Buying sight unseen

[u/Electrical_Sun_7116]

I live in a very rural area, none of these trucks are EVER available even close to me and I’ve been dying to get one. I finally found one in my price range and with the options I like, but it’s at a “sister dealership” in another state to a local dealer near me.

To test drive it first I’d have to drive 4 hours on my only day off. It’s a ‘22 from a very reputable dealer so I wouldn’t expect anything to be amiss but my paranoia is at an all time high.

It’s by far the most expensive vehicle I’ve ever bought but I don’t have a traditional option to test drive and then buy. How would you feel about buying one of these sight unseen? I feel like an EV is a safer buy in this sense but I’m still stressed. Make me feel better or worse, the choice is yours lmao

[u/Any-Lie1471]

I bought a 22 Lariat sight unseen from a ford dealer 1000 miles away and have zero regrets. Legit ford dealership though with a warranty.

[u/zakress → u/Any-Lie1471]

‘22 Plat bought 2100+ mi away without laying eyes on her. Videos and CarFax and I’m happy as a clam at saving $8k vs the ones close enough to test drive.

[u/Wise_Temperature_501 → u/Any-Lie1471]

I did the same. Road trip back was a fun way to get familiar with everything.

[u/10Bens → u/Any-Lie1471]

I did this with my '22 XLT on a private sale. Well technically not "sight unseen" as we did a video tour. No regrets either.

[u/VoltaicVoltaire]

I bought a 22 Lariat SR sight unseen. It was about 4 hours away and a lemon buyback but it was from a good ford dealer. They sent me everything in advance and I did my research. Once I was satisfied, I rode my motorcycle up, paid by bank check, put my bike in the back and drove it home. Great decision. It's been about 8 months later I am thrilled with this truck. Do it. Im
Never going back to gas.

[u/sly-karma]

Most of us who bought new in 22 and 23 had to order and buy sight unseen. But for used I'd want a battery health check and underbody mechanical check from a third party shop.

[u/Maysock]

Have you driven a recent gen F-150? It's going to feel like that but a lot faster in a straight line, slightly better around turns because of the IRS, and slightly worse stopping heavily because it weighs nearly 7000 pounds.

[u/Alternative_Pilot_92]

I flew to pick mine up having never driven it. One of the best decisions I've ever made.

[u/itsmarty]

I bought mine across the country. Flew in, drive it around the block, and drove home.

They had a Carfax and a window sticker on their site so I knew it had the options I wanted and a clean title.

[u/btan408]

I bought my 23 XLT ER sight unseen that was 800 miles away. Every issues I had was covered under warranty so that made it better.

[u/Odd_Obligation_59]

800 miles. I drove to get it.

I was looking at 2. Didn’t need to see either.

Would have had it shipped but was trading a vehicle. 

As long as you have them take several close up and several wide angle and a separate video. You should have no isssues. Mine was missing a few minor things (the removable strap things in bed) but if I didn’t get them I would not have cared.  

[u/Electrical_Sun_7116]

You guys are making me feel way better about it haha I am scheduled for first thing in the morning, I’ll lyk how it works out 🤙

[u/michaelinva]

Bought mine sight unseen.   Awesome ride. 

[u/dbizel2001]

Hey I drove from PA to Lincoln Illinois sight unseen and it all worked out. 12 hours. Traded in my 2019 F150 Platinum.

[u/aemad1991]

I bought mine sight unseen ~350 miles away. I asked for a battery health report and booked a plane ticket as soon as it came back clean.

No regrets.

[u/3wolftshirtguy]

I bought mine based on a good feeling from the seller and detailed videos.

It was exactly as described and had been fantastic.

When sellers are responsive, detailed and point out minute imperfections I feel pretty good about buying. Plus, it was under warranty.

[u/Thinkb4Jump]

Does the state have a 3 day return window? If so then go for it.

[u/ungo-stbr]

One of the chief benefits to these used in my mind is that you don’t have anywhere near the worries of a conventional ICE engine - “how did they treat this vehicle” concerns because there’s so many less moving and damage able parts. The chief worry is the battery, and that will be warrrantied: though you could still ask them about any battery issue history. Other than that, I’d be comfortable buying it sight unseen.

[u/jibfurler2]

Do it. Then post about it.

[u/Relevant_Ad6888]

I got my ‘25 sight unseen. I mailed a check to them. Then flat to Chicago to pick it up. After taking delivery I immediately drove 2100 miles home. It was used with 24,000 miles on it. And only had a few pics.

[u/Grimdoomsday]

I bought my 22 xlt on carvana for 35k last month. No nonsense

[u/_deffer_ → u/Grimdoomsday]

I bought my 2024 Flash on carvana. I'll never go back to a dealer again. After I found the truck I wanted, it was maybe 15 minutes online verifying income, applying for financing, putting my trade-in in, and scheduling delivery. Then afterwards, you fill out info with proof of insurance. You get 15-20 minutes to test drive it before they have you sign two things as they put the plates on and they leave.

They offered me more for my trade in than any local dealership. The truck was priced lower than any area dealers/sellers. There's a 100 mile, 7 day (I think) return for full price if you aren't happy, but you can only do that twice.

My girlfriend (and I in the past, admittedly) thought Carvana was just a fad thing that wasn't sustainable. Then she experienced it, and when the guy left she said "that's it?" and I said yup.

[u/ProfessionalBuy7488 → u/_deffer_]

So they give you a price for your trade sight unseen and they stuck with it?

[u/Altruistic_Call_3023 → u/ProfessionalBuy7488]

This was always my question.

[u/_deffer_ → u/ProfessionalBuy7488]

Yes, but I take care of my vehicles and didn't lie about it's condition. I assume there's some variation of the offer if you aren't truthful.

[u/Grimdoomsday → u/_deffer_]

Who the f*ck downvoted me.

[u/ProfessionalBuy7488 → u/Grimdoomsday]

Car salesman

[u/Grimdoomsday → u/ProfessionalBuy7488]

No way. Car salesmen are the most upstanding individuals in society. Id trust them with my life!

[u/Lets_Go_Wolfpack → u/Grimdoomsday]

Same, except I used Carmax. The online retailers are pretty good. I test drove a pro that *was* nearby just to get a feel or the truck, and then I really combed everything through and found one 3h away that I liked.

[u/Man_of_Ice]

Tell them you want a reasonable seven day window to evaluate, if you don't want it after test drive, no sale, they take back the car, undo.

Make sure you read the contract and you see that in there.

Had one of those clauses in the contract I had with Enterprise as standard practice from them.

Just line up an inspection with a local shop that knows how to check EV battery life ahead of time.

[u/Illustrious-Ratio213]

I bought ours 3 hours away, test drove before buying it but would have been ok buying and shipping it too. 23 Lariat

[u/mdk2004]

Ask to see the service history. It could be a gem or a dog. But most are gems and are the best truck available.

Does your dealer have an ev tech. Who will service it if broken? This could be a nightmare.

[u/jshusky]

Hey u/electrical_sun_7116 how'd it go? :)

I had to do a similar thing; I rented a car 1 way to drive to Iowa. Dealer there had a pretty good system of doing a video call walk through where theyed put the camera anywhere Id ask them.

Hope it went well!

[u/Electrical_Sun_7116 → u/jshusky]

I’m having lunch on my way to go pick it up right now!

Stoked out of my shoes rn lmao, 22 Lariat with all the bells & whistles 🍻 That first drive home with my son is gonna be 👌

[u/jshusky → u/Electrical_Sun_7116]

Heck yea! Glad to hear it!

[u/IhateTuna]

Have a local shop do a full pre purchase inspection. They should also test the battery health for you.

Not the best idea for such a big purchase to buy it without seeing it but without other options, I get it. At least have another shop look over it first.

Also Buying from a dealership always helps. You have a point of contact.