[moduspwnens14]

My prior car was new and I later decided that the added expense of a new car did not justify it. My plan was to get a few-years old "A to B" used car (like a Corolla or something) when it started needing work.

But I did change my mind and get a Model 3.

* Autopilot is quite nice. I'd compare the experience to driving a car with cruise control as compared to one that doesn't have it. It's not the end of the world, but if you have a car with cruise control, it's tough to imagine intentionally buying your next one without it barring financial difficulties.

* Not having to fill up at gas stations is nice. There's a little more planning involved for trips, but for normal day-to-day, it's waking up every day to a full tank.

* Upcoming software updates. The initial Model 3s didn't have summon or the dashcam feature, both of which have been added over the air, and more of which will be added sooner.

* I think the auto industry in general has become stagnant and "safe" in terms of innovation, and I want to support a disruptive entity that will force the others to re-think the ways they're doing business.

* It's got an API, which already has third party tools for an Apple Watch app, detailed analytics, etc.

* They're taking a risk with the interior of the car, with the lack of gauge cluster and spartan design. To me this looks like what happened when the software industry switched from "as many UI buttons and features as possible" in the '90s to the simplified, "overall user experience" focus we see in modern software. And I want to support that.

* There's some "feel-good" factor to damaging the environment less, and supporting the market that will allow for society to join in.

I agree with you in that I can't imagine spending $63k on a non-Tesla. The differences between a basic used car and a new Mercedes or something just don't justify it. But I do feel differently about the Tesla.

[Marsymars]

> * They're taking a risk with the interior of the car, with the lack of gauge cluster and spartan design. To me this looks like what happened when the software industry switched from "as many UI buttons and features as possible" in the '90s to the simplified, "overall user experience" focus we see in modern software. And I want to support that.

I guess this is fine if you live in California, but a car that I can't operate while wearing heavy mittens is literally unusable to me for nearly half the year.

[moduspwnens14]

The car doesn't require touching the screen to operate it.

The nav / media controls do, but those can be voice operated, too. And a lot of the media controls work from the steering wheel knobs (play pause skip back etc.), also.

EDIT: And all Teslas can have their climate control turned on remotely by the app / API, and can be safely warmed up even in an enclosed space (since there are no fumes).