Test drive

[Bayfire2441]

I was able to sit in the one they brought to Cleveland last year. I was pleasantly surprised by how much room there was in the cab. Just my 2¢.

I agree, I sat in the one in Cleveland as well, and I remember it being surprisingly roomy.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I agree, I sat in the one in Cleveland as well, and I remember it being surprisingly roomy.

Maybe we crossed paths? I went there on the second day (Sunday?) and brought my Jeep hoping to do a side-by-side comparison but alas, was unable to get the Jeep so close.

Still, the Slate is going to be considerably larger (and safer) than my old CJ-7. For all those reports referring to the Slate truck as 'tiny' - they just don't know the meaning of the word...

 

[IHeartSimple]

Seeing is believing, but that's encouraging!

 

[Bayfire2441]

Maybe we crossed paths? I went there on the second day (Sunday?) and brought my Jeep hoping to do a side-by-side comparison but alas, was unable to get the Jeep so close.

Still, the Slate is going to be considerably larger (and safer) than my old CJ-7. For all those reports referring to the Slate truck as 'tiny' - they just don't know the meaning of the word...

I went Saturday. I was worried with it being too small but I was surprised, even with it being the SUV kit, how much room it had.

 

[IHeartSimple]

... For all those reports referring to the Slate truck as 'tiny' - they just don't know the meaning of the word...

I think those are the same people as are whining about crank windows. I've owned crank and electric windowed cars. One guess which kind never broke, which kind always eventually broke?

OTOH, I'm not above whining about the omission of triangle windows: a low tech replacement for AC under a wide range of weather conditions...

 

[YDR37]

Note that Tesla lets you take a test drive, keep it overnight and return it the next day. Now that’s what I call a test drive.

Tesla has been testing a short-term rental program at a couple of stores in Southern California, which actually appears to be an extended test drive program. You can rent a Tesla for up to a week at a low rate, with unlimited mileage and free Supercharging. Then the rental charges are reimbursed if you buy a Tesla after the rental period ends.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I think those are the same people as are whining about crank windows. I've owned crank and electric windowed cars. One guess which kind never broke, which kind always eventually broke?

I don't miss those hand-crank windows or reaching over to the passenger side to roll that one down...

OTOH, I'm not above whining about the omission of triangle windows: a low tech replacement for AC under a wide range of weather conditions...

Those vent windows are the best! Those I do miss.

 

[IHeartSimple]

I don't miss those hand-crank windows or reaching over to the passenger side to roll that one down...

Ever have an electric window fail open... in winter or rain?

OTOH, if we can install an electric window kit, we can uninstall it if (when) it fails. If both windows are electric, but driver can't control the passenger window, then I don't really see the point.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Ever have an electric window fail open... in winter or rain?

Nope - never had one fail. In my experience, they have been quite reliable now, proven for several decades.

OTOH, if we can install an electric window kit, we can uninstall it if (when) it fails. If both windows are electric, but driver can't control the passenger window, then I don't really see the point.

I'm really not looking to get into a debate over manual or electric window regulators. If you prefer manual, great! I personally prefer the convenience of electric window operators. I hope you're able to sit in and test drive a Slate truck and see for yourself if it'll work! 🫡

 

[IHeartSimple]

Conversations wander.

I too am looking forward to butt test.

We never get 100% of what we want; I'm looking forward to 95%, which is pretty darn good!

 

[KevinRS]

Ever have an electric window fail open... in winter or rain?

OTOH, if we can install an electric window kit, we can uninstall it if (when) it fails. If both windows are electric, but driver can't control the passenger window, then I don't really see the point.

We have seen nothing of window specific buttons or controls. It is possible that the AUX buttons that can be added above the climate controls are needed for the power windows, in which case the windows would be controlled from the center of the dash, no problem. I think I've seen somewhere an older car where the window controls were in the center console.

 

[bloo]

I went Saturday. I was worried with it being too small but I was surprised, even with it being the SUV kit, how much room it had.

I hope Slate understands smaller people want to drive this. Five-foot-two me wants to reach the pedals without a cushion in back.

Anyone know is the seat is height adjustible and has lumbar support?

 

[smack daddy]

I hope Slate understands smaller people want to drive this. Five-foot-two me wants to reach the pedals without a cushion in back.

Anyone know is the seat is height adjustible and has lumbar support?

At 5’2” you may need more than a cushion you may need a booster seat however I am on the opposite end of the spectrum I need a moonroof

 

[KevinRS]

I don't think there has been any mention of seat height adjustment, I don't think most cars have that. There was the video posted with drivers from 5'5" - 6'6" and even the 5'5" driver appears to have her eyes level with the top half of the glass.
For those taller, there was an earlier one with a 6'10" reporter who sat in both the front and back seats.
One thing to note, we haven't seen the final seats, these prototype trucks on display and in videos were hand built like a year or more ago, with off the shelf stock seats, and since then a seat designer position was spotted listed on a job board.