Experience shopping for an EV9 vs R1S - Update

[R1TS]

Let me save you and all future comments to this post the hassle: Rivian trade-in offers are mostly hot garbage. Think wholesale used prices.

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[sixandadog]

I traded in an Escalade when I got my S. The trade in was within a few thousand of various online trade in offers. When I did the math it still cost me a few hundred in the difference between the trade in value and the sales tax savings. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough to go through the hassle of doing the transactions separately. I’m in CO as well but signed the documents before the tax law changed so that’ll still factor.

 

[mzdds]

If in fact you are trying your Mercedes EQS SUV, seems you will lose a ton on the trade, so money should be no object. This R1S vs EV9 decision makes no sense if it is the EQS you are getting rid off.

 

[mkg3]

Part of the reason I bring this up is trade-in is a major factor for many buyers. We would buy a Rivian tomorrow if I had a straight forward total cost. Unfortunately I don't and +/- $15,000 is a lot of money regardless of how I feel.

If Rivian is going to bank on the "we are a Porsche 911 not your Nissan Z" then they won't succeed. They need a lot more buyers, and there are some simple things they can improve like the trade-in process to help.

I only brought up the example just to say that people place different values on what they like. Never meant or compare Rivian to Porsche. That's ridiculous.

I still don't understand your argument for the trade in value. Regardless of where you trade in, you can always sell yourself or take it to a 3rd party to make your decision easier.

If your argument is to see if Rivian will give you more for your trade in than Kia, then probably not and the difference is marginal, I believe. Kia dealer will sell the EQS-SUV, whereas Rivian will simply auction off the vehicle to get rid of it. So naturally, the value of trade in, itself is less to Rivian; hence, lower trade in.

All that said, I'd be very surprised if the trade in value would differ by $15K.

 

[Fmc]

Gt line - 270 miles, r1s standard dual motors 270 miles. Both come in at 75k. Although the Kia light has 300 miles of range with 2wd at $62k. You will enjoy whichever you buy but you will probably/maybe enjoy the Rivian more..stay adventurous

 

[KimBrennan]

Kia dealer add-ons $10k

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

There are a few things here, that catch my attention. 1. EV9 vs R1S. I don't understand how there can be any kind of cross-shopping with the sole exception of number of seats available? The 911 vs 370Z was a solid example. 2. R1S prices on the used market (with less than 1500 miles on odometer) are plummeting. What not, pick one of those up? Sell your MB on the open market and roll on.

I absolutely agree with the ridiculous sales process that Rivian has incorporated. Even the 8-Step is flat out cumbersome in every single respect. They could make this process incredibly simple and effective with three meetings on a white board and then implement.....Silly Rivian.

 

[R1Tom]

I absolutely agree with the ridiculous sales process that Rivian has incorporated. Even the 8-Step is flat out cumbersome in every single respect. They could make this process incredibly simple and effective with three meetings on a white board and then implement.....Silly Rivian.

It does seem we have gone past the "customer will put up with almost anything
...to get their Rivian"....to the "customer might go other directions if we don't clean up all this stuff (sales process....service process...etc...) pretty darn soon....

 

[cgm9999]

I mean, at the risk of sounding dismissive, I'd say if you're even comparing an EV9 with an R1S - you've already answered your question - just go ahead and buy the EV9.

The R1S is a highly-capable vehicle that's been engineered to do things no other vehicle has ever been able to do simultaneously. It can off-road with the best of them, run the quarter mile in the 11s, and burn zero gasoline while doing so. It just happens to be a 3-row SUV.

The EV9 is simply an electric 3 row SUV. That's it. It's an electric people mover for people that can't (or won't) buy a minivan, hybrid or not.

If you have no interest in using the capabilities that make the R1S special and only want one for its 3 row capacity, I'd say you're wasting money on purchasing one. To me, the pricing of the R1S is plenty reasonable considering what it was engineered to do. I regularly off-road, and I also love performance cars - my R1S has effectively replaced two vehicles in my garage as a result. For my situation, that's a ton of value.

All that said, I'm sure the EV9 will be a fine vehicle for its price point. I've never owned a Hyundai or Kia, but based on their reputation, I hear their dealership experience is deplorable - and that's not even taking into account that they'd be responsible for handling warranty claims on a brand new electric vehicle that none of their techs have worked on, let alone seen before. You don't have to be an insider to know that that sounds like a shitstorm waiting to happen.

Plus, coming from a Mercedes, I think you're vastly overlooking how bad the dealership experience will be. I don't know what you do for a living, but even as a younger guy, I don't have one ounce of patience or time to waste with shitty dealerships anymore. Been there done that. For that reason alone, I wouldn't consider a Hyundai/Kia product.

 

[moosehead]

I'm a bit surprised Hyundai isn't doing the pucker up for the $10k market adjustment on the EV9's? Guess the market really is a bit different than Fall 2022.

 

[voxel]

Kia EV9
OEM Discount: $3750
Trade-in: $75,000
Sales Tax (9.03%): MSPR $77,395 - Discount $3750 - Trade-in $75,000 = $0 sales tax
Colorado Tax Credit (applies to $80k MSRP or less): $5000
Final EV9 Price: $68,645

No brainer. With the inflated trade in and the Colorado $5K tax credit... I'd go with the EV9.

OTOH, I suspect depreciation will be worse with the EV9 as noted with the EV6 (around 50% in less than 2 years). I loved my Telluride but the Kia brand does not hold resale value. Then again.. who knows if Rivian will be around in 2-3 years either.

 

[gwatts]

@manitou202
I believe the S qualifies for Colorado's Innovative Truck Credit, yes?
R1S GVWR = 8,532 lbs
Not going to help fill the gap, but it is $5k.

 

[manitou202]

@manitou202
I believe the S qualifies for Colorado's Innovative Truck Credit, yes?
R1S GVWR = 8,532 lbs
Not going to help fill the gap, but it is $5k.

Thanks! I'll have to check that out.

 

[AlcesBull]

What risk are you taking on the $1000 - it's 100% refundable. Is it inconvenient, yes. Is it a risk, no.

Not refundable once you get to the point of seeing the trade in and full pricing. It’s terrible.

 

[Spaceball1]

Rivian fanboys will disagree, but it really seems like the only thing you get from the Rivian vs EV9 as far as features go is the extra off-road capability and the air suspension. I wouldn’t say the suspension rides smooth on the Rivian either (our EV6 has a better ride), so unless you plan to do some trail riding, which I know you guys won’t…?

Kia gets wireless CarPlay which is great. I really hope they improved the rest of their infotainment. Kia keeps sending infotainment updates OTA but nothing to improve the driving features or anything noteworthy really since I got it in September. I know I told you this already, but the Kia app is god awful and needs a complete overhaul IMO. Rivian and Tesla really have the software right, minus the lack of CarPlay. So I guess that’s +3 for the Rivian; the software/app.

I haven’t ridden in your Merc but you’ve said how smooth and quiet it is. Lots of features too. Seems like their app is pretty decent too. Sure it’s boring and not much of a looker, but I’d just keep that if I were you. I know it’s getting long in the tooth for you…it’s also almost March and you haven’t bought a car yet this year! ? ?

Regards to the dealership experience. I still hate it so much and not sure I can go back to that for my next vehicles. Had an awful time leasing our EV6 and even went to Denver to avoid the rip off Phil Schlong. I should have tried Peak Kia here in town or even the one in Pueblo which was good to me when I test drove and bought parts there. Please don’t buy from Phil if you do buy an EV9 ?

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