Considering Tesla's Decision to Discontinue FSD Purchases: Is It Worth Buying Now? Pros and Cons Analysis
Tesla provides customers in various regions with two options for accessing Full Self-Driving capabilities. You can choose to either subscribe to the package on a monthly basis or make a one-time purchase for lifetime access.
Tesla provides two options for Full Self-Driving in various regions. Customers can either opt for a monthly subscription or make a one-time purchase for the vehicle's lifetime. This choice presents Tesla owners with the decision of subscribing to FSD or buying it outright. Let's explore the advantages and disadvantages of each option to help you make an informed choice.
Cost Analysis
Before delving into the pros and cons, let's examine the current prices of FSD, a crucial factor in the decision-making process. Below, you will find the costs in countries where Tesla offers a subscription, excluding China and South Korea. The table displays the purchase price, subscription cost, and the break-even point in each country.
United States
Purchase: $8,000 USD
Subscription: $99 USD
Break-even Time: 80 months / 6.6 years
Canada
Purchase: $11,000 CAD
Subscription: $99 CAD
Break-even Time: 111 months / 9.25 years
Mexico
Purchase: $177,200 MXN
Subscription: $2,299 MXN
Break-even Time: 77 months / 6.4 years
Australia
Purchase: $10,100 AUD
Subscription: $149 AUD
Break-even Time: 68 months / 5.6 years
New Zealand
Purchase: $11,400 NZD
Subscription: $159 NZD
Break-even Time: 72 months / 6 years
Note: The article has been updated to reflect the correct subscription price in Mexico (thank you, Carlos!).
Subscription Benefits
Subscribing to FSD presents an affordable option primarily focused on cost savings. It also offers flexibility for adjusting to financial constraints, changing commuting needs, or life circumstances. Subscribers often pause their subscriptions during challenging weather conditions in northern regions, although FSD's performance in adverse weather is gradually improving. Subscribing allows you to access the latest FSD version, as Tesla now discloses the version you will receive when subscribing through the Tesla App.
While subscribing offers flexibility and potential cost savings, it is most suitable for those planning to keep the vehicle for less than six years. Subscriptions can be easily transferred to a new Tesla upon selling the current vehicle. However, purchasing FSD provides unique advantages, as discussed below.
Purchase Benefits
Opting to purchase FSD outright grants a permanent, transferable license linked to the vehicle's VIN, ensuring ownership even upon vehicle resale. Furthermore, Tesla offers FSD hardware retrofits to HW3 vehicle owners who bought FSD outright, a benefit previously extended to HW 2.0 and HW 2.5 vehicles. Purchasing locks in a fixed price, shielding you from potential future subscription cost hikes, particularly with the introduction of Unsupervised FSD.
The decision to remove the purchase option for FSD by Tesla underscores the shift towards subscription-based models. This move offers Tesla flexibility in pricing and enables potential tiered FSD offerings. While uncertainties exist regarding future FSD developments, investing in FSD now could prove advantageous, especially for long-term vehicle owners.
In Conclusion
The choice between subscribing to FSD or purchasing outright is yours to make. Understanding the implications of each option is crucial. If you plan to retain your vehicle long-term and continue subscribing to FSD, purchasing may be the preferred route to secure current pricing and potential hardware upgrades. As the deadline looms, Tesla owners must weigh the benefits and consider their FSD preferences before making a decision.
If you are considering ordering a new Tesla, utilize our referral code to enjoy 3 months of free FSD or receive a $1,000 discount on your purchase.
Cost Analysis
Before delving into the pros and cons, let's examine the current prices of FSD, a crucial factor in the decision-making process. Below, you will find the costs in countries where Tesla offers a subscription, excluding China and South Korea. The table displays the purchase price, subscription cost, and the break-even point in each country.
United States
Purchase: $8,000 USD
Subscription: $99 USD
Break-even Time: 80 months / 6.6 years
Canada
Purchase: $11,000 CAD
Subscription: $99 CAD
Break-even Time: 111 months / 9.25 years
Mexico
Purchase: $177,200 MXN
Subscription: $2,299 MXN
Break-even Time: 77 months / 6.4 years
Australia
Purchase: $10,100 AUD
Subscription: $149 AUD
Break-even Time: 68 months / 5.6 years
New Zealand
Purchase: $11,400 NZD
Subscription: $159 NZD
Break-even Time: 72 months / 6 years
Note: The article has been updated to reflect the correct subscription price in Mexico (thank you, Carlos!).
Subscription Benefits
Subscribing to FSD presents an affordable option primarily focused on cost savings. It also offers flexibility for adjusting to financial constraints, changing commuting needs, or life circumstances. Subscribers often pause their subscriptions during challenging weather conditions in northern regions, although FSD's performance in adverse weather is gradually improving. Subscribing allows you to access the latest FSD version, as Tesla now discloses the version you will receive when subscribing through the Tesla App.
While subscribing offers flexibility and potential cost savings, it is most suitable for those planning to keep the vehicle for less than six years. Subscriptions can be easily transferred to a new Tesla upon selling the current vehicle. However, purchasing FSD provides unique advantages, as discussed below.
Purchase Benefits
Opting to purchase FSD outright grants a permanent, transferable license linked to the vehicle's VIN, ensuring ownership even upon vehicle resale. Furthermore, Tesla offers FSD hardware retrofits to HW3 vehicle owners who bought FSD outright, a benefit previously extended to HW 2.0 and HW 2.5 vehicles. Purchasing locks in a fixed price, shielding you from potential future subscription cost hikes, particularly with the introduction of Unsupervised FSD.
The decision to remove the purchase option for FSD by Tesla underscores the shift towards subscription-based models. This move offers Tesla flexibility in pricing and enables potential tiered FSD offerings. While uncertainties exist regarding future FSD developments, investing in FSD now could prove advantageous, especially for long-term vehicle owners.
In Conclusion
The choice between subscribing to FSD or purchasing outright is yours to make. Understanding the implications of each option is crucial. If you plan to retain your vehicle long-term and continue subscribing to FSD, purchasing may be the preferred route to secure current pricing and potential hardware upgrades. As the deadline looms, Tesla owners must weigh the benefits and consider their FSD preferences before making a decision.
If you are considering ordering a new Tesla, utilize our referral code to enjoy 3 months of free FSD or receive a $1,000 discount on your purchase.
