So... Ya Wanna Go To The Auto Auction?

Zembonez · April 15, 2009

A lot of you 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 went to today. 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.

geektoad · April 15, 2009

Very cool! thanks for sharing. Now find me a cheap '05 NMB GTO in good shape

Zembonez · April 15, 2009

Very cool! thanks for sharing. Now find me a cheap '05 NMB GTO in good shape

You'd be amazed at how high the prices are at auction right now. Used vehicles are bringing huge money!

VMax2007 · April 15, 2009

So, what did you buy today?

pennzoil29 · April 15, 2009

Pretty cool Jim. Sound's like you have an awesome job.

geektoad · April 15, 2009

Very cool! thanks for sharing. Now find me a cheap '05 NMB GTO in good shape

You'd be amazed at how high the prices are at auction right now. Used vehicles are bringing huge money!

That's what I keep hearing. Probably better that way. My wife would kill me if I buy anything else before the truck's paid off next year!

Zembonez · April 15, 2009

So, what did you buy today?

Not much. Didn't have a big day. Have several on call because they didn't hit the seller's reserve. 05 Mazda6, 03 Focus, 05 Eclipse Spyder, 07 Versa...etc.

DofD · April 15, 2009

Very cool Jim! I can picture a place that size and with that much going on getting pretty nutty.

tobias · April 15, 2009

So, what did you buy today?

Not much. Didn't have a big day. Have several on call because they didn't hit the seller's reserve. 05 Mazda6, 03 Focus, 05 Eclipse Spyder, 07 Versa...etc.

I think he meant what did you buy for YOU.

Zembonez · April 15, 2009

So, what did you buy today?

Not much. Didn't have a big day. Have several on call because they didn't hit the seller's reserve. 05 Mazda6, 03 Focus, 05 Eclipse Spyder, 07 Versa...etc.

I think he meant what did you buy for YOU.

OH!

Well... I bought me a Carriage Works cutout style billet grille and the UPS man brought me my full rear end gear installation kit! Updates to come.

No cars for me today.

tobias · April 15, 2009

So, what did you buy today?

Not much. Didn't have a big day. Have several on call because they didn't hit the seller's reserve. 05 Mazda6, 03 Focus, 05 Eclipse Spyder, 07 Versa...etc.

I think he meant what did you buy for YOU.

OH!

Well... I bought me a Carriage Works cutout style billet grille and the UPS man brought me my full rear end gear installation kit! Updates to come.

No cars for me today.

Excellent choice.

Hey, Jeff!

VMax2007 · April 15, 2009

So, what did you buy today?

Not much. Didn't have a big day. Have several on call because they didn't hit the seller's reserve. 05 Mazda6, 03 Focus, 05 Eclipse Spyder, 07 Versa...etc.

I think he meant what did you buy for YOU.

OH!

Well... I bought me a Carriage Works cutout style billet grille and the UPS man brought me my full rear end gear installation kit! Updates to come.

No cars for me today.

Excellent choice.

Hey, Jeff!

Fixed.

grampadirt · April 15, 2009

Are they mostly bank re-pos and gov't siezed?

Zembonez · April 15, 2009

Are they mostly bank re-pos and gov't siezed?

They come from everywhere. Most come from new car dealerships. When somebody trades in their 07 Mazda at the Chevy store, it normally gets sent to the auction. Most of the used cars on any dealer's lot come from these auctions. Very few of the inventory cars actually came from trades.

GMAC and other lenders and every rental car agency bring their cars to auction. Those 3 or 4 25,000 mile 07 Impalas sitting on your Chevy dealer's lot probably lived life as rental cars.

I'm sure there are repos and others as well but they don't make up a large percentage. It's actually a very complicated event full of special codes and descriptions that you better know before buying!