Was Foundation Series a cash grab? Seems like no.

[carsly]

AWD configured the same as my FS = $95,485 + ~$1,000 in accessories (yes, I know the Vault Cargo divider was not included in FS but various hooks, etc were) + $2,500 shop credit for Powershare = $98,985 + NJ tax of $3,278 = $102,263. I paid $102,235 in June for my FS AWD. Basically same-same.

Kicker: there was no sales tax on EV's in NJ before 10/1/24. YMMV but Tesla seemed to consider post-FS pricing to equate to FS pricing so as not to upset folks like what happened with the days of $140K Plaids. Love Elon, hate Elon, really I don't care either way. But in this rollout Tesla have been more measured and considerate to early customers, believe it or not.

That noted, I'm waiting two weeks for a service appointment to deal with the wiper motor recall, sail panel recall (which they refused to do the last time I was in since my "VIN was not impacted" even though I had the recall letter and notification on the NHTSA web site) and an electrical alert. The electrical alert, my first real issue, regarding the electrical for the frunk and heated seats may not perform as intended. Not sure what's happening there but seats are still heating and the frunk is still frunking.

From my purchase agreement

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[MICyber]

I think not, you pay to have early access which for me was necessary since I was way down the list. At the 130,000 a year build rate I'd wait a long time to order one. What's $5000 worth when you get to be one of the first on the block with this bad ass truck?

 

[carsly]

Looks like I saved a few bucks by getting Foundation Series, steal!

 

[SentinelOne]

Yeah, I added up my beast vs. current non foundation series (and the same options I got) and mine was actually cheaper (if you include 1800 for power share equip and $4k for install) and the included accessories, etc....the current build would be a few k more than I paid + I got it in late June!

I would skip the white interior but I'd buy everything else I got with the FS and it's still works out in my favor.

Keep telling my wife "im saving money"!

 

[cybercoffee]

OP I arrived at the same conclusion numerically. but of course it's also assuming we all wanted those accessories and trim...it's simply that there was no option to say no thanks, I don't want the premium stuff. IMO still all totally worth it

 

[carsly]

I inadvertently omitted lifetime premium connectivity, so that’s another $1k in favor of Foundation Series.

I would have gone for the all terrains and like the brighter interior. Accessories? pretty sure yes to just about all as I’ve even added a few others like the bumper protectors, mud flaps, underseat storage and front net. FSD? not sure, but happy to have it. And definitely would be paying $100/yr for premium connectivity as I’ve done so on my other Teslas.

Extra four months of driving Cybertruck? Priceless.

 

[Jack27]

And another thread

 

[nocyber]

Foundation Series paid extra for FSD. Non-FS owners got a discount. Beyond that, some items are a bit discretionary but the white interior is to me(and others) a huge down grade and I’d rather have the All Seasons + Winter package vs the Cyber Wheels + winter package so again another wash and/or down grade depending on perspective since range is better on the all seasons with core wheels.

Just like most statistics we can rationalize what we want in our own favor without independent study but to me it’s not even remotely close - the non-FS is the better deal for both the AWD and Beast trim although if you did get FS Beast I lean a bit closer to it being a wash provided you got the install credit vs when they got rid of it in which case I don’t think it’s actual value at all.

 

[jf64k]

Now that the non-FS accessory pricing has been revealed, I’m so glad I went FS.

Got my CT five months earlier, and 100% I would’ve gone with the Grey interior if that was an option. No shade on the grey interior folks, but man I’m so glad I got the white, haha!!

FS was an awesome car buying experience, so many twists and turns, haha!!

Will be happy to see many more CTs on the road now!!

 

[cybercoffee]

Extra four months of driving Cybertruck? Priceless.

I feel like nobody gawks at my cybertruck anymore, but for the first three or four months it was truly enjoyable seeing the shock on people's faces when they saw it

 

[SentinelOne]

in the end I could FS and did, no regrets....after waiting for 4+ years I was getting the damn truck regardless of $'s and wasn't waiting a day longer than necessary! For those with more patience, pricing limits, dont want the extra's, more financially logical, hold out for $7500 (which I dont qualify for), etc - good for you, glad it's time for you (could have been longer)!!

 

[R2B2]

I feel like nobody gawks at my cybertruck anymore, but for the first three or four months it was truly enjoyable seeing the shock on people's faces when they saw it

Same reaction for many years after I got my first Hummer in. 1994…then it occurred to me one day, all the gawks didn’t translate into paying for it.

 

[Mark W]

You also have to take into consideration the role of the dice for anyone who trading a car in on the truck or selling their existing car. I came to the conclusion if I waited 6 months I would have had to put a new set of tires on my Dodge Ram that I sold and would have lost probably another thousand or $2,000 into depreciation trying to sell my Dodge Ram and my trade in on my model 3. No regrets getting the foundation series

 

[Jack27]

Totally !! I “GRABBED MY CASH” ran down to Tesla and said “TAKE MY MONEY”!!! And I would do it again ?
It’s all relative to what you want to or can spend your Money on. I think the peeps who it wasn’t a huge deal to drop the extra cash to get it early don’t regret it. I also think the complete crazy Tesla lovers who stretched there money to make it happen don’t regret it. I think the people who don’t have the extra cash or not in the budget find ways to convince them selfs it’s not worth it. I think some people just really were never going to get the truck anyway.
I was going to wait then waited a month and couldn’t get it off my mind, I weighed my options and then said “F it I want it now in case it was a year before I got the regular CT. Hind sight is 20/20 so now it’s convenient for those who didn’t to say “haha dummy’s “ but really I still don’t regret it or feel ripped off in anyway. Money well spent

 

[OldDirtyRobot]

AWD configured the same as my FS = $95,485 + ~$1,000 in accessories (yes, I know the Vault Cargo divider was not included in FS but various hooks, etc were) + $2,500 shop credit for Powershare = $98,985 + NJ tax of $3,278 = $102,263. I paid $102,235 in June for my FS AWD. Basically same-same.

Kicker: there was no sales tax on EV's in NJ before 10/1/24. YMMV but Tesla seemed to consider post-FS pricing to equate to FS pricing so as not to upset folks like what happened with the days of $140K Plaids. Love Elon, hate Elon, really I don't care either way. But in this rollout Tesla have been more measured and considerate to early customers, believe it or not.

That noted, I'm waiting two weeks for a service appointment to deal with the wiper motor recall, sail panel recall (which they refused to do the last time I was in since my "VIN was not impacted" even though I had the recall letter and notification on the NHTSA web site) and an electrical alert. The electrical alert, my first real issue, regarding the electrical for the frunk and heated seats may not perform as intended. Not sure what's happening there but seats are still heating and the frunk is still frunking.

From my purchase agreement

No, they sold the highest-optioned version while they ramped up production. This isn't new from Tesla. It's a way to offset some of the initial costs until the vehicles are breakeven or profitable.

A cash grab would dealers marking them up 50k over MSRP

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