Sadly the dream has already died for me

[cvollers]

Unlikely. I've played this game before. 36k$ for a barebones truck with an easy to build stainless exoskeleton slow morphed over 5 years to "its an aluminum model Y with panels literally glued on", oh, and it cost 90k.

Slate is already morphing from a bare-bones to a computer on wheels faster than cybertruck did. Which is exactly on the nose what I do not want.

Are you saying that the Slate should not have ECUs? I suppose if we were living in the ‘70s this would be the case. But we’re not. That battery requires management software. So do almost all the safety features. The Slate may be simple, but it still requires some tech in order to operate and to give the driver useful information about state of charge and where to charge next. Luddites may be going the way of Ford’s sedan building.

 

[Letas]

Are you saying that the Slate should not have ECUs? I suppose if we were living in the ‘70s this would be the case. But we’re not. That battery requires management software. So do almost all the safety features. The Slate may be simple, but it still requires some tech in order to operate and to give the driver useful information about state of charge and where to charge next. Luddites may be going the way of Ford’s sedan building.

I’m starting to get the feeling a lot of people see an 80s style truck and expect 80s style tech, “back when they made cars the right way”.
Those days are long gone.

 

[cvollers]

I’m starting to get the feeling a lot of people see an 80s style truck and expect 80s style tech, “back when they made cars the right way”.
Those days are long gone.

Agreed. The young hipster target segment for Slate has no memory of the ‘80s. Personally, the only thing I want back from the ‘70s is the music.

 

[SlatePossible2028]

Agreed. The young hipster target segment for Slate has no memory of the ‘80s. Personally, the only thing I want back from the ‘70s is the music.

Im probably in the minority here but I'm also in rhe "cars used to be better" party, although they did come and go. That said, unlike many of these, I understand the (disagreeable) regulations that make modern cars what they are, are not going anywhere anytime soon.

I lump these "too much tech in your tech fueled 2027 vehicle" types in with the "waaahhh the base price $19k truck isn't $19k when it's no longer base anymore" types, or the Kei truck/Hilux morons

 

[sodamo]

Sometimes I’m tempted to research timeline of progression of just expensive to outrageous.

 

[E90400K]

Unlikely. I've played this game before. 36k$ for a barebones truck with an easy to build stainless exoskeleton slow morphed over 5 years to "its an aluminum model Y with panels literally glued on", oh, and it cost 90k.

Slate is already morphing from a bare-bones to a computer on wheels faster than cybertruck did. Which is exactly on the nose what I do not want.

I have a 2022 ICEV from a major manufacturer. It can unlock from the Manufacturer's app. I just never loaded the app to my phone and for the truck, I just turned off the modem so it can't update. No Apple Car Play/Adroid Auto on my phone. It works great.

It does use a key fob with lock/unlock buttons, but has a metal key as backup.

I don't need an app to operate my car. I know when to perform maintenance on it (I read the user's manual). But I'm a Boomer, sort of a resourceful chap. I can even read a paper map!

 

[GreatLakes]

Sometimes I’m tempted to research timeline of progression of just expensive to outrageous.

How do you feel about TPMS?
My initial reaction is that if drivers can't tell their tires are going flat, maybe driving is a skill that is beyond them? But I suppose that's too harsh, some people will benefit from TPMS.

All I know is that in the last 15 years, I have purchased four sets of winter tires/wheels/TPMS. Bad enough that salvage yard wheels were $50/wheel, tires $250 each (Blizzak for the win), but then TPMS was another $60 each. At that time; now Discount Tire says new ones for 9 year old (normal lifespan) truck are $110 per, and they have the best price in town.

 

[cvollers]

How do you feel about TPMS?
My initial reaction is that if drivers can't tell their tires are going flat, maybe driving is a skill that is beyond them? But I suppose that's too harsh, some people will benefit from TPMS.

All I know is that in the last 15 years, I have purchased four sets of winter tires/wheels/TPMS. Bad enough that salvage yard wheels were $50/wheel, tires $250 each (Blizzak for the win), but then TPMS was another $60 each. At that time; now Discount Tire says new ones for 9 year old (normal lifespan) truck are $110 per, and they have the best price in town.

I have mixed feelings about TPMS. On my FJ it’s on the spare tire wheel so if that loses pressure, the warning light turns on. That’s annoying. When I air down my tires, it also turns on. Again, annoying. Recently I was doing some wheeling and after airing back up, the light turned on. I checked all the tires and sure enough one was low but not even close to flat. I refilled that tire and a couple days later the light came on. Again the tire was low but not flat. So I took it to Discount Tire for a repair. They found dirt that had wedged in at the inside of the wheel rim so tight it had slightly broken the bead seal. Easy fix and without TPMS I would never have known until the tire went flat. Also kudos to Discount Tire for solving my problem at no cost to me.

 

[E90400K]

I've not dug that deep into Slate's approach to mandated safety requirements, but hopefully Slate chooses the better method of tire pressure monitoring, which is FTM. FTM uses the delta speed difference between the tires on the same axle to determine a low pressure tire situation. There is no mechanical pressure device transmitter and receiver hardware required, just simple mathematics processed in the drivetrain computer using wheel speed data.

 

[sodamo]

TPMS. Not an option I would pay extra for.

 

[kroked]

Sorry your dream is suffering!

Note that two of your items are Hawaii state laws. Hard to blame Slate for those.

And your final item about unlocking from an app: I don't quite see how this is possible, unless you leave your phone in the truck? The Slate by itself doesn't have any modems, so it won't be receiving any commands unless it is linked to a phone with a cellular data plan. My understanding, anyway.

Ummm, how much does it cost to ship a small vehicle to your island?

What you appear to be saying is that you can remotely unlock your car using your phone only if you leave your phone in the car. Lol-wut.