R2 buyers - will you wait for gen 3 hardware (including LiDAR)?

[mkhuffman]

Cuz this is the same crap that they did with the Gen 1s and it was not appreciated by a lot of people who bought them and it's a crappy thing to do the customers you claim to value.

When your entire company is riding on the release of 1 model, it's really stupid to disincentivize people from buying it.

I don't think there is a disincentive to buy the non-LiDAR models. They will have excellent capabilities, including advanced L3. And there are many buyers who are not interested in L4, so why should they have to wait? If you want L4, wait a few months. If you don't, go ahead and get the L3 version.

Personally, I think buying first year production models is not for the weak of heart. There will be significantly more problems in the first year than in subsequent years. This is Manufacturing 101.

I purchased a first year Mach-e with full knowledge of what I was getting in to. It wasn't that bad, but the first year Mach-e models definitely had a lot more problems. A lot.

Sponsored

 

[R2dreamer]

I could care less about Gen3 hardware or lidar. I've driven Lexus SUV's without blind spot monitoring for 150K miles.

What matters is what it looks like, how it drives and the functional features along with the final price. If that works out, it will be a winner, otherwise I'll look to other choices (Scout or other EV choices) and get a refund. I have 2 reservations in case it's a winner for multiple family members.

As for my wife, she is getting a GLS450-580-63 (?) next year and has zero interest in an EV anything at this point. Once there's a compelling luxury EV SUV choice, she'll be ready for an EV. We've looked at all current choices and they don't cut it by a lot.

We got my wife a Lexus RX450h+ PHEV while I wait for my R2. Has all the luxury you could want and we get about 41 miles all electric range which covers about 99% of her driving. Bought it last December and have filled the tank a total of three times (once from half tank). Car is reporting mileage of 99.9 miles per gallon, but I believe that is because it cannot show higher number! Several modes of driver assistance up to driving itself (hands on, eyes on) similar to current R1 capabilities.

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

Then they should either accelerate the chip production to be the same release time or provide some kind of path to upgrade, even if its a paid option.

I can tell you never ran a business or know how manufacturing works. It's not easy to accelerate something like this to match such a timeline. If they aren't releasing it immediately upon release and are giving people a heads-up, it highly indicates this is probably the soonest they could get it out. This isn't a profits related decision. If it was, they wouldn't have announced it. They'd have people buy the older tech and then release the new one soon after. Accelerating this timeline is like the people who said Rivian made a mistake not getting the R2 out sooner when Rivian didn't have the factory or service center locations ready let alone the time for testing. You can't quickly process something without major problems unless you have major capital and resources which Rivian lacks both.

Honestly, Rivian mentioned a slow ramp. My guess is that they really don't plan to sell many without the new tech and will sell to people who really don't want the autonomy or don't want to wait more. It's taking advantage of the smaller demand for a slow ramp up and getting the manufacturing part right before they scale larger.

 

[RivAW]

And what will used car buyer value in a 5 year old car? A bigger battery and more range or more autonomy? I think they will want and be willing to pay for more range but not autonomy that requires a subscription fee.

The resale argument for the Gen 3 hardware falls a bit flat for me.

The subscription is optional (as opposed to a flat payment) and they haven't stated clearly (to my knowledge) whether that might be something that transfers with vehicle ownership or stays with the original buyer. I think Tesla has flip flopped on this at different times depending on market forces

 

[cadblu]

I'll wait. I don't need to be the first on the block with an R2, nor do I want an early, EARLY build. I'd rather wait a little longer and have the option for LIDAR. I currently have a Tesla Highland with HW4 and the one-month free trial of FSD 12.4. It's been driving me around, unassisted, since early December with incredible accuracy.

So I want to upgrade to something that is at least as good, and preferably even better.

Thank you for your excellent advice. I waited for HW4 on my Tesla, and I appreciate that my patience has been so worth it. Patience is a virtue!

 

[Swiszo]

So it appears that the first production batch of R2s will have gen 2 hardware and sensors. Later around the end of 2026 the gen 3 hardware (including LiDAR) will ship on all R2s and the gen 2 hardware R2 will be discontinued. There will not be an upgrade available to convert gen 2 to gen 3.
My question is, if you have a reservation for an R2, will you take the early gen 2 R2 or wait 6-9 months for the gen 3 R2?

https://riviantrackr.com/news/clearing-up-the-confusion-around-rivian-r2-and-lidar/

I will wait to see the price of the R2, any version, and reviews upon them.

I leased an R1S when the tax credit was about to expire so I have two years to decide.

I did this for the tax credit , the lease price, and to get a feel for the build quality on a Rivian.

After 4 months in I have a list of quirks on my 2026 R1S that are not particularly complimentary of a vehicle at this sticker price !

 

[mkhuffman]

I will wait to see the price of the R2, any version, and reviews upon them.

I leased an R1S when the tax credit was about to expire so I have two years to decide.

I did this for the tax credit , the lease price, and to get a feel for the build quality on a Rivian.

After 4 months in I have a list of quirks on my 2026 R1S that are not particularly complimentary of a vehicle at this sticker price !

What quirks are complimentary of any vehicle at any price? I have a hard time with the "this truck is expensive so it must be perfect" perspective. If that were the case, Ferrari would never sell a single car.

It is a fact that first year production vehicles have more problems than second year. And double that if it is a new model from a new auto company. The first R2s will have issues. I hope few, but it could be significant. If you can't handle this, don't buy a first year R2.

 

[Noplacelikeloam]

I cancelled two R2 reservations because of this. Happy to wait another year for the right car.

 

[R2D2TOO]

I plan to lease my R2. At this point I think I will happily take the first one available that is equipped as I want. I've never leased vehicles before, so I have this question:
If I really want whatever the next gen offering is, do leases typically offer an early buy out or upgrade option? Just curious.

 

[mkhuffman]

I plan to lease my R2. At this point I think I will happily take the first one available that is equipped as I want. I've never leased vehicles before, so I have this question:
If I really want whatever the next gen offering is, do leases typically offer an early buy out or upgrade option? Just curious.

Yes. Some people did the lease to get the $7k subsidy, and then purchased the truck from Chase at the current residual value.

 

[emoore]

I cancelled two R2 reservations because of this. Happy to wait another year for the right car.

why cancel? I'm hoping I can just delay my order until they offer the config I want.

 

[R2dreamer]

The subscription is optional (as opposed to a flat payment) and they haven't stated clearly (to my knowledge) whether that might be something that transfers with vehicle ownership or stays with the original buyer. I think Tesla has flip flopped on this at different times depending on market forces

I believe that RJ stated clearly if you pay the $2500 up front at time of purchase it does transfer.

 

[Eric9610]

I believe that RJ stated clearly if you pay the $2500 up front at time of purchase it does transfer.

Rivian has said that the $2,500 stays with the car...

 

[AlphaSnowbordergirl]

Rivian has said that the $2,500 stays with the car...

They did say that. Some people get upset about that but makes sense to me. If you pay for an extra physical feature, it would stay with the car when you sell it (like paint). Makes it nice for those who keep their cars a long time.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

I plan to lease my R2. At this point I think I will happily take the first one available that is equipped as I want. I've never leased vehicles before, so I have this question:
If I really want whatever the next gen offering is, do leases typically offer an early buy out or upgrade option? Just curious.

Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. Tesla used to not allow lease buyouts. They said they were going to the robotaxi fleet. Now they do offer buyouts. The buyout can be done at any point in the leases life. If you wait until the end of the lease and the residual value is higher than the market value you can walk away.

Sponsored