Ownership practicality living >100 miles from SC

[roberttatefan]

I'm nearing my estimated delivery window and am starting to have second thoughts, largely based on reports of Rivian charging for towing, as well as the apparent prevalence of issues, many of which don't seem to have permanent resolutions. Hoping to get some real-world experience from other owners as to the viability of owning the R1T as a daily driver. I'm planning to replace my Audi S7 with the R1T. The nearest service center is in Chicago, representing a ~3 hour one-way trip.

I fully expect some issues with my R1T, as can be expected with anything this new. As predicted it seems like most owners have at least a few issues and many are reporting multiple trips to service centers. Frustratingly, it seems many of these issues are present on delivery, don't have permanent resolutions, and aren't being resolved by Rivian despite completing the ticket.

To keep this brief - is your experience that this a viable vehicle to own if you don't live in immediate proximity to an SC? I'm unwilling to dedicate 12 hours of driving (3 hours to SC, 3 hours home, then 3 hours back to the SC to pick up vehicle, 3 hours home), especially if the likelihood of these issues is high, that resolution may take repeat visits, and mobile service isn't delivering on the expectations Rivian set forth.

As a note I plan to keep my S7 for some period of time so as to not get stranded. But this is a frustrating decision to make and one I wasn't originally planning on (though I'm glad I have the luxury).

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[connoisseurr]

My recommendation: if the R1T is your only vehicle, then it might not be the best scenario for you. If you were to ever have warranty work and the vehicle is drivable, that's your responsibility to get it there, or pay for the tow fee - OR use AAA if you're a member.

If you are looking to take advantage of the tax credit, you should take delivery before year's end. If that's not of any urgency, delay your delivery until you can tolerate the distance to the service center, or there is a built up mobile service presence in your area.

 

[roberttatefan]

My recommendation: if the R1T is your only vehicle, then it might not be the best scenario for you. If you were to ever have warranty work and the vehicle is drivable, that's your responsibility to get it there, or pay for the tow fee - OR use AAA if you're a member.

If you are looking to take advantage of the tax credit, you should take delivery before year's end. If that's not of any urgency, delay your delivery until you can tolerate the distance to the service center, or there is a built up mobile service presence in your area.

I do have AAA (Premier RV) and we have a Jeep Grand Cherokee as our second vehicle (as well as an Exocet, which while street legal, is only marginally practical in warm weather).

I'm feeling like this is a bit of a bait and switch operation on the part of Rivian.....The vehicle seems like it has the potential to be exceptionally burdensome to own based on this policy change in comparison to the (apparent) prevalence of issues....

 

[connoisseurr]

I'm feeling like this is a bit of a bait and switch operation on the part of Rivian.....The vehicle seems like it has the potential to be exceptionally burdensome to own based on this policy change in comparison to the (apparent) prevalence of issues....

It's borderline bait-and-switch, but definitely unprofessional to those early adopters that took delivery with some form of "guarantees" in place that their purchase would be protected by Rivian. I use quotes on guarantees because Rivian's legal team would quickly find a way to throw out any statements made previously about towing with regards to service visits.

My vehicle was picked up by Rivian today for a service visit at the Richmond SC. Going forward, should I need any other service center visits for items where a lift is required, I will be making arguments with the Service Advisors that upon taking my delivery, I was told that there were coverages in place, AND I had an accessible SC substantially closer to me, which was comfortable for us when it came down to SC visits, and that I'd like the vehicle towed at no charge, until Rivian reopens the closer SC in Maryland.

 

[roberttatefan]

I suppose it's comforting to see someone of like-mind. Out of curiosity, what did your purchase agreement say? That is a binding agreement, so any change in operations cannot (should not) affect you retroactively. As insane as this sounds, a small court claim may be reasonable recourse to any future towing fees.

There are plenty of publicly-facing articles that Rivian has out there regarding these expectations:

• Mobile Service
  • "The majority of vehicle service calls can be completed via Mobile Service including any repairs that don’t require a vehicle lift."
• Service if you don't live near an SC
  • " Rivian will come to you."
• Statements about transporting the vehicle to and from your location
  • "If more extensive care is needed, we will pick up your vehicle, bring it to a Rivian Service Center and return it back to you."
• Roadside assistance terms
  • " Rivian will provide complimentary emergency towing to transport the Vehicle to either the nearest authorized Rivian service location or to a mutually agreed-upon location for warranty-related issues (you may be charged for towing expenses resulting from non-warranty issues)"

I really want things to work out for Rivian and would love to own one if Rivian can hold up their end of the deal. The information above is not intended to be litigious, and while I have no desire to fight Rivian, I'm preparing myself. Ultimately, I'd rather buy a different vehicle than waste my time fighting.

I'm hoping Rivian provides some clarity and walks this policy back to a reasonable degree.

 

[R1Tom]

I love mine...don't get me wrong....and the enthusiast side of me says I'd go all in again....however....if you aren't a car nut.....I say pass and wait for either Rivian to change their mind, or go with something supported by a local presence. I am not a fan of the dealership model, but Rivian just helped make their case with this poor decision.

 

[NY_Rob]

It certainly borders on bait-n-switch regarding the policy change. Tell potential buyers who could live miles/hours from Service Centers "we will pick up your vehicle and return it to you at no charge" but then once a decent amount of people actually purchase the vehicles and now need service because of poor build quality issues they suddenly cancel the previous policy. Pretty shady IMO.

Realistically, as long as the vehicle drives and is not dangerous to drive you will be responsible to bring it to the SC... but you know all this already. I'm facing the same dilemma with my Nov-Dec R1T delivery. I'm 57 miles from Brooklyn which isn't a huge distance.. but like LA, it's not the distance to destination... it's the trip time due to traffic congestion. Last time I had to drive to NYC it was almost 3hrs for the 60mi trip from Long Island. My "plan" is to compile a punch of all the small items till things stop breaking then drive the truck in to Brooklyn and hop the train back out to LI. Once the truck is repaired several days later, I'll hop back on the train to Brooklyn and drive the Rivian home.
Yes, I will lose a day each way... literally no way around that unless I want to pay $500 each way for a flatbed.

 

[tgo10000]

I’m 3 hours from sc and definitely have issues that need to be addressed like a misaligned, fluttering hood. I like Rivian and the r1t is fantastic but it’s a pretty big inconvenience. Also when you do a service ticket I was discussing the issues with a Rivian specialist not at the service center and I’m suspicious they will say something totally different when I get there and won’t have a rental or will have issues reimbursing me for one.

If you have early preorder pricing versus current pricing that would make a difference for me.

 

[andisimose]

I appreciate you starting this thread I have sometime still but 2.5hour drive 131 miles is a good distance and haven’t heard anyone actually get mobile service in my state yet.

 

[Rousie13]

I currently live ~140 miles from my closest SC (several more are planned for Ohio, but not up and running yet). I have had mobile service once and that went well. I have an appointment at the Cleveland SC this Friday. We are actually driving through Cleveland for a weekend trip so I planned my service appointment for this weekend. We will stop and drop my truck off and get a loaner R1T. I have no idea how long they will have my truck, but I will have a loaner, so it’s not a huge deal if it takes a little while. I will need to drive back to Cleveland to pick up the truck (roughly 5 hours round trip), but I’m sure we’ll make a day/weekend of it and do something in Cleveland while we are there.

 

[Mysta]

I am 2.5 hrs from SC(ATL) and have had 2 mobile service visits(one for panel alignment, went great - other for Recall, Spare tire install, and squeaky axles, also went great). No problems so far.

 

[R1Tom]

I am 2.5 hrs from SC(ATL) and have had 2 mobile service visits(one for panel alignment, went great - other for Recall, Spare tire install, and squeaky axles, also went great). No problems so far.

Did they regrease your axles remotely? They told me mine had to be on a lift to do that, so it had to go in...luckily "pre-no free shipping for you" policy.

 

[atebit]

RJ: OPEN SOME MORE GOT’ DANGED SERVICE CENTERS!!

 

[Mysta]

Did they regrease your axles remotely? They told me mine had to be on a lift to do that, so it had to go in...luckily "pre-no free shipping for you" policy.

Yep - took like 30 mins or so.

 

[R1Tom]

Yep - took like 30 mins or so.

Good to know. Since I belive this maybe a recurring needed service. Thanks!

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