[futureman]

anyone have any luck at a car auction before? i'm wondering if it's worth a shot to check one out while searching for 3rd gen...any pointers would be appreciated.

cheers,

[PitbullRescuer]

Yeah, plenty of times. Just look them over real good. Most auctions will have an arbitration policy for vehicles under a certain mileage too. It's not as scary as some make it out to be.

[DeTwizzle]

Yeah if there is one get ready to fight. My ex-girlfriend tried to buy one (3rd gen) at a car auction in Hawaii and was out bid by someone in Abu Dhabi or Dubai... and if you can afford to live there you'll def out bid some poor Americans.

[LittleCaesar]

It depends if the auction is dealer only or open to the public.

At a dealer only auction in 07 I bought my daily driver a Mazda Protege 5 with 74,XXX miles on it for $2500. Today, dealers are clamoring for used cars, thus driving up the used car price for all dealers.

I'd personally stay away from the latter only because: 1. The cars are not in very good condition and 2. used car prices can go for higher than what the KBB is on the car/truck/SUV. But if you need a parts or project car, by all means go.

[calikev]

Originally Posted by LittleCaesar

It depends if the auction is dealer only or open to the public.

At a dealer only auction in 07 I bought my daily driver a Mazda Protege 5 with 74,XXX miles on it for $2500. Today, dealers are clamoring for used cars, thus driving up the used car price for all dealers.

I'd personally stay away from the latter only because: 1. The cars are not in very good condition and 2. used car prices can go for higher than what the KBB is on the car/truck/SUV. But if you need a parts or project car, by all means go.

EXCELLENT advise LittleCaesar! I will add that it's not hard to go to the dealer auctions. I have done this a couple times by just offering a small dealer/wholesaler a few hundred bucks to buy for me and let me go in with him. You have to have funds in your pocket for the payment in full and give him his $200-$300 if you buy something. If not, take him to lunch and call it a day until the next auction. He will be familiar with what's a good deal, what to look for on these auction type cars and may even have his mechanic with him looking cars over for his lot.

[PitbullRescuer]

Originally Posted by calikev

EXCELLENT advise LittleCaesar! I will add that it's not hard to go to the dealer auctions. I have done this a couple times by just offering a small dealer/wholesaler a few hundred bucks to buy for me and let me go in with him. You have to have funds in your pocket for the payment in full and give him his $200-$300 if you buy something. If not, take him to lunch and call it a day until the next auction. He will be familiar with what's a good deal, what to look for on these auction type cars and may even have his mechanic with him looking cars over for his lot.

That can also get the dealer banned from the auction. Dealer only auctions are meant to be dealer only auctions. My dad owns a dealership, I worked for him for years, been to many auctions. I have seen dealers get kicked out and banned for bringing buyers with them. Not saying it doesn't happen all the time but beware.

[calikev]

Originally Posted by PitbullRescuer

That can also get the dealer banned from the auction. Dealer only auctions are meant to be dealer only auctions. My dad owns a dealership, I worked for him for years, been to many auctions. I have seen dealers get kicked out and banned for bringing buyers with them. Not saying it doesn't happen all the time but beware.

Thanks! Never knew that. I went a couple times in FL to the Manheim auctions. Very big auction location for dealers nationwide. We never had a problem or question asked of us.

[futureman]

thanks for the feedback guys!

[etc.]

Back in the 90's up to 2001 I bought used cars at auctions to flip for cash.

Luckily I only got burnt once, but only lost a couple hundred when I sold it at the same auction.

However, the auction (for the most part) had the keys in the cars prior to auction and would even let you drive it around the lot.

[LittleCaesar]

Here in NC dealers are "allowed-in-kind" to bring two non dealers to the show, but they obviously cannot bid on the cars. There is a period to look over the cars before bidding but as to not ruffle many feathers, most non dealers, including myself, will wait outside unless you know the auctioneer (my uncle does). The auctioneer for the dealers says he has met more than 100 cousins of just one dealer.

Bottom line in NC: the higher the price, the more money the auctioneer and/or the note holder makes, so as long as the auto is bought by a dealer on paper, they really don't care who drives away with it.

[Doug18]

I have faith in them a buddy of mine picked up a low mileage 4th gen about 3 or 4 years ago now for a steal and it has been a great truck no issues

[IntoTheVoid]

I have bought 3 Runner's in the last 4 years from Copart.

Copart USA - The Source for Online Car Auctions - Home Page

First one I bought is the 1998 SR5 5 speed that I have now with a clean Carfax and title.
Got it for 5k.

The other ones were a 1996 Desert Dune for $2700 that was a super sweet Limited with e locker. It had 126K on it and had a small dent in the tailgate which made it a total in the insurance company's eyes for some reason. Had a friend fix the dent and sold it for $5k with a reconstructed title.

The other was a 1997 Black Limited for $2900 with e Locker and had about 145k on it. Had a crushed right fender which all it had wrong with it. The same friend found a black fender for it and replaced it. My Brother in law bought from me for $4600 with a reconstructed title and now my sister is driving the piss out of it.

[TN_Soljah808]

Originally Posted by IntoTheVoid

I have bought 3 Runner's in the last 4 years from Copart.

Copart USA - The Source for Online Car Auctions - Home Page

First one I bought is the 1998 SR5 5 speed that I have now with a clean Carfax and title.
Got it for 5k.

The other ones were a 1996 Desert Dune for $2700 that was a super sweet Limited with e locker. It had 126K on it and had a small dent in the tailgate which made it a total in the insurance company's eyes for some reason. Had a friend fix the dent and sold it for $5k with a reconstructed title.

The other was a 1997 Black Limited for $2900 with e Locker and had about 145k on it. Had a crushed right fender which all it had wrong with it. The same friend found a black fender for it and replaced it. My Brother in law bought from me for $4600 with a reconstructed title and now my sister is driving the piss out of it.

Are you a dealer? I'm on there looking all the time. But because i'm not a dealer I would have to pay a additional fee I don't remember how much but after the fees majority of the time I wouldn't get a good deal.

[futureman]

Thanks for the link!

Man, I'd be set if I could find a Limited 4X4 with 126K for $2700 that looked like that...very nice.

Originally Posted by IntoTheVoid

I have bought 3 Runner's in the last 4 years from Copart.

Copart USA - The Source for Online Car Auctions - Home Page

First one I bought is the 1998 SR5 5 speed that I have now with a clean Carfax and title.
Got it for 5k.

The other ones were a 1996 Desert Dune for $2700 that was a super sweet Limited with e locker. It had 126K on it and had a small dent in the tailgate which made it a total in the insurance company's eyes for some reason. Had a friend fix the dent and sold it for $5k with a reconstructed title.

The other was a 1997 Black Limited for $2900 with e Locker and had about 145k on it. Had a crushed right fender which all it had wrong with it. The same friend found a black fender for it and replaced it. My Brother in law bought from me for $4600 with a reconstructed title and now my sister is driving the piss out of it.

[Jc12]

this is awesome! I work at an auction and have for a few years, i was even in arbitration for nearly a year. I started doing inspections and am now the manager for the online department. There are definitely quality cars at the auction and they do have arbitration policies so MAKE sure to be clear on them and if the vehicle is running arbitration allowed or as is (where is). Nearly all the 3rd gens end up at the auction here because they pull good money.. but still less than what you would have to pay on the lot. Give it a shot and take a look around and give your cars a good look over.