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Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV

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Re: Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV

#271

Post by mschaef »

KennyBlanken wrote: post #159
sgt wrote: post #132

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also Doug Demuro raves about it [1]. Personally I can't stand Marques' reviews. Just inspiring and he looks bored. Doug on the other hand really seems to put some of his soul into his reviews. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUl_0087dyM

Doug's format is beyond worn out and tiresome. He hasn't innovated or improved upon anything in years. Don't even get me started on his voice...

Agreed, re: DeMuro.... I'm long past tired of hearing how "The ____ is the ____!"

I do like Tedward's videos, though. He seems a lot more honestly enthusiastic about it, and definitely has fun with the cars.

Re: Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV

#272

Post by tw04 »

cschmatzler wrote: post #156
gorgoiler wrote: post #153

I bought a new salad spinner recently, after having broken yet another one. I’ve had fancy brands like Zyliss and OXO. I’ve had cheap store brand models and cheaper Amazon MYSSNGVWL type stuff as well. Knowing they would probably break didn’t make it feel better when they eventually broke. Anyway the new salad spinner is large, heavy, with a steel pin into a brass bushing, has a metal handle and nylon gears in a seal…

This won’t fit the usual hate, but.. https://epc.tesla.com Vast majority of parts can be ordered directly from the catalogue.

I mean, the vast majority of parts for the vast majority of cars can be ordered from:

https://www.rockauto.com/

Ordering parts feels like less of the issue than the ability to fix and service it yourself.

Has tesla started supporting third party shops doing battery replacements for instance?

Re: Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV

#273

Post by mortos »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #73
seemaze wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A cursory search of the web shows that TCO for EVs in the US is higher than ICE for all but high mileage commuters. Wish it wasn't the case, but insurance alone is a 30% premium.

https://www.atlasevhub.com/weekly-digest/new-2025-update-on-...

> While drafting the fact sheet, we checked two headline policy ideas that the One Big, Beautiful, Bill introduced: the early sunset of the consumer EV credit and a new $250 annual EV fee. While the annual fee was dropped from the final legislation, the $7,500 consumer credit now ends September 30th.

> For the Equinox EV, these changes would cut its seven-year savings over the gasoline Equinox from about $9,000 to under $200. The Model Y also showed savings compared to its gasoline comparison under that less favorable scenario for EVs.

That link also factors in fuel savings which depends on where you live. I'd personally never save on an EV if it costs more upfront.

Re: Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV

#274

Post by simonsarris »

gorgoiler wrote: post #153

I bought a new salad spinner recently, after having broken yet another one. I’ve had fancy brands like Zyliss and OXO. I’ve had cheap store brand models and cheaper Amazon MYSSNGVWL type stuff as well. Knowing they would probably break didn’t make it feel better when they eventually broke. Anyway the new salad spinner is large, heavy, with a steel pin into a brass bushing, has a metal handle and nylon gears in a seal…

> but where is my car version of this?

It's the status quo? Cars last longer than they ever have in history. In 2 decades average age of cars on the road increased from 9.5 to 14.5. They are a little more difficult to maintain for the home mechanic because they are packed with electronics, but what you want seems to exist perfectly. Many use timing chains instead of timing belts that last 20+ years. Radiators rarely crack whereas they used to all the time. Alternators last the life of the vehicle. Cars are often upgraded because the owner is bored or does not feel like paying for rust repair at the 15 year mark, more than unfixable problems.

Re: Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV

#275

Post by torginus »

LightBug1 wrote: post #245
torginus wrote: post #223

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Imo its not anti-China protectionism. Western models are cheaper in China, and Chinese models are more expensive in the EU & UK. I think it's a combination of manufacturers wanting a higher profit, some adaptations & certification processes, dealer and service infrastructure necessary for selling in the West that just costs more. I don't think Chinese manufacturers will be able to significantly undercut the competiti…

I would have thought that to be the case too ... I know all about the exciting Xiaomi cars (e.g.) but I grew up in the era of the Chinese brand being "low quality". We're well beyond that now and have been for probably a decade. And don't get me wrong, I'm not a China cheerleader. I give the example I mentioned. People local to me swapping out their model 3's for BYD. Maybe they just got to their end of their lease c…

I welcome the competition, but my two cents is that BYD or any other Chinese brand doesn't seem to be offering anything outside of the typicial price-performance calculus of existing brands.

I welcome competition, as it benefits everyone, even people who don't want to buy Chinese. It will also encourge building factories for EV components in Europe, which mean other suppliers might benefit from lower prices, and some of the savings will end up at the customer.

As for why your coworkers decided to go for non-Tesla EVs, you have to ask them, and ask them again a few years from now if it was worth it. In their defense, Tesla makes a very particular kind of car (in 2 slight variations), which many people might want to move away from.

Maybe they want a petrol range extender, maybe they want a more traditional SUV, or something smaller/bigger than Tesla.

Re: Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV

#276

Post by mortos »

actionfromafar wrote: post #236
nomel wrote: post #182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How much of that performance comes for free, from optimizing for range/efficiency? What's the obvious "that could be less" in the system that wouldn't negatively impact efficiency?

None of it. It the motor is smaller, it pulls less current. If it pull less current, you can use batteries which aren't specced for high amps. If use use less amps, you can use thinner cabling and split the batteries up i various compartments. That means heat is more distributed. Less active cooling, if any, is needed, of both batteries and motors. All of the above can translate to less weight, which mean better rang…

Weight has nearly no effect on range of an EV. The YouTube channel Aging Wheels has two good videos on this.

Here he talks about towing, and he demonstrates loading the truck to max capacity makes nearly no difference: https://youtu.be/UmKf8smvGsA

He also covered an attempted Cannonball run where they stuffed two extra battery packs into a Rivian R1T: https://youtu.be/yfgkh4Fgw98

Real differences makers are smaller wheels and aerodynamics

Re: Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV

#277

Post by plqbfbv »

socialcommenter wrote: post #123
maxdo wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

as a tesla owner, all I can tell, carPlay is ugly child was born due to EU car makers, not capable of building proper infotainment system. I want to drive, not constantly connect/accept privacy etc. Especially if that is a $100k+ car. When i get into the car, the last thing I'd like to know how my car is getting connected to my phone, if there are any issues, especially if that is not my car. I love how my car knows…

CarPlay has become somewhat of a standard. It's fine to say you personally don't need it, but many/most laymen will still expect their new car to support it. If a PC was launched without Windows support, most people on HN might be able to live with it day-to-day, but it would still be a dealbreaker for the general population. Admittedly this isn't a fair comparison, but hopefully you understand my point.

As another Tesla owner, I've had this discussion with my brother one too many times. He'll insist he needs buttons, he needs Android Auto/CarPlay and whatnot. Every time I step into one of those cars I'm overwhelmed. Half of the times it doesn't connect, when it connects I get useless notifications for everything. It's not well integrated, and it'll randomly break during the trip.

I understand it has become a standard but it's not a particularly good one, and adding it "just because it's a standard" would detract from the car experience in my opinion. It's a separate device, with a separate OS, kernel, apps etc where you can install almost anything, that's supposed to take over a piece of equipment that belongs with the car and controls all its functions. I'd really rather not have that.

If the infotainment is the basic "show 2D maps and a couple settings", then Android Auto/CarPlay can serve as a viable replacement for low-end cars. But when the car costs >30k and the screen is also the central command console, no thanks. I'd rather have proper OTA updates, give feedback, and see it evolve over time for the better.

Re: Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV

#279

Post by hnburnsy »

FranklinJabar wrote: post #210
mavhc wrote: post #208

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You want to add a load of buttons? Should be easy enough, just get them to send codes to the computer via the network. Door handles are harder, what do you want to change? Inner or outer? What's insane about the charging port?

Great, who can I contact to get this done? > What's insane about the charging port? Well it doesn't work with most charging stations. Maybe it's different in the US.

> Great, who can I contact to get this done?

Here you go, add as many buttons, dials, knobs, and screens as you like for your Tesla...

https://www.enhauto.com/collections

Re: Rivian R2: Electric Mid-Size SUV

#280

Post by antasvara »

gorgoiler wrote: post #153

I bought a new salad spinner recently, after having broken yet another one. I’ve had fancy brands like Zyliss and OXO. I’ve had cheap store brand models and cheaper Amazon MYSSNGVWL type stuff as well. Knowing they would probably break didn’t make it feel better when they eventually broke. Anyway the new salad spinner is large, heavy, with a steel pin into a brass bushing, has a metal handle and nylon gears in a seal…

That's a salad spinner with a price of ~4x the cost of the OXO one. Would you buy a new car that cost 150,000 dollars?
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