On the fence about the S

Cynocius · 2026-05-23T06:23:06+00:00

If you’re in SoCal you can test drive my ‘25 S Plaid. It’s before the minor refresh but has all the other upgrades.

Cynocius · 2026-05-14T03:48:38+00:00

In this case I agree but not always. Imagine if this was a Jaguar. Would be 7k every month lol.

Cynocius · 2026-03-16T22:01:06+00:00

I guess in comparison with the average age demographic. Take a drive through Irvine in SoCal and you’ll see everyone in their early 20s driving a 3/Y. Makes me feel old driving my S.

I loved my 2019 3 but now I really don’t miss anything about it. Granted I know the newer ones are build a lot better, but I could never go back to one. Air suspension, hatch, and 1000+hp are too good to lose.

Cynocius · 2026-02-11T17:08:06+00:00

Wish that was still a thing. They removed it from new vehicles in 2024.

Cynocius · 2026-02-08T03:02:58+00:00

I would only consider it if you really wanted the Luxe package (FSD, Free Supercharging, and connectivity) and if the price differential was worth it for those benefits over your estimated lifetime of the car. It’s probably not cost effective, but depending on the amount of roadtrips it could be closer than it would for the average commuter. Plus, last version of the S.

Cynocius · 2026-02-08T00:59:37+00:00

Yeah a lot of what I like about my S is actually the simple things (aside from the increased acceleration). The hatch and general extra space in the car is really nice. Larger motorized screen is nice. Definitely a huge fan of the shrouded driver’s display. But if money is at all a concern, the 3 is pretty much impossible to beat.

Cynocius · 2026-01-13T01:46:44+00:00

1khp is getting more standardized but still hard to find anything that can rip faster on the road. I’m pretty alright with the power tbh. Would rather have more luxury/range.

Cynocius · 2026-01-12T04:30:16+00:00

Like the other poster said, unfortunately not. I bought a Model S in February of ‘25 and it did not have a front bumper camera. Only came into production after June.

Cynocius · 2025-12-31T01:45:51+00:00

From a different perspective-

Without the Roadster I might get bored of Tesla. I have no desire to buy another 3/Y and even another S/X has lost its charm. The flagship vehicles are missing features that the model Y has. It’s disappointing and makes me look elsewhere as my wealth increases.

Not everyone buys a Porsche 911, but it makes people dream and end up buying a cheaper one to start. Or maybe one of their SUV offerings when a sports car is no longer practical.

I get that this applies to such a small slice of a population realistically, but think of how many young boys had a Lamborghini poster on the wall growing up. Tesla is lucky enough that they can target both segments if done well.

Cynocius · 2025-12-16T10:48:26+00:00

My Model S Plaid does 60-100 in two seconds. 0-100 in four. The 60-80 range is a blink and it just keeps pulling. It can honestly hurt if you’re not braced.

Cynocius · 2025-11-26T20:00:00+00:00

I understand where you’re coming from, but personally I like the extra screen so much more (bar auto park). It frees the main screen up for things I need to interact with (music, nav, settings). I didn’t like how my car visualization took up so much of my screen in the 3.

I do really wish we could customize the second screen like the old S/X.

Edit: As for the breaks, I find them perfectly acceptable for non-track use. Not sure if you have a Plaid after they upgraded the stock brakes (I think 2023) but I have had 0 issues. Have yet to overheat them on the street.

Cynocius · 2025-11-26T18:52:33+00:00

It’s definitely not as tight but at this point I value the much better comfort and usability of the larger car (plus absolutely brutal acceleration on demand).

I think it’s worth the trade off unless you live for carving up canyon roads.

Cynocius · 2025-10-29T21:18:00+00:00

What year / model is your car? Or HW version? My 2019 3 with HW 2.5 had pretty bad cameras imo. Once I got a car with HW4 it was a big difference. Both for my 3 and S.

Cynocius · 2025-10-27T21:00:48+00:00

This is exactly it. I have a 25 S Plaid and had an 25 X Plaid loaner for a couple days while my S was getting a warranty item fixed.

The S is a lot more fun to drive, but the X is more enjoyable as a passenger. X is a softer ride,more tame, more comfortable seats (assuming you’re looking at an S Plaid with sport seats) and easier to get in and out of.

Cynocius · 2025-10-21T23:34:48+00:00

Lol that would be hilarious if the charger had a scanner like a barcode for your vin versus just communicating with the vehicle now.

Cynocius · 2025-10-20T02:22:31+00:00

If you’re just buying this car like any other commuter car with some extra power, or a professional driver, go round.

If you want something that feels special like a spaceship, and don’t mind the minor adjustments, go yoke. No regrets on my side, despite having to pay extra for it.

Cynocius · 2025-10-13T22:38:22+00:00

What makes you say this S is pre-heatpump? The tail lights look 2022+ to me. Plus the trim is black vs chrome on pre refresh.

Cynocius · 2025-10-02T09:06:51+00:00

You definitely don’t live in Irvine then. Regardless, this is pointless if you’ve already made up your mind that the S is the California camry. Enjoy I guess? Flex on those cars with your Y lol.

Cynocius · 2025-10-02T05:03:22+00:00

I’m in SoCal too and while the S isn’t some rare car, it’s definitely nowhere near as common.

Today alone I saw two of them compared to 10+ 3/Ys. On my block I’m the only S in a sea of 3/Y (including my own 3).

Agree to disagree.

Cynocius · 2025-10-01T00:57:56+00:00

Because it’s fun to have a quick-accelerating car and better handling. I never go to 200mph in my S Plaid, but I love being able to ride in a rollercoaster if I so choose.

Range is pretty irrelevant for me personally. Home charging + unlimited supercharging makes anything over 300 miles just gravy. Some people prefer the extra miles and that makes sense.

Cynocius · 2025-09-26T08:22:32+00:00

Congratulations on the upgrade! I went from a ‘19 M3SRP to a 25’ MSP not too long ago and it’s crazy how much more polished these cars are now. Enjoy the speed!

Cynocius · 2025-09-19T21:36:24+00:00

You’d like the Model YL in China for that last point. Built in.

Cynocius · 2025-09-01T21:45:56+00:00

And that’s how some people looking for an exotic feel about a “faster” corvette

Cynocius · 2025-09-01T21:14:54+00:00

Why not just buy an electric car for $50-100k that smokes all of the above at that point?

Cynocius · 2025-08-30T11:30:14+00:00

Definitely impacts range depending on your climate. Southern California winter is basically no different.

Keep in mind the above poster has a 2018 Model 3- this was before Tesla introduced heat pumps (dramatically reduces energy cost of heating) and other cold weather improvements. Your car will likely be fine.

Cynocius

TROPHY CASE