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How long are you going to keep your Rivian?

3900 Views 95 Replies 48 Participants Last post by izgoy, 1 d ago

eRig

Discussion Starter · 10 d ago

For me it will be before the 5 years or 60k miles is up.

Maybe sooner, depends on what shiny new objects come out.

How about everybody else?

1 - 20 of 96 Posts

Yossarian

· #2 · 10 d ago (Edited)

Until relatively recently, I kept cars for a long time and reserved a Rivian as a replacement for what was at the time a 13 year old Volvo. The hope was that the EV would be our last auto purchase, effectively becoming our forever car.

With the delays in delivery, that plan fell apart, and the Volvo was replaced on it's 15th birthday by a Telluride. The new plan has the Rivian as the Kia's successor, but no longer as a forever car With the rather furious rate of change & improvement in EV's, the Rivian will likely be replaced in a few years by an EV with larger capacity & longer life battery pack (solid state perhaps) that will give even longer range and the cockpit will have more tech, perhaps even something close to FSD.

camaroz1985

· #3 · 10 d ago

My plan is probably 8-10 years. Maybe see what the next generation of R1 has to offer, but apart from that I don't see anything else that would appeal to me.

SANZCO2

· #4 · 10 d ago

I used to keep cars 2 or 3 years. That turned into 4 or 5, seems to keep extending. We still have our 2016 Tesla Model S and the R1S replaced a 2014 Jeep GC Overland we purchased in 2013.

At this rate I would not be very surprised if I still have the R1S more than 10 years from now, I really do enjoy driving it.

Reactions: 2

uh1.outlaw10

· #5 · 9 d ago

Technology advances had me trading every 2-3 years. Hope with the "upgradeable vehicle" this will slow down..

Reactions: 1

mkg3

· #6 · 9 d ago

EVs are essentially laptops with wheels.

Need to replace well beyond the life of the vehicle to keep up with new capabilities from newer models.

There really is no real "upgrade" path.

The next major EV evolution is the solid state battery with higher energy density resulting in much lighter vehicles with longer range and faster charging times.

Frankly, leasing EV makes more sense than leasing ICE vehicles, due to rapid change in EV landscape.

milescrowe1966

· #7 · 9 d ago

Until I get the next Rivian

Reactions: 1

JCWCVG

· #8 · 9 d ago

mkg3 said:
EVs are essentially laptops with wheels.

Need to replace well beyond the life of the vehicle to keep up with new capabilities from newer models.

There really is no real "upgrade" path.

The next major EV evolution is the solid state battery with higher energy density resulting in much lighter vehicles with longer range and faster charging times.

Frankly, leasing EV makes more sense than leasing ICE vehicles, due to rapid change in EV landscape.

Not sure I really agree with your statements. I have owned a Tesla Model 3 for 3 years. In that time, my car has received new features and capabilities, including greater range, all with OTA updates. My battery life is within 3% of the original. 50,000 miles. Original tires even with spirited 0-60 acceleration in 3.2 seconds... never gets old. Plenty of brakes left. No reason why this car won't continue to improve and last >250K miles over the next 10 years. While I bought the Performance version, Tesla offered a Performance Upgrade all delivered via OTA SW update for those that paid.

Similar experience with my R1S, albeit with only 2 months. I have had 2 OTA updates so far. Multiple improvements (driver+ most significant and greater range). 0-60 in 3.1 seconds... also never gets old.

NEVER in 25 years of owning an ICE car, has the car improved over time, in terms of features, performance, handling, MPG etc.

Reactions: 4

mkg3

· #9 · 9 d ago

JCWCVG said:
Not sure I really agree with your statements. I have owned a Tesla Model 3 for 3 years. In that time, my car has received new features and capabilities, including greater range, all with OTA updates. My battery life is within 3% of the original. 50,000 miles. Original tires even with spirited 0-60 acceleration in 3.2 seconds... never gets old. Plenty of brakes left. No reason why this car won't continue to improve and last >250K miles over the next 10 years. While I bought the Performance version, Tesla offered a Performance Upgrade all delivered via OTA SW update for those that paid.

Similar experience with my R1S, albeit with only 2 months. I have had 2 OTA updates so far. Multiple improvements (driver+ most significant and greater range). 0-60 in 3.1 seconds... also never gets old.

NEVER in 25 years of owning an ICE car, has the car improved over time, in terms of features, performance, handling, MPG etc.

SW update, sure. That too will become limited as the HW ages. Elon has said that self driving HW 2 and below won't be able to do all the things HW2.5 and 3 can do.

Just think back how slower your computer runs newer SW compared to older SW. SW developers write to newer HW specs and capabilities.

So my original statement should have said there is no "HW upgrade" path. There will be marginal SW updates that will increase capabilities. If someone is willing to spend a large amount of money to make the HW upgrades, maybe doable but why not just buy newer architectures vehicle at that point (again, like replacing a laptop).

I too have a Model 3 so I am very familiar with the updates and how updates can really improve things. That said, it is HW limited and when Tesla decides to obsolete older HW, then it will be just like MacOS/Windows that won't be upgradeable. Just security patches...

Aardvark

· #10 · 9 d ago

I'll keep the car for at least 10 years.
Then I'll put it up for sale but make the buyer wait 2.5 years for delivery so that they can enjoy the full experience. 😁

Reactions: 5

Anagnorisis

· #11 · 9 d ago

I am going to see if it lasts for 10-15 yrs. Not a huge fan of throwing money at depreciating assets.

Reactions: 2

JCWCVG

· #12 · 9 d ago

mkg3 said:
SW update, sure. That too will become limited as the HW ages. Elon has said that self driving HW 2 and below won't be able to do all the things HW2.5 and 3 can do. Just think back how slower your computer runs newer SW compared to older SW. SW developers write to newer HW specs and capabilities. So my original statement should have said there is no "HW upgrade" path. There will be marginal SW updates that will increase capabilities. If someone is willing to spend a large amount of money to make the HW upgrades, maybe doable but why not just buy newer architectures vehicle at that point (again, like replacing a laptop). I too have a Model 3 so I am very familiar with the updates and how updates can really improve things. That said, it is HW limited and when Tesla decides to obsolete older HW, then it will be just like MacOS/Windows that won't be upgradeable. Just security patches...

So you are basically saying anything with a computer will eventually be obsolete. ICE or EV. Profound.

Igotnuttin

· #13 · 9 d ago

If and when I actually GET the truck, and optimistically hoping it's not one of the rare "lemon" variants, it'll probably be my sunset vehicle. I'm 70 and the OTA changes to my personal chassis and OS are not exactly "upgrades". In fact, if/when that FSD feature comes into play will be much appreciated.

Reactions: 1

GSam

· #14 · 9 d ago

eRig said:
For me it will be before the 5 years or 60k miles is up.

Maybe sooner, depends on what shiny new objects come out.

How about everybody else?

I have been waiting 3+ years. I will keep it at least that long. Part of me thinks that I may keep it longer because I like the look, I will like the speed and I like the heaviness. It just keeps my family safer if there is an accident. So, I would like to say 10 years. Speaking of tech, my MME has had no issues in close to two years. Technologically, it doesn’t feel like it is two years old but brand new. I think having Apple Play also adds to the newness feeling. It looks brand new too. So, if our first EV is a sign of things to come, I should be good for a decade.

LoudMusic

· #15 · 9 d ago

My previous two cars were a Honda S2000 that I put 115,000 miles on over about 10 years and a Jeep Wrangler I put 164,000 miles on over about 11 years. I currently own a Tesla Model Y that I've put 71,000 miles on in 2.5 years. I don't see any reason to get rid of it. I suspect the Rivian will be similar.

CommodoreAmiga

· #16 · 9 d ago

when I bought I wanted to keep it at least 10 years. Now I doubt I’d keep it past warranty and will probably sell much sooner than that.

iansriv

· #17 · 9 d ago

If they install AI then the Rivian will decide how long it will keep me. Seriously though, I usually keep my cars as long as the warranty lasts.

izgoy

· #18 · 9 d ago (Edited)

mkg3 said:
SW update, sure. That too will become limited as the HW ages. Elon has said that self driving HW 2 and below won't be able to do all the things HW2.5 and 3 can do.

Just think back how slower your computer runs newer SW compared to older SW. SW developers write to newer HW specs and capabilities.

So my original statement should have said there is no "HW upgrade" path. There will be marginal SW updates that will increase capabilities. If someone is willing to spend a large amount of money to make the HW upgrades, maybe doable but why not just buy newer architectures vehicle at that point (again, like replacing a laptop).

I too have a Model 3 so I am very familiar with the updates and how updates can really improve things. That said, it is HW limited and when Tesla decides to obsolete older HW, then it will be just like MacOS/Windows that won't be upgradeable. Just security patches...

We used to be able to upgrade computers. You probably wasn’t born then yet. Upgrading the motherboard and the CPU, adding more RAM, and upgrading the hard drive used to be a thing. No one would throw away the computer just because it got too slow for a new version of Windows.

Tesla installs upgradable computers, and the computer generations have been upgraded several times on existing Teslas. The microprocessors embedded in a bunch of EV parts don’t need to be upgraded. They are single-purpose processors that can run software for decades. The battery packs are easily replaceable with a newer generation battery as well. Nothing would prevent Rivian from offering upgrades on existing vehicles other than a planned obsolescence.

Yossarian

· #19 · 9 d ago

Igotnuttin said:
If and when I actually GET the truck, and optimistically hoping it's not one of the rare "lemon" variants, it'll probably be my sunset vehicle. I'm 70 and the OTA changes to my personal chassis and OS are not exactly "upgrades". In fact, if/when that FSD feature comes into play will be much appreciated.

I'm with you on this @Igotnuttin, particularly regarding FSD. From what I can see, the odds are very good that any given Rivian won't be a lemon. On the other hand, there are some elements in a 2023 build that will be far inferior to those of say, a 2030 model.

One very big improvement that seems close to being production ready - perhaps quite a bit sooner than 2030 - is in battery storage. Solid state batteries seem to be on the cusp of realizing their potential and being ready for manufacturing at scale. Once that happens, EV weight will come down and both range and durability will increase substantially. Of course, if the rate of change of improvement in the charging infrastructure continues, the battery storage issue becomes less important.

As for FSD, that feature in it's "true" form can't come soon enough for me. How great would it be to pull up to your destination for the evening and simply exit the car? The empty car could then go find a space and simply park itself, or perhaps it could be programmed to become an unmanned Uber for a couple of hours. Either way, it returns to pick to you up for the ride home when summoned. And yes, I probably read too many Tom Swift books as a kid.

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Reactions: 1

EaglesPDX

· #20 · 9 d ago

mkg3 said:
EVs are essentially laptops with wheels.

True early one, now a high end laptop (Apple) is still running the latest OS fine since 2015.

Need to replace well beyond the life of the vehicle to keep up with new capabilities from newer models.

Only if it has things that are essential. The Tesla Model lacks basic safety stuff (no blind spot, no rear cross track, no 360) and basic functions (no inline screen, no essential manual controls) but I'lll still end up keeping it 7 years and 150,000 which is about my average. It looks great, goes fast, low maintenance, works fine. Even at a degraded 270/310 miles its as good as most new EV's I could replace it with unless to get the better safeties and some tech (sun roof and heads up).

The Rivian, purchased to tow the boat and camper, should last 10 years as it has basic safety and essentials the Tesla lacks.

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 96 Posts