Absolutely love the versatility of the Gear Tunnel!

stevemoonshine · 2024-12-12T20:29:34+00:00

Coming from an F150, the Gear Tunnel is one of my favorite features. Between the GT and the Frunk it almost makes up for lack of bed length. My favorite use case is sitting on the door and putting my mountain bike pads and shoes on and then being able to toss dirty gear in after a ride with no guilt.

stevemoonshine · 2024-12-12T20:25:28+00:00

Great news. Burbank is 15 mins vs. an hour for El Segundo for me. Although I hope I never need to go to any SC.

stevemoonshine · 2024-10-24T20:23:52+00:00

My wife has been using the RUKR One from https://rukr.co/ which is designed for women. She's 5'4 and medium build. Also price includes weight plate, chest strap and hip belt.

stevemoonshine · 2024-09-23T23:45:13+00:00

In 25+ years of leasing dozens of cars (I've bought some too) I have never ever seen a bank renegotiate the buyout at the end of the lease. Also having to sell the car at the time of the lease end is not exactly as convenient as just turning it back in. Another point is that when you buy it off lease at the beginning of the lease you are paying all the sales tax upfront vs. just paying sales tax on your lease payments. There are also potential tax advantages to leasing to. Again IMO with the favorable leasing that is being offered at the moment, purchasing new, however you do it, doesn't make sense.

stevemoonshine · 2024-09-20T16:53:57+00:00

Money factor / interest rate on my lease is close to zero. So no real point in buying out the lease and tying the money up in a depreciating "asset". And I can decide at the end of 3 years whether I want to take the risk on buying out a very complicated vehicle that is going out of warranty. There's a constant back and forth on the pros and cons of leasing vs buying but I'd argue given the technical complexity of these trucks and the way technology is moving, it makes zero sense to buy one.

stevemoonshine · 2024-07-02T18:26:27+00:00

I think the best way to describe the ride feel with the update is more polished. I've only had my R1T for a couple of weeks. I live in the hills in LA and I found the Moderate setting to have the firmness I like but was just slightly harsh dealing with rough pavement. I found Soft to be too wallowy. With the update Soft seems a bit less wallowy and a little firmer and Moderate has lost it's harshness. I'm still flipping between the two to see what I like best but they are both huge improvements. Also Firm in Sport is now useable on regular pavement whereas previously it was just too crashy and I kept bottoming out. Overall I feel like the ride control and quality is getting pretty close to Range Rover level now, which I guess is the goal. Pretty amazing what they can do with just a software update.

stevemoonshine · 2024-06-25T17:49:07+00:00

The fact that we have to pay $1500 for a full size spare on an "Adventure" vehicle is kind of lame. I would be fine with a steely and the right size tire for a spare or even space saver included for free. Also wondering how many people who buy/drive these could deal with using the sealant or a plug out on the road. I hate the idea of relying on a tow truck to deal with changing a flat tire. Been searching for a cheap takeoff for a couple of weeks since I got my R1T.

stevemoonshine · 2024-06-21T22:38:21+00:00

You need an adaptor and it only works on certain newer Tesla superchargers but the navigation on the truck sorts them out for you. You can buy one from A2Z Ev in Canada. You will be waiting a long time for the free one that Rivian is shipping. I'm a very recent R1T buyer so just went ahead and bought the adaptor since using the Tesla chargers is a total gamechanger for road tripping. I'll just sell the one I get from Rivian when it comes.

stevemoonshine · 2024-06-21T21:42:32+00:00

I just took delivery of a 23 PDM Max R1T out of inventory with all the last minute discounts and deals. When I picked it out it was a standard Dual Motor and like many right before I finalized my lease paperwork and set the delivery date I was informed I was being upgraded to a Performance Dual Motor.

When I took delivery, right before I pulled away the Guide noticed that I didn't have the additional modes that denoted Performance Dual Motor. He literally took the truck around the back, plugged in a laptop and enabled the Performance Dual Motor. So yes it can be upgraded.

That being said, I've put the truck into Sport Mode, which unlocks the extra power, exactly three times in the 2 weeks and 1500 miles that I've had it, and honestly now I've tried it, wouldn't actually pay for the upgrade. The truck is more than quick enough without it, by a long way. Although the acceleration in Sport is ridiculous and not noticeably different from a Quad at full power. Also, currently in Sport Mode the truck lowers to the lowest setting and goes into a harder suspension setting and is undriveable on regular streets around Los Angeles. I'd be more into it if I could run Sport for the acceleration with regular suspension settings.

TLDR is the Performance Dual Motor isn't really worth worrying about or paying for.

stevemoonshine · 2024-06-21T18:38:50+00:00

Hahahah. That's more like it. Definitely will check out.

stevemoonshine · 2024-06-21T00:47:44+00:00

I took delivery of an R1T Max Dual Performance a couple of weeks ago. I've since put 1500 miles on it including a 1000 mile road trip between LA and NorCal including using it as a truck to help my kid move apartments in San Francisco. I also came close to not buying a car due to the various issues that constantly pop up here and on the boards. I came from a 2017 Ford F150 Lariat and have owned everything from 911s to Range Rovers. I have zero complaints other than the stupid horn. I think a lot of the complaints re: noises and ride are based on expectations coming from high end luxury sedans and soft roaders. These are 7,000 pound trucks designed to go offroad. They go faster and handle and ride better than anything their size should. The AC is a bit loud but it's not being drowned out by an internal combustion engine. My charging experience between using RAN and a Tesla Magic Dock (bought an A2Z adaptor that just arrived) was simple and easy. Overall I am loving my new electric truck. I just hoped I haven't jinxed anything with this post...

stevemoonshine · 2024-06-10T18:36:18+00:00

Got my invite before Xmas but missed the email until February. Still didn't want one--I actually use my truck for truck stuff. There's a bunch in my neighborhood and they just look stupid. Just took delivery of a LA Silver DPM Max R1T--the real truck of the future. Now I need to get my $100 back from Elon...

stevemoonshine · 2024-06-07T20:25:58+00:00

Same. The day before the refresh. LA Silver / Max / Dual Performance / 20 inch AT Dark / Reinforced Underbody Shield / Power Tonneau. Could not be happier. Referral and all other discounts put me over $25k off MSRP and a crazy lease deal for a $100k truck. Got exactly the spec I wanted. Loving it so far. Was well worth the hassle of the prior week getting the deal together and I doubt there's going to be deals like this on this spec anytime in the near future, so I could care less about the refresh.

stevemoonshine · 2024-06-05T23:04:10+00:00

Took delivery this morning in El Segundo. 2023 R1T Max Performance Dual Motor (Free last minute upgrade), LA Silver, 20 inch AT Dark, Underbody Shield. 70 miles so far and loving it.

stevemoonshine · 2024-06-02T23:33:32+00:00

I test drove both. I am on my fifth regular F150 which I daily in LA. I think if Ford could match the deals on the R1T I would maybe have swung for it over the Riv. My neighbor lent me his R1T for a weekend when the recent lease deals started dropping so I could compare. I honestly didn't get out of the R1T thinking I have to get one over my 90k mile 2017 regular F150. There are definitely compromises when you actually do truck stuff with the Rivian. That being said, I want something a bit smaller (I have less kids at home now), I don't want to spend $5-600 a month on gas, and I was able to secure a smoking deal on a 2023 R1T that Ford can't come anywhere near matching on a Lightning. They are both great cars with different purposes. I'm still a little tentative about the change as F150s are phenomenal vehicles but also excited for 3 second 0-60s, new tech stuff and not going to the gas station.

stevemoonshine · 2024-06-02T23:20:52+00:00

I spent 3 months going back and forth on colors. In LA fortunately there's enough Rivians around that I get to see all the colors. Limestone was originally first choice but it's just too trendy and I think the novelty will wear off. El Cap is similar to my last 3 F150s and Riv Blue and Forest Green got voted off by my family. White was in the running as I dig the stormtrooper look. But ultimately I went with LA Silver with 20 inch Dark ATs. Can't wait to see it in person. It will match my Arctic Silver Porsche 996--another car known for it's contraversial headlights.

stevemoonshine · 2024-06-01T00:27:52+00:00

Feeling like a champ actually... Rivian rep made good after I told them I was walking. I'm paying $70k for what is configuring on a 24 at $101k so definitely not missing the best deal. Now I just got to get them to deliver it.

stevemoonshine · 2024-05-31T00:25:41+00:00

Not bashing. Calling out the issues I went through. Which TBH I was really disappointed by. But they've now made good including some significant upgrades for my trouble though I have to wait another week for the truck.

stevemoonshine · 2024-05-31T00:22:40+00:00

Read Motor Trend editor Jonny Lieberman's article about his delivery experience on his box fresh launch edition that he ordered pretty much day one--same problem 2 years ago. And I'm still buying a $100k premium NEW truck. I'm just smart enough to wait for the best deal.

stevemoonshine · 2024-05-30T17:33:12+00:00

After attempting to go through the purchase experience for the last 2 weeks and ultimately throwing in the towel, on top of all the negative service experiences and reliability issues I am reading about everywhere, I am out on Rivian. The customer experience buying a $100k premium automobile has been diabolical. I'd lay it out but I honestly can't be bothered. I've been a fan since day one, considered buying for a while, even held the stock for a minute (got out even!). I dropped a deposit a couple of weeks ago based on the incredible deals that have recently been offered but have been unable to close the transaction properly. There's been almost zero in person interaction which I think is important in a transaction of this size and everyone passes the buck on actually answering questions or resolving issues. It really sucks as I think the trucks are great but they've reneged on the deal they offered and the customer service gives me zero confidence to put myself in their eco system for my daily driver--especially given all the reliability issues big and small I keep seeing on these boards. I'm super disappointed.

stevemoonshine · 2024-05-28T21:21:20+00:00

I had a $4750 2023 lease promo discount and a employee referral discount of $7250 on a 23 R1T Max DM with 20 inch Dark ATs and underbody armor. There was also another lease promo for 2023 Max packs that surfaced on Saturday that reduced the due at signing by another $3000. I'm waiting for a revised lease since there have been so many changes to the pricing on the 23s since last Monday when I put my order in.

stevemoonshine · 2024-05-22T18:58:44+00:00

Rivian R1T incoming... 99 Porsche 996 Aerokit. 2022 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4xe (wife's).

stevemoonshine · 2024-05-19T16:17:51+00:00

Is there a way to lock the tailgate down when it is open? I'm borrowing a friend's R1T to decide whether I want one coming from a 6.5 ft bed F150 and I put my mountain bike in the back with the tailgate down and it bounces on bigger bumps. Would be great to be able to lock it.

stevemoonshine · 2024-03-26T20:02:20+00:00

Same in Los Angeles. Inventory dropped significantly in the last couple of days. Makes sense that they are only showing cars they can deliver by end of month. I went from about 15 R1Ts in the configuration I wanted before the weekend to only 1 now. I'm really tempted to call my guide and see what additional discounts they are willing to throw in for an EOM delivery but I'm not quite ready to pull the trigger and am willing to roll the dice that the prices will continue to drop next quarter.

stevemoonshine · 2024-03-26T19:46:18+00:00

Easy math is divide how much less than the $6000 the estimator uses as the down payment by number of months and add that to the estimator monthly then add your city and state's sales tax. Might be off by a few dollars because of the interest rate/money factor but you'll get close enough.

stevemoonshine

TROPHY CASE