Shaquille O’Neal is popping heads with the most recent addition to his luxury car collection: A customized Tesla Cybertruck.
The NBA legend, who's famend for his love of customized autos with extravagant add-ons, first took to Instagram to proudly showcase his new trip. “Big news! @shaq just got the first wide body Cyberbeast… and it’s all thanks to LeBron,” learn the Instagram caption for a Sept. 6 submit concerning the buy. The so-called “Cyberbeast” is full with modern, black detailing and rear carbon fiber fender flares, in response to Autoevolution.
This marks Shaq’s second Cybertruck and provides to his spectacular automobile assortment, which is claimed to be extra than $2 million in whole.
Even Tesla CEO Elon Musk took discover of the previous basketball participant’s latest buy. In a submit on social media, Musk shared Shaq’s Instagram submit with a easy caption: “Nice.”
But, because the Daily Dot has beforehand reported, the Cybertruck is rife with points. That’s led some Shaq supporters to in the end query: Why did he purchase one other one?
What’s flawed with the Cybertruck?
Tesla’s Cybertruck has been turning heads on roadways because it first debuted—however not all the time for the correct causes. For starters, the stainless-steel automobile is definitely fairly succesful of getting stained. In reality, in May, a Cybertruck driver stated he noticed rust and corrosion. This difficulty is particularly pronounced if the automobile is uncovered to rain.
But there are different, extra lethal, points related to the car, too. That identical month, one other Cybertruck driver stated he sustained a extreme damage, which required stitches, after hitting himself on the automobile’s door.
Drivers additionally threat damage from the Cybertruck’s “frunk”—or, the entrance trunk. The frunk is designed to lift up if it detects resistance from the entrance, however it has been proven to not do that with objects coming from the facet. In one take a look at, a YouTuber put a carrot within the again of the frunk and confirmed it getting “absolutely annihilated” by the automobile.
These makeshift security exams have been carried out by different YouTubers, too. One man tried to shut his hand within the frunk and issues… didn’t finish effectively. First, the person confirmed viewers that the automobile would instantly elevate the frunk again up if it detected resistance. But when the YouTuber put his non-gloved hand close to the frunk, it immediately closed on their fingers. (The YouTuber stated that the expertise was uncomfortable, however added that he didn’t undergo any bleeding or damaged bones.)
Beyond this, Cybertruck homeowners have additionally stated that they’re unable to take the automobile by most computerized automobile washes. And, at one level, practically 4,000 Cybertrucks had been recalled attributable to a problem with the automobile’s accelerator pedal.
So… why did Shaq purchase one other Cybertruck?
According to the previous basketball participant, getting one other truck was merely a matter of comfort. His first automobile, he stated, was dwelling at one of his Las Vegas houses and he was unwilling to have it shipped to the place he’s presently residing, in Atlanta. As a outcome, Shaq said he determined to purchase one other automobile.
Shaq acquired each of his Tesla autos by Effortless Motors, however the story behind his electrical car purchases is sort of attention-grabbing. According to Fadeaway World, Shaq was initially acquainted with the California-based auto dealer after the corporate was criticized by fellow NBA legend LeBron James attributable to an intern’s erroneous post. Shaq then reached out to the corporate and noticed the Cybertruck, which he ended up shopping for.
@hotfreestyletv Shaq’s new Tesla Cybertruck 🔥 #shaq #shaquilleoneal #tesla #cybertruck ♬ original sound – Hot Freestyle
Viewers react
While Shaq and Elon Musk appeared happy with the previous basketball participant’s buy, not all followers thought it was the very best use of his cash. Shaq’s Instagram submit was re-shared on TikTok by person @hotfreestyletv, which posts day by day hip-hop, sports activities, and leisure information. As of Monday afternoon, the repurposed clip had amassed greater than 5.5 million views.
Of course, not everybody expressed glee over Shaq’s buy.
“The cybertruck is evidence that people will buy anything,” one person stated.
“Like, let’s be honest, for what?” a second questioned. “It’s an overpriced sheet of metal.”
“thought shaq was better than this,” a 3rd viewer wrote.
Others, nevertheless, had been a minimum of impressed with Shaq’s automobiles’ outward look.
“First cybertruck I’ve seen that actually has a good look to it,” one commenter stated.
“he had it custom so that’s why it looks a lot better than your average,” one other added.
“That would be the only way I would buy a Tesla,” a 3rd particular person wrote.
The Daily Dot has reached out to Tesla by e mail.
Internet tradition is chaotic—however we’ll break it down for you in a single day by day e mail. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr e-newsletter right here. You’ll get the very best (and worst) of the web straight into your inbox.
