Back in August of 2018, we went for a test drive of two Tesla cars down in Natick MA.  While Tanya completely loved the Subaru WRX we had, she agreed to give these electric cars a try.  The test drives were so much fun, and we placed a Tesla Model 3 on order that same day.

Tanya chose the stunning Metallic Blue color, and opted for the white interior option.  Having regretted not getting the higher performance STI option when we had purchased the WRX 6 years ago (!), I pushed for the Performance version with the additional Performance Upgrade Package which includes the 20" wheels, monster Brembo brakes and a carbon fiber spoiler (to be installed in Boston at some point in the future).  

As we had ordered fairly early, we got the "Free Supercharging for Life" option.  It means we can use any of the Tesla supercharger stations at no (additional) cost to us while we are traveling.  Also, in an amazing coincidence, on my birthday in 2018, Elon announced that they would not be charging extra for the Performance Upgrade Package (a $5k option) and the price of the white interior had been reduced by $500 - Thanks for the Birthday Gift Elon!

At a rated 456 HP and a 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds and a 1/4 mile time of under 11.8 seconds.  For reference, the 707 HP Dodge Hellcat has a 0-60 time of 3.4 seconds and a 1/4 mile time of 10.9 seconds.  In comparison, our 1994 Camaro when new was 285 HP, 0-60 of 5.9 seconds and a 1/4 mile time of 14.4 seconds.  It should be a little quicker now with the engine rebuild, but not even close to what Jarvis can do.  Early in 2019 a over-the-air software update that will add 5% more power and 7 MPH to the top speed, bringing it to 162 MPH.   It reduced the 0-60 time to just under 3.2 seconds!

We are now eagerly waiting on the second over-the-air software update that will add 5% more power - that should boos the power to just over 500 HP at the wheels, and will likely drop the 0-60 to 3.1 seconds. 

We decided on the name Jarvis, after the virtual assistant/butler that Tony Stark has in the Marvel movies.  It seems to fit, as you can use voice commands for many functions in the car.

Much more information available about Tesla on the website I made to answer questions, which can be found here:

• https://sites.google.com/view/tanyaandkeithstesla/home 

As there are no Tesla dealerships in NH, VT, ME, or CT and if you pick up your car in MA you have to pay their taxes, we opted to pick up our new Tesla model 3 "Jarvis" in Mt. Kisco NY.  The other option was to have it delivered to our home in NH, but it would take an additional 3-4 weeks.

This was a fun weekend adventure for Tanya an I, as it started with a one way Enterprise rental car, arranged by Tesla - we got a Hyundai Sonata.  It's Sonata very good car, Sonata very powerful, Sonata very fun to drive, etc.  (Sonata sounds like "It's a not a" to me - enough Dad humor).   I think Tesla uses this particular car and model so you appreciate your new car that much more once you take delivery.   We dropped off Lauren and Sean at my parent's house in CT, and made our way to Mt. Kisco NY in the pouring rain.  We arrived a bit early for our 5 PM appointment,  the last 20 miles were an adventure as we made 4 route changes due to 4 separate accidents due to the intense down pour.

We checked in at the showroom and service center, completed the paperwork, a process that took about an hour and a half.  We then followed the shuttle (a beautiful Model X) to the enterprise rental car location to drop off our Sonata very fun car. (last time I promise)  Then we opened the gull wing doors on the model X, and were driven right up a ramp and into the warehouse where they prepare the cars for delivery.  We hopped out, and checked out the 30 or so various Tesla vehicles in process in the warehouse.  There were a few blue cars, but none with white interior, so we knew ours wasn't already inside.  As the deliveries are so high, it took about 45 minutes for our car to be driven into the building (which is why it's wet in the image above).   The woman who showed us all about the car,  Brianna, walked us through how to use the main features of the car, the touch screen, how to charge, etc.  Super easy, and I just kept thinking how many switches, knobs, wires and molded plastic parts are no longer required - which saves on cost, due to fewer materials, parts, assembly time and even  troubleshooting and repair.  Whatever could be automated has been, including the wipers, high/low beam headlights, etc.  Also, with two electric motors, you don't need to worry about coolant temperature, oil pressure, what gear you are in, there is no traditional transmission (the car has 4 physical gears, that creates two gear meshes - one on each motor and one on each axle).  There is no shifting between gears, the motor simply spins faster depending on how fast you want to go.  The design has been tested to more than 1 million miles.

Tanya and I took a short road trip through New Jersey, stopping at Thomas Edison's workshop (while driving a Tesla, wearing a Tesla jacket - quite the irony).  We picked up the kids on Sunday, and headed home.  We take friends for test rides almost daily, and so car have had 13 passengers who have never had a Tesla ride.  I'm thinking that we may have converted a few people over to electric cars as their next vehicle.

After having the car for 6 days, and having put 700 miles on it, we LOVE IT!  It's by far the most fun car we have ever owned, or even driven.  It's incredibly quiet, just a slight electrical whirring noise.  When you accelerate, it feels like launching in a modern roller coaster - you are pushed back in the seat and can feel it in your guts.  We've used a few super chargers, and it's very simple to get a recharge while traveling.    We've had fun with the classic Atari games too, where you can use the steering wheel and thumb buttons to control the games.  

While I love my truck, if I could I would immediately trade it for a Tesla truck if possible  - the Tesla truck should be coming out in 2019 or 2020.  I'm really seriously thinking that the traditional auto manufacturers & stealerships are in serious trouble.  If they don't adapt immediately, gas powered cars will be "quaint" like traveling by horse and buggy.  Their time is limited if they don't change.

Lauren clearly having fun,  her friend Ellie hiding.  Note she is at full throttle, likely about 50 MPH.

If you look closely, you can see the RPM at 6000, and we are flying across the lake at about 40 MPH.  

The engine install went well, but took far longer than anticipated.  It's still a fun car to drive, but even with the extra ≈60+ HP from the new ZZ9 cam, it still is only slightly more powerful than a new turbo 4 or non-turbo V6 Camaro - Ugh.

A radio repair or upgrade is next, as the original Bose speakers/amplifiers have finally died.

It's lots of fun rowing through the 6 gears with the T-Tops off, and we can get an antique plate for it in 2019!

I hacked and grafted the parts together, and now I have a 10 HP 36" wide snowblower with electric controls.  The video shows a functional test before I repainted all of the parts the factory orange.  Most people can't tell it isn't original!