The thing is Tesla has been
delivering. Constant drum beat of meaningful improvement in reliability in existing features and bringing new features online. They called the shot on stoplights/stop signs, and came through.
"Investing" is by definition putting money now towards some increased value in the future. So frankly it doesn't even matter that much how many people buying AP to FSD at $7K or $8K are doing it for exactly what they get now. If they are managing their expectations and keeping them still in line with Tesla's [strong] history of improvement that makes it a lot less risky "investment".
If they are expecting turned on and legally blessed rider-only for Christmas, wherever they live? Well yeah, that's goin to be an disappointment in the works. But if they think having that in place that fast is only worth an extra $7K, then I guess it is a case of two wrongs does make it all right.
So now you're making the case that there is more value there, that maybe it is worth it straight up?
??? EAP never actually had anything taken out. It was discontinued as a purchasable option. You're talking about the lower tier AP. My recollection was a short period of time where the current Autopilot was sold as an option for $3K, and then it almost immediately got rolled into the price of all vehicles except the stripper SR (for around $1500, or so, based on pricing differences). So....
1) There are few people where that's the situation.
2) Well yeah, that's why an SR with FSD is a very rare combination.
Not sure about your point here? Other than FSD makes less sense for the cheapest Model 3? Which I generally agree with, for starters because you very likely paid more than with the SR+ to get there.
I'm of the personal OPINION that you are really, really HORRIBLE at laying out a case for that.