The Daily Vroom

Good Morning Vroomers,

We’re heading into what could be a record-breaking week.

Bring a Trailer has crossed 1,000 live auctions — their biggest surge yet. Cars & Bids is now pushing over 40 listings a day. Across the pond, Car & Classic and Collecting Cars are each averaging 25 daily. Even SBX Cars is picking up steam with 12 auctions ending this week alone.

Now the question is — will all this volume turn into actual sales?

Let’s find out.

BaT Raises Its Fees Again (Sort of)

Yes, Bring a Trailer just raised the buyer’s fee — and yes, people are already complaining. But here’s the deal: once you actually look at the numbers, it’s still one of the most competitive fee structures in the game. So lets break it down.

What’s changing:
For select non-car categories — motorcycles, minibikes, parts, automobilia, go-karts, tractors, and the like — the buyer’s premium is increasing from 5% to 10%, with a $250 minimum and a $4,000 cap.

Everything else (cars, trucks, etc.) stays the same: 5% fee, $250 minimum, $7,500 cap.

So who does this impact? Mainly buyers spending more than $2,500 in those select categories. But even then — the new math still works in your favor once you go up the price ladder.

Here’s how the fee plays out above the cap threshold:

• $40,000 item → $4,000 fee = 10%

• $50,000 item → $4,000 fee = 8%

• $60,000 item → $4,000 fee = 6.6%

• $70,000 item → $4,000 fee = 5.7%

• $80,000+ item → $4,000 fee = 5% or less

So yes — it’s technically 10%, but once you cross $40K, you’re back into very competitive territory. Randy laid all of this out clearly in the comments of the announcement — no fluff, just math.

And if you’re comparing to the old model: that $60K bike would’ve cost you $3,000 in fees. Now it’s $4,000. It’s a jump, sure. But it’s still predictable, capped, and well below what you’d pay at most traditional auction houses.

Let’s not forget:

• Bonhams charges 15% on motorcycles — no cap

• BaT - still capped at 10%, max $4K

I think it’s more than fair. BaT is running a business. And while Hearst is Hearst, they’re still pushing — as they should be — to grow revenue. This feels like a smart, measured way to do it. It’s transparent. It’s not overreaching. And it helps fund the kind of listing attention and platform support that sets BaT apart.

In my opinion this is still one of the best places to buy or sell, and nothing about this change alters that. What’s your take?

Affordable Auctions To Keep An Eye On

The 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Wagon is one of the rarest and most iconic fast wagons ever sold in the U.S. — and it still turns heads nearly 30 years later.

What I love about this example is that it’s been used the way a 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Wagon should be. It’s high-mileage, yes — but it’s also enthusiast-owned, carefully upgraded, and clearly respected. These turbocharged 5-cylinder engines are tough, and with the right maintenance and mods (which this one has), they can run forever.

Finished in the signature Cream Yellow and sitting on OEM Titan wheels, this 1995 Volvo 850 T-5R Wagon nails that perfect ‘90s look. Add in the Lemon Squad inspection, a binder of history, and rare factory parts? This isn’t just nostalgia — it’s a real-deal performance wagon with plenty of life left.

This 1974 Pontiac GTO isn’t just a muscle car — it’s a 43-year relationship. And I love that. When someone hangs onto a car for this long, it usually means one thing: they truly cared for it. That comes through here.

The 487ci V8 build is serious business, but what really stands out is how hands-on and community-driven this one feels. The comments section is full of sharp-eyed gearheads helping the seller tell the full story — catching details, adding value, even nudging them to highlight features they missed. It’s BaT at its best.

And while 1974 might not be everyone’s favorite GTO body, this example is hard to argue with. Mini-tubbed, fuel-injected, big brakes, rack and pinion, real miles put in since the rebuild — not a static showpiece, but something built to drive.

It’s a unique slice of muscle car history, owned by someone who clearly never lost the spark.

The 2010 BMW (E92) M3 Competition might be the last truly analog M car that still flies under the radar — and this one hits a lot of the right notes. Rod bearings? Done. Throttle actuators? Done. GTS DCT map, fresh Michelin PS4S rubber, ceramic coating. It’s got the right service history and the big-ticket items sorted.

I like this car because it’s that sweet spot between modern usability and old-school feel. Naturally aspirated V8, rear-wheel drive, dual-clutch box — the combo is peak BMW performance era. Sure, there’s some spec drama in the comments (front sensors, audio tweaks, trim changes), but if you’re after a driver, not a collector-grade unicorn, this could be smart money.

With the E92 M3 aging into cult classic status and prices starting to creep, a well-maintained, optioned-up example like this still feels like a solid play — especially when the seller's already taken care of the expensive stuff.

Keep your eyes on this one. There’s value hiding in plain sight.