A month with my R1T

[Billyt1963]

I am sure I will get many negative comments about this post, but it is my opinion and your are welcome to your opinion about Rivian and the entire process.

I am enjoying my truck. It is nice not to have to stop for gas, but until I get my home charger installed this week, it has taken some planning. My wife sure does enjoy that there are great restaurants and things to do near the supercharger in town .

The entire purchase process needs work. It was nice that all the paperwork was done ahead of time, but the Rivian process just spreads out the paperwork over a few days instead of an hour or so at the dealership. Having to pay money up front before seeing the vehicle and not being allowed to drive the vehicle I am taking home just seems wrong. At a traditional car dealership driving "your" vehicle is the first thing they want you to do when you come to pick it up.

I have not had to schedule any service yet, but I am hoping for a better experience than some that I have read here. I realize that there are more problems reported on these sites than successes, but I have low expectations for when I need service.

I have not driven my vehicle any great distance yet. The longest trip I have had is approximately 100 miles round trip. The truck handles well, but it is not even close to the most fun I have had in a vehicle I have owned. I have read many threads on here that it is the best vehicle folks have owned and I see where they have owned some real high dollar vehicles. I have only owned Honda products, but my Acuras with SH AWD are amazing on twisty roads. I have yet to push the truck, but I am thinking it does not have the torque distribution that the Acura has. I wish the truck would allow some coasting since on my longest trip I go over a mountain that has a couple of miles downhill at a 7% grade. I would think I could have some good regen down if it wasn't trying to stop the truck.

Billy

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[COdogman]

Agree the purchase process needs work.

My truck went in for service for the first time last Friday after almost a year of ownership and I cannot compliment the Denver service center enough so far. I have received at least 1 text per day with updates and if all goes as planned they will have it done earlier than expected by almost a week.

I would only disagree with comparing an 8000 lb truck to an Acura. Neither Rivian is a sports car or crossover. They are more like a jack of all trades. If you put it in sport mode the twistys can be pretty fun, then you can take it off road or use it like a truck for work. Can’t think of another vehicle that is as good at that many different things. If you happen to only use it for 1 of those things, it’s fine but that isn’t Rivian’s fault

 

[DaveA]

I am sure I will get many negative comments about this post, but it is my opinion and your are welcome to your opinion about Rivian and the entire process.

I am enjoying my truck. It is nice not to have to stop for gas, but until I get my home charger installed this week, it has taken some planning. My wife sure does enjoy that there are great restaurants and things to do near the supercharger in town .

The entire purchase process needs work. It was nice that all the paperwork was done ahead of time, but the Rivian process just spreads out the paperwork over a few days instead of an hour or so at the dealership. Having to pay money up front before seeing the vehicle and not being allowed to drive the vehicle I am taking home just seems wrong. At a traditional car dealership driving "your" vehicle is the first thing they want you to do when you come to pick it up.

I have not had to schedule any service yet, but I am hoping for a better experience than some that I have read here. I realize that there are more problems reported on these sites than successes, but I have low expectations for when I need service.

I have not driven my vehicle any great distance yet. The longest trip I have had is approximately 100 miles round trip. The truck handles well, but it is not even close to the most fun I have had in a vehicle I have owned. I have read many threads on here that it is the best vehicle folks have owned and I see where they have owned some real high dollar vehicles. I have only owned Honda products, but my Acuras with SH AWD are amazing on twisty roads. I have yet to push the truck, but I am thinking it does not have the torque distribution that the Acura has. I wish the truck would allow some coasting since on my longest trip I go over a mountain that has a couple of miles downhill at a 7% grade. I would think I could have some good regen down if it wasn't trying to stop the truck.

Billy

Closest you will get to coasting down a steep grade is Snow mode. That has the Low regen setting.

 

[Billyt1963]

Agree the purchase process needs work.

My truck went in for service for the first time last Friday after almost a year of ownership and I cannot compliment the Denver service center enough so far. I have received at least 1 text per day with updates and if all goes as planned they will have it done earlier than expected by almost a week.

I would only disagree with comparing an 8000 lb truck to an Acura. Neither Rivian is a sports car or crossover. They are more like a jack of all trades. If you put it in sport mode the twistys can be pretty fun, then you can take it off road or use it like a truck for work. Can’t think of another vehicle that is as good at that many different things. If you happen to only use it for 1 of those things, it’s fine but that isn’t Rivian’s fault

I haven’t tried sport mode yet on twisties, but you are correct. With Rivian‘s versatility, it is better in that sense. i haven’t tried off road and probably won’t, so my view of driving is very limited. I bought it to replace a Ridgeline, so as a truck, it works as well as my Ridgeline.

After I get over my “get as many miles as I can” mode, I will have to try Sport mode on curves.

 

[Billyt1963]

Closest you will get to coasting down a steep grade is Snow mode. That has the Low regen setting.

Thanks for confirmation of that. I have tried it once, but haven’t tested it enough yet.

 

[Andystroh]

I haven’t tried sport mode yet on twisties, but you are correct. With Rivian‘s versatility, it is better in that sense. i haven’t tried off road and probably won’t, so my view of driving is very limited. I bought it to replace a Ridgeline, so as a truck, it works as well as my Ridgeline.

After I get over my “get as many miles as I can” mode, I will have to try Sport mode on curves.

I’m not the sportiest driver, but sport mode feels like legitimately a different vehicle. It’s not like going from “eco” to “sport” in a crossover. The suspension is entirely different, and the pedal even feels different.
Also remember “trying to stop the truck” is regenerating. Coasting does not regenerate. But it’s a big battery, it takes several thousand feet of decline to gain a percent back.

 

[Billyt1963]

Agree the purchase process needs work.



I would only disagree with comparing an 8000 lb truck to an Acura. Neither Rivian is a sports car or crossover.

I did check our MDX. It is about 4800 pounds. Off the line there is no comparison to the Rivian, so a trade off.

 

[COdogman]

I haven’t tried sport mode yet on twisties, but you are correct. With Rivian‘s versatility, it is better in that sense. i haven’t tried off road and probably won’t, so my view of driving is very limited. I bought it to replace a Ridgeline, so as a truck, it works as well as my Ridgeline.

After I get over my “get as many miles as I can” mode, I will have to try Sport mode on curves.

I think it will definitely grow on you after having more time to play with it. Eventually you will need a service visit and I hope your experience is as easy as mine has been so far. It’s a new company selling land-based spaceships so it won’t be as reliable as your Hondas and Acuras, but I knew that going into it.

I had a 2017 Ridgeline for about a year and I thought it was great. It’s also a very versatile vehicle. I ended up trading it in for a Tacoma which handled much worse, but I loved it because it had more personality than the Ridgeline IMO.

 

[Billyt1963]

I’m not the sportiest driver, but sport mode feels like legitimately a different vehicle. It’s not like going from “eco” to “sport” in a crossover. The suspension is entirely different, and the pedal even feels different.
Also remember “trying to stop the truck” is regenerating. Coasting does not regenerate. But it’s a big battery, it takes several thousand feet of decline to gain a percent back.

I have sport mode on my MDX, so yes it I am sure it will make it very different. Look forward to trying it.

i have added a couple of miles going down this mountain with the current setup. Definitely a learning process.

 

[slomotion16]

I am sure I will get many negative comments about this post, but it is my opinion and your are welcome to your opinion about Rivian and the entire process.

I am enjoying my truck. It is nice not to have to stop for gas, but until I get my home charger installed this week, it has taken some planning. My wife sure does enjoy that there are great restaurants and things to do near the supercharger in town .

The entire purchase process needs work. It was nice that all the paperwork was done ahead of time, but the Rivian process just spreads out the paperwork over a few days instead of an hour or so at the dealership. Having to pay money up front before seeing the vehicle and not being allowed to drive the vehicle I am taking home just seems wrong. At a traditional car dealership driving "your" vehicle is the first thing they want you to do when you come to pick it up.

I have not had to schedule any service yet, but I am hoping for a better experience than some that I have read here. I realize that there are more problems reported on these sites than successes, but I have low expectations for when I need service.

I have not driven my vehicle any great distance yet. The longest trip I have had is approximately 100 miles round trip. The truck handles well, but it is not even close to the most fun I have had in a vehicle I have owned. I have read many threads on here that it is the best vehicle folks have owned and I see where they have owned some real high dollar vehicles. I have only owned Honda products, but my Acuras with SH AWD are amazing on twisty roads. I have yet to push the truck, but I am thinking it does not have the torque distribution that the Acura has. I wish the truck would allow some coasting since on my longest trip I go over a mountain that has a couple of miles downhill at a 7% grade. I would think I could have some good regen down if it wasn't trying to stop the truck.

Billy

Curious what exactly took days because I just went through the entire process and it took maybe an hour or two. Here's my breakdown:

• Details for title & registration - web form (5 mins)
• Trade-in - skilpped (0 mins)
• Delivery method - pick-up (0 mins)
• Finance - used Chase/Rivian and got an offer (20-30 mins)
• Insurance - current insurer, added vehicle online (10-20 mins)
• Document
  • DL picture and upload (2-3 mins)
  • Insurance card picture and upload (2-3 mins)
• Review/sign contract (10 mins)
• Payment - used Plaid (5 mins)

Am I missing something?

Compare this to a dealership where you find yourself having to haggle their markups and not getting the exact car you want. I supposed the paper work at a dealership can be somewhat of a white glove experience but I always felt like they weren't being very transparent with you.

 

[TollKeeper]

If you just use cruise control, it will auto coast to the trucks ability, to the terrain, and to the traffic.

I set the cruise and forgot about it coming down the 7% grade here in Colorado. Got a couple % up on the charge, and didnt have to think about it. Adaptive cruise is a great thing in this regard.

Is this truck as good as a Lambo Hurican? Benz SLS? or other supercar? Hell no!

Will it absolutely trounce a Acura MDX/RDX on any terrain? YES!

Are the seats as good as a MDX? or a GMC Envoy? A Chevy Tahoe? A Cadillac Escalade? NO!

There are trade offs for sure.

I wish I had the dealer support network of GM/Ford/Dodge, the interior comfort of older GM, the sound system of a Benz SLS, with everything else being Rivian.

I miss those big ol' pillow seats of GM.

 

[Billyt1963]

Curious what exactly took days because I just went through the entire process and it took maybe an hour or two. Here's my breakdown:

• Details for title & registration - web form (5 mins)
• Trade-in - skilpped (0 mins)
• Delivery method - pick-up (0 mins)
• Finance - used Chase/Rivian and got an offer (20-30 mins)
• Insurance - current insurer, added vehicle online (10-20 mins)
• Document
  • DL picture and upload (2-3 mins)
  • Insurance card picture and upload (2-3 mins)
• Review/sign contract (10 mins)
• Payment - used Plaid (5 mins)

Am I missing something?

Compare this to a dealership where you find yourself having to haggle their markups and not getting the exact car you want. I supposed the paper work at a dealership can be somewhat of a white glove experience but I always felt like they weren't being very transparent with you.

I did a lease and it was spread out over several days. I did most everything within and hour, but the lease paperwork seemed to be last minute and I had a web call with a notary on Saturday morning for our tag work.

 

[adam12]

For my perspective I prefer the Rivian process over dealership. I like to be able to customize the vehicle ahead of time. The ~45 minutes to sit with the guide was in my perspective a far cry from the usual ~6 hours at a dealer searching for a vehicle, then paper work (5 cars purchased by me over the last 20 yrs.)

 

[Randynole]

Agree the purchase process needs work.

My truck went in for service for the first time last Friday after almost a year of ownership and I cannot compliment the Denver service center enough so far. I have received at least 1 text per day with updates and if all goes as planned they will have it done earlier than expected by almost a week.

I would only disagree with comparing an 8000 lb truck to an Acura. Neither Rivian is a sports car or crossover. They are more like a jack of all trades. If you put it in sport mode the twistys can be pretty fun, then you can take it off road or use it like a truck for work. Can’t think of another vehicle that is as good at that many different things. If you happen to only use it for 1 of those things, it’s fine but that isn’t Rivian’s fault

 

[Randynole]

what did your rivian go in for and how long will they have it. i am getting an r1t friday, thanks

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