Tesla keeps bungling this production ramp. I reserved last year because I expected a $35k well featured Tesla (they even said it would have auto drive--sorry, auto drive hardware :roll
. A reasonably appointed Tesla with auto drive even without federal credit would be a steal for $35k. But with the endless delays I won't get a nickel of federal, and to get a model 3 worth owning (the basic one has less features than cars costing 2/3rd as much) I'd need premium plus eap, so I'm out $45k, which feels too much for what the car is.
...
I really do believe Tesla was--let's say--"disingenuous" with the $35k. I put a reservation in with intent for the $35k. They start producing LR cars in mid 2017, but now all they care about is LR after LR, even though getting SR out the door would actually require slightly less resources (pack is smaller). Even early reservation holders will have to wait well over a year for the SR, while tesla sells as many of the expensive one as they can.