Absolutely buying, but worried about this one thing...

[danielt1263]

Firstly, this thread is only for people who are absolutely buying as soon as they are able to. Even if you are going to purchase a Slate, you still may have concerns and I'm wondering what other people's are, and how they plan on mitigating them.

This is not a thread for those who are saying "if it has/doesn't have X, then I'm out." This is for people who are going to buy...

Mine are:
1) I have an annual trip of 85 miles or so down a highway where the speed limit is 85. Will I feel comfortable doing that, or will I be renting a car for that trip?
2) My Slate will be exposed to the Florida sun outside. I've seen what that does to painted plastic parts on my current car; what will it do to the unpainted plastic of the Slate, or to the wrap? Will it be okay, or will I need to get a polyester/nylon cover for it?

I'm buying regardless...

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

for me yeah definitely the sun part living in AZ (the land of the sun) i do worry about that but besides that i think I'm good on everything else i would like to know if i could haul a small boat but i got to look into the specs on the one i want. just the 10ft from cabalas. i want to start going fishing with my fiancé but need to get the official truck price so i can plan it out.

 

[Sl8rGrl]

If I remember correctly, the top speed is 90MPH and they've done hot weather testing in Arizona/Death Valley over the summer, but don't remember if they discussed any issues with the panels

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

If I remember correctly, the top speed is 90MPH and they've done hot weather testing in Arizona/Death Valley over the summer, but don't remember if they discussed any issues with the panels

usually that would take time. the plastic cladding on my trucks bed rail still seem good after 3 years usually at 5-6yearsthats when real signs of degradation start to show and you get fiber glass arms every time you lean on it

 

[CorvusCorvax]

My only concern is the lack of seat heaters. Of course, this is a completely mundane thing that nobody else would even bat an eyelash about.

I plan on purchasing and adding seat heaters to my Slate. Like the kind you glue to the foam under the upholstery.

 

[GaRailroader]

My primary concern is breaking my rule of not buying a 1st model year vehicle. I am a day 2 reservation holder so I need to decide whether to pull the trigger as soon as I’m given the opportunity or wait until 2nd model year. Beyond that, the only real Slate design objection, is the lack of a standard or optional bench seat.

 

[SparkYellow]

A friend sent me some comments on Reddit where folks who sat in one Slate criticized the interior as cheap and plasticky. I understand that we all have different standards. I am happy in my base/mid trim cars around $20K, others require premium everything.

I don't think all the Slate designers/engineers/executives would be ok with a cheap feel. Besides, it is made in the USA. 💪

I am definitely buying. Won't need a test drive because all you early birds will surely comment on the handling and etc. Doors come standard so I am all set! 😄

 

[KevinRS]

1) I have an annual trip of 85 miles or so down a highway where the speed limit is 85. Will I feel comfortable doing that, or will I be renting a car for that trip?
2) My Slate will be exposed to the Florida sun outside. I've seen what that does to painted plastic parts on my current car; what will it do to the unpainted plastic of the Slate, or to the wrap? Will it be okay, or will I need to get a polyester/nylon cover for it?

I'm buying regardless...

On speed, I've found by testing that people's claims that if you go only at the speed limit, you will nearly get run off the road or something are false. There are probably plenty of people driving that one toll road in Texas at 80, 75, 70 or even lower, just staying in the right lane. I am kind of curious if that is the road you are talking about, because it's the only place with an 85 limit, and it's a lot farther than 85 miles from Florida. Florida tops out at 70 for speed limits. You've got to go to Louisiana to get to a 75 speed limit.

My only concern is the lack of seat heaters. Of course, this is a completely mundane thing that nobody else would even bat an eyelash about.

I plan on purchasing and adding seat heaters to my Slate. Like the kind you glue to the foam under the upholstery.

The plan is for there to be heated seat covers, with a connection for them ready to just plug in. It's been mentioned in interviews, I expect we will see more details next month.

 

[danielt1263]

On speed, I've found by testing that people's claims that if you go only at the speed limit, you will nearly get run off the road or something are false.

I'm not worried about getting run off the road, but I do want to go the speed limit. I'm more worried about whether the truck's handling will be good at that speed. My wife's Toyota Corolla had a top speed of 105mph, but anything over 80mph and the suspension was so squirrelly that I didn't feel safe.

As a side note, my Dad was pulled over once in Texas for going at the speed limit because he wasn't keeping up with the general traffic flow.

I am kind of curious if that is the road you are talking about, because it's the only place with an 85 limit, and it's a lot farther than 85 miles from Florida.

Florida recently passed a law that will bump the speed limit to 85. I believe that's along the I-4 corridor, but it might only be on the turnpike...

 

[The Weatherman]

Honestly, I don’t see this truck being a highway runner. It is much much more suited to being on the city streets, country roads or on the dirt and gravel of the country side.

Just one (old)man’s opinion.

 

[KevinRS]

Florida recently passed a law that will bump the speed limit to 85. I believe that's along the I-4 corridor, but it might only be on the turnpike...

Looks like that is actually 80, and it went to the legislature for amendment, and that's the last I see on it.

 

[Johnny5]

I'm looking forward to the learning curve of charging infrastructure. I'm sure there will be a few fails along the way. I'm a little concerned about reliability, and finding a good place to get it wrentched on. Again it's just a matter of sorting it.

 

[sodamo]

I’m definitely buying. I don’t have any real concerns, but I do have questions, non deal breakers. I fully expect most of those to be addressed as we get closer to actual delivery as Slate releases final specs etc. I also think this forum can and will become a reasonable source.
My main question at this point is the bed topper. Slate is aware that many of us are concerned about a doggy friendly solution and has indicated they will have one. Personally, I will not spend $5K on the SuV kit and have seat etc I don’t need nor want. Of course it will come down to what is the cost of Slate’s solution. Worst case, I get nothing and hope for a 3rd party alternative.
Early on, I also questioned battery size, even attempting a spreadsheet, ended up my making the extended battery justifiable only if cost was $2500 or less. I have since found the ABRP app and learned my range anxiety likely a non issue. As I’ve stated elsewhere, a primary goal is only pay for charging in emergency.
So while there are numerous nice to have discussions in the forum, for me no deal breakers as long as Slate delivers as expected at the mid $20k price range. Then in that regard, I sincerely hope I’m not penalized for not living in a prime delivery area, my point being that should they make me wait additional 6 months or longer, they will have found the deal breaker.

 

[E90400K]

Since no one on the forum has driven one and can report in, I'll surmise 85 MPH will be just fine. It will suck up range quite quick though, you'll have to charge for the return trip. And it's an annual 85-mile trip...?

Get a good car cover for it. Cover Kraft or the like.

 

[cadblu]

As a side note, my Dad was pulled over once in Texas for going at the speed limit because he wasn't keeping up with the general traffic flow.

If that was me, I would definitely appeal that ticket and go to traffic court if necessary to fight it. That officer was probably just trying to reach his quota. As long as you maintain the minimum speed limit (eg. 40 mph) and aren’t impeding the flow of traffic, an “un-speeding” ticket isn’t warranted.

As a side note, if anyone spots a Slate with a radar detector mounted on the windshield, that needs to be posted here for our amusement. 😀