-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
Is autopilot worth it?
- Thread starter BourneM3
- Start date
Do you drive on freeways a lot? If so, AP is very useful and worth it in my opinion. Especially if you have to deal with any sort of traffic. If you are only using local roads on a daily basis, then not so much.
Enginerd
Member
I would say 50:50 highway to local road driving.
Gonna cost over $1K if I decide to add later so not sure if I should just do it now.
Gonna cost over $1K if I decide to add later so not sure if I should just do it now.
willow_hiller
Well-Known Member
We didn't add AP or FSD at purchase, and our 3 came with a 60 day trial of both. If you purchase during the trial, AP is $3,500 and FSD is $5,500. More info here Autopilot Trial
It's nice to try before you buy, but of course if you don't purchase the car with the software, you cannot roll the cost of the software into your loan.
I use AP daily on the freeway portions of my commute. Sometimes just traffic aware cruise, sometimes full autosteer engaged. For the $3k Basic AP is now (I paid $5k back when it was EAP), I would say it is worth it.
But, Tesla occasionally now has “sales” as was evidenced last month when folks could get Basic AP for $2k. You could always wait it out and see if you can catch a lower price.
jkoya
NA2 NSX
I would (and did) get it. TACC makes it worth it for me - especially in stop and go commuter traffic.
jkoya
NA2 NSX
I agree !! I had a Model S 100D rental for 2 weeks without AP and I really missed it.
Thank you for this info.
I just thought it was 30 days but now will have to get trialling it since you all have made a compelling argument esp. since my wife uses the 3 on the hwy 50% of her time.
Cost isn't too bad post delivery as I had thought it was the full $4K not the $3500 you mentioned.
willow_hiller
Well-Known Member
As far as I understand, the $3,500 price is only available during the 60 day trial. If you purchase after the trial expires, it will go back up to $4,000.
Also the trial FSD price is a real steal. Only $500 more than ordering it at the time of purchase. That goes up to $7,000 if not ordered within the trial period.
The more interesting question is, is a Tesla withOUT Autopilot worth it?
I'm waiting ever so patiently (not really) for mine, but couldn't imagine having placed the order without Autopilot. I had to add FSD as well, since I know my brain and it would make me absolutely loony to know there's amazing features embedded, just a software license key away.
Were this the "old" package where Enhanced Autopilot still existed, I probably would've skipped FSD. But putting summon and Navigate on Autopilot and Autopark (least interesting of the trio IMO) into the FSD package was a shrewd move on Tesla's part. Now I can't resist.
One thing to note ... if you're financing the vehicle... by adding Autopilot up front, you can roll that cost into the financing. If you add it on later, it's cash-on-the-barrel.
I did the math - my CU offers 72 mos @ 3% financing right now. Total cost up front for AP $3,000. Interest on that across the 72 months totals $281.76. Even in a trial period, that's $3,500 to add it on later. Total financed would be $3,281.76. You'd still come out ahead financing AP. Doing AP + FSD up front is $8,000. Financing that over the 72 months is $751.60. That's also a lot less than the cost of adding AP + FSD during a trial period, let alone outside of one!
So I thought it was better to add AP + FSD up front -- better than the cost of regret later, better for resale, better all around .... just my $0.02 (for what it's worth - not that you asked ;-)
I'm waiting ever so patiently (not really) for mine, but couldn't imagine having placed the order without Autopilot. I had to add FSD as well, since I know my brain and it would make me absolutely loony to know there's amazing features embedded, just a software license key away.
Were this the "old" package where Enhanced Autopilot still existed, I probably would've skipped FSD. But putting summon and Navigate on Autopilot and Autopark (least interesting of the trio IMO) into the FSD package was a shrewd move on Tesla's part. Now I can't resist.
One thing to note ... if you're financing the vehicle... by adding Autopilot up front, you can roll that cost into the financing. If you add it on later, it's cash-on-the-barrel.
I did the math - my CU offers 72 mos @ 3% financing right now. Total cost up front for AP $3,000. Interest on that across the 72 months totals $281.76. Even in a trial period, that's $3,500 to add it on later. Total financed would be $3,281.76. You'd still come out ahead financing AP. Doing AP + FSD up front is $8,000. Financing that over the 72 months is $751.60. That's also a lot less than the cost of adding AP + FSD during a trial period, let alone outside of one!
So I thought it was better to add AP + FSD up front -- better than the cost of regret later, better for resale, better all around .... just my $0.02 (for what it's worth - not that you asked ;-)
Er, nope. I drive a car to DRIVE.
(Let the flames begin)
(Let the flames begin)
tinm
2020 Model S LR+ Owner
No interest in AutoPilot, AutoSteer, or FSD.
I like all the sensors to warn me about situations but I also get in a car to DRIVE.
I like all the sensors to warn me about situations but I also get in a car to DRIVE.
I enjoy a good drive too, but man, when I'm tired and stuck sitting in traffic, the idea of just letting the car manage the bumper to bumper stuff, well, that's just so stinkin' cool.
It really depends I guess on your personal location, driving patterns, etc.
Mine involves sitting in traffic to-from the airport pretty much weekly. Nothing more exhausting to me than crawling along at 8mph. Letting the car do that? Best of all worlds. Let me open it up and drive when the roads are clear, but let the car handle the monkey work. (No offense to monkeys intended or implied.)
edited to add: Absolutely no flames intended whatsoever. This is a drivers' car and the fact that you're treating it as such is awesome!
Last edited:
Is there somewhere online that confirms the current trial upgrade price? It's not that I don't believe the prices above but looking for something more official to document
RFernatt
Solar/EV Owner/Enthusiast
I did get EAP even though I don't have much daily use for it. It's nice on longer trips. I decided to skip FSD until there is something concrete available from Tesla and approved by regulators. If it's worth it at that time, I may upgrade or just wait for the 3's replacement.
Similar threads
