BartN (TX)

I just bid on a car on BaT (low-balled) and could never work out if the winning bid was in excess of the reserve or not. Does BaT show in the posting if the final bid didn't meet reserve?

RossP

Yes, it shows once the auction is over if the reserve is not met.

thxbuff2001

They will never tell you, which is one of the weird things about BaT. I myself would prefer if my bid is below reserve so that I can up the bid, but they would like you to bid as much as you want without knowing if you have reached the reserve price. Thats why I stopped bidding at Bat.

gt2-josh

I know the Founders of BaT and I'm convinced they use best practices. They want you to bid what you think is the amount you think is "right" for the car. It's a great place to list a car if the enthusiast prefers an auction format. If instead they prefer a Classifieds format I believe RL is the best place to post a classified. I've bought a car on RL and I've been one of the last two guys fighting for a car on BaT.It's all good.
Back to the car. I would say the options spec is very unusual. The MSRP isn't super high because the first owner spec'ed zero leather options. I did this on my first 997.1 GT3 RS and my dealer begged me not to do it. I did it anyway. I learned that the plastic bits are prone to scratching. A stray finger from my wife's nailmay scratch a surface easily. Add painted surfaces all over the place and I'd fear I'd scratch this thing all over the interior. When I spec'ed my 997.1 GT2 I let my dealer help me with the interior. We checked a few inexpensive options and it made a dramatic change. The interior is so much nicer. I don't like the tint either. Taking that out isn't fun. In fact you'll probably lose your rear defroster. Anyway I liked the painted surfaces on the white car. It lightened up a dark interior a bit. But this is a lotta paint and easily scratched vinyl. And I'd be afraid to touch stuff on this one for fear of messing up my interior. I started with full leather and extended leather in my current 997.1 GT3 and I'm adding more bits all the time. I guess we change when we get old. The all plastic interior is cool because it weighs a few pounds less but the leather interior is a much nicer place to be. JBO

chiffonade

maybe i'm just a dirt farming plebe but i absolutely despise buying anything at auction, from $1 to $100k. just show me the price and let's work something out. i get frustrated and angry while MAKING the ****ing money, i don't want to be frustrated SPENDING it.

BartN (TX)

I guess it depends on how much I want a specific car as to whether I'd want it to be auctioned. I love the auction format for trying to find a deal on something I don't have to have. You may win or you may not. I don't think I ever had as much fun buying a car as I did at Barrett Jackson in Vegas. It was exhilarating! I'd love to do it again but I can't keep coming home with stray cars.

SGS

Love seeing dealers bidding on BaT to then list the same cars at a higher price.

BartN (TX)

I don't get why that's bad. It's no different than buying cars at wholesale auctions. They're gambling that their bid is high enough to win and low enough to make a profit. Any one of us has the same opportunity.

HDA

I have a hard time even thinking about spending $90k+ on auction, online, sight unseen.

Especially for an emotional experience like the GT3 is. I want to know the owner, what do you like about the car, take me for a drive, see how you drive, etc...

I may have a "romantic" view but if I need to spend $100k, I want it my way. (Maybe I am just not making enough money?)

misterwaterfall

Im not a fan on BaT for maybe similar reasons, but I have no issue buying sight unseen.

I would want to talk to the prior owner and have the chance to get a PPI and fresh DME done, which BaT makes difficult due to the time constraints. If that checks out I'll wire the money, I don't need to take it for a test drive or take the PO to dinner

Spyerx

you can do all that with BAT, just need to do it. I've gone to see 3 different cars listed on BAT. yes, they were all local, but owners were all enthusiasts and willing to show. Dammit I regret not buying one of them!!!

HDA

Yeah probably a dinner won't tell you much but maybe a drive will.

I agree that the time constrain on BAT makes things difficult.