Preordered and now having second thoughts...anyone else?

[EV Trek]

I didn't say 26929, someone else did.

But that is well within range for a no option XL right now with employee pricing.

I only said under 28k to include those with some options added.

Ok you might have not said 26929 but that was what I made my comment on that you were going off of. I did not say one could not be found for that price, saying good luck finding one for that does not mean that you can’t find a needle in a haystack somewhere if you look long and hard enough. It’s just not the normal price you will see.

 

[metroshot]

Can someone say "going off the deep end" thread ?

 

[FlyHappy]

Can someone say "going off the deep end" thread ?

mostly.
but at the same time, there is a certain morbidity to the folks who say they are super interested in the Slate, and yet seem to be shocked that we aren't all buying Mavericks.

I live in a good sized metro. within 80 miles of me, across about 20 dealers, there are 44 Maverick LT's supposedly "on lot" (though Ford cheats a bit, and shows dealer ordered/on way). Of those 44, only 4 are below 32k. 2 of those 4 are "on way". The two that actually ARE on lot are at smallish dealers, they are ones I've never heard of, I assume because they don't advertise much.

Pretty sure there's some large dealerships among the group of 20, but they seem to cluster their XL offerings around 34k . Of course these large dealerships tend to focus on the higher trim levels, stocking far more XLT's in the 36k -37k area.

Maybe I just live in a high cost area.
regardless, my temptation to go into any Ford dealer to wheel and deal on a Maverick ranks just below setting myself on fire.

 

[EVfun]

Second thoughts... Do you want an EV pickup? Do you want an EV? What other EV pickup options are there, and what at what price?

If you just want a cheap pickup and don't really care about getting an EV then you MAY be able to do better with the FWD Maverick. That said, I mostly hear about how hard it is to get one without options that take it over $30k. I don't know, I haven't tried. I hear there are also a few Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Ranger pickups that may also come in under $30k.

I've been wanting a basic compact pickup to replace the 2004 Tacoma (last year for the small Tacoma) I bought new in 2004. Having driven an EV I realize I'd like an EV. I don't see any other options so I put down my preorder for the Slate.

 

[metroshot]

Second thoughts... Do you want an EV pickup? Do you want an EV? What other EV pickup options are there, and what at what price?

If you just want a cheap pickup and don't really care about getting an EV then you MAY be able to do better with the FWD Maverick. That said, I mostly hear about how hard it is to get one without options that take it over $30k. I don't know, I haven't tried. I hear there are also a few Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Ranger pickups that may also come in under $30k.

I've been wanting a basic compact pickup to replace the 2004 Tacoma (last year for the small Tacoma) I bought new in 2004. Having driven an EV I realize I'd like an EV. I don't see any other options so I put down my preorder for the Slate.

Having had a full sized EV truck, I am definitely looking for a smaller EV truck with 5 passengers.

Holding out for the Slate Squareback and to see how it drives.

Also waiting for the Ford UEV (Ranchero) to better fit my needs.

What I do miss about the F150 Lightning is the super snappy & quick AWD motors, as well as the adjustable regen.

2022 F150 Lightning in Ice Blue:

 

[DinoLord]

Makes you wonder if they are so cheap why they have so many in stock they can’t sell…

"Can't sell" 😂

 

[PatG]

I really want to buy a Slate. I think it’s one of the most innovative vehicles to come along in years.
However, the current 205-mile battery doesn’t meet my travel needs.
For everyday battery health, many owners will likely follow the recommended charging range of about 10% to 80%. That means:

• 205-mile battery × 70% = approximately 144 miles of everyday rated range.

For road trips, I would charge to 100%, but I also don’t want to plan on arriving with 0% remaining. Keeping about a 10% reserve gives:

• 205-mile battery × 90% = approximately 185 miles of rated range.

Unfortunately, that’s not enough for several trips I regularly make:

• Trip 1: about 180–190 miles (right at the limit)
• Trip 2: about 250 miles (requires a charging stop)

When Slate was discussing a 240-mile battery, the numbers looked much better:

• 80% → 10% daily use: 168 miles
• 100% → 10% road trip: 216 miles

Those extra miles would have made a significant difference.

I completely understand that many buyers use their trucks locally and that 205 miles may be enough for them. But for those of us who occasionally make longer trips, a larger battery would make the Slate much more practical without changing what makes it a great truck.

I sincerely hope Slate offers an extended-range battery option in the future. If they do, I’ll gladly keep my reservation. If not, I’ll probably have to cancel—not because I don’t like the truck, but because it doesn’t fit the way I need to use it.

 

[EV Trek]

"Can't sell" 😂

Late to the party…
I was speaking about those 3 dealers with over 300 in stock… average in stock for Ford dealers is 12. Only reason they are pricing them that low because they are overstocked.. only way they can sell them . It’s not the norm but an exception.
I’m done with explaining myself, and done with this thread. Have fun.

 

[jmason]

Meanwhile, back at the OP, it is reasonable to have doubts once a ‘fantasy’ intrudes into reality. Basically the value of the product is directly related to desire, need, and how I’m going to use it. Yeah, I like the nostalgia bits (so wish there was a bench seat option) and techless (somewhat) design, need a 2nd car that my wife will be comfortable driving since the Lucid gives her the willies , and it will be nice to have a truck to do errands that require more space for hauling than my old Bolt’s hatchback can provide. So, no regrets here since I realize I’m basically buying a battery operated powertrain.

Mileage? 35 extra miles in EV land would have probably cost an extra 2k. This vehicle, when I charge it, will be to 100% since it’s not NMC much like I do my Bolt now and I got the first Bolt in CT and there is no noticeable loss in battery capacity (then again I did have the battery pack replaced due to the recall). When Slate announced going with 205 rated battery pack that was a big inducement for me, the smaller battery had me iffy.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I really want to buy a Slate. I think it’s one of the most innovative vehicles to come along in years.
However, the current 205-mile battery doesn’t meet my travel needs.
For everyday battery health, many owners will likely follow the recommended charging range of about 10% to 80%. That means:

• 205-mile battery × 70% = approximately 144 miles of everyday rated range.

For road trips, I would charge to 100%, but I also don’t want to plan on arriving with 0% remaining. Keeping about a 10% reserve gives:

• 205-mile battery × 90% = approximately 185 miles of rated range.

Unfortunately, that’s not enough for several trips I regularly make:

• Trip 1: about 180–190 miles (right at the limit)
• Trip 2: about 250 miles (requires a charging stop)

When Slate was discussing a 240-mile battery, the numbers looked much better:

• 80% → 10% daily use: 168 miles
• 100% → 10% road trip: 216 miles

Those extra miles would have made a significant difference.

I completely understand that many buyers use their trucks locally and that 205 miles may be enough for them. But for those of us who occasionally make longer trips, a larger battery would make the Slate much more practical without changing what makes it a great truck.

I sincerely hope Slate offers an extended-range battery option in the future. If they do, I’ll gladly keep my reservation. If not, I’ll probably have to cancel—not because I don’t like the truck, but because it doesn’t fit the way I need to use it.

Many EV owners or potential owners go through this thought experiment. Some (not all) conclude that the extra expense of the longer range battery does not make up for the outlier occasions of having to charge up a few minutes to get home for those rare trips. Only you can decide if the math works for your situation. Good luck!

 

[GaRailroader]

I really want to buy a Slate. I think it’s one of the most innovative vehicles to come along in years.
However, the current 205-mile battery doesn’t meet my travel needs.
For everyday battery health, many owners will likely follow the recommended charging range of about 10% to 80%. That means:

• 205-mile battery × 70% = approximately 144 miles of everyday rated range.

For road trips, I would charge to 100%, but I also don’t want to plan on arriving with 0% remaining. Keeping about a 10% reserve gives:

• 205-mile battery × 90% = approximately 185 miles of rated range.

Unfortunately, that’s not enough for several trips I regularly make:

• Trip 1: about 180–190 miles (right at the limit)
• Trip 2: about 250 miles (requires a charging stop)

When Slate was discussing a 240-mile battery, the numbers looked much better:

• 80% → 10% daily use: 168 miles
• 100% → 10% road trip: 216 miles

Those extra miles would have made a significant difference.

I completely understand that many buyers use their trucks locally and that 205 miles may be enough for them. But for those of us who occasionally make longer trips, a larger battery would make the Slate much more practical without changing what makes it a great truck.

I sincerely hope Slate offers an extended-range battery option in the future. If they do, I’ll gladly keep my reservation. If not, I’ll probably have to cancel—not because I don’t like the truck, but because it doesn’t fit the way I need to use it.

No doubt the Slate is not going to be a great road trip vehicle. The way these ratings are calculated it is a blend of city and highway driving and so if you thought you were going to go 216 miles and use 90% of the 240 mile pack you were in for a surprise anyway.

I will use my Slate as a road trip vehicle when I need a truck bed but our Model Y is much better for a road trip when a truck bed isn’t needed.

When I go on a road trip I know I am going to have downtime and I plan for it. Instead of eating breakfast, I’ll pack my breakfast and plan to eat it at my first charging stop. They say it is healthier to fast for 12-16 hours overnight anyway so if I delay breakfast until a charging stop I am probably doing my body some good. Need to use the rest room? Don’t stop at a rest area, stop at a place that can charge. Even if you stop for only 6 minutes, you’ve added 39 miles to your range. Also, never stop at a restaurant to eat. Seek out charging stops that have suitable places to eat nearby. All down time is charging time.

 

[metroshot]

I really want to buy a Slate. I think it’s one of the most innovative vehicles to come along in years.
However, the current 205-mile battery doesn’t meet my travel needs.
For everyday battery health, many owners will likely follow the recommended charging range of about 10% to 80%. That means:

• 205-mile battery × 70% = approximately 144 miles of everyday rated range.

For road trips, I would charge to 100%, but I also don’t want to plan on arriving with 0% remaining. Keeping about a 10% reserve gives:

• 205-mile battery × 90% = approximately 185 miles of rated range.

Unfortunately, that’s not enough for several trips I regularly make:

• Trip 1: about 180–190 miles (right at the limit)
• Trip 2: about 250 miles (requires a charging stop)

When Slate was discussing a 240-mile battery, the numbers looked much better:

• 80% → 10% daily use: 168 miles
• 100% → 10% road trip: 216 miles

Those extra miles would have made a significant difference.

I completely understand that many buyers use their trucks locally and that 205 miles may be enough for them. But for those of us who occasionally make longer trips, a larger battery would make the Slate much more practical without changing what makes it a great truck.

I sincerely hope Slate offers an extended-range battery option in the future. If they do, I’ll gladly keep my reservation. If not, I’ll probably have to cancel—not because I don’t like the truck, but because it doesn’t fit the way I need to use it.

Wrong thoughts!

These are LFP batteries which means you can charge to 100% safely and daily.

OTOH - Unlike other EV owners, I charge my NMC batteries to 100% every single time on L2 or Superchargers.

There's a SOC buffer that prevents ever getting to 100%.

Haven't had an issue roadtripping on my 200 mile range EV.

But then I am not a youngster anymore and my bladder, back, legs, hips or neck will not put up with driving in excess of 200 miles.

So I will charge my 200 mile EV when I get tired or have to go to potty.

Works out better for me!

 

[Kopsis]

So I will charge my 200 mile EV when I get tired or have to go to potty.

My rule for EV road trips is charge every 2 hours even if I have the range to do more. That results in in a 15 - 20 minute charging stop which is just enough time to stretch my legs, use the facilities, and top off my coffee. The trip ends up being so much more relaxing and pleasant that it's well worth the small time penalty.

 

[metroshot]

My rule for EV road trips is charge every 2 hours even if I have the range to do more. That results in in a 15 - 20 minute charging stop which is just enough time to stretch my legs, use the facilities, and top off my coffee. The trip ends up being so much more relaxing and pleasant that it's well worth the small time penalty.

^^^ Yes, this is what I do - about 2 hours of driving (120 miles) is enough for a pit stop for me too.

I love Tesla Supercharger locations compared to the awful EA, EVGo, Shell, Chargepoint, 7-11, etc...

Tesla Superchargers are located in places I would like to stop at and take 45 minutes or more to have a nice meal or shop.

Here's a mega 76 Tesla Supercharger location at an outlet mall I stop by every month:

 

[EVfun]

I really want to buy a Slate. I think it’s one of the most innovative vehicles to come along in years.
However, the current 205-mile battery doesn’t meet my travel needs.
For everyday battery health, many owners will likely follow the recommended charging range of about 10% to 80%. That means:

• 205-mile battery × 70% = approximately 144 miles of everyday rated range.

For road trips, I would charge to 100%, but I also don’t want to plan on arriving with 0% remaining. Keeping about a 10% reserve gives:

• 205-mile battery × 90% = approximately 185 miles of rated range.

Unfortunately, that’s not enough for several trips I regularly make:

• Trip 1: about 180–190 miles (right at the limit)
• Trip 2: about 250 miles (requires a charging stop)

When Slate was discussing a 240-mile battery, the numbers looked much better:

• 80% → 10% daily use: 168 miles
• 100% → 10% road trip: 216 miles

Those extra miles would have made a significant difference.

I completely understand that many buyers use their trucks locally and that 205 miles may be enough for them. But for those of us who occasionally make longer trips, a larger battery would make the Slate much more practical without changing what makes it a great truck.

I sincerely hope Slate offers an extended-range battery option in the future. If they do, I’ll gladly keep my reservation. If not, I’ll probably have to cancel—not because I don’t like the truck, but because it doesn’t fit the way I need to use it.

If you need to regularly make a trip that exceeds 60% of the range of the EV you are looking at I would suggest you choose another vehicle. Heating needs will reduce range a little. Wet roads will reduce range a little. So on a cold rainy day you may only have 80% of your range available. Over time battery capacity will drop. In 10 years you may only have 80% of the original range. At that point that EV may fail to make that long trip without a charge at some point. If you can make that trip it will be a 100% to near 0% run, increasing battery wear and aging.

If you have a regular 250 mile trip I would be looking for an EV with a 420 mile range. If that is unaffordable to you (it would be to me) then you may be in a situation where sticking with a gas or hybrid vehicle is a better choice, at least for now.

The last oil change on my Tacoma shows I drove it 1309 miles in the previous year. I may need the get anywhere in around the Seattle area, from south Snohomish county to north Pierce county. I intend to use the Slate a little more, taking some annual miles off the Tucson, so perhaps 2200 miles per year. My longest trips could be around 60 miles each way, up to 120 round trip, and not done regularly. My longest regular trip is about 50 miles round trip to my son's place and back. For me the Slate looks to be a good fit.