specific questions. Still have the R1S so can do real-time comparisons.
*Exterior Styling - Purely subjective so I'll leave it at no comment.
* Interior - The R1S feels the most luxurious to me, but the Lightning Platinum w/ its massaging & ventilated seats and massive cabin was the most comfortable. Tesla is obviously super minimalist, and while I appreciate elements of that, at this point I prefer the feel and dual screens of the R1S.
* CT-Specific: Rearview Mirror - For $100-120k I feel like we deserved a full-sized rearview mirror w/ a digital display. I'm getting used to the mirror on the screen, but it doesn't seem to be as clear as some digital mirrors I've used (could be my aging eyes & distance from screen). I REALLY hope we get an aftermarket option for that.
* CT-Specific: Sideview Mirrors - I appreciate staying true to the angular design, but you lose a decent amount of the viewable area w/ the triangular shape. I typically like to look *before* signaling, so I still rely on these compromised mirrors to start.
* Controls/Buttons/Etc - we've had the R1S for nearly a year and I think they did a great job w/ everything. Regular updates keep adding and enhancing functionality & features. That said, some of the dedicated knobs & buttons for AC/Volume/Etc on the Lightning were nice, especially for my wife who doesn't appreciate change in cars. I ultimately think I'll come to the dark side and embrace the extreme minimalism of the CT, but I'm still getting used to everything.
* Driving Experience - Too early to call for the CT, but I feel like the Lightning Platinum was the best road tripper. Did I mention massaging & ventilated seats, and those were coupled with a super smooth ride. Massive frunk and a tailgate with the step & old-man bar to help pull yourself up to the tailgate. We drove ours home from Vail to OC over about 18 hours and it was a dream (even w/out supercharger access). Rivian is great, but not nearly as much space in the second row for the kids. I suspect the CT will feel similar to the R1S to them, but they are already completely enamored w/ YouTube & Netflix in theater mode. Suspect I'll be hearing lot of their shows going forward.
* Daily Driver - the shorter dimensions & luxury of the R1S make it the best daily for us. I don't appreciate that the lines in my rear-view camera are misaligned, so parking between the lines of a slightly tight space is regularly a challenge. The Lightning was a beast (for me) to park in normal spots, but comfortable to cruise in. That said, I think FSD will be a gamechanger for me and something that puts me over the top in the CT camp. Based on the FSD videos I've watched over the last couple days it looks like a next level experience. I have an incredibly boring drive to work and would much rather have our future AI overlords drive me.
* Steer-by-wire & rear-wheel steering: As MKBHD said, underrated. The CT handles so well, and when I drive the R1S it almost feels antiquated. As much as I prefer certain elements of the R1S and the Lightning when it comes to driving, the combination of steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering and forthcoming FSD basically outweigh any perceived faults or shortcomings on my side (at least for now).
* Powershare - we'll see how much the installation quote comes in at (relative to the $4k credit and free hardware), but I feel much better about going w/ Tesla Powershare over Ford's Home Integration System for this. I have no doubt that this will become a regular offering for most Tesla cars over time, whereas who knows how Ford may roll it out. The one bummer for me is that I have solar but no battery backup, and Powershare won't benefit from, or integrate with, solar if the grid goes down. Conversely, if you have a Powerwall, that's apparently all the hardware you need for the CT to enable Powersharing, and you have the added benefit of solar if the grid goes down. The bummer is I assume I may lose my install credit if I'd do that...we'll see...maybe they apply the credit toward a Powerwall install (if Tesla is ok w/ it) More details here and here.
* Attention - just duh...no comparison at all.
I've already written a short novel, but hit me up w/ any specific questions. Still have the R1S so can do real-time comparisons.
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