The unsold Cybertrucks

[Larry N.]

I've not been in one, or even very near one, but I think the CyberTruck is plum ugly

Externally I agree fully. A little while back my neighbor had a visitor with a Cybertruck and that visitor showed me all through it, mentioning the various features, even opening the back end so I could watch it work and see the actual usefulness of it.

It was fascinating, and that back end is much more spacious and useful than it seems if you don't have the opportunity to examine it fully. So in its own way it is kinda beautiful up close, but I'd still not have one, and not just because of the expense. That rascal is huge, roughly on par with the half ton pickups from others, and some features are fascinating, but it's not for me.

 

[DonTom]

Well that truck really would not be any more useful to me than my Sierra 1500 ICE.

I feel the same way about my ICE Dodge Ram. However, if I were looking for a new truck, I would replace it with an EV truck, since I am already set up for EV charging at both of my houses and I just like EVs better than ICE for many reasons. But not worth dumping my rarely used ICE truck over it.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[LarsMac]

Now, an EV Dodge 2500 might tickle my fancy.

 

[DonTom]

Now, an EV Dodge 2500 might tickle my fancy.

I like this Dodge Ram EV. If I were to replace my ICE truck this is what I would probably buy.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[gwinger]

I like this Dodge Ram EV. If I were to replace my ICE truck this is what I would probably buy.

-Don- Reno, NV

Doesn't look any different than the ICE model.

 

[Professor David]

My son recently bought a 2 year old Tesla model Y. I wasn’t sure he should buy it but I’ve changed my mind. It had only 17k miles, looks new and he got a killer deal straight from Tesla. It’s perfect for his long commute. It has assisted drive which is safer than his driving. He drives aggressively. Monthly charging at home costs about 50 bucks versus about 400 bucks for a comparable gasser. It is very high tech, which is what he likes as a 32 year old. It’s great for him. If I had a long commute, I would consider picking up one. His gas savings is about the same as his car payment. Two of my nephews (identical twins) also have long commutes. Both are clay modelers at Ford. They both bought a mustang machine e and love it. They both save about the same…3 or 4 hundred dollars per month driving an electric car. They love how fast the car goes off the block. Zero to 60 at 3.5 seconds. I worry about them a bit because both are very aggressive drivers.

 

[DonTom]

My son recently bought a 2 year old Tesla model Y. I wasn’t sure he should buy it but I’ve changed my mind. It had only 17k miles, looks new and he got a killer deal straight from Tesla. It’s perfect for his long commute. It has assisted drive which is safer than his driving. He drives aggressively. Monthly charging at home costs about 50 bucks versus about 400 bucks for a comparable gasser. It is very high tech, which is what he likes as a 32 year old. It’s great for him. If I had a long commute, I would consider picking up one. His gas savings is about the same as his car payment. Two of my nephews (identical twins) also have long commutes. Both are clay modelers at Ford. They both bought a mustang machine e and love it. They both save about the same…3 or 4 hundred dollars per month driving an electric car. They love how fast the car goes off the block. Zero to 60 at 3.5 seconds. I worry about them a bit because both are very aggressive drivers.

Sometimes it only takes a test ride to get over EV-Phobia, but a few cannot stand the drive because they do not know the regen can be turned lower or off until one gets used to the difference. Some have told me EVs are way too "jerky", but they do not need to be.

Tesla is a major difference from ICE because the default is the very max regen and the very fasted acceleration. But both can be lowered from the screen.


-Don- Verdi, NV (getting my free charge as I have a late breakfast on the way to Auburn).

 

[LarsMac]

Doesn't look any different than the ICE model.

That is part of the appeal of it in my book.

 

[DonTom]

If I had a long commute, I would consider picking up one.

I find it interesting that some say EVs have too short of a range, but the owners usually prefer EVs on longer commutes.

However, there are other advantages of EVs, even for shorter runs.

I rarely use a gas vehicle between here and Auburn until it is time to give one some exercise, which doesn't need to be done with EVs. No gasoline to get old.

-Don- Verdi, NV

 

[DonTom]

That is part of the appeal of it in my book.

I normally cannot tell the difference between EVs and ICE by looking at them while driving.

Other than Tesla, especially the Cybertruck, which is impossible to miss.

If I were to buy a truck on looks alone, it would be the Cybertruck. At least it doesn't have a boring look.

-Don- Verdi, NV

 

[DonTom]

I worry about them a bit because both are very aggressive drivers.

The auto-braking works very well. So does the auto-steering correction. But please, don't ask me how I know!

FWIW, I like the way my Bolt does the blind spot indicator a lot better, as it is right in the mirrors, which show a danger icon light up when a vehicle is in a blind spot.

The Tesla means you must look at the screen, while is does show more detail, such as the type of vehicle (includes motorcycles, and even somebody walking) it requires eyes to look at the screen, which is not as natural to look at as a car mirror.

-Don- Verdi, NV

 

[garyb1st]

There's a Tesla facility about 2 miles from our home. An old K-mart shopping center with a very large parking lot is now filled with Teslas. A few trucks but mostly sedans. Not sure if they're selling from that location or if it's storage. Can't tell but it appears that most of the vehicles have been there a while.

 

[Professor David]

The auto-braking works very well. So does the auto-steering correction. But please, don't ask me how I know!

FWIW, I like the way my Bolt does the blind spot indicator a lot better, as it is right in the mirrors, which show a danger icon light up when a vehicle is in a blind spot.

The Tesla means you must look at the screen, while is does show more detail, such as the type of vehicle (includes motorcycles, and even somebody walking) it requires eyes to look at the screen, which is not as natural to look at as a car mirror.

-Don- Verdi, NV

Do u like the assisted dive feature?

 

[DonTom]

Do u like the assisted dive feature?

You mean the auto-drive nonsense?

Nope. I don't even have it installed. I tried it once when they had it for a month free trial, I would rather just drive my own car.

BTW, I just drove down to the Denny's in New Castle, CA. For the first time ever, I changed (in Dynamics) to "Chill" & "Light steering". I also put the regen to "low" (but that I have tried before).

Even in the so-called "chill" mode for acceleration, it is still faster accelerating than any ICE car I have ever owned. I decided to leave it there forever. I also like the "light steering" better, so I will also leave that. For the regen, for here in this area of mild hills, it is fine, but when I get into the mountains, it will go back to "standard" which is really ridiculously high regen. For now, I will give my brake pedal a little exercise for a change.

FWIW, you can safely adjust all three of these things in the "Dynamics" screen selection while driving, as I just did.

-Don- New Castle, CA

 

[John From Detroit]

Regarding auto braking and other driver assist modes.

I've driven both EV and ICE rentals that had them.. Most had all the same "Driver assist"

I have not rented a "Drives itself" car. all required I have hands on.

 

[DonTom]

. all required I have hands on.

So does Tesla with the so-called self-driving. At least one hand must be on the steering wheel, or the self-driving disengages.

That was the way it worked when I tried it a few years ago, but they keep on making changes, so I do not know for sure is that is still true.

But then I thought its requirement to keep the hands on the steering wheel defeated any useful purpose of having it.

Regardless of how it works, I do not want or need it.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[LarsMac]

I might be interested in self-driving, when I can get on the Interstate, set my destination, and feel comfy with picking up a comic book or a Nat Geo and reading it while the car does all the work for a couple hours, and let's me know when it's time for a stop.
I will probably be long in my Ash Urn before that day comes.

 

[Professor David]

We used the Waymo self driving car a few time when we were visiting Phoenix a few weeks ago. I liked it. Better than Uber.

 

[DonTom]

We used the Waymo self driving car a few time when we were visiting Phoenix a few weeks ago. I liked it. Better than Uber.

I know of several people who love the self-driving, but I am not one of them. Even if it were perfect (and it's far from that, IMO), I doubt I would use it much.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[DonTom]

Does anyone actually think it can be used as a real truck?

Have you ever even seen the Cybertruck bed open?

-Don- Auburn, CA