Air Suspension, Carplay, onboard cooler, double din radio, climate control, wi-fi, hands free liftgate, self driving, waffle maker...

[Dorbiman]

I was at a Ford dealer parts dept for wipers the other day and there was a customer ahead of me that needed a side mirror assembly for his Ford truck because it got smashed at work.

When the Ford parts rep quoted $1800 for just the driver's side mirror, he became unhinged.
Started yelling and screaming!

He could not understand why it's so expensive, when the parts manager came out and explained that his newer, fully loaded Platinum trim truck has built in: advanced BLIS sensors, turn signal lights, marker lights, defrosting heated glass,, and folding motor features.....

This is when I thought I miss my old dad's F100 truck that had manual mirrors without any tech or features - just a plain mirror and steel housing - probably would cost $150 ?

Slate is going to be great because it's going back to the old manual everything days......

You bring up an interesting point about blind spot detection in mirrors. Slate has said they're going to meet all requirements for 5 star safety ratings, which includes things like backup camera, etc, but it also includes blind spot detection systems. I'm curious if this will be integrated in the mirror, or in the little screen on the steering column

 

[metroshot]

You bring up an interesting point about blind spot detection in mirrors. Slate has said they're going to meet all requirements for 5 star safety ratings, which includes things like backup camera, etc, but it also includes blind spot detection systems. I'm curious if this will be integrated in the mirror, or in the little screen on the steering column

Most BLIS is handled by either the ultrasonic sensors around modern vehicles or use of cameras like Tesla does.

My Ford EV has all those features and then some: 360 degree cameras, BLIS, cross traffic alerts, and reverse halt feature for children or pedestrians which uses camera and ultrasonic park sensors together..

Should be interesting if Slate offers BLIS as an option and the required reverse camera feature that all new cars are supposed to have....

 

[cvollers]

You bring up an interesting point about blind spot detection in mirrors. Slate has said they're going to meet all requirements for 5 star safety ratings, which includes things like backup camera, etc, but it also includes blind spot detection systems. I'm curious if this will be integrated in the mirror, or in the little screen on the steering column

I hope they put a convex mirror in the housing. I have ‘em and they work very well in eliminating blind spots.

 

[5ohbrad]

I don't know that I really agree. The promise of the Slate isn't just simplicity and basics; it's customization. Their whole platform is centralized around customization and adding the options you want, not the options you have to get as part of a package.

If customization and freedom of choice wasn't the point, why have a Maker to configure trucks with all these addons and accessories?

I think Slate’s vision is fantastic- limit option to battery size and everyone rolls off the line the same. Turn customization over to the end user. Keeps cost down and production fast. I’m all for customization options, but they should remain extremely limited on the production side.

 

[SlateX]

I have always wanted the older Ford Ranger because it’s simple and has a 5’ bed which is practical. But the problem for me was the gas efficiency, and the Slate fills this problem/gap. Also, I think the Slate will be a success based on the sales numbers of the Ford Maverick.

 

[AZFox]

I think Slate is trying to have their cake and eat it too.

Maybe I'm doing some Confirmation Bias here, but I think a lot of Slate owners will get a little gray truck and just happily drive it around.

Personally things like Wheel Decals, Charms for the Dashboard Vents, and (especially) Customizable Key Fobs(!) are of no interest whatsoever.

I hope all of the customization options don't backfire for Slate Auto. There's a book titled The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less that explains why that could happen.

AI Inquiry:

What is the main lesson of the book The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz?​

Response:

The main lesson of "The Paradox of Choice" is that having too many options can lead to anxiety, decision paralysis, and decreased satisfaction with choices, ultimately making people feel less happy. Schwartz suggests that simplifying choices can improve well-being and decision-making.​

 

[cvollers]

I think Slate is trying to have their cake and eat it too.

Maybe I'm doing some Confirmation Bias here, but I think a lot of Slate owners will get a little gray truck and just happily drive it around.

Personally things like Wheel Decals, Charms for the Dashboard Vents, and (especially) Customizable Key Fobs(!) are of no interest whatsoever.

I hope all of the customization options don't backfire for Slate Auto. There's a book titled The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less that explains why that could happen.

AI Inquiry:

What is the main lesson of the book The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz?​

Response:

The main lesson of "The Paradox of Choice" is that having too many options can lead to anxiety, decision paralysis, and decreased satisfaction with choices, ultimately making people feel less happy. Schwartz suggests that simplifying choices can improve well-being and decision-making.​

The good folks at Honda must have this book as required reading for new hires. Meanwhile Porsche has never heard of it.

 

[Luxrage]

The main lesson of "The Paradox of Choice" is that having too many options can lead to anxiety, decision paralysis, and decreased satisfaction with choices, ultimately making people feel less happy. Schwartz suggests that simplifying choices can improve well-being and decision-making.​

I think that's part of the reason that Slate keeps pushing these new 'builds.' I'm betting a lot of people will skip the full customizer all together and get one of their pre-designed packages and add one or two things to that.*

*except the Neon Echo one, I can't imagine someone actually wanting that decal package LOL

As for the initial concerns, I think it's fine that everyone wants all of these options, they're free to add them on their own later as DIY or options from Slate themselves. I think if the Slate does take off the owners forum here will be a wild west of people doing all sorts of mods and things to them, the Honda Element forum is very much like that.

As long as the base Slate stays just that and they don't start tacking on things as standard, I think everyone will be happy. I plan on driving it till it dies or gets totaled in severe weather so resale value of a blank Slate base doesn't concern me.

 

[craigsnedeker]

Years ago, my father and I built an S10 that I loved but eventually sold for a wedding ring. We currently have a Hyundai Kona Electric. I have enjoyed having an EV more than I expected, but at over $40k, it definitely has a lot of features we don’t use. The features we wanted were only included in packages bundled with things we didn’t need. Since then, I’ve always said that if someone just makes a small two door pickup EV, I’m jumping on it. I live in queens, ny. Every truck out there is way too big and expensive. Want am I picking up? Bikes, IKEA furniture, planting soil, bags of salt for the winter, etc? We’re all not in construction. The minute I saw the reveal for the Slate, they hooked me. It reminded me too much of me and my dad’s s10, only EV. As for add on’s. I’m pretty much just want speakers and CarPlay. Anything else can come later. Here’s the s10 for reference.

I used to have an S10 too. The Slate brings me back to those days of cruising around in a small single cab pickup.

I do think if the truck cant hit the 20k mark, it wont be worth the price. I still want one though, love the concept, love how it looks.

 

[SichuanHot]

I think Slate is trying to have their cake and eat it too.

Maybe I'm doing some Confirmation Bias here, but I think a lot of Slate owners will get a little gray truck and just happily drive it around.

Personally things like Wheel Decals, Charms for the Dashboard Vents, and (especially) Customizable Key Fobs(!) are of no interest whatsoever.

I hope all of the customization options don't backfire for Slate Auto. There's a book titled The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less that explains why that could happen.

AI Inquiry:

What is the main lesson of the book The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz?​

Response:

The main lesson of "The Paradox of Choice" is that having too many options can lead to anxiety, decision paralysis, and decreased satisfaction with choices, ultimately making people feel less happy. Schwartz suggests that simplifying choices can improve well-being and decision-making.​

The bone stock cheapest option is what I'd get. I think Slate is pushing the customization and modification stuff so much is because they want people to know even know the truck only comes in two battery trims, the options and capabilities are there to later change it to one's liking.

 

[E90400K]

Pet peeve post...

"... or most ICE vehicle related maintenance"

This is the ICEV maintenance schedule for a 2022 Bronco:

We're all pro-DIY right? So, based on 10,000 annual miles driven:

• one (1) engine oil change every year (DIY - 45 minutes)
• Engine air filter every 3 years (DIY - 10 minutes)
• Spark plugs every 10 years (DIY - 4 plugs in my case - 1 hour)
• Driveline fluids every 15 years (DIY - 3.75 hours)
• Drive belt every 15 years (DIY - 30 minutes)
• Coolant at 10 years (DIY - 2 hours)

Not a big commitment. Just sayin'

 

[Karl Childers]

I want a blank Slate. Will consider doing the extended battery pack and tonneau cover. Will DIY a cool wrap. After having a Maverick hybrid the last 2 years, we find having a smaller truck meets 99% of our needs as a city dweller. We have a 2014 f150 that will be put on part time duty for dump runs and occasional tow of our cargo trailer. I'm looking forward to adding the Slate to our stable and owning first EV.

 

[Karl Childers]

Pet peeve post...

"... or most ICE vehicle related maintenance"

This is the ICEV maintenance schedule for a 2022 Bronco:

We're all pro-DIY right? So, based on 10,000 annual miles driven:

• one (1) engine oil change every year (DIY - 45 minutes)
• Engine air filter every 3 years (DIY - 10 minutes)
• Spark plugs every 10 years (DIY - 4 plugs in my case - 1 hour)
• Driveline fluids every 15 years (DIY - 3.75 hours)
• Drive belt every 15 years (DIY - 30 minutes)
• Coolant at 10 years (DIY - 2 hours)

Not a big commitment. Just sayin'

I am a DYI on basic maintenance. I like to change my own oil ( I am an amsoil snob, my flame suit is on) and usually do maintenance earlier than recommended manufacturer schedule. I don

Pet peeve post...

"... or most ICE vehicle related maintenance"

This is the ICEV maintenance schedule for a 2022 Bronco:

We're all pro-DIY right? So, based on 10,000 annual miles driven:

• one (1) engine oil change every year (DIY - 45 minutes)
• Engine air filter every 3 years (DIY - 10 minutes)
• Spark plugs every 10 years (DIY - 4 plugs in my case - 1 hour)
• Driveline fluids every 15 years (DIY - 3.75 hours)
• Drive belt every 15 years (DIY - 30 minutes)
• Coolant at 10 years (DIY - 2 hours)

Not a big commitment. Just sayin'

I am not a DIY pro, but i am a certified you tube mechanic. I actually like to change my oil, (I am an amsoil snob, my flame suit is on) I am good for general tune up stuff. What i don't like about modern vehicles in general is the complexity of sensors and systems with parts that are very expensive and I have to take car 1/2 apart to get to part i need to change. My brother in law loves BMWs and is a good mechanic, but I see the specialized tools he has to buy, and I think he is crazy. I think this Slate is right in my wheelhouse and am looking forward to checking it out.

 

[Swinefuzz]

When the Ford parts rep quoted $1800 for just the driver's side mirror, he became unhinged.
Started yelling and screaming!

He could not understand why it's so expensive, when the parts manager came out and explained that his newer, fully loaded Platinum trim truck has built in: advanced BLIS sensors, turn signal lights, marker lights, defrosting heated glass,, and folding motor features.....

There's another major upside to SA's barebones approach: probably lower insurance premiums. All the "added value" features in so many modern cars, whether ICE or EV, have them putting sensors, switches, motors and other assorted gizmos all over the vehicle, end-to-end, top-to-bottom. That raises insurance premiums because repair shops have to charge for all that. A simple accident like dinging a fender by tapping a bollard post in a parking lot can destroy untold amounts of electronics beneath that fender, costing the owner THOUSANDS. So all that added value crap doesn't just raise the initial price of the vehicle, it makes month-to-month insurance cost much higher, too.

I'm assuming the Slate Truck will be cheaper to insure than most EVs because since SA is designing the vehicle to be DIY-friendly for owners to repair and maintain, including easy body panel swap, it almost definitely means the vehicle won't have a multitude of components hidden beneath each and every body panel like a Tesla!



EVs are generally more expensive than ICE vehicles to insure, and it's because of 2 main reasons: the extremely large and heavy battery pack is expensive to replace if necessary and because so many EV automakers are loading their futuristic cars with whiz-bang features a normal human being does not need and probably didn't want until they saw it was available in a showroom.

I look forward to seeing the insurance cost comparisons for Slate vs other modern cars, both ICE and EV.

 

[cvollers]

I am a DYI on basic maintenance. I like to change my own oil ( I am an amsoil snob, my flame suit is on) and usually do maintenance earlier than recommended manufacturer schedule. I don
I am not a DIY pro, but i am a certified you tube mechanic. I actually like to change my oil, (I am an amsoil snob, my flame suit is on) I am good for general tune up stuff. What i don't like about modern vehicles in general is the complexity of sensors and systems with parts that are very expensive and I have to take car 1/2 apart to get to part i need to change. My brother in law loves BMWs and is a good mechanic, but I see the specialized tools he has to buy, and I think he is crazy. I think this Slate is right in my wheelhouse and am looking forward to checking it out.

I make use of a DIY garage with lifts that is located not too far away. Have done control arm replacement. Front struts. Rear shocks and springs. Brake pads and rotors all around. Steering fluid. Brake fluid. Differential fluid. Oil changes. Cabin air filter I do in my driveway.

Favorite tools: torque wrench, breaker bar, and cordless impact gun.