RW

Does anyone have any experience buying at an auto auction? I have a dealer friend who will help me. From what I've seen, I can save 5-10K on a car. Also, most of the cars I've seen lately are hot off the auction block. I know I can't do a PPI, but if major problems are not disclosed there are ways to work it out.

Any comments/experiences would be greatly appreciated.

GratefulJED

My first car I bought at auction and these are my thoughts. The dealer that took it in trade (Mercedes Benz) did not think enough of the car to keep it, so one of his wholesalers took it, drove it, let his buddies drive it, then sold it at auction. The trail on the title really made me upset when I got the car because there were three wholesalers who had traded this car around and put close to 1000 miles on it, and they did not give a hoot about taking care of it. You are right about not doing the PPI and in my case everything was allright except for the "minor" bodywork and the fact that ALL screws, nuts and bolts had been monkeyed with. SOOO, I had the car 2 days and made the timely decision to sell (what Porsche lover would buy that car) or trade. Fortunately, my next car was sitting at a highline dealer and they were very excited about trading. I had a couple of things going for me that I feel very lucky about, 1) the highline dealer did not once look at my car except from his office and 2)I could not have afforded to trade had I not "stole" the first car at auction. This was all in the good old economy. All in all, I would not recommend the auction route with these cars. Sorry for the long winded post.

PeanutinCA

I too tried the Auction thing for an extremely brief period (1 Auction). I did the 1hr drive out to an Auction, had the fake Dealer i.d. and all (with a real Dealer). Apart from the fact that not too many in that year range turn up, you DO NOT know what your getting. We turned up for a specific 95 that was listed. Upon visual inspection I was thinking the front bumper looked a little as though it had taken a hit, due to the rubbers between the bumper and the guards not sitting as you would expect from a Porsche. I was then lucky enough to be standing near by when another Dealer walked up and started to inspect the car with a paint measure. I over hear him saying to his partner it had been painted on the front drivers gaurd, hood, door, rear panel, roof etc. I may have guessed right on the front bumper, guard and hood being painted but wouldn't have picked the door or the roof, rear gaurd etc. Plus I believe you don't get the books so no service history, that's my understanding anyway.

But then again, I guess you could go back to dealing with Dealers who have you drive 2 hours on a '97 Black on Black S that turns out to be a Black on Tan C2 <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> . It's not like some Dealers know any better about what they buy?

Good Luck.

Dylan.

ken garchow

i am a lic. dealer in ore. i would say if you are looking for a fairly new car 2 or 3 years old and are willing to go the hi line sales auctions you can find nice cars.

manhiem in penn. is the place where lots of exotics are sold. they will have 20 to 40 porsches some weeks. the lease companies sell there car through auctions because they dont have retail lots and there cars usually dont have any kinks. you also can have cars inspectede the day prior to sale and often the newer cars come w/ seller warrenty.

it is a fast paced enviornment w/professional car dealers, but to them these are just cars and they are to buy and sell, so not as much emotional attachment and cars sell cheaper, back of wholesale for sure

as to above post, the nice clean car @ the dealers lot may have just come from one of these auctions. when moved to a nice lot and pampered they do look better to the buyer.

heck just look every where, and you will eventually find the right car. the hunt can be as much fun as owning. as a buyer you are in the power position. look, learn, and enjoy.