Rivian R1T Delivery Day: Limestone Color & First Impressions

The R1T is home! Sherwin walks through the delivery of his Limestone Rivian truck, compares the experience to Tesla, and dives into the high cost of insuring a three-EV fleet in SoCal.

I’ve got a massive smile on my face because today is a milestone for “Smartin Up Creations”—it is Delivery Day for my Rivian R1T. This is the first Rivian I’ve taken delivery of, and it officially marks our sixth EV. As I always say: once you go electric, you never go back to gas!

I’ve wanted a truck for years, but it was never practical with my long commute. Now, thanks to the efficiency of EVs and some insane lease deals, I finally have the “R1T Studios” in my driveway.

The Delivery Experience: Rivian vs. Tesla

I took a Lyft (sent by Rivian) to pick up the truck. The process felt a bit more hands-on than my previous Tesla deliveries:

The Handover: Much like Tesla, most of the paperwork was handled digitally beforehand. I was given a Carabiner key fob, two numbered key cards (which I love—no more guessing which card is which!), and my phone was paired as a key.
The Calibration: Unlike a new Tesla, the Rivian’s ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) didn’t need a 20-mile calibration period; it worked right out of the gate.
Vehicle Specs: I picked up a 2023 model in Limestone with 21-inch road tires (Pirelli Scorpion All-Season). Since it was a 2023 model, I actually scored an extra $2,000 off the price.

Technical First Impressions & “Rivian-isms”

On the drive home, I started digging into the hardware. First impressions:

Ride Height: You sit noticeably higher than in a Model X, even in the “Low” suspension setting.
Regenerative Braking: The regen on the Rivian is much harsher than the “soft” feel of a Tesla. As soon as you lift off the pedal, it bites hard, which takes some getting used to.
Audio: The sound system is solid but required some EQ fiddling. I noticed some vibration/rattling with heavy bass, so I had to dial it back.

Hardware “Within Spec”?

If you think Tesla is the only one with panel gap issues, think again. My R1T had a few delivery-day defects:

Spare Tire Compartment: The right-side latch won’t close properly.
Misalignments: Noticed some gaps near the front bumper, headlight, and B-pillar.
Wiper Fluid: The “low fluid” light came on the very next day—likely because the truck had been sitting since its build date in July 2023.

I’ve already scheduled a service appointment. While the initial wait was two months, a cancellation moved me up to May 7th.

The Insurance Nightmare (California Edition)

Insuring three EVs (Model Y Performance, Model X Plaid, and R1T) in California is getting complicated. Here’s the final monthly breakdown after much back-and-forth:

Model Y Performance: $236.01
Model X Plaid: $222.83
Rivian R1T: $178.11
Total Monthly Cost: $637.69 via Tesla Insurance.

I initially looked at Nationwide (Rivian’s partner), but they quoted me a staggering $1,583 per month for the three-car fleet! Needless to say, I’m sticking with Tesla Insurance for now.

Final Thoughts

Abby took it for a spin and her first reaction? “It feels way bigger than the Model X”. She’s still adjusting to seeing the hood while driving, but she loves the soft suspension. As for me, I feel like a kid again. This truck is all about adventure.