I Tried Tesla FSD

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Overall Sentiment

  • Thread is sharply divided: some find current FSD “magic” and use it daily; others find it terrifying, unreliable, or not worth the cost.
  • Many agree it’s an impressive technical achievement but still far from true autonomy or something they fully trust.

Safety, Behavior, and Everyday Use

  • Positive reports:
    • Long highway trips described as dramatically less tiring; FSD seen as “train on rails” on interstates.
    • In unfamiliar cities, some feel FSD handles navigation and traffic better than they would.
    • Users highlight it as over‑cautious rather than reckless; main issues are hesitancy, slow merges, and timid four‑way stops.
  • Negative reports:
    • Accounts of phantom braking, random lane changes, poor path planning, confusing signaling, and mishandled four‑way stops.
    • Complaints that it ignores nuanced rules (school zones, school buses, complex intersections) and sometimes drifts in turn lanes.
    • Several commenters stopped using the free trial because supervising it is too stressful, likening it to riding with a very poor student driver.
  • Disagreement on standards:
    • Some argue anything on public roads must be “100% perfect.”
    • Others counter that human drivers are far from perfect and FSD only needs to be significantly safer to be worthwhile.

Autonomy Levels, Naming, and Regulation

  • Broad consensus that Tesla’s system is SAE Level 2 driver assistance, not true “full self‑driving.”
  • Many criticize the “Full Self Driving” name as misleading or bordering on false advertising; others dismiss this as normal marketing exaggeration.
  • Mention that only some other manufacturers have certified Level 3 systems; Tesla’s is supervised Level 2 and avoids some stricter bans (e.g., policies targeting Levels 3–5).
  • Strong calls for:
    • Standardized, independent tests and benchmarks for all vendors.
    • Open or at least regulator‑accessible safety data.
    • Clearer certification gates for Levels 3–5.

Versioning, Hype, and Influencers

  • v12.3.x is described by fans as a big leap from earlier versions, turning FSD from “liability” into a genuinely useful product.
  • Others say each major release has been heralded as “the one,” so they’re skeptical; some report v12 as a regression in their own driving.
  • Suspicion that YouTube “random” videos are heavily biased toward Tesla‑friendly influencers and curated routes.

Cost, Economics, and Alternatives

  • Debate over the value of paying thousands (or subscriptions) for FSD:
    • Enthusiasts say it justifies the price, especially for heavy drivers and road‑trippers.
    • Critics see it as an expensive beta; some regret earlier purchases that didn’t deliver.
  • Separate discussion on car depreciation and Tesla’s unpredictable price cuts hurting resale values.
  • Several commenters argue that even perfect FSD won’t fix congestion or sprawl; better public transit, trains, and density are seen as more fundamental solutions.
  • Some see FSD and future robotaxis as a potential step toward reducing private car ownership; others think individual car culture will remain dominant.