What is Slate competing with for YOUR money?

[Driven5]

There has been a ton of chatter and hand waving about Slate vs Maverick. But Maverick attracts customers from more than just the one market segment that the media (social and otherwise) compares it to. Slate is taking a similar yet different 'defining its own market' path. My own unusual cross shopping has gotten me wondering though... How many people are actually just comparing Slate to Maverick, and how many are comparing it to something completely different?

For me, I already have a truck that Slate cannot replace. As an additional (insurance & licensing) vehicle, there is nothing economical enough to justify itself on savings alone either. I also have ZERO interest in Maverick as my toy, even the Lobo, regardless or price or equipment.

However, I'm still on the lookout for my next runabout. Something with character and personality in how it looks, how it works, AND how it drives. How things compare on paper are irrelevant. I'm looking for the subjective rather than the objective. It needs to give me the 'fizz' and be fun to drive, yet economical and environmentally conscious. It has to be something that can be hooned a little, but in a 'slow car fast' rather than a 'fast car slow' kind of way. The RWD, (underrated) DeDion suspension, CoG, output, weight, and running costs all actually put Slate in the right ball park to have that potential...

...Right up there with the Miata.

I'm sure I'm a bit of an outlier on that front, but what is Slate competing with for your money?

 

[Luxrage]

I've got a Fit that's on the way out, and it's my "dependable get in and go anywhere in an emergency" car that needs a spot filled. Something normal my partner can drive that isn't a manual or my show car. Figured I'd get a new car for the first time.

If the Slate doesn't pan out my two (maybe three) options were going to be,

• New Prelude Hybrid-thing. Confirmed you can get it in that new Civic blue.
• 2-door base Bronco automatic. Eruption green only, pretty much have to buy one new as looking for used base broncos in two door AND green gives few results. I don't want an expensive big bend or samsquanch package. Although I'd commit a crime for a two-door heritage in blue. Eye watering base price though.
• Wildcard: whatever budget tiny two-door Toyota ends up making, that SFR that was announced IDK if it's actually going into production.
  
  
  

 

[sodamo]

What is my purchase of a Slate competing against?
My son’s inheritance?
Bought my Tundra 1794 last Nov. Don’t need another truck. At the time told wife that at age 78 very likely be my last new truck. Love the truck, but reality is my need for a truck that size has passed. Likely keep it anyway, just in case.
Bought wife’s Ascent last Dec. she likes to have a 3 seat SUV for when we have guests. Just edged past 700 miles on the odometer this week. Given she had her Pilot 9 years, probably a safe bet that at 73 she may not need another new one.
And then somehow, out of the blue, 4/24/2025 Slate found me. Put in my reservation and the world hasn’t been the same since. Just tonight, while talking with a friend waiting for his new Lightning, my wife piped in, told him I was excited about the new Slate.
I fully expect to be an early recipient, even if I have to arrange my own delivery.
Slate has awakened my desire for an EV, but only a Slate. Will I accessorize and mod it, you bet. Do things to it I’d never consider with my Tundra.
I always tell our son he can expect to inherit appreciated assets. By the time he inherits my Slate, it will have been well appreciated.

If my Slate falls thru, I doubt anything will take its place.

 

[GaRailroader]

I just want a small EV pick-up. I think Slate will make it to production before Telo. I would be happy with either the Slate or the Telo. Without a small EV pick-up on the market, I’ll continue to rent pick-ups when I need one and driving my Nissan Leaf as a daily driver. I will not own another ICE vehicle, hybrid, PHEV, or EREV. For me, now that I have had EV ownership experience, going back to ICE ownership would be punishment.

 

[Lanthian]

After seeing Slate, I just want a small EV. If Slate does not make it to production, I'll likely just look into another EV at some point. Maybe a Leaf or Maverick.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I'll replace my Lightning with something else, I'd suspect (something that can tow > 3500#).

(Would enjoy TheSlate as a commuter vehicle that I can mod out...but honestly it will replace my golf cart for stupid suburban trips to the pool and hopefully some vacation trips at the beach).

 

[Dorbiman]

The only real option I'd consider is the VW ID.GTI if they do bring it to the states. My requirements are:

1) EV
2) Small
3) Cheap-ish

IF they can bring the ID.GTI to the US for around the same price as a Slate w/ the extended range battery, I'll have to do some real canoodling to figure out which one to get. They're very different products, but I really like the style of both.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

There has been a ton of chatter and hand waving about Slate vs Maverick. But Maverick attracts customers from more than just the one market segment that the media (social and otherwise) compares it to. Slate is taking a similar yet different 'defining its own market' path. My own unusual cross shopping has gotten me wondering though... How many people are actually just comparing Slate to Maverick, and how many are comparing it to something completely different?

For me, I already have a truck that Slate cannot replace. As an additional (insurance & licensing) vehicle, there is nothing economical enough to justify itself on savings alone either. I also have ZERO interest in Maverick as my toy, even the Lobo, regardless or price or equipment.

However, I'm still on the lookout for my next runabout. Something with character and personality in how it looks, how it works, AND how it drives. How things compare on paper are irrelevant. I'm looking for the subjective rather than the objective. It needs to give me the 'fizz' and be fun to drive, yet economical and environmentally conscious. It has to be something that can be hooned a little, but in a 'slow car fast' rather than a 'fast car slow' kind of way. The RWD, (underrated) DeDion suspension, CoG, output, weight, and running costs all actually put Slate in the right ball park to have that potential...

...Right up there with the Miata.

I'm sure I'm a bit of an outlier on that front, but what is Slate competing with for your money?

The "comparison" I have is with the Aptera, not really a comparison since they are quite different.
But as you say, "whats my next daily runabout?"
Both electric, both practical, both with a heavy emphasis on Right-To-Repair.
Have to say Slate seems much more likely to make it

The Telo truck might actually replace my Tacoma though, but probability of delivery seems very low.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

Right to repair. What does that mean? Are motor companies not selling parts to customers anymore?

Try fixing your Tesla on your own?
They will not sell you any of the electronic bits, no matter who you are.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

Need a computer ugrade?, the infotainment screen just went blank, one cell out of the 4000 or so in the pack died, one of your dual-motors is making a funny noise? . . .

Now your right about things like brake-pads, suspension, tires etc, maybe lights?
but MoPar do not make parts for Tesla's (or any other mainline EV I know of)

So yes, it does matter.

 

[SLATEchad]

My family has gone to only EV’s and I don’t ever want to own an ICE vehicle again, so that significantly narrows the market for me. I’ve been eyeing Rivians and the electric Sierra and F-150’s since they came out and have imagined I’d eventually end up in one of those once used prices come down significantly. I prefer a capable SUV over a truck, as I rarely need the bed and it feels like wasted space about 99% of the time.

The Slate came out of nowhere and suddenly opened up a whole new category of vehicle. I won’t go so far as to say I need it, but in the EV market there’s nothing like it. If they make a fully electric Maverick I might consider that as an alternative, and I’m curious to see what the starting price of the Rivian R2 ends up being, but at $45k with current interest rates, it would be a stretch for our budget. Ridiculous that it was their idea of making an “affordable” vehicle. I hope Slate is a wake up call to the legacy automakers and Tesla and Rivian that their vehicles are stupidly expensive and out of reach for most budgets (used Tesla prices are great at least, and that’s how my family affords two).

The Slate will most likely be a third vehicle for our family, not replacing our Model Y or Model 3, and that seems feasible at its price point. It should come out about 2 years before my daughter is eligible to start driving so it may become her first car (which it seems perfectly designed for). But I anticipate having lots of fun and spending money and time customizing it. Maybe they’ll come out with the 4wd variant by the time I give her that one and I can buy that for myself.

 

[cvollers]

The only other vehicle I am considering is a Civic Sport Touring hatchback. I NEED better fuel economy for my outside sales driving. Tomorrow I’m driving my FJ from Seattle to Newport OR. Ouchy.

 

[SLATEchad]

Yes right to repair and ease of repair matter, absolutely. I’ve traditionally maintained and repaired my personal vehicles for years simply because I didn’t have the money or didn’t want to spend the money for a shop to do it. I’ve bounced back and forth from used Land Rovers (I’m a sucker for those unreliable things) and Toyota’s, but the switch to all electric has been a huge stress relief, even if the upfront costs offset the long term costs of ownership for a while. Our Teslas definitely go through their tires more quickly, but I don’t ever have to worry about oil, oil filters, diffs, transfer cases, belts, emissions sensors/system issues, and all that annoying, messy, polluting garbage. Yes you can get parts for that stuff, but it’s a mess and a pain and parts are not cheap. I love that they have designed Slate from the ground up to be easy (and hopefully cheap) to maintain and modify.

 

[SLATEchad]

I thought the consensus around here was less moving parts meant less maintenance and repair.

Brakes on an EV are lifetime are they not? I mean, regen braking and all. And if one has to DIY suspension or brakes on an EV, how different is that from a car built 20 years ago that one can get a service manual for.

Seriously, what home mechanic has the equipment to remove a battery and replace a cell?

Right to repair is just more internet buzzword.

In general they definitely do have less maintenance and repair. Brakes should easily last 100k or more or you’re not doing something right.

Battery replacement is very rare (the current average is around 2%, and most of that happens in warranty). Even once the battery does need replaced, it is a much, much simpler job than replacing an ICE motor, which most home mechanics are even less equipped for doing. Current prices are similar between the two jobs, but hopefully as battery tech improves, it will get cheaper. Really a decent lift system and some knowhow/ability to research are the main requirements for changing a battery on an EV.

I was also excited to hear on another thread that Slate plans on offering a kind of high voltage certification program through their Slate University.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

OK, you are entitled to your opinion.
But outside of the engine/transmission an EV has pretty much the same set of parts as an ICE car.

Motor/transmission, yes your right, EV is much simpler, but those high-power semiconductors that run the motor will not last forever, so motor-controller failure will start to crop up soon as an issue.
Battery failure is already an issue, ask any LEAF owner.

But as far as I can tell, a battery swap on a slate is pull the main contactor, 3 big orange connectors and a couple dozen bolts, then drop it on the floor.

So pretty much the same as a transmission swap.
And I know LOTS of home mechanics that do that, sometimes even in the driveway!
Sometimes on stuff heavier than a Slate battery.

Cant do that in a Tesla (and a bunch of others) because the battery is an integral part of the vehicles chassis.
I mean its a great design, but makes customizing the thing very tricky.

Thats one reason I find the Slate very interesting, perhaps even more than price.