Purchasing Used 2023 with Only 140 miles - Bad Idea?

[DayTripping]

Anecdotally, looking at the listing https://www.carmax.com/car/26612858

I see this car has the 20” AT wheels. Good chance it has the underbody shield as well, both of which are expensive options that normally would add over $5K to the price.

Mine has limestone paint, AT20 dark wheels, and the underbody shield and was still just $73K. Funny how the CarMax pricing algorithm totally overlooks options, using only year/mileage to calculate pricing.

Mostly because typically on used cars, these options have no impact on the value. They just add to the depreciation. I can tell you when I started shopping used, I didn't see a difference in the price when at dealers for anything other than motor and battery configuration. Wheels, underbody, tonneau, etc. barely moved the needle if at all.

Misunderstood that it was a purchase from Rivian. Go for the low price then because less warranty remaining.

Also be aware that this is Gen 1, so ADAS will be inferior to current models.

Don't worry about ADAS, they both suck. If that really mattes, buy a Tesla. For a Gen 1, look up Comma.AI and the thread here. The initial vids of it look quite promising by the people beta testing it on a Rivian. That is what I've ordered to pair with my Gen 1.

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[meshugy]

I also wonder under what circumstances CarMax is receiving these super low mileage vehicles. The salesman at CarMax told me they have a relationship with Rivian and indicated these cars may be lease returns. However, how would that work? Technically, if you lease a car and put a few hundred miles on it and return it, you’re still responsible for all the remaining payments. Who would do that?

I suppose the buyer could have immediately traded their Rivian in for another car and the dealer bought out the lease and then auctioned off the car to CarMax. Although, I think some people have run into trouble getting Chase to accept lease buyouts from third parties.

There’s also the possibility that there was something initially wrong with the car and Rivian had to immediately replace it. However, I’ve seen the CarFax reports for many of the super low mileage vehicles at CarMax and they never show any record of service. However, the manufacturer may be able to service a returned vehicle w/out reporting it. So these cars maybe refurbished in some way.

 

[Sheeptruck]

I would not be too concerned with the HV system. The 12V may need replacement, but it would be under warranty, and mobile service could handle if needed. Tires may have started to dry rot or get flat spots if sitting for awhile. Personally, I would not be too concerned about any issues and would rather go for a used one like this versus a new one, but I am sure others have differing opinions.

I wouldn't even be that worried about the tires. Look at the tires and wheels and the body for any damage.
Test drive it. If you like it then know that it is still under warranty.

 

[DeafPug]

If you’re going for a used one, be sure to look at the Demo Vehicles direct from Rivian. https://demovehicles.rivian.com/ These have never been sold and are either showroom, test drive, or loaner vehicles. I picked up a Dec ‘22 build in Sep ‘24. It had 107 miles on the odometer at purchase. The nice thing with a demo vehicle compared to a normal used vehicle is the calendar portion of the warranty starts now when it is sold, not at some point 1-2 years ago.

 

[DayTripping]

If you’re going for a used one, be sure to look at the Demo Vehicles direct from Rivian. https://demovehicles.rivian.com/ These have never been sold and are either showroom, test drive, or loaner vehicles. I picked up a Dec ‘22 build in Sep ‘24. It had 107 miles on the odometer at purchase. The nice thing with a demo vehicle compared to a normal used vehicle is the calendar portion of the warranty starts now when it is sold, not at some point 1-2 years ago.

This is one thing to think about but the quads have a 5/60 bumper to bumper warranty. In my case I found a used one with about a year of use and 6k miles. I think I had 49 months and 54k miles left on the warranty. So I still had more warranty than a dual motor did when new.
This is something to consider if you actually think the Gen2 improvements are important to you. If I were @Nectar0 I would see what they were actually worth to me. Is it worth paying 20k-50k more to get them? The lower amount would be buying something like a Gen2 dual motor. The higher figure would be more like buying a Tri Max which would be closer to the Gen1 quad they are considering.

So if you think Gen2 is better, is it worth paying 110k+ for a similarly equipped Tri Max instead of the barely used one? I was in this situation 5 months ago. As a friend of mine would say, "the math wasn't matching." For me buying my R1T used, it saved me $50k vs a new Tri Max. That savings would have almost allowed me to pick up a used R1S too. Not quite, but close enough to think about it.

The other plus in this situation is the used one has already taken the biggest part of the depreciation hit. The Gen2 is going to drop at least 20k as soon as you buy it. There was someone here on the forum selling their 2025 performance dual motor. It had less than 1k miles on, I think about 600. It ultimately sold on Cars and Bids for more than 20k less than he paid for it. I think it was a bigger hit than that when you figure the taxes and licensing fees they incurred at the time of purchase and threw away.

I just found the thread. It is here.
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...e-silver-awd-immaculate-only-659-miles.38482/

I'd say drive the G2's and see if you think they are an upgrade and worth the extra $$$. It is your money, do what makes sense for you. We all have our own approach. Mine is not to light money on fire any more like I did with my Model S Plaid. Made more cautious about the depreciation hit on expensive EVs.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Listing says 1,000 miles. Could be a good deal. Gen 1 Quads have the longest warranty 8y/175k battery and electric drive plus a 5y/60k new car warranty. So if it’s 18mo old you will have 3.5y on the new car and 6.5 years on the battery and electric drive. Note that your out of the 1y/12k adjustment warranty though.

if you want max warranty I like the suggestions above to look at the Rivian demos. Because as noted above, they should have the full warranty, even though they have some mileage on them.

it is abnormally low mileage though but since it’s a car max vehicle you may never get the full story except what’s on the VHR.

 

[Nectar0]

Test drove a Gen2 Tri yesterday. Amazing car. Anyways, I've been running the numbers and here's how they are looking. My wife and I prioritize the range increase as a justification to pay more for a Gen 2. In short, I would need to pay $11k more + go through the Lease->Buy game to add get into a car that increases that.

Feel free to post any corrections, especially on the efficiency numbers.

	R1S: Used Gen 1 vs New Gen 2​
	2023 R1S Adventure Quad	2025 R1S Adventure Dual	2025 R1S Dual	2025 R1S Tri
Gen	G1	G2	G2	G2
Vendor	CarMax	Rivian	Rivian	Rivian
Price (total, tax & title)	$‎ 78,358.64	$‎ 86,599.00	$‎ 90,233.00	$‎ 109,007.00
Motor	Quad	Dual	Dual	Tri
Battery	Large	Large	Max	Max
Battery Capacity, kWh	131	109	141	141
Real Efficiency, mi/kWh	2.3	2.66	2.66	2.4	Dual Source
Real Range, mi	301.3	289.94	375.06	338.4
EPA Range, mi	320	329	410	379
Wheels, in	20	22	22	20
New/Used	Used	New	New	New
Buy/Lease	Buy	Lease->Buy	Lease->Buy	Lease->Buy
Miles	147	0	0	0
Incentives	No	7500 Lease credit	$3000 All electric Offer, 7500 Lease credit	$6000 All electric Offer, 7500 Lease credit	Note: 7500 lease credit is calculated at 6000 due to acquisition fee and 1mo rent
Warranty Start	10/11/2023	2/20/2025	2/20/2025	2/20/2025	498
Warranty, B2B, yr	3.6	5	5	5
Warranty, Power, yr	6.6	8	8	8
Premium	$‎ 0.00	$‎ 8,240.36	$‎ 11,874.36	$‎ 30,648.36

 

[Ilovejunebugs]

I bought a pre-owned 22 R1T a year ago (not from Rivian). Was on the dealer lot for six months. Have had no issues with the hv battery (or 12vs). All the other issues Rivian has taken care of.

 

[mpshizzle]

Test drove a Gen2 Tri yesterday. Amazing car. Anyways, I've been running the numbers and here's how they are looking. My wife and I prioritize the range increase as a justification to pay more for a Gen 2. In short, I would need to pay $11k more + go through the Lease->Buy game to add get into a car that increases that.

Feel free to post any corrections, especially on the efficiency numbers.

	R1S: Used Gen 1 vs New Gen 2​
	2023 R1S Adventure Quad	2025 R1S Adventure Dual	2025 R1S Dual	2025 R1S Tri
Gen	G1	G2	G2	G2
Vendor	CarMax	Rivian	Rivian	Rivian
Price (total, tax & title)	$‎ 78,358.64	$‎ 86,599.00	$‎ 90,233.00	$‎ 109,007.00
Motor	Quad	Dual	Dual	Tri
Battery	Large	Large	Max	Max
Battery Capacity, kWh	131	109	141	141
Real Efficiency, mi/kWh	2.3	2.66	2.66	2.4	Dual Source
Real Range, mi	301.3	289.94	375.06	338.4
EPA Range, mi	320	329	410	379
Wheels, in	20	22	22	20
New/Used	Used	New	New	New
Buy/Lease	Buy	Lease->Buy	Lease->Buy	Lease->Buy
Miles	147	0	0	0
Incentives	No	7500 Lease credit	$3000 All electric Offer, 7500 Lease credit	$6000 All electric Offer, 7500 Lease credit	Note: 7500 lease credit is calculated at 6000 due to acquisition fee and 1mo rent
Warranty Start	10/11/2023	2/20/2025	2/20/2025	2/20/2025	498
Warranty, B2B, yr	3.6	5	5	5
Warranty, Power, yr	6.6	8	8	8
Premium	$‎ 0.00	$‎ 8,240.36	$‎ 11,874.36	$‎ 30,648.36

I have a dual max and am very, very happy with it. Range is fantastic, much, much smoother and quieter than G1 quad, and the autonomy is leaps better than G1 (but both look silly compared to Tesla's FSD ?)

 

[DayTripping]

Test drove a Gen2 Tri yesterday. Amazing car. Anyways, I've been running the numbers and here's how they are looking. My wife and I prioritize the range increase as a justification to pay more for a Gen 2. In short, I would need to pay $11k more + go through the Lease->Buy game to add get into a car that increases that.

Feel free to post any corrections, especially on the efficiency numbers.

	R1S: Used Gen 1 vs New Gen 2​
	2023 R1S Adventure Quad	2025 R1S Adventure Dual	2025 R1S Dual	2025 R1S Tri
Gen	G1	G2	G2	G2
Vendor	CarMax	Rivian	Rivian	Rivian
Price (total, tax & title)	$‎ 78,358.64	$‎ 86,599.00	$‎ 90,233.00	$‎ 109,007.00
Motor	Quad	Dual	Dual	Tri
Battery	Large	Large	Max	Max
Battery Capacity, kWh	131	109	141	141
Real Efficiency, mi/kWh	2.3	2.66	2.66	2.4	Dual Source
Real Range, mi	301.3	289.94	375.06	338.4
EPA Range, mi	320	329	410	379
Wheels, in	20	22	22	20
New/Used	Used	New	New	New
Buy/Lease	Buy	Lease->Buy	Lease->Buy	Lease->Buy
Miles	147	0	0	0
Incentives	No	7500 Lease credit	$3000 All electric Offer, 7500 Lease credit	$6000 All electric Offer, 7500 Lease credit	Note: 7500 lease credit is calculated at 6000 due to acquisition fee and 1mo rent
Warranty Start	10/11/2023	2/20/2025	2/20/2025	2/20/2025	498
Warranty, B2B, yr	3.6	5	5	5
Warranty, Power, yr	6.6	8	8	8
Premium	$‎ 0.00	$‎ 8,240.36	$‎ 11,874.36	$‎ 30,648.36

Glad you liked it. Did you try a Gen1 as well? The Tri Max performs much better than the dual motors do and really is the closest comparison to the G1 quad. So if performance matters, I wouldn't consider a dual. I am also not so sure the range increase is as much as you think. The G1 quad can be very efficient with the right tires on it.

It was difficult, but I keep my speed at 60 mph and got close to 3 mpk and that was in all purpose mode which is AWD all the time. See the thread here and look at post #17 and below:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/quad-mpk-poll-60-mph-and-60°f.39716/page-2

Since they shrunk the large pack for G2, they force you into the Max if you want decent range. While on paper the efficiency gains look much better for G2, there have been enough posts by owners here that contradict that. They owned a G1 quad and bought a G2 Tri. Tires will make a bigger difference than a G1 or G2. The speed you drive is the biggest factor. The faster you go, the less any drivetrain efficiencies Rivian was able to achieve will matter as aerodynamic drag is the biggest consumer of energy. Under 50, the efficiency gains will have more impact.

If you do a lot of short trips, Rivians suck for the first mile or so from a "cold" start. I don't mean below freezing cold, but when everything isn't up to operating terms. Most EVs are that way. Especially when battery packs are clearly not warmed up.

I think you are in Georgia, when I lived there they had ad valorem taxes. I assume they still do. So the higher initial purchase price will result in higher taxes every year of ownership.

It might worth considering a barely used one that might and even better deal. I found Carmax wanted 10k more than what I picked up a used one for less miles than ones Carmax had as well. The one you found is very low miles but it isn't hard to find some with very low miles.

If you like acceleration, I'd rule out the dual motors. Whlie the performance dual is fairly quick to 60, it definitely starts to taper off a lot compared the G1 quad and the Tri. It may be fine for your usage.

There are also used G2's hitting the market. Here is a 2025 R1S Max at a dealer near me that typically has very clean cars. The dual max is listed for $80k. It has $4500 in options (Forest Green and Range wheels) so probably was about a 94k sticker.
https://www.ecarone.com/used/Rivian...allas-tx-71a4c852ac182ae2215c25515491f757.htm

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide. They both are awesome vehicles.

 

[Nectar0]

Thanks for the input. I haven't driven a Gen 1 yet, I'll do that when it arrives at Carmax later this week. Regarding taxes in GA, they changed the method to a one-time tax at purchase or whenever you register the car, but at least there isn't additional sales tax.

 

[DayTripping]

I'd suggest find a few other used Gen1's in the area to compare to. I am not sure about the VINs for the R1S, but if it is a later built 2023, it might have some of the upgrades from a suspension perspective that went into the Gen2's. Take a look at the SW screen and see what version of SW it is running. They made a lot of changes that improve the suspension on the Gen1's.

I think this update was the most impactful, at least for my truck for the suspension.
https://riviantrackr.com/2023-34-00/

Here is how you find the version it is running.
https://rivian.com/support/article/how-can-i-tell-what-software-version-i-have-installed

 

[Nectar0]

Welp, here's the update:

• Feb 7 - Carmax approved shipping order from Austin to Kennesaw GA
• Feb 10 - Vehicle departed TX
• Feb 17 (Monday) - Car was unloaded in the morning at the GA Carmax and was awaiting "Post-shipping quality check".
• Feb 19 (Today)
  • 0930 I get a text asking if they could either text or call me for an update on the vehicle. Great.
  • 1045 I talk to the sales lead who says that the "hat" needed repair and that they were trying to figure out what needed to be done. He admitted that he didn't know what that was, or if that was even the right term
  • 1530 I receive a text that the vehicle is ready for a test drive. We setup an appointment for 1730
  • Arrive and check-in at 1730, kids in tow. Sales lead lets me know that the salesman is grabbing the car and will bring it around. I ask about the "hat". He says that the cover for the charge port, which is apparently called a hat, was disconnected but that they were able to repair it.
    • 20-ish minutes later the sales lead finds me and says that they can't bring the car around because the battery is at 0% and that they can't even move it to the charger. He looks genuinely confused because he doesn't understand how they would have even cleared a test drive of an EV without a charged battery. I let him know that the health of the battery is my main concern of the car since it hasn't been driven for 18 months. He lets me know that he'll fill me on the full story once he finds out.
    • In the meantime, he offers to take me around back to the detailing area to at least see the car. It looks and smells like a brand new car. It even has the airbag warning stickers stuck on the dash. The only thing that looks off is that the tire sidewalls are stained with clay, which I can't see in the Carmax pictures. Normally I wouldn't even think twice about tire stains on a truck or SUV (my Ranger's tires are plenty stained), but it does seem weird for a car that is essentially brand new to have stained tires. I don't know if someone took it for a joy ride, or if the car unloaded at some point in a field during transit.

Since I was only able to look at it I don't know if the traction battery is at 0%, or the 12v batteries were dead.

Anyway, here's how I see it (by someone who doesn't own one of these)

A) Best case scenario - there was an oversight and the car was never actually plugged in when it arrived onsite. The traction battery is at 0% due to phantom drop and will charge up no problem by plugging in the portable charger​

B) Annoying but manageable - 12v batteries are flat and can be charged or jumped​

C) There is something seriously wrong with the car or batteries and I should walk away​

I should know more by tomorrow. If this doesn't work out then I may end up going new. What sucks is the lead time for all vehicles in the Shop is 1-6 weeks, which means it may not deliver in time to take advantage of the incentives right now.

 

[emlo]

Welp, here's the update:

• Feb 7 - Carmax approved shipping order from Austin to Kennesaw GA
• Feb 10 - Vehicle departed TX
• Feb 17 (Monday) - Car was unloaded in the morning at the GA Carmax and was awaiting "Post-shipping quality check".
• Feb 19 (Today)
  • 0930 I get a text asking if they could either text or call me for an update on the vehicle. Great.
  • 1045 I talk to the sales lead who says that the "hat" needed repair and that they were trying to figure out what needed to be done. He admitted that he didn't know what that was, or if that was even the right term
  • 1530 I receive a text that the vehicle is ready for a test drive. We setup an appointment for 1730
  • Arrive and check-in at 1730, kids in tow. Sales lead lets me know that the salesman is grabbing the car and will bring it around. I ask about the "hat". He says that the cover for the charge port, which is apparently called a hat, was disconnected but that they were able to repair it.
    • 20-ish minutes later the sales lead finds me and says that they can't bring the car around because the battery is at 0% and that they can't even move it to the charger. He looks genuinely confused because he doesn't understand how they would have even cleared a test drive of an EV without a charged battery. I let him know that the health of the battery is my main concern of the car since it hasn't been driven for 18 months. He lets me know that he'll fill me on the full story once he finds out.
    • In the meantime, he offers to take me around back to the detailing area to at least see that car. It looks and smells like a branch new car. It even has the airbag warning stickers stuck on the dash. The only thing that looks off is that the tire sidewalls are stained with clay, which I can't see in the Carmax pictures. Normally I wouldn't even think twice about tire stains on a truck or SUV (my Ranger's tires are plenty stained), but it does seem weird for a car that is essentially brand new to have stained tires. I don't know if someone took it for a joy ride, or if the car unloaded at some point in a field during transit.

Since I was only able to look at it I don't know if the traction battery is at 0%, or the 12v batteries were dead.

Anyway, here's how I see it (by someone who doesn't own one of these)

A) Best case scenario - there was an oversight and the car was never actually plugged in when it arrived onsite. The traction battery is at 0% due to phantom drop and will charge up no problem by plugging in the portable charger​

B) Annoying but manageable - 12v batteries are flat and can be charged or jumped​

C) There is something seriously wrong with the car or batteries and I should walk away​

I should know more by tomorrow. If this doesn't work out then I may end up going new. What sucks is the lead time for all vehicles in the Shop is 1-6 weeks, which means it may not deliver in time to take advantage of the incentives right now.

I’d say your have a good chance if you order an inventory vehicle of receiving it in time for incentives. The sales team is highly motivated to convert. I’d be happy to share my referral code if you need one.

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