Cross Shopping

[R1TVT]

I like knowing their software and speech tracking can handle that

This may actually become one of my favorite non-work use cases for AI-enablement.

 

[R1TVT]

Is there a way to change the wake phrase? "Vivian" was the 81st most popular female name heading into 2026 and has been in the top 100 since 2023. And let's not forget its popularity in the 1920s and '30s!

Will need to check, have not had the need.

 

[Warbirds]

OK, not sure where I'm going with this - but hear me out.

I've had a plan for nearly two years now, (19 months to be exact, since I placed my Scout reservation): Lease the Hyundai to try living with a BEV, and drive my Xterra until the Scout is ready. Good plan.

Life has different plans, my youngest is graduating college this month, has a job lined up and is looking for an apartment. Right on plan.

BUT: her car has stranded her twice in the last 6 months, first was just a battery, 2nd was "undefined" - car just quit on the highway. In my opinion, life is hard enough for kids these days, and as I work from home we are going to trade cars, so she will get my 13 year old Xterra, and I will take on her older car - maybe trouble shoot it, or more likely just trade it on on something I want. Works for me, as a "car guy" I get to help my kid and justify something new for me!

So, I spent the weekend test driving. Narrowing things down to a Defender 110, a LandCruiser or a used Rivian R1, and I have an R2 reservation in my back pocket, if my number ever comes up - all are similar price ranges, and I think similar to what my eventual Scout will cost.

The Defender is by far the superior driving experience, (IMO) but I've had a Rover before (Discovery 2) and not sure I'm up for the inevitable maintenance, as I tend to keep cars a long time, especially at these prices. Love the Landcruiser, but at this price I'm not settling for less than exactly what I want, so I'm probably looking at a 3-6 month wait (per the two dealers I spoke with)

But here's my challenge: I had the opportunity to drive a 2 year old Rivian R1S, 27k on the clock. Two complaints:

1) The ride and the rattles. This one was challenged by the 22" rims, but even still we played with all the suspension settings, and frankly it rode horribly. Both my old Xterra and the 2024 Hyundai, on the same stretches of road (we were so surprised we went back and re-drove in our cars just to check) were more solid feeling and even the old Xterra (with 33" ATs on it) has far fewer rattles. The experience made me question my R2 reservation. Rivian owners, is this just how it is? Did I get a bad one? Did I have my hopes up too high? It can't just be the air suspension, the Defender has air shocks too, and rides perfectly.

2) The Rivian "tech" package. Having to go through the screen to do absolutely everything is a nightmare. I didn't realize how annoying it would be until I tried it, and I'm very glad that Scout, even though they are sharing tech, has made it clear they will have some real buttons.

I'm still excited for my eventual Scout, but the Rivian experience made me realize that it's not that easy to put it all together. Or did I just try a bad one? Curious about any thoughts....

I’m right there with you. Love the Rivian performance but the software drove me nuts.

I ended up with my Audi Q4 and a Raptor. Will the Scout be able to upstage the Raptor? I doubt it. Will I replace the Audi with it? Time will tell.