Used Tesla for Sale in New Jersey vs a $13,000 Chinese EV

A used Tesla Model 3 in New Jersey sells for roughly $19,000-$26,000 in 2026. A new-registration Chinese EV like the 2026 Changan Qiyuan Q05 costs about $14,500 FOB with 660 km on the clock — but importing it into the US is not straightforward, and that is the part most comparisons skip.

So here is a comparison that is actually useful: what the two cars give you for the money, and which buyer each one suits.

What does a used Tesla actually cost in New Jersey?

A 2021-2022 Model 3 Long Range with 60,000-80,000 km typically lists between $19,000 and $26,000 depending on condition and spec. The Standard Range RWD sits at the lower end; Performance at the top.

New Jersey adds a wrinkle: the state’s EV sales tax exemption has been phased back, and registration fees for EVs now carry an annual surcharge. Budget $400-$700 a year in state-level costs above a petrol equivalent.

How does that compare to a $14,500 Chinese EV?

The 2026 Changan Qiyuan Q05 506 Max+ has a 51.9 kWh LFP pack, 506 km CLTC range, a 120 kW front motor and 660 km on the odometer. At $14,500 FOB it is $4,500-$11,500 below the Tesla.

On paper it wins on price, loses on range (506 km CLTC is roughly 355 km real, versus 480-520 km real for a Model 3 Long Range), and loses badly on charging speed — the Q05 is not an 800V car.

Where it wins outright is battery chemistry. LFP tolerates daily 100% charging and does not have the degradation curve that older nickel-based Tesla packs show above 80,000 km.

Can you actually import a Chinese EV into the US?

Not easily. The US applies a 25% tariff on Chinese-built vehicles on top of the standard 2.5% passenger car duty, plus the Section 301 additional tariffs. Combined, the landed cost of a $14,500 car roughly doubles.

That arithmetic kills the case for individual US buyers. It does not kill the case for buyers in markets with normal duty structures — the Gulf, West Africa, Southeast Asia, parts of Latin America and Eastern Europe.

If you are in New Jersey, buy the Tesla. If you are reading this from Lagos, Dubai or Jakarta, the Chinese car is the better purchase by a wide margin.

Where does the used Tesla still clearly win?

• Charging network. The Supercharger footprint is the single biggest practical advantage and it is not close.
• Software longevity. A 2021 Model 3 still receives meaningful OTA updates. Chinese budget models usually do not after year three.
• Service. Tesla service centres exist in most US metros. Changan does not sell cars in the US at all.
• Resale. A used Tesla has a deep local buyer pool.

Where does the Chinese EV win?

Price per usable kilometre, and battery longevity. That is it, and for a large share of the world’s buyers those two things are the entire decision.

At the cheaper end the gap is even starker. A BYD Seagull at about $8,500 or a Geely Xingyuan at $9,800 costs less than half a used Model 3 and will run a 40 km daily commute indefinitely. For a household buying its first EV, that is transformative.

One more thing worth saying plainly: the Model 3 is a better car. The Chinese city cars are better purchases for people who cannot afford a better car. Those are different statements and both are true.

Key Takeaways

• Used Tesla Model 3 prices in New Jersey run $19,000-$26,000 in 2026 for 2021-2022 cars.
• A 2026 Changan Qiyuan Q05 at $14,500 FOB is cheaper but cannot enter the US economically due to 25%+ tariffs.
• The Tesla wins on charging network, software support and service; the Chinese EV wins on price and LFP battery longevity.
• Outside the US, the Chinese used EV is usually the better value by $4,000-$10,000.