This weekend, the BaT crowd got a real treat with a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT dropping the hammer at $1,199,999. Now, before anyone jumps the gun thinking this is some sort of fire sale, let me set the record straight. Back in December 2022, two of these were sold for $1.2m, both on a weekday. Since then we just had one sold in November for $1.7m, albeit with less mileage.

So let’s examine why the $1.2m sale price. First off, let's talk timing. Ending this auction over the weekend wasn't some shot in the dark; it was a calculated move. BaT and the seller, 1600Veloce, knew what they were doing. (if you haven’t already, go check out the driving video, this is how to do it properly!!) Big-ticket items like this tend to close over the weekend for a reason. Despite some chatter about weekend sales potentially dipping, the strategy here was clear: aim for the weekend warriors ready to open their wallets. And why not? Most of the $1m+ sales this year waved their final goodbyes on a Sunday. Yet, despite the playbook move, the numbers didn't skyrocket. What gives?

Well, let's chew on a few possible reasons. Recall woes with this model could've thrown a wet blanket on the bidding frenzy. No one loves a "Coming Soon" tag on essential parts, expected only by Q3 or Q4 of 2024. Then there's the possibility that we just didn't have two high rollers locking horns over this prize. It's not a stretch to imagine the winner might have pushed the bid higher if cornered.

Then there's the big elephant in the room – the market itself. We've kicked this can around quite a bit here at The Daily Vroom. The high-end market can sometimes feel like it's in its own bubble, controlled by sellers who aren't sweating over mortgage payments. They can wait out for the right price. Yet, here we are, staring at a number that's a notch below the $1.5m mark that had the peanut gallery buzzing as the next milestone.

The GT itself? A stunner, no surprise there. GT Silver Metallic paint, Ascot Brown leather upholstery, those iconic 19" and 20" Carrera GT center-lock alloy wheels, ceramic composite brakes, and a list of features that reads like a car enthusiast's late-night fantasy. With just 7k miles on the clock, this was a golden ticket waiting to be snagged.

So, why didn't it hit the $1.5m dreamland? Could be the Porsche recall shadow, could be the lack of a bidding war, or maybe, just maybe, it's the market telling us where it's at right now. Seller needs, auction strategies, buyer appetites – it's a mix that gave us this weekend's showstopper.

As for tomorrow? Who knows, we might just see these GTs kissing the $1.5m+ mark after all. But for now, this sale's got us talking, and isn't that what it's all about!

Alright, let's get into the thick of it with the latest high-stakes drama over at Bring a Trailer. We're talking about a 2019 Bugatti Chiron that strutted onto the auction stage, only to shy away without finding a new garage to call home. This beauty, bid up to a whopping $3.2 million, still didn't meet its reserve. Now, this isn't the first time we've seen a Bugatti play hard to get. Just last month, a 2019 Chiron Sport with only 451 miles under its belt flirted with a $3,495,000 bid. Word on the street was they were "not far off the reserve." Makes you wonder if a deal was whispered behind closed doors post-auction, doesn't it?

Now, let's not beat around the bush. Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale tried to offload this speed demon back in November for $3.4m, but no takers. It's not about whether this is worth a hangar full of Ferraris or Porsches—that's a debate for the comment sections and beyond. But crunching the numbers, offline and online, that $3.2m bid wasn't chump change. It was a solid offer, considering the exclusive club of buyers willing to drop that kind of cash on a car.

But as I explained above, the seller's whim dictates the market. If they're not sweating for cash, they can afford to play the waiting game, betting on the market's mood to swing their way—maybe pocketing an extra mil or two in six months. It's a nice position to be in, no doubt about it.

Now, about BaT's stance on this? Honestly, they're probably not losing any sleep over the reserve not being met. These headline-grabbing listings pull in viewers by the thousands, turning every auction into a spectacle. So, whether or not the seller decides to let their Chiron go for a song (or a symphony), BaT's raking in eyeballs and, by extension, the dough. That $7,500 listing fee? Pocket change in the grand scheme of things.

So, what's the takeaway from this latest auction tease? It's clear as day: the ultra-high-end market is its own beast, with rules dictated by those holding the reins. Whether this Chiron finds a new owner or continues to bask in the limelight a while longer, it's all part of the game—a game where patience is just as important as the size of your bank account. And for us mere mortals watching from the sidelines? It's just another day in the life of the luxury car market.

Another exceptional sales achievement this weekend, with sales exceeding $6 million. To explore each auction, simply click on the image.

This 2005 Acura NSX up for grabs is seriously making me wish I had a spare $170k lounging around in my couch cushions. With a mere 18,500 miles on the clock, a 6-speed manual that's as rare as a polite online debate, and being a final-year model with a removable T-top, this ride is like finding a unicorn in a haystack.

The seller isn't just tossing out a car; they're offering a meticulously maintained piece of automotive royalty. We're talking about a comprehensive service run-through that wasn't even necessary but done for the love of the game. The timing belt, water pump, gaskets—you name it, they've preemptively replaced it to ensure this NSX is in tip-top shape.

Now, let's not pretend we're all not doing the mental math here. With previous sales hitting the $157k and $176k marks and someone brushing off $190k last month like it was pocket lint, this NSX sitting at $140k with time still on the clock is like watching a suspense thriller.

With the seller's note about hoping the new owner drives this beauty rather than just stares at it. Amen to that. Cars like this are meant to be felt, heard, and, yes, driven. If the heart doesn't skip a beat when that V6 roars to life, check your pulse.

So, given all that jazz—the meticulous care, the rarity, the manual transmission, and the fact that it's a 2005 NSX—do you think this auction will close around the $170k mark? Or will it surpass all expectations and set a new record? Either way, whoever ends up with the keys better be ready to fall head over heels for this Japanese legend.