anyone here know something about auctions

[misfortune]

Any car auctions I can get into myself? I'd like to look around and see whats selling!

[shogun]

Which country do your prefer?

[misfortune]

Which country do your prefer?
I'm in DFW, Texas, USA. So yeah. US

[Springfield1952]

Are you thinking of the dealer/wholesaler auctions? I think those are virtually impossible to get into unless you are a dealer. Locally, we have an auction site that has cars every month. My son tried to buy a e34 525iT but the prices got too high too quick. The term "feeding frenzy" comes to mind watching the action. This site http://tgand.com/newauto/nepublic.htm has a listing for auctions around the US. Remember your Latin: Caveat emptor!

Curt.

[Torque]

Just look around, I'm sure there is plenty. Here you can go whenever you feel like ... you do have to give a 400 dollar cash deposit to get in, which is refunded if you don't buy anything or used towards the car purchase if you do buy.

As a matter of fact my dad went to one tonight.

[shogun]

If you are looking for BMW from Japan for export:
http://www.japanesevehicles.com/tcl/en/index
http://www.rushcorp.com/cars/justinstock.asp

[wingman]

Steer clear. Cheap prices for a reason. Can't test drive, no recourse on seller. Hammer fall is final. Can pick up a lemon as easily as picking up a deal.
Cynic? yes!

[Rigmaster]

Steer clear. Cheap prices for a reason. Can't test drive, no recourse on seller. Hammer fall is final. Can pick up a lemon as easily as picking up a deal.
Cynic? yes!


I agree with 1/2 of what wingman says- except the "steer clear" comment....

These cars are sold at auction for one of many reasons- these can be used car dealers who are simply clearing out some slow moving inventory, trade ins that are a not very desirable- or have some cosmetic (or other) issue that make it hard for a used car dealer to justify the expense of getting them ready for their sale lot, cars that are complete POS's and have major problems, or a combination of all the above.

You cannot (usually) test drive auction cars- you may be able to start them and shift thru the gears, but that's about it.

There are deals to be had, but it's also easy to get stuck with a lemon, or someone else's problems. If you buy cheap enough, you might come away with a deal!! Just know what you are doing, have a good idea of the worst case scenario (i.e.- tranny or engine needs replacement, etc).... and don't get caught up in the auction hype (my wife calls this "auction blindness")...



Bret

[632 Regal]

I bought a car at an auction once, fresh paint looked good, no test drive. The next day we popped it on a hoist to check for leaks and stuff...

the car broke in half! Frame was gone in front of the rear wheels. Nice investment.

[Ladykats]

I have the luxury of being a car dealer, and not only the adverage person gets stuck with a lemon, but dealers as well. I have bought several BMW's from the auction as I do have a passion for them. Some of them I resale, my 740il's will be mine for a while until I find something better. You can check out the vehicle the day before the sale if it is on the auctions lot. Otherwise, you simply take a chance on what comes in late. I have access to lists to let me know the vin # of vehicles that are running and I have a subscription to carfax. Carfax is only as good as long as someone had insurance pay for the repair. I have the experence to see or feel a repaint. I know how to look at the body of the car to see imperfections left behind by professional body shops cutting corners. You can more than likely get a used dealer to let you in on his badge for a price. you can not bid, he will have to do that for you. And you will have to take the risk of everything that is wrong and pay for it. Oh and don't forget auction fees, they go up for every 500.00 you send on the car.

[Springfield1952]

Welcome to the board along with your 5 cars!

Curt.


I have the luxury of being a car dealer, and not only the adverage person gets stuck with a lemon, but dealers as well. I have bought several BMW's from the auction as I do have a passion for them. Some of them I resale, my 740il's will be mine for a while until I find something better. You can check out the vehicle the day before the sale if it is on the auctions lot. Otherwise, you simply take a chance on what comes in late. I have access to lists to let me know the vin # of vehicles that are running and I have a subscription to carfax. Carfax is only as good as long as someone had insurance pay for the repair. I have the experence to see or feel a repaint. I know how to look at the body of the car to see imperfections left behind by professional body shops cutting corners. You can more than likely get a used dealer to let you in on his badge for a price. you can not bid, he will have to do that for you. And you will have to take the risk of everything that is wrong and pay for it. Oh and don't forget auction fees, they go up for every 500.00 you send on the car.

[John in CT]

and lease returns first, the really good ones he keeps or someone at the dealership gets, the rest go to auction. For the older cars, IMHO it's the bow-wows that end up there, unloved, ready to suck up your $$$. Sure there are exceptions, but that has been my experience.

John
1995 525im

[mattyb]

in OZ there are auction professionals who charge a percentage to go shopping for you. they are knowledgeable and have an incentive to get the best result otherwise they get a **** reputation. They often as a rule have a kind of relationship with the auction house and therefore their bids are taken seriously and they have greater access to vehicles and the history before the sale. Auctions count on heaps of inexperienced cashed up people. auctions on weekends are for chumps. auctions on weekdays are for those in the know as a rule. maybe this applies to the US?