i'm planning to go to an auction so i can place a bid on a nice car but i don't know if it's best to do that. i think it'll come out cheaper than buying it from a car dealer but i'm not sure
2007-01-13 05:45:15 · 10 answers · asked by vanessa c 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Buying & Selling
it is cheaper usally at the auction but it is also the place that people and carlots dump the cars they don't want to spend the money on to fix
2007-01-13 05:50:17 · answer #1 · answered by furmanator1957 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You'd find a nice car for a lot cheaper at an auction.... but the thing with auctions is that u buy the car "as is" and you can't be sure of the car's condition. It's a risk you need to consider.
If you know someone that really knows cars well, and is willing to help u, take 'em along and go over as much detail of the car as possible before bidding. That should ease your mind.
Good luck!
2007-01-13 05:53:32 · answer #2 · answered by Ranley F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well there are a lot of factors. Be careful with auctions because not all of them will let you start the car or look inside it and check it all out before hand. Secondly why is the car at auction. I assuming that you are going to an impound/reposession auction? Why was the car impounded or reposessed? Drugs not enough money to pay for it etc. There are factors involved. That being said buying a car from an auction can be a great deal and you can come out on top and have a great car that is less than the dealerships. Good luck ^_^
2007-01-13 05:54:53 · answer #3 · answered by WINGS 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most auctions are an AS IS WHERE IS deal. And usually dont offer any kind of warranty or incentives to purchase the vehicle.
Youre best bet is always a delership.
Dont get me wrong. Auctions are a great thing and cheaper too, but be sure youre not buying a lemon.
I got my car off of Ebay, and its kick-@ss!
2007-01-13 05:53:19 · answer #4 · answered by Clark W Griswold 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the kind of the auction. If you're going to some small, unheard of auction, then changes are you might being ripped off. If it's used, then you have an even bigger chance of being ripped off. If the car is good, no problems, then you might be OK. But then again are they having a real mechanic checking it before it's sold? If you do choose to buy one from an auction, make sure the logical part of your brain is turned on.
Dealers are going to tell you what "you need", but their version of what you need is what makes them more money. But the car from a dealer will be legit and won't have problems sense it's brand new.
2007-01-13 05:52:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only buy from an auction if you can work on the car yourself. With auctions, you never know what you're getting. Why do you think good cars would be at an auction? 9 out of 10 times, there is something really wrong that is going to cost you alot of money to fix.
2007-01-13 05:51:35 · answer #6 · answered by moveandlose 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only if you are very knowledgeable about autos - if not, stay away from the auction. The problem w/your question is that you failed to mention the 3rd option - buying from an individual. When you settle on the vehicle that lites your fire, you can go to Carfacts.com & for $20/$25 you can get a history of the vehicle - something you won't have the option of getting @ auction. Then there is the added bonus that you won't be paying sales tax - in most states, such as my home state of Arizona. Caveat emptor!!!
2007-01-13 05:57:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
car dealers go to auctions several times a week to buy cars to put on their lot for used inventory. the days of trade in's as the used cars as been gone for awhile now. 95% of used inventory on a lot is all from auction or wholesalers.
can you get a better deal as in save money? sure, sometimes as much as $5,000 depending on the car. but you have to remember....a dealer buys that car at auction then brings it back and has many items done.
Mechanic goes over entire car and fixes all that needs fixed.
Detailer goes over entire car and cleans it head to toe.
A dent repair service comes by and removes any dents.
A paint repair service comes by and does touch up paint work.
A windshield person stops by and does any repairs.
A interior repair person comes by and does any repairs.
A smell person comes by and cancels any foul odors.
If bumpers, fenders, doors need painted, its sent to a body shop.
Now mind you, you can do these services yourself after you buy a car from auction. But to get those services you will pay retail pricing where the dealer paid wholesale pricing.
Simple example of this would be say a bumper painted. You will pay $400 up to $900 for that where the dealer can get it done for $100-$300.
So unless its a perfectly clean car, no damage, no mechanical issues at all, nothing wrong with it.....then its not likely at the end that you will save money over buying the car at auction yourself compared to a dealer.
plus buying it from auction, you need to take care of any financing yourself where a dealership takes care of that for you.
2007-01-13 05:55:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cheaper, Yes. But beware...no way to get a warranty.
2007-01-13 05:49:35 · answer #9 · answered by FRANKFUSS 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
read ebay motors how to buy a car. here's a direct link
2007-01-16 02:35:36 · answer #10 · answered by jbowhard 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋