Subaru Dies Before My Number Comes Up in the R2 Queue

[iamnid]

It would seem the cheapest and most sensible option would be to simply pay for the repairs on your subaru while you wait for R2s to become available.

Sponsored

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Transitioning between an old car and a new one is always a challenge. This is particularly true as I wait for my number to come up in the R2 queue. I'm "all in" on the R2. Don't see anything out there in an EV SUV that meets my backcountry adventure needs like the R2.

So, say the Outback, with 150k miles on it, needs a new transmission or some such costly repair, but I'm still waiting on the R2. Are there any options out there for me, staying within the Rivian space -- e.g., leasing an R1 until the R2 arrives -- that aren't extremely costly?

When did you reserve R2? If not within the first 50k to reserve, your number likely won't come up until 2027—since Rivian is only projecting to produce up to 25k cars. R1 sounds too big for you, but used ones in the 40s are possible. If I were you, used Tesla. Lots of owners are trying to walk away from theirs. Or, find the best affordable lease deal on a new EV of any brand that is most agreeable to you for the interim. This way you get initiated into life and habits of EV ownership—including setting your home up for charging and maybe even solar. You can always defer acceptance of R2 if your number comes up sooner. And R2 will have matured and gotten better. Solutions aplenty. No need to fret.

 

[mkg3]

...So, say the Outback, with 150k miles on it, needs a new transmission or some such costly repair, but I'm still waiting on the R2. Are there any options out there for me, staying within the Rivian space -- e.g., leasing an R1 until the R2 arrives -- that aren't extremely costly?

There are few key variables that you haven't shared that would help make suggestions.

- Do you have another vehicle? If not can you/your family use another vehicle?
Clearly, just use the other vehicle until R2 is your turn.

- Are any ICEV a viable interim option?
There are good used options that retain value so even if you need to sell it, you'll likely break even such as Tacoma truck

- If you buy an interim vehicle do you have to sell it or can you keep it as an alternate vehicle?
Used EVs are bargain these days. Instead of looking at eSUV, a smaller hatchback, sedan would give you a different use case and deal with R2 in the service center - which most of us expect will happen with long down time given Rivian history and lack of service centers.

What I would not do is to pour more money into 150k mile vehicle that needs new transmission.

 

[BigSkies]

Yuck, this sounds like an unpleasant situation. You need to really price out your options. How I'd think about it:

1. What is your total cost to repair the Subaru, net of the trade-in value you'd get for it in a repaired state? If you've got $3k in repair costs, but it's worth $4k less as a trade-in because of a bad transmission, then you might as well fix it anyways.

2. Are you in a situation where you can go without a car for X number of months?

3. How far back do you think you are in the R2 line? This is all just guestimates, but you could easily be six months out from getting one.

4. What would be the net cost of buying a cheap car, waiting for the R2 and reselling it?

 

[skyguyscott]

It's a great vehicle, especially with the recent price drops. Too bad they don't offer that XRT trim with the glass roof, that all black interior needs some light.

A glass roof over a black interior is insanity unless you live north of 50° latitude, and even then...

 

[savethemanual]

A glass roof over a black interior is insanity unless you live north of 50° latitude, and even then...

That's what I have now, I'm in climate zone 5 but summers are getting increasingly hotter. OEM's know this and usually do a pretty good job of blocking UV rays, at least with my Audi it's just fine on those scorching days.

 

[Zorg]

Buy a used whatever that's not too old (no maintenance) and will hold it's value til your number shows up late this year or early next. Rivian owners get first dibs and I expect that first R2 will be available in June, so your number is most likely 9-12 months out. At least that's my guess.

 

[Southern R1S]

Are you in the very front of the line? I’d probably buy a used car that holds their value well like a Toyota or Honda and drive for a few months until I take delivery of the R2 then sell the used car. Or buy a used Tesla for the time being.

Unless OP already owns or leases an R1, they are not at the very front of the line (and are, in fact, in line behind all other R1 owners / lessees who have or make an R2 reservation before Rivian ends the priority delivery program).

Source: https://rivian.com/support/article/what-are-the-terms-and-conditions-for-r2-priority-delivery

With that being said, buying a used R1 could be a potential solution as it would bridge the gap & move you up in priority once you register it to your Rivian account (where the existing R2 reservation is housed). Possible to limit losses to taxes & a relatively minor amount of depreciation if OP can find a good deal on a used R1 (though no one knows what, if any, impact the R2 launch will initially have on the used R1 market) and/or hold out hope for some sort of lucrative trade-in option on the R1 (but wouldn't bank on that scenario personally).

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Since the Outback has served your needs well, probably the new Subaru Trailseeker, but I'm not sure when it will actually be released either.

That did sound cool when I heard about it. The Uncharted, too. The range doesn’t seem great though (260+ miles). Hard pass. I’m 300+ or bust at this point.

 

[Just Passing By]

Hoping that someone in management sees this thread and says, "I know what we can do......." (-:

Ha ha, no hope, I call first dibs because my actual need trumps your potential one. The Audi A6 Quattro in my profile (bought new and owned for 28 years almost to the day) was finally taken away as a donation at the beginning of February. It passed the SMOG check with flying colors as usual, but the ongoing gear shift issue caused problems at the SMOG station and meant it was time to go.

At 175k miles (and at that age), it was not worth having anyone that wanted to be paid looking at it (and I think this would almost certainly apply to your 150k mile Subaru). Although the fix might have been relatively simple it was impossible for me to work on without a lift.

I'm retired so my options are probably simpler than yours. I was already renting a car for skiing day trips with a 380 mile round trip because I couldn't trust the Audi. If I need large loads from HD or Lowes then I'd rent from them or U-Haul. Everything else can be covered with the motorbike or e-bike.

I'm waiting to see what the specs are on R2 next week, but my expectations are low on getting one in 2026 since I lack current Rivian ownership and only placed a reservation in January 2025. So I'll probably need to pick up something used, with AWD for the ski trips to avoid having to fit chains, too old for that malarkey. I'd go with what others have recommended, used ICEV with good re-sale/low depreciation or maybe Tesla MY.

 

[Zorg]

Ha ha, no hope, I call first dibs because my actual need trumps your potential one. The Audi A6 Quattro in my profile (bought new and owned for 28 years almost to the day) was finally taken away as a donation at the beginning of February. It passed the SMOG check with flying colors as usual, but the ongoing gear shift issue caused problems at the SMOG station and meant it was time to go.

At 175k miles (and at that age), it was not worth having anyone that wanted to be paid looking at it (and I think this would almost certainly apply to your 150k mile Subaru). Although the fix might have been relatively simple it was impossible for me to work on without a lift.

I'm retired so my options are probably simpler than yours. I was already renting a car for skiing day trips with a 380 mile round trip because I couldn't trust the Audi. If I need large loads from HD or Lowes then I'd rent from them or U-Haul. Everything else can be covered with the motorbike or e-bike.

I'm waiting to see what the specs are on R2 next week, but my expectations are low on getting one in 2026 since I lack current Rivian ownership and only placed a reservation in January 2025. So I'll probably need to pick up something used, with AWD for the ski trips to avoid having to fit chains, too old for that malarkey. I'd go with what others have recommended, used ICEV with good re-sale/low depreciation or maybe Tesla MY.

Used model Y or RAV4 are probably the safest bets. To own a year or less, I would go for what will cost the least in depreciation.

 

[Just Passing By]

Used model Y or RAV4 are probably the safest bets. To own a year or less, I would go for what will cost the least in depreciation.

Agreed. M3 can be had cheaper but are also older, so some hesitancy on my part there. Additionally I could sleep in the MY on touring trips and it works well for the ski trips to Kirkwood, which I've done with a friend who owns one and sleeps in it when he goes on camping trips.

I haven't looked at ICEV much but I'd probably be more comfortable buying with high miles on a Tesla versus ICEV.

 

[Zorg]

Agreed. M3 can be had cheaper but are also older, so some hesitancy on my part there. Additionally I could sleep in the MY on touring trips and it works well for the ski trips to Kirkwood, which I've done with a friend who owns one and sleeps in it when he goes on camping trips.

I haven't looked at ICEV much but I'd probably be more comfortable buying with high miles on a Tesla versus ICEV.

Tesla sells used model Y AWD in the high 20s with one year 10k miles warranty. At most you will lose $5k over next year. Downside is battery degradation

 

[Eeyore]

Buy another used but newer Subaru.

You are not going to be getting a R2 until the 2nd half of 2027. If most of those reservations before yours actually convert to sales, it could be even later.

 

[Time2Roll]

Ask around. Neighbors, friends, family for a loaner car. Seems like lots of people have a vehicle not driven much.

Otherwise I agree with fixing the Subaru. Will be worth more running than not.

Sponsored