At What Cost Would You Buy Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD)?

Full Self-Driving (FSD) is one of the most exciting features offered by Tesla, promising a future where cars can drive themselves without any human intervention.

But with this futuristic technology comes a hefty price tag. For many Tesla owners and enthusiasts, the big question is: At what cost would you buy FSD? Let’s dive into what FSD offers, how much it costs, and what factors you should consider before making a decision.

What Is Full Self-Driving (FSD)?

Full Self-Driving (FSD) is an advanced set of driver-assist features that aims to bring autonomous driving capabilities to Tesla vehicles. While Tesla’s Autopilot already offers some basic self-driving features, FSD takes things to the next level by adding features like:

• Navigate on Autopilot: The car can automatically navigate on highways, including changing lanes, taking exits, and even handling on-ramps.
• Auto Lane Change: Allows the car to change lanes on its own when it’s safe.
• Summon: You can have your car come to you from a parking spot.
• Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control: The car can recognize traffic lights and stop signs, stopping or proceeding as necessary.
• Autosteer on city streets (still in beta): This feature allows the car to steer itself through city traffic, which includes handling turns at intersections.

While these features are impressive, it’s important to note that FSD still requires the driver’s attention and isn’t fully autonomous—yet.

The Current Cost of FSD

As of now, purchasing FSD for your Tesla comes at a significant cost. In the U.S., it’s priced at around $15,000, which can be a big investment, especially if you’ve already spent a lot on the car itself. Alternatively, Tesla also offers a subscription option, which costs around $199 per month.

The subscription allows you to try out FSD without committing to the full purchase price. However, if you plan to keep the car for several years, the subscription fees can eventually add up to more than the one-time purchase.

Is FSD Worth the Cost?

Deciding whether FSD is worth the cost depends on several factors, including your budget, driving habits, and how much you value the idea of owning cutting-edge technology. Here are some things to consider:

1. Your Driving Needs: If you do a lot of highway driving or spend hours commuting every week, FSD’s features could make your life much easier. Features like Navigate on Autopilot and Auto Lane Change can help reduce the stress of long drives. On the other hand, if you mostly drive short distances in city traffic, you might not benefit as much from FSD right now, as some city-driving features are still in beta.
2. Your Budget: Let’s face it: $15,000 is a lot of money. It’s almost like buying a new car in itself. If you’re already stretching your budget to buy a Tesla, adding FSD on top might not be the best financial decision. You could start with the subscription option to see if it’s something you find valuable before committing to the full purchase.
3. How Much You Value New Tech: If you love being on the cutting edge of technology and enjoy having the latest and greatest features, FSD might feel like a must-have. It’s not just about convenience; it’s also about experiencing the future of driving. However, if you’re not as excited about autonomous tech, you might be better off sticking with the standard Autopilot, which still offers helpful features at no extra cost.
4. Future Resale Value: Some people buy FSD because they believe it will increase the resale value of their car. While it’s true that having FSD could make your Tesla more attractive to potential buyers, it’s unclear how much of the FSD investment you’ll actually get back when selling the car. Keep in mind that FSD is tied to the car itself, not the owner, so if you sell the car, you can’t transfer the FSD to another Tesla.

Comparing the One-Time Cost vs. Subscription

Let’s break down the cost of buying FSD outright versus subscribing to it. This comparison can help you see which option makes more sense for you.

1. Buying FSD Outright ($15,000):
   • You pay once and have access to FSD for as long as you own the car.
   • If Tesla improves FSD features or adds new capabilities, you automatically get them.
   • There’s no ongoing monthly cost, so if you plan to keep the car for a long time, it could be more cost-effective in the long run.
2. Subscribing to FSD ($199/month):
   • You can try FSD without a huge upfront cost. If you find it useful, you can continue; if not, you can cancel anytime.
   • For long-term use, the subscription can add up. For example, using FSD for five years (60 months) would cost about $11,940, which is close to the one-time purchase price.
   • This option gives you flexibility if you’re not sure how long you’ll keep the car or if you only need FSD for a specific period (e.g., a long road trip).

What Do FSD Owners Say?

The opinions on FSD are quite mixed. Some Tesla owners swear by it, saying it’s worth every penny for the convenience and peace of mind it offers, especially during long highway drives.

Others feel that FSD’s current limitations, such as needing to keep hands on the wheel and being responsible for the car’s actions, make the $15,000 price hard to justify.

Here are a few common viewpoints from FSD owners:

• “I love FSD for road trips. It makes driving so much less tiring, especially with Navigate on Autopilot. But it’s not perfect, and there are still moments where I need to take control quickly.”
• “The monthly subscription is the way to go for now. I don’t think FSD is fully worth the $15,000 yet, especially since some features are still in beta.”
• “If you plan to keep the car for a long time, buying FSD outright could be worth it. It’s just a matter of whether you can justify the price upfront.”

When Would You Buy FSD?

Now, let’s go back to the big question: At what cost would you buy FSD? The answer to this will depend on a few key factors:

1. Lower Price Point: Some people say they would buy FSD if it was around $8,000 to $10,000, as this price feels more in line with the features currently available. If Tesla ever runs a special discount or drops the price, more buyers might be willing to make the leap.
2. When FSD Reaches Full Autonomy: For others, the current version of FSD is not worth the price until it becomes fully autonomous, meaning the car could drive itself without any human input. If Tesla reaches that milestone, the $15,000 price could feel like a bargain.
3. If It Adds More Everyday Value: Some potential buyers feel that FSD needs to offer more benefits in everyday driving, such as more reliable city driving capabilities or features that work in all weather conditions.
4. When Financing Options Improve: If Tesla or third-party lenders offer better financing deals for adding FSD to the cost of the car loan, some buyers might be more inclined to add it to their purchase.