Comments on: The Tesla Roadster – the perfect Elise? http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/ The ramblings of a car crazy tech geek Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:52:49 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: My experience with a Lotus Elise - Tesla Motors Club Forum http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/comment-page-1/#comment-14883 My experience with a Lotus Elise - Tesla Motors Club Forum Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:09:47 +0000 http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/#comment-14883 [...] This thread wouldn't be complete without a link back to Rahul Nair's blog entry. Check it out. . . http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/0...perfect-elise/ I would have to say my biggest concern is build quality. I'm afraid some people are going to get a [...] [...] This thread wouldn’t be complete without a link back to Rahul Nair’s blog entry. Check it out. . . http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/0…perfect-elise/ I would have to say my biggest concern is build quality. I’m afraid some people are going to get a [...]

]]> By: Another year in pictures (by The Racing Geek) http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/comment-page-1/#comment-7286 Another year in pictures (by The Racing Geek) Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:58:28 +0000 http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/#comment-7286 [...] 17 Feb 07: Visited the Tesla factory and saw the latest roadster to be built at Hethel. [...] [...] 17 Feb 07: Visited the Tesla factory and saw the latest roadster to be built at Hethel. [...]

]]> By: Global Warning » Blog Archive » Der rasende Fanartikel http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/comment-page-1/#comment-1340 Global Warning » Blog Archive » Der rasende Fanartikel Fri, 11 May 2007 11:45:11 +0000 http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/#comment-1340 [...] Seit Wochen habe ich nun vor über ein Auto zu schreiben, das für ein Fahrzeug seiner Art ungewöhnlich viel Aufmerksamkeit erhalten hat. Kaum eine Zeitung hat nicht über den Wagen berichtet und die Anzahl der Blogs (nur um ein paar Beispiele zu nennen ), die sich mit ihm befassen, ist ebenso groß. Es ist also nicht einfach, etwas über den Tesla Roadster zu schreiben, was nicht bereits an anderer Stelle geschrieben wurde. [...] [...] Seit Wochen habe ich nun vor über ein Auto zu schreiben, das für ein Fahrzeug seiner Art ungewöhnlich viel Aufmerksamkeit erhalten hat. Kaum eine Zeitung hat nicht über den Wagen berichtet und die Anzahl der Blogs (nur um ein paar Beispiele zu nennen ), die sich mit ihm befassen, ist ebenso groß. Es ist also nicht einfach, etwas über den Tesla Roadster zu schreiben, was nicht bereits an anderer Stelle geschrieben wurde. [...]

]]> By: Myles H Kitchen http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/comment-page-1/#comment-291 Myles H Kitchen Tue, 06 Mar 2007 01:19:25 +0000 http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/#comment-291 Let's see. You could BUY a big SUV and an enclosed trailer to take your TESLA to the track! But then, I think you might catch some flack back from those Prius owners you just dissed! Let’s see. You could BUY a big SUV and an enclosed trailer to take your TESLA to the track! But then, I think you might catch some flack back from those Prius owners you just dissed!

]]> By: Bloggingit.info - Automotive » Lotus Elise owner reports on his visit to Tesla HQ http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/comment-page-1/#comment-233 Bloggingit.info - Automotive » Lotus Elise owner reports on his visit to Tesla HQ Tue, 27 Feb 2007 10:55:26 +0000 http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/#comment-233 [...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments [...] [...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments [...]

]]> By: rahulnair http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/comment-page-1/#comment-227 rahulnair Mon, 26 Feb 2007 02:48:56 +0000 http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/#comment-227 Looks like the post made it onto <a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/02/21/lotus-elise-owner-reports-on-his-visit-to-tesla-hq/" rel="nofollow">AutoBlogGreen</a> Looks like the post made it onto AutoBlogGreen

]]> By: Cars / Vehicles · The Tesla Roadster - the perfect Lotus Elise? http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/comment-page-1/#comment-221 Cars / Vehicles · The Tesla Roadster - the perfect Lotus Elise? Sat, 24 Feb 2007 20:04:17 +0000 http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/#comment-221 [...] (via rahulnair.net) I had the opportunity to visit Tesla Motors on a tour organized by SFF1 and would like to write up some of my thoughts about the company, its technology and their first car. This is going to be from the point of view of a petrol head engineer who daily drives an Elise – take it how you will  [...] [...] (via rahulnair.net) I had the opportunity to visit Tesla Motors on a tour organized by SFF1 and would like to write up some of my thoughts about the company, its technology and their first car. This is going to be from the point of view of a petrol head engineer who daily drives an Elise – take it how you will  [...]

]]> By: Tony Belding http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/comment-page-1/#comment-204 Tony Belding Wed, 21 Feb 2007 17:58:44 +0000 http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/#comment-204 I agree the Elise looks more "exotic" than the Tesla (or just about any other car), but the Tesla's styling has grown on me -- it's cleaner and less gargoyle-like. It looks less like a Hot Wheels car, and probably will appeal to more people on the whole. If you really wanted to track the Tesla, I suppose you could trailer it. When it comes to limited range, keep in mind that this is more of an infrastructure issue than something inherent to the car. Just imagine how different it would be if there were charging stations everywhere, but nobody had ever seen a gas station! Worth noting. . . With the portable charger it should be possible to charge the Tesla from a 50-amp RV hookup. RV parks have sprung up like weeds here in Texas. I might be tempted to take a long road trip just to prove it can be done. Obviously there would be some inconveniences, but nothing a pioneer spirit can't overcome. Top speed: I've had my Esprit V8 up to 160 MPH. It's sort of cool being able to say I've done that, but I definitely have no desire to do it again. 130 MPH is more than enough for the highway. Anywhere around 140+ is departing from the realm of sanity. PRICE is the one issue that nags at me. If it was the same price as an Elise, there would be no contest. It really depends on where you are coming from. For those who are into exotic cars, the Tesla could be a bargain -- especially after you factor in maintenance and premium gas. For those who are *not* into exotic cars, and who already think the Elise is pricey (compared with, say, a Miata), the Tesla will be a hard sell indeed. I agree the Elise looks more “exotic” than the Tesla (or just about any other car), but the Tesla’s styling has grown on me — it’s cleaner and less gargoyle-like. It looks less like a Hot Wheels car, and probably will appeal to more people on the whole.

If you really wanted to track the Tesla, I suppose you could trailer it. When it comes to limited range, keep in mind that this is more of an infrastructure issue than something inherent to the car. Just imagine how different it would be if there were charging stations everywhere, but nobody had ever seen a gas station!

Worth noting. . . With the portable charger it should be possible to charge the Tesla from a 50-amp RV hookup. RV parks have sprung up like weeds here in Texas. I might be tempted to take a long road trip just to prove it can be done. Obviously there would be some inconveniences, but nothing a pioneer spirit can’t overcome.

Top speed: I’ve had my Esprit V8 up to 160 MPH. It’s sort of cool being able to say I’ve done that, but I definitely have no desire to do it again. 130 MPH is more than enough for the highway. Anywhere around 140+ is departing from the realm of sanity.

PRICE is the one issue that nags at me. If it was the same price as an Elise, there would be no contest. It really depends on where you are coming from. For those who are into exotic cars, the Tesla could be a bargain — especially after you factor in maintenance and premium gas. For those who are *not* into exotic cars, and who already think the Elise is pricey (compared with, say, a Miata), the Tesla will be a hard sell indeed.

]]> By: Webs http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/comment-page-1/#comment-201 Webs Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:44:13 +0000 http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/#comment-201 There you go... I just made you a millionaire ;) There you go… I just made you a millionaire ;)

]]> By: rahulnair http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/comment-page-1/#comment-199 rahulnair Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:16:22 +0000 http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2007/02/20/the-tesla-roadster-the-perfect-elise/#comment-199 I like that idea - sell power instead of gas :-) The Tesla charges at about 80 miles/hour which means you could get to the track an hour or so early and hook up before your first session. Charging in between sessions should allow you to do significant track mileage as well. I like that idea – sell power instead of gas :-)

The Tesla charges at about 80 miles/hour which means you could get to the track an hour or so early and hook up before your first session. Charging in between sessions should allow you to do significant track mileage as well.

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