Purchasing advice - Gen 1 vs Gen 2

[Weck]

I got a 2023 Quad (limestone, AT package, dark AT wheels) with just 350mi on it at CarMax for $73K. Had it over a year now and it’s been nearly flawles. Late 2023/2024 builds are your best bet as they have all the suspension updates that the earlier builds lack.

i demo’d a Gen 2 dual and it was a hot mess (crazy loud HVAC, terrible sound system, no high regen setting, hardly and drive modes, etc.) I don’t care about automated driving so the Gen 1 was a way better deal for me.

Also, the Gen 1s come with all the standard goodies that have mostly disappeared from the Gen 2s: portable charging cable, med kit, air compressor, premium sound system, etc.) All those things are extra now…

Gen 1 also has one extra year of warranty….

My 2025 gen 2 dual performance max pack came with the portable charger and the first aid kit when I bought it. I specifically chose one with the air compressor / utility panel option, so it came with the hose kit and the tire patch kit as well, not sure if the latter would have been there without the compressor option.

With the performance option you get more drive modes, and there is a high regen setting, I rarely touch the brakes.

Heat pump does make noise when on full tilt, but not super objectionable. Maybe the one you demo'd had an issue.

Far and away the one thing the Gen 2 has that you'd have to pry out of my cold dead hands is the matrix headlights and adaptive high beams. Those things saved me at least one deer strike for sure so far, and turned many other would be close calls into non events.

Not sure if Rivian will run some deals again this year, but about this time last year they ran a deal where you had them appraise your trade in exchange for cash on the hood, and we're also offering a super low interest rate. Got the price down to $86k before tax title license on mine.

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[BanditTA]

Thanks all! Tough decision. I could potentially wait this out a bit for more gen 2s to come on the market and depreciate more. I’ll see how the test drive of the gen 1 dual performance goes later this week at CarMax. Still trying to find a gen1 quad to test drive.

Only decision I’ve made so far is I’m definitely not getting a brand new one.

 

[eddysales001]

Hi all - new member here. I currently have a 2021 Jeep Gladiator Mojave and am considering moving to the R1T. Looking for something a bit more fun to drive and a bit nicer riding on the crappy San Jose streets.

At this point I’m thinking to buy used. Not new to EVs as we’ve had a Model 3, Kia EV6 GT and currently have a 25 BMW I4 x40drive.

I’m certain that I want the large motor as the I4’s range isn’t fantastic. Still not sure about dual vs tri vs quad. Obviously all options will be faster than the Gladiator but I have a long history of sports cars and like good performance, ride and handling. The EV6 GT was fast and quite a lot of fun to drive but I had HV battery issues with it.

I’m not sure if I should wait for a gen 2 to come up used or buy a 2023 or 2024.

For those that have had both gens or at least checked out both, what do you recommend? Is the suspension majorly improved - or did the recent software update make similar improvements to gen 1?

I’m going to test drive one later today at my local Rivian demo center. Looks like they only have a new quad model to test out but hopefully that’ll at least give me some guidance on if I like it.

Thanks

I think there were control arm suspension upgrades in gen 2 which may prove valuable on crappy streets

 

[bfilippo]

Thanks all! Tough decision. I could potentially wait this out a bit for more gen 2s to come on the market and depreciate more. I’ll see how the test drive of the gen 1 dual performance goes later this week at CarMax. Still trying to find a gen1 quad to test drive.

Only decision I’ve made so far is I’m definitely not getting a brand new one.

We have both. Got a used 22’ Launch Edition R1S last year and I have a new 26’ Tri Max (I started with a dual standard) R1T.

Besides the technology changes, as mentioned, the overall ride and build quality of our Gen1 Quad is comparable to my new Tri. Our R1S is very early, VIN 3XX and I have been very impressed by the quality.

I would highly recommend a used Rivian. Preferably via their pre-owned program if you’re nervous about that sort of thing, but especially if it has low miles, the Gen1 Quad warranty is solid and so a dealer or private sale would be just fine.

best of luck finding the right one! Oh and shout out for limestone (or compass yellow) since it’s now retired.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

My $.02 is that you don't know how good self driving is until you experience it. I have it in my Tesla (and obviously not my Gen 1 Rivian), and I'm honestly bummed it won't be coming to the R1S.

I don't know many people who regularly use the full HP of the fastest models (though I do have the Quad and the Beast and I like them both), but I really like the regular and constant updates on my Tesla and its self driving (14.2.2.2 is amazing).

So yeah, I'd prefer Gen 2 with future software updates and possibility of self driving, but appears I'm in the minority here.

agree. I wouldn’t get a car that is essentially dead for any significant future updates. I would go with a G2 or wait for G3

 

[BanditTA]

agree. I wouldn’t get a car that is essentially dead for any significant future updates. I would go with a G2 or wait for G3

Been debating that argument as well. But this is the huge annoyance of having cars now becoming computers. You’re always at risk of going out of support now.

This is why I leased EVs in the past too but I’m just not willing to pay the lease payment on a new one right now. The I4 at $500/month with a small amount down was a different story…

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Been debating that argument as well. But this is the huge annoyance of having cars now becoming computers. You’re always at risk of going out of support now.

This is why I leased EVs in the past too but I’m just not willing to pay the lease payment on a new one right now. The I4 at $500/month with a small amount down was a different story…

Totally hear you. But how often do you buy tech that the manufacturer has already told you is essentially un-upgradable

 

[meshugy]

agree. I wouldn’t get a car that is essentially dead for any significant future updates. I would go with a G2 or wait for G3

You still get most of the updates on the Gen 1, just not the ADAS improvements. My Gen 1 has had numerous features added via updates over the last year.

 

[bfilippo]

You still get most of the updates on the Gen 1, just not the ADAS improvements. My Gen 1 has had numerous features added via updates over the last year.

Indeed. Gen1 is getting launch mode and Apple Watch/wallet access soon. I have been pretty pleased with Rivian paying attention to 3 year old vehicles as of today.

And yes the newest ADAS in Gen2 is great, have it on my T, but that’s a personal preference. I live in rural Maine with three kids, so the only time I use it is when I’m driving to Boston for a meeting, and yes it’s very nice, but not necessary at all for my lifestyle. If you commute in a city constantly, then yeah you’re probably going to want the ability as it will become more and more the norm in the next 2 years.

I think if you can get a Gen 1 Quad or Dual Large+ for sub-$50k that is still well within the bumper to bumper life (ideally 23-24’), that would be my pick, but if you do a ton of highway driving, you may want to find a Gen2 - and I would honestly advocate for picking up a 25’ Dual Max for the sweet spot in price/performance/range.

 

[BanditTA]

Updating this thread. Still haven’t purchased an R1T yet but I do have a 2023 quad large green R1T with 16K miles at my local CarMax reserved. Reserved just prevents someone else from buying it in case folks aren’t aware. $56K with a $35K trade in value on my Gladiator (which I thought was decent given Carvana offered $30K).

I test drove it today and it had a couple of issues. The intermediate panel between the bed and tailgate was snapping up vertically when closing the tailgate. CarMax said they’d send it over to the local Rivian Service center to get it repaired.

It did seem a bit loud on the freeway - though it had the all terrain tires on it. They looked like the originals so I’m guessing that’s the issue. I asked CarMax to have Rivian check that and I thought I heard a tick in the rear when starting to accelerate - so I asked them to check that too.

Exterior and interior were in good shape. It didn’t have a PTC either. I’m not sure yet if that’s a deal breaker for me.

I did find the quad more fun to drive than the dual performance one I test drove earlier. I didn’t expect the jet engine like sound from the quad motors but I think I actually liked that. I thought at first it was pumping in fake engine noises like the BMW does. Totally different experience than I recall in the new gen 2 quad.

I really love that green color though. I’ve definitely isolated myself to that. It should be a fully serviced R1T though before I’d buy it.

They keep it reserved to me while it’s getting repaired so now I’ve got some time to contemplate it. Still not totally sure about giving up the Jeep and the removable top still but I really don’t take them off that often.

 

[RivianRocks25]

If you get the G1, for automated L2 driving, one word: Comma! Install it and enjoy effective subscription-free hands- free driving experience today, not a promise of it for $50 a month. Works on unmapped roads. It has some limitations, like won't turn wheel over 90 deg, but I know them and work with them. And the MADS mode where it steers and I have complete throttle/brake control is unique and so useful. Example usage: cabin trip over 200 miles away. All 2 lane roads, through some towns, on mostly 55 and 65 mph 2 lane roads. Door to door, I touched the wheel for 100 seconds. Pretty impressive.

Also, have a 23 G1 Quad R1S. I still get a smile when use over 1/2 the throttle and can't believe how a large vehicle can pull so smooth and hard. Really enjoying the Rivian ownership so far. And G1 is still getting OTA updates, unlike the Ev6 and i4 where the OEM effectively had abandoned OTA on day 1 of your ownership. Lots of HMI screen changes still that could take or leave, but example usefull change was addition of 'Preheat Battery Now' button last fall. Very useful. You will still get monthly updates on G1 Rivian.

 

[RivianRocks25]

The Tick might be the front hubs. There is a service bulletin to fix that, although you said rear.

Rivians are not the quietest on the highway and have some wind noise. It will Not be i4 quiet!

Also, the old quads have 60k miles/ 5 year warranty so it is probably covered for a while yet.

 

[BanditTA]

The Tick might be the front hubs. There is a service bulletin to fix that, although you said rear.

Rivians are not the quietest on the highway and have some wind noise. It will Not be i4 quiet!

Also, the old quads have 60k miles/ 5 year warranty so it is probably covered for a while yet.

My wife is the one driving the I4. I’m the one driving the Jeep which is pretty much the loudest vehicle made today on a freeway outside of a convertible with its top down. It’s got an aftermarket exhaust to make it even worse.

So I should shut myself up on the noise concerns, though I think it does need new tires. Already started to look into my options there with its 20 inch wheels. I liked the look of the A/Ts on there but I don’t head off road that often now.

Thanks for the info about the tick.

 

[MystoBedo]

Hey all, I'm new to the forums. I'm pretty much in the same boat as the OP. Scouring all the places daily for the right one. I found a Jan 2023 quad that I really like, but is that too early? Also anyone know how to better filter carmx or carvana for all terrain mode? Finding the needles in the haystack is time consuming.

 

[bfilippo]

Hey all, I'm new to the forums. I'm pretty much in the same boat as the OP. Scouring all the places daily for the right one. I found a Jan 2023 quad that I really like, but is that too early? Also anyone know how to better filter carmx or carvana for all terrain mode? Finding the needles in the haystack is time consuming.

I used autotempest. Hard to correct for the smaller features, since most 3rd party dealers don’t know much about Rivian, but you can find the VIN decoder post on here to find out most of the details.

Definitely check the user vehicle sale section of this forum as well!

Our R1S LE VIN 313 is built like a tank. 80k+ miles, no real problems.

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