For early adopters, Tesla luxury is real and so are its limitations

California realtor Lisa Karos talks fast and pretty much non-stop. It serves her well in her chosen profession. One can imagine Karos' clients succumbing to a fusillade of words, throwing up their hands and crying, “Uncle!” as they hand over a six-figure down payment.

Today, though, Karos isn’t talking about tony homes along the shores of Huntington Beach, California. Instead, the subject is cars. Actually one specific car: her new, red Tesla Model S.

“The car is amazing. It’s a jet. Very fast, very high-tech and comprehensive,” says Karos, 55.

If there were a yearbook for Tesla buyers, the word “Luxury Car Buyer” would appear under Karos’ smiling face. She’s be alongside a few other distinct Tesla-buying archetypes: “The Car Nerd,” “The Thrill Seeker” and “The Environmentalist.” Read more...