Not allowed to drive R1S before purchase

[SASSquatch]

Unless Tesla changed their policy, they do not let you drive the vehicle before signing paperwork and handing over your check.

I wasn't even allowed to inspect the interior - they only let me do a walk around. I saw enough that I didn't like - and that they claimed was "within spec" that I walked away.

I am not a fan of the "no test-drive policy" as most people don't have that experience buying cars and it makes them uneasy - especially with a vehicle coming from a new OEM.

I doubt Rivian is going to change the policy but I think they should. Either that or they outline a step-by-step quality control process that each vehicle undergoes and they send you a video for proof.

I'd feel better if I had video evidence that they did QC.

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[LivingInKaos]

Ordered vehicles are much different than off the lot vehicles - regardless of brand. I have special ordered a few along the way and every one of them I was not allowed to test drive "that" vehicle before signing. Rivian is treating this no different. As many have said, you have a return policy and you'll have a much better chance of catching something in the span of 7 days rather than the 10-15 minutes you might do in a test drive. To be fair, every vehicle is driven as part of the delivery inspection process (they catch a lot of alignment issues with this), so it's not likely you are going to sign and get into a vehicle that won't work.

 

[atebit]

“That is correct, Captain” - LTCDR Data.

 

[Guy]

Ordered vehicles are much different than off the lot vehicles - regardless of brand. I have special ordered a few along the way and every one of them I was not allowed to test drive "that" vehicle before signing. Rivian is treating this no different. As many have said, you have a return policy and you'll have a much better chance of catching something in the span of 7 days rather than the 10-15 minutes you might do in a test drive. To be fair, every vehicle is driven as part of the delivery inspection process (they catch a lot of alignment issues with this), so it's not likely you are going to sign and get into a vehicle that won't work.

To be fair though a special built to order vehicle with a special interior, options and exterior color is different to a vehicle with three interior choices and nine colors. It is a standard vehicle that test driving could be allowed.

A Porsche 718 in a special color and other options could be harder to sell than any R1T.

 

[LivingInKaos]

To be fair though a special build ti order vehicle with a special interior, options and exterior color is different to a vehicle with three interior choices and nine colors. It is a standard vehicle that test driving could be allowed.

Didn't say the vehicle was any different- it's just the sales model Rivian has adapted.

 

[Guy]

Didn't say the vehicle was any different- it's just the sales model Rivian has adapted.

I was just going if your comment that special order vehicles didn’t allow you to drive before taking delivery. I agree with that but for non special ordered vehicles (including Rivians) should allow this - you can assess where alignment and other things prior to the seven day period.

 

[Nolf]

What LL75 said. I plan to take my friend (owns 4 body shops) to help look at the car. If all goes well-I will drive the snot out of it the first 7 days to make sure all is well. Keep in mind that I have purchased four of my past cars sight-unseen over a few emails.

Good lord. People like you are why I'd never be in customer service. It's a car. You aren't buying a wife.

 

[MidnightRivian]

Good lord. People like you are why I'd never be in customer service. It's a car. You aren't buying a wife.

You buy wives?? Do you have a delivery day checklist you use similar to Rivian or Tesla?

 

[iansriv]

Good lord. People like you are why I'd never be in customer service. It's a car. You aren't buying a wife.

Don't get your knickers in a twist mate. I respect Rivian's process and am staying within the process by looking at the car at the time of delivery and driving it a bit more than normal within the first seven days. And yes-people buy cars without seeing them.

Please, refrain from chauvinistic/sexist comments about "buying wives." Least you forget it was a woman that gave birth to you. I don't take these types of comments lightly.

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