Maybe it’s the retro-futuristic style or reminiscent of sci-fi and cyperpunk, but I genuinely really like the design.

I would never buy one due to the MYRIAD issues plaguing the stainless steel body, interior build quality, or give Tesla money. But still a cool looking car, if nonfunctional truck.

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[–] 19 points 1 year ago* (18 children)

Then go buy an 80s car with an actual good angular design and convert it to electric.

Some similar aesthetic options:

  • VW Scirocco or early Golf/Rabbit
  • Early Lotus Esprit
  • Delorean
  • Fiat X1
  • Triumph TR7
  • 80s Alfa Romeos
  • 80s Lancias (Beta, or Delta for instance)
  • anything from the late 60s to late 80s designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro

They are angular wedge designs, but done with care and thought to manufacturing, some safety (at least from sharp edges), and almost all of them are aesthetically pleasing.

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  • [–] 7 points 1 year ago (6 children)

    Then go buy an 80s car with an actual good angular design and convert it to electric.

    You say that like it's easy to do for anyone. 😅

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago (5 children)

    As much as any one can buy a Cybertruck for $80k, yeah.

    You can get an 80s car with a dead motor for less than 1/10th a cybertruck

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (4 children)

    Well yeah but the "convert to electric" part... 😅

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (3 children)

    The remaining 75,000 should get you a pretty nice conversion. Fitting the batteries without completely ruining the handling and storage in the conversion does present a big challenge.

    But there are an increasing number of shops on both sides of the Atlantic that are offering conversions.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago* (1 child)

    Have you looked at the labor involved, and price? Conversions are not really feasible for everyday cars and likely never will be

    Edit: $40-50k plus the original cost of the car. Are you really ready to dump that into a 1980s Subaru? Why not buy a brand new Subaru EV and save a crap load of money?

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago*

    I hear you, but Subaru/Toyota EVs aren’t really that great (especially in the styling department). But we’re taking about the 80-100K budget of a cybertruck, and choosing it based on aesthetics. This is what I’d do. As mentioned elsewhere, the Ionic 5 is a good alternative as well.

    Also I’ve restored 3 and a bit 60s-80s cars now, and want to do an EV or Hybrid conversion for my next project. Since I already own a base vehicle, my DIY budget is about 20k depending on how much life is left in whatever donor car’s batteries I find. But I’m not normal, I can do all the fabrication and wiring needed.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago

    75,000 US dollars is already way more than what my brand new 2025 Volvo EX40 Single Motor Extended Range cost, including a bunch of extra features and winter tires. That's an all-electric vehicle with a lot of range.

    It doesn't have the aesthetic, but you gotta be freaking fanatic about 80s car design of you're willing to shell out a hundred thou on a car that you have to build yourself, or worse, have someone assemble for you (even more money).

    So no, this isn't a "just do it" kind of situation 😂

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    If I could get a 1987 Nissan Pulsar NX SE converted to electric with a range similar to the Model 3 LR, I'd be so happy.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago* (1 child)

    The difference in "ability to avoid serious injury or death in a crash" between an 80s and modern car is the hangup for me. Particularly in a country where I have to share the road with comically huge pickups and SUVs.

    As a cool weekend "drive around a bit" car: sure. But not as a daily driver.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago

    Yeah I hear you, it’s a hang up with me as well. Driving one is a lot like riding a bike or motorcycle, it makes me hyper focused and cautious, especially during merges and stop and go traffic.

    Having a decent EV setup would at least make it capable of accelerating and keeping up with modern traffic. Which, speaking from experience, would help, but not eliminate the treat by any means.

    I stopped bike commuting after moving to a more rural area where lack of bike lanes, brodozers, frauhauspanzers, and cellphone distractions have made it too risky.

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