Today I’m bringing you a very special sit-down. I’m hanging out with my buddy Dennis, and while he’s usually rolling in a Cybertruck, today we’re coming to you live from his “Model X Studios.” We decided to dive deep into a segment I like to call EV Confessions.
If you’ve been following the channel, you know I’m obsessed with the technical evolution of transportation. Transitioning from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric vehicles isn’t just a change in fuel; it’s a total shift in lifestyle, performance, and mindset. Dennis has one of the most interesting car histories I’ve encountered, moving from the raw, mechanical world of Japanese tuners and German precision to the high-tech ecosystem of Tesla.
The ICE Age: Turbo Civics, M3s, and GTRs
Before Dennis became a Tesla evangelist, he was a certified gearhead. We’re talking about the golden era of tuning. He started with a Honda Civic SI (EP3)—the one with the unique dash-mounted shifter. Like many of us back then, he went down the rabbit hole of VTEC, custom exhausts, and even slapping a turbo on it (which, in classic tuner fashion, didn’t end well for the engine).
From there, his journey reads like a “Greatest Hits” of the automotive world:
- Subaru WRX: The full STI treatment with the iconic pink trim.
- BMW E46 M3: The holy grail for many—a six-speed manual.
- Nissan GTR (R35): He actually owned two different R35s at separate times.
It’s fascinating to see this trajectory. When you’ve owned an M3 and a GTR, your standards for performance and handling are sky-high. So, how does someone go from a twin-turbo GTR to a silent EV?
The “Gateway Drug” to Electric
Dennis’s first foray into the electric world was a 2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance Stealth. For those who don’t know, the “Stealth” (or P3D-) was a rare bird—it had the full performance motors and software but looked like a standard long-range model with smaller wheels and no spoiler.
Dennis admits that the initial jump was fueled by pure human curiosity. But even after getting the Model 3, he had what he calls a “relapse.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, he missed the mechanical soul of an ICE car—the exhaust notes, the shifting—so he bought another GTR. However, that second GTR only lasted six months. Once you get used to the instant torque and the seamless tech of an EV, going back to a gas car—even a supercar like the GTR—can feel like stepping back in time.
Why Tesla? It’s All About the Ecosystem
When I asked Dennis what keeps him in a Tesla, the answer was immediate: The Technology. It’s the iPhone effect. Once you’re in the ecosystem, everything else feels clunky. We talked about how home charging completely changes your relationship with your vehicle. Waking up every morning with a “full tank” is a luxury that’s hard to quantify until you experience it.
Then there’s the Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Autopilot. Dennis made a great point: when you trust the tech, you get at least 50% of your time back during a commute. That’s a real Return on Investment (ROI) on your life.
The EV Hierarchy: S, 3, X, Y, and Cybertruck
Dennis is one of the few people I know who has owned almost the entire S3XY lineup, plus the Cybertruck. I had to put him on the spot: Which one is the favorite?
Surprisingly, he picked the Model S (2022 Refresh). His reason? Air Suspension. While the Model X is spacious and the Cybertruck is the ultimate utility beast, the Model S offers a level of ride quality that the Model 3 and Model Y just can’t match. We both agreed that the 3 and the Y can feel quite harsh on the road—they are “luxury priced” but don’t always offer a “luxury ride.”
Dennis’s Car History & Specs
| Vehicle | Key Specs / Notes |
| Honda Civic SI (EP3) | First car, dash-mounted shifter, Turbocharged (briefly) |
| BMW E46 M3 | 6-Speed Manual, 3.2L Inline-6 |
| Nissan GTR (R35) | Owned twice, Twin-Turbo V6 AWD |
| Tesla Model 3 Performance | 2019 “Stealth” Edition, his first EV |
| Tesla Model S | 2022 Refresh, Favorite for ride quality |
| Tesla Cybertruck | Current daily, “The ultimate storage beast” |
| Tesla Model X | Current, Large and spacious |
The Honest Truth: The Downsides of EV Life
We don’t just hype things up here; we keep it real. Dennis was honest about the pain points.
- Depreciation: It’s a roller coaster. While he made money on his first few Teslas during the supply chain craziness, he’s feeling the hit now.
- Public Charging: If you don’t have home charging, don’t buy a Tesla. We both agree on this. In California, paying 50-60 cents per kWh at a busy Supercharger takes away the cost-benefit and the convenience.
- Service Experience: Compared to legacy luxury brands like Acura or BMW, the Tesla service experience still has a long way to go to feel truly “premium.”
The Dream Car
Even with an unlimited budget, Dennis’s heart still beats for internal combustion for those “special” drives. His ultimate dream? A Porsche GT3 (991.1 or newer). Specifically, the GT3 Touring. It’s the perfect blend of raw performance and understated class.
It just goes to show—you can love the future and still respect the legends.
Watch the full video
