Joined the Rivian family yesterday w/ new Gen 2 R1S.

[JSMIA]

I’m sure OP got the $7500 EV credit. The lease estimator includes the credit PLUS another $7k down payment. If you do $0 down payment (I did the same) then payments are quite a bit higher than the lease estimate calculator… ~$300/mo more.

Exactly. Even with the due at signing I felt that was a lot of cash upfront. Again like I mentioned Tesla and Rivian do not allow rolling these fees into your lease. Every prior lease (I lease every 3 years) my total due at signing is first month/tag transfer. This is the most I’ve given out at first to lease a car. I would never ever give 7k down extra to lease a car especially an EV. Again if y’all can swing the higher payments go for it. Whoever can afford $800 payment I’m sure can afford $1000.

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[MidnightM00N]

The lease estimator also does a bad job of including tax as states all do it differently. Changing states doesn’t change the lease estimate in the calculator. In OH, we paid $7k at close despite 0 down due to having to pay all the tax up front. That lowers the monthly payment a bit compared to states where you pay tax monthly. So monthly lease payments can vary significantly from what the estimator says online.

 

[JSMIA]

The lease estimator also does a bad job of including tax as states all do it differently. Changing states doesn’t change the lease estimate in the calculator. In OH, we paid $7k at close despite 0 down due to having to pay all the tax up front. That lowers the monthly payment a bit compared to states where you pay tax monthly. So monthly lease payments can vary significantly from what the estimator says online.

Yup. Doesn’t also include the $1800 destination fee. That’s gets added into the MSRP. I believe Rivian will eventually do it the Tesla way on their online purchasing. It’s confusing many people Including those who have never leased.

 

[Spamthechan]

0 down. I never put money down on a lease. Not a smart thing to do. Only $500 to place order + $3,250 due at signing. Keep in mind there aren’t the best lease MF on a Gen 2. Not right now. If you can swing the higher payment and keep money in your pockets you are good.
I would not give 7k down on a lease on any car. I wish Tesla and Rivian would let you roll the due at signing into the lease as I always do on prior car leases but they down.

This is my first time leasing so trying to figure out the ins and outs. I get not wanting to put down too much up front since that money can be used for other things and you can roll the higher lease payments potentially into a business write off (if it’s used for that). But doing the calculations, putting 0 down vs 7k, after 36 months you’re paying around 2k more total with 0 down? That seems beneficial to me.

 

[mkhuffman]

This is my first time leasing so trying to figure out the ins and outs. I get not wanting to put down too much up front since that money can be used for other things and you can roll the higher lease payments potentially into a business write off (if it’s used for that). But doing the calculations, putting 0 down vs 7k, after 36 months you’re paying around 2k more total with 0 down? That seems beneficial to me.

Personally, there are two reason I would consider a R1 lease:
1) If Rivian goes out of business, at least I can give up the vehicle at the end of the lease and not have any more liability.
2) There might be incentives offered by Rivian that mean it equates to a much lower interest rate than could be achieved via a loan. I have not confirmed that any of the lease deals achieve this, but if you include the $7500 rich person EV handout, and compare the monthly payment to what you would pay with a loan, and you plan to walk away from the car anyway at the end, then it might be cheaper than doing it with a loan.

I have never done a lease either, because I usually keep a car longer than what a lease offers. And I drive much farther than what is typically allowed in a lease. That is the part that worries me the most: the mileage penalty.

 

[JSMIA]

So much noise going on right about who takes office soon. I believe the $7500 EV credit will be subsidized or eliminated by many states. Again all depends on who takes office.

 

[JSMIA]

BTW 1 week in. 256 miles in. Have I told you lately how much I love this car and enjoying every bit of it? Great driving dynamics. Suspension on Gen 2’s really improved. Premium audio just sounds better and better.

 

[Vinnynj]

Exactly. Even with the due at signing I felt that was a lot of cash upfront. Again like I mentioned Tesla and Rivian do not allow rolling these fees into your lease. Every prior lease (I lease every 3 years) my total due at signing is first month/tag transfer. This is the most I’ve given out at first to lease a car. I would never ever give 7k down extra to lease a car especially an EV. Again if y’all can swing the higher payments go for it. Whoever can afford $800 payment I’m sure can afford $1000.

I hear you. Rivian store employee specifically said $7500 was not part of the lease calculator. Clearly, I was misled.

Reading thru posts from Q2 of this year, looks like lease costs were probably 25-30% less than what they are now.

I will try and negotiate the lease numbers, if that is something they entertain. Not willing to go over ~$800/month.

 

[JSMIA]

I hear you. Rivian store employee specifically said $7500 was not part of the lease calculator. Clearly, I was misled.

Reading thru posts from Q2 of this year, looks like lease costs were probably 25-30% less than what they are now.

I will try and negotiate the lease numbers, if that is something they entertain. Not willing to go over ~$800/month.

No negotiation. The price you see is what you’ll pay. If you can wait for next year when 2026 rolling in and 2025 out.

 

[2 Out of the Box]

Picked up my first EV yesterday. Miami here. Did a demo in May. I did Gen 2 R1S La Silver DM standard pack. I drive 125 miles a week. My office 2 mins away from Miami SC. I live 15 mins away. I can charge at work. It’s a dedicated line for me. It’s a family owned business and we also own the warehouse. I live 2 mins away from a Wawa with 8 superchargers.

Already received the new updated AZ2 adapter last week. I tested it this morning and it was super easy smooth.

Considering all the negative stuff I’ve read here on the AC and premium audio they both are good on mine. AC is super good. Yesterday I had to lower it a little. Got cold. Mind you is 100+ here everyday. My previous lease was a 2023 XC90 with bowers & wilkins sound system. That was an awesome sound system. Premium audio is good. I tweaked some settings and truly enjoying it.

So far no issues whatsoever with this Rivian. My kids love it. My wife likes it too. So much more space and storage. Love it how with a forward facing car seat behind passenger on 2nd row you can still slide that seat all the way forward and have access to the 3rd row. This is clutch. Previously only had access to 3rd row via the other side.

Everything seems to be working just fine. Phone key. Etc. No issues. I was so worried and scared about actually getting it. Stuff I read on here and Reddit truly worried me. Not anymore. I’ll update as I put more miles on it.

BTW I only lease. I did 36/15k. No money down. Received the Gen 2 all weather mats Monday. Installed them already. I like them. Did tints today. Ceramic front windows and ceramic clear windshield.

Oh yeah my native Spotify app works just fine. I read on here it sucked. Did I mention I don’t miss Apple CarPlay? I only used it for Apple Music and Waze. We are soon getting native music app. I would also like Sirius native app. For now playing via Bluetooth from my phone is fine too. I don’t like to text and drive nor did I used Siri much for that via Apple car play while driving. 42 father of 4 running a family business. Honestly on my drives alone I just to listen to music or sports talk and relax. I like my peace inside my car. No calls. No text. It can wait.

Congrats!

I had the Bowers & Wilkins system in my previous 2018 Volvo XC60 R-Design and that thing was a freaking concert hall. Never had anything like that. I would sit in that car and listen to music and just drool. Was especially fond of sitting and listening to Dave Grohl’s ‘Play’ documentary soundtrack on that system. Damn, getting a little emotional right meow.

 

[2 Out of the Box]

BTW 1 week in. 256 miles in. Have I told you lately how much I love this car and enjoying every bit of it? Great driving dynamics. Suspension on Gen 2’s really improved. Premium audio just sounds better and better.

Really hoping the updates with Dolby Atmos on the Premium Audio will bring things close to the B&O system we had with the Volvo.

 

[JSMIA]

Really hoping the updates with Dolby Atmos on the Premium Audio will bring things close to the B&O system we had with the Volvo.

I think it will get better. Nothing like B&W sound system. That system was special and pricey.

 

[JSMIA]

Key Largo today. Covers off…

 

[gbanx111]

Your new ride looks fantastic! Question, as I lease as well - as far as tints and other random exterior upgrades. I was under the impression that this was a no-go. I wanted to explore, tints, badging, etc. but have some hesitation. Any insight is greatly appreciated!

 

[JSMIA]

Your new ride looks fantastic! Question, as I lease as well - as far as tints and other random exterior upgrades. I was under the impression that this was a no-go. I wanted to explore, tints, badging, etc. but have some hesitation. Any insight is greatly appreciated!

Thanx. I always lease my cars. I always tint my cars. I always return them with tints. You don’t have to remove tints before lease return.

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