Foundation Series finally over?

[HaulingAss]

However, I still feel like that person is vastly outnumbered on this forum by the people that got the Foundation Series without Free Supercharging and want Elon to do something about it.

It would be very dumb for Elon to give Free Lifetime Supercharging to people who purchased a Cybertruck with paid Supercharging.

Free Supercharging is used as a sales incentive to keep production flowing to customers. When there is no incentive to offer it, no company will offer it.

I'm shocked at the kind of thinking people display here. Do they not understand what a sales incentive is? Do they think legacy auto makes cash rebates retroactive to people who already purchased? I feel like people who expect Tesla to gift Free Lifetime Supercharging to people who have already purchased a Cybertruck without Free Lifetime Supercharging have lost touch with reality. Completely. Please stop the insane thinking by people with no clue what makes the world go around.

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[Hookalakupua]

Free super-charging sales incentive pushed us into making a purchase on the Foundation Series CT. Posting this in order to add our personal perspective on why it was worth it, not to justify or debate but to show why it may be worth it to some.

Background:
Two $100 deposits made within minutes of the announcement. RN112746 and RN112793. The first reservation came up in December of 2023, with delivery in Feb/Mar if memory serves me correctly. Immediately put down the $1000 deposit but when the time came for delivery, I asked to push it back. I wanted to see what, if any, potential issues continued to appear, 1 of our key investments wasn't performing well, I was still working through whether or not it was something that made financial sense for us and I was trying to decide if waiting until the end of 2024 would potentially yield some sort of new end of year benefits as seen in the past.

Fast forward to August and after much deliberation, I made the conscious decision to forfeit the deposit, betting that the 1K initial loss, would be offset by allowing time for investments to yield a larger return and betting on some sort of December perk.

After ordering a Model X for my mother-in-law on the 23rd of Dec ($6500 savings on ordering the 6th seat, we started watching intently to see if anything would be announced for the CT. We had been doing our diligence since October and were fairly confident that something would be coming but when the announcement of free Super-Charging for Life was announced on the 27th, we couldn't believe it! One of our assets was nearing an all time high and of all the possible scenarios we were hoping for, this was at the top of our list! The loss of the $4,000 credit wasn't a big concern as we were already moving forward with Tesla Solar and Power-Walls and the yearly savings would make up for it's loss. We knew the math would be in our favor in terms of an ROI (return on investment) based upon our current situation and mileage driven and knowing the energy consumption of the CT, it was a no-brainer at that time for us. The time at Super-Chargers was of little concern as we've been using them for almost 2 years and use the time for either work or to shop.

Savings: *Best estimates
24,000 miles per year in the Bay Area with numerous trips to Tahoe/Reno, NV along with 2 larger family road trips
Replaced vehicle is a Sequoia at 15mpg is 1600 gallons/year. 1600 x $4.50/gallon is a cost of $7200/year. This $7200 is pre tax so in California it will end up being a savings of close to $10,000/yr for us and doesn't include potential yearly maintenance savings.
California super charger costs for us are at about 0.45/kWh on average and are about to go up as our utility company voted for its 6th rate increase in 2024 before the end of the year. *Note, if we look at the current pricing at a variety of superchargers in the Bay Area that we frequent (Los Gatos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Los Altos etc.) using Tesla's website, we see rates as high as .70/kWh, even though they don't yet show up on our MY when we search for them. We're guessing that they're future rates but time will tell. Looking at historical gas and electricity costs in the State over the past 10 years, we're confident that prices will continue to increase over the next 7-10 years, which is how long we hope to have the CT at a minimum.

With superchargers all around us in the bay and off quick and easy exits, there isn't much of a time loss for us as we usually tie it into grocery shopping or running errands. We even use the time to get a workout in if we have to charge for longer than 30+ minutes.

We will use the CT weekly to tow jetskis to Lake Tahoe in the summer, snowmobiles for a couple of months in the winter and a SxS during a yearly hunt and on family vacations. With the mileage lost when towing, free supercharging will just be another added perk during such events.

Now all of this could go out the window for a bunch of different reasons but for now, it's already starting to pay dividends over the first 1,000 miles and we couldn't be happier. We rolled the dice, got lucky and have been grinning from ear to ear ever since. Still would have loved having the truck back in March but having it now and with free supercharging, has made it all worth it for us.

*Will post back with full details either way on Dec. 31st.
**Although we have a home charger at our residence in Reno, we're unfortunately renting in the Bay and don't have that option so everything is off of supercharging for us.
***Not all roses and rainbows as pickup at SC was a disaster and truck has several things that it has to go into the service center for.

 

[TownBiz]

Free super-charging pushed us into making a purchase on the Foundation Series. Posting this in order to add our personal perspective on why it was worth it, not to justify or debate but to show why it may be worth it to some.

Background:
Two $100 deposits made within minutes of the announcement. RN112746 and RN112793. The first reservation came up in December of 2023, with delivery in Feb/Mar if memory serves me correctly. Immediately put down the $1000 deposit but when the time came for delivery, I asked to push it back. I wanted to see what, if any, potential issues continued to appear, 1 of our key investments wasn't performing well, I was still working through whether or not it was something that made financial sense for us and I was trying to decide if waiting until the end of 2024 would potentially yield some sort of new end of year benefits as seen in the past.

Fast forward to August and after much deliberation, I made the conscious decision to forfeit the deposit, betting that the 1K initial loss, would be offset by allowing time for investments to yield a larger return and betting on some sort of December perk.

After ordering a Model X for my mother-in-law on the 23rd of Dec ($6500 savings on ordering the 6th seat, we started watching intently to see if anything would be announced for the CT. We had been doing our diligence since October and were fairly confident that something would be coming but when the announcement of free Super-Charging for Life was announced on the 27th, we couldn't believe it! One of our assets was nearing an all time high and of all the possible scenarios we were hoping for, this was at the top of our list! The loss of the $4,000 credit wasn't a big concern as we were already moving forward with Tesla Solar and Power-Walls and the yearly savings would make up for it's loss. We knew the math would be in our favor in terms of an ROI (return on investment) based upon our current situation and mileage driven and knowing the energy consumption of the CT, it was a no-brainer at that time for us. The time at Super-Chargers was of little concern as we've been using them for almost 2 years and use the time for either work or to shop.

Savings: *Best estimates
24,000 miles per year in the Bay Area with numerous trips to Tahoe/Reno, NV along with 2 larger family road trips
Replaced vehicle is a Sequoia at 15mpg is 1600 gallons/year. 1600 x $4.50/gallon is a cost of $7200/year. This $7200 is pre tax so in California it will end up being a savings of close to $10,000 for us and doesn't include potential yearly maintenance savings.
California super charger costs for us are at about 0.45/kWh on average and are about to go up as our utility company voted for its 6th rate increase in 2024 before the end of the year. *Note, if we look at the current pricing at a variety of superchargers in the Bay Area that we frequent (Los Gatos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Los Altos etc.) using Tesla's website, we see rates as high as .70/kWh, even though they don't yet show up on our MY when we search for them. We're guessing that they're future rates but time will tell. Looking at historical gas and electricity costs in the State over the past 10 years, we're confident that prices will continue to increase over the next 7-10 years, which is how long we hope to have the CT at a minimum.

With superchargers all around us in the bay and off quick and easy exits, there isn't much of a time loss for us as we usually tie it into grocery shopping or running errands. We even use the time to get a workout in if we have to charge for longer than 30+ minutes.

We will use the CT weekly to tow jetskis to Lake Tahoe in the summer, snowmobiles for a couple of months in the winter and a SxS during a yearly hunt and on family vacations. With the mileage lost when towing, free supercharging will just be another added perk during such events.

Now all of this could go out the window for a bunch of different reasons but for now, it's already starting to pay dividends over the first 1,000 miles and we couldn't be happier. We rolled the dice, got lucky and have been grinning from ear to ear ever since. Still would have loved having the truck back in March but having it now and with free supercharging, has made it all worth it for us.

*Will post back with full details either way on Dec. 31st.
**Although we have a home charger at our residence in Reno, we're unfortunately renting in the Bay and don't have that option so everything is off of supercharging for us.

Logical move with the regular 3 hr drives from the bay to Tahoe etc.

While our house was being renovated, we were living that SC only life and it was not great. Although we also have a bunch of SCs near where we lived, often they were busy and time was wasted waiting to juice up. Overnight charging at home is just so much more convenient - and when you have NEM 2 solar, the cost isn’t awful (although PG&E will continue to jack rates up in the future undoubtedly).

Net-net, it makes sense if you do a lot of road trips. But if you have solar and primarily charge at home the numbers don’t add up so easily.

 

[Crissa]

There's been 30-40 of them for several months at a parking lot in Mesa, AZ - a couple aren't FS ... most are

They weren't offered to the coast, tho.

-Crissa

 

[CyberT1]

Overnight, it looks like there is no longer any inventory posted on Tesla‘s website although the free supercharging promotion is still on the banner.

Unlikely that they were all sold since they have been stuck on the lots for a while and the free supercharging offer isn’t super compelling for many folks.

Curious if they have all been purposed as demo/showroom trucks or if there was some orbital buffing of badges…

Regardless, it was a fun year for all of us early adopters. My one year anniversary is coming up on the 19th - good times!

There is still foundation series still available on the Resla Site BUT they get free charging including the Beast as of 1/14/25

 

[Sjohnson20]

With free supercharging and my current rate of Cybertruck travel I could probably get 5k in supercharging savings if I keep the truck for 5 more years. That would really be pushing it though.

I’m not surprised that it’s getting people to buy. Add the word free to anything and people will bite. They will spend more.

 

[SCTesla]

With free supercharging and my current rate of Cybertruck travel I could probably get 5k in supercharging savings if I keep the truck for 5 more years. That would really be pushing it though.

I’m not surprised that it’s getting people to buy. Add the word free to anything and people will bite. They will spend more.

Doesn't look very effective.

Or there are just a lot of FS and they are making them available in batches.

 

[Sjohnson20]

I see a lot of demo vehicles for sale now. I noticed the service center here got rid of theirs when I went in to drop off my truck for the inverter recall yesterday. That thing was beat up no way would I buy one.

 

[TownBiz]

I see a lot of demo vehicles for sale now. I noticed the service center here got rid of theirs when I went in to drop off my truck for the inverter recall yesterday. That thing was beat up no way would I buy one.

Agree, Tesla’s demo incentives are always pretty lame and these things are BEAT.

 

[not_elon_]

Agree, Tesla’s demo incentives are always pretty lame and these things are BEAT.

It’s like hoeflation

 

[CyberTruckz]

Agree, Tesla’s demo incentives are always pretty lame and these things are BEAT.

If they offered a real discount I would bite but the ones they offer are a joke. If I drive it off the lot it depreciates like crazy but apparently when they do it’s only a $1/mile.

 

[Zane Edwards]

Free supercharging needs to be given to all foundation series buyers.

that would be nice!

 

[Carnut12]

Foundation trucks back online. Even some demo’s now.

 

[supa2001]

I lost $4,000 power share credit, Plus Qmerit gets me a $8,500 quote for a one day install and I only been waiting for a revised quote but no answer. It's funny that there only one company in charge of all quotes for the install. So please don't expect free supercharging ?

call other tesla powerwall installer found on tesla website, they are cheaper.

 

[dalton108]

Foundation trucks back online. Even some demo’s now.

Again compare and contrast with the introduction of the C8 or (even C7 Corvette) both of which I purchased. You couldn’t get one for *years! Even after they were starting to become regularly available, virtually no one was able to get either one at MSRP for years after launch.

I’ve already explained how the C8 is directly analogous to the CT in terms of what it meant as a radical departure from the past for its manufacturer.

This is not a good sign, I don’t care who wants to spin it in any other direction - for whatever their motivations may be.

*I did well on getting my C8 because I had already purchased a C7 and was treated with respect because of loyalty. Since I bought four Teslas before my CT, I feel like this is something else that Tesla could stand to learn about and improve. I am personally responsible, through my advocacy, for the sale of no less than a dozen Teslas to friends and family outside of the five that I’ve personally purchased. It’d be nice to be shown some of that love back. ?

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