While the experience was not unpleasant, I had NO prior knowledge of how to operate the thing. With minimal instruction (lay the card down here and mash the brake) I was on my way. The driving experience itself was "interesting". With no gauges in front of you, you are looking to your right at the big screen tv the entire time you are driving (at least until you become accustomed, which I did not have time to do). While the display of all the vehicles surrounding looks cool, I found it more of a distraction than a help. I do see the side camera angle automatically popping up when activating the turn signal as a nice feature. Handling, acceleration, and braking were excellent and worthy of praise.
Now, I was struggling to describe the most annoying feature for the masses but I figured it out. If you remember driving electric bumper cars or maybe a hydrostatic drive tractor, the feeling is similar. When cruising at 70 and someone cuts in front of you at a slower speed, DO NOT REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR! You will be the one stopping in the middle of traffic.
Finally, I wanted the full experience, so I opted to recharge before returning the car. I quickly located a Supercharge station in a vacant lot with only the Tesla chargers around (That seems safe). While the charging from 70% to the maximum 90% was only $3.95, IT TOOK 45 MINUTES! My base pay rate is around $85 per hour. That is an expensive fill-up.
Conclusion: I can see the appeal for those people that have no romanticized view of hitting the open road and being in charge. Medium commute to work and back while charging at night, hell, even I am interested at around 54k. I like my freedom and I was glad to get back in my tree feeder.
TLDR: @gatorz1209 doesn't really enjoy driving so he uses a golf cart.
Now, I was struggling to describe the most annoying feature for the masses but I figured it out. If you remember driving electric bumper cars or maybe a hydrostatic drive tractor, the feeling is similar. When cruising at 70 and someone cuts in front of you at a slower speed, DO NOT REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR! You will be the one stopping in the middle of traffic.
Finally, I wanted the full experience, so I opted to recharge before returning the car. I quickly located a Supercharge station in a vacant lot with only the Tesla chargers around (That seems safe). While the charging from 70% to the maximum 90% was only $3.95, IT TOOK 45 MINUTES! My base pay rate is around $85 per hour. That is an expensive fill-up.
Conclusion: I can see the appeal for those people that have no romanticized view of hitting the open road and being in charge. Medium commute to work and back while charging at night, hell, even I am interested at around 54k. I like my freedom and I was glad to get back in my tree feeder.
TLDR: @gatorz1209 doesn't really enjoy driving so he uses a golf cart.
