$59k CT - Short Term Ownership / Depreciation & Resale Value Discussion

[VAF84]

I've always been a fan of the CT, but can't give up my Sierra EV because I need the range. Tried to get my wife into one, but it's not her cup of tea. Anyway, having shopped the CT repeatedly both new and used, I've noted that even used ones aren't dropping below $70k. I'm sure Trade-in is somewhere between $65-70k, but resale values are holding strong.

I got to thinking, what if I buy the $59k trim to give it a shot and experience ownership for a bit. With taxes and shipping, it's roughly $66k. If they stop selling this trim, then there will still be buyers for a relatively new base CT at the $57-$60k mark. That is unless Tesla drops the premium model down to $70, at which point it would go to ~$55k? So $700-800/mo for a year to drive a CT doesn't seem bad at all.

What do you all think, optimistic or pessimistic on lower trim CT depreciation and short-term ownership values?

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[ABILISK]

I think you nailed the resale part as far as values. I doubt the Premium comes down in price, but the base will go up on 3/1. I also think you’re gonna quickly give up that Sierra after CT ownership and realizing the range is plenty and the rest of the truck is so laughably far superior in every other way. So even if you don’t believe me now, work the resale value of your Sierra into your plans, just in case this crazy rando on the internet ends up being right.

 

[SCTesla]

I think you nailed the resale part as far as values. I doubt the Premium comes down in price, but the base will go up on 3/1. I also think you’re gonna quickly give up that Sierra after CT ownership and realizing the range is plenty and the rest of the truck is so laughably far superior in every other way. So even if you don’t believe me now, work the resale value of your Sierra into your plans, just in case this crazy rando on the internet ends up being right.

Not they use their trucks to tow.

 

[VAF84]

I think you nailed the resale part as far as values. I doubt the Premium comes down in price, but the base will go up on 3/1. I also think you’re gonna quickly give up that Sierra after CT ownership and realizing the range is plenty and the rest of the truck is so laughably far superior in every other way. So even if you don’t believe me now, work the resale value of your Sierra into your plans, just in case this crazy rando on the internet ends up being right.

Agree on the tech, but I work on drilling rigs and pipeline projects that take me to some rural places with limited EV infrastructure. I have to assume that I’ll be untethered in a variety of environments, and doing lots of highway driving for long periods of time. I make it work by going into the nearest big town after work on Saturday to charge for the week.

Also, when I’m close enough, I’ll do overnight trips home from as far as 7 hours away. I tried all of this with a Lightning which is how I know it won’t work with the CT. The road tripping with 440mi vs 325mi is night and day difference.

All that said, yes you’re right, I’d love that Tesla tech, which is my primary motivator. That and the low maintenance exterior where I don’t have to worry about scratches, etc.

BTW adding on to the tech, currently my Sierra EV had to be dropped off with the service department so they could update the modules to Android 14. I’ll get it back in two days. So annoying. Two days in the shop just for an update.

Not they use their trucks to tow.

Correct, and I also sometimes have to tow my 20’ cargo trailer (aka wind sail) 1000mi each way once or twice a year. Haven’t had to do it yet in the Sierra, but it’s not going to be a good time, and it’d be a worse time in anything with less range than that.

 

[ABILISK]

Agree on the tech, but I work on drilling rigs and pipeline projects that take me to some rural places with limited EV infrastructure. I have to assume that I’ll be untethered in a variety of environments, and doing lots of highway driving for long periods of time. I make it work by going into the nearest big town after work on Saturday to charge for the week.

Also, when I’m close enough, I’ll do overnight trips home from as far as 7 hours away. I tried all of this with a Lightning which is how I know it won’t work with the CT. The road tripping with 440mi vs 325mi is night and day difference.

All that said, yes you’re right, I’d love that Tesla tech, which is my primary motivator. That and the low maintenance exterior where I don’t have to worry about scratches, etc.



Correct, and I also sometimes have to tow my 20’ cargo trailer (aka wind sail) 1000mi each way once or twice a year. Haven’t had to do it yet in the Sierra, but it’s not going to be a good time, and it’d be a worse time in anything with less range than that.

Well fair enough. There’s always the 1% like you that do need it. Most people who drive 40 miles a day seem to think they need a 500 mile range because they take a 1,000 mile road trip once a year and tow a smoker trailer occasionally, which simply isn’t true.

 

[VAF84]

Well fair enough. There’s always the 1% like you that do need it. Most people who drive 40 miles a day seem to think they need a 500 mile range because they take a 1,000 mile road trip once a year and tow a smoker trailer occasionally, which simply isn’t true.

Completely agree! I only use about 30% of my battery per week when I’m at home (WFH); bounce between 80%-50% SOC. So roughly 50% of a CT battery a week if I don’t plug in Daily. Nearly all of that is used up on the weekend driving.

 

[tingmo13]

my Crystal Ball needs OTA software updates-I'll let you know later.

 

[Sjohnson20]

I bet some flippers got in on this

 

[Sjohnson20]

Used 2024 Tesla Cybertruck
$72,800| 30,595 mi

Questions?

Why are these used still so expensive?

When are these going to stop being cash cows for dealerships?

It’s not a brand new $99k 2024 model anymore.

It’s a 2026 AWD Premium now sold for $79k, and now $59k model should crack the market.

Market value, ha!

some people want a car now not later. the tesla way is nice but you need to wait longer

carvana is the same they sell for around 70-80k all the time because they promise delivery in less than a week.

 

[CyberGus]

Why are these used still so expensive?

Oh please, I found a RWD on CarGurus priced like it's a collector's item

(Maybe more valuable for being "Longe Range"?)

 

[TruckDaddy]

Longe costs extra.

 

[VAF84]

I will say one thing about the higher resale prices at dealerships. It’s my understanding that since Tesla isn’t a traditional dealer experience, they lowball the heck out trade-ins. The used dealers may be facilitating entry into the CT for those who can’t/won’t take the hit and don’t want to privately sell their vehicle.

I don’t have firm data to support this though, so feel free to chime in if this is incorrect.

 

[Sjohnson20]

I will say one thing about the higher resale prices at dealerships. It’s my understanding that since Tesla isn’t a traditional dealer experience, they lowball the heck out trade-ins. The used dealers may be facilitating entry into the CT for those who can’t/won’t take the hit and don’t want to privately sell their vehicle.

I don’t have firm data to support this though, so feel free to chime in if this is incorrect.

yeah that seems like it could be possible. Some people want to talk to someone when they buy something too. The older crowd. So Teslas way probably hurts sales a little especially when the vehicle costs 80k.

 

[HunterMt8]

I think you nailed the resale part as far as values. I doubt the Premium comes down in price, but the base will go up on 3/1. I also think you’re gonna quickly give up that Sierra after CT ownership and realizing the range is plenty and the rest of the truck is so laughably far superior in every other way. So even if you don’t believe me now, work the resale value of your Sierra into your plans, just in case this crazy rando on the internet ends up being right.

He right! I tested the CB for 30 minutes last May 2025 and bought a BEAST of a truck. Now I'm a normal person, I dont do off road or anything crazy like that, but let me tell you that your truck can do all those crazy maneuvers. Also, the safety for my family is unmatched with a CT.

 

[unpollo2]

those are advertised prices but trust me no one is buying that. look on bringatrailer you'll see foundation series and beasts bid to 75k and that's all for 2025.

this new 60k model will drop used prices for sure. as for why they keep asking so much? stubbornness i guess

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