Best option to see (and maybe drive) a Rivian in Pittsburgh?

[widepipe]

We live in Pittsburgh and are interested in a Rivian (not set on an R1T or S yet). What is our best option to see one in person? Can you actually see them at the Cleveland service center? Are their meetups in the area where people show up with theirs?

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[KBabione]

You used to be able to schedule a demo ride/drive at the service centers, at least if you had a Rivian on order. We drove from Lancaster, PA to Brooklyn (the nearest SC at the time) to do our test drive. We couldn't push it very much on the streets of Brooklyn, but it confirmed we wanted one. See if you can reach out to the Cleveland SC and schedule something. With all of the guides looking for employment elsewhere it may not be an option, but it's worth a try.

Conversely, if you find yourself in the Lancaster area, PM me and I'd be happy to show you around a 2023 R1S, including a drive. There are a bunch of owners in Pittsburgh as well who may chime in.

 

[camaroz1985]

There are a few Pittsburgh Rivian groups on facebook. Maybe they will have a meet or something that you could check them out. As said above, you can do a demo drive at SC as well. We have family in the South Hills, but won't be back out that way for a couple months, or I would meet up with you.

 

[widepipe]

Thank you both. I happened upon someone with an R1T yesterday so we got a good look at it standing still. I think I’ll try to get a test drive set up at the SC in Cleveland.

 

[Yossarian]

This goes back a ways, but when I set up my test drive, then called a "First Mile" ride, Rivian tried to have me go to Brooklyn, about 125 miles away. While Brooklyn has many charms, it's undeniably a less than ideal place for a test drive. Long story short, I was able work instead through the Richmond, VA service center, and Rivian actually set the test drive up in Blacksburg. Quite a bit further from my home than Brooklyn in miles, but about the same travel time.

It turned out to be a great experience as I was able to spend a lot of time with the Rivian, more than double they standard allotment of 45 mins (I was the only test drive scheduled that afternoon though). As importantly, I was able to take the Rivian on a variety of roads, including the interstate, so got a great feel for the vehicle. I sincerely hope that you have a similar experience in Cleveland or whatever location you wind up in.

If you don't mind traveling a bit, the Rivian Spaces offer a great opportunity to go over the vehicles in detail. I believe that you can do a test drive through the Space as well. Unlike a SC, they'll have a few of each model in various colors and interiors available for you to check out in depth. They also have panels (the Gear Tunnel door) painted in all the Rivian colors available for inspection.

On a visit to Atlanta this spring, I was able to bring my wife to the Rivian Space there so she could see the vehicle up close and in depth (she was not able to come to the First MIle drive). It was also a good experience - they staff is there only to provide information, not to sell. She had been mostly indifferent to getting a Rivian until she experienced them in person and then became quite the advocate. Getting to one from Pittsburg means a bit ot travel unfortunately. New York is probably the closest location for Spaces and there are two there, but there is one in Chicago if you want to head west.

If you are ever headed to the eastern part of our beautiful but EV-unfriendly Commonwealth, I'd be happy to give you a tour and test ride of my new R1T. Just don't wear any Penguin's gear (you're OK with Pirates or Steelers swag though).

 

[Dave Cundiff]

IDK ab

This goes back a ways, but when I set up my test drive, then called a "First Mile" ride, Rivian tried to have me go to Brooklyn, about 125 miles away. While Brooklyn has many charms, it's undeniably a less than ideal place for a test drive. Long story short, I was able work instead through the Richmond, VA service center, and Rivian actually set the test drive up in Blacksburg. Quite a bit further from my home than Brooklyn in miles, but about the same travel time.

It turned out to be a great experience as I was able to spend a lot of time with the Rivian, more than double they standard allotment of 45 mins (I was the only test drive scheduled that afternoon though). As importantly, I was able to take the Rivian on a variety of roads, including the interstate, so got a great feel for the vehicle. I sincerely hope that you have a similar experience in Cleveland or whatever location you wind up in.

If you don't mind traveling a bit, the Rivian Spaces offer a great opportunity to go over the vehicles in detail. I believe that you can do a test drive through the Space as well. Unlike a SC, they'll have a few of each model in various colors and interiors available for you to check out in depth. They also have panels (the Gear Tunnel door) painted in all the Rivian colors available for inspection.

On a visit to Atlanta this spring, I was able to bring my wife to the Rivian Space there so she could see the vehicle up close and in depth (she was not able to come to the First MIle drive). It was also a good experience - they staff is there only to provide information, not to sell. She had been mostly indifferent to getting a Rivian until she experienced them in person and then became quite the advocate. Getting to one from Pittsburg means a bit ot travel unfortunately. New York is probably the closest location for Spaces and there are two there, but there is one in Chicago if you want to head west.

If you are ever headed to the eastern part of our beautiful but EV-unfriendly Commonwealth, I'd be happy to give you a tour and test ride of my new R1T. Just don't wear any Penguin's gear (you're OK with Pirates or Steelers swag though).

IDK about other Rivian Spaces, @Yossarian, but the Seattle Space is prohibited from offering Demo Drives due to Washington State law. So Seattleites must do their demo drives near the border in Portland OR or Vancouver BC.

Thanks and best wishes!

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