Buying An Auction Car : Secrets From A Pro

"Steven Lang" (StevenLang) 08/23/2019 at 15:10 • Filed to: car buying, car buying advice, auctions, minivans, chrysler minivan, reliability, used cars, long-term quality index

2

20

After 16 years as a car dealer and a few prior years as an auto auctioneer, I decided to try to do something special that didn’t involve repossessing one of my own beaters or buying a $300 heap.

I decided to make my first video, and of all things it’s about this super low mileage Chrysler Town & Country that I bought for peanuts just two days ago.

There’s a healthy amount about auction buying strategies and the fact that Youtube tends to distort the realities of buying a used car these days . The realities of the marketplace are a far cry from the ‘great deal’ phonies that offer all the hype, but none of the actual research or due diligence you need to buy a great used car.

There’s a little something in here for everyone, but most of all, I hope those of you who have been through used car buying hell and felt completely clueless about what to do will enjoy it the most.

lone_liberal > Steven Lang 08/23/2019 at 15:32

2

Good to see you around again!

CalzoneGolem > Steven Lang 08/23/2019 at 15:53

3

But * I* love abusing vehicles and reading books

Steven Lang > lone_liberal 08/23/2019 at 15:56

0

I’m still hanging out...

https://www.facebook.com/steven.lang.923

Steven Lang > CalzoneGolem 08/23/2019 at 15:57

0

At the same time? Impressive!

CalzoneGolem > Steven Lang 08/23/2019 at 16:00

4

It’s actually harder on the car if I’m reading because I run into more stuff.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Steven Lang 08/23/2019 at 16:16

2

Now tell me it’s a 3.8 and tell me you’ll sell it to me extremely cheap....

CalzoneGolem > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 08/23/2019 at 16:19

0

I heard you can get it for $3500

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > CalzoneGolem 08/23/2019 at 16:19

0

Shit, I can buy them for that all day around here.......

Jordan > Steven Lang 08/23/2019 at 16:19

0

Who buys a minivan and only drives 14k miles in 14 years?

Steven Lang > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 08/23/2019 at 16:20

1

It’s a 3.3 Liter and I’ll probably sell it for around $3500.

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/search/cta?query=steven%20lang&sort=rel

Steven Lang > Jordan 08/23/2019 at 16:21

0

The video details the fact that the odometer was replaced. The mileage is in the 50s. A retiree owned it.

PlaysWellWithNOthers > Steven Lang 08/23/2019 at 16:38

2

Great video with good points, especially that it’s more important who owned a vehicle and how they treated tha n what brand it is. Seriously great job!

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Steven Lang 08/23/2019 at 17:06

1

Good luck, it looks like a super clean van, should make someone a great cruiser.

Urambo Tauro > Steven Lang 08/23/2019 at 17:54

1

Great tips! I like the part about looking for subtle clues about the previous owner’s personality, and what those attitudes might mean for the vehicle’s otherwise mysterious history. I’d much rather find stickers saying “support your local library” than a bunch of energy drink logos.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Urambo Tauro 08/23/2019 at 19:10

2

I wonder what an Oppo sticker would indicate?

Urambo Tauro > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 08/23/2019 at 20:06

2

A little of column A, a little of column B, I think . A new visitor to Oppo would find a fair share of posts where we exhibit loving care towards our cars , like detailing and wrenching, but they might also find some of our autocross/ hooning stuff LOL .

Steven Lang > PlaysWellWithNOthers 08/23/2019 at 21:30

0

Thank you very much!

Under_Score > Steven Lang 08/24/2019 at 23:39

1

I missed this post, but I’m glad to see you back, Steve! I pass your car lot  all the time when I’m home; it was always cool seeing the posts on here and thinking “I see that car every day.”

RacinBob > Steven Lang 08/28/2019 at 00:12

0

Look for good OEM tires. I remember somebody here asking about buying a mid 1ook mile Integra which had new Michelin tires. Come on, if the dude is springing for $800 in tires on a $4k car, is he really planning to rip you off?   

RacinBob > PlaysWellWithNOthers 08/28/2019 at 00:12

0

Same for new headlights.