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

[NMNeil]

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. 😀

Ah the quota myth.
I used to run traffic enforcement at one of our local schools that had a 20MPH limit when the lights were flashing.
Plenty of cars would go through the school zone at around 22 to 25MPH. Could I stop and give them a ticket?; yes, did I?; no, and the reason is simple because all I had to do was wait a few minutes and Tweedle Dee the wonder dummy would fly through the zone at 40+.
The police don't need quotas, the motorist voluntarily gives them all the tickets they could possibly write.

 

[danielt1263]

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.

Oh no ticket, just a warning. The officer said my dad was impeding the flow of traffic.

 

[danielt1263]

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...?

Yes, and interestingly when I put the route in ABRP, and tell it that I'm using a Slate with the 52.7kWh battery, it says I can do the entire 170 miles round trip with 10% left to spare; presumably because the trip home is downhill and regen will help me along.

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

I wonder how long it will take before they have one available for the truck?

 

[Luxrage]

I did a junkyard trip out to Reno, TX this weekend. I tried to take note of the average highway speed along US82 during most of my drive and in all traffic averaged 80-85. 145 mile round trip with a supercharger / chargepoint station in Paris if I really need it.

I think if the truck has no issues with holding 85, I'll plan for a short charge break for lunch. I might just treat it like my LTD and make it a 75mph max car, the real question comes from passing times of 70->90 for the asymmetrical passing sections they have:

 

[Twisted Santa]

My worry isn’t Slate specific. I know I’ll figure it out and make do, but I often use the entire 6‘-4” bed of my current truck (+ the extra length of the tailgate) to move lots of lightweight cargo around for work. I’m worried about the occasional extra trip I’m going to have to make with the shorter bed. I’m definitely going to need the roof and cargo rack accessories for longer stuff.

 

[Mackleandy]

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

For every 5 mph above 55 mph you increase the probabilty of a fatal accident by 20%.

 

[SparkYellow]

My weekend routine is a 300 mile roundtrip with a good potion over I-5. The speed limit is 70, which means folks are constantly going 20 over. With only two lanes and numerous semis, I speed to get out of harm's way. Not sure if I can handle going 105 when the limit is 85. 😱

Many years ago I test drove a Prius C due to its fuel efficiency. I freaked out while merging onto the freeway because I couldn't get it to "go". Coming from a six speed manual MINI, I didn't know how to work a Prius C. There's gotta be a way, it is not like they all get rear-ended right there. Now that I think about it, the ability to merge is a general concern but probably not for Slate. I haven't noticed any EV struggling at a merge.

About protection from the sun, I found some great info here:

https://www.slateforums.com/forum/t...-protecting-waxing-coating.12699/#post-179181

 

[clofan]

Definitely buying. The only thing I'm worried about is my Maverick losing value between now and when I sell it to fund the Slate. I suspect the business in Hormuz will keep the 40mpg truck value up there this summer..

 

[atx_ev]

My worry isn’t Slate specific. I know I’ll figure it out and make do, but I often use the entire 6‘-4” bed of my current truck (+ the extra length of the tailgate) to move lots of lightweight cargo around for work. I’m worried about the occasional extra trip I’m going to have to make with the shorter bed. I’m definitely going to need the roof and cargo rack accessories for longer stuff.

I use a hitch bed extender for lumber. Something like this https://www.amazon.com/PENSUN-Design-Foldable-Extender-Extension/dp/B09BQ59QZH

The slate is also low enough it will be much easier to get things on to the roof.

 

[Paul]

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...

One good part about a wrap is that you can peel it off and replace it... So $500 to "repaint" the whole car If it does degrade. And you get to swap out the color and design at the same time. So I don't know how long the wrap lasts, but maybe you're refreshed after a few years isn't such a bad thing.

 

[aquaman811]

Went to Navy Pier this weekend to see the Slate up close. The cloth interior looks durable & comfortable. (It was a preproduction Slate, so couldn’t sit in it.) It’s a very robust vehicle.

I’m looking forward to having a vehicle for my local running around & short trips. My EV6 will be for longer journeys.

 

[slate808]

Looking forward to my Blank Slate with the extended range battery. I have my short list of accessories that will probably push my final price point over $30k but for now I don’t know of any reason why I won’t take delivery when Slate gets around to my zip code. Based on what I am aware of today that delivery will be sometime in 2027 if then since I don’t live in the contiguous 48 states. Lucky I live Hawai’i. Anyway if Slate offers an AWD before my Blank Slate is “slated” 🤣 to be built I will opt for that upgrade if available. If not no problem I’ll survive. I have a concern about UV damage to the body panels but at the end of the day the panels are replaceable. I’m more concerned about the quality of the steel framework and how it will handle the constant salt air here. But even my concern about the steel framework won’t stop my Blank Slate buy. The grim reaper could come knocking but that’s a whole other matter.

 

[collie_riding_shotgun]

This would be my first auto that is actually a 2 seater. When I had my GMC Sonoma, it was practically a two seat truck but in a pinch i could put the smallest member of a party of three in the jump seat.
I also have concern for how the slate will handle speeds around 80mph. Hopefully if will be better then that Sonoma was.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

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.

Ditto all of the above, my GA Brother (bench seat solves many issues for me)! I wish they would leave a cookie crumb trail for an eventual bench seat…

 

[SWwebos]

Yes, and interestingly when I put the route in ABRP, and tell it that I'm using a Slate with the 52.7kWh battery, it says I can do the entire 170 miles round trip with 10% left to spare; presumably because the trip home is downhill and regen will help me along.


I wonder how long it will take before they have one available for the truck?

if I remember correctly Florida is abbreviated FL standing for flat land. So regenerative breaking is at a minimum..

My concern is the regenerative breaking! I have only driven two EVs one a Toyota forklift many years ago when I was working at a warehouse, the other my sons Tesla and that only once. I found the Teslas accelerator very sensitive both accelerating and stopping. Realizing Slates motor is much more tame I am hoping the regen breaking won’t be as severe.