Is the cost of the SUV Kit a turn-off?

[AZFox]

Hopefully they will change their minds about windows in the cargo kit. It seems to be a popular request.

Also known as Sniffing Ports.

If nothing else, installing some RV Widows could be a DIY Project.

 

[sodamo]

Hopefully they will change their minds about windows in the cargo kit. It seems to be a popular request.

Agreed
if not offered, will be looking at 3rd party options.

 

[sodamo]

Also known as Sniffing Ports.

If nothing else, installing some RV Widows could be a DIY Project.

Have a link?

 

[AZFox]

Have a link?

It was randomly chose from a picture field search for [rv window kit].

https://www.amazon.com/RV-Sliding-Horizontal-Teardrop-Replacement/dp/B0CKMWH8XR

$60. Not too bad.

Edit:
There could be, and probably are, better choices. I just knew such a thing existed because I've watched too many DIY RV videos.

 

[sodamo]

Not bad at all, thanks

 

[The Weatherman]

Seems a little pricey for a vehicle that was announced as affordable. With that additional cost you’re getting into current e-SUV price range.

I was looking for something more toward $3-3.5k.

 

[SparkYellow]

5k is a lot of dough and is a turnoff for me. I could buy a GM GMT400 or GMT800 Tahoe for 5k and have all the functionality and more.

In 2023 I paid under $3K for a 1999 2WD Suburban with 220K+ miles. 4WD and newer units cost more of course. Beyond the basic DIY maintenance, I put $$ into suspension, brakes, and tires. It was heavily used but marginally maintained by previous owners. The UOA was alarming. In my area, solid units of the same generation in running condition that pass smog cost more than $5K.

With the rear seats removed, the floor area for lounging/sleeping is about 4 ft x 7 ft. It is not for daily driving though. For me, it is a mobile shelter at my off-grid spot. It would have been a lot more hassle to get a shed from Home Depot.

If I needed slate to be my everyday-everywhere SUV, I would justify the $5K extra as $1K/year, $3/day, and totally worth it. 😁

 

[dragondroptv]

I'm not upset with the price, because I'm not required to get it right away. I'm gonna roll with a blank slate. If I decide I like it then slowly invest more into it. Power windows first. Then maybe a year or two down the road. SUV kit so I can have some back seats. This is a perfect first vehicle for kids. Limits the number of distracted friends in the vehicle and it's range keeps them for travel too far out. Then when they grow up and have little ones on the way. SUV kit!

 

[SichuanHot]

In 2023 I paid under $3K for a 1999 2WD Suburban with 220K+ miles. 4WD and newer units cost more of course. Beyond the basic DIY maintenance, I put $$ into suspension, brakes, and tires. It was heavily used but marginally maintained by previous owners. The UOA was alarming. In my area, solid units of the same generation in running condition that pass smog cost more than $5K.

With the rear seats removed, the floor area for lounging/sleeping is about 4 ft x 7 ft. It is not for daily driving though. For me, it is a mobile shelter at my off-grid spot. It would have been a lot more hassle to get a shed from Home Depot.

If I needed slate to be my everyday-everywhere SUV, I would justify the $5K extra as $1K/year, $3/day, and totally worth it. 😁

I mean if you have 30k in cash to splurge might as well. For those who don't, or who want to keep things within a budget, alternative start to look more appealing especially if you live in an area where the congestion of the city isn't an issue.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

FWIW With the SUV kit it reminds me of the JEEP Cherokee basic RWD, 2 door. Bought it for my daughter when she was in college, get it for me after until trading it in on a Ranger. Is it worth it? I think so, mostly because you get a 2fer...Cap on, SUV, cap off, summer open air beach wagon. If it doesn't work out, sell it.

On the subject of price; THIS IS MY GUESS, NOTHING OFFICIAL. Base truck, std range $23000, Long range $25000 (ish)
So a basic SUV for $30K made in the USA isn't unreasonable. (And you don't have to get it all at once.

 

[Soda Pop]

There was another post on here that I was reading that talked about a "cargo pack" which sounds like it would basically be the SUV shell without the seats. I can't remember where that was, though.

Yeah, I also have read/seen the "Cargo Kit" option & was mention in a video by slate member who said he built his with the suv cap with no rear seats to have space for his dogs.

 

[Cody122]

Yeah, I also have read/seen the "Cargo Kit" option & was mention in a video by slate member who said he built his with the suv cap with no rear seats to have space for his dogs.

In everything I have seen and read now the cargo kit is just a shell with no windows. I also think the back window of the truck is still in place. It's effectively a truck with a canopy.

I would like to be able to get the actual SUV or Fastback top with the rollbar but no seats. Windows and open all the way through. Plus the rollbar for open air summer driving.

 

[Basenji703]

In everything I have seen and read now the cargo kit is just a shell with no windows. I also think the back window of the truck is still in place. It's effectively a truck with a canopy.

I would like to be able to get the actual SUV or Fastback top with the rollbar but no seats. Windows and open all the way through. Plus the rollbar for open air summer driving.

I may be mistaken, but I seem to recall that with the SUV one uses the back window of the basic PU as the rear window on the SUV.

 

[AZFox]

I would like to be able to get the actual SUV or Fastback top with the rollbar but no seats. Windows and open all the way through. Plus the rollbar for open air summer driving.

They may offer a Soft Top option of some kind.

 

[sodamo]

In everything I have seen and read now the cargo kit is just a shell with no windows. I also think the back window of the truck is still in place. It's effectively a truck with a canopy.

I would like to be able to get the actual SUV or Fastback top with the rollbar but no seats. Windows and open all the way through. Plus the rollbar for open air summer driving.

Shouldn’t be a problem. Slate said months ago, just remove the seat from SUV, meaning rest of package was in tack. I posted that response here