Will be reserving at the store on the 31st without any hesitation at all. My local store is only about 10 minutes from work, so not that big a deal to attend. Was originally going to just order online on the 1st, but figure I'll try to move up in a line a bit, and experience the "event" in person (I don't expect THOUSANDS like some are, although I am sure maybe 100 or so may show up locally).
I'm not normally an early adopter myself, but when it comes to EVs I think we are about 30 years too late transitioning to electric, so yeah, I'm VERY eager to get the next EV technology, not because I want the latest technology, but because I want to get off the old technology ASAP!
My main desire for the Model 3 is range. Currently have a Volt for long trips, but just having taken my first trip in it, I must say it's not really a comfortable drive, and besides it's basically a gas vehicle when on the road. A 200 mile car (i.e. Bolt) and a minimally configured Model 3 won't cut it in my opinion, so if bigger battery options are not available for the Model 3, I won't go through with the purchase. 250 would work, but really hoping for something in the high 200's, low 300's, and will be willing to pay for it. Beyond that, I don't really care about any other "luxury" type items (although autopilot would be nice). Basically we need to make a 750 mile trip once a year, and would like to do it in no more than 3 stops. Could TECHNICALLY do it in a 200 mile car (assuming 80% or 160 mile recharges on the road), but that assumes brand new battery, ideal conditions, and most critically, perfectly spaced charging stations, which don't exist!)
Mid to late 2018 timing would work out well. That would be long enough to get a sense that I got enough use out of my LEAF (at that point 7 years--was really hoping for 8-10, but by then I expect my range to be very poor). Also our Volt lease will be up early 2019, so could also work out as a replacement for that.
As an early adopter of the LEAF (2012 SL), I've had no regrets whatsoever. Yes, I had to wait over 2 years for the first quick charger to show up in my area; I've lost 3 bars and probably will not lose the 4th (lost the 3rd at about 54K miles--I think it will take more than 6K miles, even in the upcoming hot summer, to lose the 4th); I have experienced firsthand the relative "slowness" of 3.3kW vs 6.6kW (my wife had a 2013 LEAF before we got the Volt); I've pretty much lost all regen when it's 40 degrees out. But when I ordered the LEAF in early 2011, I knew EXACTLY what I was getting into. I did not expect to be able to upgrade the battery and take that car on long trips; the heater and 3.3kW charger were what it was at the time, and before the 6.6kW and hybrid heater came along, it was all we knew. I'm not going to hold it against Nissan or anyone because they came out with better technology later on, nor am I going to always wait for the next leap in technology, because at the rate the industry is changing, you could wait 20-30 years before the pace of innovation and improvements stabilizes. Sure, it sucks that there is a 30kWh battery that apparently fits in the same form factor as my 24kWh battery, I never expected Nissan to offer that upgrade. At the time I expected a third party upgrade would eventually be available, although at this point, I suspect the total market for such an upgrade is probably not of adequate size for a third party to invest in creating one...oh well. The car does the job I bought it for and still does it, so I've got nothing to complain about.
And as for adopting the first model year of a given vehicle, I'll say two things:
First: I think there is a difference between the first model year of a given vehicle, and the first MODEL of a given technology. Both Tesla and Nissan (and GM, and BMW, etc.) have no doubt learned TONS about EVs (and in the case of Tesla, auto manufacturing in general) from the Model S, LEAF 1.0, Volt, i3). While I certainly would expect there to be issues, I believe that the very early growing pains of Model S and LEAF 1.0 are probably due to the fact that it was their first foray into EVs or making cars in general.
Second: We actually had far more problems with my wife's 2013 LEAF than my 2012. So much in fact that we eventually got rid of it (unfortunately I suspect that this may be due to the fact that it was US made).
