I realize the lifetime-pass is a bit of an excessive purchase, but I bought one (the second time it was available) even though it's unknowable if Elite will really continue development for enough years for the pass to pay for itself.
But since then I've come to think that the real value of the lifetime pass is not about the money gamble and more that
I don't have to pay attention any more - I can put the game aside for months at a time, forget all about it, drop out of the community completely for a while. If there is any cool limited-time bonus stuff like (the pre-order paints) available during that time, then instead of coming back to find I missed out on something cool, I come back and find unexpected gifts waiting. Knowing I won't be missing out makes things more relaxed and fun.
Just thought I'd throw that out as a general observation, in case FDev offers a lifetime pass again before Season 3.
To me the pass has been more useful than I expected.