WOULD YOU BUY A CYBERTRUCK WITHOUT A TEST DRIVE?

"Matchthebox" (teejay12)
12/12/2019 at 02:16 • Filed to: Cybertruck, Tesla, EV truck, stainless steel body, cybertruck unveiling, Tesla Truck

Image borrowed from the web

If there is one thing that I learn these past few weeks its that marketing, gimmick and possibly Youtube matters. Think about it. A few startup companies are springing up offering electric vehicles and more specifically targeting the truck buyers market. I was surfing thru the web looking for reviews and trim line differences on the Tacoma on Youtube and on the corner was a thumbnail of a new electric truck from Rivian. I never paid attention to it till I keep seeing more thumbnail of it so I decided to click on it and it shows this nice looking pickup truck with a compartment in between the cab and bed that you can put a set of golf club and other stuff which I have not seen other companies have done.

Image borrowed from the web

But then you are probably wondering why I am talking about the Rivian when my heading indicates the Cybertruck. Ahh.. but this is where things get interesting at least to me. While trying to get more info about this truck in Youtube, there were suddenly more thumbnails about Tesla’s Cybertruck popping out of nowhere. So my curiosity about it started to grow and my first impression looking at the side of this truck makes me wonder if I am actually looking at the right photo as it does not resemble any pickup truck at all. In fact like most people’s first impression the truck looks ugly or unconventional. But then that’s probably the catch that got a lot of Youtubers talking which makes good word of mouth marketing. Most likely the traffic about the Cybertruck grew even more after it was revealed on Thursday night November 21 at 11PM ET at the Tesla Design Center in Los Angeles.

But here is the thing. It seems the Rivian was overshadowed at least in Youtube by this truck and thumbnails with headings about why they are getting the Cybertruck is becoming the norm. And the only thing most of them is basing on is the spec that was given in the presentation. Really? Basing on spec without actually test driving the truck at all? How would you know how reliable it is? Let’s not forget handling and comfort which can only be determined if you actually drove it. For me anything new specially on technology would usually come with some glitches that needed to be worked out so I would probably wait till it’s been on the market for a while before I put good money on it.

So what about you? Would you buy a Cybertruck or any other vehicles without a test drive? Leave your answer on the comment section.

Yes as the presentation is dependable information

No as I actually need to be driving the vehicle first

DISCUSSION (23)

pip bip - choose Corrour > Matchthebox
12/12/2019 at 02:50

test drive or no sale

SmugAardvark > Matchthebox
12/12/2019 at 03:31

I ’ve only ever bought one vehicle without a test drive, and it was a $2,000 Subaru SVX that I won on eBay. That one worked out well, so I’ve decided not to tempt fate again. Plus it was only for 2 grand.

No purchase without test drive.

jimz > Matchthebox
12/12/2019 at 05:47

Early cybertruck buyers are going to be the new “Glassholes.” They think they look “cool” in them, but everyone else is laughing at what douches they are.

SiennaMan > Matchthebox
12/12/2019 at 06:04

I'm more of a cautious buyer, so I'd insist on test driving and then thinking on it for a while. The only time I could see making an exception is if it were something old and cheap where I basically know what I'm getting in terms of what it's like when in good condition..

Long_Voyager94 > SiennaMan
12/12/2019 at 06:40

I’m usually the same, with the exception of our new van, that was definitely a test drive, sign papers.

Long_Voyager94 > Matchthebox
12/12/2019 at 06:41

I’d never buy any vehicle without a test drive. Doesn’t matter what it is.

Captain of the Enterprise > Matchthebox
12/12/2019 at 06:58

I don’t buy anything without a test drive. The cybertruck looks like it could be weird to drive on top of it so a test drive would be a must.

Urambo Tauro > Matchthebox
12/12/2019 at 07:39

Even a test drive wouldn’t be conclusive enough for me, considering i t’s still not close enough to production-ready for said test d rive. None of the pictures or video I’ve seen show side mirrors, or even a turn signal stalk. I’m gonna give it a HARD PASS if you have to go through the touchscreen to find thos e turn signals.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Matchthebox
12/12/2019 at 08:11

I actually bought the vehicle I still drive today back in 2002...no test drive and over the phone from 880 km away. Admittedly it was mostly brand new but going from a 200 TDi Land Rover Defender to a Volkswagen Transporter Double Cab Chassis Sync ro TDi was a bit of a shock from the dealer carpark...

Elon would have to kiss my chocolate starfish before I bought a Cybertruck.

Nibby > Matchthebox
12/12/2019 at 08:52

never would buy one so ha...

would rather buy a real truck from a reputable manufacture, not some company run by a wannabe

Gone > Matchthebox
12/12/2019 at 09:03

I’ve done both - I didn’t test ride my Buell (HD dealers are trash), and I’ve bought non-running projects. If you really want something the test drive is just a confirmation of your thoughts anyways.

Dealers spend a lot of effort to minimize test drives ~2-3mi max, jacking with controls, talking) as to make them virtually worthless anyway. I spent maybe 10min total between the Colorado V6 and diesel on drives and couldn’t get anyone to give me an overnight/extended drive so I could try my commute, even from the loaner pool, as much as I would have liked to. So damn dumb, so I didn’t buy from any of those dealers lol. I flew in and drove home my ZR2. The test drive was pretty superficial at that point.

I don’t think I could make a technology leap without a test drive (to full electric). We will go hybrid or EV the wife’s next car (Volt or 3 probably) and/or hybrid/EV on my next truck. See how it all plays out. I really like the Rivian, so I’m paying attention to that one. I needed something sooner rather than later so I couldn’t wait. I am curious what Ford, GM, and Ram bring to the table for EV trucks. But we’d test drive those.

I think it depends on what and why you’re buying something.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Matchthebox
12/12/2019 at 09:12

I’d buy no vehicle without a test drive.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Matchthebox
12/12/2019 at 09:30

If I were the type of person who bought appliance vehicles I could see buying one without a test drive. These people are not buying a car for feel they are buying them for specs(range, quickness, bed size, etc.).

I wouldn’t buy a cyber truck without a test drive but I don’t think I’d buy one at all. I would buy a car I thought I’d like without a test drive if it were a low to modestly priced fun car if I thought I could re-sel and recoup my money(off the top of my head Merkur XR4Ti, BMW Z3 coupe, or some other Jalop-mobile).

hillrat > Gone
12/12/2019 at 09:53

Dealers spend a lot of effort to minimize test drives ~2-3mi max, jacking with controls, talking) as to make them virtually worthless anyway.

This right here^^^^. Test drives are almost worthless IMHO, you drive around for 5 minutes and confirm that, “Yes, this is a car. It accelerates and brakes.” Other than that, you don’t have the opportunity to play with new features or really learn anything other than what the salesman tells you.

Even so, I wouldn’t spend $50-70k without taking a test drive.

Tripper > Matchthebox
12/12/2019 at 10:06

Completely dependent on the vehicle. It this case I would not buy without driving even though I have been a huge fan of this truck since the first time I saw a render.

It’s the first model from a new brand. It would be my first electric vehicle which I am far from sold on. Finally, they won’t be cheap. Therefore I must have a drive before I buy.

On the other hand I bought my last bimmer via wire transfer from a guy in Holland.

I wanted at TD in my Alltrack before I bought it because I have driven a bunch of MK7's but they were all GTI’s R’s etc. Never a standard Golf.

fintail > jimz
12/12/2019 at 12:07

Kind of like with the rest of the lineup

fintail > Matchthebox
12/12/2019 at 12:08

I wouldn’t buy one with a test drive.

I wouldn’t buy anything without. Even a generic 5-10 mile suburban loop can show if the vehicle has build flaws.

Matchthebox > Gone
12/12/2019 at 20:02

Rivian does have some potential but will have to wait a few more months as this is the crucial time for them whether their product will succeed once customers get the chance to drive them. And let’s hope they actually came out with a working vehicle ahead of say Tesla.

Matchthebox > jimz
12/12/2019 at 20:05

One positive thing I can say is the early adopters will give us and the company a first hand look at either the reliability or the failure of the product before we put money on it if the product becomes desirable for us.

Matchthebox > SiennaMan
12/12/2019 at 20:06

Yes specially if we are talking big $$$.

Matchthebox > SmugAardvark
12/12/2019 at 20:10

Same here. If you like it and the price is what you are willing to risk then its worth the gamble but for the price of the cybertruck that is a brand new technology you’re hoping that it is what is stated on the spec. I wonder if Tesla gives you a time frame where you can return it if it does not meet your expectation.

Matchthebox > Urambo Tauro
12/12/2019 at 20:13

Yeah if someone decides to buy one, hopefully its not a touchscreen when doing adjustments . I will be a pain.

Matchthebox > fintail
12/12/2019 at 20:14

Yeah technology is too new for us to determine the reliability of the vehicle yet.