Edmunds: The five things you need to know before buying your first used Tesla

It’s a good time to be in the market for a used Tesla.

It’s a good time to be in the market for a used Tesla. Tesla’s significant price cuts over the past year on its new cars have caused the prices of used Teslas to drop significantly. But buying a used Tesla isn’t as straightforward as buying a used Toyota, especially if you’ve never owned one. The car experts at Edmunds outline five general tips for car shoppers who are in the market for a used Tesla.

Pick the right Tesla for you

Most shoppers looking for a used Tesla choose between the brand’s two sedans and two SUVs. The Model 3 is Tesla’s smallest and most affordable model. It’s a small sedan that’s about the size of a Honda Civic. The Model Y, Tesla’s most popular model, is a small SUV based on the Model 3 that’s comparable in size to a Toyota RAV4.

If the 3 and the Y are too small, or if you want a longer driving range and more power, consider the Model S or Model X. The Model S, which has been on sale the longest, is a sedan roughly the size of a BMW 5 Series. The final model to consider is Tesla’s most expensive, the Model X. If you need an SUV with seating for more than five and like its cool falcon-wing doors, then the X is the Tesla for you.

Know the different trim levels

Tesla frequently tinkers with the trim level names, driving ranges, power and features for its vehicles. That makes used Tesla shopping a particular challenge because it can be hard to figure out exactly what you’re getting.

For the Model 3 and Y, the base single-motor model is usually called Standard Range or Rear-Wheel Drive. It offers the least range and power. In the middle is the Long Range model, which typically has dual motors for all-wheel drive, more power and the longest range. The top Performance model also has two motors and boasts the most power, but it has less range.