Agreed. I still love my GS and think it's fantastic for what it is. The balance of sport and luxury is excellent and is a true Grand Touring car as "GS" (Grand Sedan) suggests. I've driven every model in the Lexus lineup (including F cars) and I think it's one of the best cars Lexus has ever done in that it's a terrific expression of the brand, but the Tesla is just next-level. I've loved my Lexus experience over the last ~6 years with 2 GS F-Sports. I have tremendous respect and appreciation for the brand, but I think I'm ready to see what the Tesla experience is like and all that entails, quality issues and all.

 

If you want something sportier with better quality, take a look at the Model 3 Performance. It has most of the bugs ironed out and with track mode, you can customize the drivetrain and drive it hard until you run out of charge without overheating. Also, 0-60 runs in 3 seconds flat and you'll do mid 11 sec in the quarter mile consistently. Nothing Lexus makes is remotely close in Performance right now. A lot of aftermarket suspensions will make the car a track beast too. The stock suspension is a little too soft for real track duty.

I hear the Model Y Performance will also get track mode eventually but who knows when that will be available.

 

To be fair almost nothing can keep up with a Tesla regardless of price.

 

There is. It's nothing compared to real power you can only get from ICE cars, go have a ride in a 1000whp car sometime and experience a 85-165 pull. Tesla's can't even hit that speed

 

unless you like getting tickets or having to immediately slow after that exciting soundless 3 seconds though, i have to say, what's the point? i wish tesla offered a vehicle with 500 mi. range and 0-60 in 6 seconds.

 

3 second roller coasters are pretty fun I hear the Plaid powertrain for the Model S/X are coming. Cybertruck will be able to have 500 miles of range with the tri-motor. Here is hoping that powertrain is available for the S/X giving it the same 500 miles of range. The S can do 400 miles (EPA)...of course thats driving at 60mph with no headwinds

 

Ya, I just passed on a GTS 4.0 allocation for much the same reason. Dropping $50k+ out of pocket for a 52hp bump I'll rarely ever utilize seems absurd - even rather donate the money to charity at that point TBH.

I never got the appeal that accelerating quickly in a straight line seems to have with so many people. That's never excited me.

 

Why limit your choice to Tesla?

 

i have the GS450h and can’t go back to petrol only GS. It spends quite a lot of time in EV mode in heavy traffic so you do get to experience a short period of a EV car in a Lexus body.

 

I do miss the interior in my old GS. Aside from the AWD hump and the lag in the infotainment, I loved that thing. That being said, My 3P is the best daily driver I've ever had. Stupid fast, AP handles most of my commute, and I don't have to visit the gas station anymore. Plus, with my solar panels knocking out most of my electricity bill (I pay $2/month in the summer months) I don't feel any desire to drive economically at all

There's 1 red dual motor Y that popped up in my neighborhood last month. It looks nice, but Tesla needs to figure out a way to make an SUV that doesn't look so frumpy.

 

I'm averaging 350 wh/mi these days because I don't commute anymore. I only drive it to go fast now. I have a net surplus of solar right now so I guess the charging costs are free.

The Model Y is nice looking though. When my minivan dies, my wife wants a Tesla so I'm hoping we get a Model Y with even longer range by that time. It would be nice having an EV that could do over 400 miles for road trips.

 

Haha, I'm at like ~275. My commute has limited stops and I can cruise along at 60-65 in the 55 with limited stoplights. I do manage to get some good takeoffs at the stoplights The Y is too small for us to cut the minivan as we need the third row when our folks come to visit. I've looked at the X for the extra space, but my MIL is on her second and it has had more than its fair share of issues.

 

Nice post! I agree on some points on EVs. I need to see about the Y, have driven a couple different Model 3s though, including an AWD version. Not as quick as the Performance, but close enough I'd say? It was definitely a whiplash machine. Fun to drive, though I wouldn't say "sporty" - perfect for a daily. I have to disagree no not going back to ICE-powered cars though. I definitely still kinda appreciate the theater but then EVs have their own novelty as well. Depends on what the purpose of the car is.

 

For a daily, the EVs hard hard to beat but someday, when my kids are gone, I will have a small 6speed manual Miata in my driveway.

 

cool read! i agree after driving my friend's model 3 that it was exhilarating but i still love ICE vehicles. call me old fashioned but i enjoy listening to the engine as it climbs to the redline!
aural sensation is part of the driving experience - i might make an exception for the VW ID.R racecar or formula e...maybe!