Appreciate your input. You're actually the first person I've seen with an unsatisfactory demo purchase. Not saying there aren't more, I've yet to comb through this entire thread.
The Tri is a LOT better vehicle. The only thing I miss is the Meridian sound system. I'm far from an expert, but this system is ridiculous at the price point. I shouldn't say I was disappointed in my demo either because the price was so much less. I put 28,000 miles on lit in 8 months and intended to flip the demo when I bought it. Just want anybody who buys one to understand what they are getting.
Can you expand on what you like better? I have a current dual motor and don't want to "downgrade". I drove a loaner quad and just loved the way it accelerated/handled better. Not a fan of the open diffs on the dual and hate the auto height/auto discconect options that I have to defeat each time I drive it. That, and the speed difference...
I might be able to lend an opinion here. I had a '22 quad for a little over two years that I traded for a '25 tri max. The tri Ascend package is what Rivian wanted to make from the start. It's much more polished, the interior is substantially upmarket. Having two motors in the rear with one up front gives a rear power bias that makes it feel faster and more fun to drive. Not to mention that it is faster than a gen 1 quad.
I've heard a lot about the noisy suspension on the quads. Is that solved with the new jounce lines? Or is will it never be like the gen 2? Is all gen 1 suspension is the same? Because my 24 dual is super quiet.
G1 aren't all the same. At some point Rivian switched to a cast front subframe as well as other running improvements. I have many of these improvements retrofitted into mine and the only remaining suspension noise is an occasional half shaft noise which is being reported in some G2 trucks too. That is a noise that can develope with time so newer TM trucks likely don't have the miles on them to have developed the noise yet.
My g1 has the welded subframe. I just read yesterday that if you have any issues they can and will replace with the cast piece. Pretty cool.
Correct. And in doing so they replace pretty much everything except the dampers and half shafts. New carbon fiber panel underneath, new uprights in suspension, now lower and new upper control arms. I saw the parts and it was very extensive. Also made my suspension near silent minus the occasional half shaft clunk.
The new status doesn't mean anything as soon as you drive it off the lot. Your truck is now pretty much worth what all the other used ones are. Given the long warranty of a quad motor, it seemed like a low risk to me.
Yeah for me it's about getting into a quad for half the price of a tri. Other option would be to run out the 3 years on my lease and look for used (or whatever they have then) to scratch my "more power" itch. But that's 3 years.
I got a demo from the Richmond SC back in June. They were an outstanding team to work with and I am very happy with the purchase. That looks like a very good deal to me. Everybody's situation is different, so I hesitate to give advice. But it really does look like a fine opportunity to save a _lot_ of money. I got exactly the vehicle I wanted (compass yellow with Forest Edge inside and 21" wheels--which are highly maligned, but I like them) for $71k "out the door." I think I saved about $25k. While I don't know how the SC treated the battery for certain, based on my experience I highly doubt they abused the SOC. For one thing, charging above 80% takes a lot of extra time. I just don't think a SC would use up that much extra time on a limited number of in-house chargers when the vehicle will only be used for ~30 minute test drives. My purchase experience was flawless and my post-purchase experience has been way above what I have gotten from dealerships selling "traditional" vehicles. (Purchase was Richmond, VA. Post-purchase has been St. Louis, MO.)
Good to hear about your experience! I am seeing a lot of folks getting these demos from Richmond. I wonder if Rivian sends them there as a midpoint for the east coast? No way Richmond had dozens of demos in their showroom right?
There are still only limited number of states were Rivian sells demos. I imagine they take geography into account when reselling. So maybe ship them from one state where they don't sell demos to others where they do. Just an assumption but it seems logical.
Yeah, I'm not sure what's up with that. VA is one of those states in which demos can't be registered (according to Rivian's site--I've read that this isn't strictly true but haven't done any fact-checking), so any purchaser has the added barrier of needing to travel for the vehicle or, somehow, wrangle a delivery. My only guess (pure speculation) is that Richmond has available lot space while others don't. But it is a curious thing! I dunno.
I THINK they improved the suspension late 2023. Agree with everything donaldstanfeld wrote. I owned two 2022 quads; nothing newer. I drove a combined 88,000 miles in them. I would also add the wind noise is infinitely better in the Tri. It is just more relaxing to drive. Especially when I don't have to worry about the thing slamming on the brake every time I pass a semi.
