Interesting Potential "Barebones" Pickup

[Larry N.]

A $20,000 electric truck with manual windows and no screens? Meet Slate Auto.

Owners can buy kits to add accessories and features to the Slate Truck.

arstechnica.com

 

[old RV guy]

The caveat being, though Bezos claims the truck is manufactured in America, it's the sum of its parts, which come from China, ie., it's "assembled" in America. The tariffs on the parts are the equivalent of a tariff on the assembled vehicle.

 

[Derby6]

From the article.
“a Slate vehicle that won't go into production until the fourth quarter of 2026”

I bet a lot changes in the next 2 years and wont be close to this 20k and simplicity by then.

 

[Lou Schneider]

I question whether using manual windows, etc. actually saves any money compared to using existing off the shelf designs. Economy of scale and all that.

My 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage came standard with features like power windows and keyless door locks, automatic temperature controls and a nice entertainment system with AM/FM HD Radio, bluetooth wireless phone interface, Android Auto/Apple Car Play and GPS. All in a car that gets hybrid-like gas mileage and cost less than $17k out-the-door.

It was probably less expensive for Mitsubishi to adapt the components they use in the rest of their vehicles instead of building manual systems just for the Mirage.

 

[old RV guy]

I question whether using manual windows, etc. actually saves any money compared to using existing off the shelf designs. Economy of scale and all that.

My 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage came standard with features like power windows and keyless door locks, automatic temperature controls and a nice entertainment system with AM/FM HD Radio, bluetooth wireless phone interface, Android Auto/Apple Car Play and GPS. All in a car that gets hybrid-like gas mileage and cost less than $17k out-the-door.

It was probably less expensive for Mitsubishi to adapt the components they use in the rest of their vehicles instead of building manual systems just for the Mirage.

The piece says they're going to move away from the manual windows because power windows are, counterintuitively, actually less expensive.

 

[John From Detroit]

One thing about electric windows.. if you want them.
I seem to recall years ago (many of them) J.C. Whitney offered an electric window Upgrade. It bascally replaced the hand crank If I recall correctly.. Do not know if it's still offered

 

[Chef Duane]

One thing about electric windows.. if you want them.
I seem to recall years ago (many of them) J.C. Whitney offered an electric window Upgrade. It bascally replaced the hand crank If I recall correctly.. Do not know if it's still offered

JC Whitney has been rebranded/relaunched as Carparts.com. Pretty much all the same products, tho.

https://www.carparts.com/jc-whitney...5a5017c0d654a4a0158&gclsrc=3p.ds&gad_source=7

 

[Lou Schneider]

The piece says they're going to move away from the manual windows because power windows are, counterintuitively, actually less expensive.

Nothing new there. Up until the late 60s Chevrolet had 6 cylinder engines and 3 speed manual transmissions as the standard drivetrain in their cars. V-8 engines and automatic transmissions were extra cost options. When John DeLorean (yes that one) was promoted to head Chevrolet in 1969 he pointed out they were actually losing money on every 6 cylinder engine and manual gearbox they sold because they were building so many more V-8s and automatic transmissions that economies of scale made the V-8 platform less expensive to make. Small V-8s and automatic transmissions then became the default drivetrain.

 

[msw3113]

JC Whitney has been rebranded/relaunched as Carparts.com. Pretty much all the same products, tho.

Many of my misspent teenage hours involved poring through their catalog.

 

[Professor David]

My 2010 regular cab GMC 1/2 ton has manual windows. Love it. Less to go wrong.

 

[TheBar]

My 2010 Ram had manual windows. I don't know how I survived having to turn a crank instead of pushing a button. If you notice people only roll down their windows at a drive through restaurant. Or only if their A/C is broken.

And SUVs have to have an electric back hatch to open or close it. The trunk lid on my car has no key hole or handle. Only electric buttons for opening and closing. The rear seat folds down, but guess what. There are buttons for that too. My kids have to have remotely operated electric window blinds on their house to survive. And electric smart toilets? Is electricity and water really a good idea?

Have we gotten soft or what?

 

[garyb1st]

When I started driving 66 years ago, cars were pretty basic. No power windows, no power brakes, no power door locks, no remotes, no backup cameras, no side cameras, no GPS, no air conditioning, no FM stations on the radio, one driver side mirror, 3 speed on the column, 15" tires with a full size spare. That pretty much describes my first new car, a 1965 Chevrolet Impala 2 Dr. HT. It cost a tad over $3,000. It had cloth seats and was kinda comfortable on warm days driving at 60 mph with the windows down.

 

[garyb1st]

For those of you that want more than basic, Cadillac is selling an Escalade EV that has everything you could want and more. It's expected to weigh about 9,000 lbs. That's half the dry weight of my 2005 Pace. Pricing will range from as little as $130,000 to just under $180,000.

 

[Professor David]

When I started driving 66 years ago, cars were pretty basic. No power windows, no power brakes, no power door locks, no remotes, no backup cameras, no side cameras, no GPS, no air conditioning, no FM stations on the radio, one driver side mirror, 3 speed on the column, 15" tires with a full size spare. That pretty much describes my first new car, a 1965 Chevrolet Impala 2 Dr. HT. It cost a tad over $3,000. It had cloth seats and was kinda comfortable on warm days driving at 60 mph with the windows down.

I really liked the side wing windows on old cars. They really worked well.

 

[Lou Schneider]

I really liked the side wing windows on old cars. They really worked well.

If you opened them too far they gave more airflow but they could also capture something like a bee or hornet and deposit it in the car. BTDT.

 

[TheBar]

I remember back in the 50's my parents buying one of these window swamp coolers. It kept one person cool but really didn't do much for anyone else.

 

[Professor David]

I remember back in the 50's my parents buying one of these window swamp coolers. It kept one person cool but really didn't do much for anyone else.

View attachment 1112026

I’ve seen these but never actually experience one first hand.

 

[Larry N.]

If you opened them too far they gave more airflow but they could also capture something like a bee or hornet and deposit it in the car. BTDT.

That was rare indeed- never had it happen in a lot of miles back then.

 

[ButchW1]

My daily driver is a 1986 Suzuki Samurai... No power steering or anything, no air, stick and clutch... I do wish it had the old windwings though... But it's small enough for me to reach across the car to wind the passenger window down while driving.. Hey, but it has a cigarette lighter and ashtrays...
Butch

 

[Oldgator73]

My daily driver is a 1986 Suzuki Samurai... No power steering or anything, no air, stick and clutch... I do wish it had the old windwings though... But it's small enough for me to reach across the car to wind the passenger window down while driving.. Hey, but it has a cigarette lighter and ashtrays...
Butch

We had an 86 Samurai. I was stationed in Alaska I had a follow on to Hawaii. My wife and kids we were in Las Vegas. When I was home during my mid tour we purchased the Samurai to take to Hawaii. That assignment got cancelled and we had to go to Bossier City, LA. We used the Samurai there for 18 months when we transferred to Japan. We couldn’t take the Samurai to Japan because of the SOFA agreement. Had to sell it. Wish I had it now.