Expected price now "Mid-Twenties" for Slate truck

[SlatePossible2028]

Really?

Yeah people seem to think there's a crazy cost associated with any pickup truck atm. Used trucks all over marketplace for sub $5k and $10k

 

[sodamo]

Must be getting too old as I don’t get it. We sit around debating the pros and cons of buying an apple and folks chime in trying to convince us a pear, or orange, or bunch of grapes, or box of raisins is same thing because they are all fruit.

 

[AZFox]

Yeah people seem to think there's a crazy cost associated with any pickup truck atm. Used trucks all over marketplace for sub $5k and $10k

At the risk of quibbling, those trucks don't "do what the Slate does".

I get your point now though.

At least where I live, the vast majority of pickup trucks under $10K have been ridden hard and put away wet a few times.

Either that or they have 200K+ miles on the odometer, so despite being well-cared-for they're near end-of-life because of high mileage.

Stimulus Checks discombobulated the sub-$10K used car market and it still hasn't recovered.

 

[AZFox]

Yeah people seem to think there's a crazy cost associated with any pickup truck atm. Used trucks all over marketplace for sub $5k and $10k

There's more to cost-of-ownership than purchase price, especially if you put a value on your time.

I've owned and maintained vehicles for over half a century, so there's that.

 

[SlatePossible2028]

There's more to cost-of-ownership than purchase price, especially if you put a value on your time.

I've owned and maintained vehicles for over half a century, so there's that.

You could buy a used pickup for $5k off of marketplace, if not cheaper, and not spend another $20k on it for the next decade or more, to match the cost of the new slate

Thats not knocking the slate, thats just reality. My '03 F150 was like $3500

 

[AZFox]

Thats not knocking the slate, thats just reality. My '03 F150 was like $3500

Comparing a brand new Slate EV truck to a 27-year-old F-150 requires ignoring a lot of attributes of the Slate and the F-150. The Slate's attributes add a lot of value. That's just reality too.

 

[Daemoch]

So then my 2000 s10 for $2500 makes it an even better vehicle? And my 1988 Ranger for $500 is even better yet? That's strange logic.

You're comparing a budget steak dinner at a restaurant to leftovers in your fridge from the kids birthday party last week. Might even be a steak, too, but maybe not.... could be string bean casserole or stale cornbread and beans; you'll find out when you get there. But regardless, its going to be week old leftovers with dirty dishes to deal with even on a good day. You're really going to claim that those meals are equivalent enough you think they should be competitive?

 

[Daemoch]

I also dont get how/why people are comparing a Prius, a Leaf, or even a Tesla. Other than maybe a cyber truck, those are so VERY different. If I'm looking at a truck, I'm not looking at 40 year old Yugos or Electric Porshes. If all I cared about was range, I might as well argue that I'll get better mileage/range on a motorcycle, electric or otherwise. And if I'm looking for modular and something I can work on on my own without having to deal with software galore and hidden menus and features (looking at you Tesla and Mercedes), then I'm certainly not looking at the general Global suppliers at all.

If your one driving criteria is price, then yah, this isnt going to be a vehicle for you.... but no new vehicle will be anywhere, ever, either. There will always be a cheaper ($) used option. Comparing a specific NEW vehicle to any old USED vehicle is not a reasonable comparison. At least stick to fresh steaks.

 

[SlatePossible2028]

At the risk of quibbling, those trucks don't "do what the Slate does".

I get your point now though.

At least where I live, the vast majority of pickup trucks under $10K have been ridden hard and put away wet a few times.

Either that or they have 200K+ miles on the odometer, so despite being well-cared-for they're near end-of-life because of high mileage.

Stimulus Checks discombobulated the sub-$10K used car market and it still hasn't recovered.

I disagree, except with the stimulus check thing thats spot on.

In terms of "what Slate does" its a compact electric truck/utility vehicle. Its specifically compared to rhe compact trucks of the 90s and 2000s, to which it has similar payload, a similar or smaller bed, and less towing. For the sake of argument let's include all the older 1500s in there as well.

Im looking at this from the perspective of the slate as a 2nd vehicle, partial daily, or weekend utility runabout, as i personally see the Slate best in those roles (and in a fleet sense as a sxs/delivery truck replacement.

Besides being electric, the Slate heavily differs from those vehicles in how it is modular from a "lego" perspective instead of a nuts and bolts perspective.

However besides that? A used ranger/S10 will do everything the slate does. They will be reliable and proven thru it, and they will offer more capability at a slightly higher cost of operation (insurance being the deciding factor) and a far, far lower cost of entry

In terms of used trucks - for most 90s/early 2000s pickups 200k is barely broken in as long as you're maintaining things. Rangers, S10s, F150s, GMTs, etc etc all last a long, long time when maintained. They may need some TLC, but not "$25,000+" of TLC. You can near rebuild most of an S10 off of rockauto for like $1500.

The big thing here is that the slate is NEW. And to be fair, thats what attracted me to it. I was looking for a daily thats a bit more efficient and more utilitarian in a "i can get this messy" way (my current Grand marq is creme colored inside). The Slate would be splitting daily duties with that car + work that i didn't feel like/need to pull the F150 out for. For low 20s base i could afford the financing - gunna be an issue now and I will likely end up with the 2.0T maverick instead

I think the Slate is still a great idea new, but comparing it to used market it definitely falls flat, and that goes for any work truck tbh unless your specifically building something new for a fleet

 

[AZFox]

A used ranger/S10 will do everything the slate does.

Let's agree to disagree.

 

[Dorbiman]

I disagree, except with the stimulus check thing thats spot on.

In terms of "what Slate does" its a compact electric truck/utility vehicle. Its specifically compared to rhe compact trucks of the 90s and 2000s, to which it has similar payload, a similar or smaller bed, and less towing. For the sake of argument let's include all the older 1500s in there as well.

Im looking at this from the perspective of the slate as a 2nd vehicle, partial daily, or weekend utility runabout, as i personally see the Slate best in those roles (and in a fleet sense as a sxs/delivery truck replacement.

Besides being electric, the Slate heavily differs from those vehicles in how it is modular from a "lego" perspective instead of a nuts and bolts perspective.

However besides that? A used ranger/S10 will do everything the slate does. They will be reliable and proven thru it, and they will offer more capability at a slightly higher cost of operation (insurance being the deciding factor) and a far, far lower cost of entry

In terms of used trucks - for most 90s/early 2000s pickups 200k is barely broken in as long as you're maintaining things. Rangers, S10s, F150s, GMTs, etc etc all last a long, long time when maintained. They may need some TLC, but not "$25,000+" of TLC. You can near rebuild most of an S10 off of rockauto for like $1500.

The big thing here is that the slate is NEW. And to be fair, thats what attracted me to it. I was looking for a daily thats a bit more efficient and more utilitarian in a "i can get this messy" way (my current Grand marq is creme colored inside). The Slate would be splitting daily duties with that car + work that i didn't feel like/need to pull the F150 out for. For low 20s base i could afford the financing - gunna be an issue now and I will likely end up with the 2.0T maverick instead

I think the Slate is still a great idea new, but comparing it to used market it definitely falls flat, and that goes for any work truck tbh unless your specifically building something new for a fleet

I don't think you can just say "besides being electric." For me and many others, that is one of the primary draws.

Show me another compact electric pickup, let alone one at this suggested price, and I'm all ears! I've been wanting one for ages.

If you just take away one of the biggest aspects of the Slate Truck, then sure, lots of other compact trucks can compete.

My 2005 Silverado can do everything the Slate can do, and more. But I also don't want to daily drive my Silverado anymore. I'm tired of paying for gas. My company will charge an EV while I'm at work, but (obviously) won't fill my tank of gas while I'm at work.

 

[SlatePossible2028]

Let's agree to disagree.

Other than the efficiency advantages of a modern electric drive train over a 25 year old gas one, can you name something the slate does better? Im genuinely curious if ive missed something

 

[NH425]

Still all in! I want a small (1979 old Toyota pickup small) 2 door (like my 2 door Wrangler) EV truck with roll down windows (like my Wrangler). I don't listen to the radio and I want something I can modify if the mood strikes me (again like my Wrangler). I want it for around town and going to work which is only 13 miles from home. Simple! All in!

 

[Daemoch]

I mentioned to my wife I was looking at the electric window option and she said "Why? I like roll down windows!" This is why I keep her.

 

[AZFox]

Other than the efficiency advantages of a modern electric drive train over a 25 year old gas one, can you name something the slate does better? Im genuinely curious if ive missed something

It can easily be converted into an SUV.
Maybe someone like the way it looks.
Maybe someone likes the way it makes them look.
Low maintenance is a huge advantage.
There are countless others.

Another way to look at it is what the Slate Truck can't do, like require a transmission repair. Those suck!

If an old used truck had the same economic value as a brand new Slate Truck it would cost $27,500. That's how economics works. It's Natural Law.

Here's where I think we agree: If all you need is a subset of the Slate Truck's capabilities and you're willing to accept the additional costs and hassle of owning an old pickup truck, then the lower-priced option is the wiser choice.