Reactions from 3 Tesla owners to Elon Musk's FSD update

Tesla is fully embracing a subscription model for its auto-pilot software — and the Tesla owners we interviewed have varied opinions about the transition.

CEO Elon Musk announced Tesla's fully supervised driving software, known as FSD, will require a $99 monthly subscription after February 14.

This represents a significant transformation for the electric vehicle company. Initially, Tesla sold its autonomous driving software in late 2016 for $5,000, then increased the price to $8,000 and introduced a monthly payment option in 2021.

From now on, customers who want automated steering, braking, and lane-changing features must commit to a $99 monthly subscription.

Business Insider spoke to three Tesla owners to gauge their reactions, which ranged from disappointment to enthusiasm.

"I find it a major deterrent," expressed Leslie Snipes, the owner of a Model 3 with standard range, to Business Insider. "Given that almost everything has become a subscription now."

When Snipes bought her car in 2022, she got to try FSD during a complimentary one-month trial. She appreciated the feature then, but at $10,000 for a lifetime purchase, it was beyond reach for her household.

She noted that she would only consider adding FSD during specific months, like for extended road travels.

Scott Anderson, a new owner of a Model Y from Arizona, mentioned he never seriously intended to pay a lump sum for the software. Instead, he opted for the subscription model and remains enthusiastic about the technology.

"My spouse and I recently went to the mountains, about 70 miles from our residence," he said. "Our new vehicle took us all the way there without any interruptions."

However, for older Tesla customers who have previously acquired the software, Musk's announcement has different ramifications.

"I find myself relying on FSD increasingly as I commute," said Nikki Lindgren, a Tesla owner from California who invested in the technology years ago, speaking to Business Insider. "The change could mainly affect when or if we choose to replace our current Tesla."

Lindgren mentioned that the move toward subscriptions might prevent her from investing in another Tesla unless there's an option to transfer the already purchased software to a new vehicle.