Dear Slate - you need to show these things before I'll buy

[MIDgrid]

I would happily travel to one of many local native American casinos to accept delivery of my Slate Truck - seems so much simpler than the state car dealer rules/exemptions route. Also seems like a win-win for the casinos (increased customer visits).

 

[Zorba]

As long as they stay on their minimalist path, I'll be VERY interested. The instant a screen or a smartphone become required, I'm out.

 

[YDR37]

As long as they stay on their minimalist path, I'll be VERY interested. The instant a screen or a smartphone become required, I'm out.

All new cars sold in the US since 2018 are legally required to have a backup camera, which means there has to be a screen. It's a mandatory safety feature, like seatbelts or airbags.

Slate has confirmed that there will be a display for the backup camera. And every other post-2018 car on the market (and many pre-2018 cars) will have one too.

 

[sodamo]

As long as they stay on their minimalist path, I'll be VERY interested. The instant a screen or a smartphone become required, I'm out.

Guess you didn’t read the description very well. Bye

 

[RevCaptJack]

Based on Slate's FAQs, it sounds like sales, delivery, and service will be handled by completely different entities. This would be different not only from the traditional dealership model (as used, for example, by Ford and Toyota), but also from the direct-to-consumer model (as used, for example, by Tesla and Rivian).


OK, so you will be able to order a Slate online, directly from the manufacturer.

OK, so Slate will have a (currently unnamed) partner that will handle delivery.

OK, so Slate will have another (currently unnamed) partner to handle service.

In theory, then, Slate could sell, deliver, and service vehicles without the need for any physical Slate-branded dealerships or stores. If they can pull this off, there would be a huge cost savings.

The problem I see: what if you want to personally inspect or test-drive a Slate before you buy? The FAQs say "Beginning in 2026, we’ll have vehicles available for demonstration drives," but it's not clear where. I think that most buyers are going to want some hands-on experience before they drop $25,000+ on a new vehicle. A manufacturer can easily provide this if they have a nationwide network of dealerships or stores, but it's not obvious how this would be accomplished without such a network.

 

[RevCaptJack]

I definitely want a Slate and am on the list but I really need to see and sit in one (like I would buy and not a prototype) before I buy it.

 

[Zorba]

All new cars sold in the US since 2018 are legally required to have a backup camera, which means there has to be a screen. It's a mandatory safety feature, like seatbelts or airbags.

Slate has confirmed that there be a display for the backup camera. And every other post-2018 car on the market (and many pre-2018 cars) will have one too.

Unfortunately, you are correct. Our Benevolent OverLords take care of us from the cradle to the grave! I'm sick of it. With that said, as long as said screen is small - or integrated into the rear view mirror - and doesn't do anything else, that would be (begrudgingly) acceptable. The Nanny Statists haven't yet mandated infotainment or smartphone connectivity, so there's no excuse for that crap being a "standard" (mis-)feature.

 

[YDR37]

I definitely want a Slate and am on the list but I really need to see and sit in one (like I would buy and not a prototype) before I buy it.

Well, that seems like a totally reasonable ask. Most other potential Slate customers probably feel the same way. But at this time, it's not clear how Slate will make that happen, since they apparently have no plans to build a network of dealerships or stores.

 

[RevCaptJack]

Well, that seems like a totally reasonable ask. Most other potential Slate customers probably feel the same way. But at this time, it's not clear how Slate will make that happen, since they apparently have no plans to build a network of dealerships or stores.

How could anyone buy something totally unseen, or not sat in or not driven? I would hope Slate has some kind of plan for this!

 

[AKrietzer]

I wonder about people that buy cars off Carvana and places like that, buying a car when you just see pictures and a description. Can you back out of the deal after you see it in person, or if you don't like the way it drives?

 

[YDR37]

I wonder about people that buy cars off Carvana and places like that, buying a car when you just see pictures and a description. Can you back out of the deal after you see it in person, or if you don't like the way it drives?

Carvana says they have a 7-day money-back guarantee return or exchange period, during which you can drive the car up to 400 miles. Sounds reasonable, if they adhere to it.

 

[YDR37]

How could anyone buy something totally unseen, or not sat in or not driven? I would hope Slate has some kind of plan for this!

Especially with something as customizable as a Slate. How are you going to pick from the overwhelming list of options without seeing them first hand? Slate will probably have lots of youtube videos covering every option, and that would help, but ultimately I would want to see how things look in person.

And it's not enough to make a Slate pickup available. I would also want to thoroughly check out the SUV and cargo van and open-air configurations before making a final choice.

I wouldn't be surprised if Slate ultimately opts to open stores or galleries in major cities, so potential customers can check out all the options in person and get their questions answered.

 

[sodamo]

How could anyone buy something totally unseen, or not sat in or not driven? I would hope Slate has some kind of plan for this!

Not that difficult, apparently.
I did not test drive the last 4 trucks I bought new over last 25 years , but I did sit in 2 of them.
My wife did test drive her new Subaru, but being honest, that was a ploy on my part to get her more involved in the decision updating from her 9 yo 2016 Pilot bought new sight unseen.
Normally, I wouldn’t buy a used vehicle without test drive and close inspection, but I did last year as it was a low mileage vehicle from my neighbor. Sold it to a guy that didn’t test drive either.
Otherwise, I’m currently awaiting delivery of my new $60k tractor. Dealer had no models in stock locally, a factory order. Come to think on it, never drove or saw any of my previous new tractors, but they were significantly cheaper too. I did test drive the used one I bought.
I don’t expect to even see a real Slate live before getting mine.

 

[RevCaptJack]

Not that difficult, apparently.
I did not test drive the last 4 trucks I bought new over last 25 years , but I did sit in 2 of them.
My wife did test drive her new Subaru, but being honest, that was a ploy on my part to get her more involved in the decision updating from her 9 yo 2016 Pilot bought new sight unseen.
Normally, I wouldn’t buy a used vehicle without test drive and close inspection, but I did last year as it was a low mileage vehicle from my neighbor. Sold it to a guy that didn’t test drive either.
Otherwise, I’m currently awaiting delivery of my new $60k tractor. Dealer had no models in stock locally, a factory order. Come to think on it, never drove or saw any of my previous new tractors, but they were significantly cheaper too. I did test drive the used one I bought.
I don’t expect to even see a real Slate live before getting mine.

Thanks. I pretty much did that when I bought a new little Honda Civic back in the early ‘80s so I’ll probably do it again with the Slate. Been waiting for a vehicle like this for a long time!

 

[RevCaptJack]

Especially with something as customizable as a Slate. How are you going to pick from the overwhelming list of options without seeing them first hand? Slate will probably have lots of youtube videos covering every option, and that would help, but ultimately I would want to see how things look in person.

And it's not enough to make a Slate pickup available. I would also want to thoroughly check out the SUV and cargo van and open-air configurations before making a final choice.

I wouldn't be surprised if Slate ultimately opts to open stores or galleries in major cities, so potential customers can check out all the options in person and get their questions answered.

That makes sense. But I’m going bare bones so modifications won’t be an issue.