Love your writing, Julie. I feel like I made the drive right there with you. 😊 But Iowa won’t let you test drive a Tesla? Are they afraid it will frighten the horses? Seriously?
Last summer Josh and I rented a Tesla Y performance on our 1st pandemic trip, “Proof of Life Tour,” after being fully vaccinated (thank you science). We rented through Turo and it was a fantastic experience (both Turo and the Tesla). Neither of us were overly excited about the Tesla, our original rental was a Hyundai Tucson. A week prior to departure, we were notified that the Hyundai would not be available as it was part of the trade in for a new car. Gone was our $50/day rental. He offered us his new car, Tesla Y, instead at the same rate….how could we say no. We had the same concern about long distance travel in an EV as far as charging was concerned. Not to worry, Tesla guided us to where we needed to be. We made great memories on that road trip through IL, WI, and MN. Enjoyed watching Netflix while charging. Our thoughts after a week, we LOVED it. One of the most fun vehicles we’ve driven. My 87 year old father-in-law who is a professor of astronomy said “it’s the closest that I’ll ever get to riding in a space ship.” A Tesla will be the next car for us.
I'll keep this in mind if our 1994 Ford Ranger 4x4 ever dies (Hope not) It has Recaro Seats which also are very comfortable for long rides - which we do't do anymore because the truck is 28 years old. And Glad you got to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon We've only been to the North Rim - in 1994 when the truck was new - also off-roading in CanyonLands NP Love National Parks, One of USA's best ideas! Yellowstone First National Park in the World!!
Welcome to the Tesla world.. I am on my second one, the first was a model 3 when they first came out and my second one now is a Model S, which I love.
I love both of them. The first one I had, had the antonymous driving features or as I called them toys on it. At that time the cost was only an extra $2K for the system, so not bad. Now it’s $12 K and for what you got I didn’t think it was worth paying for until they really did get as you said work of some of the bugs in the system. I don’t drive much, like 1.5K a year and 95% of that is local so do I really need to spend the extra $12 K, I don’t think so.
Yes the way Tesla is sold is so different an experience. You really do need to watch the video’s, even between the different Models.. lol they seem to be different.. so I totally understand what you said, except my local delivery person did help me a bit more. But they really don’t give you much assistance. Also Iowa’s law is so crazy, it should be changed but as Richard knows the Iowa Auto dealers have a lot of supporters, because of the money they give the legislators, I don’t think the law will be changed anytime soon. I like the fact that Tesla doesn’t advertise and waste all that money and put it into the cars, the updates are easy to get and nice to deal with, no taking it to the dealer.. I do however wonder if you have the car in Iowa where you get it serviced. Although they mostly have a van come to my home to take care of any of the issues I have needed to have fixed except for one, and my nearest service center is only about 2 miles from where I live.. the one time I did have to take it in they were very fast at fixing it so I only waited for maybe 30 min.
Yes the car is amazing. I think you can turn off that driving feature that makes your car stop the way it has suddenly, yes you might lose a bit of what you have been enjoying with the car, but not much. As you said they need to get that issue fixed, or it could be dangerous. I never ran into that issue when I had the old car..
But anyway like you I am very happy with the car.. won’t go back either.. before these two cars I had a Chevy Volt, and before that a Mercedes Benz 500 convertible so I made a real switch.. but won’t go back.. I also liked the Volt as I fit their marketing strategy as I drove 40 miles or less a day so I was always on the battery for the most part.. But the switch to Model 3 when they came out was so nice..
Julie, My son Jeff has his second Tesla and they drove it from MPLS to Seattle with no problems. He did not mention the phomtom braking. His wife also has an electric BMW. Obviously they like them. Marcia
What are anticipating being your expensive costs as far as maintenance? I had thought they'd stated on the news that a replacement battery is $20,000. Can the battery be fully recharged if a door is accidentally left open, or tge lights are accidentally left on. What would set you back $75 for a new battery for a Fusion would be drastically different if it meant a new battery for a Tesla? Who can service that brand and model in Iowa?
Looking good kids!! Don't ever stop being pioneers!
Love your writing, Julie. I feel like I made the drive right there with you. 😊 But Iowa won’t let you test drive a Tesla? Are they afraid it will frighten the horses? Seriously?
Ooh La la!! Good information, and LOVE the photos!
What fun, Julie, albeit a bit unnerving with npr (no particular reason) braking. Your photos are breathtaking. I, too, want to know what's next.
Sounds like a wonderful trip. What's next on the bucket list?
Last summer Josh and I rented a Tesla Y performance on our 1st pandemic trip, “Proof of Life Tour,” after being fully vaccinated (thank you science). We rented through Turo and it was a fantastic experience (both Turo and the Tesla). Neither of us were overly excited about the Tesla, our original rental was a Hyundai Tucson. A week prior to departure, we were notified that the Hyundai would not be available as it was part of the trade in for a new car. Gone was our $50/day rental. He offered us his new car, Tesla Y, instead at the same rate….how could we say no. We had the same concern about long distance travel in an EV as far as charging was concerned. Not to worry, Tesla guided us to where we needed to be. We made great memories on that road trip through IL, WI, and MN. Enjoyed watching Netflix while charging. Our thoughts after a week, we LOVED it. One of the most fun vehicles we’ve driven. My 87 year old father-in-law who is a professor of astronomy said “it’s the closest that I’ll ever get to riding in a space ship.” A Tesla will be the next car for us.
I'll keep this in mind if our 1994 Ford Ranger 4x4 ever dies (Hope not) It has Recaro Seats which also are very comfortable for long rides - which we do't do anymore because the truck is 28 years old. And Glad you got to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon We've only been to the North Rim - in 1994 when the truck was new - also off-roading in CanyonLands NP Love National Parks, One of USA's best ideas! Yellowstone First National Park in the World!!
Julie and Richard
Welcome to the Tesla world.. I am on my second one, the first was a model 3 when they first came out and my second one now is a Model S, which I love.
I love both of them. The first one I had, had the antonymous driving features or as I called them toys on it. At that time the cost was only an extra $2K for the system, so not bad. Now it’s $12 K and for what you got I didn’t think it was worth paying for until they really did get as you said work of some of the bugs in the system. I don’t drive much, like 1.5K a year and 95% of that is local so do I really need to spend the extra $12 K, I don’t think so.
Yes the way Tesla is sold is so different an experience. You really do need to watch the video’s, even between the different Models.. lol they seem to be different.. so I totally understand what you said, except my local delivery person did help me a bit more. But they really don’t give you much assistance. Also Iowa’s law is so crazy, it should be changed but as Richard knows the Iowa Auto dealers have a lot of supporters, because of the money they give the legislators, I don’t think the law will be changed anytime soon. I like the fact that Tesla doesn’t advertise and waste all that money and put it into the cars, the updates are easy to get and nice to deal with, no taking it to the dealer.. I do however wonder if you have the car in Iowa where you get it serviced. Although they mostly have a van come to my home to take care of any of the issues I have needed to have fixed except for one, and my nearest service center is only about 2 miles from where I live.. the one time I did have to take it in they were very fast at fixing it so I only waited for maybe 30 min.
Yes the car is amazing. I think you can turn off that driving feature that makes your car stop the way it has suddenly, yes you might lose a bit of what you have been enjoying with the car, but not much. As you said they need to get that issue fixed, or it could be dangerous. I never ran into that issue when I had the old car..
But anyway like you I am very happy with the car.. won’t go back either.. before these two cars I had a Chevy Volt, and before that a Mercedes Benz 500 convertible so I made a real switch.. but won’t go back.. I also liked the Volt as I fit their marketing strategy as I drove 40 miles or less a day so I was always on the battery for the most part.. But the switch to Model 3 when they came out was so nice..
Hope all is well with you two!
Ed
I enjoyed the article and beautiful pictures. Safe travels!
Julie, My son Jeff has his second Tesla and they drove it from MPLS to Seattle with no problems. He did not mention the phomtom braking. His wife also has an electric BMW. Obviously they like them. Marcia
What are anticipating being your expensive costs as far as maintenance? I had thought they'd stated on the news that a replacement battery is $20,000. Can the battery be fully recharged if a door is accidentally left open, or tge lights are accidentally left on. What would set you back $75 for a new battery for a Fusion would be drastically different if it meant a new battery for a Tesla? Who can service that brand and model in Iowa?
Loved it! Great column, as always. Loved all the pix too.
Please tell more about Iowa law regarding Teslas. Great piece..thank you.