Don't expect a test drive before delivery

[SoCal Rob]

Speaking of fine print I wonder if you can test drive the R1 when it rolls off the flatbed in your driveway but before signing for the delivery and them taking your trade, in short backing out at the last moment to avoid registration fees, loss of trade-in etc...
I also think this is another case for factory or even service center pick up. I keep thinking of a case where your $80K R1T shows up with some imperfection/ flaw that is probably fixable but gives you pause to accept, if you were at a service center you could say I'll be back to sign paperwork after xyz if fixed.

I think these are great ideas which should benefit the customer AND Rivian since I imagine that returns are undesirable for Rivian, too. Both of your ideas seem like a win/win to me.

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[SeaGeo]

It is, but unless the return process gets you back to where you were before the purchase (taxes, transfer fees, etc. refunded) and takes a very short time I think it’s easy to see how a test drive is a better solution for people who need one.

All which you get back if you return the vehicle (er, except maybe the delivery fee. I'd have to read the legal paperwork's fine prints)

except..

Yes but a bit of a hassle if it happens to involve a Rivian trade-in.

Yep!

 

[Rhidan]

Just FYI, someone else in Denver who got a test drive said the Rivian person would NOT let them pull it in their garage to see if it fit. Something about liability concerns. Could vary from employee to employee I suppose.

I'm in the same boat and for now am just frequently out in my garage with a tape measure trying to gauge the fit.

And, like you, LE reservation with imminent delivery (April), but no contact by guide or test drive invite, or any other outreach. Hopefully s00n.

PS. What part of town are you in? We might be neighbors.

I'm over in RiNo near Denver Central Market. I believe you are over in Central Park area?

I've had the tape measure out multiple times. My townhouse has a very small "two-car" garage that will become a one-R1T garage s00n. There's a world where I would switch to a LE R1S if the garage is too small, but that boat may have sailed.

I had a reservation for a Rivian Blue/Black Mountain R1T for over a year. I then switched to Red Canyon/Ocean Coast last fall, which makes me think my R1T may not be coming in the "April - May" delivery window, and may explain why I have received no reach out.

 

[SoCal Rob]

except..



Yep!

Agree 100%!

I assumed (I know, I know) that my, “…gets you back to where you were before the purchase…” included the trade-in, too.

 

[cohall]

I'm over in RiNo near Denver Central Market. I believe you are over in Central Park area?

I've had the tape measure out multiple times. My townhouse has a very small "two-car" garage that will become a one-R1T garage s00n. There's a world where I would switch to a LE R1S if the garage is too small, but that boat may have sailed.

I had a reservation for a Rivian Blue/Black Mountain R1T for over a year. I then switched to Red Canyon/Ocean Coast last fall, which makes me think my R1T may not be coming in the "April - May" delivery window, and may explain why I have received no reach out.

Got it. And yep, I'm in CP.

Hopefully they start batching some other interior colors in the near future. I saw Red Canyon when it was in Breck and it was gorgeous. It'll be worth the wait.

 

[Gator42]

I just want to confirm that the R1T will fit in my garage. It will physically fit based on the dimensions, but there's a difference between fitting and being a comfortable fit for a daily driver.

Haha! You mean a test drive like...Oops! Nope.

 

[Ladiver]

When we bought our Corvette, the dealer required all paperwork to be done and signed before handing us the keys. He did say if I drove away, got to the next freeway exit, and didn't like the car, I could bring it back and they wouldn't process the paperwork. Well, I flew by that exit and never looked back.

 

[Gator42]

It's very interesting to me- I never would have believed I would be comfortable not test driving MY vehicle before I purchase but I have no issue with it at all. I guess seeing Motor Trend and the Youtubers- who drive everything- give the Rivian high grades on nitpick-ey deep dives, then seeing their thrilling reactions to their first drive, well...just hurry up and take my money, dammit!

 

[freshpow]

Is it a test drive if you're paying thousands of dollars in taxes & fees to take it? Signing a bunch of legal paperwork? Potentially taking out a loan? Not the best test drive terms I've seen.

I understand your concern but every single person I've seen or heard from who has driven it falls in love. And with the pre-order pricing, you could test drive it for a few days or even a year and then turn around and sell it for a $15k profit if you really don't like it.

 

[zefram47]

I don't know if I'd go through with the purchase if I couldn't get a test drive first. Guess we'll see what happens, but I don't expect to come up in line until late 2023 or eve 2024 at this point since I'm a max pack config. Hell, I got to test drive one of the roving demo cars for my MINI Cooper EV before I put down my deposit. But then I'm not one of those buyers who treat their vehicles like an appliance to get from point A to B either. I care what the driving experience is like. Yes, reviews seem to indicate it'll be great, but I did see one from Jason Cammisa that suggested the suspension wasn't as refined as we've been led to believe, especially in the lower ride heights. I refused to put in my preorder until we finally got some off-road reviews since it will be replacing my 4Runner.

 

[mgc0216]

I've come to the decision that I'm glad I didn't have a first drive / mobile test drive yet. I think it'd just make the waiting all that much harder.

 

[Forager]

I guess one silver lining to a 2023 delivery will be that I can befriend an R1S owner and convince them to let me drive it for 15 minutes…

Honestly, I’m not worried about myself not liking it. I am worried about my wife feeling comfortable behind the wheel. This will be her car as much as it is mine.

 

[RivChris]

My only hesitation personally is that i'm 6'5 and might have headroom issues. With that said, I owned a Silverado for a while and didn't have any issues with it and the internal dimensions seem similar enough that I'm hoping I'll have no issues. We'll see

I'm 6'5 too, there was ample space. Unless you have some crazy proportions it was more than comfortable.

 

[Ripped]

I am awaiting real-world feedback from ongoing owners, which there (hopefully) will be a boatload, before the noted 2024 delivery date.

I will not buy it unless I can drive it.

 

[Inkedsphynx]

Gonna have to start an R1T test drive auction app so I can get rich starting in May-June...

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