A Tesla Cybertruck owner knows it's a "futuristic chrome-plated dumpster," but he doesn't care.
He says it goes from 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds and has "less maintenance than a goldfish." Find out why this rolling trapezoidal toaster is an unbeatable daily driver.
Do you think this Cybertruck is a "futuristic chrome-plated dumpster?" An owner explains why his "rolling trapezoidal toaster" is worth it: $5 to fill up and less maintenance than a goldfish.
This Cybertruck owner is laughing all the way to Walmart, but will he have the last laugh?
I just caught a comment that perfectly sums up the Cybertruck experience. Dave Peck on the Tesla CyberTruck Owners Facebook page says:
"Just a warning that I'll be out taking a cruise today to see if the world is safe yet from rogue birdies poopin' on people they don't know. It's been a while, and she demanded to be set free from the garage. "
"I know it looks like a futuristic chrome-plated dumpster designed on an Apple II by a stoned Elon Musk (wait, that's probably true), but I still love it."
"I bought it before all that because it does 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds, requires less maintenance than a goldfish, and costs me like five bucks to fill up. I'm just out here trying to go to Walmart in my rolling trapezoidal toaster in peace."
Dave's humor hits the heart of this "disruptor" vehicle. As a veteran in the auto industry, I see a bigger story here than just a quirky owner. I see a powerful trifecta of performance, efficiency, and cost of ownership that, despite the polarizing design, makes the Cybertruck an undeniably fascinating study in the new era of electric trucks.
Acceleration That Redefines a Pickup
Dave mentions his truck does 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds, and he's absolutely right if he owns the high-performance 'Cyberbeast' model. For the uninitiated, this is a mind-boggling figure for a vehicle this size.
Cyberbeast (Tri-Motor): Official 0–60 mph time is 2.6 seconds, with independent tests clocking it just a hair faster under perfect conditions. This makes the Tesla Cybertruck the quickest production pickup ever tested.
All-Wheel Drive (Dual-Motor): This version is no slouch either, with a reported 0–60 mph time of 4.1 seconds, and some track tests pushing it down to 3.9 seconds.
The Cybertruck delivers exotic sports car acceleration in a utility truck package.
For owners like Dave, this instantaneous, silent surge of power is a core part of the appeal, separating the experience from that of any traditional gasoline-powered truck.
A Goldfish vs. a Gas Guzzler
Dave's line about the Cybertruck requiring less maintenance than a goldfish is a classic example of EV enthusiasm. In terms of scheduled service, he's spot on. EVs eliminate oil changes, spark plugs, belts, and a host of other costly items that nickel-and-dime traditional truck owners.
However, as your trusted automotive resource, I need to provide the complete picture regarding the overall ownership cost of the Tesla Cybertruck. While routine maintenance is relatively low (CarEdge estimates about $5,358 over 10 years for standard service and repairs, which is surprisingly competitive for a luxury truck), we must address the repair bay issue: collision.
The ultra-hard stainless steel exoskeleton is tough, but when it does sustain significant damage, the repair process is unproven, highly specialized, and potentially very expensive. We've seen reports of moderate collision damage resulting in repair bills that are nearly equal to the vehicle's original value. This unique construction is a double-edged sword: you gain extreme durability, but also face a higher risk of total loss in the event of a serious accident.
Wait, There's More
If you own this futuristic chrome-plated dumpster, review your insurance policy with a specialized broker. Ensure that your agreed-upon value (if available) accurately reflects your truck's replacement cost, and inquire about policies that specifically cover the specialized labor and parts required for a vehicle with an exoskeleton design.
Five Bucks to Fill Up?
The final piece of Dave's puzzle is the cost: "costs me like five bucks to fill up." This speaks directly to the core EV value proposition: low-cost fueling for a high-performance electric truck.
At the current national average for electricity (around $0.17 per kWh), "filling up" an estimated 120 kWh battery at home can cost between $ 20 and $ 24 for a full charge, translating to a significantly lower per-mile cost than gas. Dave's estimate of "five bucks" is likely the cost to replace the energy used in a typical day's driving—the ultimate Cybertruck daily running costs being a huge financial draw.
This is a massive financial advantage, especially for truck owners accustomed to spending $80−$120 per tank. The Cybertruck, despite its size and performance, is a much more economical daily driver than its traditional counterparts.
Conclusion
The Cybertruck is controversial. Dave's experience—driving to Walmart in his rolling trapezoidal toaster—perfectly captures the contrast between its everyday utility and its futuristic styling. The real story isn't the political noise; it's a truck with raw performance and low operational costs wrapped in a shell that challenges every automotive design convention.
Buyers who understand that they are navigating Tesla Cybertruck repair challenges but embracing a future of high-speed, low-maintenance transport are getting exactly what they paid for: a disruptive statement on wheels.
However, the crucial trade-off remains: incredible efficiency and speed come at a significantly higher risk of major body damage.
A Question for Cybertruck Owners
The Cybertruck is undeniably fast and efficient, but what unexpected practical benefit has the truck delivered that you didn't anticipate when you bought your "rolling trapezoidal toaster?" Let us know in the comments below.
Check out my Tesla Cybertruck story: My Tesla Cybertruck Just Drove Itself Back To the Dealer Because of the Heavy Debt I Owe, Come Back Cybertruck
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Dave Peck
Comments
Aside from the obvious…
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Aside from the obvious idiocy of owning anything Tesla right now, Tesla has ranked at the bottom of predicted and observed reliability for a decade right there with Range Rover.... It might require less maintenance but that is irrelevant when you factor in the abysmal reliability and atrocious build quality. With around 35,000 unsold Cubertrucks either sitting at dealers or still at the factory, it's fate is sealed. There is already talk of early plans regarding recycling the stainless steel that is on the already built units as well as other usable systems if they can't (and they won't) sell the remaining 2024 and 2025 models. They are only building special order units right now that can't be sourced from existing stock and Q1-Q3 sales were just a tad over 6,000 units. The original target from Musk was to sell 250,000 Cubertrucks annually and the factory was purpose built for that exact production volume. It's as good as dead.
I don't care what Elon calls…
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I don't care what Elon calls it it's not a truck. I'll take my F-150 any day, it might not do 0-60 in 2.5 but so what. The whatever it is it's not a truck, it can't haul 25 bales of hay, you can't load plywood and 12 foot 2×4s in the back with 10 bags of cement, nor could I pull my 25 foot goose neck trailer with it. Calling it a truck is like saying a 59 caddie is a muscle car.
85% of pickups aren’t used…
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In reply to I don't care what Elon calls… by theEVILone (not verified)
85% of pickups aren’t used for construction, trades, or farm/ranch work, they’re driven by soccer moms and “guys” with ponytails pulled over the back straps of their baseball caps. 90% of pickups don’t have extended beds capable of carrying 4x8 sheet materials without propping the rear edges on the tailgate, or dropping the tailgate flat and strapping the load down via the CT’s included continually-adjustable tie-down points on rails. What bed can fit 12-foot long 2x4s - you mean on a bed-mounted rack? Why can’t a fifth-wheel bed-mounted hitch be installed?
“Methinks the lady doth protest too much.” — Billy Shakespeare
The only vehicle to escape…
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The only vehicle to escape the video game "battle zone" from 1980. Look it up.
Can you pull a trailer and…
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Can you pull a trailer and far how long will it take plus $$$$$. There's youtube videos where compared a Dodge Ram truck vrs Tesla pulling simular trailer fascinating watch it
I had no idea I would like…
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I had no idea I would like steer-by-wire as much as I do. It’s truly a game changer that can only be explained through experience with it. If you’ve physically driven a Cybertruck, you already know what I mean. If you haven’t, you can’t possibly imagine how great it is. If you don’t care for the external look, that’s totally fair and I get that. Don’t like the fact that you can’t really get things out of the bed from the side because the sail panels are too tall? I’m right there with you. But get your butt in the driver’s seat before casting judgement. This thing is undeniably the greatest vehicle ever conceived.
My 2016 Ram Big Horn 1500…
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My 2016 Ram Big Horn 1500 Eco diesel costed me $14142 to replace the engine. So not much difference than a battery pack.
It's an ugly clown car.
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It's an ugly clown car.
So, now tell us where you…
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So, now tell us where you stand politically. I can never trust liberals again. How do I know I can trust you? Let's face it, liberals go out of their way to cause problems... Seriously. I can never trust people's reviews again if politics are involved and I can't help but wonder how much police are involved here.
I live in North Dakota I…
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I live in North Dakota I have yet to see a farmer with a cyber truck why is that I don't believe they would last as an actual working vehicle given our temperature extremes up here and the fact they are ugly
Your problem is that North…
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In reply to I live in North Dakota I… by C j (not verified)
Your problem is that North Dakota is FUGLY … and FLAT to boot, like the “women” there. Get some mountains and real women with mountains, like the ones we have in Mo(u)nta(i)na!
Nothing says American…
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Nothing says American Patriot than a CyberTruck Beast wrapped with a Patriotic motif. Gives me a great platform to promote and handout U.S. Constitutions! And meet a lot of nice people in the process.
Dave is spot on. I analyzed…
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Dave is spot on. I analyzed available trucks for a year before sending in the $100 reservation. I decided and bought it long before the doge controversy. I have been driving the two motor Foundation truck for over 15 months. Daily driver and long trips. Level two charger at home and super chargers on long trips. FSD works quite well once you get to know it. It’s great for bumper to bumper on the belt way. We used FSD for about 800 miles on a 1000 mile trip. The speed was already mentioned but the all wheel steering is a game changer. Tight parking garages are no problem. It parks itself if you want it to. Once you get used to the squircle, regular steering wheels seem backward and clunky. $$$$ yes but all the top end F250 equivalent trucks are. Price is what you pay and value is what you get. The CT is a great value. One caveat: if you’re predominantly towing heavy trailers long distances then you need a diesel. I don’t so the CT works for me.
Pagination