Imagine what would happen if a Maserati and an Aston Martin had babies…  babies that were electric!

They’d probably look something like this:

Images from Tesla Motors.

Drool.  How gorgeous is that?   Production’s slated for 2011, at which point my current car will be 12 years old…  I feel like that warrants an upgrade.

The price tag’s a little steep at close to $60k (not including tax credits that may or may not exist when the car actually becomes available).  However,  it’s targeted at the luxury market, and equipped as such.  0-60 in under 6 seconds?  Yes please!  100% torque, all the time?  Bring it on!!!  Suddenly the price tag sounds more reasonable.  This is not your grandmother’s Prius, girl.

I love the sleek styling, and hey, it fits 5 adults + 2 kids, with a range of 160-300 miles per charge, so that’s definitely functional.  The rear hatch opens up to allow transportation of a 50″ flatscreen TV, a surfboard, or a mountain bike (front wheel still attached) in the cargo area.  All in all, much more practical than the $100k Roadster which resembles the Lotus Elise.  (For more specs and pretty pictures, check out Wired’s coverage of the Model S unveiling.)

Obviously, buying a car is a very personal choice– some people are all about the form, some are all about the function, and some want the best of both worlds.

Why is this the vehicle I’ve targeted?

1. I want my next vehicle to be an electric or hybrid car.

Given that I am in a financial position to pay a slight premium for an environmentally friendly vehicle, I am willing to do so.  Yes, when I was a poor student I tried to squeeze every last penny of value out of every purchase, and I’m still very conscious of where I spend my money.  While being good to the planet is not necessarily going to result in any tangible return to myself specifically, I’m ok with paying extra for it so that the air is a little bit cleaner for us all.

2.  I plan on driving my next car for approximately 10 years as well.

This might sound ridiculous to many people, but it’s what works best for my lifestyle.  By planning my purchases carefully, I don’t feel the need to upgrade every few years.  I bought my car used, and paid it off 4-5  years ago.  My cost of ownership is now only routine maintenance, plus gas and insurance!  I love my (old) car and am also happy with the amount I’ve saved.

Note:  if you also have a decade-old car and are thinking about buying a new one, check the status of trade-in incentive legislation– you could save yourself quite a bit of time and money.

A guest post over at Get Rich Slowly and Liz Pulliam Weston at MSN Money both make the case for driving your car for the longest time possible.  For an interactive version, check out Dave Ramsey’s slideshow here.

3.  I want something practical.

This is a corollary to 2, since I’ll likely have kids within the next decade.  My version of practical means 4 doors and plenty of storage, ability to handle well in various  conditions, along with a fairly reliable reputation.  As I live in CA, I don’t have to think too much about snow unless I want to go to Tahoe, and this sedan seems like it’ll fit the bill.  The battery is supposed to last approximately 10 years, and will likely be replaceable when new technology comes out.  Plus, without the requirement of oil changes, etc. the car only needs to be tuned up annually.  Talk about a timesaver!

4.  Style counts!

I’ve got eyes, too… and if you do the research the first time around, and really think about what works for you AND makes you happy, it’s a lot easier to stay happy with your initial pick.   This car may be my future mommymobile, but it’s definitely not going to give off that vibe to everyone I pass on the freeway.   There’s something to be said for unpredictability.

What do you consider when making large purchases?  Would the Model S fit your lifestyle, or not?  Suggestions for anything else I should consider?