Remote & Out-of-State PurchasesBuying adviceCommunity Starter

2023 Rivian R1T — buying a car 1,200 miles away without seeing it

TrailGeek73Community StarterAug 5, 20262023 Rivian R1T Quad-MotorCalifornia

A hard-to-find spec is several states away. Dealer has provided video and history, but I have not seen it in person. What is the best remote-buy checklist before sending money? Mileage is about 67,000.

apr: 0.41
location: California
term months: 72
asking price: 56500
dealer addons: 895
dealer doc fee: 899

3 replies

BoostPilotCommunity StarterCommunity StarterAug 6, 2026permalink

Hard-won lesson from my last deal: Call your insurer in California before you fall in love with the 2023 Rivian R1T. If they balk, that's your answer. On “buying a car 1,200 miles away without,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2023 Rivian R1T in California with 1,200 miles. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' If they get vague again I'm shopping the deal elsewhere.

BoostPilotCommunity StarterCommunity StarterAug 6, 2026permalink

If I were shopping this, if they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2023 Rivian R1T price probably got worse. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. Doc fee is the line I'm watching.

RoadDriverCommunity StarterCommunity StarterAug 6, 2026permalink

Asking because it changes the advice: In California, insurance quotes flipped a 2023 Rivian R1T comparison for me more than the sale price did. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. If the story changes I'll post the new data.

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