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

[SilverSurfer2000]

First off, I love the concept. Cheap, simple, no extra crap forced into the purchase price that I don't want. Just a small, basic vehicle that will get me from A to B. Don't need to haul, don't need to tow (that is what my Tundra is for), just a simple runabout that I can use for my 8 mile commute to work and never have to buy gas just to get to work. My first vehicle was a 1989 Toyota base pickup. No clock, no A/C, bench seat and no passenger side mirror...but it was new. Everything I hated about that truck is what I was looking for in this truck. Funny how age does that.

However...

Now I am not sure that $25k + tax/title/fees/delivery is worth it. This is not a "the Maverick is cheaper", "the new Ford EV truck will be under $30k" complaint (I would never buy a Ford), it is just that $30k for a stripped down truck is, for me, a waste of money. I know it is not Slate's fault the tax incentive went away, but if this was $20k OTD then this is an easy purchase for something brand new. But $30k takes it in another direction for me. I am now on the fence. Am I the only one?

 

[LevelHeaded]

First off, I love the concept. Cheap, simple, no extra crap forced into the purchase price that I don't want. Just a small, basic vehicle that will get me from A to B. Don't need to haul, don't need to tow (that is what my Tundra is for), just a simple runabout that I can use for my 8 mile commute to work and never have to buy gas just to get to work. My first vehicle was a 1989 Toyota base pickup. No clock, no A/C, bench seat and no passenger side mirror...but it was new. Everything I hated about that truck is what I was looking for in this truck. Funny how age does that.

However...

Now I am not sure that $25k + tax/title/fees/delivery is worth it. This is not a "the Maverick is cheaper", "the new Ford EV truck will be under $30k" complaint (I would never buy a Ford), it is just that $30k for a stripped down truck is, for me, a waste of money. I know it is not Slate's fault the tax incentive went away, but if this was $20k OTD then this is an easy purchase for something brand new. But $30k takes it in another direction for me. I am now on the fence. Am I the only one?

Well there are more than 6 months between now and when they start going out to customers. Your money is not refundable, may as well hold on to the preorder until they force you to convert it to an order or cancel, in case you change your mind.

Everyone has their own criteria and opinions. I am beyond pleased with the updated specs and the pricing; they delivered more than they’ve been saying they would for a year at a lower price than expected, in my eyes.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

Not one bit

 

[albetan5]

Not one bit

I agree keep your preorder, when the time comes to finalize the purchase, then you decide.

 

[FlyHappy]

First off, I love the concept. Cheap, simple, no extra crap forced into the purchase price that I don't want. Just a small, basic vehicle that will get me from A to B. Don't need to haul, don't need to tow (that is what my Tundra is for), just a simple runabout that I can use for my 8 mile commute to work and never have to buy gas just to get to work. My first vehicle was a 1989 Toyota base pickup. No clock, no A/C, bench seat and no passenger side mirror...but it was new. Everything I hated about that truck is what I was looking for in this truck. Funny how age does that.

However...

Now I am not sure that $25k + tax/title/fees/delivery is worth it. This is not a "the Maverick is cheaper", "the new Ford EV truck will be under $30k" complaint (I would never buy a Ford), it is just that $30k for a stripped down truck is, for me, a waste of money. I know it is not Slate's fault the tax incentive went away, but if this was $20k OTD then this is an easy purchase for something brand new. But $30k takes it in another direction for me. I am now on the fence. Am I the only one?

certainly you aren't the only one, but really - it was never going to be a "good value" for you if its only purpose in life was to reduce mileage on your Tundra by 16 miles per day. The correct answer for that would have any "beater" of your choosing/comfortable price point... or a scooter, ebike, however far you want to take it.

The Slate was *never going to be 20k OTD, incentives or not (you've fairly added 5k in TTL now, those would have still been present). No new car makes sense for your use, with insurance, local fees, etc. Not without a secondary/dual purpose.

Look, its okay, you got excited about something that tapped into nostalgia, and now, in a more sober moment, you've rightly asked yourself if this road makes sense. It does not sound like it does to my ears.

 

[FunkyFinch57]

It is totally valid to expect more features for the price! You could get a good used car with a ton of features for the same price. Whether Slate focuses their marketing on it or not, from what I am seeing, it’s the lack of features that is the selling point for those most enthusiastic about it. I am a Gen Z ‘kid,’ my friends with newer cars have Teslas and EV Hyundais, and I drive an 08 Prius. My only complaint with the old Prius is that she’s getting up there in miles, and I wish it wasn’t a thermostat based AC. So for me, “losing features” from my mid-2000s econobox is all I’m looking for in a car. But again, I can totally see how that doesn’t appeal to most people.

 

[Nivek]

First off, I love the concept. Cheap, simple, no extra crap forced into the purchase price that I don't want. Just a small, basic vehicle that will get me from A to B. Don't need to haul, don't need to tow (that is what my Tundra is for), just a simple runabout that I can use for my 8 mile commute to work and never have to buy gas just to get to work. My first vehicle was a 1989 Toyota base pickup. No clock, no A/C, bench seat and no passenger side mirror...but it was new. Everything I hated about that truck is what I was looking for in this truck. Funny how age does that.

However...

Now I am not sure that $25k + tax/title/fees/delivery is worth it. This is not a "the Maverick is cheaper", "the new Ford EV truck will be under $30k" complaint (I would never buy a Ford), it is just that $30k for a stripped down truck is, for me, a waste of money. I know it is not Slate's fault the tax incentive went away, but if this was $20k OTD then this is an easy purchase for something brand new. But $30k takes it in another direction for me. I am now on the fence. Am I the only one?

Well, you arent going to ever be buying a brand new truck for this cheap again. Yes $30k is allot of money, but everything is only getting more expensive with time not cheaper. In a world of expensive and complex things, the Slate stands alone for it's utilitarian design and low price.

 

[The Weatherman]

First, Ford has not said ‘under’ 30k. They have hedged to say ‘around.’

Secondly, if it hits 30k there is still Taxes, Title, Destination and whatever else just like the Slate.

No mater how you spin it the Ford UEV is going to be at least $5k more will carry all the Ford baggage that comes with it.

Keep your powder dry and see if I’m not right down the road.

 

[LevelHeaded]

First, Ford has not said ‘under’ 30k. They have hedged to say ‘around.’

Secondly, if it hits 30k there is still Taxes, Title, Destination and whatever else just like the Slate.

No mater how you spin it the Ford UEV is going to be at least $5k more will carry all the Ford baggage that comes with it.

Keep your powder dry and see if I’m not right down the road.

Doesn’t appear to be relevant to OP. They said:

“ This is not a "the Maverick is cheaper", "the new Ford EV truck will be under $30k" complaint (I would never buy a Ford)”

 

[SilverSurfer2000]

certainly you aren't the only one, but really - it was never going to be a "good value" for you if its only purpose in life was to reduce mileage on your Tundra by 16 miles per day. The correct answer for that would have any "beater" of your choosing/comfortable price point... or a scooter, ebike, however far you want to take it.

The Slate was *never going to be 20k OTD, incentives or not (you've fairly added 5k in TTL now, those would have still been present). No new car makes sense for your use, with insurance, local fees, etc. Not without a secondary/dual purpose.

Look, its okay, you got excited about something that tapped into nostalgia, and now, in a more sober moment, you've rightly asked yourself if this road makes sense. It does not sound like it does to my ears.

The main reason I was buying this was to support the concept and back the company, I wasn't looking to reduce my mileage on the Tundra. I just justified the purchase because I can use this as a daily driver. This would be a 5th vehicle for me and I have no problem parking toys in the garage, but like Levelheaded said, I have 6 months to think about it.

 

[The Weatherman]

Doesn’t appear to be relevant to OP. They said:

“ This is not a "the Maverick is cheaper", "the new Ford EV truck will be under $30k" complaint (I would never buy a Ford)”

Thanks for your response, but I read his post and regardless the Ford EV Truck will NOT be $30k.

 

[Rocks]

That's just the sad fact of inflation. Slate's 25K price is the 10K s-10 you could've got in 1995.

 

[dealyo]

A year ago I said I wanted one, but didn’t pay out the $50, nor follow the progress. I pre-ordered for $300 on opening day and got a ‘coming soon’ delivery date (the back of the bus, behind those who paid the $50. I like the look and concept very much, but I ran the configure tool and saw the price rise, and I foresee more increases to install the wrap and add a destination charge. Doubts are lingering, but I will hold for now. What would help? Clarity on tires, and how to get some of the options like wraps done before delivery, and the cost of that. Clarify how service works. Clarify the title transfer process without an in-state dealer.

 

[Orley]

Just a little buyer's remorse, nothing to worry about. Hang in there. It's all good. You're going to love it. We're here for you. Full disclosure, I have not preordered yet. I will pull the trigger before July 24. (probably)

 

[Nivek]

Worse case scenario, you get it and decide its not for you. The immediate resale on it with low miles has to be pretty good if you have a relatively early delivery date.