The Daily Vroom

Good morning Vroomers!

Well, this is something special. Cars & Bids just pulled off what might be the automotive equivalent of pitching a perfect game - they sold every single one of their 23 listings yesterday. Every. Single. One.

Let that sink in for a minute. Anyone in this game knows how hard it is to get just one car across the finish line. The right price, the right audience, the right timing - so many pieces have to fall into place. While 23 auctions might be a regular morning for BaT, getting a 100% sell-through, that's a real achievement here. It takes a team that really knows their stuff - from pricing strategy to marketing hustle.

But here's where it gets interesting. They've beaten level one, sure. The real challenge now, scale. Can they maintain this kind of success rate when they're running 30, 40, or 50 auctions a day? First they need to get to that number of listings.

MARKET LEADERBOARD

💰 The figures shared below don’t count any other sales such as car seats, memorabilia etc… All online auction sites are analyzed to put this leaderboard together.

I only include websites that have sold 5+ vehicles in the chart below.

YESTERDAY’S TOP 5 SALES

Want to dive deeper into any of these listings? Just click on the car to take you directly to the listing.

Sale of the Day

When it comes to no-reserve listings, certain sites still deliver some absolute bargains, and today’s BMW 325Ci Convertible sale is proof.

A 50k-mile, two-owner, California-kept E46 convertible in Oxford Green Metallic with the Sport and Premium packages—and it went for just $5,400. That’s wild. Even with the check engine light on and a camshaft sensor code, this was an incredible buy.

Look, these cars aren’t perfect, and this one has some quirks—minor damage history, scratches, and some interior wear. But at this price, who cares? The top works, the interior is clean, and it’s mostly unmodified. That’s a lot of car for the money, especially when you consider how well these drive.

This is the kind of deal that reminds you why no-reserve auctions are always worth watching. Not every day brings a home run, but when one like this lands, someone just got a great car at a price that makes you double-check if you read it right.

Why These Cars Didn’t Sell – A Lesson in Timing and Presentation

There are a myriad of reasons why cars don’t sell at auction. Here on The Daily Vroom, we often highlight great or interesting sales, but there’s just as much to learn from the ones that fall short. Timing, presentation, history—each plays a crucial role in getting the best price for your vehicle. Today, let’s take a look at two recent listings that didn’t meet reserve and what they could have done better.

2018 Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2 Spyder – Bid to $125,000

A Lamborghini wrapped in Tiffany Blue sounds like a head-turner, but flashy doesn’t always mean easy to sell. This Huracan had a salvage title, multiple accidents in its past, and some mechanical issues that made buyers hesitate.

• Salvage & Rebuilt Titles: Tough to move a car with this kind of history unless it’s priced right.

• Mechanical Issues: Check engine light on, backup camera not working, front lift system inoperative—it’s a lot to overlook.

• Presentation: The wrap was peeling, the interior had scratches, and it didn’t get the full detailing treatment before listing. First impressions matter.

• Price Expectations: For this final bid—or anything close to it—taking the money would’ve been smart. Given the title history, damage, and fixes needed, this was a strong bid in the current market.

What could have helped? Removing the wrap, fixing the little stuff, and presenting it cleanly. But at the end of the day, it’s a rebuilt-title Lambo—there’s always going to be a ceiling on what people will pay and to me and the data this was a high ceiling.

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (Supercharged) – Bid to $182,182

The SLS AMG is already a desirable car, but this one had a Weistec Engineering supercharger, long-tube headers, and carbon-fiber upgrades, pushing it into serious performance territory. So why didn’t it sell?

• Prior Auction History: This same car was bid to $205,000 in March 2023. Seeing it now top out at $182,182 suggests that either the market has softened or bidders weren’t as confident this time around.

• Modified vs. Stock Debate: Some buyers love a well-built, high-horsepower machine, while others see modifications as a risk. Even with Weistec's reputation, tuning a car like this can limit the buyer pool.

• Location & Import Considerations: The car is in Canada, meaning U.S. buyers had to factor in import costs and potential emissions compliance issues. Not a dealbreaker, but it adds friction to the sale and more importantly to the price.

• Re-Listing Strategy & The No-Reserve Factor: Looking at the data on six-figure cars that get re-listed, a larger percentage sell when they go no reserve compared to those that hold firm. Obviously, there are caveats—condition, rarity, and market trends all play a role—but expecting to just re-list and see a better outcome is wishful thinking.

If $205,000 wasn’t accepted last year and the market for these isn’t exactly on fire, then not doing the homework on current conditions is a big mistake. No one doubts the car’s quality—yes, the modified vs. stock debate plays a role, but the real issue is understanding what happens to cars that don’t sell the first time. If a seller is hoping for a quarter-million-dollar payday, they need more than just another listing. There’s work to do.

The Takeaway

Selling at auction isn’t just about having a cool car—it’s about timing, presentation, and setting the right expectations. The Huracan struggled because of its history and prep, while the SLS AMG ran into prior pricing history, modifications, and location logistics. If you’re selling, think about when and how you list. A little strategy can be the difference between a bidding war and a no-sale.

There’s a lot more to say on this subject, and we’ll be covering more in the future. But for now, hitting these key points can go a long way in maximizing your chances of a successful sale.

Auctions To Keep An Eye On

This right-hand-drive E36 Touring is the kind of car that makes you do a double take—then another one just to make sure you saw it right. A manual-swapped, airbagged, Dakar Yellow wagon with Vader seats, throwing stars, and a rooftop speaker system! It’s a Cars & Coffee special, no doubt.

There’s a lot going on here. The stance is wild, the red interior is a bold move, and the cargo box doubling as a rolling sound system is, well, something. But underneath all the madness, it’s still a European-market 328i Touring with an M52 inline-six, and that alone makes it a rare find stateside.

Is it for everyone? Absolutely not. But if you want to turn heads, start debates, and maybe host an impromptu street concert, this thing checks every box. And it’s no reserve and ends today!

Most people haven’t heard of the Prodrive P25, let alone seen one—but it’s the ultimate modern Subaru. A reimagined 22B built by the same team that made Subaru a WRC legend. And this one, the only P25 in Solar Silver.

It’s got 440hp, a 6-speed sequential box, and enough carbon fiber to make a supercar jealous. At under 1,200kg, it’s stupidly light and brutally fast—0-60 in under 3 seconds. It’s all the rally magic of the past, but with modern engineering and zero compromises.

Only 25 exist, and this is #10 with just 190 miles. If you see one in the wild, consider yourself lucky—because this is Subaru at its absolute peak.