Overnight Demo - Takeaways from a Model 3 owner

[risingphoenix]

OP, many of your cons are not experienced by many owners - even those with Gen1 R1 vehicles (I assume you were test driving a Gen2). So if you are on the fence rather than flat out rejecting a Rivian, you might try another demo.

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[DayTripping]

OP's comment about navigation is different than my experience as far as route prioritization. I have issues with both Tesla's and Rivian's navigation. It is the reason why I use Waze and have it on my phone on a mount in front of me in all my Teslas and my Rivian.

My personal experience is the Tesla and Rivian routing is pretty comparable in the DFW area. Better than nothing but not as useful as I need.

 

[do_ob]

Nice to hear that they gave you the overnight experience...We had a 10-minute drive around Brooklyn in an R1S (with a guide) about 7 months before we picked ours up. To your cons:

• The nav works pretty well - It's not Waze, but it will get you where you want to go. It does integrate traffic so it may have been incorporating that into the estimate...Did you see it get better as you got closer to your destination?
• There might have been charger issues - we've found RAN chargers (especially) to charge really quickly up to the 80% mark before they slow down. We've also had EA chargers that peaked at 80 kwh and immediately dropped to 20-30. Don't judge the Rivian based on one charging experience.
• Sound was obviously particular to that demo truck - some people love it, others are disappointed. We're happy with using it for music and audiobooks.
• You don't describe what DIY you're looking at - search this forum and you'll find people who have done all kinds of amazing things. They require virtually no maintenance so things that you might have traditionally done with an ICE (oil change, brakes, coolant flush, etc.) simply aren't relevant (but you know that from your Tesla experiences).

We've been really happy with our R1S - sorry this won't work for you, but at least you got to try it in a real-life experience.

Glad to hear you’re enjoying the R1!

The navigation kept attempting to reroute me back even though I made it to my destination in less time.

You make a good point regarding the RAN charger. With this being my 1st visit, it was disappointing and left a bad impression. Probably would’ve been worth a second chance at another charger.

DIY concerns were mainly for the suspension. I previously had a 4th gen 4Runner with rear air bags and they were a nightmare. Ended up with a coil setup.

 

[do_ob]

Interesting to see a Tesla owner complaining a Rivian isn’t very DIY-able.

A Model 3/Y compared to a R1 is quite basic. But then again one is a sedan and another a pickup….

I’ve been able to handle all upgrades to my 3 myself with very little in the way of complexity.

 

[do_ob]

OP, many of your cons are not experienced by many owners - even those with Gen1 R1 vehicles (I assume you were test driving a Gen2). So if you are on the fence rather than flat out rejecting a Rivian, you might try another demo.

It was a Gen2. Maybe not outright saying no as much as not completely sold. I’ve got time. It’s reassuring to hear the opportunities I’ve experienced are not widespread.

 

[do_ob]

I didn't see you mention it, but FYI: If you set the Rivian charger as your destination (or any DCFC on the map, for that matter) by clicking on the lightning bolt bubble and setting the charger as your destination, your vehicle will pre-condition the batteries for peak fast charging.

You may have been de-rated at your charger due to not having the battery conditioned for it.
Just FYI.

I've only had to DCFC about 6 times total between my R1T and my wife's R1S, but I think the absolute worst we got was still ~160 kW/h when we were below 70% SoC (and most of the time we were hitting around 185-210 until getting well over 60%). We made sure to pre-condition every time. Over 70% the rate definitely drops off, but I don't believe that's unique to Rivian.

I was able to precondition the battery to 70F. Cool feature with the drivetrain screen.

 

[do_ob]

Software is in constant state of development so don’t take what you experience as a long term constant. There have been OTA practically every month. There are multiple sites tracking and documenting OTAs. You can visit them and see for yourself. Nav is already vastly improved since late ‘21 when deliveries began. Why expect like for like parity? the two platforms obviously did not have the same start date and gestation. Folks coming from Teslas need to keep that in mind, but often do not. I’m tired of the “my Tesla does this, but Rivian doesn’t” mentality. Well, it’s not a Tesla is it? Objectivity and open mind…

DIY ability is not happening until market share (and ownership numbers) increase and the aftermarket matures (and with increasing consumer demand to drive that aftermarket). Again, how many years have Teslas been on the market? and Rivian?

Where was Tesla at year 3 or 4 of deliveries? Any of these things?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not bashing. There’s still software quirks in my 3 that make me shake my head. I understand that there’s going to be differences, especially with Rivian still early in the EV game. Definitely rooting for them. They’re a compelling brand.

I may be slightly spoiled with DYI. A close buddy of mine was a Tesla mobile tech and shared the toolbox before it went public.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not bashing. There’s still software quirks in my 3 that make me shake my head. I understand that there’s going to be differences, especially with Rivian still early in the EV game. Definitely rooting for them. They’re a compelling brand.

I may be slightly spoiled with DYI. A close buddy of mine was a Tesla mobile tech and shared the toolbox before it went public.

Too little is known to DIY and Rivian has so far kept cards close (understandably). The service centers are overwhelmed as it is, last thing they need is for bunch of people to try DIY, fail, and add to their workload. Sure, it would be nice if there was a service manual available for people who know better to gain better understanding of their property. But it's not possible to do that AND keep people who don't know better out. Well, I take that back, there is a way. You have to be apply and pay a very high subscription price to get access to that information.

What DIY there is, for enthusiasts & owners are scattered throughout this forum: radar detector hardwire, underdash and frunk 12V retrofit, 12V battery replacement, jacking and tire rotation, etc.. Whatever you think of, try a search. If you find nothing, then chances are none have ventured that far. And right now Rivian SC is the only way to get replacement parts—if you don't count salvage parts you find on eBay. And depending on what it is, it's up to Rivian's discretion to sell the part to you. That said, people have bent their tie-rods while off-roading and haven't had issues buying replacements from their SC.

Sound issues you experienced... Sounds like the demo vehicle you had was in need of a infotainment reset. Two buttons and about a minute is all it takes.

 

[NeedSumCoffee]

A Model 3/Y compared to a R1 is quite basic. But then again one is a sedan and another a pickup….

I’ve been able to handle all upgrades to my 3 myself with very little in the way of complexity.

Tesla literally has had multiple class action lawsuits because they refused to sell any parts to customers to do any diy maintenance. Tesla also controls almost the entirety of their supply chain with no 3rd party options so you can only get parts from Tesla. Even things like a windshield have to come from Tesla direct and can take 3+ months.

I also have also owned 2 Model Xs over the last 7 years and found your concerns about Rivian being too proprietary as comical. Rivian openly supports right to repair and is going out of their way to develop access to 3rd parties to perform Rivian service. Tesla on the other hand has done everything in their power to limit access and even asks customers to vote against RtR laws due to BS "cyber security risks".

 

[CrazyOne]

Interesting to see a Tesla owner complaining a Rivian isn’t very DIY-able.

Never liked Tesla vehicles, even before the crazy came out of the closet. But I believe Tesla lets owners buy parts via a service ticket. Afaik, Rivian won't. That's a big difference.

 

[risingphoenix]

Never liked Tesla vehicles, even before the crazy came out of the closet. But I believe Tesla lets owners buy parts via a service ticket. Afaik, Rivian won't. That's a big difference.

I asked my local service center (Denver) if I could buy a couple spare tie rods and they had no problem quoting that for me and arranging it. I didn't end up buying them (I put on tie rod braces instead) but at least some of the SCs allow you to buy parts.

 

[CrazyOne]

I asked my local service center (Denver) if I could buy a couple spare tie rods and they had no problem quoting that for me and arranging it. I didn't end up buying them (I put on tie rod braces instead) but at least some of the SCs allow you to buy parts.

I am worried about less common items like window glass or dampers and Rivian won't sell them from previous reports. I would be happy to be wrong. I want to keep this one for another 8 years.

 

[risingphoenix]

I am worried about less common items like window glass or dampers and Rivian won't sell them from previous reports. I would be happy to be wrong. I want to keep this one for another 8 years.

Okay, but you said "But I believe Tesla lets owners buy parts via a service ticket. Afaik, Rivian won't." Which is false for at least some parts. Why don't you just call your local service center and ask them about the items you'd like to purchase rather than relying on the reports of others?

 

[CrazyOne]

Okay, but you said "But I believe Tesla lets owners buy parts via a service ticket. Afaik, Rivian won't." Which is false for at least some parts. Why don't you just call your local service center and ask them about the items you'd like to purchase rather than relying on the reports of others?

Rivian not selling parts is not new. Plenty of reports on this forum. They may sell selected parts but won't do so in general.

If you want to dispute facts, go for it. Most people already know about this.

I called them about wheels and they said they have one type of 20 inch wheels for sale and they could not tell me which one. Rivian sold G1 with three types and still has 2 of those types for example.

If you don't believe me, call Rivian and ask if they would sell any parts to you or to anyone other than authorized repair centers.

 

[risingphoenix]

Rivian not selling parts is not new. Plenty of reports on this forum. They may sell selected parts but won't do so in general.

If you want to dispute facts, go for it. Most people already know about this.

Great job of not reading my comment at all. I did not dispute the fact that they (and many others, including Tesla) won’t sell some parts. I guess you can’t be bothered to call the SC yourself and ask about the parts you want to buy. Much easier to complain on an Internet forum to make your perceived outrage feel justified.

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