Saw the Slate Pickup in Person Today (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 9/24/2026 10:39:50 PM EDT
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We drove up to Austin to see the Slate pickup in person today. I put down the $300 deposit on it a month or two ago when the price was announced. We got rides as well. I was impressed with the ride quality, quite comfortable for a near-production example. Very comparable to the Ranger we used to have, but quieter, much, much quieter. The truck is very utilitarian. Basically a 3/4 ton cargo capacity. The body panels are plastic. They have the texture of a Rubbermaid tub, but the material is much tougher. It reminds me of some of the glass-filled polymers in modern firearms. I think it will be great for doing lightweight truck stuff, no worrying about scratches or dents.    The bed is plastic, so no bed liner needed.  The interior is very roomy, with lots of headroom. I'm 5'10" and I had 5" or 6" above my head. The seats are comfortable enough.    The frunk is quite large. It should hold 2 roller bags no problem. There's also a drain hole if you want to use it as a cooler or store wet gear.   There's a glow in the dark release in case you get yourself locked in.  We finished up with BBQ for lunch.  We saw 4 or 5 Cybercabs as we were going around town. And a couple of the Model Y robotaxis. We also saw maybe a dozen Waymos.   |
Life is about choices.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
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Originally Posted By Jerret_S: Hope it works out but I am doubting the low price point. I think my next DD will be Tesla in a few years, or I will strongly consider it when I'm looking around. |
Life is about choices.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
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Originally Posted By byron2112: Would b have been a great model to bring back the bench seat.. So 30k then? ETA: I don't think with modern safety requirements we're ever getting the bench seat back. 
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Life is about choices.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
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Originally Posted By redoubt: Probably once you add a few upgrades. The version I've priced out is still under $30k, but I'm not adding much except for some T-rail tracks, center console, hitch, and a couple of other utility options. ETA: I don't think with modern safety requirements we're ever getting the bench seat back. Why not? We have one in our 2018 F-150 Lariat . Ford still offers it in a 40-20-40 in the lower trim levels. we found it to be a really good option in our crew cab because we can seat six instead of just five. |
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Originally Posted By ztug: Why not? We have one in our 2018 F-150 Lariat . Ford still offers it in a 40-20-40 in the lower trim levels. we found it to be a really good option in our crew cab because we can seat six instead of just five. |
Life is about choices.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
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Originally Posted By ken_mays: Intardasting. The plastic body panels seemed to work pretty well when Saturn did it.  ETA: the Slate panels seem stiffer than the ones Saturn used. |
Life is about choices.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
|
Originally Posted By Aikibiker: how do you charge those things? Can you just plug it into a regular 120v wall outlet, or do you need something special? You can use a regular 240v outlet, but need to make sure the receptacle is rated for long duration use. A typical dryer plug, while appropriate for the voltage, is not sufficient for long term draws. We had a 240v outlet installed in the garage at our old house. That outlet was much more substantial than a typical dryer plug. |
Life is about choices.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
|
Originally Posted By sandboxmedic: Being molded plastic panels there's no reason they couldn't at least try to make it look better.  It looks like something a kid would draw. ETA: It was designed for the body lines to be as simple as possible. |
Life is about choices.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
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Originally Posted By lorazepam: No worse than your avatar. Originally Posted By lorazepam: Originally Posted By sandboxmedic: Being molded plastic panels there's no reason they couldn't at least try to make it look better. It looks like something a kid would draw.No worse than your avatar. It has curves where it needs them and the rest is functional parts and features that make sense for it's intended use, it's easy to remove parts to work on, it has a distinctive look instead of a bland comic book appearance, etc. It's a balanced looking design. I obviously like simpler vehicles, but there's no reason they have to look like a Fisher Price Adventure People Safari set.  ETA- I'm guessing they're injection molded so the molds are what cost money, once they're made a slightly fancier panel doesn't really cost any more than a plain, soulless slab. |
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Originally Posted By sandboxmedic: It has curves where it needs them and the rest is functional parts and features that make sense for it's intended use, it's easy to remove parts to work on, it has a distinctive look instead of a bland comic book appearance, etc. It's a balanced looking design. I obviously like simpler vehicles, but there's no reason they have to look like a Fisher Price Adventure People Safari set. 
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Life is about choices.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
| Curb weight? ¾ ton payload capacity with 5 lug wheels? |
valheru21:"The argument, "this gun won't go down in value," is used to convince the wife that you are not making a bad financial decision when purchasing a firearm. You're not ACTUALLY supposed to ever sell the gun."
Matt
Matt
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Originally Posted By superdrag67: @redoubt Is the entire interior of the bed plastic or is the floor/other parts metal? There are a number of locations where tie-downs or T-rail can be added to the bed. I intend to cobble together some slat-sides and attach them to the provided attachment points. |
Life is about choices.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
|
Originally Posted By sandboxmedic: It has curves where it needs them and the rest is functional parts and features that make sense for it's intended use, it's easy to remove parts to work on, it has a distinctive look instead of a bland comic book appearance, etc. It's a balanced looking design. I obviously like simpler vehicles, but there's no reason they have to look like a Fisher Price Adventure People Safari set. ETA- I'm guessing they're injection molded so the molds are what cost money, once they're made a slightly fancier panel doesn't really cost any more than a plain, soulless slab. Kind of reminds me of the og bronco, or an international pickup. |
World ain't what it seems, is it Gunny?
Old Mopar guy seems to like it. SLATE - This Is How You Make An Old School Gearhead Want An EV |
Award: 24/365 Most likely to be an appendix.
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
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Originally Posted By Mindless: So would I if it came with a 6 liter diesel engine and a 40 gallon fuel tank. Originally Posted By Mindless: Originally Posted By lorazepam: They are building to a price point, and fancy compound curves add time and cost. I like it, and would drive one. So would I if it came with a 6 liter diesel engine and a 40 gallon fuel tank. |
Award: 24/365 Most likely to be an appendix.
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
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Originally Posted By Dopple: I'd prefer a 4 or inline 6 gas engine (though, probably too short for an I6) and a manual transmission. Fuel economy doesn't have to be outstanding, but reliability does. I don't have a way to install a charger (or a garage to install it in) so an EV is a non-starter, unfortunately. |
| Mixed on this one. Not something I would want or have a need for but if it fits the bill for someone then it doesn't look bad. Of course that is if it lives up to it's promises. |
If you think I am sexy now just wait until you find out I have full medical and dental.
Personal pronouns are; Bro/Dude
Personal pronouns are; Bro/Dude
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Originally Posted By JASIRR: Had a waymo pull up behind me in traffic. I wanted to get as far away from the piece of shit as I could, as fast as I could. Fuck those things. We did a road trip earlier this year and went through San Francisco. They're everywhere. I also didn't want them anywhere near my car - can't really explain the feeling. At one point we had a line of them behind us, and we came up on a Prime delivery van stopped in the road. There was enough space to dip around it and continue. I watched in my rear view mirror and saw the Waymo in front started to try to do the same thing, but then it stopped, the entire line of Waymos behind it stopped and blocked the road. |
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Originally Posted By JASIRR: Had a waymo pull up behind me in traffic. I wanted to get as far away from the piece of shit as I could, as fast as I could. Fuck those things. No way we are putting the genie back in the bottle. Full self driving is a reality. Might as well get used to it. For better or worse. |
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I like it. Clean, no-nonsense, utilitarian vehicle at a reasonable price. Room under the dash for a ham radio transceiver, but plastic body would possibly cause a counterpoise problem. Originally Posted By Dopple: Old Mopar guy seems to like it.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5tjKt-vsGk Just more Youtube ego masturbation. |
"...Capitalism...shares its blessings unequally; ...Socialism...shares its miseries equally."
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
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Originally Posted By Frank_B: I like it. Clean, no-nonsense, utilitarian vehicle at a reasonable price. Room under the dash for a ham radio transceiver, but plastic body would possibly cause a counterpoise problem. Just more Youtube ego masturbation. Originally Posted By Frank_B: I like it. Clean, no-nonsense, utilitarian vehicle at a reasonable price. Room under the dash for a ham radio transceiver, but plastic body would possibly cause a counterpoise problem. Originally Posted By Dopple: Old Mopar guy seems to like it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5tjKt-vsGkJust more Youtube ego masturbation. 
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Award: 24/365 Most likely to be an appendix.
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
|
My JD tractor has plastic panels. I think its basically the same pros/cons as when talking about metal vs plastic mags. As long as they are designed well and manufactured good, they will hold up to the same amount of abuse. They wont corrode or dent. However, they do break. In the case of my tractor, I guess its a well known issue that if you're too rough with the hood, you can break off the hood latch catcher bar thingy. I would call that a design issue. I would not be surprised if there ended up being a number of those such issues with components being easily breakable. The slate being a new design and all. They will need the first few rounds of buyers to act as beta testers to shake out these, then decide to invest the money to tool up and fix them in future iterations. |
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Originally Posted By Geforce_2: Never heard of the Slate but based on those pics it doesn't seem too bad for being an EV. At least it looks decent from these angles. But DANG that gold colored Tesla is an eye sore and a half! It’s a cab, they want it to be ridiculously visible. |
Preferred Pronoun: Space Lord Mutherfucker
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Originally Posted By giantpune: My JD tractor has plastic panels. I think its basically the same pros/cons as when talking about metal vs plastic mags. As long as they are designed well and manufactured good, they will hold up to the same amount of abuse. They wont corrode or dent. However, they do break. In the case of my tractor, I guess its a well known issue that if you're too rough with the hood, you can break off the hood latch catcher bar thingy. I would call that a design issue. I would not be surprised if there ended up being a number of those such issues with components being easily breakable. The slate being a new design and all. They will need the first few rounds of buyers to act as beta testers to shake out these, then decide to invest the money to tool up and fix them in future iterations. |
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Originally Posted By 4thbreak: Thanks for the pics. You can really pick it apart with those photos. Will the price actually be low enough to outweigh the negatives and imperfections? That is the question. Originally Posted By scrambler28: Is the plastic similar to what they use in UTVs? Originally Posted By Osprey61: I don't think anyone mentioned it, but I'd definitely want to see the crash test results before buying. |
Life is about choices.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
|
Originally Posted By giantpune: My JD tractor has plastic panels. I think its basically the same pros/cons as when talking about metal vs plastic mags. As long as they are designed well and manufactured good, they will hold up to the same amount of abuse. They wont corrode or dent. However, they do break. In the case of my tractor, I guess its a well known issue that if you're too rough with the hood, you can break off the hood latch catcher bar thingy. I would call that a design issue. I would not be surprised if there ended up being a number of those such issues with components being easily breakable. The slate being a new design and all. They will need the first few rounds of buyers to act as beta testers to shake out these, then decide to invest the money to tool up and fix them in future iterations. Originally Posted By ScopeScar: Cool. My supposed delivery date is November next year. I can afford an experimental venture into EV. "Joel, you have to say, 'What the fuck.'"
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Life is about choices.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
If you make a mistake once, it's a mistake.
You make the same mistake again, that's a choice.
Saw the Slate Pickup in Person Today (Page 1 of 2)
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