I test drove a Tesla, oh maybe 5+ years ago when they only had that one model (Model S?). It was $80,000 base. I test drove the top end model. It some really great features and the acceleration of the direct gearbox was incredible. But at that time it was missing things that many cars in that price range take for granted. It didn’t have very good seats, especially the bench in the back. I took my dad with me and he was sliding all over when I took the turns. It didn’t have soft close doors, a small thing but for $100k every German and Japanese car has that feature. Without an engine and drive shaft it was very spacious, but didn’t really have much in the way of storage compartments. Just lots of empty box like spaces in the doors and center console.
I understand they’ve improved many of these things; and after market has come up with drop in compartments like a center console and door panel organizers. But ultimately I decided to wait... that old “never buy the first model year of a new car” axiom stuck in my head.
Yes, that's a great axiom! In the case of Tesla, I've read of a lot of problems in first year models. Problem areas weren't detected during development, and surfaced when thousands of owners brought them to light. Fit and finish, jamming locks, component failures, leaks, loss of power. These all got fixed in later revisions (although happening again with new models). Tesla is improving and reducing these hiccups. Just like with computers, early buyers are financing R&D on better versions.
I do see parallels with the personal computer industry. At first, the mainstream knocks the idea and touts the existing ways. Then a flood of imitators jump in with inferior models. Then a few persist and the mainstream deniers fall away. We now take inexpensive hand-held computers for granted. Although still too expensive now, I think Tesla cars will become cheaper and sell by the millions within 5 to 10 years. I think Tesla stock prices will be in the $6000 to $15,000 range in 5 years; people will wish that they had bought it in 2020.
You don't necessarily need to buy the product, just buy stock in what other people are flocking to buy. They will pay for the R&D while you reap the profits (from owning a piece of the company).