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This Tesla Cybertruck Owner Just Spent $110,000 on a Second CT: 40,000 Miles with 'Zero Issues' Proves the Skeptics Wrong

Forget the "doom-scrolling" skeptics. One Cybertruck owner flipped the script on social media noise, trading her initial FSD fears for a two-CT garage. While her spouse tracks the critics, she’s taking charge to prove real-world miles beat online rants.
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Author: Denis Flierl

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In my research on Tesla Cybertruck owner trends, I found a recent post/reel in a Facebook community of Tesla enthusiasts where an owner I’ll call Ashley highlighted her full conversion to the platform and her plan to counter online negativity by doubling down on the fleet.

Ashley says:

“I bought a Cybertruck and totally love it. I’m not a tech person, but I’m head over heels for this truck, and I’m plotting to get one for my husband too. Speaking of him, he’s in this group as well, and all he sees are posts from people who don’t have a Cybertruck and a bunch of negativity. Friends, you’re missing out big time. This truck is legit amazing. At first, I was hesitant to drive and try FSD, and now I can’t imagine driving without it. That’s right, I’m practically a converted cyber-convert. I’m ready to buy another one, and my husband keeps encountering negative reviews. BUT I’m still the boss. I’ll order today and surprise my husband with his own Cybertruck.”

My Take: 

As a senior reporter who has covered the automotive industry for 30 years, I can tell you that Ashley isn't just "being the boss" in her household. She is making a calculated financial move that many experts are calling the smartest play of the month. We are currently staring down the February 14, 2026, deadline. If you haven't heard, Tesla is officially sunsetting the $8,000 one-time Full Self-Driving (FSD) purchase this Saturday.

After this date, the "buy-it-and-own-it" era ends, and everything shifts to a $ 99-per-month subscription model. By ordering today, Ashley isn't just buying a truck; she’s locking in a permanent software asset that could be worth far more as Tesla nears truly unsupervised autonomy.

I’ve seen many "love-it-or-hate-it" vehicles in my time, but the Cybertruck is unique because the negativity often comes from people who have never sat in the driver's seat. It's a sentiment I explored when I reported on how a Cybertruck owner felt the intensity of public hate was far higher than anything he experienced in a Model Y. Ashley’s husband is caught in that digital crossfire, while she is living the actual experience.

Ashley's family loves the Cybertruck

 My 3 Insights 

  • The FSD "Addiction" Factor: Once a driver crosses the threshold from "fear" to "trust" with FSD V14, the psychological cost of returning to manual driving becomes a major hurdle.
  • Asset vs. Expense: Locking in the $8,000 FSD price today is a hedge against future subscription price hikes, which Elon Musk has already hinted will rise as the software improves.
  • The "Silent Majority": Non-technical owners like Ashley are increasingly becoming the Cybertruck’s strongest advocates, primarily because they judge the truck on utility and comfort rather than spec-sheet politics.

The "Who, How, and Why" of the Second Truck

Who is the real buyer in 2026? It’s not just the "tech-bro" anymore. We are seeing a massive shift toward "mainstream" users who value the Cybertruck's "drive-by-wire" smoothness. This is a topic I touched on when discussing why Cybertruck owners are finding the driving experience so addictive despite the polarizing aesthetics. Ashley represents the "Practical Pioneer," someone who ignores the "dumpster" memes and focuses on the fact that the truck parks itself and reduces commute fatigue.

How does FSD V14 change the game? The latest software branch, V14, is widely considered "feature complete." While earlier versions were jittery, V14 has introduced a "superhuman" level of awareness. According to a report by AutoPilot Review, the system now reacts cautiously to pedestrians even when they are obscured from view, demonstrating a safety margin that is finally winning over skeptics like Ashley.

Ashley's Cybertruck with FSD

Why double down now? Beyond the February 14th deadline, there is the issue of "Information Gain." Ashley's husband is suffering from what I call "Negative Echo Chamber Syndrome." All he sees are posts about "pieces falling off" or "range anxiety." However, the reality for many owners is far different. One owner on Reddit noted their satisfaction, stating, "Just over 40,000 miles in 13 months, zero issues. Best vehicle I've ever owned by far," which matches the sentiment Ashley is trying to bring into her home.

What Cybertruck Owners Are Saying

While Facebook feeds may be negative, user discussions on Reddit reveal a much more nuanced reality. One Reddit user highlighted that the truck's capabilities outweigh its quirks: "The tech is the best, the driving is the smoothest. FSD is now great with 14. The people who hate it for more than looks watch too much TV," as noted in a recent community thread.

Another owner pointed out that the "negativity" is often a distraction from the truck's actual utility, stating, "It even parks itself at a Supercharger along the way... Frankly, there is no need to even be awake when the robot is driving," which you can read in the full discussion here.

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The Reliability Reality Check

I’ve spent 30 years investigating car failures, from blown head gaskets to total electrical meltdowns. Every new platform has growing pains. I’ve previously written about how Tesla handled early Cybertruck motor issues through proactive drive-unit swaps. The difference in 2026 is that the software is finally catching up to the hardware.

However, we must be transparent: it isn't all sunshine. Arthur Isaac at TeslaHubs recently noted that the shift to subscription-only access removes the “forever promise” that existing hardware will support full autonomy, which potentially protects Tesla from future hardware retrofit lawsuits. This is the " Expertise" part of the equation my readers need to understand. You are buying a snapshot of cutting-edge tech that might require a hardware refresh in five years.

Cybertruck FSD Hardware update V4.0

Key Takeaways for My Readers

  • The February 14th Deadline is Real: If you want to own FSD outright for $8,000, you have less than 48 hours to act.
  • Don't Trust the "Feed": As Ashley discovered, online negativity is often a lagging indicator. Talk to a real owner or book a demo drive to experience V14 yourself.
  • FSD V14 is the "Tipping Point": This version has officially converted the "non-tech" demographic by proving its reliability in complex urban traffic.
  • The "Boss" Move: Surprising a skeptical spouse with a vehicle they "love to hate" is becoming a viral trend for a reason: the truck wins people over once they are behind the wheel.

My Recommendations

If you are sitting on the fence like Ashley’s husband, I recommend doing two things:

1. Audit the "Hate": Check if the negative reviews you are reading come from actual owners or from "spectator accounts."

2. Calculate the 80-Month Break-Even: At $99/month, it takes 6.5 years to reach the $8,000 purchase price. If you plan on keeping the truck for 10 years, buying it today is the only logical choice.

I’ve followed this truck since its "broken glass" debut in 2019, and I’ve written extensively about why the Cybertruck remains the most misunderstood vehicle on the road. Ashley’s decision to buy a second one isn't just about a "surprise"; it’s about a family moving from the digital stands into the driver's seat of the future.

Ignore The Noise

Ultimately, Ashley’s "Cyber-conversion" demonstrates that the loudest voices on social media are rarely the ones actually driving the technology forward. Whether you love the stainless steel wedge or hate it, the combination of a looming financial deadline and the undeniable smoothness of FSD V14 is creating a new class of "two-Cybertruck households" that the algorithms never saw coming.

What Would You Do?

If you were in Ashley’s shoes, would you pull the trigger on a second six-figure EV to surprise a skeptical spouse, or would you let the Facebook critics win the day? Is locking in the $8,000 FSD price before this weekend’s permanent sunset a genius investment, or is the $99 monthly subscription a safer bet for your family budget? I want to hear your take on whether "Cyber-conversion" is a real phenomenon or just a lucky streak for Tesla. Share your thoughts and join the conversation by leaving a comment in the red “Add new comment” link below.

Next Up: As we watch owners like Ashley double down on their fleet, the conversation is shifting from software debates to the cold, hard reality of long-term durability. While some drivers are celebrating 40,000-mile milestones, others are facing unexpected mechanical hurdles that challenge the truck's "bulletproof" reputation. I recently took a deep dive into the mechanical side of the house to investigate a specific Ford F-150/Tesla Cybertruck swap and what it really means for the longevity of your $100,000 investment.

Denis Flierl is a Senior Reporter at Torque News with over 30 years of hands-on experience in the automotive industry. Having served as a professional test driver and industry consultant for major automakers such as Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, Honda, and Tesla, Denis provides a "boots-on-the-ground" perspective that goes beyond standard reporting. Since joining Torque News in 2012, he has specialized in cutting through market noise to deliver data-backed analysis and real-world owner stories. His work focuses on navigating the transition to EVs and the shifting automotive market.

Have a tip or question for Denis? > Engage with him directly on LinkedIn for industry analysis, or follow his latest updates on X @DenisFlierl and @WorldsCoolestRides. You can also find his latest car features on Facebook and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Ashley

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