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A Tesla Model 3’s massive value drop is prompting its owner to consider buying a Rivian R1S Tri SUV. Is the loss worth a whole new electric experience?
A TikToker who posted a video who goes by greenemeansgo1 says,
“I bought a Tesla Model 3 in 2022 before they went off the deep end. It has lost a lot of value since I bought it. The brand is so damaged. So, finally, I said, ok, I’m just going to bite the bullet and trade it in. I’m so far upside down.”
“Whatever, it is what it is.”
“So, I’m about to buy a 2025 Rivian R1S Tri and I’m scared. So. I want to know if anyone else has experience, specifically if you’ve owned a Tesla and then purchased a Rivian? And which model did you get, because I need to be right.”
“I’m looking at the Rivian R1S with the grey/blue color and the walnut interior, and it looks really good in photos, but I haven’t even seen it in real life.”
“I’ve heard that last year’s model was not so good. So I’m wondering if the 2025 model is good? I need some advice. I’m about to pull the trigger, and I’m scared.”
Trading Up: Is Moving from a Tesla Model 3 to the 2025 Rivian R1S Tri-Motor the Right Bet?
I can hear the stress, the frustration, and the genuine fear in greenemeansgo1’s words.
What she’s feeling—the regret over your 2022 Tesla Model 3 purchase and the anxiety over pulling the trigger on the 2025 Rivian R1S—is normal. Dealing with a vehicle that has lost value through no fault of your own is an emotional and financial rollercoaster. Many of you can probably relate.
She wants to “be right” this time.
This is more than a car purchase; it’s a course correction, a significant upgrade in quality, capability, and brand principles. Let’s break down why the decision to jump to the R1S could be strategically sound, and whether the 2025 Rivian R1S Tri will alleviate concerns about investing in the rapidly evolving EV landscape.
1. Tesla Depreciation
“greenemeansgo1” is not the only Tesla owner who is feeling burned. When she says the brand is “damaged,” she’s hitting the nail on the head regarding resale value.
The issue isn’t that the Model 3 is a bad car; it’s that Tesla, as a company, fundamentally changed the rules of the automotive market by executing massive, unpredictable price cuts multiple times since late 2022. Every time they slashed the price of a new Model 3, they instantly devalued every used Model 3 sitting on a driveway.
This instability has led directly to the Tesla Model 3 depreciation crisis in 2024 and 2025. It wasn’t typical market depreciation; it was brought on directly by Tesla. For owners who paid the higher pre-cut price, trading in an upside-down Tesla for any car or the Rivian R1S is an unfortunate but unavoidable reality.
Tesla Shot Itself In the Foot
The financial hit now is the cost of buying yourself out of the Tesla volatility cycle.
Rolling that negative Tesla equity into a new Rivian loan is a sunk cost that allows “greenemeansgo1” to move into a vehicle with a more stable pricing structure and a different brand commitment to exclusivity, and she hopes, quality. If she makes the trade, she’s moving from a mass-market car to a premium adventure vehicle.
2. Is the 2025 Rivian R1S the Upgrade She Needs?
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Her concern about whether the 2025 Rivian R1S Tri-Motor specifications and upgrades are substantial enough to justify the move is valid, especially given the chatter about earlier model years.
The 2025 R1S is a significant leap; however, Rivian is not sitting still. They have transitioned to their new second-generation platform, focusing on substantial improvements in efficiency, performance, and internal components.
Key 2025 R1S Improvements:
- Next-Gen Powertrain (Enduro): For the 2025 Tri-Motor model, she’s getting the highly potent Tri-Motor setup, which now leverages Rivian’s in-house Enduro drive units. This shift results in improved power management, increased efficiency, and reduced complexity compared to earlier models that utilized a combination of components. The result is a vehicle that feels tighter, faster, and more integrated.
- Revised Battery Architecture: The battery packs have been redesigned for simplicity, higher energy density, and easier manufacturing. This translates to slightly improved range figures and, crucially, faster DC fast charging capability thanks to thermal and software refinements.
- Enhanced Build Quality & Cabin Experience: While Rivian’s quality was already miles ahead of Tesla’s initial fit and finish, the 2025 models continue to refine panel gaps, tighten interior tolerances, and reduce cabin noise. The R1S cabin is designed to feel durable, luxurious, and insulated, a stark contrast to the minimalist, often noisy Model 3 environment.
The jump in horsepower (often pushing 850+ hp in the Tri-Motor configuration) isn’t just for bragging rights; it’s for high performance regardless of load or terrain. This is an SUV built for real-world adventure, not just commuting.
With that said, the Rivian R1S Tri-Motor is likely much more than “greenemeansgo1” needs. She should also look at the 2025 Rivian R1S, which may be all she needs.
3. The Shift from Tesla to Rivian
She specifically asked about the owner reviews of the Tesla Model 3 transition to the Rivian R1S experience. The universal feedback I’ve tracked is overwhelmingly positive, focusing on a few core themes:
- Quality over Quantity: Owners trade the relentless pursuit of software updates and minimalist design for superior materials, better seats, and a more robust, “tank-like” feel. Where the Model 3 excels in raw, spartan efficiency, the R1S excels in tactile quality and ride comfort (thanks to its advanced air suspension).
- The Service Difference: While Rivian is still developing its network, its commitment to service and the customer experience is drastically different from Tesla’s often transactional approach. Rivian owners consistently report feeling valued and heard, which is critical when comparing the long-term reliability of the Rivian R1S to that of Tesla. Rivian is making a clear investment in customer care and high-end materials that signal durability.
- Community: The Rivian community is tight-knit, focusing on the vehicle’s capabilities for camping, overlanding, and exploration. It’s a culture, not just a car. If “greenemeansgo1” is looking for this, Rivian is the brand.
4. What About Aesthetics?
Let’s talk about aesthetics, because it matters. She is looking at the gray/blue color with the walnut interior. That combination is absolutely stunning in person. Rivian’s color palette is sophisticated and deliberate, avoiding the plain, generic look of many volume EVs.
The walnut wood is a key element of the R1S’s identity—it adds warmth, depth, and a high-end, tactile quality that the Model 3 lacks entirely. It helps solidify the answer to whether the 2025 Rivian R1S is worth the price jump over the Model 3. Yes, because she’s buying a vehicle that successfully mates luxury-level interior appointments with extreme utility.
Now, For the Financial Question
The price jump is not just a cost, but a move into a higher class of vehicle. While the Model 3 is a $40k-$50k sedan (before the market correction), the R1S is a $90k+ luxury SUV that competes with Range Rover and premium German SUVs, offering superior performance, sustainability, and adventure.
“greenemeansgo1’s” decision to trade her 2022 Model 3 for the 2025 Rivian R1S Tri-Motor is a decision that moves her away from a volatile model and into a premium vehicle that is gaining momentum in terms of engineering and market presence.
Key Takeaways:
- Dwelling on the Loss: The money is gone. She is trading in an upside-down Tesla Model 3 for a Rivian R1S to gain peace of mind and quality. Focus on the reduced long-term stress of owning a more stable, higher-quality asset.
- The 2025 Specs: The 2025 model year, featuring the Enduro-based Tri-Motor system and software updates, is the version to get. It’s the mature product that addresses the minor jitters of the earlier production runs.
- The Aesthetics: Since she hasn’t seen the specific configuration, she needs to make an appointment to see that gray/blue exterior with the walnut interior. She also needs to look at the other Rivian R1S trims. She may find that the Tri-Motor is more than she needs.
In The End
What “greenemeansgo1” will appreciate is Rivian’s dedication to design quality. She’s not just buying an electric SUV; she’s buying an experience.
My question to Tesla owners is this:
For those of you who have made the jump from a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y to a premium Adventure EV (Rivian R1S or R1T), what unexpected non-performance feature of the Rivian convinced you that the 2025 Rivian R1S is worth the price jump over a Model 3 that validated your decision to absorb the depreciation hit? Share your insights below!
Check out my Tesla Model 3 story: I Picked Up a 2025 Honda Prologue Touring This Morning, and I’m Thrilled I Got Out of the Absolute Piece of Work 2022 Tesla Model 3
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram
Photo credit: Denis Flierl
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Source: torquenews.com
