Tesla wants to buy back my Foundation Series Cyberbeast. Swap for a new one, or keep the current one?

[Priapism]

Hi everyone, first post here. As the title says, Tesla wants to buy back my Foundation Series Cyberbeast.

Have a few questions:
-What are the differences between the foundation series beast and a new one that isn't foundation series?
-Is there a way to make a new one exactly like the foundation series I currently have?
-Has there been any big changes regarding panel adhesive, other components, features, ect?

The sales people at my local dealer didn't have any specifics for me unfortunately.

I greatly appreciate the help

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[Priapism]

For those who are curious of what issues lead to this point, here's a list of all I can remember
-driver side cant rail delamination
-passenger side front fender delamination
-right body controller replacement
-both left and right rear motor power inverters replaced
-driver side rear brake caliper, abs sensor, wiring harness replacement
-driver side rear plastic trim replacement by the door
-passenger side bed trim repair
-door adjustment

The invoice regarding these repairs have a lot more details. This is just a summary.

Tesla has done a great job fixing the issues pretty fast. Especially the electrical components. They provided a loaner all those times. Body panel delamination issues were a bit more of a headache. Metal tape and gorilla glue were used until tesla had the part delivered to the service center.

 

[Deleted member 22486]

I totally get why you love the Cybertruck (I do as well), but here are some stark facts:
1. Tesla bought your truck back—you weren’t alone. One owner reported 15 service visits and 55 days out of commission due to issues like suspension clunks, door misalignment, water leaks, drive-unit faults, and PowerShare failure  .
2. Tesla’s trade-in values for Foundation Series Dual‑Motor models are cratering:
• Trade-in offers show values falling ~37–38%, e.g., from $100K to around $63K after ~20K miles  .
• Broader market reports note drops of up to 45%, and one data point even suggests a 51% slump — meaning a $100K truck could be worth less than $50K used .
3. Quality defects are still pervasive: multiple recalls—at least eight to date—cover issues from accelerator pedals to trim panels and camera malfunctions. Yes, a lot of these recalls are software based, but a lot are not.

What This Means for You
• When Tesla repurchased your truck, they clearly acknowledged systemic issues.
• The steep depreciation means re-buying—or even continuing to drive—may cost you tens of thousands out-of-pocket.
• You’re essentially beta-testing a $100K vehicle—with the market rewarding earlier adopters with steep financial penalties.

Final Take

If you’re considering buying another Cybertruck now, pause for a second. Tesla hasn’t fully shaken its early-production woes. Depreciation is brutal, and quality issues are still being sorted. You might be better off waiting until later production runs stabilize, or you could consider alternatives that hold value and reliability better in the interim.

 

[Gaximus]

Make sure you get the PowerShare or $2500 credits. And light at, and keep all accessories. Then take the newer built CB. Make sure they will transfer FSD. Then take a new one. With that many issues I would take the deal. I wouldn’t take make The trade for mine, with no issues, wouldn’t even be worth the wrap I have on it.
Go have some fun on those tires first though.

 

[rovert43]

Hi everyone, first post here. As the title says, Tesla wants to buy back my Foundation Series Cyberbeast.

Have a few questions:
-What are the differences between the foundation series beast and a new one that isn't foundation series?
-Is there a way to make a new one exactly like the foundation series I currently have?
-Has there been any big changes regarding panel adhesive, other components, features, ect?

The sales people at my local dealer didn't have any specifics for me unfortunately.

I greatly appreciate the help

Yes, but it'll never be a FS as that's reserved for year one early adopters.

 

[Priapism]

Make sure you get the PowerShare or $2500 credits. And light at, and keep all accessories. Then take the newer built CB. Make sure they will transfer FSD. Then take a new one. With that many issues I would take the deal. I wouldn’t take make The trade for mine, with no issues, wouldn’t even be worth the wrap I have on it.
Go have some fun on those tires first though.

This was a great point. I talked to tesla and the sales rep said I can transfer fsd and can use the power share credit.

 

[Priapism]

I totally get why you love the Cybertruck (I do as well), but here are some stark facts:
1. Tesla bought your truck back—you weren’t alone. One owner reported 15 service visits and 55 days out of commission due to issues like suspension clunks, door misalignment, water leaks, drive-unit faults, and PowerShare failure  .
2. Tesla’s trade-in values for Foundation Series Dual‑Motor models are cratering:
• Trade-in offers show values falling ~37–38%, e.g., from $100K to around $63K after ~20K miles  .
• Broader market reports note drops of up to 45%, and one data point even suggests a 51% slump — meaning a $100K truck could be worth less than $50K used .
3. Quality defects are still pervasive: multiple recalls—at least eight to date—cover issues from accelerator pedals to trim panels and camera malfunctions. Yes, a lot of these recalls are software based, but a lot are not.

What This Means for You
• When Tesla repurchased your truck, they clearly acknowledged systemic issues.
• The steep depreciation means re-buying—or even continuing to drive—may cost you tens of thousands out-of-pocket.
• You’re essentially beta-testing a $100K vehicle—with the market rewarding earlier adopters with steep financial penalties.

Final Take

If you’re considering buying another Cybertruck now, pause for a second. Tesla hasn’t fully shaken its early-production woes. Depreciation is brutal, and quality issues are still being sorted. You might be better off waiting until later production runs stabilize, or you could consider alternatives that hold value and reliability better in the interim.

What alternative would you suggest? I tried the hummer ev. It is cool but lacks the tech and all. I need a truck and drive a lot

 

[LuckyStrike]

I would take the buy back and get a new one. The only thing you can’t get on it is the lightbar - at least at this point. I have the AWD FS but I do like the idea of the improvements that have been made on newer builds

 

[Sjohnson20]

If it was me I would get another Cybertruck. Yes there will be depreciation but cars are not investments. I drive what I like.

 

[Mal]

I would get another CT just to piss Bobio off. Maybe two.

 

[JCERRN]

Hi everyone, first post here. As the title says, Tesla wants to buy back my Foundation Series Cyberbeast.

Have a few questions:
-What are the differences between the foundation series beast and a new one that isn't foundation series?
-Is there a way to make a new one exactly like the foundation series I currently have?
-Has there been any big changes regarding panel adhesive, other components, features, ect?

The sales people at my local dealer didn't have any specifics for me unfortunately.

I greatly appreciate the help

Howdy, welcome!
To clarify- when Tesla buys back a vehicle, they are essentially buying the vehicle from you and giving you a check. If you choose to initiate another purchase, you will follow the same process as if you were buying a vehicle, there is no trade or swap option.

fs vs non fs: the differences are cosmetic. 99% of the options that came with fs for 20k are available for purchase. The beast comes with soft textured dash and silver yacht flooring.

speaking from personal experience, I had a 2024 foundation series all-wheel-drive and ended up having Tesla buy it back due to a multitude of issues and 30+ days in service within the first three months. I waited a few months until the 2025s came out but I felt the same way. I could not see myself spending similar money on any other vehicle, and other vehicles felt like they weren’t worth what they were being sold for used or new. I bought a new one, but I also understood how Service worked a little better.

In my opinion, if you can, wait a bit. Tesla is iterative, they get better with time. Invest the money and when you're ready, buy another one

 

[nallen]

Tesla bought my foundation CT back. 9 months of ownership.. It was a sad day but it had issues they couldn’t fix. It was a bitter sweet experience. Every issue I had with the truck Service would say was normal characteristics of the truck. Tesla buying it back and sending it straight to engineering was a bit telling. GPS showed. It has been difficult to find something to replace it. have chosen to wait a few years until they work a few things out. If Tesla would not have bought it back, I would not consider getting another cybertruck. But at the end of the day, whoever in Tesla that decided to buy it back did the right thing and I respect that in a company.

 

[Beetlebug62]

For those who are curious of what issues lead to this point, here's a list of all I can remember
-driver side cant rail delamination
-passenger side front fender delamination
-right body controller replacement
-both left and right rear motor power inverters replaced
-driver side rear brake caliper, abs sensor, wiring harness replacement
-driver side rear plastic trim replacement by the door
-passenger side bed trim repair
-door adjustment

The invoice regarding these repairs have a lot more details. This is just a summary.

Tesla has done a great job fixing the issues pretty fast. Especially the electrical components. They provided a loaner all those times. Body panel delamination issues were a bit more of a headache. Metal tape and gorilla glue were used until tesla had the part delivered to the service center.

Glue seems good. I've seen the video of that guy with every panel replaced. Made me go out and pull on every panel to check. That's insane. As for some parts replaced, sometimes it's the luck of the draw, since those components are commodities.

Mine's a February build, and so far no issues, fingers-crossed.

Oh, the tonneau has the weep holes showing, but I'm not sure that's worth a visit to the SC, as leakage is minor, and adding a slat might not improve it. The gasket at the tailgate presses tightly, and I wonder if I adjusted that to press less tightly, maybe the weep holes wouldn't show. I can't imagine how something made of metal slats could be the wrong design length.

 

[Coagulation]

What about letting them buy this back, skipping all depreciation and buying a lightly used one that has already eaten year one depreciation?

 

[sefar]

I had a foundation CT, traded it in on a used foundation CB with fewer miles last month. If you love the truck, the used market is great for buyers right now. Tesla had a few foundation beasts a couple of weeks ago, they were 12k cheaper than when originally sold and included lifetime free supercharging but minus the free accessories. On the used market the cyber beast is running 30-40k less than when originally sold but without the free supercharging- I could never get my money back out of the supercharging if I went for a new one.

For reference, I went from a 17xxx vin to a 33xxx. I never had any real issues with my first truck, just wanted the beast. I was lucky to find one that had some mods like window tinting and the like already done and had crazy low miles. I stuck with the foundation series for the FSD, lightbar that is incoming, and the premium connectivity. I kept all the accessories from the first one. Even at original cost, the foundation series came with some perks that made the upcharge over the following ones a couple grand at best.

I would absolutely sell it back to them. They will base buy back price on what you paid minus mileage and you paid more than they sell for now. You can replace the truck with a newer VIN at a lower cost even if you buy it directly from Tesla.

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