Chicago - First Mile Drives

[chryses]

When I logged into my Rivian account today I noticed that I could schedule a First Mile demo drive for an R1S. Says it will happen at a Service Center, but the address given is in the middle of Schiller Woods (near O'Hare). Has anybody here already done a test drive at that location? Did you just meet up at a parking lot in the nature preserve?

Sponsored

 

[mrodriguez]

Where exactly does that show up? I'm Milwaukee and I cannot tell you how many times I've submitted requests for First Mile Demos and only ever received silence back.

 

[COdogman]

Where exactly does that show up? I'm Milwaukee and I cannot tell you how many times I've submitted requests for First Mile Demos and only ever received silence back.

Last year when I got mine for an R1T, a little calendar icon appeared in my account with a message inviting me to schedule a drive. They also sent me an email if I recall.

 

[COdogman]

When I logged into my Rivian account today I noticed that I could schedule a First Mile demo drive for an R1S. Says it will happen at a Service Center, but the address given is in the middle of Schiller Woods (near O'Hare). Has anybody here already done a test drive at that location? Did you just meet up at a parking lot in the nature preserve?

This sounds like a set up for a robbery.

 

[chryses]

Where exactly does that show up? I'm Milwaukee and I cannot tell you how many times I've submitted requests for First Mile Demos and only ever received silence back.

Last year when I got mine for an R1T, a little calendar icon appeared in my account with a message inviting me to schedule a drive. They also sent me an email if I recall.

Yep, little calendar icon showed up in the left sidebar when I logged in. No email or any other sort of notification.

 

[chryses]

This sounds like a set up for a robbery.

Indeed. And the zip code they provided doesn't match up with the one given for the address on Google Maps.

Not to mention that it is currently freezing here, so standing around in the middle of nowhere for who knows how long seems less than ideal.

All the same, I'm very excited to get behind the wheel of an R1S.

 

[COdogman]

Indeed. And the zip code they provided doesn't match up with the one given for the address on Google Maps.

Not to mention that it is currently freezing here, so standing around in the middle of nowhere for who knows how long seems less than ideal.

All the same, I'm very excited to get behind the wheel of an R1S.

In all seriousness, if they are meeting you somewhere with at least a little bit of open space, they are doing you a favor. That 45 minutes goes by real quick. Mine was slow moving Denver traffic on potholed roads, residential neighborhoods with potholed roads, then a couple of 0-60 launches behind the service center. I was still thrilled to have the chance to drive it though.

 

[mrodriguez]

Yep, little calendar icon showed up in the left sidebar when I logged in. No email or any other sort of notification.

Thanks! My disappointment in not getting an invite for a demo drive continues. I know I'm not Chicago, but that would be my service center and my pre-order date is early 2021 for an R1S. Milwaukee is only a little over an hour from the normal service center and if they will meet in a different location I'm happy to split the difference! I will just send another obligatory email begging and pleading for an invite. I'm afraid what might be required to actually get one at this point.

 

[mrodriguez]

So little update, after this thread I once again reached out to CS about a First Mile demo. This time I actually received a call the next day offering the opportunity to get one scheduled. Ironically, my date was pushed back a quarter from the last round of updates so now I'm a little less anxious.

 

[chryses]

Just to report back, the test drive was indeed conducted in and around a nature preserve. Which honestly was pretty great, as this was my first time driving an EV and I appreciated the opportunity to get used to one pedal driving without being in city traffic. The Rivian employee who met me for the drive was friendly, low-key, and happy to answer questions.

Some thoughts, in no particular order:

• It's not as big as I thought it would be. It's by no means a small vehicle, but it is not the behemoth I was expecting.
• Fit/finish was excellent, though I would hope that would be the case with any vehicle they send out for test drives.
• I was surprised how quiet it was in the cabin. I've seen lots of complaints about compressor noise, wind noise, motor noise, etc. I didn't pick up on any of that and I'm generally pretty sensitive to those things.
• My wife was in the backseat and almost immediately became nauseated with the suspension set on soft. Switching to stiff solved that problem.
• The second and third rows are a bit more cramped than I was hoping, but I'm 6'2" and can fit in the third row (assuming there isn't somebody 6'2" in front of me).
• I'm not the first one to say it, but raising/lowering/adjusting the second/third rows is a pain. I understand the arguments for it all being manual, but it would just be a much better experience if it was motorized, especially for someone significantly shorter than me (like my wife).
• Launches were fun
• I wish I could have taken it off-road for just a little bit

 

[thebwk]

Just to report back, the test drive was indeed conducted in and around a nature preserve. Which honestly was pretty great, as this was my first time driving an EV and I appreciated the opportunity to get used to one pedal driving without being in city traffic. The Rivian employee who met me for the drive was friendly, low-key, and happy to answer questions.

Some thoughts, in no particular order:

• It's not as big as I thought it would be. It's by no means a small vehicle, but it is not the behemoth I was expecting.
• Fit/finish was excellent, though I would hope that would be the case with any vehicle they send out for test drives.
• I was surprised how quiet it was in the cabin. I've seen lots of complaints about compressor noise, wind noise, motor noise, etc. I didn't pick up on any of that and I'm generally pretty sensitive to those things.
• My wife was in the backseat and almost immediately became nauseated with the suspension set on soft. Switching to stiff solved that problem.
• The second and third rows are a bit more cramped than I was hoping, but I'm 6'2" and can fit in the third row (assuming there isn't somebody 6'2" in front of me).
• I'm not the first one to say it, but raising/lowering/adjusting the second/third rows is a pain. I understand the arguments for it all being manual, but it would just be a much better experience if it was motorized, especially for someone significantly shorter than me (like my wife).
• Launches were fun
• I wish I could have taken it off-road for just a little bit

I'm glad to hear you made it out of Schiller Woods alive, since my drop and swap is scheduled for the same location.

Sponsored