Tesla FSD Subscription vs Purchase Calculator ($99/Month Breakeven)
Slide to the number of years you plan to keep your Tesla and see the total cost of the $99/month FSD subscription against the old $8,000 one-time price.
Why this matters for used Tesla buyers
New Teslas can only get FSD by subscription now, but many used Teslas still carry FSD purchased outright. At $99 a month the subscription passes $8,000 in under seven years, so a used car with transferable purchased FSD can be worth paying more for — if you'll actually use it.
When the subscription wins
- You only want FSD for road trips — subscribe for those months and cancel in between.
- You plan to sell the car within a few years.
- Your car has HW3, which may not get every future FSD feature.
Frequently asked questions
How long until the FSD subscription costs more than buying it?
At $99 a month, the subscription reaches $8,000 after about 81 months — just under 7 years of continuous use.
Can I cancel the FSD subscription anytime?
Yes. The subscription is month to month and you can cancel or restart it in the Tesla app.
Related guides
More free Tesla tools
Battery Replacement Cost Estimator
Estimate what a Tesla battery pack costs to replace out of warranty, check whether your warranty should cover it, and see cheaper options.
Battery Warranty Checker
Enter your Tesla, delivery date and mileage to see how much Battery and Drive Unit cover and basic warranty is left, when each expires, and what they pay for.
Maintenance Cost Calculator
Build an itemized Tesla maintenance budget by model and mileage — tires, rotations, cabin filters, brake fluid and wiper blades, with yearly and 5-year totals.
Cost of Ownership Calculator
Add up the true cost of owning a Tesla: depreciation, charging, insurance, maintenance, tires and registration, as a monthly figure and a total over your years.
Used Tesla Buying Checklist
A 20-point checklist for buying a used Tesla: title and history, FSD and hardware, battery health, body and tires, and the test drive. Save progress and print it.
Trade-In Value Calculator
Estimate what Tesla or a dealer will offer for your car. Enter the model, year, mileage and condition to see a trade-in range and likely private-sale value.
Lease vs Buy Calculator
Compare leasing and buying the same Tesla over your term — monthly payment, total cash out, equity left at the end, and which one costs less for your mileage.
Depreciation Calculator
See what a Tesla is worth after 1 to 10 years. Enter the model, price and age for a projected resale value, yearly loss and how it compares with rivals.
Supercharger Cost Calculator
Estimate what Supercharging costs per session, per mile and per month for your Tesla — with peak and off-peak California rates, home charging and gas compared.
Home Charging Cost Calculator
Enter your electricity rate to see what charging your Tesla at home costs per charge, per mile and per month, and the gas price that would cost you the same.
California Registration Fee Calculator
Itemized estimate of your California Tesla registration: VLF, Transportation Improvement Fee, the $121 EV Road Improvement Fee, CHP and DMV fees.
California Lemon Law Checker
Answer seven questions to see whether your Tesla meets California's lemon law presumption (18 months / 18,000 miles) and what to do next.
Tesla Insurance Cost Estimator
Estimate monthly insurance for a Model 3, Model Y, Model S or Model X in your state and compare Tesla Insurance, Lemonade, State Farm and GEICO.
Lemonade vs Tesla Insurance Calculator
Compare Lemonade and Tesla Insurance side by side for your Tesla, state and driving record, with the FSD safe-driving discount and yearly savings included.
Is Lemonade Right for Me? Quiz
A one-minute quiz that checks your state, hardware and driving habits to tell you whether Lemonade Car is worth a quote for your Tesla.
FSD Transfer Checker
Find out in seconds whether Full Self-Driving transfers with a used Tesla. Answer three questions about the car and how FSD was paid for to get a clear verdict.
Hardware Version Checker
Find out whether a Tesla has HW3 or HW4 from its model and build year, how to confirm it on the car, and what it means for FSD and insurance discounts.