From Taycan Turbo to Tesla Model S...

[alynn3]

Hey folks...

I'm looking for some opinions from you folks. I hesitate to post this as I know folks have strong opinions on Tesla, Elon etc. Be gentle

Earlier this year I was considering a Tesla Model S or a Taycan. I ultimately chose a used, 2020 Taycan Turbo. It's well optioned, has InnoDrive, full Olea leather, Sport Chrono, full PPF etc.

I've had the car for about a year - and some of the wrinkles of the vehicle are grating on me. Some issues I'm facing:

1.) Interior space is very limited. For a car with the same dimensions as a Mazda CX-9, that weighs as much as our GMC Yukon...it's surprisingly cramped. This isn't an issue on it's own...but leads to a couple of my other frustrations...

2.) We have two young children, both requiring rear facing car seats. I can't fit two rear facing car seats in the back seat. I can fit one behind the passenger seat, but one won't fit behind me. Additionally, nobody over about 5'5 can sit in the passenger seat due to how far up the seat has to be to fit the rear facing car seat. It's also really cramped to get my son in/out of the seat.

3.) I can barely fit the stroller in the trunk. It's deep but very low in terms of height. It usually requires me to disconnect and try to origami the thing in the car 3 or 4 times before it fits.

4.) My golf clubs hardly fit in the trunk without folding a seat down.

5.) The B-pillar encroaches so far into the driver door opening that getting in and out is pretty awkward (I'm tall, 6'4").

6.) Current battery recall on 2020-2024 Taycans. Porsche is monitoring the battery health OTA and will let owners know if they need to bring their cars in for cell replacement. Not confidence inspiring.


7.) I'm in outside sales, and I've had a couple awkward moments pulling up in a $160k car to a prospects business. Just more flashy than is ideal.

8.) I've learned I really like solid tech - and it's clear that Tesla brings that to the table.

I've test driven a 2023 Model S before. I liked it a lot - but ultimately chose the Taycan for fun factor and prestige. What I've learned is that the car isn't quite as practical as I thought - and it seems to priortize some of the things that aren't critical to me (driving dynamics, speed) and leave behind some things that are (space, technology).

All that said - I'm a little nervous I might take for granted some of the refinement and luxury of the Taycan.

Anyone have any thoughts or opinions on going from a Porsche to a Tesla?

It took you a year to figure all of these things out. Unless you just went through a growth spurt to 6' 4", pretty much every single item on your list should have been obvious before you bought the car. It's a sports car - not a dad SUV.

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[SteveBruin]

I'm baffled by those of you that think the interior space is small. I'm 5'11" with long legs, my family of 4 never feel cramped and my kids (10, 12) like the back seat more than the 7 seater SUV we have.

OP needs different car seats. I had a much smaller sedan before the Taycan and even that fits the rear facing car seat behind the passenger. Try Diono brand. Safer than other seats too, smaller footprint.

 

[SHM]

If I were you I would wait a small time and see how the refreshed Model Y is, since its quite practical already. The refresh should bring a lot of the improvements one has seen on the Model 3, but you have the large rear hatch, foldable rear set with split, tow hitch option etc.

Even if you dont buy the refreshed YP, waiting for it may also make other car makers greaty discount their cars as most likely it will be a new sales winner, the competition will then feel pressured to have fire sales.

So I would wait for it anyways and then consider what your options are.

 

[4424]

I'm baffled by those of you that think the interior space is small. I'm 5'11" with long legs, my family of 4 never feel cramped and my kids (10, 12) like the back seat more than the 7 seater SUV we have.

OP needs different car seats. I had a much smaller sedan before the Taycan and even that fits the rear facing car seat behind the passenger. Try Diono brand. Safer than other seats too, smaller footprint.

I'm 6'3" and there is no way I can fit a reverse car seat for my 3 year old behind me.

 

[BjörnfromHamburg]

I have a MY Performance next to the Taycan.
Those are really completely different cars.
So sure: with small kids the MY is more practical. But there is no appeal to it, other than that.

 

[SHM]

I'm 6'3" and there is no way I can fit a reverse car seat for my 3 year old behind me.

Should be said people have different leg lengths also, I am 6 feet (or 183cm), but I have longer legs than a colleague who is 190cm (6 foot 2). We had a stair running competition where we had to to fewest number of steps, so everyone measured the inseam.

The difference inseam height (and also back height) does differ quite a lot, so the regular "Im X tall" doesent always apply. Also some people maybe sit very close to the steering wheel, I for instance sit so I stretch my legs out quite a bit and my arms are then not bent a lot. But i see some people sit like all up in the steering wheel with bent arms and legs I dont understand how they can sit like that!

 

[SHM]

I have a MY Performance next to the Taycan.
Those are really completely different cars.
So sure: with small kids the MY is more practical. But there is no appeal to it, other than that.

yes, he however needs two rear facing kids seats, stroller etc. so then its a practical transport device. But I would wait for the refresh, even if he buys something else than Model Y, the competition will heat up in the "practical car" segment. Since the refresh drops now quite soon, I would do it even if he doesent want Model Y.

Car makers also have to push a lot of EVs in europe in 2025, due to EU Emission fines of fleet emissions, a lot of the european manufacturers have dark outlooks, so people are expecting a lot of price drops on EVs in 2025.

 

[BjörnfromHamburg]

True, though the price drops already shattered through in Germany.
Also new gov. subsidies will be coming soon. That will have some impact and change the market again. Germans are quite sensitive to subsidies ?

 

[SHM]

True, though the price drops already shattered through in Germany.
Also new gov. subsidies will be coming soon. That will have some impact and change the market again. Germans are quite sensitive to subsidies ?

Yes, 2025 will be yet another buyers year, in Europe at least.
Not so good for sellers

 

[WindsurfUS1111]

I could write a short book on this topic...but I will refrain.

Bought my new Taycan RWD December 2023. The car was at three different dealers for 16 visits to fix various problems, and out of service for 140 days over 22 months. Was stranded with battery problems twice requiring towing. Technology was awful. Had enough and got rid of the car.

A close friend has two Model S's. The oldest 2018 with 165k miles. Zero problems, virtually no maintenance.


I've owned my 2024 Model S for three months. Paid $75k. The car is wonderful to drive, practical, and everything works perfectly. Self-driving mode is amazing and a blast on the highway for low stress cruising.

Is it as beautiful or as cool as a Taycan? - no. But I couldn't be happier with the car. Much roomier and comfortable, tech is a wonder, and faster.

The Taycan was also too ostentatious for me, and a bit embarrassing. I've never had so many people as I walked away from the car ask - "what do you do for a living?" Ugh.

 

[WindsurfUS1111]

Correction - Bought the '23 Taycan December 2022.

 

[Novaman]

I could write a short book on this topic...but I will refrain.

Bought my new Taycan RWD December 2023. The car was at three different dealers for 16 visits to fix various problems, and out of service for 140 days over 22 months. Was stranded with battery problems twice requiring towing. Technology was awful. Had enough and got rid of the car.

A close friend has two Model S's. The oldest 2018 with 165k miles. Zero problems, virtually no maintenance.


I've owned my 2024 Model S for three months. Paid $75k. The car is wonderful to drive, practical, and everything works perfectly. Self-driving mode is amazing and a blast on the highway for low stress cruising.

Is it as beautiful or as cool as a Taycan? - no. But I couldn't be happier with the car. Much roomier and comfortable, tech is a wonder, and faster.

The Taycan was also too ostentatious for me, and a bit embarrassing. I've never had so many people as I walked away from the car ask - "what do you do for a living?" Ugh.

Thanks for sharing. I’ve been trying to decide between a Tesla Model S and a Taycan 4S as a replacement for my 911S. We have a Tesla Y and absolutely love it. I test drove the S and it is an awesome car, just not as sexy as the Taycan and perhaps a bit boring. The wife is adamantly against getting a Taycan right now. She wants to wait a few years to see if the refreshed models are more reliable.

 

[mystermykee]

The Taycan was also too ostentatious for me, and a bit embarrassing. I've never had so many people as I walked away from the car ask - "what do you do for a living?" Ugh.

It's funny how it entirely depends on where you live. Reminds me of when I see Porsches in countries outside of the U.S, especially Asia--even a Macan looks luxurious.

 

[daveo4EV]

I think a lot depends on if you want to own an EV from a company that is "all in on EV's" - or from a company that feels their future might be eFuel's and continued ICE vehicles…

personally I prefer the company that actually wants the product they are making to succeed rather than hedge their bets…

Porsche's recent statements will inform my purchasing going forward - they won't miss me nor should they…

in all my years of Tesla ownership - when I rarely took it in for service (way less than my Taycan) - I was never told - "our EV certified mechanics" are not available today to look at your car today.

companies with "split loyalties" tend to make muddled products lacking focus/clarity/excellence…

we'll see how this plays out.

 

[FrostDrive]

If you comparing them with pros and cons. Same money is 2023 Taycan 4s vs 2023 Tesla MS LR. Ie the Palladium update.

Tesla Pros agains Taycan:
Space, backseat for childseats and rear boot.
Infotainment
Supercharge network
Features for example campmode, senteymode
Power (but change to Taycan Turbo 2020-2021 for same money then the power is same)
Efficiency, much more efficient
Mature electric platform, MS came 2012-2013 but big upgrades 2022 Palladium
Maintance costs lower

Taycan pros:
more unique, there are Teslas everywhere also.
Stunning design.
Handling and driving, much better
Quality, better overall
Mature car producer, you dont have to worries about some classic Tesla problems
Think the future depriciation can be on Taycans side but who knows.
Possibility to taka a approved when you want
Porsche brand status

I have the last year have had:
Tesla Model S 75 2017.5
Tesla Model s LR Raven 2020.9
Porsche Taycan 4S 2022.4
Porsche Taycan Turbo 2020.11

I like both car, Tesla MS is half price new for same power. So for me if I have to buy a new I buy a Tesla MS LR. Used, I again buy Taycan. Due to little more drop for a 2 years car opens up the possibility to have a more unique care for same money. And again your need must be focus on. I dont have small childs with lots of childseats and babypram. Then a Taycan is funnier!

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