Going to dealer auctions soon...

[Soccerman06]

Going to the one in MN, a dealer is a friend of mine, and am looking for a nice little sports car. I would prefer a 05/06 goat but I doubt I will see any in the Minnesota auctions. I plan on buying one with low mileage and no mods assuming it runs. I know you can get a good deal at these (where I bought my jeep) but Im not sure what will be in the 20-25k range.

Anything else I should look at? I would like nice american muscle but Im open to anything if its fun and has a nice mod base (no ricers!). Worse case I just wont buy anything and wait for the next one.

 

[justfrank]

Auctions aren't the best place to buy cars as most dealers use those to get rid of cars not worthy of their lots. Being in the car business, I know this from experience. The only way I'd consider an auction car is if you could inspect it on a hoist and drive it first.

 

[exar333]

Auctions aren't the best place to buy cars as most dealers use those to get rid of cars not worthy of their lots. Being in the car business, I know this from experience. The only way I'd consider an auction car is if you could inspect it on a hoist and drive it first.

Thats not true. Dealers will often sell to auctions for cars they already have a good selection on or are not likely to sell. If I trade-in a GTO at a small-town Toyota dealership, chances are they likely will not keep that car on their lot unless they think they have a buyer. Same thing if you trade-in a sports-car up here in the north late in the year; all the buyers are down south, so they get shipped to an auction.

 

[justfrank]

Thats not true. Dealers will often sell to auctions for cars they already have a good selection on or are not likely to sell. If I trade-in a GTO at a small-town Toyota dealership, chances are they likely will not keep that car on their lot unless they think they have a buyer. Same thing if you trade-in a sports-car up here in the north late in the year; all the buyers are down south, so they get shipped to an auction.

OK, it's a little of both but what I said before IS true. I've seen alot of junk bought by used car managers and others from auctions and every junky car dealers want to get rid of goes to auctions too.

yes, there are some good cars at auctions but I'd inspect it first before buying.

 

[slag]

I've purchased 3 cars from auctions and had fairly good luck. Usually the price is so cheap that if there are some issues, you can fix them and still come out ahead. They drive them into the bay so you can hear them running and listen for driveline issues. Also take a look underneath to see if they are leaking anything.

 

[exar333]

OK, it's a little of both but what I said before IS true. I've seen alot of junk bought by used car managers and others from auctions and every junky car dealers want to get rid of goes to auctions too.

yes, there are some good cars at auctions but I'd inspect it first before buying.

Agreed. If I 'trade-in' my 1996 Fiesta at a quality dealership, I doubt I would see it on the lot the next day. 😀

For the record: I do not have a 1996 Fiesta!

 

[waggy]

OK, it's a little of both but what I said before IS true. I've seen alot of junk bought by used car managers and others from auctions and every junky car dealers want to get rid of goes to auctions too.

yes, there are some good cars at auctions but I'd inspect it first before buying.

yeah.

though i will say it also depends on w hat type of auction. I have been to open auctions where its just like you say. you really need to be careful of what you buy. But i have been to "dealer only" auctions that had nice cars. a lot of repos and such.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Where's the auction at?

I am looking for 2008-2009 335xi 6 MT

 

[Soccerman06]

Where's the auction at?

I am looking for 2008-2009 335xi 6 MT

Edan, Egan, Edien Prairie... something that starts with an e, yall have so many up there I think. Its been 7 years since Ive been to one so it might not be in the same area. Ill figure it out when I have more details.

 

[T2urtle]

Where's the auction at?

I am looking for 2008-2009 335xi 6 MT

that should not be a hard car to sell up north, also if it was to be in a auction it would go for a lot more because high end dealerships (if they go to these) would bid them up.

question... these dealership auctions that mostly get junk cars, it isn't like http://www.manheim.com/ is it?


My car is from that auction and i know a high end dealership that buys from that auction by the BOAT load.

 

[theeedude]

I bought a car from Adesa auction after college. Loaded Maxima for below KBB dealer wholesale. Went with a guy who had dealer license who charged $100 to buy a car at dealer auction.
No one is forcing you to buy junk at a dealer auction, you can find nice cars there and you can bid low enough to add a margin of safety against eventualities. Inspect what you can and margin against what you can't. If you can't drive the car, bid low enough that you can replace a tranny and still come out ahead. That's a nice thing about these auctions, if you have concerns, you can reflect that in your bids, and no one is going to call you a low-baller.