Richard & Anna — Car Upgrade Numbers

2019 Tiguan Tesla?

Everything on selling the Tiguan, what a Tesla actually costs, and how much extra cash you're really looking at — all in one place.

What's the Tiguan worth?

2019 Volkswagen Tiguan 132TSI Comfortline, 65,821 km. Based on current Australian market listings at comparable trim + km (Carsales, CarsGuide) — not just wide price guides.

Private Sale
$20,000 – $25,000
Comparable 132TSI Comfortlines at ~60–65k km are currently asking $23,000–$25,000 — one exact match: a 59,345km Comfortline listed at $23,990
Trade-In
$16,000 – $21,000
Dealers typically offer 15–20% below private sale value
Recommended List Price
$24,000
Right in line with what comparable Comfortlines are currently asking — gives room to negotiate down to ~$21–$22k and still land at a strong price
Assumptions used:
  • Confirmed trim: 132TSI Comfortline — pricing above reflects this specific trim, not a wide Tiguan range
  • Good mechanical condition, standard service history, no major panel damage
  • Trading in is faster/less hassle but leaves real money on the table — private sale nets ~$4–5k more

The Tesla lineup, decoded

Tesla only sells Model 3 and Model Y new in Australia right now — Model S and Model X stopped being available here back in 2023 (RHD production was dropped). Here's what's actually on the table:

Model 3

Sedan · the "cheapest" Tesla

from $54,900+ on-road costs (~$60k drive-away)
  • 8" rear touchscreen standard — kids can stream Netflix/YouTube, play games
  • RWD ~513km range, Long Range AWD, Performance variants available
  • Smaller boot, sedan shape — less practical for family gear
On the "screen in the back" question

Worth knowing, not a deciding factor — both the Model 3 and Model Y come standard with an 8" rear touchscreen for back-seat passengers (climate, streaming, games, Bluetooth headphones), so it's not something you need to chase a rare or expensive model for. It used to be a Model S/X-only luxury feature but Tesla rolled it into the mainstream range. If you did want the biggest, most spacious back seat + a proper 3rd row, the Model Y L (6-seat) is the one — but it's brand new to Australia (Mar 2026), no second-hand market yet, and by far the most expensive option here.

Secondhand Tesla — the same breakdown, used prices

Since you're leaning secondhand to save cash — here's the used market laid out the same way as the new lineup above.

New vs. used, at a glance

Same lineup, side by side — new drive-away price vs. used market range, and what going secondhand actually saves you.

ModelNew (drive-away)Used market rangeTypical saving
Model 3Sedan · rear screen standard · widest used stock (2019–23 model years available) ~$60,000 $28,000 – $45,000 ~$20k–$32k less
Model YSUV · rear screen standard · used stock only from 2022 onward (MY launched in AU late 2022) ~$65,000 $38,000 – $52,000 ~$13k–$27k less
Model Y Long Range AWDMore range/power · used ones are just higher-spec Model Y stock above ~$75,000 $42,000 – $55,000
(higher end of Model Y used range = LR/AWD variants)
~$20k–$33k less
Model Y L (6-seat)Brand new to Australia, launched Mar 2026 ~$82,000 No used stock exists yet n/a — too new
On used Tesla condition/risk:
  • Batteries hold up well — Tesla's battery warranty is 8yrs/unlimited km (Model 3/Y), so a 2020–22 car still has years of battery cover left
  • Cheapest used Model 3s (~$28k) are early Standard Range Plus base models with smaller range (~400km) — fine for city/school runs, less ideal for long road trips
  • Always get a Tesla-specific inspection/battery health check before buying used — ask for the car's battery degradation report

So... how much extra cash do we actually need?

Taking the Tiguan private-sale range ($20k low – $25k high, based on comparable Comfortline listings) against each option:

🟢 Cheapest path into a Tesla

The entry-level used Model 3 (early Standard Range Plus, ~$28,000) is the least you'd need to find on top of the Tiguan sale — as little as $3,000–$8,000 extra depending on what the Tiguan actually sells for. It still has the rear screen, just a smaller ~400km range — totally fine for school runs and around town.

Target carDrive-away est.Extra needed
(low sale $20k)
Extra needed
(high sale $25k)
🟢 Cheapest: Entry Model 3 (2020–21, Standard Range)Bottom of the used Model 3 range — the least you'd need to find $28,000 $8,000 $3,000
Used Model 3 (2020–22)midpoint ~$36k $36,000 $16,000 $11,000
Used Model Y (2022–23)midpoint ~$45k $45,000 $25,000 $20,000
New Model 3 RWD $60,000 $40,000 $35,000
New Model Y RWD $65,000 $45,000 $40,000
New Model Y Long Range AWD $75,000 $55,000 $50,000
New Model Y L (6-seat) $82,000 $62,000 $57,000
Bottom line

Selling privately (not trading in) is worth roughly $4,000–$5,000 extra straight away vs. a dealer trade-in — worth the extra hassle of listing it yourself. From there, a used Model 3 or Model Y gets you into a Tesla for a genuinely small top-up (~$11k–$25k), and still comes with the same rear-seat entertainment screen the kids would want. Going new — especially the 6-seat Model Y L — is the biggest jump (~$57k–$62k extra) but it's the newest tech, full warranty, and the only real 6-seat option.