Keep the Lightning or R1T ?

[Mark’s RT-1]

Nope. I’m close to a college and tied into an emergency grid. Neighbor told me they’ve never lost power in 20 years of living here.

Really all about comfort and enjoyability. I like the smaller form factor of the R1T and that it’s the new toy, but will miss car play. Just hope it rides nice and smooth, which I assume it will given the air suspension.

The ride is like butter! As the kids might say. In the standard ride height it is incredible.

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[Riviot]

The Lightning breaker for me was the UI, it's trash compared to the Rivian. Between all the buttons, slowness, and complicated layout, it's clearly built by Seniors for Seniors. As previously said, the Lariat doesn't feel luxury either. And even after all the toys and taxes on the Rivian, and NO sales tax on the Lightning, I still paid more for the Lightning. We'll happily apply our Lightning profits to the R1S.

 

[SlaterGS]

I have a lightning on order for January/February but don't have any intention to keep it. Any thoughts on resale for the lightning in a few months?
If resale is still good then I might get it and flip it, but if it's going to go down significantly then I will just cancel it.

 

[NmbrsNvrLie]

I don’t think there will be much profit left at all, after sales tax, by then. Who the hell knows though.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

I have a lightning on order for January/February but don't have any intention to keep it. Any thoughts on resale for the lightning in a few months?
If resale is still good then I might get it and flip it, but if it's going to go down significantly then I will just cancel it.

I'm in the same boat but with a Nov/Dec. delivery of my Lightning...not sure if it can even be flipped for $5K profit...XLT....?

 

[NmbrsNvrLie]

Having both in my possession hasn’t made the decision easier. The Rivian is pretty and the tech is great. Lightning seats and interior space are great. Both cars are amazing machines. I’m 90% sure I’m selling the Lightning, but gonna sleep on it one more night.

 

[s12dxer]

I think it really depends on what you use your truck for. I got the Lightning after having the R1T for about 5 months, its a super nice truck with plenty of room. However a few things led me to sell it (to my father in-law):

1. F150 Doesn't fit as well into garage
2. F150's UI / Software (except car play) and overall tech isn't a well thought out as Rivian
3. App control and paak doesn't work very well
4. R1T has more storage
5. R1T looks more "unique" vs F150L is a F150
6. F150 is more utilitarian as a work truck, not what I need
7. R1T is much more offroad capable

Now I will say, the space, towing tech, 220 power outlets, and the slide in front trunk are super nice on the F150L, but not enough for me to want to keep it.

Bottom line is, if you are looking for a roomy work truck, tried/true manufacturing, tow a lot, will run power tools, like Fords, and have room in your garage, the F150 probably is for you. If you want an adventure oriented truck, with lots of storage, off-road capability, iterative software updates, tons of sweet tech, ease of maneuverability / garage storage, and are okay with some new company/truck growing pains, the R1T fits the bill.

The good news is, I still get to drive both since its in the family

 

[Yellow Buddy]

I don’t think there will be much profit left at all, after sales tax, by then. Who the hell knows though.

My dealer offered me payment to walk away from the deal. I calculated I would need to make about a $15,000 profit to break even with the $7500 tax credit loss. My state had an additional $4,000 in EV incentives so they would have had to offer me nearly $25,000 for me to take it.

Instead I opted to buy the truck. My F-150L Pro $32,000 after all taxes, fees, etc. for me there's no reason to sell it. I'll throw it on Turo and keep both the F-150L and the R1T. After all taxes and fees the two trucks combined will cost me...roughly what a single R1T under the new pricing structure would cost me...

 

[NmbrsNvrLie]

Got the R1T on the highway tonight and it settled it. R1T is a sports car in a trucks body. It was heaven and about 20% more efficient than the Lightning. Dealer getting the Lightning in the AM.

 

[ERguy]

4. R1T has more storage

I'm curious what you mean by this.

I don't own either truck since I'm waiting on an R1S, but it seems like the Lightning has much more storage based on the larger frunk, larger bed, and more space under the back seat.

The rear seats in the Lightning fold up creating a massive storage area if needed.

The Lightning has 2 glove boxes. The Rivian doesn't have any. The Rivian does have the tiny storage area under the front seats, but that doesn't make up for the other storage areas of the Lightning.

The Lightning has a lot of storage compartments in the doors and center console.

The Rivian does have the gear tunnel, but that's really just repurposed space that was taken away from the bed size and back seat room. It doesn't really give you more storage. It just moves the storage that would have been available in other locations into the gear tunnel.

 

[gorwell]

.not sure if it can even be flipped for $5K profit...XLT....?

I would assume so, right now XLTs are going for 80k+ on the used market.

For me, to upgrade to a rivian for free, I would need to sell my XLT standard for 67k, that assumes I can claim the full 7500 credit with rivian.

 

[s12dxer]

I'm curious what you mean by this.

I don't own either truck since I'm waiting on an R1S, but it seems like the Lightning has much more storage based on the larger frunk, larger bed, and more space under the back seat.

The rear seats in the Lightning fold up creating a massive storage area if needed.

The Lightning has 2 glove boxes. The Rivian doesn't have any. The Rivian does have the tiny storage area under the front seats, but that doesn't make up for the other storage areas of the Lightning.

The Lightning has a lot of storage compartments in the doors and center console.

The Rivian does have the gear tunnel, but that's really just repurposed space that was taken away from the bed size and back seat room. It doesn't really give you more storage. It just moves the storage that would have been available in other locations into the gear tunnel.

For my use, the frunk, the gear tunnel, and the bed with power tonneau provide plentiful dry storage. Even with 2 kids, a dog, and a ton of bags, bikes, etc the R1T has a bunch of space.

Obviously the F150L could have a canopy, or tonneau installed, and does have more in-cab storage, but I found the Rivian to be more practical for my lifestyle.

 

[mini2nut]

I’m hoping to get $75k for my 2022 Lightning XLT. I will put the money towards the Rivian R1T when it arrives.

 

[DanielM]

DITCH THE FORD!

that’s only cause I’m a GM guy ?

Seriously though, I am enjoying the smaller size of the R1T as compared to the full size Sierras I’ve driven for so many years. But it’s all about how you live; if you don’t need the larger size of the lightning, then I don’t understand why you’d keep the lightning. I can certainly understand the dilemma though, it’s almost like Rivian is new and unknown while Ford is a long standing proven company. There’s something to be said there, for sure a “safety-net” feeling…….. except we’re talking EV’s and innovation. I, personally, don’t see any old-school vehicle manufactures keeping up with the progressive innovations of these current EV companies. IMO, they’ll prove to be too conservative in the long run.

My father in law has an e-tron and a Mach E, (for the record, he thought I was a dumbass when I went electric and bought a MX 4 years ago); anyway, correct me if I’m wrong, but he has to take his vehicles to the dealer for simple updates. How is it that Riv/Tes/Etc can send over the air updates, but legacy car makers are requiring the car be brought in to the dealership? Just another example of those old timers not adjusting to changing times. This annoys the shit out of him - his words, not mine. Is the Lightning the same process for updates?

I believe If we looked at some of those smaller, convenience, differences between the 2 then the decision would be obvious. And this is coming from a guy that has 2 Silverado + 1 Hummer + a future Sierra EV reservation. So I guess I should take my own advice ?

good luck with your decision, definitely 1st world problems (and, again, I’m taking to myself too).

I’ve had a MachE for over a year and have never needed to take it in for a software update, all have been done over the air. Some updates had the option to be done by the service dept if you wanted it sooner. My wife has Taycan which shares its guts with an Etron, she did need to take it in once for a major software update which was supposed to make ota updates more streamlined.

 

[GOFAST]

Dealer offered me a Lariat 3 weeks before my R1T arrived. After multiple test drives/ rides I gave up my Lightning reservation and took delivery of my R1T. Extremely happy I did.

The size is perfect for me. Existing cup holders are just fine, kids have more room in the back of the R1T than our MDX and it drives like a dream. My wife prefers the stiff/low ride so she didn’t appreciate the “floaty” suspension of the Lightning. I love the frunk and gear tunnel storage. I didn’t like the basic feel of the Lightning interior and the two tone leather really turned me off. The bed of the R1T fits everything I need. Driving position is perfect for me and I find myself just going out for a drive…..almost like I’m 16 again.

I would like Car play but we have Spotify premium so having access to pretty much any podcast and playlist is great. I’ve found my son just sitting in the back listening to music because he likes the sound in the truck.

Title and registration process aside, I’m very happy with the R1T

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