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

First Name
Andrew
Joined
Mar 18, 2026
Threads
0
Messages
5
Reaction score
13
Location
Gray, TN
Vehicles
2012 Mazda 3
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.
I read somewhere that there will be seat covers with heaters built in.
 

BimmerGuy

New Member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Oct 25, 2025
Threads
0
Messages
3
Reaction score
3
Location
RDU, NC, USA
Vehicles
G11 BMW 740i, S650 Ford Mustang DH
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.
I belive that is configurable on the tesla and perhaps the slate people will also make it something that we can tweak.
 

sodamo

Well-Known Member
First Name
David
Joined
May 19, 2025
Threads
8
Messages
1,294
Reaction score
1,630
Location
Big Island Hawaii
Vehicles
Tundra 1794, Subaru Ascent
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.
I share your concern. I’m also convinced we won’t be be on the delivery list anytime soon. Just no way to get away from the OTO trans cost. From the beginning, I’ve accepted that will be just part of my purchase price (+$2500?). My hope is they will let me purchase via CA port location and I can get contract trans to Pasha, unless Matson has resumed EV shipping. Just hope to avoid the CA sales tax as it will be HI registered.
 

Doctors Do Little

Well-Known Member
First Name
Randy
Joined
Jun 11, 2025
Threads
0
Messages
697
Reaction score
627
Location
GA
Vehicles
24 BMW X5 50e PHEV; 23 Kia Telluride Prestige; 21 Toyota Camry SE
I share your concern. I’m also convinced we won’t be be on the delivery list anytime soon. Just no way to get away from the OTO trans cost. From the beginning, I’ve accepted that will be just part of my purchase price (+$2500?). My hope is they will let me purchase via CA port location and I can get contract trans to Pasha, unless Matson has resumed EV shipping. Just hope to avoid the CA sales tax as it will be HI registered.
I guess even Paradise on earth has its compromises! I’ll probably be q4 this year…in exchange for ATL traffic? You guys win.
 

sodamo

Well-Known Member
First Name
David
Joined
May 19, 2025
Threads
8
Messages
1,294
Reaction score
1,630
Location
Big Island Hawaii
Vehicles
Tundra 1794, Subaru Ascent
I guess even Paradise on earth has its compromises! I’ll probably be q4 this year…in exchange for ATL traffic? You guys win.
We perpetually live with our “Paradise Tax” but no way I’d trade to be back in Atlanta traffic.
 

nevermindkid

Active Member
First Name
David
Joined
Jul 1, 2025
Threads
0
Messages
38
Reaction score
66
Location
Detroit
Vehicles
Rusty jeep liberty
100% gonna buy, with SUV kit and larger battery. Living in the rust belt (Michigan) my top concern is rust and corrosion. Obviously the body panels will be fine. I've spent my life fighting rusty bolts, rotting frames, etc. Will those body panel bolts sieze up after a couple winters?
Slate headquarters in Michigan, I wonder where corrosion resistance falls on the developement priority list.
 

JoeBlow-Kokomo

Well-Known Member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Apr 15, 2026
Threads
0
Messages
72
Reaction score
59
Location
Fort Wayne, IN
Vehicles
2022 Genesis GV80 - 2006 MB SL500 - 2016 Ford Transit Connect
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.
I'd think that be normal with all cars until they prove it. I've seen pictures of Kia's(?) new ev's with a deformed panel on the rear from being parked in the sun in TX or AZ. Pl
 

JoeBlow-Kokomo

Well-Known Member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Apr 15, 2026
Threads
0
Messages
72
Reaction score
59
Location
Fort Wayne, IN
Vehicles
2022 Genesis GV80 - 2006 MB SL500 - 2016 Ford Transit Connect
100% gonna buy, with SUV kit and larger battery. Living in the rust belt (Michigan) my top concern is rust and corrosion. Obviously the body panels will be fine. I've spent my life fighting rusty bolts, rotting frames, etc. Will those body panel bolts sieze up after a couple winters?
Slate headquarters in Michigan, I wonder where corrosion resistance falls on the developement priority list.
Exposed hardware on the body panels? Gotta be stainless.
 

Luxrage

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2025
Threads
4
Messages
597
Reaction score
879
Location
Texomaland
Vehicles
1993 Geo Tracker, 1989 Ford Country Squire, 2007 Honda Element, 2011 Honda Fit
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:
I'll update this with my morning drive home from work where the pack of cars on the highway was averaging 90, so while I don't think I'd make any attempt to keep up with them in a Slate, it would be good to know it can keep its max speed for a bit without an issue...

100% gonna buy, with SUV kit and larger battery. Living in the rust belt (Michigan) my top concern is rust and corrosion. Obviously the body panels will be fine. I've spent my life fighting rusty bolts, rotting frames, etc. Will those body panel bolts sieze up after a couple winters?
Slate headquarters in Michigan, I wonder where corrosion resistance falls on the developement priority list.
If living in Wisconsin taught me one thing, it's that Saturns and 90s Pontiacs hid their rust VERY well with those plastic panels / cladding.
 

RetiredOnPaper

Well-Known Member
First Name
Gary
Joined
Jun 28, 2025
Threads
4
Messages
167
Reaction score
319
Location
Macomb, Michigan
Vehicles
2018 Tesla Model 3 RWD LR, 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander
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...
Assuming the battery is the "standard" 150 mile version, charged to 80% (120 miles) and a temperature around 80 F. Based on my Model 3 experience, you should not have any worries. At 35 F I would have some concern. I do wonder where this would be that would not have EV charging along the way. Even if you just plug-in, hit the head, and roll on...you would usually have just added at least 20 miles. Charging doesn't have to be to 100% and Places I've been with a legal 85 MPH usually have many EV charging places.
 

RetiredOnPaper

Well-Known Member
First Name
Gary
Joined
Jun 28, 2025
Threads
4
Messages
167
Reaction score
319
Location
Macomb, Michigan
Vehicles
2018 Tesla Model 3 RWD LR, 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander
My biggest concern is even though Slate is a Michigan based company, the Direct purchase process may still have problems. I had to drive to Ohio to purchase my first Tesla, and I have not heard how Slate will address this. The dealer lobby is very strong in Michigan.

Also, will Slate take trade-ins or will that be thru one of the car web sites?
 
 
Top