What is Slate competing with for YOUR money?

[Trace26]

You're right. It's not the first thread they've derailed either.

Back on topic: The only other one I'd consider (outside of the previously mentioned ID.GTI) is whatever the next Chevy Bolt is. I doubt I'll be excited about it, but if its cheap and makes sense, it might be hard to look away from.

I was planning to buy the new bolt, if it looked decent and was a good price, but the Slate showed up. I can't imagine switching back, but we'll see.

 

[Letas]

Come on now, you don't need a lift table to do a pack swap. 90% of the time people just use a 2 post lift. You said you already have one, right? So no biggie. I'm also VERY curious about what EV you're looking at with a 4000 battery. A Model S battery is 1200lbs. The Renault Zoe has the same capacity battery as the Blank Slate, and that battery weighs 720 lbs. People swing in LS engines mated to a 6L80E all the time, which weighs about the same.

You continue to beat the drum about how EV maintenance is so scary and difficult and impractical. We get it. It's also irrelevant to this thread, right? Perhaps you should make your own thread about the impending doom of EV maintenance.

Lifting with an engine hoist vs dropping a battery is a much different story. "I can deadlift 305, so I should be able to bench it"

 

[Letas]

Need a computer ugrade?, the infotainment screen just went blank, one cell out of the 4000 or so in the pack died, one of your dual-motors is making a funny noise? . . .

Now your right about things like brake-pads, suspension, tires etc, maybe lights?
but MoPar do not make parts for Tesla's (or any other mainline EV I know of)

So yes, it does matter.

Slate will not have 4000 cells (i believe MYs have 7000+!) due to their pouch design- I'm guessing 150-200. But replacing an individual cell, while possible, is not an undergoing for 99%+ of mechanics. Replacing mods/packs, much more feasible.

 

[Dorbiman]

Lifting with an engine hoist vs dropping a battery is a much different story. "I can deadlift 305, so I should be able to bench it"

You’re right, not an apples to apples comparison. Still nowhere near 4,000 lbs (which is a funny number already, since that weighs more than the Slate Truck entirely). I don’t want to derail further, but if you’re interested, there are videos of people swapping larger packs than the Slate has in their driveway using jacks and jackstands.

 

[Letas]

You’re right, not an apples to apples comparison. Still nowhere near 4,000 lbs (which is a funny number already, since that weighs more than the Slate Truck entirely). I don’t want to derail further, but if you’re interested, there are videos of people swapping larger packs than the Slate has in their driveway using jacks and jackstands.

Very fair. I'm decently well versed, and could see the pack dropping being feasible for a half-intelligent DIYer, assuming they engineer it as such.

Back on topic. I'd say my competition is going to be a R2 or Equinox EV. Hoping post-tax credit going away, manufactures start to drop prices to lower than they currently are. The Slate is not the perfect vehicle for me (no vehicle is perfect for my needs, I'd say) but it does check enough boxes, I can overlook, depending on price.

 

[E90400K]

Very fair. I'm decently well versed, and could see the pack dropping being feasible for a half-intelligent DIYer, assuming they engineer it as such.

Back on topic. I'd say my competition is going to be a R2 or Equinox EV. Hoping post-tax credit going away, manufactures start to drop prices to lower than they currently are. The Slate is not the perfect vehicle for me (no vehicle is perfect for my needs, I'd say) but it does check enough boxes, I can overlook, depending on price.

If a Slate is going to be priced near $31K (84 kWh battery and wrapped), for me a Tacoma or Frontier at $32K to $34K becomes a real consideration.

 

[atreis]

There are currently no flat-towable BEVs.

Telo is the only potential competitor to the Slate for me. I want a flat-towable BEV, and they're the only companies that currently say they're working to make them flat-towable.

 

[Letas]

If a Slate is going to be priced near $31K (84 kWh battery and wrapped), for me a Tacoma or Frontier at $32K to $34K becomes a real consideration.

If a slate is at $31k for the "big" (small) battery, I am OUT.

 

[AZFox]

Comparing a 2027 Slate price with a 2025 [other vehicle] price doesn't make sense.

We don't know what 2027 [other vehicles'] prices will be.

Presuming they'll be the same as this year's offerings is kind of a stretch, isn't it?

 

[slateya]

I still have a reservation on the Scout Terra. It's a LOT of truck, more than I need, and probably 3x the price of the Slate. But it is pretty. I'd continue to watch the development on that if the Slate doesn't pan out, but I'm not super excited about it like I am the slate. Not sure if I would actually pull the trigger on it whenever that decision point comes even if there is no Slate in my driveway. Most likely, I would go without anything. All the other manufacturers seem to be all in on building AI connected/tracking/data collection machines and that's a real turn off. This image from Honda's 0 prototype page terrifies me.

£¥$& this $#%+. Not in any car I will ever purchase. Is this add satire?

 

[slateya]

I was looking at 2012-2017 Audi A 4 Or VW Passat. The cars have worked well for me and I know their demons.

 

[Letas]

Comparing a 2027 Slate price with a 2025 [other vehicle] price doesn't make sense.

We don't know what 2027 [other vehicles'] prices will be.

Presuming they'll be the same as this year's offerings is kind of a stretch, isn't it?

Same could be said about the Slate prices which haven’t been released

The optimist in me says we will see EV prices drop in the next year. The realist knows that this forum is entirely speculative, prices not excluded

 

[gouacats]

I've always been a Jeep guy with all of the customization options - Hard top, soft top, bikini top, no top, full doors, half doors, no doors, lifted, not lifted, etc. And that isn't really even starting on the aftermarket options. I want a vehicle that isn't like anyone else's (at least not like most others on the road). A Maverick or Toyota or any other pickup really can't compete with this. The Slate checks the box and will be my buzz around town vehicle. Bonus that it is cheap and electric. I'm still planning on keeping my Gladiator for road trips, etc. I think that the only other vehicle that is competing with it would be a 2-door Jeep Wrangler. Even though the Gladiator can tow, is the best riding Jeep I've ever owned and is on the smaller side of pickups these days, I miss the small size of my old Wranglers.

 

[slateya]

Here is a Ford Ranger for everyone lauding its praises. Have at it.

https://www.rochestermotorcars.com/used-Rochester-2011-Ford-Ranger-XLT-1FTLR4FE0BPA93223

 

[Imhotep]

I was hoping to never buy a new vehicle again. My 2 vehicles are going strong, and I don’t want a car payment.

My 2008 Prius has 135K miles on it and it’s the only new vehicle I’ve ever bought. I’ve been over precautious on the maintenance figuring I’d demand my money back if it doesn’t reach 300K. Runs perfectly.

My 1974 GMC K1500 does all my truck stuff and it converts to a 6 seater with the back seat I pulled out of a Jimmy (completely safe: roll bar, topper, lap belts for the backwards facing passengers in the bed ) but at 8 mpg, it’s not going to the mountains much anymore. I’ve settled into it a lifestyle more involving trips to the dump than going 4X4, so I think it’s time to pass it on to the next generation who love square bodies.

The Slate will do as an around town commuter & light truck and I’ll keep the Prius to fill the long distance roll. The Slate won me over and I actually changed my mind about buying a new vehicle again (saving up to pay cash this time since it’s actually possible to do that with a reasonable price and a couple years planning ).