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Comment by yumraj | Hacker News Reader

A cat as an “appreciating asset”. Did people really buy into that??

I guess there really is no correlation between money and intelligence.

Cat list price differs based on breed and vicinity to shelters and farms. OPEX and write off is manageable given an average 15 year life span.

YMMV and not financial advice

Are Tesla cars widely thought to be "appreciating assets"? I've never heard anyone repeat this view, was this seriously claimed by Tesla?

Seems fairly obviously false.

I mean, Musk said that years ago on a podcast (and has maintained that position since): "I think the most profound thing is that if you buy a Tesla today, I believe you are buying an appreciating asset – not a depreciating asset." (1)

It is obviously false, but his case was that all Teslas would be working as robotaxis for their owners. "Insane lie or megalomania?" is the defense, as ever.

1: https://electrek.co/2019/04/12/tesla-vehicles-appreciating-a...

Not really. Musk was making this argument. But literally non of the smart analysts that do detailed models of Tesla ever put this in an investment model.

People who don't actually follow Tesla often only hear Elon and a few Tesla superfans and hardcore Tesla haters. In reality there is a lot of space in the middle that is up for debate.

Tesla stock was flying high, stories about self driving were part of that. But it was also a time when all EV companies were way overestimated.

In general, many Tesla were actually sold as appropriating assets. During the supply crisis some used Tesla actual out-priced new ones. But that wasn't based on self-driving.

Oh yeah. I have a friend that said exactly that. The depreciation according to them is negligible compared to other brands to the point that they consider it as an appreciating asset.

They sold a M3 bought in 2017 and lost about £3000 for a new M3 just to recycle the warranty.

If it really was marketed as an appreciating asset the SEC may come calling.

Then we get into the whole Tesla-doesn't-advertise thing and whether or not Elon's comments are under oath/contract/etc or opinion or intentionally-misleading-because-he-said-it-at-a-heavily-advertised-event. Who knows.

never forget the time Musk said because of Tesla Fleet, owning any other vehicle besides a tesla was "financially insane"

> “Buying a car today is an investment into the future. I think the most profound thing is that if you buy a Tesla today, I believe you are buying an appreciating asset – not a depreciating asset.” -Elon Musk, 2019

https://electrek.co/2019/04/12/tesla-vehicles-appreciating-a...

He did preface the statement with ‘I believe..’ which is probably why there’s no SEC investigation, but I’m no securities lawyer.

Elon was talking about Tesla car with FSD. Once Tesla does their part the car would become a valuable robotaxi capable of earning itself back in 1-2 years every year for a decade.

My cat gets more valuable (to me) every day.

A car, not so much.

That will saturate. Then you will have to decide whether to become a cat person.

Cat decides you.

I wouldn't replace the meow meows for anything

I can assure there is and it's a positive correlation. Single data point/anecdatum and all that but I dont see myself as stupid and my lolcat collection is appreciating nicely thank-you.

In the end it's a gamble, that worked out well for some people so far. It's been a pretty common scheme in Germany to buy a Tesla with subsidies and sell it to the second hand market after 6 months (usually going to Scandinavia, where there are tax incentives instead).

desirable models of Porsche cars will appreciate

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