Interesting EV Article

[R1Thor]

Heat pump won’t really increase max range. It will decrease the range lost in the colder months.

And even then, as has been demonstrated in other brands and adjacent technologies: it's a few percent. It's not tens of percentages by any means.

I don't want to parrot what everyone else is saying; I'll just succinctly ask:
Does the current vehicle, and its offerings as it is, fit your needs and budget?

If the answer to that is "Yes, for the next ~5 years+" then you have your answer. No use shopping for what comes next. We would all love a better battery, faster car, more features, etc. But I plan to keep the truck for 10+ years because it will suit 99.999% of my use cases.

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[SANZC02]

Like everyone is saying, if you wait for the latest and greatest you will never buy as something improves all the way time just like all tech.

A real life example, purchased a Model S back in 2016, tons of things have changed since then but the car still works great. Even took it on a cross country trip of 6500 miles back in January with no issues. It still has over 92% of original range and if not for me following the industry and knowing what is out there currently and around the corner I would not even know it has aging tech.

 

[carsly]

As of May 17, 2024 I'd wait on the factory refreshed models, that's just weeks. Might as well get the improved/useful wireless charging pad, heat pump, upgraded computers and whatever else is in the hopper unless you get a screaming deal on "old" 2024.

There will be no battery retrofits - just as they don't exist for your smartphone, tablet or laptop (for the most part). Automakers make money by selling new cars, not trying to rengineer old ones - same as every electronic device maker.

So if the current R1 fits your needs and budget then have at it. I'd rather wait the few weeks and see how the refreshed R1S stacks up against the 2025 Hummer EV SUV, the impending Volvo EX90 and what I expect will be a Cybertruck available to configure before the end of June owing to a Dec 2019 reservation I've got. I've already ruled out the refreshed Q8 etron, 2025 Taycan, Q6 etron, Polestar 3, EV9 and Macan EV so making some progress.

 

[Florida Panhandler]

At some point you just have to pull the trigger. Waiting for the next thing means you are waiting then only then hearing about the next big thing to come next year. The EV world is like the Solar industry- every year solar tech gets better and better not only with basic panel efficiencies and wattage but also with inverters, solar management systems and software. At some point the decision has to be made or else there will be no EV or solar system for you.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Hi! This question gets asked pretty often in the various forums. Just to offer .02 cents, I knew for me "it was time" when my previous truck had passed over 250,000 miles. It was having constant issues and averaging $1000 in repairs every month. Every week I was worrying about "what's going to break next", while at the same time getting real tired of making that extra trip to the gas station a couple times a week and waiting in line (Costco) to get gas after work, when all I wanted to do was be home with my family.

At that point, "it was time". I had reservations in for Rivian, Cybertruck, Silverado EV, a regular ICE Silverado, even a Canoo truck. Thanks to shop access, Rivian was able to put one in my driveway the soonest. 14 months and 10,000 miles later, love my Rivian. Maintenance hasn't been much more than a tire rotation and a couple jugs of washer fluid. I do get frustrated with Alexa (compared to Android Auto in my old truck), but I love the pace and cadence of software updates on the Riv. Never would've gotten something like this on my old Chevy; it feels like the truck is constantly improving -- and I don't have to crawl underneath with any wrenches to make that happen, LOL. ?

In any case, you're in the right place. Only you know what's best for you, but learning about the vehicle from actual owners is exactly what I would recommend. Good luck with your decision.

 

[rhumbliner]

I’ve got an R1T on order, and I’ve got two concerns. One is the recent drop in stock prices and the lower than expected earnings.

The responses above are excellent and I will add one more. Go buy Rivian stock — it will help bring the stock price up. Go buy an R1 — it will help bring earnings up.

 

[Cascadian]

Just adding my opinion to the excellent ones above.

Ignore the stock price.

Rivian has no incentive to do a retrofit program. Forget about that happening.

If you want to reduce your risk to this startup then lease. Added benefit is the lease will definitely include $7500 tax credit.

 

[defcon888]

I’ve got an R1T on order, and I’ve got two concerns. One is the recent drop in stock prices and the lower than expected earnings. The second is that it appears in the next few years, battery tech will improve significantly and range and charging time will both increase. When that battery tech does improve, would we be able to retrofit our current R1Ts or is that something that would be cost prohibitive? I know there are quite a few guys in here that have a much better understanding of these issues than I do. What are your thoughts?

https://www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence/pages/the-future-of-four-wheels-is-all-electric.html

You have to think about EV's in the "here and now" and don't worry about 5, 10 years from now. You iPhone (or Android) you have today will be better, faster and more powerful in 4 or 5 years.

You have to pull the trigger or not because living in the "what ifs" will paralyze your buying process.

I have Rivian shares and I bought them at $12/share.....I am not going to retire on them, but I believe in the company and I am holding onto them.

I feel that when the R2 & R3's come out, Rivian will be on better financial footing....but that isn't happening until 2026.

 

[defcon888]

You get about 300 miles of range with the current battery. What giant leap are you waiting for?

Also, if RIVN shares drop 20%, that doesn't mean your car is now worth 20% less. If you're really worried about them going bust, Aston Martin have gone bust 7 times in my lifetime.

Just buy or lease. Life's too short to be worrying.

and Fikar has gone 2 times and the US Government bailed out Chrysler and GM as well. It is part of doing business.
My advice to the OP.....buy what you want today and not for the promises of tomorrow.

I would like to point the OP to the Cybertruck. When Elon advertised it back in 2019 he said over 400 mile range and will be in the mid $50,000 range. Fast forward to 2024 and the CT has about 300ish range, well over $100,000 and a lot are being recalled.

 

[Rividiculous]

Funny. Total agreement here. But ask this forum what tires to get, whether Elon is smart, or what color is best, and watch out!

 

[defcon888]

Funny. Total agreement here. But ask this forum what tires to get, whether Elon is smart, or what color is best, and watch out!

What color do you think is best?.......LOL

 

[jeepfreakedc]

Great advice everyone. Part of my reservation, is that this will be my first EV. I did a demo drive a couple of weeks ago and didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. I was planning to wait on a cybertruck, but loved the R1T so much, I decided to start researching it to see about possibly buying one. My wife drove the R1S and we loved that one as well.
My concern on the stock prices isn’t because it would affect the price of the car, but more a sign of long term viability for the company. If I do go through with the purchase, I plan on buying a decent amount of Rivian stock. They are definitely amazing vehicles and I love the company.
New battery tech always being right around the corner with the Tesla long term battery performance makes a lot of sense. I am considering a lease, but found a great deal on a demo R1T with the exact configuration I wanted, which is why I’m leaning towards buying instead of leasing.
Thanks for all the advice and insight everyone.
Team Limestone here on the color choice. ?

 

[COdogman]

Great advice everyone. Part of my reservation, is that this will be my first EV. I did a demo drive a couple of weeks ago and didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. I was planning to wait on a cybertruck, but loved the R1T so much, I decided to start researching it to see about possibly buying one. My wife drove the R1S and we loved that one as well.
My concern on the stock prices isn’t because it would affect the price of the car, but more a sign of long term viability for the company. If I do go through with the purchase, I plan on buying a decent amount of Rivian stock. They are definitely amazing vehicles and I love the company.
New battery tech always being right around the corner with the Tesla long term battery performance makes a lot of sense. I am considering a lease, but found a great deal on a demo R1T with the exact configuration I wanted, which is why I’m leaning towards buying instead of leasing.
Thanks for all the advice and insight everyone.
Team Limestone here on the color choice. ?

My plan is to simply enjoy my truck as much as possible in the next 4-5 years and hope that Rivian is around after that. If not then I had a fun 5 years

 

[lefkonj]

Take the leap it is well worth it. Tomorrow's pop may never happen so why wait.

 

[HighVoltOverland]

Honestly we are all being a bunch of sheeple.
Everyone knows Rivian is a lost cause

Apple has a cold fusion reactor that they are announcing next year
AND it will havr native CarPlay support

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