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This is a good question whether Tesla survives or not. If you buy a car that is heavily dependent on software, even if the brand does not go out of business, wh

This is a good question whether Tesla survives or not. If you buy a car that is heavily dependent on software, even if the brand does not go out of business, who will support it in 10 or 20 years? Most automakers do not support their vintage cars or make new parts for them.

mikeash 7y ago
A 20 year old car today is heavily dependent on software, and they still seem to work.
- frosted-flakes 7y ago
  Are they though? The software in 20 year old cars is more akin to that in a digital wristwatch (as in, super basic and never needs updating). Also, old cars contain far more electro-mechanical components than software. In comparison, modern cars are Internet-connected computers on wheels (especially Teslas). For example, my 1999 VW has a mechanical headlight switch, dead simple mechanical starter engagement, manually-controlled climate controls (there's a direct physical connection between the dials and the flaps), electro-mechanical wiper control relay module, a basic self-contained radio, manual windows, and directly switched interior lights. Heck, the only thing that is computer-controlled is the engine timing, fuel injection, turbo actuator, dashboard dials, ABS, accelerator pedal/cruise control, airbags, and locks. And my car is hardly out of the ordinary.
  - mikeash 7y ago
    Software doesn’t just fail, though. If it works today, it’ll work tomorrow. You could lose features that depend on connectivity, but you’ll still be able to drive.
    - frosted-flakes 7y ago
      Doesn't the 3 model require a phone to unlock, and if you want a separate fob, you need to pay extra? What happens when the phone app is no longer available? I don't like that it doesn't even have a mechanical key.
      - mikeash 7y ago
        It comes with key cards and you can program additional key cards in the car.
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
patrick5415 7y ago
A 20 year old car isn’t really vintage, but it’s trivial to find parts for most cars going back at to the 90s, at both the dealership and places like Napa.

mikeash 7y ago

A 20 year old car today is heavily dependent on software, and they still seem to work.

frosted-flakes 7y ago
Are they though? The software in 20 year old cars is more akin to that in a digital wristwatch (as in, super basic and never needs updating). Also, old cars contain far more electro-mechanical components than software. In comparison, modern cars are Internet-connected computers on wheels (especially Teslas). For example, my 1999 VW has a mechanical headlight switch, dead simple mechanical starter engagement, manually-controlled climate controls (there's a direct physical connection between the dials and the flaps), electro-mechanical wiper control relay module, a basic self-contained radio, manual windows, and directly switched interior lights. Heck, the only thing that is computer-controlled is the engine timing, fuel injection, turbo actuator, dashboard dials, ABS, accelerator pedal/cruise control, airbags, and locks. And my car is hardly out of the ordinary.
- mikeash 7y ago
  Software doesn’t just fail, though. If it works today, it’ll work tomorrow. You could lose features that depend on connectivity, but you’ll still be able to drive.
  - frosted-flakes 7y ago
    Doesn't the 3 model require a phone to unlock, and if you want a separate fob, you need to pay extra? What happens when the phone app is no longer available? I don't like that it doesn't even have a mechanical key.
    - mikeash 7y ago
      It comes with key cards and you can program additional key cards in the car.
deleted 7y ago
[deleted]

patrick5415 7y ago

A 20 year old car isn’t really vintage, but it’s trivial to find parts for most cars going back at to the 90s, at both the dealership and places like Napa.