Why Government Car Auctions Are Not For The Light

[macarose]

Of Money

http://stevenlang.kinja.com/why-government-car-auctions-are-not-for-the-light-of-mo-1691301777

I got bored this evening. So I thought I would write something that would have relevance for us DIY frugal folk.

My apologies in advance if you like Ford Explorers.

 

[Tegger]

That was interesting. Buying a government-auction car seems to be much like buying a used-car in general, only more so. Plus there's the added "gotcha" of certain (government) regulations, such as the one requiring CNG tanks to be treated like propane tanks -- with expiry dates -- and needing replacement before the vehicle can be legally licensed.

I also like the first clause of his penultimate sentence: "There is an ocean of vehicle neglect out there...". That about says it all.

Good link. Thanks.

 

[fdcg27]

So the guy got an incredible deal on a nice old Explorer?
I've purchased an E350 at a state government auction and it makes for a dirt cheap heavy hauler.
As with anything else, you have to know what you're getting into and you have to know the downside financial risk.
If the deal looks right, take it.
If you can't afford for the vehicle not to be pretty much a daily driver as-is, go elsewhere.

 

[sicko]

It might vary by state, but as I understand it if you sell more than five vehicles a year you have to get licensed as a car dealer or something and the taxes change.

I vaguely remember hearing something like that but don't know the details of it.

It sounds like the author is doing it for a good cause, so I hope he's addressed these issues so they don't become a problem for him in the future.

 

[dlundblad]

OP is this your blog?

 

[01rangerxl]

I want that Explorer...vinyl seat, manual hub XL. That thing is awesome. If it had the M5OD and manual t-case, I'd really be drooling.

The world of wholesale cars is weird...a lot of luck, timing, and quick judgement involved.

A 1993 Bronco rolled into our wholesale lot as a trade today. It was painted a stupid non-orginal color (some burnt orange metallic/weird shade of red), had bald 32s on it, major TTB alignment issues (way beyond the norm), some ghetto HID headlight wiring, etc. I went over to look at it as soon as it hit the lot...literally dropped what I was doing when I heard "93 Bronco in wholesale." I decided $800 OTD was my absolute max, pending a drive. Inquired about how much sales had in it...over $4K!!! My jaw just about hit the floor. The sales mgr. said "well it's a Bronco, they're like rare, we'll sell it." Ummm....yeah, not for that much. If it was stock and in good shape, sure...ragged the [censored] out with a bunch of aftermarket [censored], a horrid paint job, and needing work, no freaking way. I thought they had lost their [censored] minds, but this isn't the first such incident. There was the 13 year old nearly $5K Ranger 2WD reg cab with almost 200K miles a few months ago. They'll auction the Bronco at a loss. They don't care because they "made the deal." Idiots! No wonder turnover is so high in that dept.

 

[exranger06]

I love hearing stories about people paying thousands for Broncos. It gives me justification/rationalization for dumping thousands into fixing my Bronco up.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: Tegger
That was interesting. Buying a government-auction car seems to be much like buying a used-car in general, only more so. Plus there's the added "gotcha" of certain (government) regulations, such as the one requiring CNG tanks to be treated like propane tanks -- with expiry dates -- and needing replacement before the vehicle can be legally licensed.


Wouldn't it be easier to just swap back to a regular fuel system?

 

[JustinH]

I work for a local government, we sell vehicles all the time.

Most go for a decent amount of money, we have a vehicle maintenance department at the city and they are taken care of and clean.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: Tegger
That was interesting. Buying a government-auction car seems to be much like buying a used-car in general, only more so. Plus there's the added "gotcha" of certain (government) regulations, such as the one requiring CNG tanks to be treated like propane tanks -- with expiry dates -- and needing replacement before the vehicle can be legally licensed.


Wouldn't it be easier to just swap back to a regular fuel system?


There might exist a smog law against going back to gasoline. Also, some engines made to use natural gas are internally different, making such a conversion even more difficult and expensive.