I'm on the fence about this as well.
Pros:
- Get to experience the 3 early on without committing to a car that may have lots of potential problems
- Can lease, then buy a brand new 3 which will hopefully have those problems sorted.
- Not locked into a technologically rapidly-advancing car. No fear of the car becoming obsolete in a few years.
- Don't have to worry about out-of-warranty costs down the road.
Cons:
- Mileage limits (expensive to go over, expensive if you don't drive enough). I never feel like I'm getting a good deal when I rent something and there's a limit
- More money in the long run if I decide to buy/lease a new 3 after.
- Tesla leases are expensive
- I don't own the car, which means I can't do whatever I want with it.
I am seriously considering leasing my first 3 and going along for the ride while the teething issues are figured out and the 3 becomes a reliable car after a few years. I expect to be at the service center often, but it'll be okay because I don't own the car and won't have to worry about ugly first gen problems rearing their head after the warranty expires.
Then I'll buy a new 3 after the lease is up. This way I get a new car, it's more reliable, and has better technology, all while experiencing the 3 ASAP.
I would lease all my cars if I knew mileage would never be a problem and it wasn't more expensive over time. It's nerve-wracking knowing you have a set limit for the year and I don't need the extra stress. I just want to drive the car when I want, where I want. I don't want to limit myself or force myself to drive more to get my money's worth. I hate limitations. I don't want to have to budget my miles per week/month or whatever. I also like owning stuff. It's mine.
So I may just suck up the lease for the first three years, then buy.