Buying the FS CT Isn't Logical

[davelloydbrown]

I see a lot of furrowed brows and wringing of hands on this forum over whether or not it makes sense to take TSLA up on their Foundation Series offer. Isn't it so much more logical to wait a couple more years for better battery performance, functioning FSD, bugs to be worked out? Or, better yet, switch up our CT reservations to a new M3 or MY with all the price cuts and rebates.

I understand completely. The CT is a hard choice when attempting to insert logic into the equation. For me it is simpler than that: When I'm 80 my grandkids will stumble upon a picture of me standing next to my Cybertruck in 2024....

"You had one of those, Pop?! What was it like?"

Kind of like me seeing a picture of my Pop standing next to his new Corvette split-window coupe in 1963 - a car that people couldn't believe existed even when they saw it with their own eyes. Many of that car's shortcomings were fixed in future versions of the C2 Corvette.

But...there was only one moment in history people got to drive a new 1963 corvette down the street. And feel that feeling.

My grandpop could have shown me a picture of himself standing next to his new '63 Malibu (a very cool car, btw) and told me how much more logical a choice it was.

"That's cool, Pop. Can you pass the green beans?"

There's only one moment in history any of us will get to drive a new 2024 Cybertruck down the street. And feel that feeling.

I got one of the early M3 in 2018, which isn't the same as a true early adopter who got a roadster or an early MS, but I still feel like an early adopter as the M3 was the vehicle that brought Tesla and BEV's into the public eye with the vision of mass adoption of EV's and the chance to change the course of history.

I can wait a little longer for a CT that meets my needs and my M3 is still running well and a great car.

Sponsored

 

[Gurule92]

For those who did buy the model 3 when it first came out, did it come with enhanced autopilot? I had a co-worker who bought earlier than me and he had it but said he didnt remember opting for it specifically. Also, was there alcantara in that one? If im not just making these things up, then it seems like there was at least some reason that it was more expensive. But i can totally get the feeling you get when they lower it after you early adopted. They made white free right after i paid extra for it and i was salty lol

 

[geoffgeoff]

Can TESLA tell a potential buyer if their home will qualify for the power system before committing?

As an aside, we have a Generac with a 1000-gallon propane tank. In the past year, we have used if for outages between 1 hour and 6 hours about a half dozen times, we have only needed it for an outage lasting over 6 hours once and that lasted 8 days, (regional ice storm -VERY glad to have it.)

Any small loads can be powered by the CT. The only absolute is to disconnect/open the breaker to grid AND place your standby generator in OFF so it doesn't try to start nor ABT switch to generator.

Moreover, the fact that you already have a standby generator probably indicates that your home's electrical system is acceptable to Tesla. But, who cares? Anyone with even a modicum of electrical knowledge can reverse feed their home, open breakers to large AC units or other large and not-needed loads to get as long a duration of normal household power to make it through the outage.
My plan is to allow my Generac to run during the day, but switch over to the CT at night so as to not have any noise as well as to minimize load.

 

[davelloydbrown]

For those who did buy the model 3 when it first came out, did it come with enhanced autopilot? I had a co-worker who bought earlier than me and he had it but said he didnt remember opting for it specifically. Also, was there alcantara in that one? If im not just making these things up, then it seems like there was at least some reason that it was more expensive. But i can totally get the feeling you get when they lower it after you early adopted. They made white free right after i paid extra for it and i was salty lol

I have the 23 k model 3 made which was RWD (I wish I had AWD for driving in snow and ice but it wasn't available) and is long range. There was no white interior, only black and the cellular connection was free for life. It also has radar, ultrasonic sensors and the 2170 batteries which I feel are superior to the present 4680's.

I am glad I didn't pay for the FSD, because I don't think it can be updated to the 3.0/4.0 hardware that is now needed for FSD. It doesn't have adaptive cruise but has a free upgrade with the software that keeps the car on the road - which I find annoying so I shut it off.

Don't know what alcantara is?

 

[Tedacules]

Can TESLA tell a potential buyer if their home will qualify for the power system before committing?

As an aside, we have a Generac with a 1000-gallon propane tank. In the past year, we have used if for outages between 1 hour and 6 hours about a half dozen times, we have only needed it for an outage lasting over 6 hours once and that lasted 8 days, (regional ice storm -VERY glad to have it.)

I have a Tesla power roof just waiting for some better options on Battery Storage.

 

[FarAway]

Any small loads can be powered by the CT. The only absolute is to disconnect/open the breaker to grid AND place your standby generator in OFF so it doesn't try to start nor ABT switch to generator.

Moreover, the fact that you already have a standby generator probably indicates that your home's electrical system is acceptable to Tesla. But, who cares? Anyone with even a modicum of electrical knowledge can reverse feed their home, open breakers to large AC units or other large and not-needed loads to get as long a duration of normal household power to make it through the outage.
My plan is to allow my Generac to run during the day, but switch over to the CT at night so as to not have any noise as well as to minimize load.

All good info, Geoff, thank you, but it didn't answer the question.

Can TESLA tell a potential buyer if their home will qualify for the power system before committing?

I have absolutely zero interest in supercharger credits. NONE, ZILCH, there are none located near me and at least for now we would drive another vehicle if going far.

We do have three buildings with meters on the property. The standby generator is for the main home, another building already has a manual disconnect and a receptacle to plug in an outdoor generator (or battery). However, I would probably use the CT to power my shop, (keep the lights and HVAC on and the beer cold), which would be an easy install. It would at least be of some benefit if TESLA paid these associated (minimal) costs. I understand it is not only if your home "qualifies" but it also depends on TESLA having a (contract?) technician in your area that can do the work?

 

[pricedm]

... Model X had over 100k miles on it and had towed around 25k miles. It currently has over 200k miles on it.

Nice! Great to hear about these well-used and cared-for Teslas.

 

[Beyond]

this forum’s most surprising aspect, to me, is the number of folks over 70

I regularly run into the opinion in forums (and elsewhere) that older people don't appreciate technology or even new ideas. Not really true. Almost everyone I know that has ordered a Cybertruck (or Tesla in general) is over 70, but then of course I know quite a few people over 70. The people I meet who really hate the Cybertruck are generally younger. I guess that gives them more time to update their ideas...

 

[pricedm]

For those who did buy the model 3 when it first came out, did it come with enhanced autopilot?

10/2018 purchase date, VIN 111,###. EAP was a $5,000 option.

I later upgraded ($2k or $3k) to FSD. One big reason at the time was to get the upgraded computer, from version 2.5 to version 3.

 

[pricedm]

I regularly run into the opinion in forums (and elsewhere) that older people don't appreciate technology or even new ideas. Not really true. Almost everyone I know that has ordered a Cybertruck (or Tesla in general) is over 70, but then of course I know quite a few people over 70. The people I meet who really hate the Cybertruck are generally younger. I guess that gives them more time to update their ideas...

My dad was in his early 80s when he put in a Cybertruck reservation, 11/2019. Unfortunately he's on his next, eternal journey. My sister took over his account and reservation. Indeed, YOLO. He was a big fan of the yoke and Cybertruck.

Agree, seems a lot of people age 50+ are very open to Tesla technology, from FSD to Cybertruck.

 

[scottyah]

So a common practice for trailer haulers to install in-bed gas tanks should be considered a band-aid?

Those add on 1,000 miles of range (75 gal looks about same size though more vertical than CT's, Tacoma's get 20mpg which would be 1500 miles, but I took off a third just to prove a point). CT's adds on not even enough to match what they originally promised, and towing would cut it in half lol.

They may have similar locations, sizes, and intended purposes but they are levels different in terms of functionality.

 

[AlDente]

I played a Cybertruck guessing game and leased a 2021 Model Y as a placeholder for the Cybertruck I would surely have by June of 2024. Looks like that isn't happening as my Dec 3rd 2019 reservation puts me above 300K in the reservation que. I guess a miracle could happen and I get the email by that time but more likely it will be 2025-ish.

So, the current strategy is to buy a Model Y (I need the tow hitch) at lease end and wait for a more mature version of Cybertruck that can be purchased in the future. I love the utility and economy of the Model Y so despite my wanting a Cybertruck, the practical side of me says wait. Having built many things in my life, measure twice, cut once is a sound operating principle.

 

[fritter63]

Kind of like me seeing a picture of my Pop standing next to his new Corvette split-window coupe in 1963 - a car that people couldn't believe existed even when they saw it with their own eyes. Many of that car's shortcomings were fixed in future versions of the C2 Corvette.

Nowadays they would claim it's just a fake photoshop and we never really built the corvette......

My grandpop could have shown me a picture of himself standing next to his new '63 Malibu (a very cool car, btw) and told me how much more logical a choice it was.

Have to say, I REALLY miss my old '68 Malibu "college car" (bought for $200!). But I just HAD to trade it in on a new Toyota truck the week after I graduated.....

 

[fritter63]

So, the current strategy is to buy a Model Y (I need the tow hitch) at lease end and wait for a more mature version of Cybertruck that can be purchased in the future. I love the utility and economy of the Model Y so despite my wanting a Cybertruck, the practical side of me says wait. Having built many things in my life, measure twice, cut once is a sound operating principle.

I am in the same boat. Been 4 years since I traded my truck for a Model 3 and been waiting on the CT. And the reality is, a Model Y with a hitch and a utility trailer would be a much cheaper solution and meet all our needs. Actually debating going down to just one car now that we're retired.

 

[Woodrick]

For me, yes it is. It wasn’t I who promised the world in 2019 over 400 miles of range. Never was there it mentioned “for 16k more you can decrease your bed storage, towing and weight capacity while raise your center of gravity and increasing your curb weight with an add on so you aren’t considered a commercial vehicle” or did I miss that disclaimer?

Nor were those numbers promised. They were forward looking statements.

Look, we all understand yall are upset that Tesla missed it's numbers by 60 miles on the Cybertruck. It's been 60 days, can we not move on from that?

Sponsored