Let's be honest - who disliked and/or was repulsed by the Cybertruck when they first saw it?

[TechOps]

i thought "Elons trolling us, this has got to be a joke."

i still don't like the look that much, mostly because it is a beacon that says look at me, i guess that will change with time... but the price, specs, size, and stainless! is all so great.

personally i think a sprinter type van would be a smarter move right now.

I 100% agree with everything you said. At the end of the presentation, I was *still* telling my friend, no, this is not it, they're going to reveal the actual truck.. only when the cameras panned out, the sound faded, and the broadcast ended, I was like... ok... wow.. that's really it.

But then I thought about how oversubscribed the Model 3 launch was, and figured, hell I'll put in a $100 deposit just to flip it, at worst. And I'm so glad I did.

I still don't like the look but I've gotten used to it. However, the specs and price are exactly what I want. So I'm getting one and really looking forward to it! Worst case if I still hate it after a few months I'll just flip it and make a profit. But I'm sure this thing is going to wow me so much I'll keep it.

Also, I think it's going to look a lot better in matte black, or wrapped in a military color.

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[Crissa]

When the price hit the screen I hit the reservation store.

-Crissa

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

I didn’t watch the unveiling until a day or so after and only on a whim. As soon as I saw the 3mm stainless and 500+ mile range I put in my reservation. Didn’t and still don’t care what it looks like with all its functional specs but love the exoskeleton idea.

 

[CyberGus]

I've been "Tesla-curious" for a long time, but the S and X were too expensive for my modest transportation needs. Since trucks usually define the top-end of the price spectrum, I didn't even bother watching the reveal. When I saw the photos and specs the next day, I couldn't hit "Buy It Now" fast enough.

To be fair, I'm accustomed to driving a DeLorean, so I love stainless and polarizing designs. Frankly I'm shocked it took 40 years to get another SS vehicle.

My only regret is that I then put all my money into a TSLA buy order...and then chickened out. ?

 

[UpToNoGood]

I had no idea about the revel and only saw it on the news the next day because of the bullet proof glass breaking. Once my eyes saw it I was like no way, but I couldn't stop looking at it and learning about it. It wasn't until Sunday night after the unveiling that I placed my order and my wife was wondering why I took so long.

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

I've been "Tesla-curious" for a long time, but the S and X were too expensive for my modest transportation needs. Since trucks usually define the top-end of the price spectrum, I didn't even bother watching the reveal. When I saw the photos and specs the next day, I couldn't hit "Buy It Now" fast enough.

To be fair, I'm accustomed to driving a DeLorean, so I love stainless and polarizing designs. Frankly I'm shocked it took 40 years to get another SS vehicle.

My only regret is that I then put all my money into a TSLA buy order...and then chickened out. ?

I agree on most points (never had a DeLorean). I didn't have a lot of money to put into TSLA but bought a couple shares here and there. Best investment ever (on paper at least).

 

[CyberGus]

The TMC forums offer a nice look back on the evolution of perception.

PRE-REVEAL:

• "I’m excited to have an all electric pickup, but hope it is not like the semi, just give me a regular F-150 that need no gas"
• "Jesus, I hope he isn't drinking when he comes up with this game changing feature. Please no Falcon Wing Doors, no freaky backseats that won't fold down"
• "The last thing I want on my pickup is something as weird and problematic as the doors that answered a question few were asking"
• "I suspect the surprise is a cab forward design increasing cargo and passenger room. Imagine a roomy six passenger cab and full 8 foot bed"
• "I think Elon will destroy the #1 best selling vehicle F-150 in less than 5 years"
• "if Tesla wants to make a big splash in the pickup truck market, it will have to look quite rugged"
• "Maybe the 'game changer' will be an integrated spare tire so we can change our own flats"
• "If this truck starts at $80K, I can't imagine that the demand will be very high"
• "You will never convert the majority of the living Texas truck drivers just on the lack of engine noise alone"
• "With a huge Tesla coil mounted in the bed! Imagine the volt roll you could do on unsuspecting monster trucks"
• "we do not need a blade runner weird truck"
• "If [Elon] truly thinks it's possible that his vision for the pickup might be a bit too unconventional and that it might not sell well, I hope shareholders force the company to reconsider"
• "The Tesla truck had better have 500 miles of range...Except the truck will cost $100,000"

DURING THE REVEAL:

• "What the hell is that? Haha"
• "Ugly"
• "I hope this is a joke..."
• "More than ever I'm convinced this is a big giant joke"
• "Good lord that looks weird"
• "Is it April 1st?"
• "It looks like a movie prop"
• "omg no no no no no no no no no no"
• "what a disappointment...I don't shoot my truck nor do I smash it with a sledgehammer"
• "This is embarrassing"
• "I can only see the military and true Tesla fan boys buying this"
• "Anyone get the feeling that any minute he will bring out the real one?"
• "abort! abort!"
• "OMG, stock is going to drop like a rock. Embarrassing to say the least with 2 broken windows! Spaceballs El Camino"
• "Embarrassing if real or if a joke"
• "Interesting, but really wtf?"
• "It's odd, but I like it"
• "Tesla Aztek"
• "Show some respect, the Aztec was not THAT bad"
• "looks like a cross between an El Camino and a Delorean, built by IKEA"
• "The sound you hear is Detroit breathing a sigh of relief"
• "this will not be a success unless they make a version that looks at all reasonable. Maybe give up on stainless steel"
• "biggest fail of a product launch I have ever seen"
• "at least Rivian is feeling relieved"
• "Rivian design looks boring now. BORING"
• "What an embarrassing boner rodeo"
• "PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me this isn't actually happening"
• "its been fun waiting for the reveal, now I need to go buy a real truck"
• "Did Elon smoke too many blunts again?"
• "For the love of God please tell me tonight didn't happen"
• "Unmistakable Tesla design. Goofy Rivian truck doesn't show any innovation and looks like a character from a Pixar movie"
• "Is the steering thing, (it is not a wheel), even legal?"
• "This is batshit crazy and I sincerely hope never to see one of these on the road"
• "Where do the rear seat passengers store their heads?"
• "So very disappointed in the design of this truck. It is hideous. Awful. Disgusting. What a major fail"
• "I guess Elon is really sick of dealing with paint issues"
• "If you live in a world gone mad, and then somebody reveals a glimpse of sanity, of course everybody's first natural reaction is going to be: What the hell is that?"

REVEAL AFTERMATH:

• "Elon is somewhere flipping tables and cursing up a storm right now"
• "I want one, but I'm a little concerned about being seen in it"
• "I was honestly expecting that THING to be unwrapped exposing the real truck underneath......Its hard to believe someone actually spent time designing a peace of crap"
• "People will eventually get used to the new look"
• "just went for a drive, saw an F 150 and thought how out of date it is"
• "Specs are impressive, especially for the price. I'm not sure I could get past the looks though"
• "They had a clean sheet of paper and they came up with a fugly clown mobile. Very disappointing to say the least. Not a fan, not a buyer"
• "there is a REASON overall style has not changed in a hundred years. I hate to say it but Rivian has this one right and Tesla dropped the ball"
• "My first thought was wtf. By the end I love it"
• "This truck is hideous. I am so disappointed in the design of this vehicle. Ugh. It is so so so bad. I guess I'll look at the Rivian"
• "I'll just say it.. Ugly"
• "not interested in the slightest. Reminds me of a delorean, might as well have gullwings,lol"
• "If this had come out in the 80s after Max Headroom or Total Recall, it would have clicked"
• "I hated it when it first came out. Looking better by the minute"
• "When the sledgehammer came out, I was certain the outer skin of the truck was going to fall away to reveal the real thing. I couldn’t (and still can’t) believe that was really the truck"
• "It’s amazing how my perception can change in 24 hours. From it’s WTF ugly to amazingly cool looking truck"
• "Went from huge disappointment so ugly to ok I'm liking it to OMG got to have one"
• "This truck is already an icon that is going to be talked about for years on end. What a time to be alive"
• "Hated it Thursday night, Warmed up to it on Friday, Obsessed about it on Saturday -> Ordered tri-motor version"
• "DOA in terms of being a true workhorse. This presentation was as bad as the Faraday Future one"
• "What a terrible move. Shocking. Tear it up and start over"
• "Massive fail here. It won’t be my next Tesla purchase. The atv will sell better than the truck"
• "there is no way there will ever be 146,000 of these hideous things on the highway"
• "Hideous is the new awesome"

 

[Zabhawkin]

A little background.

I had already been looking into replacing the 1999 Nissan Pickup, it had served me with distinction but is just flat out getting worn out. Since we already had our 2015 F-150 which can do pretty much everything the Nissan can and it tows much better. Even though its fat butt does make some things more difficult I was willing to consider the possibility of buying a luxury crossover with decent fuel economy (still big enough for 6'4" me to fit in though). Something comfortable for long trips to visit relatives or go on vacation. Maybe something a bit sporty. That open view lead me to the model 3, but it was too small. I heard about and watched the Model Y reveal, it made the short list though for the rural area I live in the 300 mile range is right on the border of practical. Along with at the time the yet to be released Jeep Gladiator, Ford Ranger, or strip down the Nissan and build back stronger and more capable. I have already done so with the Jeep so the skills are there.

Later I heard about the Cybertruck reveal. I figured that it would be $80k just for the base model but what the heck, I had heard it was supposed to be something different. I watched it expecting it to be out of our price range.

The reveal.........
Holy F its ugly as F..........
What the F is going on it has to be a joke.......
He's know for joking with us right?!?!?!?!.......
When is he going to put the real one on??????
Interesting specs though.....

Looking at the price for the dual motor
Holy F ITS AFFORDABLE
But man is it ugly.
Laughed at the broken windows, (side note I work for a test range and have tested ballistics glass, for its thickness its impressive)

The next day talked about it with some other interested co-workers.
Had a hard time sleeping Saturday morning, did cost analysis assuming they might have the 500 mile pack available in the dual motor for around $60k.
Thought about how we use our current trucks and the scratches and dings they have.
Thought about how much easier the Nissan is to load than the ford and that the CT can get even lower.
Thought about how many options were in the CT that I was looking to build into the Nissan to make it better.
Thought about how its only $100 and that even if I loose it its not that much.
Thought about if it winds up not working out that I could sell it for nearly as much as I payed for it. At approximately 3am Saturday morning I placed my order.

The next morning when telling one of my co-workers that I placed a pre-order on it.
His response was "But its hideous"
My response.... "You have seen my Jeep"
His response.... Look of FU "Damn you got me"

For reference the Jeep aka "The ugly duck"

 

[Dusty]

Like everyone else I though it was a joke. I like things that are different so it grew on me by the end of the presentation. The tonneau cover, the wheels, the stainless steel, the range... The only way to describe how I felt is that I was "haunted" by it. I don't like pickup trucks. I've always had negative connotations about pickups and never felt drawn to them.

The following morning I asked my daughter what she thought, and she was iffy on it. But by the time she scrolled to the bottom of the specs/media page she was in LOVE with it.

I immediately made my reservation, right then and there, at 0830EST, the morning after the reveal. I'm so glad I did.

 

[Azorian1]

Initial reaction was "wow!" that takes a lot of guts to risk pusing a design that references no other vehicle in an established market, just form over function, I respect it, admire it.

I ordered it the next morning.

 

[Mini2nut]

I was a bit stunned and placed my order around 11am the following day.

I thought that the Cybertruck that was rolled on stage was a joke and that the real Cybertruck was behind the stage. Even the audience was stunned as the hand clapping was was below expectations. They were slowly absorbing what they were seeing roll on stage.

 

[RayzorBEV]

I was in love when I first saw it back in 2019's unveiling. Clips of Blade Runner and images of the Spinners flashed in my head. I kept telling myself, "This is one bad mother fu*king truck! I must have one."

 

[SlegMD]

When I was younger we designed rocket powered cars. cool part was they were aero-tested and all in a little wind tunnel. My design was similar to the CT, and it had a silver finish. So when I saw the CT that immediately pulled that memory from the deep forgotten neuron somewhere. Was funny because my model was one of the few that passed the aero threshold, and here we are talking about CT aerodynamics at times.

 

[Cyberman]

When I first saw it, I thought "Wow, that's futuristic as hell. I've been shopping for a new pickup anyway, and here's this. Am I ready for an electric vehicle yet?"
A couple of days later, it suddenly dawned on me "I'm not going to find anything better, period. WTF am I waiting for? I ordered it as soon as I got off work. The more I thought about it, the more it made perfect sense. In fact, I thought about it for the next year, and reserved another one, y'know, for Justin. Justin Case.

 

[fhteagle]

First ten minute reservation holder, in spite of the visual design, not because of it. Features and announced price were what got me in line.

A month or so later, I saw some CGI of it blacked out, that definitely helped. Normally murdered cars look like try hards to me, but stealth actually helps the CT look "make sense".

As we've proceeded from alpha through the RC builds, the design has made less and less sense to me over time. Starts off good up front, losses me somewhere between the mirrors and the roof peak, and by the tailgate I'm wondering why this Carolina Skiff boat has wheels.

Don't get me wrong, it's still in my top 3 for my next vehicle purchase. But because of the price/features I expect it to land with, not because of its looks or the not so excellent use of and access to interior space.

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