First Mile: Unsure

[OldGoat]

I see by your signature that you have a model S, so my first question would be do you own a truck? If you haven't owned a truck, I think it is pretty hard to go from a car that's sitting quite low to a truck that is sitting 2-3 times higher standing on substantially different rubber. I've not driven an R yet, but I have the benefit of comparing it to my Ridgeline, (which had by far the most refined, car-like, feel of any truck I've been in before, including top-of-the line trims like Denali). The car I had before the Ridgeline was a tuned, lightly modified Golf R (manual), talk about a shock to the system!

So, if you're not used to driving a truck and/or you are limited to freeway and stop-and-go driving, I can certainly understand being underwhelmed.

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[kurtlikevonnegut]

It'd leave me wondering why it needs to make so much damn noise for such slow acceleration and terrible handling.

Yeah all I can think of now when I see a really loud ICE vehicle thats not a supercar is "my goodness why is that thing making so much racket to do so little?" I live in the heart of BIG LOUD TRUCK country and boy oh boy I can't wait to just dust them in near total silence.

 

[COdogman]

Only you can decide if you overhyped it, but it’s not Rivian’s fault LA traffic is worse than all 12 rings of hell. Try to separate in your mind your thoughts on the truck itself from the unfortunate environment you had to do your drive in.

 

[mini2nut]

Yes, it's a noisy and ill handling beast. 2023 will most likely be the last year for the limited production 392 Wrangler.

 

[AxelR]

I did my first mile in Sonoma, months ago, I felt the same as the OP.
Great truck but really not as great as everybody is raving about.
The area, despite being beautiful, does not compare to what I would use the truck for 98% of the time. Acceleration… I had just gotten out of our M3P… Interior space, not bad but not great… Luxury of it, not bad but really all types of plastics going from soft (seats) to not as soft (other touch surface)… Dashboard, not much better than our Raptor… And it goes on.
Yes, I will still get our S (or T) when it comes.
Why? Because I waited so long, because I don’t want to think I was wrong waiting all this time ? and because maybe my First mile impression was limited by the environment and other factors.

By the way, has anyone wondered how come some late 2021 are getting theirs already? Could it be because thousands of people have decided to get something else after test drives (or other reasons)? Do all the people selling theirs after 200-600 miles, sell because it’s sooo great that they decided to live without it?

 

[Yellow Buddy]

Is this your 1st EV? What car are you coming from?

It’ll be my 5th or 6th BEV depending on when this will actually be delivered.

I am a car enthusiast, one that has owned some really good handling and driving cars, but I’m no stranger to the lack of noise, the lack of transmission, or even lack of steering feel - which I was expecting to be different on the rivian, that comes with EVs. That said, I still do enjoy driving my S

I see by your signature that you have a model S, so my first question would be do you own a truck? If you haven't owned a truck, I think it is pretty hard to go from a car that's sitting quite low to a truck that is sitting 2-3 times higher standing on substantially different rubber. I've not driven an R yet, but I have the benefit of comparing it to my Ridgeline, (which had by far the most refined, car-like, feel of any truck I've been in before, including top-of-the line trims like Denali). The car I had before the Ridgeline was a tuned, lightly modified Golf R (manual), talk about a shock to the system!

So, if you're not used to driving a truck and/or you are limited to freeway and stop-and-go driving, I can certainly understand being underwhelmed.

The vehicle the R1T will be replacing:

 

[Taycanfrank]

Did you overhype yourself? Probably. But the reviews claiming the Rivian is something it's not didn't help either.

The R1T is a really solid vehicle. It's a solid choice among pickups (or larger SUVs when considering the R1S) but it's not really a "special" vehicle when you drive it.

The handling, ride quality, looks, and build quality are all "ok" scores in my book. Average to maybe a bit below average for ride & build.

The best way to put it is if the Rivian WASN'T electric but otherwise the exact same, even with the same massive acceleration, would it be a success? I'd say no, it'd be a niche choice.

But the EV aspect adds a ton of value, so you just have to weigh that (pros & cons) as you will.

This forum will tell you the R1T is the greatest car ever. It's not, but it is still a compelling choice (at least at 80k.. at 100k I'm not so sure.)

 

[Taco]

Slow acceleration and a lot of noise is the bread and butter of Harley Davidson.

 

[R1Tom]

I checked them out in Venice when in SoCal for business. I can't imagine having any fun driving anywhere in anything in the entire LA area. I kept thinking there must be some roads somewhere around here all these fun cars I see get to be used. But it isn't in that area around Venice I am thinking.

All I can say is I am blown away everytime I drive mine. I can't imagine anything else comming close to the overall experience. But obviously a GT3 will be a better GT3 than a Rivian. Or a Raptor R, would be a better Raptor R than a Rivian. But when it comes to Swiss Army knives....the R1T is the ultimate....with crazy fast as a bonus.

 

[Attesan997]

By the way, has anyone wondered how come some late 2021 are getting theirs already? Could it be because thousands of people have decided to get something else after test drives (or other reasons)? Do all the people selling theirs after 200-600 miles, sell because it’s sooo great that they decided to live without it?

Could thousands of pre-orders be cancelling, it's certainly possible. Not sure what the actual take rate is but it was never going to be 1:1. I ordered Q3 2021 with an October - November window. I'd say the reason I was matched with a vehicle is because they're literally sending Adventure, 21", no off road package configs by the truckload out to various regions. This was the impression I received from my guide. 2 business days after switching to 21" wheels I had a guide call and a soft lock to a VIN, the next day an actual VIN with the 8 steps open. The vehicle was either already on the road or finishing the last few steps and just about to be by the time I had my first call with my guide. It was amusing receiving the Intro to Guides and Digital Purchase Process emails after I'd already selected my delivery date and was halfway through the steps. I can't imagine there's much special about my situation in particular, it seems like they're looking for bodies within a certain radius of the service centers to assign to the trucks they're pumping out. Instead of going down the list to contact someone to find out if they'd be ok with changing their config they must find it more efficient to go down the list to someone with the same config already selected. This last part is conjecture on my end.

 

[AxelR]

Could thousands of pre-orders be cancelling, it's certainly possible. Not sure what the actual take rate is but it was never going to be 1:1. I ordered Q3 2021 with an October - November window. I'd say the reason I was matched with a vehicle is because they're literally sending Adventure, 21", no off road package configs by the truckload out to various regions. This was the impression I received from my guide. 2 business days after switching to 21" wheels I had a guide call and a soft lock to a VIN, the next day an actual VIN with the 8 steps open. The vehicle was either already on the road or finishing the last few steps and just about to be by the time I had my first call with my guide. It was amusing receiving the Intro to Guides and Digital Purchase Process emails after I'd already selected my delivery date and was halfway through the steps. I can't imagine there's much special about my situation in particular, it seems like they're looking for bodies within a certain radius of the service centers to assign to the trucks they're pumping out. Instead of going down the list to contact someone to find out if they'd be ok with changing their config they must find it more efficient to go down the list to someone with the same config already selected. This last part is conjecture on my end.

That makes complete sense and that’s probably how they do it. It’d be the easiest if anything.
I’m glad it worked out well for you ?
I do wonder what the conversion rate is (preorder to actual purchase).

 

[DaveA]

What would be your other jack-of-all-trades EV you are considering? I can't think of one....this thing does it all.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

What would be your other jack-of-all-trades EV you are considering? I can't think of one....this thing does it all.

That might be the problem though. Jack of all trades, master of none.

I found myself asking. Is it good with caveats?

It was hard for me to tell given the environment. But, does it actually handle well? Does it actually ride well? Or is it well..for a truck. Is it the EV caveat?

Especially being a Ridgeline owner, I already have independent suspension. I already have better handling than most solid axle, body on frame trucks. So is my expectation that this is great period, unreasonable? Does it need a caveat? It’s good..if you compare it to another body on frame truck but not if you compare it to something else?

And I’m not knocking it, but unfortunately I couldn’t tell. I emailed them asking if there was something else I could attend/drive and I don’t plan on cancelling my order, so we’ll see but I’m happy to hear from the community because it’ll help me process it.

 

[R1Sky Business]

Only you can decide if you overhyped it, but it’s not Rivian’s fault LA traffic is worse than all 12 rings of hell. Try to separate in your mind your thoughts on the truck itself from the unfortunate environment you had to do your drive in.

Perfect first mile drive if you're planning on commuting on big cities with traffic issues.....we can't see the cup half full.....we need to see it 3/4 full!

 

[LivingInKaos]

Perfect first mile drive if you're planning on commuting on big cities with traffic issues.....we can't see the cup half full.....we need to see it 3/4 full!

Forget the cup, just give me the bottle...

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