Why HW3 matters

If your buy box is “current FSD computer,” Hardware 3 is a dealbreaker. A $28,000 2021 Model 3 Performance can be a fine car and still be the wrong computer. Discounting HW3 toward new M3P at $54,990 hides that.

HW3 cars can remain useful if you do not care about HW4 cameras or Tesla's current FSD path. This site is explicit about that fork. The checker labels HW3 as a dealbreaker for HW4/FSD-computer shoppers even when the price looks cheap vs new.

Do not assume a software transfer or a future retrofit will paper over the gap. Shop the hardware that is in the car today.