Are Tesla trade in offers always this bad? Also, is their bait and switch approach typical?

Why are you wanting to sell the Lightning?

I don’t know about thing at your end of the market. Or how they value EVs. But last week for my Kia, all they cared about was VIN and mileage and a basic picture of the overall health.  My car had a trade in value of about 17,000 according to Caravana . They gave me 16,700 which I took to avoid Caravana.  But from 90,000 to $60k in about two years is eye watering.  This is why I don’t pay for depreciation.

They did the same thing on my model S. Dropped it by $5k when I went to actually order model 3. Said that offer was good for the day I test drove. I ended up selling it private party for the original offer (which was slightly higher than carvana)

I came from an X and miss the Tesla tech and ecosystem a little too much. Being in Texas, I had always driven trucks before I moved over to EVs, so the Lightning seemed like the perfect balance.

I got a really good deal on the Lightning, thankfully. After incentives, I paid a little over $72k. That said, it still sucks.

The first time I bought, the offer on my Colorado was really reasonable. The second time I bought, the offer on my old Model 3 was laughable. Needless to say, I did not trade in the old Model 3.

In my case, when I did the trade-in last month, Carvana had offered $20,000 and Tesla had offered $15,000. I visited a showroom nearby to do a test drive. After the drive, I spoke to one of the representatives and also told him about the differences in offers. He said to give him few hours and that he would get back to me. He did get back to me and said that they've increased the offer to $19,600. I decided to go with Tesla's offer since the difference of $400 now was not as significant. I also never had to submit pictures of my trade-in vehicle. Not sure why but everything went good with the delivery of my M3P.

My understanding is Tesla takes the trade-in vehicles and takes them directly to an auction or something similar where they can quickly get back their money and some on top. Due to this, they want to ensure they never lose money on the trade-ins, they are usually the lowest offer.

Check carvana. They offered $4500 more than Tesla, sight unseen.

Carvana is offering almost 60k, which of course I'm going to go with.

I’m thinking of selling my X and was going the Tesla trade in route. Should I try Carvana instead? Any reason to avoid them?

Yep they always have been worse compared to carmax/carvana. Still in line with most other dealers though. Private is the best way to maximize price but more hassle.

Absolutely Carvana. They're out of their minds. I even called and they said 41k is their best offer. I told them they were almsot 20k less than Carvana and they said I should go sell it to Carvana then.

Yeah. I may be able to squeeze out a couple more grand private sale, but probably not worth the hassle.

When I traded mine in, most dealerships all offered me around the same value, let's say X. Selling to privates was about x+20%. Tesla was actually closer to X-20%, it was by very far the worst offer.

In my case, I'm seeing a lot of local dealers list similar Lightnings for 2k more than Carvana is offering, so will just suck it up and go with Carvana.

Tesla is offering 14500 and Carvana 15k. I think I’ll hold on to my 2018 M3LR for a while longer. It’s got a full wrap (clear) and they might make me remove it.

Why would they do that.

Doubt they'll make you remove it. If they do, tell them to remove it themselves.

Apparently any added non-Tesla products are a detriment to trade in value. I took delivery of the car at the wrap shop, never driven before the wrap was put on. I think removing it would be effing stupid.

Tesla offers are always lower than everyone else's in my experience.

I did, they said they’d deduct from the trade in value.

For me, it's the other way around. Carvana offered me $2.4k for my shitty car and then when I went to finalize it they offered me $600. I think it's based on market and inventory at the time of finalizing the offer.

They are all over the place. My girlfriend recently got $6000 from Carvana for her 2015 Camry, paint peeling everywhere, not well maintained at all. Drove fine though. Nobody else was even offering $3000

It’s no secret that trade-in with Tesla is the worst offer you’ll get by far. Still massively easily and more convenient when your battery is dead and you need to rid your self of the car ASAP. Was able to have my car traded in and swapped for a new one in legit 2 days.

Yes the same thing happened to me. Tesla’s just as bad as any other car dealer.

They will match it sometimes. They did for me but I was trading in a Y.

Just sold our Lexus to carvana today. Priced out about $9k over carmax and Tesla. I was shocked it went so smooth and I got the online price quote to the penny. In and out 15 minutes. Picking up my y Saturday.

Did you have to call the delivery center or regular customer service?

Original trade-in is probably a simple wholesale book value look-up. The updated value they probably looked at recent real auction sale prices, which is more labor intensive which is probably why they dont do it to begin with if someone is just kicking tires.

yep, they are sending them straight to auction, so your trade-in value is going to be based on recent auction results

I am 100% certain a less than 1 year old F-150 Lightning Platinum does not go for 41k at auction. My guess is they just don't want to deal with it. Literally every other place I've checked, including whole buyers, have been at least 10k more than what Tesla switched to. Mindyou, all of this happened within a 2-day window. Definitely feels like bait and switch.

How many days past were between the offers of 51k and 41k? Like 200 days or like 2 days? Asking because 2 days would be concerning as hell.

2 freaking days. Their scripted answer was originally “it must have been something the appraiser saw in the pictures”. I’m like “there’s literally nothing, not a single scratch, ding, mark etc. Lightning is less than a year old” and they basically told me to go sell it to Carvana.

Ford didnt stop making the Lightning because they are flying off the shelves. And they still have to price-in transportation, labor to manage it, and risk. Retail asking 10K over auction gavel sounds about right anyway. On the other had its about to be car-buying season soon though so auction prices should be strong.

Trade in offers I feel are always terrible. We’ve sold most of our vehicles instead of

I'm all for whatever value they want to offer; just don't give me an offer and drop it by 10k after 2 days when I schedule a delivery date.

Why not a CT in that case?

fair enough. yeah thats crappy

The wife said I’d have to park it down the street and nowhere near the house if I brought a CT home 🥲

I take it she hasn't risen in one? It is she just that turned off by the sharp angles?

Turned off by the looks from the start, but convinced her to ride in one for a test drive. Didn't change her mind 🥹

My experience was the opposite of most others here. I traded a '23 Rav4 Prime with about 52K miles and a damage report showing on Carfax. Tesla offered me more than Carvana and Carmax. Their emailed offer was also a finalized offer and the sales adviser didn't even bother to look at my trade-in. When I picked up the Tesla and signed over the trade, the rep who handled my delivery just made sure the key fobs unlocked the Rav's doors and that was it. He didn't inspect it or anything. Very easy process, no BS.

Sorry to hear. They are incredible. Going on with a group of 20 or so other Cats and a few other EVs for off-road shenanigans this weekend

My original offer on my 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid was $4200 more than the actual offer. And the higher price was one of the reasons for me to place my order.

Just sold my 2020 model y for $20000 to carvana Tuesday. Tesla offered $12,500... sell to carvana and then use that to pay on your new car.

Do not trade in non-Teslas to Tesla. Tesla has zero interest in the used market. You’re better off going to Carvana or Carmax

In my situation, my 10 year old car fetched the best trade in from Tesla directly. Also, my state doesn’t take taxes out when you trade in vs sell.

Bro youre getting a crap offer on the lightning because the lightning is a terrible, pos car. It’s worth like a dollar. Total ford trash, junk range, no fsd. Who would ever buy that

It’s all about the numbers folks… just bought a new MYP…to meet the fsd transfer deadline over from my S long range… Tesla offered 27700 before they offered 25800 a week later … car max offered 24400… sold it to Carvana for 28000 even no questions… it’s all about the stock market… Carvana is looking to build inventory for Q1 to show investors they got game!. Tesla doesn’t need it… they are selling new ones like cupcakes…Carmax sure as heck doesn’t .. look at the lots . So yeah Carvana all the way. Only way they make it is by actually holding inventory.

Yes and yes

Shit when I got my Tesla they matched carvana

That sounds like a fun time.

In my case, Tesla was right in the middle of three other places. The trade in was all done via the app within a day of my taking the photos. The delivery center people didn't look at it at all.

Nice. Lightning’s are nice trucks. Never thought they were a $90,000 nice. But $72000 is more agreeable.  I wonder if people who took the EV credit think of that as money out the door?  I think I would.

Dude I’m in the same boat as you. Had a Tesla model y. Got the lightning lariat 24 but now I want a Tesla. I do love the lightning but the tech sucks compared to Tesla.

Yup. I've realized the Lightning just isn't for me and I'm moving on. Cars are too personal to try to deal with how terrible the tech on the Lightning is.

I got mine a year ago for 67k and now it’s worth 49k. wtf lol

Carmax offered 5500, carvana offered 6000, and tesla offered 6300. Still havent sent a deposit though because im afraid theyre gonna offer anything but .99%. Then I'll lose my deposit. Very bs system imo.

I also recently sold a Tesla to Carvana instead of a Tesla trade in. Carvana had a better enough offer to make it worth it. Keep in mind, though, when you trade in, it reduces the tax that needs to be paid on the new car purchase. Not insignificant, if the offers are close.

Allowing your wife be a deciding factor on the car you want to own is wild

Hey, different strokes for different folks, I guess. For me, I think it's more than reasonable to have a conversation with my wife before dropping 100k+ on a car and getting her opinion and input.

Well, Tesla, Carmax and Carvana would only give me $8,500 for my Fisker Ocean, so they were all in line there. Actually, Tesla didn't even bother looking at it.

Unless you're trading in a Tesla and you're trying to transfer FSD you're almost always better to go elsewhere

Tell me your single without telling me your single

In my state the trade in lowers the amount subject to sales tax.

I’m not gonna be partnered up with a person who has a car that screams “I’m a 50 year old Jake Paul,” either. I don’t blame her one bit. Big purchases should be agreed on. You’re just mad because someone you don’t know doesn’t like a certain car.

Brother screw Tesla and carvana, sell me that lightning.

Why wouldn’t you sell the lightning 😭

Get a new one…. Wife that is.

What about Tesla to Tesla?

It’s all yours. 2024 Lightning Platinum in carbonized gray metallic with 13.6k miles. Additional options to the standard platinum are power deployable running boards, spray in bed liner, 3 year paid BlueCruise plan (2 years left), and hard tonneau cover. All accessories are OEM.

The math doesn’t work when they’re 20k lower.

Can you send me a not significant to you $400? 😁

In 2021 I sold my one year old Model 3 to Carmax for 13k above Tesla's trade-in offer. It paid everything but taxes for the brand new LR AWD Y I bought.

Yes they are horrible, they will seal your car. Also if you have to wait more than 90 days for your new Tesla to be delivered they will reduce the offer dramatically at the last moment.

They look much better in a white or black wrap. Better than the standard no paint.

Depending on if the state charges sales tax you can actually save money even if the offer is lower. As you will have to pay sales tax if you sell to carvana. But if you trade in you only pay sales tax on the difference between trade in and new car value.

I’ll pm you

My wife loved our MYLR, when she needed a new car she wanted the same, I said it was fine, but she had to test drive a CT, she refused, I then asked her to just sit in one and let me take a picture of her in it, and she wouldn't even do that. If I had the money I'd buy one and just park it in my driveway, behind her car, so she'd have to get in it and move it to leave.

There isn't much trade in value and the new ones don't come with warranty, just like husbands. Better to maintain the one you've got and just buy the Cybertruck and park it down the street.

Just for the battery alone it’s worth it. More storeable power than getting a power wall and solar for a better price.

I could have made the case for it if we didn't already have 4PW's. Does the Powershare functionality work on the CT? I've seen mixed reviews online.

Yes they are horrible. I've bought two new Teslas and wanted to trade in my old vehicle to Tesla each time.. it was a joke. First time was in 2021 buying a new Model Y.. was quoted $21K for my 2018 Honda CRV, ordered an inventory Model Y and took delivery just 2 days later.. when submitting pictures of CRV the final offer came back as $19K. The car was in excellent condition.. I asked why did the offer drop $2,000 over literally 2 days and was told because a dime size dent in the rear hatch they would have to replace the whole hatch. Listed it on Facebook Marketplace and within 2 days a local Honda dealer bought it for $23K.. thats $4,000 more than Tesla's final offer. Just sold that 2021 Model Y from the paragraph above because I bought a 2026 MYP in December. Tesla valued my 2021 Model Y at $11,800. I still cannot stop laughing at how much they lowballed that car. Carvana & Carmax offered $15K. So it private party on Facebook Marketplace for $18K.. thats 50% higher than Tesla's offer. At this point my advice is basically never bother trading anything to Tesla.. it's just not worth insult. Tesla will give you the absolute lowest trade-in value of any major company. Try Carmax as a starting point, Carvana as the easiest transaction ever.. or for absolute top dollar list it on Facebook Marketplace and be patient.. it will sell within a few weeks.

I don’t own one personally but my neighbor does. Seems to work fine. He had power while I had to go out and run extension cords from my truck. I’m in the process of doing the same with my Lightning.

Time to find a new wife 😂

I don't have it set up

I wish we could get rid of the people who are just here to hate on everything Tesla. Yes, we need to talk about times and places that Tesla does stupid shit but seriously, we are supposed to be a group of actual owners coming to talk about our experiences and having a group of reddit-griefers gets so old. We would chase them out before they accomplish their personal was to close down conversation amongst owners.

😅

Ford's setup I believe costs 10k for the gateway and installation, and there is a class action lawsuit against them for it not working as intended?

Good point, as soon as I get done with some work, I'm doing on the house, I'll make that case, buy a cyber truck, then drive her car to work.

Not sure. According to my electrician that did the install of my Tesla charger, he can do it easily and has been installing them regularly. I’m electrically illiterate so I’m of no help other than what he has told me.

Charge the truck for free somewhere before a store. Park in driveway. Boom. Free power.

Sure thing

The other advantage of trading in with Tesla is that the trade in lowers the sale price of the new vehicle. If you’re in a state that has sales tax, then the sales tax is reduced as the final price for the vehicle is lower. If a state has a 6% sales tax then in OPs case the final price would have been $784 less than if they brought cash.

Just regular customer service through chat.

I don’t understand why anyone would use Tesla trade in. If you’re looking for easy, CarMax is maximum easiness.

In Texas, you pay taxes on the difference of the purchase price and the trade in price, so always good to check.

Do we have the same wife? She told me the same damn thing. No way would she allow me to park a CT in the driveway. lol

That is true.

I forgot to add the tax savings part. As was mentioned, the $400 difference is made up with sales tax savings. Also, just for clarification, I wrote "not as significant". I didn't say it was insignificant. ;)

I am married and we’re both adults.. she picks her car and I pick mine that we both individually commute in. wtf? Lol. Telling me I can’t choose my own car. 🤣

Yes. Used Carvana for our X trade in.

Yes