Should I add FSD to my existing order?

[s1rk]

Hello everyone!

First of all, thanks for such a wonderful forum that's bombarded me with TONS of information about Tesla cars in general!

Alas, I do have a question which I hope some of you can help me in deciding. I recently placed an order for an S75D with EAP that is due to be delivered mid-September. I recently messaged my Delivery Specialist regarding adding the FSD feature but she is saying that I would have to pay the $500 late alteration change... womp womp womp.

With all of these talks with AP3.0 and HW3 coming out in the near future, do you think it would be worth it to add now? I ask this since I do plan on keeping this car for at least 5 years - if it can last that long, lol.

Thanks in advance!

 

[atppilot]

Call you DS again and explain that you are adding a value option. IO could see the additional cost if you were deleting something that reduced the price. Tell her Elon needs to cash.

 

[Zorg]

Well, will you be more upset by spending $3k on a function that may not show up for months/years or by having to pay an extra $2k when said function shows up?

 

[jaguar36]

Wait and see what FSD is and when it actually shows up before spending any money.

 

[mbhforum]

I'd agree with @atppilot. I think it's robbery that they will charge you to make a change that is merely a software change and costs them nothing to change. I personally wouldn't pay for FSD anyway and pay more it when I see it action and proving it's worth. I believe you can add FSD and AP3 later, right? Or is an only for customers who had FSD from the start?

 

[mrbulk]

Like someone said in another thread a while ago (and who had bought neither AP nor FSD with their new S):

after AP and FSD are perfected, Elon will get another check from me for $10,000

and no, I am not that person, I bought mine with AP only

 

[AMPUP]

There will be people coming off lease soon that paid for FSD when they “purchased” their Tesla...

There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — hmm... you can't get fooled again.

You get my gist, wait til it’s proven and available..

 

[buttershrimp]

I’m not voting because I know the only correct answer. Yes, sack up and be on the right side of history.

 

[Theflash95]

Wait and see what FSD is and when it actually shows up before spending any money.

THIS! Save your pennies for now.

 

[buttershrimp]

THIS! Save your pennies for now.

I believe it was Ben Franklin that said “a penny saved is a $2000 kick in the nuts in a few months.”

 

[Theflash95]

There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — hmm... you can't get fooled again.

Are you sure you're not misunderestimating the passion of Tesla enthusiasts? ;-)

 

[Mo City]

At this point in time, ordering EAP without FSD makes no sense to me. If you are paying over $50,000.00 for a car, another $3,000.00 is chump change for something that could end up costing $10,000.00 or more (eventually) when FSD leaves EAP in the dust in a couple of years..

 

[Theflash95]

I believe it was Ben Franklin that said “a penny saved is a $2000 kick in the nuts in a few months.”

If you really believe that FSD is going to be here in the next year or two there is a bridge coming off lease that I can sell you. Listen, I hope I'm wrong but I don't see FSD being developed enough anytime soon to be worth the extra coin. The OP said he'd hang onto his car for at least 5 years... I keep my cars for at least 10 and I don't see FSD being ready for prime time in my current (Nov) 2017 Model S... maybe it'll be ready by the time I'm picking up my 2027 Model S, but even then I'm not so sure.

 

[Theflash95]

At this point in time, ordering EAP without FSD makes no sense to me. If you are paying over $50,000.00 for a car, another $3,000.00 is chump change for something that could end up costing $10,000.00 or more (eventually) when FSD leaves EAP in the dust in a couple of years..

Sorry, but FSD is vaporware at the moment... if you've got $3k to take a gamble and hope FSD is here sooner than later then that's great. Lots of folks seem pretty optimistic that FSD is not too far away, but I'm pretty skeptical. When I bought my S I ordered EAP because I was happy with where it was and knew it would be refined as time went on. We have not seen any FSD features (stopping for lights and stop signs, taking turns through city streets, etc.) and based on how EAP has developed so far I'm not confident FSD is going to be here anytime soon. For now Tesla said they would honor the original $4k price to upgrade to FSD after the fact for people who ordered before the recent price hike. If FSD comes out soon and blows me away I'll spend the extra $4k (which is only $1k more than had I ordered it from the start) to have it activated.

 

[S4WRXTTCS]

Hello everyone!

First of all, thanks for such a wonderful forum that's bombarded me with TONS of information about Tesla cars in general!

Alas, I do have a question which I hope some of you can help me in deciding. I recently placed an order for an S75D with EAP that is due to be delivered mid-September. I recently messaged my Delivery Specialist regarding adding the FSD feature but she is saying that I would have to pay the $500 late alteration change... womp womp womp.

With all of these talks with AP3.0 and HW3 coming out in the near future, do you think it would be worth it to add now? I ask this since I do plan on keeping this car for at least 5 years - if it can last that long, lol.

Thanks in advance!

I do think it will be worth it for a 5+ year ownership plan, but I am absolutely against the $500 late alteration charge.

An alteration charge is understandable for things like a late stage color change, or even seat color.

But, for a software switch that's just BS.

Simply state that you'd like to get the FSD package for $3K, but you won't get spend the extra $500. I'm sure they'll be the ones that blink first because that's a good $2K+ worth of profit. Keep in mind that the FSD package gives you the AP3 computer upgrade when it comes out in 6+ months.

 

[khraiv]

FSD is a poor investment. The only semi logical reason for paying now is that you're investing in Tesla's future, which is the only reason I paid it. They will deliver new driver assisted features in the next year, and yes some or all will be exclusive to "FSD". But full level 4 won't likely be a reality for years. Even if Tesla pulls off a miracle, they will still be restrained by government regulations.

 

[s1rk]

We have not seen any FSD features (stopping for lights and stop signs, taking turns through city streets, etc.) and based on how EAP has developed so far I'm not confident FSD is going to be here anytime soon. For now Tesla said they would honor the original $4k price to upgrade to FSD after the fact for people who ordered before the recent price hike. If FSD comes out soon and blows me away I'll spend the extra $4k (which is only $1k more than had I ordered it from the start) to have it activated.

Pretty much the only reason why I even started to question this is the recent price hike. I would have been OK with spending the extra $1k once it slowly rolls out. But a lot of you guys are right... we are far from having FSD. I just got back from the store using my parent's Model X and it almost hit a center divider while on Autopilot (I was using it on the streets, but I was paying attention. Promise, lol.) and I had to turn the wheel manually.

Call you DS again and explain that you are adding a value option. IO could see the additional cost if you were deleting something that reduced the price. Tell her Elon needs to cash.

I just asked her nicely through an e-mail. I'll let you know how that goes, lol.

I do think it will be worth it for a 5+ year ownership plan, but I am absolutely against the $500 late alteration charge.

An alteration charge is understandable for things like a late stage color change, or even seat color.

But, for a software switch that's just BS.

That's what I thought too.... lol. I feel like the alteration fee/post-delivery change fee is justifiable if they actually do have to change hardware in the cars... Otherwise it's kind of crazy.

 

[ricebucket]

You may not have the long-term perspective on this, because you have not seen how slowly Tesla has made progress on EAP (yes, EAP, not even FSD!) over the past two years, and how inaccurate Tesla has been with the timeline.

I think by the time that FSD progresses enough to be worth paying for over EAP, I'd be ready to buy a new car. And with a new car I'd get all sorts of new goodies/features, not to mention probably better AP hardware as well (new chips, maybe even better cameras, etc). (While Tesla has not announced anything new on the HW front besides a new AI chip, you can bet that all of those other things will improve over time. This is a tech product, so expect a new generation every 1-2 years.)

Plus, as others have mentioned before, prepaying for FSD is a poor financial decision. Go buy some stocks and invest the 5000 instead. If you're just seeing the future $2000 price hike, then you're not doing the math correctly (the opportunity cost of the 5k and the time value of money).

 

[RedOctober]

You may not have the long-term perspective on this, because you have not seen how slowly Tesla has made progress on EAP (yes, EAP, not even FSD!) over the past two years, and how inaccurate Tesla has been with the timeline.

I think by the time that FSD progresses enough to be worth paying for over EAP, I'd be ready to buy a new car. And with a new car I'd get all sorts of new goodies/features, not to mention probably better AP hardware as well (new chips, maybe even better cameras, etc). (While Tesla has not announced anything new on the HW front besides a new AI chip, you can bet that all of those other things will improve over time. This is a tech product, so expect a new generation every 1-2 years.)

Plus, as others have mentioned before, prepaying for FSD is a poor financial decision. Go buy some stocks and invest the 5000 instead. If you're just seeing the future $2000 price hike, then you're not doing the math correctly (the opportunity cost of the 5k and the time value of money).

Moore’s Law applies with Tesla vehicles. Changes will be coming at a faster pace now that more and more automakers are getting in the game. I believe Tesla will have to update everyone’s computer to 3.0 and the new chip once FSD is finally here and you have purchased EAP. If and when Tesla finally gets FSD most people will gladly pay the extra to optain the option. I agree save your money.

 

[Mo City]

Sorry, but FSD is vaporware at the moment... if you've got $3k to take a gamble and hope FSD is here sooner than later then that's great. Lots of folks seem pretty optimistic that FSD is not too far away, but I'm pretty skeptical. When I bought my S I ordered EAP because I was happy with where it was and knew it would be refined as time went on. We have not seen any FSD features (stopping for lights and stop signs, taking turns through city streets, etc.) and based on how EAP has developed so far I'm not confident FSD is going to be here anytime soon. For now Tesla said they would honor the original $4k price to upgrade to FSD after the fact for people who ordered before the recent price hike. If FSD comes out soon and blows me away I'll spend the extra $4k (which is only $1k more than had I ordered it from the start) to have it activated.

Do you have a link for this?

Question: Do you believe someone ordering right now is guaranteed to pay $5,000.00 max for FSD if they want it later? If that is the case, FSD can wait.