Preorder Starts June 24 (email)! - How to Preorder Your Slate

[Sl8rGrl]

Exactly. Will the pre-orders be moved ahead of the $50 reservation holders?

Has anyone bailed out and gotten back their $50?

I asked, it seems the delivery estimate is dependent on your reservation date. earlier reservation = earlier delivery estimate.

People who did not reserve will fall into the latest delivery estimate (what those estimates are, I guess we find out the 24th). So it's possible everyone will be presented different estimates based on their reservation date (and location in US?) on the 24th..

 

[Sl8rGrl]

From my perspective, they are pre-production still so demo drives at this stage are not possible. The agent even mentioned that before customers can demo drive any new vehicle it needs to be road certified, safety tested by NHTSA, and EPA tested plus other stuff before the general public can legally have their hands at it.

With over 160k reservations and a ramp up in their production line, I anticipate estimates ranging anywhere from Q4 2026 (likely employees/ family members) all the way through Q4 2027 maybe even into 2028. I think I read early on their estimated yearly output is 150k/year at full production.

I will be paying the $250 to lock in my delivery estimate, even if it's for late 2027. I have a year to try it out, and I'd rather lock in my dates than wait for a drive when I already know how EVs ride and behave, end up loving the Slate, then be at the back of the delivery line. If I cancel, at least it's "only" $300.

 

[CorvusCorvax]

I wasn't a first day guy, but was within a month of that - and I have no problem buying it without a drive, because...

I have used pickups of all kinds all my life. They share the same sorts of driving characteristics due to their weight distribution and suspension design.

Slate will be different. I have owned a DeDion rear suspension vehcile, RWD, with near 50/50 weight distribution.

1983 Alfa GTV6.

Now, one of the reasons that car was so fun to drive was because of the sweet noises from the Busso V6. But another was because the car always felt planted, even at the limit in a corner, even with a solid rear axle setup. The Slate's CoG is low, which will make it fun to toss around. As I recall, the Slate and the GTV6 have similar power:weight ratios, which could make the Slate an entertaining drive.

I got to sit in a Slate when it came to a motorsport tuner about 4 miles from my house. It drew a pretty big crowd outside a shop that specializes in Porsche/BMW/Mercedes/Audi motorsport stuff, and where the owners drive Italian iron wearing either a bull or a horse. The interior was surprisingly spacious for the overall size of the vehicle, and the seating position good for my height. I was favorably impressed by the ergonomics, and by the Slate staff who answered all my questions (as much as they could.) I will say that some of the questions NOT answered were answered in a way that made it clear as to what the actual answer was. That also impressed me. I spent three hours there, looking at the truck and talking with Slate personnel.

I will be buying without a test drive.

 

[TomFrank]

From my perspective, they are pre-production still so demo drives at this stage are not possible. The agent even mentioned that before customers can demo drive any new vehicle it needs to be road certified, safety tested by NHTSA, and EPA tested plus other stuff before the general public can legally have their hands at it.

With over 160k reservations and a ramp up in their production line, I anticipate estimates ranging anywhere from Q4 2026 (likely employees/ family members) all the way through Q4 2027 maybe even into 2028. I think I read early on their estimated yearly output is 150k/year at full production.

I will be paying the $250 to lock in my delivery estimate, even if it's for late 2027. I have a year to try it out, and I'd rather lock in my dates than wait for a drive when I already know how EVs ride and behave, end up loving the Slate, then be at the back of the delivery line. If I cancel, at least it's "only" $300.

I'm in the same camp for now. Looks like we have until July 24 to decide whether to shit or get off the pot.

 

[sodamo]

To me 4th qtr delivery means delivery to people, customers like us. Yes, I expect there will be other groups ahead of us, but if they push us into 1st Qtr 2027 Slate would be honest enough to say so up front. Day 1 reservation/DD last week of Dec 🤙🤙🤙🤙

 

[danielt1263]

When talking delivery, remember the fleet customers who will likely get early dibs...

 

[ryanrcigar]

Interesting. I'll be a bit disappointed if my day one reservation was a waste, because I'm not putting down $300 before I see and drive one. Slate has 8 weeks left to produce production intent trucks and get them in front of people so they can make final decisions.

Yes I agree not paying a nonrefundable $300 deposit.

So they want us to fork over $250. It’s nonrefundable before we even actually know how much the thing cost, that’s bullshit.

Thats what I thought too

 

[Kopsis]

What was wrong with the Elise? Such a beautiful car.

Mostly the fact that you had to be a gymnast to get in/out. I knew from reviews it was bad, but you can't fully appreciate how bad until you try it. I figured my smaller stature might make it a little less of a chore. Nope. And heaven help you if you try to do it with the roof installed.

Actually driving it was a blast, but I wasn't up for something I could only really enjoy by towing it to a race track.

 

[AKrietzer]

When talking delivery, remember the fleet customers who will likely get early dibs...

Was this mentioned somewhere? Where is it quoted?

 

[danielt1263]

Was this mentioned somewhere? Where is it quoted?

Not mentioned anywhere, just my supposition. I seriously doubt they will be last in line though...

 

[AKrietzer]

Not mentioned anywhere, just my supposition. I seriously doubt they will be last in line though...

I can see my local parts shop buying Slate delivery vehicles for their daily use.

 

[Sl8rGrl]

Yes I agree not paying a nonrefundable $300 deposit.

Thats what I thought too

Pricing is released the same day pre-orders open, and you have 30 days to lock in your delivery estimate.

 

[AKrietzer]

Would be a very good use for Slate delivery vehicles. Not sure if mileage would work out. Have no idea. Pizza delivery, flowers, car parts. Sounds like an ideal delivery vehicle.

 

[danielt1263]

As I understand it, a single freight car will hold something like 10 trucks, which is also about the load of a auto-hauler... They have said that your spot in line and location in the country will both figure in on when your window will be...

I expect that a large percentage of their orders will be in California, both because it's a very populous state and because it's very EV friendly.

My prediction is that the first 100 trucks will go to purchasers in LA county. If any of those are fleet purchasers, that entire shipment might go to one buyer (likely someone like LA parks and rec.)

 

[sodamo]

Was this mentioned somewhere? Where is it quoted?

Just by others who don’t their a@@ from hole in the ground. Like so many quotes you can’t find on Slate website or video.