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

[Gen(R3)Xer]

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.

I know there’s specific hardware in order to have the capability to drive autonomously, but the flat payment or subscription unlocks the software, which I feel should be attached to someone’s Rivian account. I mean, you don’t sell your smart phone with all of the games on it. You take that software with you. That makes sense to me.

Of course I could see Rivian charging more for a more advanced version of Autonomy+ down the road. They have to make money somehow and they want people to upgrade into a new vehicle periodically. It’s an interesting conundrum.

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[timf]

After experiencing Tesla's full self driving over the past month, I've changed my vote. I'm impressed with what it is able to do without LIDAR, and don't feel the need to wait for Rivian's G3 hardware. The G2 hardware should already be a step above what Tesla offers, and there's always going to be something better around the corner so why wait endlessly?

 

[Count Orlok]

The Count likes to drive and has no interest in paying for FSD. But then everyone already knew this based on early media reports.

 

[windblowlc]

I'm not waiting for lidar, just 3 motors. Will get the launch edition now and upgrade to the Tri motor when it becomes available.

 

[VandalSibs]

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.

A lease isn't a physical component of a car, however.

 

[christinaf]

I work in technology, and I do not trust software with my life. I’ll take it now

 

[Dark-Fx]

The Count likes to drive and has no interest in paying for FSD. But then everyone already knew this based on early media reports.

What if they had a Full Self Plowing mode?

 

[SANZC02]

I do not see Lidar coming out this year. If the initial run is going without it and configurator does not open until June my speculation is at probably at least 9-12 months after that before the lidar builds start.

 

[Redline]

I do not see Lidar coming out this year. If the initial run is going without it and configurator does not open until June my speculation is at probably at least 9-12 months after that before the lidar builds start.

I think you're right.

I'm leaning towards grabbing an LE. I don't plan on keeping my R1S past warranty. I'll get the latest R1S then, and I am sure it will have the newest LiDAR options.

 

[dleepnw]

After experiencing Tesla's full self driving over the past month, I've changed my vote. I'm impressed with what it is able to do without LIDAR, and don't feel the need to wait for Rivian's G3 hardware. The G2 hardware should already be a step above what Tesla offers, and there's always going to be something better around the corner so why wait endlessly?

I think its a mistake to think Rivian R2 Gen1 without Lidar will be equivalent to Tesla FSD. There are no guarantees it will reach that level of autonomy with its current h/w & future s/w. Once the R2 Gen2 comes out, their s/w development focus will be on that, particularly as it relates to autonomy. Its a risk to get Gen1 and think its enough to be on par with FSD.

 

[Virtio]

I'm very curious to know the timeline for LiDAR. It was supposed to ship by the end of 2026. If I can't even configure my LE R2 until June and then maybe take delivery a month or two later, that leaves less than 6 months of production for models w/o LiDAR. I could be wrong but I got the impression that all R2s would be equipped with LiDAR once it was available. Seems weird to ship non-LiDAR models for just a few months then make a major change.

 

[sparked]

I'm very curious to know the timeline for LiDAR. It was supposed to ship by the end of 2026. If I can't even configure my LE R2 until June and then maybe take delivery a month or two later, that leaves less than 6 months of production for models w/o LiDAR. I could be wrong but I got the impression that all R2s would be equipped with LiDAR once it was available. Seems weird to ship non-LiDAR models for just a few months then make a major change.

There's no exact lidar date. At first they said late 2026, but RJ recently said early 2027.

The non-lidar cars are basically working out all the bugs in the factory to get ramped up. Then when Lidar and RAP1 are ready, they get transitioned in.

 

[RivAW]

Don't really care about the Lidar (or anything more than "driver assist" via adaptive cruise and lane keep), but they'll need to come up with a 3 motor variant to tear me away from my R1T Quad which still beats the Performance R2 to 60 despite being significantly heavier and sitting on pretty beefy Falken Wildpeaks....

 

[tivoboy]

I might end up waiting if the only color for the LE models is Eskar Silver, or paid upgrade to launch green.. mind you I don’t really MIND it but the SO won’t touch it.

 

[Eric9610]

At this point I think I will take whatever is available in Nov. when my R1 lease is over. I think LE models will still be produced at this time so I am looking forward to that.

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