Subaru Dies Before My Number Comes Up in the R2 Queue

[dfairris]

Transitioning between an old car and a new one is always a challenge. This is particularly true as I wait for my number to come up in the R2 queue. I'm "all in" on the R2. Don't see anything out there in an EV SUV that meets my backcountry adventure needs like the R2.

So, say the Outback, with 150k miles on it, needs a new transmission or some such costly repair, but I'm still waiting on the R2. Are there any options out there for me, staying within the Rivian space -- e.g., leasing an R1 until the R2 arrives -- that aren't extremely costly?

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[Hereforthesnacks]

What’s extremely costly?

you can price out the cost for an R1. Get the cost to fix the Subaru. And if you are false choicing between the two, compare the costs and pick the lower one.

 

[dfairris]

I don't need the size of an R1. I've test driven one and feel pretty confident that it is too big for my needs. I would rent/lease one in the interim, until my number comes up in the R2 queue, but don't want to buy one and absorb the immediate depreciation, etc., only to move to an R2 in a short period of time. I'm wondering if there are any options, besides the obvious ones just mentioned, to fill this void.

 

[1T2022]

lease R1 or buy used R1T

 

[zefram47]

Since the Outback has served your needs well, probably the new Subaru Trailseeker, but I'm not sure when it will actually be released either.

 

[9527]

Are you in the very front of the line? I’d probably buy a used car that holds their value well like a Toyota or Honda and drive for a few months until I take delivery of the R2 then sell the used car. Or buy a used Tesla for the time being.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

I’ll be honest, you will lose a ton if you purchase or lease another car for just a few months or a year. You can rent a car for $800/mo. Or you can Uber. Once you know your place in the R2 line, you can figure out what makes sense.

Who knows, in the end, the Subaru may be a bit terrible fix.

 

[savethemanual]

When did you put down deposit? They're only going to make around 25k R2's this year and I hear the reservation list is at a couple hundred thousand...plus they are giving priority to current Rivian owners. Of course not all reservations will equal an actual order but the demand is certainly going to be pretty high for the time being.

 

[mikehmb]

I only recently learned that this thing exists. Seems like a great option if you want to wait 2-3 years on this lease while the R2 bugs get shaken out.

 

[Dark-Fx]

My vote is on a used R1. Should also help bump you up the R2 line.

 

[savethemanual]

I only recently learned that this thing exists. Seems like a great option if you want to wait 2-3 years on this lease while the R2 bugs get shaken out.

It's a great vehicle, especially with the recent price drops. Too bad they don't offer that XRT trim with the glass roof, that all black interior needs some light.

 

[mikehmb]

It's a great vehicle, especially with the recent price drops. Too bad they don't offer that XRT trim with the glass roof, that all black interior needs some light.

Yeah I'm not sold on the aesthetics either especially since the interior is so dark. But it's cool! And probably more than enough for the majority of people. Probably hilarious to roll up to campsites in as well.

FWIW , we have a GV60, and zero vampire drain. Considering you get free EA charging in that car for 3 years, it's a bargain to drive. Not free, but net out of pocket is like 200/mo

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

Are you in the very front of the line? I’d probably buy a used car that holds their value well like a Toyota or Honda and drive for a few months until I take delivery of the R2 then sell the used car. Or buy a used Tesla for the time being.

^^^ is the only solution I would consider ^^^

 

[dfairris]

I feel like I've explored all other, non-Rivian options and rejected them. If next week we learn the R2 range is closer to 250, that might change things.

Having an R1 for a period of time is attractive, but a new one, for just the interim, seems just foolishly expensive. A used one is a possibility, but I guess I worry that it could be a dog, turning me off the Rivian brand altogether.

Hoping that someone in management sees this thread and says, "I know what we can do......." (-:

 

[KBabione]

Happily, I don't have maintenance issues on my Outback, but the thread caught my attention...

In addition to our R1S, we have an Outback (90K miles) and a Toyota Highlander (147K miles) that my daughters have taken to school with them - leaving me without a vehicle. For the most part my wife and I can share the R1S, but (I know - first world problem) there are times when we each need a car. Renting and Uber are certainly options, but as soon as I'm spending $400/month on those I'm wondering if there's a better short-term (i.e. 2-year) option.

I just noticed that Subaru is offering a $339/month lease for 36 months on their 2026 Solterra Premium. I'm really only interested in the Limited or Touring models, but they usually have lease offers on the higher trims as well. It's 10K miles/year, but for my purposes that's plenty. The 2026 models have a 288-mile range and, as I've learned from my R1S, I can get by with a 273 mile range.

So here's my current plan (subject to approval/veto by my partner):

• Lease a Solterra for three years starting this month
• When my number comes up in the "R2 Lottery", trade in the 2016 Highlander on the R2 and let one of the daughters have the Solterra
• When the Solterra lease is up, trade in the 2019 Outback and buy whatever generation R2 is then available (hopefully with LIDAR and more FSD features)

By then my girls should be close to done with school and, depending on where they are, may not need a car, but this would get me through 3 years...

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