Build Quality of Cybertrucks

Ogre

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Well thanks for emphasizing on the point which I guess definitely started with Tesla’s. No roof falling for me fortunately and hope yours did not fall off too.. although battery range is definitely something to crib about during winters.

Thanks for your input. I believe natural progression of build quality will make these cars/trucks even better
Sorry... was **not** trying to pan the Mach E. I'm actually quite impressed by Ford's progress and I've heard a lot of good things about the Mach E.

Just pointing out that often what gets picked up and recycled is the exciting bits. Boring things like "It works fine" get lost.
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Skullbreaker

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Sorry... was **not** trying to pan the Mach E. I'm actually quite impressed by Ford's progress and I've heard a lot of good things about the Mach E.

Just pointing out that often what gets picked up and recycled is the exciting bits. Boring things like "It works fine" get lost.
**none** taken. All of us are early adopters. We are the pioneers and will remember this forever in our lives. It’s like early adopters of ford T’s. Always to brag about your grandfather/grandmother were the first owners. I think that’s super cool.

P.S. Take as many pics with your car as you can.
 

TomGriff

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Just like any other cars some Tesla's have problems. I like TFL (the video you posted) and regularly watch their videos, especially their off-road videos and EV videos. They are by no means Tesla haters but I disagree with them on driving feel of several EVs. I love my MS and the quality is fine. Before I decided to buy a used MS, I test drove both a Mach E and MY. I liked the MY drive feel better than Mach E but liked the Mach E looks and interior better. TFL really likes the Mini EV which I test drove and didn't like, personally I think my Chevy Bolt is better than the Mini. All that being said, I think CT build quality will initially have some kinks but not as many they had with M3 initially. It seems, although this is anecdotal, that Tesla quality is better than it was, but I have seen enough stories to think it is still an issue, but mainly new MS and Plaid but not on so much on MY/M3. I'm quite happy not to be at the top of the reservation list, by the time my number comes up (2024?) I think quality will be fine. One other thing, Tesla quality issues tend not to be mechanical or critical systems, they tend to be paint, rattles, squeaks, alignment of body parts (again anecdotal).
 

HaulingAss

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FORD produce some exceptionally well handling vehicles. Its not unheard of… but quality is ephemeral. I was disappointed when I bought and the vehicle was not even close to what I had driven(rental).

Cybertruck is a different case than quality. Tesla are presenting a truck on a car skate platform. @Ogre points to handling of the car skate as exceptional — loved! Tesla are scaling that goodness into Cybertruck.
The Cybertruck is not a scaled up "car skate platform", it's it's own thing. Completely. With it's exoskeleton stainless steel chassis doubling as it's body it's a clean-sheet design with nothing in common with the Model S or Model Y from a structural standpoint. From a software perspective, it will be very similar with some extended functionality.

I’m optimistic that goodness scales. That’s testable before a “bet the company” vehicle launch. So the question becomes will customers choose a truck skate over body-on-frame? IF my Tahoe is representational, its a low-low bar for Cybertruck’s skate. My unibody ‘97 4Runner was much better offroad than the Body-on-frame Tahoe. Tahoe was more comfortable.
Body on frame is a cheap, heavy, flexy way to build a car or a light-truck, it's difficult to build such vehicles for good road safety (terrible accident-avoidance capability and poor crash dynamics) and it's time for it to be retired. Oh, Tesla is not "betting the company" on the Cybertruck. They are far too strong of a company now for any new model to be a "bet the company" type gambit. The need to do that ended with the Model 3.
 


Zapharus

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I have a 2021 AWD Mustang Mach E with extended battery and I love how it drives. The build quality is excellent and the drive is great (Better than my ICE vehicle for sure).

I heard some bad reviews for MY and MS overall built and drive (not acceleration but regular drive and sounds coming out of them) on some YouTube channels. I have not driven a Tesla myself so I cannot actually compare them but since I have booked my CT, I am a bit concern on how its build quality will be.

Just throwing out there as a future CT owner (of course 3 years from now)

P.S. - Here is the YouTube I was referring to

If you can part ways with $100 - $200 I recommend renting a Tesla for a day or two so you can test one and see what you think. The only luxury car I can compare them to is a Mercedes C class which was pretty quiet inside and the ride comfort was smooth although it did feel a little floaty. I’ve only driven a Model 3 and a Y, both for about a week, they are certainly not as smooth and quiet as a Mercedes C class (closets in price that I’ve personally driven) but they’re on par with the Hondas of the world except less engine noise….granted, Honda’s modern engines are pretty damn quiet.

Edit: I should add that Teslas are certainly more quiet than a Honda but given that there's no "engine" noise at all road noises are more noticeable only because in a Tesla there's no ICE engine tuning out some of the road noise. I had a 2017 Civic hatchback and recently we got a Model 3 and the M3 is certainly quieter.
 
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HaulingAss

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If you can part ways with $100 - $200 I recommend renting a Tesla for a day or two so you can test one and see what you think. The only luxury car I can compare them to is a Mercedes C class which was pretty quiet inside and the ride comfort was smooth although it did feel a little floaty. I’ve only driven a Model 3 and a Y, both for about a week, they are certainly not as smooth and quiet as a Mercedes C class (closets in price that I’ve personally driven) but they’re on par with the Hondas of the world except less engine noise….granted, Honda’s modern engines are pretty damn quiet.
I agree.

The shocker for me, the first time we bought an EV (Model 3 in 2018) was not how smooth and quiet the acceleration was, I was prepared for that, it was how it handled better than every sportscar I've ever driven. Don't get me wrong, the Model 3 is not really designed to be a sports car and, without different springs and dampers it shows it's lack of sportscar design intent when pushed hard over 80 or 90 mph, but when driven in a sporty manner under 60 mph, it is telepathic. Even pushed hard around corners at 50 mph it beats most sports cars with the main inhibiting factor being that most Model 3's do not come with true sports tires and brakes. And it does all this with very little downside in terms of road noise, vibration and harshness.

It's just an ideal daily driver for people who want a little "sport" in their lives without buying something totally unsuited to daily driving. The Model 3 makes one realize just how much the handling of a a Honda or Toyota sucks, not just a little bit, but a lot. Even a BMW is put to shame at legal speeds.

The Cybertruck is going to prove just how much the handling of ICE trucks suck. Currently, people can hide behind the excuse that "It's a truck, it's not supposed to handle well". The release of the Cybertruck will show the world just how much trucks have been sucking (and not just the fuel).
 

egandalf

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Tried getting a test drive after seeing your message but I guess they do not have an appointment available (Too much demand they say) and I live like nowhere (Great state of Ohio). Will definitely try test driving one for sure. Thanks.
They sell off all their demo/showroom vehicles at the end of each quarter. I suggest trying again in 3-6 weeks when they restock their locations.
 


alan auerbach

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Tesla said it best. Better utility than a truck with more performance than a sports car.
If I were an automotive journalist doing a piece for my magazine, I'd likely be wined and dined and put up and pampered by the make's hospitality specialists. So when I'd ask my host about what appeared to be quality failings, I'd get the party propaganda line with their explanations and excuses -- and I'd be reluctant to bite the hand that fed me.

But Tesla does not do any of that -- which might contribute to the harsh focus on quality shortcomings.
 

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I agree.

The shocker for me, the first time we bought an EV (Model 3 in 2018) was not how smooth and quiet the acceleration was, I was prepared for that, it was how it handled better than every sportscar I've ever driven. <SNIP> The release of the Cybertruck will show the world just how much trucks have been sucking (and not just the fuel).
My rules: basically don’t fail me when needed most, to wit:

Four truck criteria
  1. Does it beat the hell out of me
  2. Can it keep up in hills in towing winds
  3. Does it have Xtra towing power to accelerate out of a slide
  4. Can it pull itself out from a dead stop in deep sand
Primary Cyber criteria
  1. Will it get bricked - stranded out-of-range / fail after OTA update
Details matter; fall into above categories:
  • Tar line snap
  • Electronic/mechanical predictability
  • Comfort
  • Bump steer
  • Shock rebound dampening
  • Tire wear
  • Electronics interfere with manual operation
 

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Well thanks for emphasizing on the point which I guess definitely started with Tesla’s. No roof falling for me fortunately and hope yours did not fall off too.. although battery range is definitely something to crib about during winters.

Thanks for your input. I believe natural progression of build quality will make these cars/trucks even better
They ought to get all the kinks worked out by the time the build the million CTs in front of mine.
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