Is the Foundation Series worth it?

[CyberT]

EDIT: I forgot to add the Destination fee of $1995 to the NON-Foundation Series Loan calculator. I added it to the (Title, registration and other fees). FIXED

I got my Foundation Series Invitation last night, and I stayed awake most of the night with excitement, a sense of "OMG my 6 years of waiting is almost finished" (instead of buying a new truck in 2017, I waited for Tesla to make one of their own) and worry because it way over my budget.

In my head, I could pull it off if I tapped into my emergency fund, sold some Crypto here, sold other things there, etc., but everything inside of me is saying no to all of that. But humor me here, and let's just say I can afford it. Now, is it worth it?

For those who are asking, I am a first 5-minute reservation holder RN11277****, I own a Tesla, and I live in So Cal.

OK, numbers time.

$79,990 - Non-Foundation Series
-$7,500 Fed Tax Credit
- $100 Reservation Credit
+ $7,000 FSD
= $79,390.

EDIT: I forgot to add in the Destination fee of $1995. I added it to the (Title, registration and other fees)

I own a townhouse and have had 1 brief power outage in the 8 years I've been here, and that was due to a planned outage. So, I wasn't interested in the Powershare feature of the Truck at this time. But In the next few years, Ill be moving back east and would highly consider doing Solar and Powershare then.


INCLUDED WITH FOUNDATION SERIES

1. LIMITED-EDITION CONFIGURATION
2. LASER-ETCHED FOUNDATION SERIES BADGE
3. FOUNDATION SERIES CABIN GRAPHIC
4. 20” CYBER WHEELS WITH 35” TIRES - ??? But I would guess $4,000.
5. WHITE DÉCOR - $??? But I would think it costs $1,000 like in other cars.
6. PREMIUM ACCESSORIES
   1. ALL-WEATHER INTERIOR LINERS - $295
   2. GLASS ROOF SUNSHADE - $115
   3. CENTER CONSOLE TRAY - 40
   4. GEAR LOCKER DIVIDERS - $45
   5. VAULT D-RINGS - $40
   6. L-TRACK HOOKS - $25
   7. L-TRACK BOTTLE OPENER - $25
7. POWERSHARE HOME BACKUP
   1. UNIVERSAL WALL CONNECTOR - $595
   2. GATEWAY V3 INCLUDED - $1000? I couldn't find exactly what the cost is
8. POWERSHARE MOBILE CONNECTOR $??? (Standard Moblie Connector is $230).
9. FULL SELF-DRIVING CAPABILITY - $7,000
10. LIFETIME PREMIUM CONNECTIVITY - $10/Month x 120 months = $1,200

The total for all of the above comes to around $15,600.
Now, what is it worth to claim one of the first 1000 VINs? Damn, that is a great question. Will the truck's value go up as a collector's dream to find 10-20 years from now, where the value could increase significantly? Probably, but it's not for sure.

If I don't take this opportunity, how long before my regular ol All-Wheel drive becomes available? 3 months? 6 months? Longer? I've waited 6 years already, and I technically don't need the truck. It's a pure 1000% want for me, more than a want, its a dream come true.

What a conundrum..........

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[VR Driving]

You will be paying a slight premium to be one of the first to own the Cybertruck. It will depend on what you do with it to be worth it. But if I were to take delivery for one now, for me financially it would be worth it as I'll be promoting my brands leveraging the massive free attention from the Cybertruck.

Since it comes with FSD, I think the price premium is reasonable.

 

[CyberT]

You will be paying a slight premium to be one of the first to own the Cybertruck. It will depend on what you do with it to be worth it. But if I were to take delivery for one now, for me financially it would be worth it as I'll be promoting my brands leveraging the massive free attention from the Cybertruck.

Since it comes with FSD, I think the price premium is reasonable.

You are correct, I didn't think about the promoting brand aspect. That could easily pay for itself

 

[Nabilriaz69]

I got my Foundation Series Invitation last night, and I stayed awake most of the night with excitement, a sense of "OMG my 6 years of waiting is almost finished" (instead of buying a new truck in 2017, I waited for Tesla to make one of their own) and worry because it way over my budget.

In my head, I could pull it off if I tapped into my emergency fund, sold some Crypto here, sold other things there, etc., but everything inside of me is saying no to all of that. But humor me here, and let's just say I can afford it. Now, is it worth it?

For those who are asking, I am a first 5-minute reservation holder RN11277****, I own a Tesla, and I live in So Cal.

OK, numbers time.

$79,990 - Non-Foundation Series
-$7,500 Fed Tax Credit
- $100 Reservation Credit
+ $7,000 FSD
= $79,390.

View attachment 31574


I own a townhouse and have had 1 brief power outage in the 8 years I've been here, and that was due to a planned outage. So, I wasn't interested in the Powershare feature of the Truck at this time. But In the next few years, Ill be moving back east and would highly consider doing Solar and Powershare then.


INCLUDED WITH FOUNDATION SERIES

1. LIMITED-EDITION CONFIGURATION
2. LASER-ETCHED FOUNDATION SERIES BADGE
3. FOUNDATION SERIES CABIN GRAPHIC
4. 20” CYBER WHEELS WITH 35” TIRES - ??? But I would guess $4,000.
5. WHITE DÉCOR - $??? But I would think it costs $1,000 like in other cars.
6. PREMIUM ACCESSORIES
   1. ALL-WEATHER INTERIOR LINERS - $295
   2. GLASS ROOF SUNSHADE - $115
   3. CENTER CONSOLE TRAY - 40
   4. GEAR LOCKER DIVIDERS - $45
   5. VAULT D-RINGS - $40
   6. L-TRACK HOOKS - $25
   7. L-TRACK BOTTLE OPENER - $25
7. POWERSHARE HOME BACKUP
   1. UNIVERSAL WALL CONNECTOR - $595
   2. GATEWAY V3 INCLUDED - $1000? I couldn't find exactly what the cost is
8. POWERSHARE MOBILE CONNECTOR $??? (Standard Moblie Connector is $230).
9. FULL SELF-DRIVING CAPABILITY - $7,000
10. LIFETIME PREMIUM CONNECTIVITY - $10/Month x 120 months = $1,200

The total for all of the above comes to around $15,600.
Now, what is it worth to claim one of the first 1000 VINs? Damn, that is a great question. Will the truck's value go up as a collector's dream to find 10-20 years from now, where the value could increase significantly? Probably, but it's not for sure.

If I don't take this opportunity, how long before my regular ol All-Wheel drive becomes available? 3 months? 6 months? Longer? I've waited 6 years already, and I technically don't need the truck. It's a pure 1000% want for me, more than a want, its a dream come true.

What a conundrum..........

You waited for 6 years , and by the way very detailed and informative post, if I were you I would go for it. Extra 20k worth it with FSD included

 

[Rutrow]

If you planned on buying FSD, then I'd say it is worth it. If not, then no.

 

[Bkb13]

There will be another $7-8,000 (TX) to $10-11,000 (CA) in taxes and registration.

 

[Deleted member 17810]

One of those, if you have to ask... situations.

 

[CyberT]

You waited for 6 years , and by the way very detailed and informative post, if I were you I would go for it. Extra 20k worth it with FSD included

The deal with FSD is that it's included in the Foundation Series ($12k). But I have FSD reserved for $7k, and with the Non-Foundation Series All-Wheel drive, it's under $80k, so I get the $7500 Tax credit, which makes the Truck $79,490 with FSD.

So you can look at it that both versions come with FSD included.

Now, its $20k difference for everything else besides FSD

 

[Rutrow]

Oh right. I forgot to take into account the $7k FSD price. Good points. I would not buy the Beast because I most needed range, not acceleration. I'm waiting for the AWD and may even wait to make sure the Range Extender is actually produced*

I'm RN112754980 so I'll likely be invited to configure before "late 2024"

*I have my doubts. ?

EDIT: 11274... 11275... don't count on a 60 year old brain to remember a 10 digit number ???

 

[Cyberdoggy]

I have the same problem. I was not planning on FSD. I use enhanced autopilot a lot, but I heard that FSD isn't ready for prime time. This is a tough one.

 

[CyberT]

I have the same problem. I was not planning on FSD. I use enhanced autopilot a lot, but I heard that FSD isn't ready for prime time. This is a tough one.

I opted in 2018 not to get FSD on my Model3 for the same reasons. But FSD has obviously made HUGE improvements since then, and V12 looks really promising. The fine print says that FSD will be available in the future with an OTA for the CT. So who knows exactly when that will be, but I imagine FSD will be ready for the CT before Q4 of 2024. I plan on keeping this truck for 10+ years, and I figure that FSD will be full-featured in the next 2 years, so for me, it's worth it to have my truck drive me around for the back 8+ years, especially at the discounted price of $7k.

 

[Chris9702L]

I’d wait. First you do not get the tax credit, soon (2024) not to be a credit and amount taken off right at the dealership. Second, don’t think resale will matter if is a Foundation Series unless that thing is mint and you don’t drive it. Third, I’d definitely want a $700 payment vs a $1000 payment for “6 years”. And lastly, it’s only 1000 vehicles. Those should be built and sold pretty quickly and then they will get on to the normal buyers pretty quickly. I’m a 1128…. and I’m expecting mine before the middle of next year.

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

EDIT: I forgot to add the Destination fee of $1995 to the NON-Foundation Series Loan calculator. I added it to the (Title, registration and other fees). FIXED

I got my Foundation Series Invitation last night, and I stayed awake most of the night with excitement, a sense of "OMG my 6 years of waiting is almost finished" (instead of buying a new truck in 2017, I waited for Tesla to make one of their own) and worry because it way over my budget.

In my head, I could pull it off if I tapped into my emergency fund, sold some Crypto here, sold other things there, etc., but everything inside of me is saying no to all of that. But humor me here, and let's just say I can afford it. Now, is it worth it?

For those who are asking, I am a first 5-minute reservation holder RN11277****, I own a Tesla, and I live in So Cal.

OK, numbers time.

$79,990 - Non-Foundation Series
-$7,500 Fed Tax Credit
- $100 Reservation Credit
+ $7,000 FSD
= $79,390.

EDIT: I forgot to add in the Destination fee of $1995. I added it to the (Title, registration and other fees)

I own a townhouse and have had 1 brief power outage in the 8 years I've been here, and that was due to a planned outage. So, I wasn't interested in the Powershare feature of the Truck at this time. But In the next few years, Ill be moving back east and would highly consider doing Solar and Powershare then.


INCLUDED WITH FOUNDATION SERIES

1. LIMITED-EDITION CONFIGURATION
2. LASER-ETCHED FOUNDATION SERIES BADGE
3. FOUNDATION SERIES CABIN GRAPHIC
4. 20” CYBER WHEELS WITH 35” TIRES - ??? But I would guess $4,000.
5. WHITE DÉCOR - $??? But I would think it costs $1,000 like in other cars.
6. PREMIUM ACCESSORIES
   1. ALL-WEATHER INTERIOR LINERS - $295
   2. GLASS ROOF SUNSHADE - $115
   3. CENTER CONSOLE TRAY - 40
   4. GEAR LOCKER DIVIDERS - $45
   5. VAULT D-RINGS - $40
   6. L-TRACK HOOKS - $25
   7. L-TRACK BOTTLE OPENER - $25
7. POWERSHARE HOME BACKUP
   1. UNIVERSAL WALL CONNECTOR - $595
   2. GATEWAY V3 INCLUDED - $1000? I couldn't find exactly what the cost is
8. POWERSHARE MOBILE CONNECTOR $??? (Standard Moblie Connector is $230).
9. FULL SELF-DRIVING CAPABILITY - $7,000
10. LIFETIME PREMIUM CONNECTIVITY - $10/Month x 120 months = $1,200

The total for all of the above comes to around $15,600.
Now, what is it worth to claim one of the first 1000 VINs? Damn, that is a great question. Will the truck's value go up as a collector's dream to find 10-20 years from now, where the value could increase significantly? Probably, but it's not for sure.

If I don't take this opportunity, how long before my regular ol All-Wheel drive becomes available? 3 months? 6 months? Longer? I've waited 6 years already, and I technically don't need the truck. It's a pure 1000% want for me, more than a want, its a dream come true.

What a conundrum..........

Although you have done a nice price breakdown (thanks for that!), the only thing that matters is the last paeagraph. There are a couple of missing intanbibles: (1) first run will have issues that will likely be resolved within the year, and (2) it is possible that Tesla could improve 4680 performance and cost in the next year. Is the extra time waiting and agonizing worth it? What value do we put on stress? For me at my age I’d say that the added stress is worth a lot more than it was 20 years ago

 

[CyberT]

I’d wait. First you do not get the tax credit, soon (2024) not to be a credit and amount taken off right at the dealership. Second, don’t think resale will matter if is a Foundation Series unless that thing is mint and you don’t drive it. Third, I’d definitely want a $700 payment vs a $1000 payment for “6 years”. And lastly, it’s only 1000 vehicles. Those should be built and sold pretty quickly and then they will get on to the normal buyers pretty quickly. I’m a 1128…. and I’m expecting mine before the middle of next year.

That is some truth. In my head, I'm 99% with you. But the 1% is screaming loud that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

 

[Chris9702L]

I do feel for that 1% ??

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