Car Auctions

Alchemisst · 31-12-2007, 01:03 AM

Hi, not sure if this is the right place to post this but just wondering what everyones experiences with buying at auction are like, are they much cheaper?

What are some good ones in QLD/ Brisbane?

sbv16 · 31-12-2007, 01:54 AM

I just purchased a 2005 BA Mk II Falcon, ex government car, 60000kms, still under 6 mnths new car warranty in near perfect condition for $12800.

This was two weeks ago at Fowles Auction

My opinion is auctions are excellent and the best places to get cheap ex government / company cars. AS LONG AS you are picky and be patient, if you rush in and impulse buy without going over the car fully ie (check panel damage, service history, who owned it, get underneith etc). It is easy to get caught up in the excitement and pay far too much. Just because its an auction doesnt always mean its cheap. However dealers buy alot of their cars from auctions and then stick them in their yards and mark em up heaps.

I am in Perth and thus cant reccommend any specific auction houses. However I find Manheim Fowles to be the best. I dunno what pickles is like over there but some of there cars here are pretty run down and a bit expensive.

v gate · 31-12-2007, 08:39 AM

I got an au3 fairmont wagon at pickles 2yrs ago with 66000ks on the clock. It was ex telsta for $14800. I went and had a look to see how it all works a couple of weeks before so i didnt look like a complete dick and compare prices. I probably came out 5-6 grand ahead of dealer prices and have had a pretty good run with it so far. I ended up bidding against a local ford mob so i thought if they want it it must be reasonable.

So my experience was good and i think i paid a fair price.

Alchemisst · 31-12-2007, 12:45 PM

What about older cars? would there be much there for under $5000?

sly_ba · 31-12-2007, 04:50 PM

All of the cars that I have owned (AU series 3, BA XR6 turbo and BF XR6) have been purchased from auctions. On each car I think I saved around 5 -6K compared to what the caryards were asking. The trick is being patient and doing your homework.

xw383 · 01-01-2008, 10:32 AM

Try City Auctions on Kingsford Smith Drive. They have their Saturday auctions starting at $50 for their cheapies but get in early.

paul_r_d · 01-01-2008, 11:40 AM

Auctions are good, my very first car was from Fowels Aucton Group in Altona, Victoria.

They usually are once a week, and the day before they have a "viewing" so you can go over the car. The only thing I found with auctions is that you have to go through a lot of crap to test drive the car on the viewing day.
I was interetsed in about 4 cars and well because I was potentially going to buy the car I wanted to test it, and my experience is as follows:

1. I could never find a staff member on the ground to take me, becuase its so dam busy.
2. When I did I had to wait at least an half an hour before they come
3. They only take you around the auction lot, therefor you don't know how the car handles at high speeds.
4. The $320 service fee if you win a car is friggin insane!

Personally I wouldn't go to an auction again. If you want a good bargain go for it, but in the end you really dont know what ya getting. And for under 5k......i'd be real picky about the car and definatley REQUESTING test drives.

Good luck mate

Lightning Strike GT · 01-01-2008, 10:12 PM

Here is the govt QFleet ones
http://www.pt.qld.gov.au/auctions/catalog.htm
Just open the Brisbane one

ebau · 02-01-2008, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alchemisst

Hi, not sure if this is the right place to post this but just wondering what everyones experiences with buying at auction are like, are they much cheaper?

What are some good ones in QLD/ Brisbane?

Do your research , check car history, if no books dont buy, check when last service was done, if the car is un registered find out what extra costs will apply to get it on the road, I spent a day at Fowles in Melb and thought the prices were too high for the BAs , I bought a BA o5 xt 54ks private sale, full ford report and rwc for $12800 , good luck be patient there are thousands of cars for sale

Falc'man · 02-01-2008, 11:36 AM

I bought the '06 BF Futura with 36000km at manhiemfowles for $18450.
The same day there were a host of ex highway patrol cars. '06 XR8's going for between $22-24K and an '06 XR6T for $23K (46000km).
Also another turbo (not ex hwy) 06 and black with 35000km went for $29.1K, the same price as the '06 BF Ghia (with 15000km).
The savings are there for sure.

nugget378 · 02-01-2008, 11:44 AM

I have always found auctions way cheaper,

I have bought quite a few,bought a 96' hilux dual cab 4wd 8 or so years ago for $8800 had it insured for 21k the next day,was an ex railways car was a little beat up looking but still going strong today.
Got an 06' hilux V6 dual cab auto sr5 for 20k early last year with 50k km's,big saving over new,I picked up a low km 97' magna V6 with 130k on the clock, for my girlfriend for 3k with almost a years rego,other than a few scratches the car is great.

So IMO the auctions cant be beat,but you have to be patient,it may take going back quite a few times to find the bargains..

XR6_190 · 02-01-2008, 11:19 PM

I bought my AUII Futura for $13,000 with 104,000Kms on the clock over 3 years ago, I saved over $3,000 from the dealer prices of the time and the car was immaculate. I did nearly 100,000Km of trouble free motoring.