- First Name
- Peter
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2025
- Threads
- 7
- Messages
- 29
- Reaction score
- 36
- Location
- USA
- Vehicles
- Macan 4S, 4Runner, RX 450, Model S
- Thread starter
- #1
I traded my 2015 Tesla Model S (85D) for the 4S & here are a few thoughts:
1) Picking a Porsche:
I knew I wanted to get rid of the Tesla when the CEO started throwing "Roman Salutes." Otherwise it had been a reliable car aside from failure of a few door handles as well as body work (car vs deer, car vs snowplow debris). Was never impressed by its fit/finish and handling (except in a straight line). I looked at a Rivian & BMW with desire for an EV SUV... one test drive in the Macan and was sold... an SUV that handles like a sports car (subjective since this is my first Porsche & I haven't driven a 911). Landed on the 4S since acceleration is similar to the 85D (which is fine since I stopped "launching" a while ago) & it seems a good comprise in price/performance. The car came with sport chrono and 18 way seats.
2) Purchasing:
Looked at several models locally and regionally but the local dealership was willing to come down 6500 off sticker & went with a Macan that was already at the port of SF (promised delivery "in a few weeks"). It had a few things I probably would not have spec'd: sport sound, HUD, 22" spyders, electric charge port door. Also didn't come with Innodrive & RWS, which I would have optioned. Decided to lease (24 months) since it's my first porsche and wanted to take advantage of the 7500 lease credit thinking that I could buy it off the lease if I really wanted to. Not sure why, but the car was stuck at port of SF for two months (camera? software?). In that time period, the dealership indicated that Porsche had dropped the residual value which would increase the monthly lease by about $150... this was frustrating, particularly since the dealership claimed that it was out of their hands, and pfs claimed that it was up to the dealership. I probably should have threatened to walk away to see what would happen (I've come to believe that this was a dealership decision). Faced with uncertainty about tariffs and life being short I dropped it. I'll likely look elsewhere for my next Porsche.
3) Owning:
So far it's been a lot of fun to drive... plenty of ev torque & handles great in the canyons of Utah... amazing (to me) styling of the car...not surprisingly, a big upgrade from a 10 y/o Tesla. The range seems fine since it won't really be a road trip car for us. Fit/finish is excellent, 18 way seats very comfortable (I'm 6'1" & 185 Lbs). I'm surprised at how much I ended up liking the sport sound since it gives another (aural) sensory feedback when you step on the accelerator. Fair amount of road noise depending on the surface (22" wheels, don't have acoustic glass), but less than the Tesla. The jury is out on the HUD... it's nice but not totally needed. The HUD camera device in the dash does cause some distracting glare on the windshield when the sun is directly overhead, although I'm getting used to it. I do miss autopilot but console myself that since it's a Porsche I should want to drive it rather than letting the car do the driving (also based on the reviews here, not sure how well it would do in the twisty canyons ... would definitely want to test drive it before optioning it). Other things I miss are minor such as geofence opening of garage doors, rapid mirror tilt whilst reversing, and not having to worry about curb rash or door dings
. Car Play a big upgrade in tech & have experienced only a few glitches with the software that seems to "heal" itself once a the car is parked.
4) Summary:
Great car & no regrets... now just need to decide if I will buy it off lease, or get another one in a couple years (perhaps with Innodrive, RWS, different color)... modern problems!
1) Picking a Porsche:
I knew I wanted to get rid of the Tesla when the CEO started throwing "Roman Salutes." Otherwise it had been a reliable car aside from failure of a few door handles as well as body work (car vs deer, car vs snowplow debris). Was never impressed by its fit/finish and handling (except in a straight line). I looked at a Rivian & BMW with desire for an EV SUV... one test drive in the Macan and was sold... an SUV that handles like a sports car (subjective since this is my first Porsche & I haven't driven a 911). Landed on the 4S since acceleration is similar to the 85D (which is fine since I stopped "launching" a while ago) & it seems a good comprise in price/performance. The car came with sport chrono and 18 way seats.
2) Purchasing:
Looked at several models locally and regionally but the local dealership was willing to come down 6500 off sticker & went with a Macan that was already at the port of SF (promised delivery "in a few weeks"). It had a few things I probably would not have spec'd: sport sound, HUD, 22" spyders, electric charge port door. Also didn't come with Innodrive & RWS, which I would have optioned. Decided to lease (24 months) since it's my first porsche and wanted to take advantage of the 7500 lease credit thinking that I could buy it off the lease if I really wanted to. Not sure why, but the car was stuck at port of SF for two months (camera? software?). In that time period, the dealership indicated that Porsche had dropped the residual value which would increase the monthly lease by about $150... this was frustrating, particularly since the dealership claimed that it was out of their hands, and pfs claimed that it was up to the dealership. I probably should have threatened to walk away to see what would happen (I've come to believe that this was a dealership decision). Faced with uncertainty about tariffs and life being short I dropped it. I'll likely look elsewhere for my next Porsche.
3) Owning:
So far it's been a lot of fun to drive... plenty of ev torque & handles great in the canyons of Utah... amazing (to me) styling of the car...not surprisingly, a big upgrade from a 10 y/o Tesla. The range seems fine since it won't really be a road trip car for us. Fit/finish is excellent, 18 way seats very comfortable (I'm 6'1" & 185 Lbs). I'm surprised at how much I ended up liking the sport sound since it gives another (aural) sensory feedback when you step on the accelerator. Fair amount of road noise depending on the surface (22" wheels, don't have acoustic glass), but less than the Tesla. The jury is out on the HUD... it's nice but not totally needed. The HUD camera device in the dash does cause some distracting glare on the windshield when the sun is directly overhead, although I'm getting used to it. I do miss autopilot but console myself that since it's a Porsche I should want to drive it rather than letting the car do the driving (also based on the reviews here, not sure how well it would do in the twisty canyons ... would definitely want to test drive it before optioning it). Other things I miss are minor such as geofence opening of garage doors, rapid mirror tilt whilst reversing, and not having to worry about curb rash or door dings
. Car Play a big upgrade in tech & have experienced only a few glitches with the software that seems to "heal" itself once a the car is parked.4) Summary:
Great car & no regrets... now just need to decide if I will buy it off lease, or get another one in a couple years (perhaps with Innodrive, RWS, different color)... modern problems!
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