Buy a Tesla now with $7500 credit or wait for R2

[rivian2STL]

With the new legislation taking away the $7500 incentive I am at a crossroads between buying a Model Y Juniper now or waiting til the R2 becomes available.

My concern is that the R2 isn’t going to be readily available til late 2026, or even early 2027 (I have a reservation but just did it in May 2025) and I’m not sure my current vehicle will last that long.

If production is close to the 155k/yr they are forecasting, it would allow them to get through the waiting list somewhat fast.

For those who switched from Tesla to Rivian - any overall thoughts or experiences that you can share?

If I do purchase a Tesla now, and take the discount, it would at least offset initial depreciation and make it more feasible to sell in early 2027 if I decided to go with an R2.

Mainly looking for feedback switching from Tesla and any other insight.

Thanks

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[jimboski93]

I switched from a Model Y to an R1S in June. R2 vs MY is the right comparison, but for R1S:
Positives:

• Much more space, more capable vehicle (leaving pavement), more comfortable ride
• Interior is more refined
• Range (I have Max = 410 mi. vs 330 mi in MY LR AWD

Negatives:

• Tesla FSD is much much much more advanced. I didn't really use FSD much though. It's neat, but it also makes mistakes and I wouldn't use it with others in the car. Rivian's ADAS can be very spotty where I live (Denver), but I also used it a lot for a 4th of July trip and it was there and worked well when I wanted it to (long stretches of highway)
• Tesla software / touchscreen feels more advanced - quicker to get things done. If I use a voice prompt to say "navigate to xyz" Tesla would understand and get it right 90% of the time. Rivian (powered by Alexa) gets it right 30%(?) of the time, and often suggests locations 1,000s of miles away
• Text support - Tesla had great support, I understand many people use Car Play or Android Auto on their ICE vehicles, Rivian has no support (but supposedly coming). This is probably the single biggest frustration for me. Not being able to read or send texts until I get to a traffic light.

My two cents: If I were in your shoes, I think I'd probably lease a Tesla. $7,500 incentive and they are really struggling to sell cars means you should get a "good deal". As you note, R2 timing and pricing is uncertain, and a lot of folks here with Gen1 (and still with Gen2) have had quality/service issues. I'm not the type to buy a Launch Edition - I'd rather wait for the OEM to get some kinks out. With the Tesla, you'll get a very capable vehicle that has, arguably, a better track record in terms of production/service recently.

 

[124816]

> If I do purchase a Tesla now, and take the discount, it would at least offset initial depreciation

If the last time is anything to go by then as soon as the EV credit ends the price of a new Tesla will drop by $4.5k or so.

 

[MaskedRacerX]

I wouldn't get an interim car (on a lease), just because of the $7500. That assumes a lot of about the future, Tesla pricing stability (gambling on that covering depreciation), if you're in a lease in a year, the exit could be costly. Plus just because of the $7500 doesn't mean that the Tesla lease is good, last few I reviewed for someone had a shitty MF and RV.

I mean, personally, I won't have another Tesla product, we returned our M3P (3 months early on a lease, retention team was flustered ), one and done and good riddance (and take that as my personal perspective, doesn't need further discussion )

Oh, and to be clear, I'm a huge fan of leasing, but in this scenario, it's not the best option, if you're entering into a lease, just make it the full duration, and worry about an R2 after that - or roll the dice on an outright purchase (which I think may be your original idea).

I do hear you about having a questionable vehicle that might not last, have costly repairs before the R2 is available, but I think that's where I'd gamble

 

[Rivdog]

> If I do purchase a Tesla now, and take the discount, it would at least offset initial depreciation

If the last time is anything to go by then as soon as the EV credit ends the price of a new Tesla will drop by $4.5k or so.

Remember what happened last time the credit was going away? All the people who bought Teslas were livid that they were now way underwater because their cars were worth $10,000+ less overnight.

If you want to lease a Tesla, fine, but I definitely wouldn’t be worried about losing out on a good deal. If anything, I’d be worried about actually losing money by getting a Tesla a few months before the credit is ended.

 

[Eric9610]

You also need to remember that Tesla does not pass along the full $7,500 like Rivian does today. I think they hold back 50%. Car costs and rates will come down by the time the R2 is out. I would not rush into a car unless you need it this year. Remember that every $1k is about $30 in lease payment. so $7,500 = $225 more per month on lease.

 

[mkg3]

My concern is that the R2 isn’t going to be readily available til late 2026, or even early 2027 (I have a reservation but just did it in May 2025) and I’m not sure my current vehicle will last that long.

This is really the issue. If you don't think your vehicle will make it until R2 is available, then take the $7.5k and do Moel Y.

Another thing to keep in mind is that 150K vehicles/yr is at their full production level, which Rivian will not attain until the late 2nd or the 3rd year of production. I would be amazed if Rivian can produce anything close to 50k vehicles in 2026. So most likely that you'll fall into 2027 - probably early but still 2027.

 

[Zorg]

Get an used model Y to limit your depreciation risk. Plus, used EV prices should at least stabilize once credit goes away.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Get an used model Y to limit your depreciation risk. Plus, used EV prices should at least stabilize once credit goes away.

Agree that you should get a used EV to patch you over.

It is also extremely unlikely that Rivian can produce 155k R2s per year until well into 2027, if that.

 

[iansriv]

Get an used model Y to limit your depreciation risk. Plus, used EV prices should at least stabilize once credit goes away.

That's what I was going to suggest too. Specially because it's an interim car. I like Tesla but this is a hard time to buy a new one. The potential depreciation concerns me.

 

[CharonPDX]

Either just wait, or get a used EV that fits your needs.

 

[ndmiller]

Buy a new Y DUH, stop this nonsense about depreciation and just drive your car.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

"Buy a Tesla now"

God help you. There are so many decent options now... Tesla is no longer the only option. And unless you absolutely need a new car now, there is no reason to lease anything in the meantime. Just keep saving instead of losing money to a lease.

 

[Gurule92]

Probably an unpopular opinion. But I think buying a used Tesla would be the way. The prices were so low last I looked, you wont miss that 7500.

Or even a used R1. (More expensive though)

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Probably an unpopular opinion. But I think buying a used Tesla would be the way. The prices were so low last I looked, you wont miss that 7500.

Or even a used R1. (More expensive though)

And factually correct. Tesla values have gone into steep decline. If anyone is going to buy a Tesla, used is the way to go, while supply is greater than demand. Just be aware that steep decline may not be over when it's your turn to sell.

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