Will you need a test drive before you purchase a Slate?

[whasupjohn]

The real question to me is... Are they going to build five units and start transporting them all over the country, or are they going to build a hundred units and hit most/all the states at once? A trickle or a splash. I personally think it will be the latter. I think they will announce half-a-dozen different events in three or four different states, all on the same weekend in late September.

That would be how I’d like to do it. All the kinks out, 50-100 prod ready trucks to show off. Be in the news everywhere.

 

[EV Trek]

How many of you would pull the trigger if they have a Carvana type experience where you get to test drive it before actually taking it, also have a no questions asked 7 day return for a full refund. If they would offer that I think many on the fence people would commit. Would you?

 

[stEVe]

No need to test drive. They had me at “two door” pick-up truck.

 

[sodamo]

No need to test drive. They had me at “two door” pick-up truck.

Agreed

 

[sodamo]

How many of you would pull the trigger if they have a Carvana type experience where you get to test drive it before actually taking it, also have a no questions asked 7 day return for a full refund. If they would offer that I think many on the fence people would commit. Would you?

And how does Slate market those returns that were “put through the wringer” most likely by people who likely just took advantage.

 

[Sturm]

No need to test drive. They had me at “two door” pick-up truck.

While it's always nice to have a test-drive...I agree wholeheartedly with stEVe (maybe because I (also) am Steve?) ;-)

 

[RevMS]

No need to test drive. They had me at “two door” pick-up truck.

Reliving one of my early vehicles:

 

[Trace26]

I don't need a test drive because with the right aftermarket parts anything can be made to be as I want it. I basically assume it's not going to be exactly what I want.

 

[AZFox]

I don't need a test drive because with the right aftermarket parts anything can be made to be as I want it. I basically assume it's not going to be exactly what I want.

Not what you want... yet.

 

[E90400K]

Sorry, you had said "they could at least give some limited info..." and I took you literally. "In the fall" is limited info. (Obviously, too limited in your opinion.)

I think it's smart of them to keep quiet until they can make a promise that they know they can keep. I don't think they can do that yet.

Slate has had a year to plan its tour for the Fall of 2026. They've left themselves barely three months of window between order placement and initial deliveries, in which to have tour events. They are not going to be able to cover a lot of ground in three months.

And Slate needs to limit the tour dates to Reservation and Order holders only to keep the riff raff out of the events. As a committed Slate buyer I don't want to fight for time with the truck with doofasses who are there just out of curiosity.

Ford did a similar "tour" for the Bronco back in early 2021. They held the events at Ford dealerships and it was invite-only for people who had ordered a Bronco. Ford even had time slots set up to limit congestion at the events. It worked very well.

 

[E90400K]

I'm a tad concerned about the 90mph governor. I'd like to know the reasoning behind it. I don't want/need to go over 90, but I do want authority at 75 to quickly accelerate if needed on the highway. Being that close to "limit" of the truck isn't confidence inspiring.

There was one reviewer that claimed it still had punch at high speeds, but that's one person and I don't know what they consider "punch" (not sure that's even the word they used, but my point still stands).

If there is still strong acceleration from 75-85mph, why do the motors stop at 90mph? I understand it would be wildly inefficient, and illegal on public roads. However, both of those issues are between me and god. I don't need a sports car, but I want confidence while driving at AZ highway speeds.

Well, you, God, CARB and the EPA*. I think Slate electonically capped the max speed at 90 MPH based on the gearing and horsepower necessary to achieve a 205-mile range on a (useable) 63kWh battery with an 8-second 0 to 60 time. Since and EPA 205 miles of range is needed to meet California's Advanced Clean Car II regs to avoid financial penalties is more important than a top speed north of 100 MPH, that was the engineering decision made.

* CARB and the EPA both believe they are more important than God.

 

[tubes]

B 3rd

* CARB and the EPA both believe they are more important than God.

CARB has more power that the legislative bodies of many countries. CARB's power is so strong, it impacts all 50 states. Pretty amazing.

 

[E90400K]

I know it is in another thread but the InsideEVs test drive review in Rhode Island is the best I've read describing how the Slate FN drives. If you have not read the article, it is worth the time.

I Drove Slate’s $25,000 Electric Truck. It Could Be A Real Game-Changer

 

[19SL80s]

I'm a January 2027 delivery, and I'm wavering between excitement and hesitancy. I do minor garage fabrication and 3D printing, and the Slate offers many unique customization opportunities. At the same time, I always thought my next car would have blind spot detection, and no radio is a big drawback for my wife. Is my first big Slate project figuring out how to install a radio head unit and speakers? I find that project kind of fun, kind of tedious, and at least $500 in additional cost and time.

My main concern is the drive. No reviewers have gotten this up to highway speed, and I doubt there will be any situation where I can test drive it in advance. I thought maybe a used 2023 bolt was right for me, but I test drove it and it felt only fine, not fun. There wasn't enough I liked over my 2010 Prius. Having a truck bed would open up a lot as a second car, so I know it's not exactly the same as the Bolt, but the Bolt test drive showed me a lot.

So, for most of y'all: how do you feel about not test driving before you buy? What makes you feel ok about that?

I’m test driving before I buy. I just test drove a Rivian R2 and I didn’t like how light the steering feel was. It felt disconnected to me. I like a more grounded, medium weight feel, like on my Tesla Model 3. The crazy thing is they could just fix this with an OTA update and add three settings, like they do for drive feel, regen, and stability.

The only other problem for me is the price. I would definitely wait for the R2 Standard Long-Range (345 miles) that comes out in Spring 2027, but it’s almost twice the price of the Blank Slate at $48,490!!!

In this case I would lease, but Rivian lease deals on the R2 have been terrible so far. They definitely want people to buy so they can grow. Same thing with Slate, but I can get my monthly payment down to what I’m currently paying to lease my Tesla Model 3. I also wouldn’t have the mileage restrictions of a lease with the Slate, which is huge.

But, I’m definitely test driving the Slate. I’ve heard the torque is great and the regen is high, which I personally like, but I want to experience that steering feel first. If all goes well I’ll get my Slate in July of 2027, turn my lease in, and maybe get a Rivian R3 in 2029/2030 that’s hopefully around $35K.

 

[FloppaEnjoyer8067]

Haven't read all the other responses, but basically you are saying if it is better than a Lada, it is good.

A good steering wheel that doesn't fly off while you're driving.