My Next Truck Is Bulletproof!!!

[mrbulk]

No kidding, I actually succumbed to temptation and plunked down a deposit on one a these (and it's also a handy park-anywhere backstop for airgun shootin'):

[anti-squirrel]

Gotta say stainless steel is tough.  Good enough for even going back to the future 


I'll stick with my ol' beaters, especially after seeing how the Cyber-Truck "handles" rough terrain.  My 02 CR-V has performed far better off-roading than any of the videos I've seen of the BoondoggleMobile 8-bit-design-abortion laughing-stock-of-the-truck-world Musk-Mistake Cyber-truck.  Less money spent on vehicles means more money for other things.  I suspect it won't be long before the aftermarket EV adapter kits drop enough in price to render any old pick-em-up truck worthy of converting.  Prices ain't there yet but soon enouhh.

[Rob M]

any sticker shock when they announced the new pricing ? are you getting the single , dual , or tri motor variant ?

[Madd Hatter]

Thing I don't like is its steer by wire.

[Rocker1]

 Well Im old and stuck in my ways,  will always like the gas burners  from what i read and that dont mean a lot  over all cost of up keep and charging them is more than fuel and takes fuel to charge them unless everyone has a wind turbine. David

[mrbulk]

any sticker shock when they announced the new pricing ? are you getting the single , dual , or tri motor variant ?

Actually I felt no real sticker shock after I did the math and added the tax credit to the old prices (for an apples-to-apples comparison) and then subtracted the tax credit from the new prices. After adjusting for inflation between 2019 and now the prices are about the same or in the case of the single motor, about $3,500 cheaper today...except for the top trim tri-motor CyberBeast of course, I believe they priced that one way high because although everybody thought they would be getting the latest/greatest EV truck for super cheap, I think Tesla wants to position the CyberBeast as their halo vehicle given the lagging sales of the older former halo cars the S and X.

I won't go into the advantages of EVs over gas cars because, after owning three of them so far (including the wife, she is now SOLD on EVs after experiencing the positive change in our automotive lives ever since we got our first EV), I can tell everyone that living with them is indeed better, both financially and convenience-wise, despite all the negative disinformation put out by big oil and the gas car industry who unfortunately are fighting for their very existences as EVs really start to catch on like they already seem to be.

Instead I will just say to check it out if you are considering a new car/truck, it will change your life for the better (or I ain't Mr Bulk).   

*contact me personally if you want to learn more 

[Horatio]

I really like the idea of charge from home.

I really don’t like the idea of planning trips around charges.

A coworker has a model S. I guess the electric motors are liquid cooled. I only know because the seal went out and coolant got in the electric motor. Tesla wants 6,000+ for a new motor, coworker going to take it apart and see what he can do.

For me who’s usual priority is really low cost of ownership EVs don’t make sense yet. I buy em cheap and run em into the ground.

That said, I have maybe 25k worth of vehicles total. My tax guy kind of challenged my thinking on it. Basically I could have financed and used the money for something that grows in the meantime.

[Thumpa]

If you're attacked by a Tommy gun from the 1920s, you're golden.
Enjoy !!

[Horatio]

If you're attacked by a Tommy gun from the 1920s, you're golden.
Enjoy !!

But probably not if you’re shot at with a Remington model 8.

[anti-squirrel]

any sticker shock when they announced the new pricing ? are you getting the single , dual , or tri motor variant ?

Actually I felt no real sticker shock after I did the math and added the tax credit to the old prices (for an apples-to-apples comparison) and then subtracted the tax credit from the new prices. After adjusting for inflation between 2019 and now the prices are about the same or in the case of the single motor, about $3,500 cheaper today...except for the top trim tri-motor CyberBeast of course, I believe they priced that one way high because although everybody thought they would be getting the latest/greatest EV truck for super cheap, I think Tesla wants to position the CyberBeast as their halo vehicle given the lagging sales of the older former halo cars the S and X.

I won't go into the advantages of EVs over gas cars because, after owning three of them so far (including the wife, she is now SOLD on EVs after experiencing the positive change in our automotive lives ever since we got our first EV), I can tell everyone that living with them is indeed better, both financially and convenience-wise, despite all the negative disinformation put out by big oil and the gas car industry who unfortunately are fighting for their very existences as EVs really start to catch on like they already seem to be.

Instead I will just say to check it out if you are considering a new car/truck, it will change your life for the better (or I ain't Mr Bulk).   

*contact me personally if you want to learn more 

EVs are not the right answer for everybody yet.  Take it from a guy who has been working in data analysis for over 400 municipal Fleets for nearly 2 decades and has veritable mountains of data for reference ranging from the newest EVs to the oldest hybrids, all gas vehicles, pre-Tier4 diesels, OPE, etc.

The thing about EVs is the tech for batteries is about to go through a major upheaval.  I've contemplated buying an EV but with a house move shortly to a much more rural locale, the cost of purchasing an EV that can handle my wife's 3-times-a-week commute (212 miles daily) makes no sense until after we move.  A PHEV would be far more useful for us but I can't see paying at 9or more than likely well over) MSRP for such even with any government subsidies/tax breaks.  We're not buying squat until after we move (so our excess income goes straight into our various IRAs, 401k, Mutual Funds, etc).  The other side of this coin is understanding EVs are not The Answer; they are one of multiple answers.  I see PHEVs gaining for more traction, especially as hydrogen tech is advanced along with solid state and lithium-iron-phosphate batteries.  Toyota is leading the charge in that regard.  When EVs become truly affordable to Joe-Six-Pack the way "stripper model" cars and trucks were pre-Pandemic, we'll start seeing that paradigm shift.  Until that happens, nothing changes. 

Wanna make some serious inroads?  EV conversions.  If I could buy one for 5k and drop it into my 94 F-150, 02 Ram, 02 CR-V, or 03 Element, I'd be on it like stink on poo. 

There's one aspect of EVs I personally despise: ginormous screens instead of tactile buttons/knobs.  However, screens cost way less and changes come via programming.  A potential issue is OTA updates, security, RTR (right to repair)... So there are numerous factors that come into play.  Like I said, EVs are An Answer; they are not The Answer.  But I am looking forward to not having to do oil changes; I mount my own tires so those and wipers would be my main "maintenance items" once we do shift to a couple EVs- plus by that time I suspect we'll have a nic lil' solar array for non-grid-based charging.

I am a huge proponent of hybrids at this time, and absolutely adore our 09 Tahoe Hybrid.  I'll sit on the fence for now until the right EV comes along.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

I'm willing to bet it wouldn't have stopped a shotgun slug or 5.7mm FMJ not to mention any sort of rifle round, a "What calibers will a Cybertruck stop?" test would have been more interesting although of course not as effective in terms of advertising.  I'm sure that once they're out some GunTuber will oblige anyway

edit: one of them already chimed in

[bantam5s]

Well I can't say it's good looking for a truck, but I don't think there's any defined way that a backstop should look so it should be fine for that purpose.

[mrbulk]

Yep, this truck certainly may not be for everyone, but for those who don't care about the practicality aspect and just want one anyway, life is an adventure:

[Rat Sniper (AKA: PaulT58)]

It's definately fast, too bad it's so flippin ugly!   

[Horatio]

Yep, this truck certainly may not be for everyone, but for those who don't care about the practicality aspect and just want one anyway, life is an adventure:

Right.

But before you
“I won't go into the advantages of EVs over gas cars because, after owning three of them so far (including the wife, she is now SOLD on EVs after experiencing the positive change in our automotive lives ever since we got our first EV), I can tell everyone that living with them is indeed better, both financially and convenience-wise,”

My normal daily driver was 13,600 everything out the door. It gets ~26mpg around town and I’ve seen 40mpg on road trips, but normally like ~33mpg highway. If I fill the tank filler neck full it will go from LA to St. George non stop.

Anti-Squirrel, after the tax rebates, how long to make the difference in price at 4.50/gallon?

[Horatio]

Mr Bulk.

If you’re the type that enjoys new cars anyways, more power to you.
Doubly so if you own a business and write them off.

But to a guy like me “Car = box with 4 round circles underneath that gets me to work. Needs big enough for family. Durable/reliable enough to go 200k without major powertrain work.” EVs really don’t pencil out.

If Anti-Squirrel says I’m wrong, I’ll believe him.

Anti-Squirrel. For someone who literally hates driving and only views automobiles as transportation, do EVs pencil out?

[Horatio]

Just to clarify.

My dream car charges at home and drives itself to work.

I mean I can read a book or take a nap in the back of a van and the van parks in the work parking lot and wakes me up when I’m there.

I think that’s literally how Warren Buffett approaches automobiles. 20 year old Lincoln towncar, except his version of automation is just paying a driver.

[AKM]

e
despite all the negative disinformation put out by big oil and the gas car industry who unfortunately are fighting for their very existences as EVs really start to catch on like they already seem to be.

Then why are EV's packing up on dealer lots?

Why are many dealers wanting out or their EV obligations?

EV sales are no where close to ICE sales and i doubt they ever will be in our life time. Not enough rare earth materials or power grid.

The oil industry will be just fine since all the plastic, rubber and lubrication/grease in the vehicle comes from oil.

Super cool truck but please don't buy into all the EV hype.

[Horatio]

OK.
Assuming zero maintenance on IC car and zero energy cost on EV

I’m at 200,000 miles to break even for our car vs model 3.
And 145,000 miles for our truck vs the cyber truck.

For the record, I change my own oil, and simple stuff like brakes, pcv valves, valve cover gaskets, etc.

[avator]

Personally, I hope they do go mainstream and everybody wants one or two. I'll be more than happy to buy the cheap used gas powered vehicles when they start flooding the market. Pretty sure I'll be long gone before they are.