ajbrutman
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2020
- Threads
- 14
- Messages
- 254
- Reaction score
- 415
- Location
- california
- Vehicles
- LE R1T, GTI
- Thread starter
- #1
I just had my mobile first-mile event. It was a little bitter-sweet considering I was unable to experience any kind of offroad as I would have at Aqua Dulce, but I was able to spend a little more time with it and show it off to some friends and family. Long story short they canceled the Aqua Dulce event due to the "heavy" rain we received here in southern California, so they instead brought a truck to my home the same day and nearly the same time I had been scheduled in Santa Clarita. Very cool to note that It saved me a 2-hour drive, which would result in 4 hours of total traveling time for a 20-minute test drive. Also interesting to note that I test drove at 10 am PST today which is when I would have left to make it to Aqua Dulce by 12 pm PST for my scheduled drive.
My overall experience was great. Watching the truck pull up to my house was incredible. It was very cool of Rivian to bring my exact spec(showing they did their homework) and I believe his name was David the employee gave some really good insight on his experience on the truck rather than feeding me facts off the website. Most of us on here are very familiar with the vehicle and all of its "quirks and features" so we skipped that part and got on the road. We jammed down the infamous pacific coast highway, and in my area are some of the nicest stretches of road. I was able to test all drive modes except for the off-road modes and was pleased with the vehicle's all-around performance. We all have very high expectations for these vehicles and I'm glad to say they were met, but not exceeded.
I am however in love with the spec. The Launch Green greatly exceeds all expectations and could not imagine getting any other color on the vehicle. I was in between for a while, but this is a clear and obvious choice. My mother, a very traditional person when it comes to cars thought it was spectacular. Now that is saying something. She drives white, black or grey, and never gets anything "futuristic" looking. In fact, she said she hated it in photos but loved it in person.
I have seen the truck several times before, and have spent time inside of them, but this was the first ride, and the first time I've seen a car that has been driven. It was interesting to notice there was PPF on the lower section of the doors following the sharp body line behind what channels the airflow over the wheel. If this is not from the factory, it is certainly an addition I will do myself.
While driving I did not adjust anything on the main display, all inputs on the main display were made by David, and volume adjustment, etc. was made on the steering wheel. It is certainly a large display, and something that takes a bit of getting used to if you are not coming from the new-gen Model s and x or the model 3 or Y.
The ability to adjust the suspension stiffness, power delivery, ride height, and more made it feel incredibly luxurious. To me, luxury is about being comfortable, and I was incredibly comfortable and confident driving this vehicle which is important to note considering it does not belong to me and I typically get a bit anxious driving other people's vehicles. The technology, the unreal engine array on the driver display was surprisingly more useful than I had imagined It to be. I enjoyed the blind spot monitoring being integrated into it as well as on the mirrors. It was nice to see pedestrians pop up on the corners of crosswalks which were not the easiest to see, and the way it displays colors based on warnings.
Another note I will add was the sound system sounded significantly better than other R1Ts I have heard. Like significantly better. I consider myself a bit of an audiophile and this was a welcome update. Previously I was a bit disappointed by the hyped-up Meridian sound system, now I can confidently say, it lives up to the hype.
While the truck is undoubtedly amazing and my experience was fantastic, I do have my concerns. My first question was if it was a pre-production or production vehicle, David confirmed it was in fact a production vehicle. A look at the VIN confirmed that and it was in 264 (let me know if anyone else drives this vehicle, would be cool to track it). This was a concern because there were significant body panel gaps around the hood. Now 264 is not the earliest I've seen and is certainly a bit worrisome, but I'm glad it is used as a first-mile vehicle and was not sent to a customer. It would be a shame to take delivery of a vehicle that looks like it was put together in a hurry.
A little about my Rivian journey. I originally pre-ordered at the LA Auto show with my father. After a nice conversation with Brian Gase, we were sold. The vehicle seemed perfect. I have kept a very close eye on the company's ever since and become obsessed with all things RIVN. My father and I have gone to every event together since, as we decided to share the vehicle 50/50 as he needed a truck and I was in the market for a new car. One of those deals where it will be my daily driver, but he will be using it just as much if not just a little less. I am very fortunate to be in this position, and we all are. These are incredible vehicles that many people never get to experience.
I will attach some photos down below of my time with the truck. All photos were taken at the lowest ride height. Feel free to drop questions below I will most likely get back to them tomorrow.
I did not get many good photos, I was just trying to enjoy the moment. When I get my truck I will take it for a proper photoshoot. I just don't know who to trust driving it....
Cheers!
.
My overall experience was great. Watching the truck pull up to my house was incredible. It was very cool of Rivian to bring my exact spec(showing they did their homework) and I believe his name was David the employee gave some really good insight on his experience on the truck rather than feeding me facts off the website. Most of us on here are very familiar with the vehicle and all of its "quirks and features" so we skipped that part and got on the road. We jammed down the infamous pacific coast highway, and in my area are some of the nicest stretches of road. I was able to test all drive modes except for the off-road modes and was pleased with the vehicle's all-around performance. We all have very high expectations for these vehicles and I'm glad to say they were met, but not exceeded.
I am however in love with the spec. The Launch Green greatly exceeds all expectations and could not imagine getting any other color on the vehicle. I was in between for a while, but this is a clear and obvious choice. My mother, a very traditional person when it comes to cars thought it was spectacular. Now that is saying something. She drives white, black or grey, and never gets anything "futuristic" looking. In fact, she said she hated it in photos but loved it in person.
I have seen the truck several times before, and have spent time inside of them, but this was the first ride, and the first time I've seen a car that has been driven. It was interesting to notice there was PPF on the lower section of the doors following the sharp body line behind what channels the airflow over the wheel. If this is not from the factory, it is certainly an addition I will do myself.
While driving I did not adjust anything on the main display, all inputs on the main display were made by David, and volume adjustment, etc. was made on the steering wheel. It is certainly a large display, and something that takes a bit of getting used to if you are not coming from the new-gen Model s and x or the model 3 or Y.
The ability to adjust the suspension stiffness, power delivery, ride height, and more made it feel incredibly luxurious. To me, luxury is about being comfortable, and I was incredibly comfortable and confident driving this vehicle which is important to note considering it does not belong to me and I typically get a bit anxious driving other people's vehicles. The technology, the unreal engine array on the driver display was surprisingly more useful than I had imagined It to be. I enjoyed the blind spot monitoring being integrated into it as well as on the mirrors. It was nice to see pedestrians pop up on the corners of crosswalks which were not the easiest to see, and the way it displays colors based on warnings.
Another note I will add was the sound system sounded significantly better than other R1Ts I have heard. Like significantly better. I consider myself a bit of an audiophile and this was a welcome update. Previously I was a bit disappointed by the hyped-up Meridian sound system, now I can confidently say, it lives up to the hype.
While the truck is undoubtedly amazing and my experience was fantastic, I do have my concerns. My first question was if it was a pre-production or production vehicle, David confirmed it was in fact a production vehicle. A look at the VIN confirmed that and it was in 264 (let me know if anyone else drives this vehicle, would be cool to track it). This was a concern because there were significant body panel gaps around the hood. Now 264 is not the earliest I've seen and is certainly a bit worrisome, but I'm glad it is used as a first-mile vehicle and was not sent to a customer. It would be a shame to take delivery of a vehicle that looks like it was put together in a hurry.
A little about my Rivian journey. I originally pre-ordered at the LA Auto show with my father. After a nice conversation with Brian Gase, we were sold. The vehicle seemed perfect. I have kept a very close eye on the company's ever since and become obsessed with all things RIVN. My father and I have gone to every event together since, as we decided to share the vehicle 50/50 as he needed a truck and I was in the market for a new car. One of those deals where it will be my daily driver, but he will be using it just as much if not just a little less. I am very fortunate to be in this position, and we all are. These are incredible vehicles that many people never get to experience.
I will attach some photos down below of my time with the truck. All photos were taken at the lowest ride height. Feel free to drop questions below I will most likely get back to them tomorrow.
I did not get many good photos, I was just trying to enjoy the moment. When I get my truck I will take it for a proper photoshoot. I just don't know who to trust driving it....
Cheers!
.
Sponsored
Last edited by a moderator: