Finally a truck for most everyone who owns a truck but doesn't need it.

"Stephen Rivers" (stephenrivers) 11/22/2019 at 08:05 • Filed to: Tesla Cybrtruk, Tesla, Cybertruck, trucks

0

15

The Tesla Truck is finally here. I mean the windows aren’t ball bearing proof but I for one couldn’t be much more excited, and I am not a truck guy of any ilk. I actually kind of dislike trucks overall. I think they’re just a big compromise to make for the majority of owners. Unless you’re using your truck (If it doesn’t have a bed it isn’t a truck you doltish SUV owners) for things only a truck can do on a regular basis then it’s just not the best choice.

Until tonight, the trucks of the world have been bad at doing what the majority of drivers need them to do well. Handle, accelerate, brake, and be economical. They simply don’t offer those things on the regular. Most all of them are actually quite bad at each of those things. One of Car & Drivers 10 best trucks this year, the Ram 1500 does 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. That’s not terrible but remember we’re talking about one of the best of 2020. We haven’t even talked about how it’s a boat that handles like one. The cheap Cybrtruk does the same in 6.5 and handles considerably better. It’s clean too so imagine the savings.

Most truck owners that don’t use them regularly for things only a truck can do seem to own them for reasons like, well it sits up high, I just want it because it’s a truck, etc. That leads to a lot a people with not great reasons to own something that isn’t great to drive.

Tonight the Tesla Cybrtruk has on its own become the best truck available today for the majority of truck owners out here who don’t really need a truck but just want one. $39k is wildly affordable for most new truck and even lightly used truck shoppers. Even the most expensive one is affordable for someone who needs that actual utility. Really at the heart of my argument is that a better drive is more likely to illicit better drivers. I can’t wait to see that wacky thing on the roads.

Poor_Sh > Stephen Rivers 11/22/2019 at 08:15

9

This is a joke post right? It's early so I may not be picking up all the sarcasm I sure hope you were using.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Stephen Rivers 11/22/2019 at 08:23

2

*Full disclosure - I really don’t care if you love, hate, or are indifferent towards trucks - I also have one, so I can’t claim total lack of bias *

Couple counterpoints:

I just want it because it’s a truck , etc. That leads to a lot a people with not great reasons to own something

I actually think wanting something because you like it is a pretty good reason to own said thing, personally.

Really at the heart of my argument is that a better drive is more likely to illicit better drivers.

Debatable. IMO more and/or better feedback from the vehicle provides a more engaging drive, meaning a more involved, better driver. Too many vehicles today are sterile experiences, or at least sterile until you’re driving in a ludicrous manner. Pickups by their construction are far from sterile driving experiences. I used this example in a post yesterday, but it’s worth repeating again. A cousin of mine had a Golf R. I drove it. Meh. Fantastic machine, boring unless you’re driving like an ass. Robotic. My truck by virtue of its flaws has a character of its own just cruising, responding to road imperfections through the wheel instead of merely breaking your spine. You need to be involved, not fucking around on your phone. That is of interest to me.

In saying all that, bring on the Tesla--looks pretty cool.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Stephen Rivers 11/22/2019 at 08:26

2

I’m a MEJ, but I want one of these things with the top drivetrain. It’s everything I need/want in a truck and would be the perfect platform for an overland rig that could carry enough solar panels to keep you going for weeks to months on end somewhere off road. All it needs is a bit more ground clearance, a practical topper, and probably some light frontal protection.

I want to know how it handles crash tests, because crumple zones are how most modern vehicles reduce injuries to passengers.

Something like this, with suitable sealing and a different tire material, would even work on other planets...

Nibby > Stephen Rivers 11/22/2019 at 08:42

1

Do you or have you owned a truck? I’ve had a 2015 Ram 1500 with the Hemi and now a 2018 F150 with the 2.7L ecoboost... they’re both perfectly comfortable for daily driving and have plenty of acceleration. Braking isn’t really an issue for either. Yeah, they’re bigly and don’t handle that great but last I checked vehicles over 200" long weren’t known for their handling prowess.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Stephen Rivers 11/22/2019 at 08:44

1

Lost you at “I need a truck that can get to 60 faster than 5.9 seconds”. Uh why do you need that?

I personally need a truck to haul 800 pounds of flooring, then tow 8500 po unds of Land Cruiser and gear on a trailer, then move a shop floor of tools and equipment out to the new service bay. I don’t see this getting any of that done...

Stephen Rivers > Poor_Sh 11/22/2019 at 09:20

0

I think I could’ve taken more time to write this whole thing better. Still working on finding a way to clearly communicate when I’m joking and when I’m being serious. The end all be all point is that a better driving experience has a better chance to lead to better, more engaged drivers and that’s a win for everybody.

Stephen Rivers > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 11/22/2019 at 09:24

1

I do agree that owning something you like is important and indeed a good reason to own it . All I’m trying to get at is that driving something that’s less good at what the average car needs to do is not as good as driving something more capable on the road.

Grindintosecond > Stephen Rivers 11/22/2019 at 09:24

0

This will sell about like the Ridgeline, which is also the  trick 99% need. 

Stephen Rivers > Nibby 11/22/2019 at 09:28

0

I do not currently own a truck but have before and do drive a variety of the newest ones for work. I should have taken more time to write this post. I could’ve been considerably more clear.   I agree that in general they’re far far improved compared to where they used to be but my real point is that if you have a truck that you don’t use for things only a truck can do , couldn’t you have a better driving experience, couldn’t you be more engaged behind the wheel of something more capable on road? I think that’s an obvious yes.

Stephen Rivers > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 11/22/2019 at 09:29

1

Could’ve communicated my point much better than I did. A faster, better handling vehicle has a better chance as positively influencing a persons ability and engagement behind the wheel than one less capable. 

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 11/22/2019 at 09:31

0

You don’t need anything that can get you to 60 faster than about 7 seconds, but it’s fun if the vehicle can do it without sacrificing elsewhere. As long as you aren’t compromising something more important to you, who cares? All else being equal, I’ll take the faster ride.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 11/22/2019 at 09:42

1

Having lived 30 years in “truck country”, not once did I run into an F-150, F-250, Silverado, Sierra, RAM or Tundra owner who even remotely cared about 0-60. I have no idea what my Silverado HD will do...

I do care about not having auto parts and equipment bouncing around in the bed, though, so “high acceleration forces” aren’t actually a great thing if you need to keep loads tied down.

I’d be willing to bet Musk doesn’t even KNOW anyone who owns an F-150.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Stephen Rivers 11/22/2019 at 09:52

0

No person, not one person, not anyone needs any kind of vehicle that goes from 0-60 in less than 6 seconds.

No road going vehicle needs to be that fast. And 99% of owners wouldn’t use that power of the had it.

And no way in hell will the Tesla be 39k in real life 

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Stephen Rivers 11/22/2019 at 10:23

0

That’s fine. I think we’re half in agreement here actually. Just w an ted to point out that personal preference/temperament is hugely important when in the context of what m ight be able to make someone a better driver.

For myself, I happen to think the standard is high enough now that “worse than average” is not nec essarily “dangerous” or even “bad”. And depending on who you are, a slight flaw can make you more engaged - having to pay more attention to the foibles of my truck, for example, which are not major but definitely there - or alternately they can drive you up a wall, which is not good for the driver or those around them.

For a point in the opposite direction, take the Toyota Sienna. At least the 2011- ish model. It’s objectively a better vehicle than my truck. Better made, nicer (at least in some areas) interior, sharp steering, decent ride, good power ... but while some people mi ght look at/experience that and feel re laxed, secure and therefore in a better position to just go out and drive, I’d personally rather drive INTO one than drive one myself. Why? Well, while sharp and precise , the steering has no feel to it whatsoever. No feedback, nothing. It’s clinically dead. And just because it’s sharp doesn’t mean it’s immune to the road crown, or bumps... so what I find it to be is a vehicle that lulls me to sleep both through bore dom and mental exhaustion since you’re always playing a guessing game with the steering. I can do maybe 3 hours behind the wheel before it starts to get dangerous regardless of road quality . In my truck I can at least double that, triple it if the roads are even slightly interesting . Which version of me would you rather encounter?

And yeah, we’re talking about a minivan’s steering feel you might say... it’s not exactly shocking that it’s bad. To that I have two answers. One, it’s a people transport device, and in the wrong hands (mine) it can be downright dangerous. Two, the comparable is a pickup... not exactly an “ultimate driving machine” either. Also, we used to have an 80's Chev y full size van and an early 2000's Montana. Both of them were comfy, floppy wayward things by comparison... but the steering was communicative and engaging. I’d take EITHER of them over a modern Sienna.

TL;DR a relaxed, engaged driver is the safest one and different things relax/engage different people.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > SBA Thanks You For All The Fish 11/22/2019 at 10:28

0

*shrug emoji*

Just sayin’. Acceleration isn’t a priority, but it’s nice to have. It’s not typically a problem for trucks anyway as they need to have some balls to do their job properly anyway.

Side note, while you might not know or care what your S ilverado can do, I think you might be impressed. I’ve clocked a full-size Express van around the 8-9 second mark.