Don't expect a test drive before delivery

[E.S.]

Also, keep in mind, there may be local forum members taking delivery that would be willing to meet up and allow others to see and sit in their vehicle.

That's actually very nice to do! I'd consider it ... If any of you can find me after I get my R1T! *muwhahahahaha!*

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[electruck]

I was explaining to Taycanfrank the difference between a test drive at an Aston Martin dealership vs at the Rivian SC.

Ah, dangit, I need to pay more attention to post numbers and blocked posts.

 

[godfodder0901]

Also, keep in mind, there may be local forum members taking delivery that would be willing to meet up and allow others to see and sit in their vehicle. I wouldn't press for a test drive but for viewing colors, headroom concerns, 3rd row access, etc it's a potential option.

I'm open to the possibility as well.

 

[Inkedsphynx]

At minimum we should schedule a July meetup for everyone in WA and people that don't have one yet should be free to come as well and check the vehicles out. I know I'd be up for it!

 

[paariv]

I'm happy to take delivery without a test drive but Rivian really needs to offer a better virtual tour, especially for the R1S, to minimize the chances of refused deliveries and/or returns.

Hell, just deliver a battery-less R1S to each service center so that we can crawl around inside and see legroom, seats, cargo, how they fold, etc.

I’ve driven the R1T but it is ridiculous that I haven’t even seen a stationary model R1S. Worried that I won’t until mine is delivered (though deliveries aren’t exactly guaranteed to happen soon for the R1S).

 

[Trandall]

I came to the realization that I would not get a test drive before delivery at least a year ago. I'm ok with it. I consider it part of being an early adopter. I'ts part of why I felt betrayed by the infamous March 2nd debacle. I know this point has been discussed to death but Early preorder holders are making substantial concessions to get our R1's we should be entitled to Rivian making some concessions to meet us half way. If we are forced to review the precise wording of our agreements it's a pretty good indicator Rivian isn't doing a good job.
Speaking of fine print I wonder if you can test drive the R1 when it rolls off the flatbed in your driveway but before signing for the delivery and them taking your trade, in short backing out at the last moment to avoid registration fees, loss of trade-in etc...
I also think this is another case for factory or even service center pick up. I keep thinking of a case where your $80K R1T shows up with some imperfection/ flaw that is probably fixable but gives you pause to accept, if you were at a service center you could say I'll be back to sign paperwork after xyz if fixed.

 

[Joel]

Crazy. I mentioned in another thread but it's pretty unreasonable not to give people test drives. They have the R1Ts available, they just seem really stuck up on logistics. Pay me $30/hour, park an R1T at my place, and I'll get dozens of test drives done this week. I probably know more than most guides, anyway, at this point.

I know there are people, myself included, with the means to take an $80k risk on something we might not enjoy.. but for all the families out there that look at the R1T/R1S as a giant purchase, this is really a shitty situation.

This isn't some limited run or collector-esque car, it's a mainstream family oriented vehicle and they have a bunch of them sitting around! Even if they made people travel to one of their service centers for the drive, most would do it. We know most service centers have multiple R1Ts at this point.

What's one good reason why anyone with a delivery window in the next 6 months can't show up at a service center, sign a waiver, and take an R1T out for 15 minutes?

Polestar sends a driver to you and you get 45 minutes to an hour. It all depends on the drivers schedule. Before I bought my P*2 I did a test drive and I could go where ever I wanted. He had another appointment after mine but they allow about 90 minutes between. I did not feel real rushed.
I am usually already sold on a vehicle before I go for a test drive. So in the case of the R1T that I have had on order since Nov 2018. My biggest concern is will the tech be outdated by the time I get it. For example 400v vs 800v for charging. Is it possible the Max pack will have the switching? Otherwise I would not be bothered by driving my vehicle before purchase.

 

[crashmtb]

Amusingly, I’ve never had the opportunity to test drive any previous vehicle I ordered new, because there weren’t any. They didn’t exist. And if they did there were none anywhere convenient to me. I didn’t even get to test drive the most recent used vehicle I bought because it was on a different continent.

But I did get to test drive an R1T.…despite that opportunity being 2000 miles from home. Right place, right time.

 

[Rhidan]

I just want to confirm that the R1T will fit in my garage. It will physically fit based on the dimensions, but there's a difference between fitting and being a comfortable fit for a daily driver.

I'm not sure what would happen if I take delivery and don't have a place to park the vehicle for the 7 days before returning it.

I live 10 minutes away from the Denver service center. I never received an invite for a test drive even though they were giving test drives to folks without a LE reservation. I believe they have "paused" all test drives in Denver. I assume that is because they now have about 30 vehicles at the service center awaiting delivery.

 

[COdogman]

A test drive would be great, but at this point given all the delays, other issues Rivian’s best plan is probably to just deliver as many vehicles as possible to customers. I would love an opportunity to at least spend some time with one parked at a service center, but if it doesn’t happen I’m not going to sweat it. Purchasing a Rivian seems like it will be as much an “adventure” as the trips you will take in it after delivery… I’m along for the ride at this point.

 

[bd5400]

My only hesitation personally is that i'm 6'5 and might have headroom issues. With that said, I owned a Silverado for a while and didn't have any issues with it and the internal dimensions seem similar enough that I'm hoping I'll have no issues. We'll see

This may be helpful: https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/for-the-tall-owners-69-driver-in-r1t-drivers-seat.2616/

 

[DaveA]

I came to the realization that I would not get a test drive before delivery at least a year ago. I'm ok with it. I consider it part of being an early adopter. I'ts part of why I felt betrayed by the infamous March 2nd debacle. I know this point has been discussed to death but Early preorder holders are making substantial concessions to get our R1's we should be entitled to Rivian making some concessions to meet us half way. If we are forced to review the precise wording of our agreements it's a pretty good indicator Rivian isn't doing a good job.
Speaking of fine print I wonder if you can test drive the R1 when it rolls off the flatbed in your driveway but before signing for the delivery and them taking your trade, in short backing out at the last moment to avoid registration fees, loss of trade-in etc...
I also think this is another case for factory or even service center pick up. I keep thinking of a case where your $80K R1T shows up with some imperfection/ flaw that is probably fixable but gives you pause to accept, if you were at a service center you could say I'll be back to sign paperwork after xyz if fixed.

I think we'll be able to look everything over before signing on the dotted line and finalizing on delivery day, don't you think?

 

[cohall]

I just want to confirm that the R1T will fit in my garage. It will physically fit based on the dimensions, but there's a difference between fitting and being a comfortable fit for a daily driver.

I'm not sure what would happen if I take delivery and don't have a place to park the vehicle for the 7 days before returning it.

I live 10 minutes away from the Denver service center. I never received an invite for a test drive even though they were giving test drives to folks without a LE reservation. I believe they have "paused" all test drives in Denver. I assume that is because they now have about 30 vehicles at the service center awaiting delivery.

Just FYI, someone else in Denver who got a test drive said the Rivian person would NOT let them pull it in their garage to see if it fit. Something about liability concerns. Could vary from employee to employee I suppose.

I'm in the same boat and for now am just frequently out in my garage with a tape measure trying to gauge the fit.

And, like you, LE reservation with imminent delivery (April), but no contact by guide or test drive invite, or any other outreach. Hopefully s00n.

PS. What part of town are you in? We might be neighbors.

 

[electruck]

I just want to confirm that the R1T will fit in my garage. It will physically fit based on the dimensions, but there's a difference between fitting and being a comfortable fit for a daily driver.

I would recommend doing something like using masking tape to outline the footprint of the R1T on your garage floor. That should help give you a feel for walking clearance, etc around the vehicle. You could even go so far as to strategically place boxes, floor lamps, etc if you needed a height visualization. When the real things isn't available, mock it up!

 

[Trandall]

I think we'll be able to look everything over before signing on the dotted line and finalizing on delivery day, don't you think?

Absolutely even return it up to 7 days, 1000 miles but I assume you loose your spot and now the legacy pricing. Instead I'm imagining someone will have to accept the inevitable rock chip or loose frunk hood liner or what have you with the understanding it will be fixed later.

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