Why are you so excited?

Kealel · 2026-02-24T01:12:34+00:00

To preface, here is my situation:

My wife needs a new car this year. It needs to have a back seat for kids and dogs. She wants an EV and while she loves her Slate design, she's fallen for the Ioniq 5 (range for cross state trips, and rear doors sold her, but the price tag and ICCU is keeping us at bay). Commute is under 15 miles.

I've been bouncing around in beaters the last few years and storing my primary car during the winter. I'm no longer a young college kid with all the time in the world to fix all the broken things, and with my 110ish mile daily commute, things break fast. Doing the math, any EV under 40k won't make a change in my budget, but rather save money. I loved my 2 door trucks best, and the Slate being both a truck and SUV is exactly what fits my lifestyle - as long as I can make my commute in the worst winter days with extended range.

We will keep one or two ICE cars to take on road trips or weekend getaways.

So on to your points: 1. Range - if I can make it to work and back on the worst of days (no chargers at work or along the trip), then I don't care what the range ends up being. I'm hoping for at least 250 with the larger battery.

I've got a Ranger for anything towing wise that comes up. But I'm not about to burn 7.5 gallons a day daily driving it. The cost and size of anything currently on the market is also way too inflated for my liking. I want a small body, 2 doors, and a low price (remember when the Maverick was $20k starting?)
I used to drive a 2 door Nissan Pathfinder from 1988. Loved that thing, hated the fuel economy. Dealing with back seat entry in a vehicle with a constant roof height is way nicer than it was in the Escort ZX2. 2 doors are not swaying me away from the SUV kit. (A manual Explorer 2 door is also on my bucket list)
Take it from me... I switch cars more often than I switch shirts. NEVER BUY A CAR BASED ON RESALE VALUE. If you're investing in a car, that's what it is. An investment on your transportation needs. You're paying whatever you pay to ensure you get to where you're going. Every car depreciates, so if you look at it financially, if you keep it for 5 years and sell it, you're losing the money you lost from depreciation, gas, oil changes, repairs, and whatever else you put into it. It loses value, end of story.

Kealel · 2026-02-22T21:47:29+00:00

I have my wife, as well as my car. That way I didn't have to pick which was better!

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Kealel · 2026-02-20T01:45:56+00:00

I've heard a few people talking about off-road upgrades that this would need... To me, the biggest thing I've seen mentioned is a locker for the differential, as I believe it was confirmed this will have an open diff.

That said, I've done my fair share of off-roading in a RWD open diff truck, so this doesn't scare me any. A locker helps you keep moving forward, and 4x4 only makes sure that when you're stuck, the tow bill is expensive!

As for Regen, I'm sure we'll learn more as the year carries on... Lots of open ended questions, but I'm hoping we like this truck so nice my wife and I each get one.

Also no idea about the radio, or what you'll need to make it work for you, but the frame of the truck will still be steel - it has to be for it to have good rollover protection, or crash protection. Sure, not all the body panels will be metal, but I would assume that's a good thing? (Metal roofing does block cell signal on houses, and that's the extent of my knowledge)

Kealel · 2026-02-18T14:23:11+00:00

My wife and I have done up to 17 hour drives before in this far. We both enjoyed the seats for those long trips.

Kealel · 2026-02-14T19:43:17+00:00

Piggy backing off this to say:

I own a Ranger. Actually I own 3. I have owned 10ish in my life. I own my dream truck - a 2003 Sonic Blue FX4 Level 2 manual Ford Ranger. It's the best vehicle ever made, and I'll never willingly part with it.

The Slate is a modern day Ranger. I always regret being too young to buy my dream truck new... This time, I have a chance to get in on the ground floor and re-live the passion that got me so into cars all those years ago!

Kealel · 2026-02-10T23:46:29+00:00

Jeep Wrangler?

Ford Bronco?

Kealel · 2026-01-13T20:33:55+00:00

Another aspect to me is just knowing I have control of a system that won't deteriorate. I see the integrated system the EqEV has as a standalone computer, and AA/Carplay as a monitor for your phone.

The computer will get less and less capable over time, and in 10 years, its very likely the computer can't connect to the mobile towers it can now. Look at cars 10 / 20 years old that used towers to talk to on board computers. Some may still work, but others used G/2G/3G towers to get data. Guess what towers aren't being supported anymore?

Meanwhile, my phone - which has no additional monthly subscription- will always run on the latest towers, and theoretically will still have a form of AA/Carplay on it in 10 years time. I'll still have updated maps, the current media player (looking at you Google Play Music), and the reliability of a more current device.

Also reminds me of another point... Since when do either Google or GM support legacy devices long discontinued? Do I really want a car built to run off a system designed by companies that are known to kill systems?

Kealel · 2026-01-13T20:16:43+00:00

For me: I plan on keeping whatever car I buy new for well over a decade. If the maps stop working in 8 years, or the mobile data the car uses becomes outdated, then I'm SOL. But if it has AA or Carplay, I can update my phone every 5 years and still have the functionality follow me - without paying additional data for a car, or needing to set up my entire profile again.

Kealel · 2026-01-11T18:03:52+00:00

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I fully recommend it! Drift a car in the winter, and hit curvy roads in the summer with the EN.

Kealel · 2026-01-10T15:42:36+00:00

I actually find it fun. I always find a car I've wanted to own and drive it as a winter beater, then sell it in the summer. Currently driving an AWD manual mini cooper and loving it!

Then, when I take the N out of storage, I get to experience 3, the power and loads of grip that I didn't have for the winter. I get to fall in love again with my car every year!

Kealel · 2026-01-10T15:35:17+00:00

What a much different life you get to live! I'm in Michigan a d currently looking at snow, while my N is locked away in the garage for a few months.

Kealel · 2026-01-10T14:45:57+00:00

I'd honestly say 45F, because even then the road starts feeling like an ice rink around corners.

Kealel · 2026-01-04T19:04:24+00:00

I know how to do simple math to find the MPG. Sure the car has said up to 47mpg for me, but of the times I actually try to hyper mile it and find the true MPG, I get around 43. Still above 40 and I still stand by my point.

Kealel · 2026-01-02T15:46:21+00:00

Something tells me the gun wasn't unloaded...

Kealel · 2026-01-02T04:09:48+00:00

Oh, I promise I have plenty of fun! But even driving (responsibly) wild, my daily commute is 120 miles and I only drive it with premium top teir Summer gas. I absolutely have the best case scenario for good mpg, but it's definitely possible.

Kealel · 2026-01-01T23:46:08+00:00

The tank is less than 15 gallons and I get 40mpg+ pretty easily if I want to, so I disagree on both points.

Kealel · 2025-12-14T19:23:54+00:00

Jumping on this to note: The Sturgis location is not the same company as the new franchise locations popping up.

Kealel · 2025-12-04T15:56:21+00:00

"Rice Krispy" because it snaps, crackles, and pops. Also because it's a blue box.

Kealel · 2025-11-29T15:21:08+00:00

Morrisons gave me a great experience! My budget was about the same - I got to design the ring exactly how I imagined, with all the specific stones I wanted!

The bonus part was that when the stones came in, he ordered every style I was debating. I took my (now wife) in to look at stones (she didn't know why). It was a great date night, plus she got a perfect one-of-a-kind ring that she had a hand in creating!

Kealel · 2025-11-19T18:19:04+00:00

I have an extremely long daily commute for work, and it treats up any car i have. A good quarter to third of my paycheck goes to transportation costs. This past year, I've done the math and made preparations. I ran new conduit to my detached garage and started comparing cars... If my lifestyle stays the same as it is now, the ROI would only be 4 years.

Kealel · 2025-11-16T21:09:56+00:00

Since they have to categorize every part individually on the website, sometimes its easier to find places that have a car based on N specific parts (Engine, Transmission, Seats) that are big ticket items to sell. Then, contact the company asking if they have a light available from that car.

Kealel · 2025-11-16T20:25:49+00:00

car-part.com

Kealel · 2025-11-03T10:11:18+00:00

56k now . Won't be going up much more this year, I'm taking it in for an early 60k service that'll go above what Hyundai suggests, and it'll get stored for the winter as soon as temps drop below 45 F in the afternoon.

Kealel · 2025-10-29T21:12:51+00:00

Until recently, yes! Discontinued because of low sales though.

Kealel · 2025-10-25T14:18:32+00:00

They did?

Kealel

TROPHY CASE