I really like my model 3 sr+, but the entire wing of tesla that develops and sells "Full Self Driving" needs to be investigated by the FTC for unfair consumer practices, if not downright fraud. The number of times Tesla has revised their timeline, capability claims, and underlying hardware requirements has gone beyond the shifting vagaries of product development into bad faith marketing.
I'm fully aware of what FSD actually is today vs. Tesla's claims, so I didn't give Tesla an extra dime (nor do I use autopilot on my fully capable car since I believe it's a dangerous driver). Not everyone who buys a Tesla and pays for FSD has the benefit of knowing how close to scam it is.
One thing that would help would be making it illegal to sell features largely software driven before they actually exist (or at least make 100% of money spent on such features 100% refundable no questions asked by law). Tesla is raking in cash from people who don't know better plunking down $10,000 for a feature that doesn't exist (and might be 10+ years away) with the threat of it costing more in the future if they don't buy now.
The only way I've been able to reconcile the cognitive dissonance of giving money to a company that nearly defrauded people on some of their upcoming claims is to think of tesla as 2 distinct companies. One company manufactures and sells a very usable everyday electric vehicle and maintains an excellent network of chargers that let me roam the continent at will. The other company is a hype-machine designed to boost the stock price by announcing more and more features and models far beyond the capabilities of the manufacturing company. Right now Tesla has produced 5 different model of car over its lifespan (roadster and S, 3, X, Y for a childish joke). They have 4 announced and un-produced products (roadster, semi, plaid+ [now cancelled], and cybertruck), some of which have been announced for many years now. Does that seem like a sustainable company? Then add in the FSD debacle and accompanying hardware promises and it feels awfully pyramid-schemy. Luckily for the manufacturing company, the value of their factory, charging network and produced engineering is so high if the hype company fails the manufacturing can keep going. What I tell people is the tangible stuff you can buy from tesla is pretty good and there are lots of other excellent EVs from other companies already out and coming soon. If you want a tesla, buy one they currently manufacture and don't give them a penny or a thought for anything 'coming soon'.
I'm fully aware of what FSD actually is today vs. Tesla's claims, so I didn't give Tesla an extra dime (nor do I use autopilot on my fully capable car since I believe it's a dangerous driver). Not everyone who buys a Tesla and pays for FSD has the benefit of knowing how close to scam it is.
One thing that would help would be making it illegal to sell features largely software driven before they actually exist (or at least make 100% of money spent on such features 100% refundable no questions asked by law). Tesla is raking in cash from people who don't know better plunking down $10,000 for a feature that doesn't exist (and might be 10+ years away) with the threat of it costing more in the future if they don't buy now.
The only way I've been able to reconcile the cognitive dissonance of giving money to a company that nearly defrauded people on some of their upcoming claims is to think of tesla as 2 distinct companies. One company manufactures and sells a very usable everyday electric vehicle and maintains an excellent network of chargers that let me roam the continent at will. The other company is a hype-machine designed to boost the stock price by announcing more and more features and models far beyond the capabilities of the manufacturing company. Right now Tesla has produced 5 different model of car over its lifespan (roadster and S, 3, X, Y for a childish joke). They have 4 announced and un-produced products (roadster, semi, plaid+ [now cancelled], and cybertruck), some of which have been announced for many years now. Does that seem like a sustainable company? Then add in the FSD debacle and accompanying hardware promises and it feels awfully pyramid-schemy. Luckily for the manufacturing company, the value of their factory, charging network and produced engineering is so high if the hype company fails the manufacturing can keep going. What I tell people is the tangible stuff you can buy from tesla is pretty good and there are lots of other excellent EVs from other companies already out and coming soon. If you want a tesla, buy one they currently manufacture and don't give them a penny or a thought for anything 'coming soon'.