Cybertruck for a couple of days... Again

[daczone]

I thought I would give you all my thoughts on having a Cybertruck for a couple of days again.

My Tesla Model 3 is getting the battery replaced (Warranty) it's a 2020 performance model so it lasted 6 years... not great but as I understand it the performance models have a higher density batteries (NMC/NCA Nickel Manganese Cobalt/Aluminum vs LFP Lithium Iron Phosphate)

Anyway this is the 2nd time I have had a Cybertruck, I was going to buy one and spent a couple of days with one a year ago... So this is a little bit of dejavu

This one is a Cyberbeast which has 3 motors, 845 hp (about 240 miles per charge) and it goes like hell. It's ridulous how fast it is. 0-60 in 2.5 seconds is what they say and I would agree, I actually lifted my foot, it is crazy fast.

Things I LOVE about it:
4 wheel steering is AMAZING this big truck will turn in extremely tight areas
The Ride (no float down the road), the ability to lift it (air suspension) or lower it
Full Self Driving is light years ahead of Bluecruise, it doesn't nag you to hold the wheel, just keep your eyes on the road.
The GUI... Easy to use, Cameras that are actually viewable from the app and record motion around the vehicle.
The Heavy Steel used in the body, no need to worry about dents and dings, the thing is tough.

Things I HATE about it:
The Motor noise inside, while it's not LOUD by any stretch, and may be "COOL" at first it gets real annoying. It sounds like a unfiltered alternator back in the day
The Space... or lack of it. I mean if you see where your feet and dash are, there are at least 2 feet of space behind that tiny front trunk. It's holds a few bags of groceries but that's it, and the lid is super sensative and will open back up if something touches it.
The Rear seat isn't any better, Adults can fit in the back seat, but if you are tall (I am 6-2") you will be tight with a tall driver. This pales in comparison to the the Lightning
The back window can only be seen out of with the tonuea cover open all the way, the rear view mirror is TINY. Yes it has a camera on the screen but it takes a bit to get used to.
The odd steering wheel. It's very small and I am getting used to it, it's different. The turn signals are buttons on the steering wheel, no stalks

The wheel covers, Some people love them, but for a $100,000 truck they could have done better. They look like something you bought at Walmart, AND they look like they are going to fly off at any minute.

The Air Suspension. The pump is very quiet, BUT everytime you park it lowers to exit. This results in all kinds of creaks and noises. I'm guessing these bags won't last and probably aren't cheap.
The Look... It's a love hate thing. I'm getting used to it, but most think it's ugly

The Fitment of the A' Pillar panels is real bad, these are the same A' Pillar panels that were recalled because they come off. I'm guessing this truck has had them come off. The rear is 1/4" higher than the body. Again.... If this truck wasn't $100,000 it might be okay.

Low beams don't seem as good as the lightning, but the high beams are better.
Then there is insurance, this truck is over 2x higher in premiums than my Lightning.
And sadly all the liberials that hate Elon and think spiting, peeing, scratching the truck hurts him somehow. I had someone in a parking lot sweve at me. Just stupid...

I do own a Lightning

Sponsored

 

[ryun]

Good write up thanks. I could see how the cybertruck could be a winner if it were the only electric truck out there. I could see myself saying, "Wow this is ugly but it's the only electric truck on offer sooo... ." With all the competition though it really missed the mark on release. Especially with the price it ended up at.

That's messed up you had someone swerve at you. I'm not a liberal but Elon's a douche and it'd be pretty fun to swerve a fist at his face one day, but taking it out on Tesla owners is a room-temperature-IQ move.

Did they say when you're getting your model 3 back?

 

[DavidYo]

Sounds like a good objective review, thanks. Any thoughts on bed usability? I know it has more space than the lightning but it seems like it would be harder to get stuff in and out of.

 

[garsh]

...it really missed the mark on release. Especially with the price it ended up at.

That's what killed demand. I was quite willing to buy one at the originally-announced base price of $40k. Even adjusting for Covid-caused inflation (which happened between that announced price and production), that would still be $50k-$55k.

The strange thing is, used ones are holding value. I was actually going to buy a used one instead of my used Lightning, but used Cybertrucks are barely less expensive than new ones!

"Wow this is ugly..."

Yeah, well, I also owned a Nissan Leaf. I'll gladly ignore looks for features and price.

 

[ryun]

Yeah, well, I also owned a Nissan Leaf. I'll gladly ignore looks for features and price.

I kinda liked the old Leaf! I was driving a Fiesta hatchback before my lightning so I've got a soft spot for compact hatches of all forms. But yeah I'd be surprised if the old Leaf won any design awards.

 

[jefrank]

I just can't get past the ugly...

 

[Wattsgas]

Thanks for the writeup. There are a lot of days when I wonder about having a Cybertruck instead of the Lightning. I have been disappointed with the software and quality of the Lightning, especially the number of recalls and the hit and miss on software updates. I was happy when the range wasn't better than the Lightning, and my massaging full recline seats are very comfortable. But the turning and extra foot of bed in the back would be much appreciated.

 

[daczone]

Good write up thanks. I could see how the cybertruck could be a winner if it were the only electric truck out there. I could see myself saying, "Wow this is ugly but it's the only electric truck on offer sooo... ." With all the competition though it really missed the mark on release. Especially with the price it ended up at.

That's messed up you had someone swerve at you. I'm not a liberal but Elon's a douche and it'd be pretty fun to swerve a fist at his face one day, but taking it out on Tesla owners is a room-temperature-IQ move.

Did they say when you're getting your model 3 back?

I'm not a Elon fanboy... But do like the product. I like alot of the Tesla ecosystem and the fact that it took tesla to break some molds. I mean no keys is now a thing (including the Lightning) and I couldn't go back. I drove my Audi last summer and left the keys in the car, not even thinking about it. The Tesla app let me see every step of the way the progress of my car. Which is ready this afternoon (2 day service).

 

[daczone]

Thanks for the writeup. There are a lot of days when I wonder about having a Cybertruck instead of the Lightning. I have been disappointed with the software and quality of the Lightning, especially the number of recalls and the hit and miss on software updates. I was happy when the range wasn't better than the Lightning, and my massaging full recline seats are very comfortable. But the turning and extra foot of bed in the back would be much appreciated.

I'd give Tesla the edge on the milage, it is SPOT ON! I took a co-worker out for a ride and first time I ever used launch control. It's insanely fast, he couldn't believe it. I wish Ford would open up the software for others to develop it further. With that Center LCD screen there's so much that could have been done. I mean even Audi has been putting the Navigation screen between the Tach and Speedo for well over 10 years.

 

[daczone]

I just can't get past the ugly...

It's the modern day AMC Pacer... Which sold very well. Then people realized how ugly they were.

 

[daczone]

Sounds like a good objective review, thanks. Any thoughts on bed usability? I know it has more space than the lightning but it seems like it would be harder to get stuff in and out of.

The Bed is DEEP and bigger, no wheel wells, oddly the tailgate is electric opening, but does not close, It is dampered, or assisted so its pretty light closing. Those side sails ruin any side access. I guess they didn't learn from the Escalade. Also like the Rivan, damage to the bed is quite expension due to needing a whole new panel.

 

[jefrank]

It's the modern day AMC Pacer... Which sold very well. Then people realized how ugly they were.

But the Pacer was cheap, not so much the CyberUgly

 

[Altivec]

I have been disappointed with the software and quality of the Lightning, especially the number of recalls and the hit and miss on software updates.

I'll give you Ford's software updates and software in general being a disappointment but quality and recalls? You've obviously not been following Cybertuck news. The number of Recalls on CT will have your head spinning. and Quality wise, honest reviews claim that it's noisy, creaky with things continually breaking off, and interior minimalist interior uses cheap materials.

 

[daczone]

Thanks for the writeup. There are a lot of days when I wonder about having a Cybertruck instead of the Lightning. I have been disappointed with the software and quality of the Lightning, especially the number of recalls and the hit and miss on software updates. I was happy when the range wasn't better than the Lightning, and my massaging full recline seats are very comfortable. But the turning and extra foot of bed in the back would be much appreciated.

Yes 4 wheel steering would have been a game changer. But I hear that Chevy did that in the early 2000's and it simply didn't sell well.

Quadrasteer

Yes The Cybertruck has had some issues, the A/B pillar's falling off, hubcaps falling off. Accelerater pedal rivet, The truck I just had didn't have that rivet, so they must have fixed it. The truck was nearly new with just 1300 miles on it. Wiper blade issues, rust spots... to name a few.

 

[Wattsgas]

I'll give you Ford's software updates and software in general being a disappointment but quality and recalls? You've obviously not been following Cybertuck news. The number of Recalls on CT will have your head spinning. and Quality wise, honest reviews claim that it's noisy, creaky with things continually breaking off, and interior minimalist interior uses cheap materials.

Yes the Ford does have a premium interior. But things you depend on like Phone as a Key, has failed me twice where it took me inputting the backup code several times before it would start. 12 volt battery system management. Speed assist picking up random 25 mile per hour speed limits on divided highways. The warning beeps going off with no apparent reason. I expect better from Ford.

It is hard for me to believe a Cybertruck experience would be worse than my Ford experience. Power train Malfunction 8 weeks to fix. 6 recalls (one for the misaligned electrode that took another 6 weeks to fix with no loaner) 2 customer satisfaction program fixes. Resulting in another 6 weeks of no truck.

Home Integration System that has only worked once as advertised.

Fogged headlight, that isn't fogged so much as to be covered by warranty.

I have a 23 Rivian, it has had one issue. Was fixed in 30 minutes as promised. I know I was taking a chance with the Rivian.

I had a 2015 Tesla S. It had less issues than my Ford in 8 years of ownership. Plus when it did have issues I was given a loaner. The dealership only had a loaner for me once out of the 3 long visits to the shop.

To be honest if it wasn't for the people on this forum. I wouldn't know what to do or expect. I hardly look at the Rivian Forum, and the posts there are very different from here. And yet, I will probably drive it till the wheels fall off.

Sponsored