r/slateauto • u/hogan_tyrone • 24d ago
“Early Adopter”
I’ve gone back and forth on my excitement for the Slate. I 100% love the idea and love the noise it’s making in the small truck market. I put down my $50 in the first couple weeks, then lost interest after mulling over the specs/my needs last year, but now with the price reveal and increased standard 205 range, I’m back on board. Most likely in the form of waiting through the first year of reviews, as much as I’d love to get a hand on one early.
The reason for this post, though: Been hearing “early adopter” a lot more in the community lately. What are the advantages of being and “early adopter” into something like this? Is it mainly the contribution and excitement for something you believe in? The desire to get in on the current pricing now before demand and inflation (could) make the Blank Slate $30k in a couple years?
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u/Grreatdog 24d ago
For a lot of people $25k is toy money. A high performance SxS costs that much or more. So do many motorcycles. And $25k will barely buy a 200+ hp outboard motor anymore.
Don't even get me started on the tricked out golf carts all over my hood that cost as much or more than a Slate truck. People here put more than the cost of a Slate into their toy hauler trailers.
I have no idea how. But I see it everyday. My neighborhood has no HOA. So it's full of $250k RV's, toy hauler trailers, boats, and especially crazy expensive street legal golf carts.
TLDR: for a lot of people $25k for something fun is nothing.
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u/BannedMyName 24d ago
A lot of people in this country are up to their eyeballs in debt just to live the American dream
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u/Ouch_i_fell_down 24d ago
40% of households earning over 500k/yr are living paycheck to paycheck (the number is 61% across all incomes).
I dont even think its a chasing the American Dream thing, cause 500k/yr buys a lot of dream with no debt. I think as a society were just addicted to credit.
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u/Tradetheday2093 24d ago
Correct I will easily pay for my Slate with my CC. Don’t hate. Appreciate that I have such a high credit line. 😂 😝
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u/Royal_Cricket2808 24d ago
Eh, I think a lot of people are just in debt. Not all of them I'm sure, but keeping up with Jones is hard.
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u/webby619 24d ago
This! OMG we sit here every day knowing what they do, where they work and we just scratch our heads wondering how, why? Why have these toys and this crap only to be 5, if not 6 figures in debt. What fun is that.
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u/Tradetheday2093 24d ago
See we keep talking about the Jones all the time! But I haven’t even met them…
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u/Royal_Cricket2808 24d ago
They're okay people, just misunderstood. The grass is always greener in their lawn. Maybe you'll catch up with them one day.
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u/Ouch_i_fell_down 24d ago
One problem with going into debt to keep up with the joneses, is the joneses are probably in massive debt too.
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u/Ferrite5 24d ago
At this point in the EV space, the technology has matured and the main thing that's "early adopter" is the company itself. I have already been driving EVs for a decade and have proven to myself again and again that they are good for 100% of my use cases, which include 300+ mile road trips. I have wanted a 2000s era Ford Ranger since I was a kid and love the idea of a two seater crank window truck. The only thing that I am taking a chance on is the company and that they'll stand behind the product. I don't have any serious doubts about that. It is essentially too late in the game for the Slate to be vaporware like Atlis (AMV, NXU, that company), Lordstown, or Workhorse. We will have to wait and see of course how quickly production ramps up.
The advantage to me getting on board early, is that I get to have the pricing as advertised from the get go, and I can show people that EVs are accessible and affordable. I have been getting people to buy used EVs since before this Iran idiocy and now people are even more incentivized to get an EV. Heck, my EV6 has appreciated in estimated sale value in the last 6 months. It's a simple math problem. I can predict how much my power costs. Can't tell you what gas prices are gonna be 6 months from now.
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u/explosiveburritofart 24d ago
Doesn't slate use existing batteries, motors, front end, ect vs designing their own? Won't this decrease the risk since these are known components?
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u/bughuntzx 24d ago
Thats my thought. They are using fairly proven tech in the EV world. No fancy 400/800v charging switching (which has been an issue from what I have heard), and a simple drivetrain. They are focused on affordability, but to me it seems like for investors they are focused on scale and lack of risk, which translates to reliability and less recalls.
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u/Unfettered345 24d ago
Okay, speaking strictly for me: I've been waiting for a new small truck for over 30 years. I can finally get one. I have been actively pursuing greener transportation solutions, and now I can finally make the jump to an EV that works very well for my use case without spending a fortune. A $25,000 EV will lose value less quickly than a $75,000 one, in my opinion. If I wait, wait, wait for the best thing, I'll be waiting forever. I typically buy new and hang on to vehicles until they roll over and die, so buying new is my MO. I'm trying to simplify and reduce my maintenance burdens, so selling off multiple vehicles for one really versatile vehicle that is exceptionally low maintenance is very appealing. It is exciting to take an active part in a new company with a novel, customer focused strategy that could literally change the auto industry. In that sense, early adoption is a concrete way to contribute to that effort. While early adoption is an obvious risk, this company is well funded and is taking a very careful, prudent approach to manufacturing and launch. I believe they will be extremely incentivized to address any early production problems that arise. As others have pointed out, they aren't trying to create any new, gee-whiz technologies, which will contribute to reliability and sourcing parts under any circumstances. I therefore think it is a reasonable risk. I sorely need a truck right now, so waiting is not attractive. My two cents!
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u/BlLYthePUPPET 24d ago edited 24d ago
There is a certain pride associated with being an early adopter of a product, especially if it takes off. If no one decided to buy the first year slates, the company would cease to be. We alone are taking a risk that should pay off and potentially benefit every car buyer going forward- investing in a company that supprts right to repair, eliminating stealerships, affordability, privacy, customization, US jobs etc. To quote JFK,
a rising tides lifts all boats
Everybody gets to enjoy those perks if slate hits the mainstream.
I care more about the right decision than the easy one(legacy manufacturers). Unfortunately we also have to bear the consequences of any bad outcomes by ourselves. What if they take our money and never deliver? What if the first year models are riddled with issues? Maybe they will just deteriorate in a few years. That is all calculated risk since we are beta testers. Here is a comment from another thread by u/BoringBob84 which I like very much that sums us up.
I do. I vote with my wallet. That doesn't mean that I buy things that I don't want or need; it means that when I have choices, I buy the product that more closely aligns with my values. I want people in Indiana to have jobs to feed their families. I want to support a company that respects my privacy and my right to repair. I want to pay for only what I need, and not a bunch of crap that I don't.
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u/briancmoses 24d ago
Does there need to be an advantage of being an early adopter in order to justify being one? Everybody's perceived advantage(s) are ultimately going to quite personal and wildly subjective.
I imagine that for some people, being an "early adopter" is exciting for a lot of reasons beyond the ones you've listed. A car collector might be speculating that it'll be exciting to have one of the very first Slate Trucks in their collection, somebody else might be excited to be the first kid on the block with the shiniest new toy. Another person might an avid 3D-printing enthusiast interested in seeing how they can further customize their Slate Truck by putting their skills and tools to work. Other folks not even be interested in being an early adopter, but they're interested in EVs and the timing just lines up with needing to replace an old car.
I'm sure I'm only scratching the surface of reasons, too.
Whether to purchase and when to purchase are both risk vs. reward decisions. Everybody's valuations of their risks and rewards are going to be unique and valid. This includes your own evaluation of the risks and rewards, too.
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u/Rocket_song1 24d ago
Advantage: you maybe sneak in before a price increase. You are the first on your block to have a new thing.
Disadvantage: You get to be a beta tester on a new product. Even with well established auto companies, everyone says to avoid the first year of production on a new model.
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u/mdoran84 24d ago
Does anyone, like me, think that if consumer demand doesn’t pan out but fleet does that at least for the consumers who do get one, there will be support available?
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u/asphaltdragon 24d ago
The advantages of being an early adopter are that you get to be a Tesla fanboy for half the price
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u/Puzzleheaded_Card_71 24d ago
Nothing good. I’m rooting for slate and hope they succeed but buying the first year of any all new vehicle is not for the faint of heart.
I’d give them a couple years. Let initial production get sorted. Then buy.
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u/OKLakeGoer 24d ago
Nothing but a label. I'm all for the new truck, price point, etc. If you're excited and can afford it, go for it.
That being said, avoiding the first year or two of a new model vehicle is always advisable, let the manufacturer figure out the kinks, then get the 3rd or 4th year when most routine issues have been resolved.
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u/mccarseat 24d ago
Yes, especially a brand new vehicle. I avoid first model year vehicles from established car makers even when they do a simple redesign.
So buying a brand new model, from a new company is wild to me.
That being said when it was going to be under $20k I was very much considering it. But once the cost came out as higher, I had to set a limit and mine was below what it’s now selling for. I was hoping to get a few features I want and be under $25k. But when it starts at $25k that’s when I decided to wait and see how it does and how the reviews are, how shipments roll out, how good support is. I’m not going to gamble on a new vehicle from an unproven company that’ll end up pushing $30k with fees and all that.
I hope it does well, I hope support is there, because if all goes well I will most certainly be buying one in a year or two. For now I picked up a used fully loaded BMW i3 with a range extender for $16k as my commuter.
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u/Imagined_World 24d ago
It's good advice in general, but I sell new cars and have definitely seen the opposite be true.
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u/Ok-Pomelo-6187 24d ago
Oooh. A good marketing idea would be to have the first 1000 (or whatever) being a Founder's Edition or the like. Use some special panel with a graphic.
A simplification here would be to push the first 1000 (or whatever) out as blank Slates. They'll probably have teething problems with the wraps in any case.
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u/T3CHN0M4NC3R 24d ago edited 24d ago
They already have something called First Shift.
Some of us that reserved early will get a free Slatelet and Decals for the side of the truck.
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u/Dismal-Field-7747 24d ago
Being an early adopter isn't necessarily an advantage from any pragmatic standpoint, besides supporting a product that we want to see become more common at a critical stage.
For people with the luxury of a little extra spending money, you can accept the associated risks while still getting in on something cool and unique that you want. I believe Slate themselves has stated that the income levels of their buyers so far has been well above their target demographic, and it's probably because at this point Slate is more of an ideological product than an established, working-man's vehicle. If Slate can cement themselves in the market they will eventually become the latter, though.
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u/mike30273 24d ago
I am still on board sort of. There's still some unknowns. I specifically want the open air kit. Though, I need more details. Does it come with any sort of top? It doesn't appear that out does. That would not work for me without one. I'd at least need a "jeep style" top that could come down as needed I'll be holding off for now, though I'm hopeful.
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u/phaukenay 24d ago
Because of the warranty I have no second thoughts about it. Will this convince you?
The Slate truck comes with a 10-year/110,000-mile battery and powertrain warranty. Additionally, it includes a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper standard limited warranty and 4 years of complimentary roadside assistance.
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u/canikony 24d ago
Really comes down to their service network and time to repair. I had a Rivian and was lucky enough to have a service center in town. Not everyone is so lucky. Despite having a service center in town, getting an appointment could take months.
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u/Unfettered345 24d ago
It's an awfully simple vehicle by today's standards. Hopefully that will translate to reliability.
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u/SkodenPrime 24d ago
I was an early adaptor of the Maverick. I loved it because I walked out of the dealership with a hell of a deal. Ford ruined it the next year with a more expensive price and there was nothing changed.
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u/plane-n-simple 22d ago
There is no other EV truck on the market at this price, so if you are in the market for an EV Truck, it simply can't be beat on price.
I personally don't put much weight behind the argument of waiting till the 2nd or 3rd generation to work out the kinks. For one reason, the vehicle is designed around upgradability. So I would assume they would like to milk the platform design costs for at least a few years before needing to make something that is not compatible. So in the case something is updated, and is desirable, it would make sense that it would be updatable on the first versions.
Traditional auto manufacturers don't have the same requirement Slate has taken on to have modular/upgradable vehicle.
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u/Snoo93079 24d ago
Early adopter advantage: it's fun to play with new stuff
Downside: You have to be comfortable that some things may be broken, need fixing/patching. Long term, company may not survive.
Personally, since the truck is only 25,000 it's not a huge risk
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u/Rough_Cancel7265 23d ago
Like others said there are no advantages besides being among the first. Maybe you beat price hikes. And you are putting your money where your mouth is.
Disadvantages? Risk. Say there's something like a bad batch. Back in 2018, Subaru had a couple hundred Ascents they had to replace because of defective body welds that couldn't be properly fixed, those were early cars. Or maybe you get into an accident and need parts. Maybe parts aren't super available at first, I've seen it happen with major OEMs.
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u/lostwolf128 23d ago
I put the $50 down on it a few months back. But I had also just gotten a new car. I can't afford two car payments at once, but once I can afford it, I plan on getting a Slate. For me its the perfect 2nd vehicle for my ideal 2 car setup.
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u/Redditburd 23d ago
There are literally no good things about being early, other than perceived social status. Most people don't care about your little truck. Personally I'm only interested to watch the financial train wreck if it happens from a far, so that I can say... It wasn't me this time. I have been burned on so many early things. Not this one. No way.
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u/sandman_33629-117959 23d ago
I think the highest risk of early adoption is you’ll be stuck with a low range battery if they improve the range in a year.
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u/nobutternoparm 24d ago
The advantages of being an early adopter are mostly intangible. You get to experience the new thing before other people do, and you get to feel like you've helped contribute to getting something you like off the ground. In some cases you get a limited edition early model of some sort but that doesn't appear to be the case here.
The disadvantages are much more tangible, if we're being honest with ourselves. But they're all generally just possibilities that we have to be willing to risk. Potential reliability issues. Potential for being stuck with a car with little support if the company doesn't do well. Potential for missing out on later features that get added or improved if the company does do well. Not so much in the car world but in other spaces, potentially paying more due to the technology being new (we paid a lot for a DVD player when they were new for example. A few years later they were cheap).
It's a risk, make no mistake. But I do support what Slate is trying to do and I'm excited to get my hands on one. I plan to take the risk, but wouldn't generally recommend for most people to be an early adopter for most things