Cost of ownership, parts, and right to repair

[Steve A.]

I posted this on a different thread and then got to thinking I should start a new one.

The bottom line is that I've been thinking (and getting concerned) about what is this vehicle (R1T) going to cost me to keep on the road once the warranty is up - particularly with limited availability to get parts or fix it myself?

It seems to me that there are a couple of chronic issues that are not getting resolved quickly and there is a risk they will be long-term expenses. For example:

1. Front CV axles and hub issues. I've already had both front CV axles replaced at just under 30k miles. The job and parts would be several thousand $'s out of warranty and it seems like a chronic issue.
2. Air suspension and hydraulics issues. There are tons of threads with people experiencing issues with both at around 60k miles and the repairs are incredibly expensive.

These types of things concern me enough that I've been consciously trying to limit miles I put on the truck. I'd feel better about the issues if parts were available but it seems Rivian is not selling parts to consumers and aftermarket parts don't exist. Parts availability would also open it up (or make if feasible) for service outside of Rivian SC's.

Has anyone heard anything about parts availability? right to repair? etc.?

Very legitimate concern but I wouldn't hold my breath on right to repair nor parts availability.

My 2023 R1S (44k mikes in 17 months) was rear-ended 11/19 and one of the reasons it took more than a week for the Rivian certified repair facility to come up with the estimate was due to the rear floor needing to be replaced and the part wasn't in the Rivian parts catalog and neither was there defined a procedure to replace it along with the labor hours so they had to call Rivian several times to provide the information.

So, the entire repair process is still very immature even for certified repair shops let alone DIY shade tree mechanics.

Not to mention what should be simple/cheap DIY things like replacing your 12V battery. Mine failed after 8 months and had to be towed to the SC which if not under warranty would have cost $800 plus the $200+ for the tow as compared to ~$200 for me to replace my other ICEV batteries in my driveway.

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[Blueassassin]

I hope we can order parts and are able to fix our own trucks I always work on my own vehicles. Right now i'm actually doing a motor swap on my Hummer but the Rivian right now we cant even buy our own brake pads to replace if we needed to and that's just wrong.

All the rivian parts have the QR codes I would really like the app to have a parts tab where we could just scan that qr and order parts off the app.

 

[SparkyR1t]

Hey folks- This absolutely does not address the very valid concerns brought up in this thread but it seems like they are starting to making things a smidge easier. I just got free access to their business/partner portal with all of their parts. It did required that I had an EIN/Tax ID (which luckily I did from some old side hustle). Once I emailed that, and some basic contact, DBA info, etc, to [email protected] I was given access in less than 24 hours. The parts are still expensive, but now I have quick access to the full catalog.

The service manual is another matter- they do want $2,500 for a year's access but I think it also includes an online training course and how-to vids. For $5,500 you get the manual plus their special diagnostic tool. Obviously these aren't appealing prices to a garage mechanic, like me, but this is slightly more accessible than the rumors of $100k-$200k for access that I'd previously heard from mechanics who turned me and my (slightly) marred Rivian R1S away. I still think a hand full of us should chip in together on the manual. Get 5 or 10 of us and it'd be worth it. Anyone with me?

My situation is slightly different because I bought a totaled Rivian for (relatively) very little as a fix-up project. I've been having fun and learning a lot. Lots of cheaper parts on eBay. Starting with the reality that you're completely on your own, and not depending on it as your main car, is a very different situation. Obviously there are ZERO youtube videos or help forums where anyone has done any actual work but that was to be expected.

You have my interest but before I invest can you supply your thoughts on the ease of use of the service info. Is it detailed enough to be of value. Is the diagnostic software solid. Thanks in advance.

 

[MikeWilliams_R1T]

That is very affordable if you wanted to add Rivian service to an already established shop.
There are a LOT of Gen1's that are getting out of their warranty period right now.

Even with warranties, there are still some things that I wish 3rd party shops were around for... like windshield replacement with all the recalibrating, brake jobs, alignments, etc.

 

[Steve A.]

Has anyone heard anything about parts availability? right to repair? etc.?

One of many reasons why I put down my $100 deposit ...

https://www.thedrive.com/news/scout-wants-to-build-evs-you-can-fix-yourself

 

[Steve A.]

Scout isn't a direct competitor with it's weird 6 seat config. I have considered Scout and ruled it out. Scout will be available in time for our next car replacement.

Don't fool yourself. Scout will definitely be a direct Rivian competitor.

Weird 6 seat config? It's called a bench seat after you fold down the middle which was pretty standard back in the day and one of the reasons I put down my $100 deposit since I don't need the 7 seats of my R1S which most people don't need or ever use. Also, MUCH better design than the stupid Rivian center console design.

 

[CrazyOne]

Don't fool yourself. Scout will definitely be a direct Rivian competitor.

Weird 6 seat config? It's called a bench seat after you fold down the middle which was pretty standard back in the day and one of the reasons I put down my $100 deposit since I don't need the 7 seats of my R1S which most people don't need or ever use. Also, MUCH better design than the stupid Rivian center console design.

Are you going to put car seats on the front bench? Because they used to put kids back in the day, probably without a car seat or a booster. Or are you going to put 3 adults in the front? How wide do you have to make a vehicle to accommodate 3 adults in front bench, without the drivers elbow poking the passenger in the stomach? What's the point of a front bench seat?

There will be some cross shopping, but it doesn't mean they are direct competitors. It's more of a R2 competitor. People even cross.shopped Model Y when it was sold for $65k for a base version. Model Y is a large hatch back. I wouldn't even call it an suv, let alone and off-road suv.

 

[Steve A.]

Are you going to put car seats on the front bench? Because they used to put kids back in the day, probably without a car seat or a booster. Or are you going to put 3 adults in the front? How wide do you have to make a vehicle to accommodate 3 adults in front bench, without the drivers elbow poking the passenger in the stomach? What's the point of a front bench seat?

There will be some cross shopping, but it doesn't mean they are direct competitors. It's more of a R2 competitor. People even cross.shopped Model Y when it was sold for $65k for a base version. Model Y is a large hatch back. I wouldn't even call it an suv, let alone and off-road suv.

FWIW, 3 adults fit very comfortable in the front bench seat of my first car, a 1976 Buick Century as well as plenty of Ford F150s over the years as well as many other trucks.

The point of a front bench seat is to seat 3 passengers just like the second row.
What's the point of a 3rd row that only seats children comfortably?

What's the point of the stupid Rivian center console design? I'll take the option fold down front row center seat over the stupid Rivian center console design for the rare occasions that I even need to seat passengers.

And yes, Scouts are wider than Rivians.

 

[CrazyOne]

FWIW, 3 adults fit very comfortable in the front bench seat of my first car, a 1976 Buick Century as well as plenty of Ford F150s over the years as well as many other trucks.

The point of a front bench seat is to seat 3 passengers just like the second row.
What's the point of a 3rd row that only seats children comfortably?

What's the point of the stupid Rivian center console design? I'll take the option fold down front row center seat over the stupid Rivian center console design for the rare occasions that I even need to seat passengers.

And yes, Scouts are wider than Rivians.

Older vehicles are different. They didn't need 10 - 12 inches from the outer edge for side crash safety. If you throw safety out, it's all good.

Driver needs more space, because driver has to steer. It's ok to be uncomfortable in rear seats, but doing so in front seat is dangerous. There are very good reasons why no one makes this config anymore.

I doubt people in rural areas are going to buy scouts in large numbers and width is a problem in cities with shrinking parking lots. Sure some people buy hummers, but they are not large sellers.

 

[Steve A.]

Older vehicles are different. They didn't need 10 - 12 inches from the outer edge for side crash safety. If you throw safety out, it's all good.

Driver needs more space, because driver has to steer. It's ok to be uncomfortable in rear seats, but doing so in front seat is dangerous. There are very good reasons why no one makes this config anymore.

There are plenty of F250s, F350s, et. al. that offer a front bench seat w/ plenty of room for 3 adult passengers.

Don't believe the F.U.D.D. Safety is MUCH better now w/ side air bags among many other new safety features than we had in the 70s and 80s.

I'm looking forward to having the option when I trade in my R1S for my Scout. YMMV

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

The point of a front bench seat is to seat 3 passengers just like the second row. .

I always thought it was so that when you had your significant other (or soon to be) they could get closer. Seems like a better case for that front bench to me

My grandmother had a 1965 Dodge coronet 440. And now it didn’t have a 440 in it. The 440 stood for four doors anyway I used to hang out with these identical, twin sisters, Jennifer and Jessica. I never could tell them apart.

 

[Steve A.]

I always thought it was so that when you had your significant other (or soon to be) they could get closer. Seems like a better case for that front bench to me

Well there was definitely that benefit as well especially when I took my future wife on a date at the Bengies Drive-In movie theater in 1986 which wasn't the same experience when I took her last year in my R1S .

 

[CrazyOne]

There are plenty of F250s, F350s, et. al. that offer a front bench seat w/ plenty of room for 3 adult passengers.

Don't believe the F.U.D.D. Safety is MUCH better now w/ side air bags among many other new safety features than we had in the 70s and 80s.

I'm looking forward to having the option when I trade in my R1S for my Scout. YMMV

let's assume that they are great for families with 3 adults and work trucks. I am having a hard time picturing that family, except for some in the remote areas in Utah.

Most people buy a large vehicles to carry kids. People buying a Scout likely wouldn't have bought a 7/8 seater vehicle anyway.

 

[Steve A.]

let's assume that they are great for families with 3 adults and work trucks. I am having a hard time picturing that family, except for some in the remote areas in Utah.

Most people buy a large vehicles to carry kids. People buying a Scout likely wouldn't have bought a 7/8 seater vehicle anyway.

Cite your evidence that most people buy large vehicles to carry kids considering that the average number of children per family in the US is < 2 which fits just fine in a 2 row 5-6 passenger truck/SuV.

FWIW my family includes one daughter and 2 gods and we've owned large 6k+ lbs SUVs/trucks for the last 20+ years and had no use for a 3rd row in my R1S other than the 1 time we put some cousins in there on one road trip, so a 2 row SUV that's wide enough to accommodate 6 adult passengers is a helluva lot more preferable than a 3 row 7 passenger w/ a stupid center console design.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Well there was definitely that benefit as well especially when I took my future wife on a date at the Bengies Drive-In movie theater in 1986 which wasn't the same experience when I took her last year in my R1S .

That’s near where the twins lived in the early 90s

I grew up in Essex…went to Kenwood …and…..I survived to tell the story. Then there was time I went to Bengies with a case of beer. Don’t remember how I got home

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