From Clunker to Confident: Why Every SLATE Buyer Needs a Little DIY Grit

Amazon recently unveiled SLATE — a rugged, modular, do-it-yourself vehicle built for adventurers, tinkerers, and off-grid explorers. Designed for flexibility and easy repair, SLATE isn’t just transportation. It’s a hands-on platform for learning, building, and fully owning your journey — both literally and figuratively.

Our family got a taste of that spirit four years ago, right after Neil’s high school graduation, when we set off on the first Kansal Clunker adventure. We had no real plan — just a beat-up car, a sense of adventure, and the mindset of, “We’ll figure it out as we go.”

That first trip took us to the highest motorable road in the U.S. — Mt. Evans, Colorado — and two years later, to the easternmost drivable point in North America: Cape Spear, Newfoundland. Along the way, we faced breakdowns, backroads, makeshift repairs, and a whole lot of duct tape. But we kept going.

Now, with Neil graduating from college and the Kansal Clunker book set to launch this December, we’ve come to realize something: every SLATE buyer should take a page from the Clunker playbook. 

The Clunker Philosophy

We didn’t always know what we were doing. But we learned. We adapted. We laughed through the breakdowns and detours. And somewhere along the way, we became more confident, more capable, and more connected — to each other and the road.

That’s the mindset we believe every SLATE owner should embrace. Because this isn’t just about owning a vehicle — it’s about owning your experience.

So if you’re thinking about buying a SLATE, ask yourself:

Do you want more than a machine?
Do you want a story? A challenge? A skillset that sticks?

If yes — welcome to the ride. You're already halfway there.