Rivian Refresh? Nah, Pre-Refresh Love! How I Gambled and got a Sweet Ride

[narmstrong79]

Hello Fellow Rivianites,

First off thank you Rivian for giving pre-order holder the discount voucher. They didn't need to do that, they could have said take delivery or forfeit your reservation. But they would rather move units even if it was a bigger loss for them, sitting on inventory is expensive.

I placed my order in April of 2020, before the price hike. I was very disappointed in the price hike as that meant i wasn't going to afford a Rivian, and much like the voucher they honored, they didn't have to do this, even though they kind did to save face.

From Mach-E to Rivian: A Persistence Pays Off Story

I had purchased a 2021 Mustang Mach-E which i then traded for a 2022 Mach-E extended range. With the hopes of Trading toward a Rivian. Fast-forward, the Mach-E values drop like a stone due to changes in the market and high interest rates. I was pretty bummed, i wasn't going to be able to get my Rivian, being "stuck" with the Mach-E didn't suck, very 1st world privileged person problem to have.

Rivian starts contacting me in like October of 2023 "it's time to take delivery" But I am asking for more time, ignoring their call just ducking them like i owe them money, trying to figure out what I am going to do. I know others in my situation canceled their order, but i was holding on to hope. March hits and i get an e-mail saying rather than a configuration at the old price, you can take whatever we in the shop 20% off - including standard packs which would be under $60K

Now, I'm excited, I can lower my spec and save money to account for the Mach-E value drop and higher interest, No lease option in my state. But I didn't want to fully settle just to have one in my driveway. I always buy gray, and I don't like black or white cars, so I wanted forest green. 21in wheel looked to be expensive and limited options for replacement and wasn't giving up the range with A/T 20"s especially for the cost impact needing to add the underbody, so 22" sports was it and the ocean coast + dark ash was a must. The built looked special to me and nothing like i had ever picked for a car.

I start to hear about the factory shut down, refresh coming, didn't think it would be as much change as the did , so I didn't care.

So i would check the shop like a psychopath every few hours. I wanted a Dual Motor in the specs i said with the performance which requires Standard+ pack (it's a large, but software locked)... one finally pops up BOOM order placed.

Hindsight
Should I have waited for the refresh ? NO and I'll tell you why. In the time since i sold my Mach-E to when the refresh was announced ford adjusted pricing and introduced the 2024 model/refresh, my value dropped about $5K, putting almost all Rivian's out of my budget or i would have had to settle for lower range and less features. I put the table below together to show. My build is in green text, all without tax, title or destination fee. I have premium audio, camp speaker and air compressor added to the Gen 2 to keep things close . Blue text was my OG build and Red is what I could have "settled" on for lowest price.

Cost per Mile of range, i failed but anything lower was outside my ability to comfortably buy this car. I hope this helps anyone who thinks they have buyers remorse, I sure don't.

Sponsored

 

[narmstrong79]

Congratulations. I would have done the same in your position.

Everyone here has different needs and wants, I just went with Gen2 R1S for the improved ride comfort. I otherwise would have happily taken a Gen1.

I would love to get a chance to ride in Gen2 to feel the difference. I personally think the gen1 rides and handles great.

Congrats on your Gen2, what configuration? Do you have a delivery date yet?

 

[COdogman]

Like you I would have been priced out if it weren’t for Rivian’s kindness on the pre-hike discount. I am eternally grateful because it allowed me to get into the best vehicle I have ever owned.

 

[Fencer]

Congrats! You won't be disappointed.

 

[Treebeard]

Hello Fellow Rivianites,

First off thank you Rivian for giving pre-order holder the discount voucher. They didn't need to do that, they could have said take delivery or forfeit your reservation. But they would rather move units even if it was a bigger loss for them, sitting on inventory is expensive.

I placed my order in April of 2020, before the price hike. I was very disappointed in the price hike as that meant i wasn't going to afford a Rivian, and much like the voucher they honored, they didn't have to do this, even though they kind did to save face.

From Mach-E to Rivian: A Persistence Pays Off Story

I had purchased a 2021 Mustang Mach-E which i then traded for a 2022 Mach-E extended range. With the hopes of Trading toward a Rivian. Fast-forward, the Mach-E values drop like a stone due to changes in the market and high interest rates. I was pretty bummed, i wasn't going to be able to get my Rivian, being "stuck" with the Mach-E didn't suck, very 1st world privileged person problem to have.

Rivian starts contacting me in like October of 2023 "it's time to take delivery" But I am asking for more time, ignoring their call just ducking them like i owe them money, trying to figure out what I am going to do. I know others in my situation canceled their order, but i was holding on to hope. March hits and i get an e-mail saying rather than a configuration at the old price, you can take whatever we in the shop 20% off - including standard packs which would be under $60K

Now, I'm excited, I can lower my spec and save money to account for the Mach-E value drop and higher interest, No lease option in my state. But I didn't want to fully settle just to have one in my driveway. I always buy gray, and I don't like black or white cars, so I wanted forest green. 21in wheel looked to be expensive and limited options for replacement and wasn't giving up the range with A/T 20"s especially for the cost impact needing to add the underbody, so 22" sports was it and the ocean coast + dark ash was a must. The built looked special to me and nothing like i had ever picked for a car.

I start to hear about the factory shut down, refresh coming, didn't think it would be as much change as the did , so I didn't care.

So i would check the shop like a psychopath every few hours. I wanted a Dual Motor in the specs i said with the performance which requires Standard+ pack (it's a large, but software locked)... one finally pops up BOOM order placed.

Hindsight
Should I have waited for the refresh ? NO and I'll tell you why. In the time since i sold my Mach-E to when the refresh was announced ford adjusted pricing and introduced the 2024 model/refresh, my value dropped about $5K, putting almost all Rivian's out of my budget or i would have had to settle for lower range and less features. I put the table below together to show. My build is in green text, all without tax, title or destination fee. I have premium audio, camp speaker and air compressor added to the Gen 2 to keep things close . Blue text was my OG build and Red is what I could have "settled" on for lowest price.

Cost per Mile of range, i failed but anything lower was outside my ability to comfortably buy this car. I hope this helps anyone who thinks they have buyers remorse, I sure don't.

Why would they put a larger more expensive battery pack in a vehicle, lock it out and not charge for it. That seems like really poor business practice or is it how they can guarantee the battery warranty never has to be honored range wise?

 

[narmstrong79]

Why would they put a larger more expensive battery pack in a vehicle, lock it out and not charge for it. That seems like really poor business practice or is it how they can guarantee the battery warranty never has to be honored range wise?

Because they needed to move inventory, and test market adoption of a 'standard' battery. it's better to sell at loss than to sit on inventory and not have the factory building. . Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if they try to sell me that additional capacity in the future.

It's not that different than them looking sport mode and extra horse power behind software rather than using a smaller motor.

 

[cgm9999]

Very excited for you! You're going to love your Rivian, especially coming from a Mach-E...(kidding/not kidding).

I can relate to the emotional roller-coaster. While I live comfortably, I balked at the price hike in the middle of my reservation and all but decided to cancel my long held reservation. I was absolutely devastated. Of course, everything worked out in the end.

And no, you're not missing out - my 1st gen R1S is, and remains an absolutely fantastic vehicle.

 

[narmstrong79]

Very excited for you! You're going to love your Rivian, especially coming from a Mach-E...(kidding/not kidding).

I can relate to the emotional roller-coaster. While I live comfortably, I balked at the price hike in the middle of my reservation and all but decided to cancel my long held reservation. I was absolutely devastated. Of course, everything worked out in the end.

And no, you're not missing out - my 1st gen R1S is, and remains an absolutely fantastic vehicle.

All kidding aside, the Mach-E, now that prices have been adjusted is a great car in it's category. I would still recommend it to anyone looking for a small crossover SUV, if they can't wait for R2.

The R1S is in a whole different class, but cost twice as much.

 

[MidnightRivian]

Right now the best deal in my opinion is if you can lease a quad motor in a state where you're not paying tax on the entire MSRP for the vehicle and only paying tax on the lease payment.

Rivian and Chase are giving extremely attractive lease rates to move Quad Motors. Looking at the 2 examples below with similar MSRP and down payment, the Quad Motor is $346 a month lower.

I like the Gen 2 quality of life improvements but my heart is stuck on 835 HP which ends up being the lowest dollar per HP.

That's why Throttle House said when buying a Quad Motor Rivian the numbers for under $100,000 are unheard of.

That's why Throttle House said in their solo review of Rivian, its performance per dollar is circa 2009 Nissan GT-R levels of formidable. It is a silent assassin up until 110 MPH

You're getting Circa 2009 GT-R level performance.

In 2009 Nissan GT-R Premium was released with MSRP of $71,900. Pre-order pricing and $7,500 tax credit will get you to come in lower than a 2009 GT-R using 2024 inflated dollars.

Throttle house said at $90,000 its a very good value and if you got it for $70,000, you're probably laughing. I can confirm I am smiling every time I push the pedal to the metal.

GTR was 480 HP with 3,829 lbs of weight. Power to weight ratio of .1254.

R1S is 835 HP with 7,000 lbs. Power to weight ratio of 0.1193

https://usa.nissannews.com/en-US/releases/2009-nissan-gt-r-press-kit-2

 

[narmstrong79]

Right now the best deal in my opinion is if you can lease a quad motor in a state where you're not paying tax on the entire MSRP for the vehicle and only paying tax on the lease payment.

Rivian and Chase are giving extremely attractive lease rates to move Quad Motors. Looking at the 2 examples below with similar MSRP and down payment, the Quad Motor is $346 a month lower.

I like the Gen 2 quality of life improvements but my heart is stuck on 835 HP which ends up being the lowest dollar per HP.

That's why Throttle House said when buying a Quad Motor Rivian the numbers for under $100,000 are unheard of.

That's why Throttle House said in their solo review of Rivian, its performance per dollar is circa 2009 Nissan GT-R levels of formidable. It is a silent assassin up until 110 MPH

You're getting Circa 2009 GT-R level performance.

In 2009 Nissan GT-R Premium was released with MSRP of $71,900. Pre-order pricing and $7,500 tax credit will get you to come in lower than a 2009 GT-R using 2024 inflated dollars.

Throttle house said at $90,000 its a very good value and if you got it for $70,000, you're probably laughing. I can confirm I am smiling every time I push the pedal to the metal.

GTR was 480 HP with 3,829 lbs of weight. Power to weight ratio of .1254.

R1S is 835 HP with 7,000 lbs. Power to weight ratio of 0.1193

https://usa.nissannews.com/en-US/releases/2009-nissan-gt-r-press-kit-2

I live in a state with no sales tax, but registration wasn't cheap. But leases aren't available in my state. Having the pre-order voucher and the binding contract to secure the tax credit. I've very happy with what I got. My standard+ battery pack has more usable capacity than the new large.

 

[MidnightRivian]

I live in a state with no sales tax, but registration wasn't cheap. But leases aren't available in my state. Having the pre-order voucher and the binding contract to secure the tax credit. I've very happy with what I got. My standard+ battery pack has more usable capacity than the new large.

Another option for folks who don't have a pre-order voucher is to snag a Demo R1T for $70,000 or R1S demo at or near pre-order pricing with 100 miles or less of use at times.

 

[narmstrong79]

Based on that math my
My performance dual motor standard+ is 0.0761 (all purpose) to 0.095 (sport mode)

 

[MidnightRivian]

Based on that math my
My performance dual motor standard+ is 0.0761 (all purpose) to 0.095 (sport mode)

Correct. My previous vehicle was 0.085 and my goal from going from a sports sedan to SUV was to keep the same ratio or improve it. Rivian Quad Motor has a better power to weight ratio than my previous sports sedan.


Infiniti was 328 HP with 3,821 lbs of weight. Power to weight ratio of .085.

R1S is 835 HP with 7,000 lbs. Power to weight ratio of 0.1193

https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/power-to-weight-ratio

 

[iceman12578]

For me i gambled the quad i wanted was becoming a super high end trim, which it did…the price hasn’t even been announced!

My R1T quad broke into 3 trims actually, the interior and large pack is in the dual motor, the yellow brakes are tri motor but i don’t like the ascent look and the quad will be way too expensive. and neither tri or quad will be available in time for pre order.

minor regrets are, the refresh dual would be way more efficient and the driver assist and cameras would be better.

 

[narmstrong79]

For me i gambled the quad i wanted was becoming a super high end trim, which it did…the price hasn’t even been announced!

My R1T quad broke into 3 trims actually, the interior and large pack is in the dual motor, the yellow brakes are tri motor but i don’t like the ascent look and the quad will be way too expensive. and neither tri or quad will be available in time for pre order.

minor regrets are, the refresh dual would be way more efficient and the driver assist and cameras would be better.

Driver assist features locked to gen 2 is B.S. There's no reason they can improve our driver+ ADS package. Maybe not to the full level of Gen 2, but we have as many cameras and all the same detection capabilities. If Ford can do bluecrusie, which has lane change now, with less cameras and lower tech, and tesla is doing it with cameras only.... the Gen 1 should be able to handle updates.

Cameras - meh, the gen 1 cameras are fine, i'm backing up or looking in my blind spot not directing Oppenheimer, 4k HDR cool, but not needed for the application.

My standard+ has more usable capacity than the new large. The official EPA isn't out on the new large Rivian expects this to hit 330miles (+30 mile from my standard+) weight reduction , heat pump and other efficiency enhancements giving that extra 10% range, but a gen 2 large of similar spec would have cost me ~7% more cost.

Sponsored