Cold Feet- CT or MX?

[zachsmith]

My biggest gripe with the X, besides service visits, is the sun exposure, which I’m quite sensitive to. The visors just dont cover enough glass. It seems like a small thing but it’s quite annoying. This seems to be a non issue with the CT. If it was tax credit eligible, I’d order the CT immediately but the extra cost is hard to justify.

I also prefer the one big screen over the two front ones. It’s just a simpler layout.

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[alockbox]

I use fsd almost all the time, so other brands are a no go. My house has power walls also, so it’s already set up for PowerShare, so that’s another reason for me to go with the CT.

The R1S looks nice and the price is ok relative to Tesla, but the financials of the company are too alarming for me personally to own one of their cars.

If you have powerwalls and love FSD then yeah it’s a no-brainer. Lots of people comment their family doesn’t like it until they get in it for a road trip. I wonder if your family would consider a daily rental for a short trip and see if they get excited about it.

 

[carsly]

I had a 2019 Model X Performance Ludicrous and have been running a 2022 Model X Plaid loaner the last two days while my CT has been in for recall items. It really depends.

If you have younger or smaller kids (<5' tall, <12 years old) then the Model X is a fantastic minivan for daily hauling duties. As others have written, if you have 2-3 kids - not teenagers - then the X is plenty spacious in either 5, 6 or 7 seat configs.

Now I've got three teenage boys and lots of arms and legs. 2 of them can fit into an X in the back. Three is really pushing it as there isn't enough legroom in the second and third rows. If you have a 5 seater X then the middle bench seat lacks enough headroom. In the Cybertruck the three teenage boys can readily fit in the back bench which has plenty of seat width and legroom for all of them. Even long trips aren't an issue.

PS if your children are close to teenagers consider them to already be teenagers as they will get bigger, faster, during your term of ownership of either vehicle.

For me as the driver, I prefer the comfort, handling and road presence of the Cybertruck. It's much more quiet than the X, similar efficiency and has effectively unlimited carrying capacity given the truck bed. Steer by wire and 4 wheel steering are truly next-gen tech, driving the MX Plaid loaner the last couple days was a real chore due to this reason alone. The MX is no slouch, but with the last refresh coming 3+ years ago it is definitely showing it's age.

PPS the front halfshaft issues that were an issue with my 2019 are still an issue with the newer ones as well, at least as evidenced by the 2022 X Plaid I just returned. Glad to not have those issues in the smooth-riding Cybertruck. It's much more Escalade than minivan if that makes any sense.

 

[zachsmith]

I decided to stick with the CT over the X. But, I’m waiting for the tax credit clarification even if it means temporarily having no car. If it doesn’t qualify, someone at Tesla can announce that and then I’ll order. I think they’re being silent about it because it does qualify but hasn’t been implemented yet, either because of paperwork or marketing (ie selling more leftover FS). That’s the vibe I’ve gotten from the sales reps.

 

[dalton108]

We have a model X and a Cyberbeast, among others, and I would absolutely say go with the CT. I think the cybertruck beats the model X on every metric, except for coolest rear doors.

I’m not an SUV/crossover guy though. I like cars for speed and off-road capable rigs for everything else. My wife always wants a small to medium crossover so she moved from a Y to an X and she couldn’t be happier.

I’ll say this though, the self-opening doors on the model X are incredible and very addictive. When my beast was in for service they gave me an X and after returning it it took a while to get used to opening/closing doors myself again - that’s luxury!

 

[Mini2nut]

The X is quite dated at this point. The CT offers the state-of-the-art automotive technology and the future resale value should be higher.

 

[Tony2times]

My MX is getting a lemon law buyback next week, so I need to order a new Tesla quite soon. The MX repair issue wasn’t major but I’ve heard it’s present in some percentage of Xs, and I don’t really want to repeat all those service visits.

A new MX is basically the same price as the CT except it qualifies for the tax credit so it’s $7500 less. Hopefully CT qualifies for the credit sometime soon, but even if it doesn’t, I’d prefer the CT despite the higher price.

But then there’s my family, who dont want to be seen riding around in a CT. My wife called it the ‘monster truck’. I agree that’s it’s jarring/kind of ugly but I kind of like it for that reason. I’m not looking forward to all that extra length when parking, but I can probably deal with it.

I know the CT has more new tech and generally better driving dynamics. Anyone with experience in both cars care to chime in?

I own both and prefer the CT because is simply badass. Zero comparison. The X is a sissy mobile.

 

[HaulingAss]

So the prices are similar, but keep in mind Tesla is selling you a "platform" to work off of and they expect you to customize it to your personal needs. Out of the factory it's pretty useless as a truck and performs only modestly as a family vehicle. The mods and add ons change all of that and turns it in to a very capable machine. That's why the prices are similar on the face, but down the road the CT is more expensive.

Can you share your specific mods that changed the Cybertruck from "pretty useless as a truck" into a capable machine?

 

[Redfire]

Can you share your specific mods that changed the Cybertruck from "pretty useless as a truck" into a capable machine?

I can start with simple things as tie down points as well as the straps. Mine came with some, but the non FS does not have much so you have to buy them if you want to haul anything. Then there is the tow hitch. Mud flaps. Cargo containers to hold the stuff because CT has close to nothing for storage. Ramps if needed. Bed mat for slippage. Cargo netting for smaller items. Running boards.

The list goes on. On other trucks a lot of that stuff is standard equipment where on CT it's all aftermarket.

 

[Guylouis]

I have both. Go with the CT

 

[HaulingAss]

I decided to stick with the CT over the X. But, I’m waiting for the tax credit clarification even if it means temporarily having no car. If it doesn’t qualify, someone at Tesla can announce that and then I’ll order. I think they’re being silent about it because it does qualify but hasn’t been implemented yet, either because of paperwork or marketing (ie selling more leftover FS). That’s the vibe I’ve gotten from the sales reps.

No, the Cybertruck only qualifies for the $7,500 Commercial Vehicle Business Tax Credit, not the personal tax credit. It's due to battery mineral sourcing, Tesla simply can't get enough battery minerals eligible for the personal tax credit. The Business Tax Credit has no mineral sourcing requirements and no maximum price ceiling. If you don't have a business, you are out of luck. In 2025 the sourcing requirements become more strict, so don't expect the personal tax credit to magically appear.

And yes, Tesla has said this, I saw it on a talk presented by Tesla that was focused on understanding the various EV incentives that are available. The speaker made the above clear on no uncertain terms.

You can hear him talk about the battery mineral content problem at this timestamp (but the whole video has some interesting info):



Note: Audience questions are kind of hard to hear but the second question after the timestamp is asking specifically about the Cybertruck.

 

[HaulingAss]

I can start with simple things as tie down points as well as the straps. Mine came with some, but the non FS does not have much so you have to buy them if you want to haul anything. Then there is the tow hitch. Mud flaps. Cargo containers to hold the stuff because CT has close to nothing for storage. Ramps if needed. Bed mat for slippage. Cargo netting for smaller items. Running boards.

The list goes on. On other trucks a lot of that stuff is standard equipment where on CT it's all aftermarket.

Huh? In my experience, most new pickups don't come with a tow hitch (ball mount), cargo containers, ramps, bed mats, cargo netting, or running boards, unless you pay extra for them.

So, I really don't know why you act like the Cybertruck is any different in terms of accessories. Even if a couple of those items are included with higher trim levels of certain legacy trucks, or expensive tow packages, you are still paying for them.

The Cybertruck comes with integrated tow brake controller, full 11,000 lbs. of towing capacity (most other trucks you have to pay for the tow package to get the heavier duty hitch, cooling package, and other equipment that enables the full tow capacity). The Cybertruck is ready for max tow with the base model, and that max tow is higher than almost any legacy 1/2-ton truck.

And the base model Cybertruck comes with the L-track cargo securing system that is an upsell on every legacy truck out there (if it's available at all). Who cares if you have to spend a few buck to get the desired D-rings or other hardware suitable for your use case? At least it already has the load points ready to go.

Also, the Cybertruck comes with a tough fiber-reinforced composite bed that doesn't beg for the protection of a bed liner. That's an upsell on legacy trucks.

And it also comes with a locking powered roll-top tonneau cover to keep your tools safe, and it doesn't take up any bed space. That's an expensive upsell on other trucks (and good luck finding one that doesn't consume some of your cargo area when not in use).

Also, the base model Cybertruck comes standard with 4x4 and dual mechanically locking differentials for mobility on steep, muddy jobsites. That's an expensive upsell on legacy trucks.

From where I sit, it looks like the base model Cybertruck comes better equipped for work than legacy trucks.

 

[Redfire]

You're correct, some things you have to get regardless, but most of that stuff as you correctly pointed out is available with higher trim models.
I bought the top trim with every option available and it still didn't come with anything I listed. So compare apples to apples here.

My point was that from the dealer the CT is almost useless as a truck at its most expensive trim. Compared to any other truck with all of the options available from the dealer this is a true statement. So when you compare prices when shopping this needs to be taken in to account as you're not being given the full price up front.

 

[Balthezor]

No, the Cybertruck only qualifies for the $7,500 Commercial Vehicle Business Tax Credit, not the personal tax credit. It's due to battery mineral sourcing, Tesla simply can't get enough battery minerals eligible for the personal tax credit. The Business Tax Credit has no mineral sourcing requirements and no maximum price ceiling. If you don't have a business, you are out of luck. In 2025 the sourcing requirements become more strict, so don't expect the personal tax credit to magically appear.

And yes, Tesla has said this, I saw it on a talk presented by Tesla that was focused on understanding the various EV incentives that are available. The speaker made the above clear on no uncertain terms.

You can hear him talk about the battery mineral content problem at this timestamp (but the whole video has some interesting info):



Note: Audience questions are kind of hard to hear but the second question after the timestamp is asking specifically about the Cybertruck.

Does that dude have a tongue piercing? Or is he about to swallow a peppercorn?

I drove a Model X for several days before. CT is much much better. Drives smoother if you care about that even on ATs.

 

[zachsmith]

No, the Cybertruck only qualifies for the $7,500 Commercial Vehicle Business Tax Credit, not the personal tax credit. It's due to battery mineral sourcing, Tesla simply can't get enough battery minerals eligible for the personal tax credit. The Business Tax Credit has no mineral sourcing requirements and no maximum price ceiling. If you don't have a business, you are out of luck. In 2025 the sourcing requirements become more strict, so don't expect the personal tax credit to magically appear.

And yes, Tesla has said this, I saw it on a talk presented by Tesla that was focused on understanding the various EV incentives that are available. The speaker made the above clear on no uncertain terms.

You can hear him talk about the battery mineral content problem at this timestamp (but the whole video has some interesting info):



Note: Audience questions are kind of hard to hear but the second question after the timestamp is asking specifically about the Cybertruck.

ok that is a fairly convincing video clip. Obviously things can change but the non- FS launched over a month ago so it does seem less likely with time. I just don’t want to take delivery and then find out it qualifies- that would suck. For me, it’s $6500 extra because I’m getting discounted fsd. It’s probably worth the extra $ over the X but it’s still quite a lot of extra. Fortunately I can wait another few weeks before ordering. If the tax credit hasn’t come by then, then I guess it isn’t going to happen.

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