Some of you are crazy
I had my first test drive today and was blown away by the R2. I was worried because I've read most of the issues people raised and thought maybe it wasn't going to be as good of a replacement for my model Y performance. I've owned a Tesla since 2017 (model S and then Y) but have owned two BMW 3 series and have driven f150/250/350/super duty and a lot in between.
First are the things I don't know how people complain about:
- Stereo - first thing I turned on and it sounded great. Maybe I am cursed with crappy ears, but I cranked it up, played a few different genres of music, and loved it.
- Acceleration - I didn't feel the "lag" at all. I was stopped at a red light on a 50mph road and slammed the gas on green and it just flew. No delay but a cool-to-me high pitched sound like my old turbo at some point during the acceleration. I know the numbers are nearly identical to the MYP, but it feels faster.
- Sunroof - again, not sure what people are talking about but I held my hand near my MYP roof right before pulling into the service center and did the same in the test drive. No difference to me.
- Haptic wheels - no problem with them an appreciated the steering wheel and mirror adjustments with them. Very easy and intuitive.
- How quiet it is with the back window down - maybe it should be a negative, because I was doing 50mph with it down and could easily not realize it.
Second are the things I have seen people write about:
- Experience - somewhere between the model S and the 3/Y Tesla focus shifted to what is best for Tesla vs. what is best for the driver. I was amazed at how much better the overall experience in the R2 was...from the layout of the interior, to the materials, to the animations and layout of the interface, it just felt like there was investment in the actual driver experience (vs. drivers and redundant with FSD).
- Ground level cameras - I found a half-torn up parking lot to test low speed navigation through obstacles and LOVED the cameras showing the left and right front wheels. Awesome for negotiating tight spaces.
- Rear wheel bias - this is a blast to throw around corners and I just love the red feel that I haven't had since my BMW.
Lastly when the ride was over and I drove home in my MYP:
- I missed my hood
- I missed being up high
- I missed how quiet it was