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. Tesla's significant price cuts over the past year on its new cars have caused the prices of used Teslas to drop significantly.

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But buying a used Tesla isn't as straightforward as buying a used Toyota, especially if you've never owned one. Car experts 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.