A long time ago, I was a kart racing enthusiast, so I've always appreciated the direct, visible connection between the steering wheel and the wheels. It offers a tangible, physical sense of control. Not sure what Tesla did with the Model S, but it almost feels like a kart car in this sense. The steering responds immediately, and I can “feel” the road. I obviously don't see the front wheels, but still I know exactly how they lay at all times.

Maybe you didn't know, but on the vast majority of cars there is a physical link so if power assist fails, you are still turning the tires. But as someone who drove a Toyota pickup around with completely manual steering, I'd say it's only really bad at low speeds, where it's a bit of an arm workout.

I don't think "without power assist" was the intention.