Cybertruck Withdrawals – comparing the CT to a Plaid S loaner

[BeFamousVideo]

So I had a day off last Monday, and had scheduled a service appointment in advance to take my CT to the Tesla Service Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan to have them address a few minor issues:

• I didn't receive a center console tray with my CT, which was supposed to come with the FS Cyberbeast.
• When driving straight, the steering wheel was tilted about 1 degree to the right. This would require a simple service adjustment.
• The right side front door, although aligned vertically, was overflush with the front quarterpanel by a couple mm. Not a big deal, but I could see it affecting windflow somewhat .... so if they could adjust it...???
• There was a very small (1.5mm) bubble in the front windshield between the panes of glass near the top of the windshield. It was so miniscule as to not be a major issue and it didn't block my view but I was concerned as the weather changed and got colder it could spread and enlarge. It was definitely a windshield defect from the factory so I asked if they could fix or replace it - they chose to replace the entire windshield, which they had never done before on a CT, so I was extremely anxious they'd muck it up.
• The rear view mirror panel moved up and down a bit when I pressed in on it.

I realize most of these are minor issues, but I'm particular and wanted it as perfect as it could be. I brought the CT to the service center on Monday, and it was scheduled for a Tuesday pickup. in the meantime, they loaned me a Plaid S in midnight blue. They ended up needing to keep it until Thursday, much longer than expected, but in the end it was worth it.

What I noticed about my loaner vehicle, a Model S Plaid:

• My immediate feeling inside the Plaid S was that there were too many distracting screens with redundant information. It made me realize how awesome the Cybertruck is with its large single screen. You are always looking in one place, and never have to look to another screen for information.
• The second thing I noticed was the ride handling. The Cybertruck feels like you are driving a luxury vehicle compared with the S. My wife remarked that the S felt like she was driving in a Ford Taurus, and I agreed!
• Speed? It was pretty fast - but not noticeably faster than the Cybertruck. What I did notice is it didn't feel as safe getting up to speed, and would sometimes chirp on one tire which caused it to swerve a bit.
• Steering was crazy! I couldn't believe how large the steering wheel was in the Model S and how much you had to turn it to make a simple turn. The Cybertruck is a noticeable improvement in this regard with the steer-by-wire and 4-wheel steering. It's much more comfortable in the hands than the weird shape of the Plaid S Yoke. I also missed the camera button that is found on the squirkle of the Cybertruck.
• Visibility. I found it difficult to see out the back window of the Plaid S. I also found it difficult to judge the width of the vehicle. I was using my mirrors quite a bit to enter my garage, since I couldn't find a view of the screens where it used a front camera along with the side cameras.
• Poor software layout. Everything takes up too much space when you don't want it to, and you can't move it out of the way with a swipe. Music, for example, took up way too much space. The maps are too small.
• On this particular vehicle, the mapping software and GPS were messed up. I tried to recalibrate it several times, but it continued to display that i was off the map. So at times it thought I was off the highway, and kept trying to navigate me back onto the freeway. This caused my range estimates to be way off. I had to turn off the self-driving feature because it was dangerous.
• Not fun to drive. I know it sounds strange, but I dreaded going out in the S, even though they provided unlimited Supercharging. It just felt too low to the ground, not safe, not as smooth, not as luxurious, not as fun to drive. It was boring feeling, and boring looking. I started to have withdrawals and really missed my Cybertruck! Based on my experience with the Plaid S, Tesla really hit it out of the park with this vehicle.

So I picked my Cybertruck last night. Pickup was simple...just dropped off the loaner at the service center after hours, clicked a button on my phone, and drove off in my Cybertruck. The drive home (1 hour) was incredible. I got thumbs up from several people on the way. This vehicle is simply one of (if not the) best driving vehicles on the road today, bar none, and is so groundbreaking yet polarizing. People just don't realize how great it actually is.

So how did the Service Center do? Amazing work! They fixed everything, replaced the front windshield, added my missing center console tray, adjusted the door, adjusted the mirror holder, and didn't scratch up my vehicle in the process. I was initially very nervous, but was very impressed with the level of service I received. I'll not hesitate to bring my Cybertruck to Grand Rapids Tesla for service the next time it needs something done.

My SC also loaned me a Plaid S. I had the exact same experience. I didn't like it either but luckily only had it for one day. The S with the yoke steering wheel and no steer by wire was a bad idea. I suppose buyers don't know this unless they drive a CT for comparison. Turning the S using a yoke wheel and hand over hand is incredibly unnatural and then to put so much power with that steering wheel felt like an invitation to wreck the car. I imagine Tesla doesn't sell many of these regardless of price. It was a terrific convenience to arrive after SC closing and drop off the S and pick up my Beast and drive away.

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[Miznat411]

So I had a day off last Monday, and had scheduled a service appointment in advance to take my CT to the Tesla Service Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan to have them address a few minor issues:

• I didn't receive a center console tray with my CT, which was supposed to come with the FS Cyberbeast.
• When driving straight, the steering wheel was tilted about 1 degree to the right. This would require a simple service adjustment.
• The right side front door, although aligned vertically, was overflush with the front quarterpanel by a couple mm. Not a big deal, but I could see it affecting windflow somewhat .... so if they could adjust it...???
• There was a very small (1.5mm) bubble in the front windshield between the panes of glass near the top of the windshield. It was so miniscule as to not be a major issue and it didn't block my view but I was concerned as the weather changed and got colder it could spread and enlarge. It was definitely a windshield defect from the factory so I asked if they could fix or replace it - they chose to replace the entire windshield, which they had never done before on a CT, so I was extremely anxious they'd muck it up.
• The rear view mirror panel moved up and down a bit when I pressed in on it.

I realize most of these are minor issues, but I'm particular and wanted it as perfect as it could be. I brought the CT to the service center on Monday, and it was scheduled for a Tuesday pickup. in the meantime, they loaned me a Plaid S in midnight blue. They ended up needing to keep it until Thursday, much longer than expected, but in the end it was worth it.

What I noticed about my loaner vehicle, a Model S Plaid:

• My immediate feeling inside the Plaid S was that there were too many distracting screens with redundant information. It made me realize how awesome the Cybertruck is with its large single screen. You are always looking in one place, and never have to look to another screen for information.
• The second thing I noticed was the ride handling. The Cybertruck feels like you are driving a luxury vehicle compared with the S. My wife remarked that the S felt like she was driving in a Ford Taurus, and I agreed!
• Speed? It was pretty fast - but not noticeably faster than the Cybertruck. What I did notice is it didn't feel as safe getting up to speed, and would sometimes chirp on one tire which caused it to swerve a bit.
• Steering was crazy! I couldn't believe how large the steering wheel was in the Model S and how much you had to turn it to make a simple turn. The Cybertruck is a noticeable improvement in this regard with the steer-by-wire and 4-wheel steering. It's much more comfortable in the hands than the weird shape of the Plaid S Yoke. I also missed the camera button that is found on the squirkle of the Cybertruck.
• Visibility. I found it difficult to see out the back window of the Plaid S. I also found it difficult to judge the width of the vehicle. I was using my mirrors quite a bit to enter my garage, since I couldn't find a view of the screens where it used a front camera along with the side cameras.
• Poor software layout. Everything takes up too much space when you don't want it to, and you can't move it out of the way with a swipe. Music, for example, took up way too much space. The maps are too small.
• On this particular vehicle, the mapping software and GPS were messed up. I tried to recalibrate it several times, but it continued to display that i was off the map. So at times it thought I was off the highway, and kept trying to navigate me back onto the freeway. This caused my range estimates to be way off. I had to turn off the self-driving feature because it was dangerous.
• Not fun to drive. I know it sounds strange, but I dreaded going out in the S, even though they provided unlimited Supercharging. It just felt too low to the ground, not safe, not as smooth, not as luxurious, not as fun to drive. It was boring feeling, and boring looking. I started to have withdrawals and really missed my Cybertruck! Based on my experience with the Plaid S, Tesla really hit it out of the park with this vehicle.

So I picked my Cybertruck last night. Pickup was simple...just dropped off the loaner at the service center after hours, clicked a button on my phone, and drove off in my Cybertruck. The drive home (1 hour) was incredible. I got thumbs up from several people on the way. This vehicle is simply one of (if not the) best driving vehicles on the road today, bar none, and is so groundbreaking yet polarizing. People just don't realize how great it actually is.

So how did the Service Center do? Amazing work! They fixed everything, replaced the front windshield, added my missing center console tray, adjusted the door, adjusted the mirror holder, and didn't scratch up my vehicle in the process. I was initially very nervous, but was very impressed with the level of service I received. I'll not hesitate to bring my Cybertruck to Grand Rapids Tesla for service the next time it needs something done.

Real world problems ?
I do love my cyberbeast!

 

[CyberPlaid]

I have driven my buddy's CB on several occasions and have demo-driven the CT and I can say hands down, My Plaid S (sold 2 weeks ago) was the fastest I have ever been in any vehicle. To say that it wasn't much faster than the CB or CT is pure nonsense. That initial hit in Plaid mode or even in drag strip mode is extremely different than stomping on the Beast's or CT's accelerator from a stop, as I did both of them. The Plaid will literally snap your neck and give you tunnel vision, almost being uncomfortable. There was DEFINITELY something wrong with your loaner. I will agree with you that the redundant screens are an issue (to me) and that the Plaid's interior finish leaves something to be desired for most people (I thought is was perfectly fine) and that the turning is ancient compared to the 4WS of the CT. Me being in my 50's, you come to appreciate the height of ones vehicle when entering and exiting, which was something that gets old really quick. I wanted the Plaid with the track pack and I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed it while I had it for 6 months. Day 1 reservation holder and will be placing and order for the CT in 2025.

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