California Salesman Says ‘No One Wants A Cybertruck Anymore.’ So, Is Now The Perfect Time To Get A Deal?

The Cybertruck was supposed to be the future. Now, one California dealership says it’s a future nobody wants to buy.

In a viral TikTok, Jason Xie, general manager of Alfa Romeo of San Jose (@alfa.romeo.of.san.jose) laments that even Founders Editions of the eye-catching Tesla are “piling up” and losing value fast, leaving some to wonder if the hype bubble has finally burst.

“It's nice quality, but it's too odd-looking. I'm not crazy about the look of these,” Xie said in the clip that’s been viewed more than 589,000 times. “It's definitely unique, but I think for the price point, I would take a Rivian over this.”

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Xie’s comments underscore a palpable shift in the market for Tesla’s first electric pickup. The truck that once sparked year-long waitlists is now drawing dealer sighs and auction floors more than showroom excitement. Xie’s take: “They just keep piling up… about 150 days in stock at least.” That anecdote offers a peek behind the hood of what some observers are calling the Cybertruck’s rapid descent from “must-have” to “must-dump.”

Cybertruck’s Hard Resale Future

Behind the humor lies hard data. Multiple sources show the Cybertruck is depreciating at a rate that would be alarming for almost any vehicle, especially for a truck that cost six figures when new. According to an analysis by CarEdge, a Cybertruck that sold for roughly $96,985 could drop to a resale value of about $50,888 after five years, a decline of nearly 48%. More starkly, a study by iSeeCars found the five-year depreciation for a new Cybertruck at about 60%, versus around 38.8% for light-duty pickups in general.

In some trade-in examples shared by Electrek, Cybertrucks lost as much as 34-45% of their value in just the first year. By that math, an owner who paid roughly $100,000 would see a trade-in estimate of about $60,000 after under 20,000 miles.

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That kind of depreciation is almost unheard of for a new truck, especially one positioned as Tesla’s flagship. Xie’s observation that “no one buys ’em” echoes the broader trend: Dealers, knowing the market risk, are avoiding piling inventory of Cybertrucks. The result: supply builds, discount expectations rise, and buyers begin to suspect something’s off.

So what’s behind the slide? For starters, the design is polarizing. The angular stainless-steel body and futuristic profile that once generated viral acclaim now attract mockery: social-media commenters liken the truck to a “dumpster truck” or deride its aesthetics altogether.

Meanwhile, insurance and repair sources signal elevated costs for the model. With parts still scarce, repair times long and some insurers reluctant to cover the vehicle, ownership risk grows. Combined with a heavy curb weight and a premium price tag—the base Founders Edition launched near $100,000—the package is less suited to mainstream truck buyers than Tesla may have hoped.

Then there’s the macro-market context. Tesla’s used-EV values broadly are under pressure, and the Cybertruck appears especially vulnerable. With dramatic price cuts, fewer buyers willing to pay top dollar for EV trucks, and competition heating up from the likes of Rivian R1T and Ford F‑150 Lightning, resale sentiment is shifting. In effect, what was once a status symbol is becoming a cautionary tale.

Via email, Xie said: “Right now, (Kelley Blue Book) prices for the Cybertruck are still inflated, and the demand just isn’t there. There’s probably more price correction ahead before things level out.

“In contrast, we’re already seeing parity for EVs from other brands like Porsche, Lucid, and Rivian. A two- to three-year-old model that’s still under factory warranty can often be had for 40-50% off its original MSRP, which makes it much more accessible to the general market. Interestingly, a lot of those buyers are former Tesla owners.”

Built For Bold Buyers

But here’s where the narrative takes a twist. Because demand has cooled and values are falling, the question arises: Is now the perfect time to jump in and get a deal? For a buyer who is aware of the risks and intends to hold long-term, Xie’s admission that Cybertrucks are “piling up” may signal opportunity. A previously scarce vehicle, now discounted, might appeal to a niche buyer who values uniqueness over resale proof.

Still, the caveats are meaningful. The steep initial depreciation means the next buyer must expect a downward value curve, unlike traditional trucks, which hold value more robustly. The lingering social perception issues and ownership cost risks around insurer wariness, and repair complexity remain. For most buyers, that means the question isn’t simply if they can score a bargain but whether the bargain is worth the trade-offs.

Anyone intrigued by the Cybertruck’s boldness who is prepared for a longer-term hold and doesn’t mind the attention it brings may indeed find a deal emerging. But if resale value, mainstream appeal and predictable ownership dynamics matter most, you may want to hold off or consider alternatives with stronger resale tracks and broader market support.

In the end, the image of a cracked slab of asphalt Xie points to in the video may be the most accurate metaphor: a once-shiny future vehicle weighing too much to land softly. The question now is whether it’s that crack in the pavement or the value-gap beneath the truck that you’re really looking at.

 

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