So... You Wanna Go To a Car Auction?

[Zembonez]

As some of you know, I am a car buyer by trade about 75% of the time. Some have asked me about the life of being a car buyer so I thought I'd post up a few pics of the Manheim auction I go to. It's a huge, noisy, frantic place. A few pictures don't really convey the "mood" of the place but you will at least get the idea.

It's wild and fun but you better be on your toes! Bring your A game to this place.

FRONT PARKING AREA. All of these cars are just the buyers. I'm parked about 28 rows from the front door.

Some of the rear storage lot. It covers many acres. Normally full but this is while the auction is going on, so many of the cars are in line already.

Cars heading into the sale lines.

Actual auction lane area.

Pretty cool place.

 

[Alljackedup408]

yeah ive been to the central florida car auction place a couple times.. crap gets frantic! soo many cars in and out.

 

[daddy]

If you see any non-wrecked C6 Corvettes out there in the $7500 range, let me know.

 

[Zembonez]

If you see any non-wrecked C6 Corvettes out there in the $7500 range, let me know.

I'll let you know about the second one.

 

[daddy]

If you see any non-wrecked C6 Corvettes out there in the $7500 range, let me know.

I'll let you know about the second one.

 

[Alljackedup408]

 

[dietz4ibanez]

Looked like there was a nice trailblazer in the mix...

 

[Dukers]

If you see any non-wrecked C6 Corvettes out there in the $7500 range, let me know.

just toss that 7500 over here, and you can look at my super cool lifted truck

 

[daddy]

 

[Zembonez]

Looked like there was a nice trailblazer in the mix...

There are loads of sweet cars there.

When you drive by your local car dealership, this is where they get 90% of their cars. People mistakenly believe that the cars on the New Car dealership are all trade ins but that is far from the truth. Almost all cars traded in go to the auction. Then they buy the cars there that they want up front on their lot. Lots of car swapping. Crewcab trucks traded at the Honda store end up being sold at the auction to another dealer that deals in those vehicles and they buy a Honda or other import to put on their lot to replace it. There is a lot of science involved here.

There are LOTS of perfectly nice cars to be had. The auction inspects and grades each and every one of them (by the thousands) and publishes their report on their website prior to the car being sold at auction. If it has ever been wrecked, repainted, etc, they will catch it. They will even note it if the oil is half a quart low or looks dirty. It's a very well run organization that has auctions all over the country.

Sadly there aren't many "deals" to be had. Most everything sells well within NADA guidelines.