Ideal Gen1 Preowned

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

It all comes down to what is important. I'd never buy the dual motor as I enjoy the torque vectoring of the quad. The Gen1 quad with a large pack doesn't have a battery much smaller than the max pack. Conserve mode gets me efficiency pretty close to the dual. However, if I went with a dual, I'd absolutely go with the PDM version.

It really is what are your priorities. If I wanted a max range EV, I wouldn't be driving a Rivian. I typically go that far on a charge and carry around more battery (and its weight), for the limited time I'd need it would be wasteful for me. It would hurt my overall performance and accelerate wear on everything else (tires, brakes, etc.). They really should have made the max pack bigger like the intended for those people that might actually need the range.

Yes and no. I own a Quad-Large (and originally slated to buy a PMDM after Rivian took Qaud-Max off of the ordering books). Yes, Quad does have "ultimate" power and acceleration, but only a small percentage of that is useful in day-to-date use. And, it's a well covered topic that Dual Motor in AWD mode does better off-road than QM in certain situations (better torque stall behavior against obstacles). And, for sake of adventuring, the additional range is useful. Performance Dual has plenty of acceleration on-tap still and it has automatic switching between FWD and AWD. With Quad, that operation is manual only.

So, again, if I was shopping for a used gen1, I would still recommend the just-right gen1 variant: Performance Dual Max. I own a QM and I'm not biased. Giving it straight.

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[DayTripping]

I'm an on road performance fan, quad all day for me. The quad isn't exactly blazingly fast above 60 and the PDM or DM fall off even more. I'll do some off roading but spend 90% of my time on road. Not likely to get into any high stall type events for the motor.

OTOH, I'll be far more likely to use the available power on the road. I have a lot of very short merge ramps where I live. You either find a way to merge, brake hard and have even less room to merge next time, or smack a wall when your lane runs out. I drove a PDM before I made my decision and it didn't feel bad from about 0-30 for me and then I could feel it losing steam like an old Model 3. I often am running with about a 50% state of charge and the quad is still fun even at these charge levels.

As for range, another 10-15 miles of range won't make a difference for me. It could but it hasn't yet in my lifetime. I can always slow down to maximize my range. Also curious to see how the dual motors hold up being designed in-house. They could be great, still not as many of them out there as the quads. I understand their potential benefits but not as many out there as the quads. They also put a longer warranty on the quad motor trucks too. In general, I've had great luck with Bosch components. If I had to place a bet on a motor fresh into production, I'd be more likely to go with Bosch. I see the benefits of going with a design from scratch, but it typically takes a few cycles to get it right.

Again, it comes down to people's priorities. I bought the RIvian because I appreciate a pickup truck with supercar performance (or pretty close to it). If I wanted max range, I'd have kept my Ram turbodiesel, which would go much farther on a tank and cost me less if driving cross country and much better to tow long distances. It is hard to go wrong with almost any of them.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

You're going to get different opinions here, but in my opinion, the best ones to get would be the '22 year with the Meridian sound. Meridian sound was better than the current, and I still had extra wood trim Rivian removed in the Adventure trim. Best balance of content and lowest price due to year.

Early 2023 model year as well up to Mid Frebruary 2023 build date were the last to feature the Meridian system. Mine is a late january '23 build. Meridian, but welded subframe. Februrary was the introduction of the cast front sub frame, but also the removal of the Meridian branded speakers

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Early 2023 model year as well up to Mid Frebruary 2023 build date were the last to feature the Meridian system. Mine is a late january '23 build. Meridian, but welded subframe. Februrary was the introduction of the cast front sub frame, but also the removal of the Meridian branded speakers

Did you have the wood trim around the headrests of the back of the front seats?

 

[meshugy]

I have 2023 Quad (Aug, vin 18xxx) which has been flawless. Bought it used with 350mi from CarMax for $73K. Keep an eye on CarMax as they often have these super low mileage lease returns for $73K or less.

I’d recommend later 2023 and 2024 builds. The revised Gen 2 dampers were introduced into Gen 1 around vin 13xxx (July?) so anything after that should have better ride quality and less suspension noise issues.

I have a degree in audio engineering and play guitar professionally, I think the Elevation audio in the Quads is great!

 

[kozak79]

I have a gen1 '22 R1T with Meridian sound and power under the dash. I also had a lot of the undercarriage parts replaced with gen2 parts under warranty and it drives better than when I first got it.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Did you have the wood trim around the headrests of the back of the front seats?

Negative, that was removed just prior. Same with.... the powered tonneau option. I had to go with the Manual tonneau.

 

[Riv E In]

2024 late model Gen1 no question.

Quality improvements from Gen1 over time before the cost savings of Gen2.

It’s the best build in my subjective personal opinion!

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Well my opinion here is “it depends”

2024 is the newest Gen1 that had most of the bugs worked out but some early features that were liked by many removed to save costs. If you can do without those then a 2024 Quad is a tremendous value for price/power/performance and warranty.

The 2022 models had more features but since they are earlier models some may still have older parts revisions. May not be an issue if your patient with service or the previous owner had all the known issues worked out.

2025 Gen2 is the latest/greatest and the issues I have seen with those seem to all be resolvable with software updates.

 

[RWerksman]

2024 late model Gen1 no question.

Quality improvements from Gen1 over time before the cost savings of Gen2.

It’s the best build in my subjective personal opinion!

Im on this team as well. I've owned 2 Gen 1's so far and driven about a half dozen additional. The build quality enhancements are real. My late Gen 1 is a like a chunk of milled metal now. Very sorted in every way.

VIN 4800 that I had first had small BS stuff that just added up.

Both of the very early loaners that I had were creaky messes, frankly, including the LE LG R1S that I was just driving. It was really disappointing, honestly.

 

[Franksmartin]

I have a 23 R1S with Meridian sound, 12v under dash and also in frunk and both horns too.

 

[onesoil]

Another potential problem with the earliest builds was the double 12V batteries, which changed to a single 12V battery plus a capacitor sometime in early 2023.

Maybe it’s just luck, but neither my father’s 2022 Launch R1T (VIN 5852) or my later 2022 R1T (VIN10264) have ever had 12V issues. Perhaps it’s just a matter of time, but ours have been fine for 2+ years. We have had a whole host of things fail/need replacement, but honestly my goal is to have a 2022 with Meridian, both 12V plugs, and all new gen 2 suspension by the time my warranty runs out ? I’m part of the way there. My father’s truck just got all new air springs (and front dampers), compressor, accumulator, and more. I’ve only had rear dampers, but I’m gonna work on front dampers and possibly front subframe (due to my truck “not being able” to be within caster alignment spec after a few attempts).

I think my truck will be nearly perfect (for me) if I can get the Firestone air springs, newer front dampers, and possibly front subframe: FG, FE, dark 20s, Meridian, RUS (or at least some of it—a story for another thread), both 12V outlets (which I frequently use), upgraded rear dampers.

 

[DayTripping]

I would caution anyone planning on getting a suspension or any other major upgrades. So far it seems like Rivian has been fairly liberal/generous/accommodating in retrofitting the newer parts. If their warranty costs are as high as I think they might be, this policy could change.

I worked for two very well-known automobile manufacturers. I was an engineer but I got my foot in the door at the first one by adjudicating warranty claims and finally moved into engineering there. I was given a lot of latitude at first about what we could cover. Once it seemed like people were taking advantage of our generosity, things were tightened up a lot. We were far more profitable than Rivian and could more easily absorb these costs in the first place but ultimately we were a lot more strict.

To be safe, I'd plan on buying the truck that has what you want now. If it doesn't, don't assume you'll get it upgraded. If you do, assume it was a serendipitous occurrence and go buy a lottery ticket. Basically, buy on what functionality it has now. Just like how I'd buy a new Tesla. I buy on what functionally is shipping, not what they are promising.

 

[bfilippo]

Maybe it’s just luck, but neither my father’s 2022 Launch R1T (VIN 5852) or my later 2022 R1T (VIN10264) have ever had 12V issues. Perhaps it’s just a matter of time, but ours have been fine for 2+ years. We have had a whole host of things fail/need replacement, but honestly my goal is to have a 2022 with Meridian, both 12V plugs, and all new gen 2 suspension by the time my warranty runs out ? I’m part of the way there. My father’s truck just got all new air springs (and front dampers), compressor, accumulator, and more. I’ve only had rear dampers, but I’m gonna work on front dampers and possibly front subframe (due to my truck “not being able” to be within caster alignment spec after a few attempts).

I think my truck will be nearly perfect (for me) if I can get the Firestone air springs, newer front dampers, and possibly front subframe: FG, FE, dark 20s, Meridian, RUS (or at least some of it—a story for another thread), both 12V outlets (which I frequently use), upgraded rear dampers.

Glad to hear Rivian continues to step up for loyal customers on significant items. Mine is new, so haven't had anything like that come up yet, but definitely makes me feel better.

ALSO - Totally random, but saw your job - we were discussing a REAP grant with Karl over there last year for your facility. I run an ag/climate firm based next door in Maine. Small world.

 

[meshugy]

I would caution anyone planning on getting a suspension or any other major upgrades. So far it seems like Rivian has been fairly liberal/generous/accommodating in retrofitting the newer parts. If their warranty costs are as high as I think they might be, this policy could change.

I worked for two very well-known automobile manufacturers. I was an engineer but I got my foot in the door at the first one by adjudicating warranty claims and finally moved into engineering there. I was given a lot of latitude at first about what we could cover. Once it seemed like people were taking advantage of our generosity, things were tightened up a lot. We were far more profitable than Rivian and could more easily absorb these costs in the first place but ultimately we were a lot more strict.

To be safe, I'd plan on buying the truck that has what you want now. If it doesn't, don't assume you'll get it upgraded. If you do, assume it was a serendipitous occurrence and go buy a lottery ticket. Basically, buy on what functionality it has now. Just like how I'd buy a new Tesla. I buy on what functionally is shipping, not what they are promising.

I think it’s quite rare to get a complete suspension upgrade (I.e. all dampers and air springs, front and back.) Many people got the jaunce lines replaced per the atttached service bulletin. The service center will do that upgrade if you ask, but you’ll likely need to demonstrate some serious problems with your suspension for them to do much more than that.




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