My 3 hour test drive of the Cybertruck

[roadrunner32]

This drive was mid day around noon with a lot of traffic.

My question is did you guys have the same experience I had when you first drove the cybertruck and did it take much getting used to. First of all I've not driven a full size pickup in 7 years and the CT sure seemed big. I think It will take some getting used too all over again.
I couldn't quite tell where I was in the process of getting into parking stalls. there are a multitude of camera views on the display screen which will take some time getting used to also.

The rear wheel steering did not seem to help as much as I thought it would, but that ghostly looking overhead view definitely helped parking.

The Texas Sun was directly overhead and man it was definitely hot in the cabin, Please tell me I can buy some kind of screen for the overhead glass.

The inability to see the corners because of the A pillars blocking the view that Sandy Munro talked about on his first drive is really a thing. I hope the cameras can take care of it and that I learn to easily switch camera views to see it. Perhaps one gets used to it and just knows where the left or right nose is with out having to look at the camera front camera view.

All things considered though I really liked the truck. It was very quiet, smooth riding, and very comfortable I need to have a 48 hour test drive. Not sure my wife would drive it because it's big like the Tundra we had seven years ago.

This truck fills the need to replace my nearly 8 year old Ridgeline which doesn't have all the driver assist features that I think a 78 year old guy needs.

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[axhoaxho]

For years I couldn't get my wife to drive my RAM 1500, but it took her only about 10 minutes to get used to driving the Cybertruck.

After a couple practices, she could even park it inside the garage all by herself. The cameras and four-wheel-steering did help a lot.

The huge front windshield does warm up the cabin during the hot days, and I am tempting to tint the windshield (as suggested by other fellow forum-ers here.)

I still love my old RAM, but the Cybertruck is really something else.

 

[roadrunner32]

all

For years I couldn't get my wife to drive my RAM 1500, but it took her only about 10 minutes to get used to driving the Cybertruck.

After a couple practices, she could even park it inside the garage all by herself. The cameras and four-wheel-steering did help a lot.

The huge front windshield does warm up the cabin during the hot days, and I am tempting to tint the windshield (as suggested by other fellow forum-ers here.)

I still love my old RAM, but the Cybertruck is really something else.

I'm sure all the busy traffic in the crowded parking lots added to the difficulty.

 

[Galvatron]

Like every Sci-Fi movie, when the superhero first gets his superpowers, there's a learning curve. Driving the cybertruck literally makes you a cyborg. You have to assimilate.

It IS larger than a sedan but that's a GOOD thing! In my opinion, it's accommodating like a large SUV. Plenty of elbow and leg room for everyone to spread out and relax. I found that driving in the low suspension setting reduced the big truck feel and very quickly flattened the learning curve.

I also had a tundra and can tell you for certain that parking the Cybertruck with all of its cameras and four wheel steering is easier once you get the hand-eye coordination. My wife would not park the tundra in the garage but she was easily able to with the cyber truck, although very slowly at first until she got oriented with the cameras. Just line up the side cameras with the garage door frame.

Of course FSD changes this whole discussion. Engage, sit back and relax. Even your parking lot concern is solved with self park. Supposedly, a future software update will enable it to park itself in the garage.

We are living in the "already, but not yet" future!

Just get it! You'll love it!

Welcome to the Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

Here's a referral link to place your order:

https://ts.la/russell82865

 

[pricedm]

This truck fills the need to replace my nearly 8 year old Ridgeline which doesn't have all the driver assist features that I think a 78 year old guy needs.

This was a big selling point for me with Tesla FSD, auto-park, and all of the cameras. And I'm almost 20 years away from 78...

I find my Model Y more "difficult" to park in my two car garage compared to the Cybertruck.

 

[roadrunner32]

Like every Sci-Fi movie, when the superhero first gets his superpowers, there's a learning curve. Driving the cybertruck literally makes you a cyborg. You have to assimilate.

It IS larger than a sedan but that's a GOOD thing! In my opinion, it's accommodating like a large SUV. Plenty of elbow and leg room for everyone to spread out and relax. I found that driving in the low suspension setting reduced the big truck feel and very quickly flattened the learning curve.

I also had a tundra and can tell you for certain that parking the Cybertruck with all of its cameras and four wheel steering is easier once you get the hand-eye coordination. My wife would not park the tundra in the garage but she was easily able to with the cyber truck, although very slowly at first until she got oriented with the cameras. Just line up the side cameras with the garage door frame.

Of course FSD changes this whole discussion. Engage, sit back and relax. Even your parking lot concern is solved with self park. Supposedly, a future software update will enable it to park itself in the garage.

We are living in the "already, but not yet" future!

Just get it! You'll love it!

Welcome to the Borg. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

Here's a referral link to place your order:

https://ts.la/russell82865

thank you Galvatron, its good to know the cameras help and with the learned eye hand coordination it will be easier. another solution to the parking lot problem, just park out in the the boonies and "fo get bout it" and thanks for the referral code.

 

[kpanda17]

This drive was mid day around noon with a lot of traffic.

My question is did you guys have the same experience I had when you first drove the cybertruck and did it take much getting used to. First of all I've not driven a full size pickup in 7 years and the CT sure seemed big. I think It will take some getting used too all over again.
I couldn't quite tell where I was in the process of getting into parking stalls. there are a multitude of camera views on the display screen which will take some time getting used to also.

The rear wheel steering did not seem to help as much as I thought it would, but that ghostly looking overhead view definitely helped parking.

The Texas Sun was directly overhead and man it was definitely hot in the cabin, Please tell me I can buy some kind of screen for the overhead glass.

The inability to see the corners because of the A pillars blocking the view that Sandy Munro talked about on his first drive is really a thing. I hope the cameras can take care of it and that I learn to easily switch camera views to see it. Perhaps one gets used to it and just knows where the left or right nose is with out having to look at the camera front camera view.

All things considered though I really liked the truck. It was very quiet, smooth riding, and very comfortable I need to have a 48 hour test drive. Not sure my wife would drive it because it's big like the Tundra we had seven years ago.

This truck fills the need to replace my nearly 8 year old Ridgeline which doesn't have all the driver assist features that I think a 78 year old guy needs.

I did not have this experience, only extremely positive

Interesting, caught myself driving, lots of turning, with one hand
A full size PU, one hand vs legacy hated the driving experience, really enjoy this experience

Very nimble steering, need to be careful not preform too sharp maneuvering

Visuals, no problem out front
Dig rear view, I could either get use to or install the seperate dig rear view

Trailering and visibility
Temp larger side view mirrors or
Stick on trailer top rear blue tooth to phone screen or dedicated cameras

Except for occasion anti Elon or CT disruptor hate
The Cybertruck is total joy

 

[carsly]

I've never owned a pickup truck before Cybertruck and only drove one for a couple days as a rental car. Coming from a Model S it was pretty easy to adjust to sitting higher up and it handles pretty nimbly but it is long, even though it doesn't feel that long since you sit so far forward compared to a regular sedan, SUV or pickup.

I'd say 15-20 minutes to get capable, a few days to get comfortable and about a week before it's all second nature but it depends a lot on what you're used to driving. I traded in a Model S but we've had a lot of mid-sized, three-row, SUV's so Cybertruck is quite similar to any of them. Parking cameras are a must in parking lots due to the length.

The ride adjustments though are pretty incomparable. Everything from a sporty SUV feel like a BMW X5 in sport mode to a Cadillac Escalade smoothness in Comfort with the ability to make adjustments to ride height, softness and acceleration in custom mode. Unlike my Rivian, the adjustments do make quite a massive difference in ride feel.

I've had mine for just over a year and treat it like a five-seat SUV with massive storage, it more than capably does the job.

 

[Friday]

The A pillars on my Chrysler Pacifica were wider and harder to see around by far than the Cybertruck and there's lots more Pacificas on the road then Cybertrucks at the moment. You learn to adapt to the vehicle you drive in.

 

[koolio]

This drive was mid day around noon with a lot of traffic.

My question is did you guys have the same experience I had when you first drove the cybertruck and did it take much getting used to. First of all I've not driven a full size pickup in 7 years and the CT sure seemed big. I think It will take some getting used too all over again.
I couldn't quite tell where I was in the process of getting into parking stalls. there are a multitude of camera views on the display screen which will take some time getting used to also.

The rear wheel steering did not seem to help as much as I thought it would, but that ghostly looking overhead view definitely helped parking.

The Texas Sun was directly overhead and man it was definitely hot in the cabin, Please tell me I can buy some kind of screen for the overhead glass.

The inability to see the corners because of the A pillars blocking the view that Sandy Munro talked about on his first drive is really a thing. I hope the cameras can take care of it and that I learn to easily switch camera views to see it. Perhaps one gets used to it and just knows where the left or right nose is with out having to look at the camera front camera view.

All things considered though I really liked the truck. It was very quiet, smooth riding, and very comfortable I need to have a 48 hour test drive. Not sure my wife would drive it because it's big like the Tundra we had seven years ago.

This truck fills the need to replace my nearly 8 year old Ridgeline which doesn't have all the driver assist features that I think a 78 year old guy needs.

I came from a 2020 Model Y to the Cybertruck, so can help provide my perspective as someone who also had a Y. Prior to the CT, never owned a pickup truck...don't think I've ever driven one for more than 10 miles on backroads either. I'll keep my post to just answer your questions/comments.

1. Since the CT is longer than the Y, it took me about a week to get used to it and remember how long it is. This was only applicable when backing out of parking spots where there was another row of spots behind me. Once, I backed out and got within a foot of the car parked behind me. That was my reminder of, 'damn this truck is long!' Other than that, I got used to driving it very quickly...and, it's my daily driver. No issues driving into downtown Boston or anywhere else.
2. A pillars: I noticed the same during my 1 hour test drive. But once I got it, I never noticed it again. I'd say this is a non-issue.
3. Parking: once you park it and drive it more, you'll realize the rear wheel steering really helps, and you get used to it quickly. Within 1-2 weeks, I got used to how the rear steering moves the rear end and can easily back into parking spots, my garage, and parallel park it. My wife has a 2024 Model 3 and I've become so used to backing up the CT that when I do it in the 3, I sometimes miss the entry into the spot bc of the lack of 4 wheel steering lol. One thing that takes some getting used to is how short the front end is. If you're pulling head-in to a parking spot, it looks like you're going to hit the wall or curb or vehicle parked in front of you but you actually have another ~3 feet. This is where using the front bumper camera is handy (you can use the screen to pull it up or just press the camera button on the steering wheel...and, sometimes, it automatically gets displayed bc the truck realizes you're parking).
4. Glass Roof Shade: yes, there are several options on Amazon and nicer looking ones from some of the Tesla-focused online retailers.
5. Your Wife: you'd be surprised since she's driven your Tundra. Once she gets used to 4 wheel steering and steer by wire, it doesn't feel like you're driving a big/long truck. My wife has driven mine a few times without issues...but she does think it's big...but she also thought my Y was "huge" so take that with a grain of salt! lol

Overall, since you owned a Tundra and want the utility of a pickup, I think you'd get used to a CT really quickly and won't have any 'usability' issues with it. I say buy one because you'll absolutely love it!

 

[BlueLightning]

This drive was mid day around noon with a lot of traffic.

My question is did you guys have the same experience I had when you first drove the cybertruck and did it take much getting used to. First of all I've not driven a full size pickup in 7 years and the CT sure seemed big. I think It will take some getting used too all over again.
I couldn't quite tell where I was in the process of getting into parking stalls. there are a multitude of camera views on the display screen which will take some time getting used to also.

The rear wheel steering did not seem to help as much as I thought it would, but that ghostly looking overhead view definitely helped parking.

The Texas Sun was directly overhead and man it was definitely hot in the cabin, Please tell me I can buy some kind of screen for the overhead glass.

The inability to see the corners because of the A pillars blocking the view that Sandy Munro talked about on his first drive is really a thing. I hope the cameras can take care of it and that I learn to easily switch camera views to see it. Perhaps one gets used to it and just knows where the left or right nose is with out having to look at the camera front camera view.

All things considered though I really liked the truck. It was very quiet, smooth riding, and very comfortable I need to have a 48 hour test drive. Not sure my wife would drive it because it's big like the Tundra we had seven years ago.

This truck fills the need to replace my nearly 8 year old Ridgeline which doesn't have all the driver assist features that I think a 78 year old guy needs.

3 hours, very cool. The service center only offers 30 minute test drives so haven’t waisted my time driving three hours just to tease myself. One day. Take care.

 

[tingmo13]

not a car or truck person-took Cybertruck 48 hrs demo b/c school kids want to see/feel it. Love everything about Cybertruck except the size-way too big. But I'll still keep my early reservation.

 

[WormtownKris]

It is 8 inches shorter than my 2013 F150 and a ton easier to maneuver and park. Sight lines are probably a bit worse than our Model 3, but no worse than any other pickup I've driven. A-Pillar issue arises very rarely and is offset by the increased visibility in several other directions/orientations. And parking is easy with all the cameras. I find it slightly hard to align with parking lot markings by sight alone, but the overhead graphic onscreen allows for easy parking space alignment whether parking forwards or backing in.
I feel the OP, as a former pickup driver will pick this up right away. I think Tingmo is the only one who feels this is way too big (as they share with us on a near daily basis). It is smaller than the F150, (which sells fairly well). Not everyone is in the market for a full-size pickup and that's okay. And the CyberTruck is nearly full size. Ting needs to move on and get a RIvian or a Sata Cruz hybrid.

 

[TheLastStarfighter]

Did the test truck have self driving? When I took one for an extra long test, it did, and it could park itself with ease. With that you could go right to the front of a Costco and slip into a tight spot looking like a pro.

For me, I'm coming from a Challenger, which has a big front and awful blind spots on the A and C pillar. Even without cameras the visibility in the CT is much better. And it turns tighter. It felt "big", but generally more nimble and easier than my old car in almost every way, except that it rides higher even in low settings, which makes judging where you are in lanes, etc, a bit more challenging. The height as obvious perks, of course, too, like seeing over other cars at intersections and getting your coffee at a drive through.

Overall a really, really great driving large car, I'd say easily the best ever for something with size.

 

[Friday]

not a car or truck person-took Cybertruck 48 hrs demo b/c school kids want to see/feel it. Love everything about Cybertruck except the size-way too big. But I'll still keep my early reservation.

What's the biggest vehicle you have driven regularly in your car ownership history?

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