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The Cold 🥶 Hard Truth On Hagerty...
PLUS: Ultimate 80s Icon: Low Mileage Rare 5000 QV Countach
The Daily Vroom
Good Morning Vroomers,
A new week brings a fresh lineup of auctions, featuring some extraordinary finds and a few less-than-stellar offerings. I’m here to keep you informed on who's selling what, and to provide you with the latest news, trends, and insights from the online auction world.
Let's dive right in.
See you tomorrow,
Sam
Interesting Auctions This Week
With so many auctions ending daily, I’ve picked out a few special ones that cover a lot of bases for everyone, ranging from iconic supercars to quirky JDM gems.
1987 Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV
Alright, if you're looking for the ultimate 80s poster car, this is it, folks. This isn't just any Countach - it's a 5000 QV, which means you're getting that beefy 5.2-liter V12 pumping out 455 horses. What makes this one special? It's got that rare Crema interior - apparently only 5 US models came with this setup. Plus, it's remarkably original with just 6,100 miles on the clock. The fact that it spent time owned by its former service technician is a huge plus in my book. If you want a time capsule Countach, this is about as good as it gets.
1990 BMW E30 M3
Now, you all know I'm a sucker for these M3’s. This one's got some tasteful mods like BBS wheels and a Turner Motorsport chip, which should give it a bit more punch than stock. With just under 50,000 miles, it's relatively low mileage for an E30 M3. The Diamond Black Metallic paint is a classic look. Sure, it's got a few chips and dings, but show me an E30 that doesn't. This is a proper driver's car that you can actually use without feeling guilty.
2000 Subaru Impreza P1
This is a rare bird, folks - one of only 1,000 made. For those who don't know, the P1 was Prodrive's take on the Impreza, based on the JDM STI Type-R. It's got that classic Sonic Blue paint that just screams rally heritage. Now, this one's interesting because it's a UK car that's made its way to Hong Kong. It's had some recent work done, which is always good to see. If you're after a unique piece of Subaru history that's not just another WRX, this P1 is worth a look.
1990 Porsche 964 Carrera 4 Coupe by RWB
Now, I know some purists out there might be clutching their pearls, but hear me out. This isn't just any RWB build - this is RWB USA #63, personally crafted by the mad genius himself, Akira Nakai. Inspired by Nakai-san's own "Stella", this beast is rocking a Sepang Bronze Metallic paint job that'll stop traffic. With that widebody kit and those custom Work Meister S1 wheels, it's got more curves than a mountain pass. And let's not forget the upgrades under the hood - Fabspeed headers, custom exhaust, and a reprogrammed ECU. This isn't just a car, it's a rolling piece of automotive art.
1990 Toyota Sera
If you've never seen one of these, picture a Delorean and a Toyota had a baby, and you're halfway there. Those butterfly doors are pure automotive theatre. This particular example has just 41,917 miles on the clock and has recently had a £6,000 overhaul. Full respray, new tires, cam belt, the works. It's as close to factory fresh as you're likely to find for a 33-year-old car. And with only one UK keeper, it's barely been passed around. If you want to turn heads at Cars & Coffee, this is your ticket.
Summary
From the iconic Countach to the quirky Sera, there's something here for every taste and budget. The Countach and E30 M3 represent the pinnacle of their respective eras, while the Impreza P1 offers a taste of rally heritage. The RWB 964 is for those who see cars as canvases for artistic expression, and the Sera is a perfect choice for collectors who appreciate the offbeat and unusual.
Each of these cars represents a different flavor of automotive excellence. The Countach is pure 80s excess, the E30 M3 is the ultimate driver's BMW, the Impreza P1 is a rally-bred rarity, the RWB 964 is a modified masterpiece, and the Sera is a quirky time capsule.
Whether you're in the market for a classic supercar, a tuner special, or a unique JDM import, these auctions have got you covered. It's gonna be an exciting week, folks.
Hagerty Auctions: A Stalled Engine in the Online Auction Race
Hagerty Auctions roared onto the scene with grand promises and a prestigious name backing them. But since their high-octane launch? It's been all smoke and no fire. I've been watching their supposed "progress" like a hawk, and what I've seen is nothing short of a disappointment. They've not just hit the brakes on innovation; they've thrown the whole damn car in reverse. The lack of forward momentum isn't just obvious - it's downright painful to watch. And trust me, I've got the receipts to back this up.
1. Quantity? More like scarcity.
This week, Hagerty's got a whopping 14 listings. That's less than 3 per day. Compare that to PCarMarket with 63 listings - more than triple Hagerty's offerings. It's like showing up to a car meet with a single-car garage while everyone else brought their fleet.
2. Identity crisis much?
Try to pin down what Hagerty specializes in. Go on, I'll wait. Can't do it? Neither can I. Their listings are all over the map. It's like they're throwing darts at a board of car types (and boats) and hoping something sticks. A clear focus? Apparently, that's optional in their book.
3. UX? More like UGH.
I spent my Saturday diving into various auction sites, and let me tell you, Hagerty's website is stuck in the slow lane. It's not terrible, but when you stack it up against the competition - and I'm not just talking about the big players here - it's lagging behind. Out of the 10+ sites I checked out, Hagerty came in dead last. That's not just disappointing; it's embarrassing.
4. Missed opportunities galore.
Here's the kicker: Hagerty's got internal products - valuations, insurance - that could add real meat to their auctions. But where are they? Buried at the bottom of each listing, acting like unwanted step-children. Click on them, and poof! You're whisked away from the auction entirely. Integration? Never heard of it, apparently. And don't get me started on the lack of a shipping widget. It's 2024, for crying out loud!
The cold, hard truth
Actions speak louder than words, and Hagerty's actions are screaming their indifference towards online auctions. They had a golden ticket - their reputation could've been the foundation for a platform that'd make the competition sweat. But that ship has sailed, my friends.
The window of opportunity to make a real splash in this market is closing fast, if it hasn't already slammed shut. To succeed in online auctions, you need to eat, sleep, and breathe it. Hagerty? They're barely even glancing in its direction. I'd be shocked if this even cracks their top 5 business priorities.
Where do we go from here?
If you ask me, Hagerty needs to face facts. Their best bet now? Focus on Broad Arrow. That's where they've shown some actual promise and raked in some real revenue. As for their online platform? It's time to either kick it into high gear or park it for good.
In this fast-paced world of online car auctions, Hagerty's stuck in neutral. And in this race, if you're not moving forward, you're as good as finished.
What do you think Hagerty should do? |
Make a Final Offer Tweak
BaT's new "make a final offer" feature has been live for a short while, and I've had numerous interactions with sellers, bidders, and buyers about it. The general consensus, including my own view, is positive – people like the feature, especially how seamlessly it's integrated into the back-end.
However, it's not without its issues. Many bidders report being ghosted by sellers, which is frustrating even though sellers are entitled to do as they please post-auction. Digging deeper, it seems the offers made aren't significantly higher than the final bids, which might explain sellers' lack of response. There's also the inevitable attempts by some users to circumvent the system, which BaT can't entirely prevent. Of course after an auction a seller can really do what they want. (I’ve blurred the seller name here). But there are comments like this all the time.
Despite these challenges, I think the feature has potential with some tweaks. (After gathering a month or two of data, BaT might consider adjusting the process.)
My suggestion would be to give sellers 24 hours to inform the highest bidder of their desired price. This approach shifts the initial action to the seller, preventing bidders from blindly guessing a price and potentially being ignored. If a bidder doesn't hear back within 24 hours, they'll know to move on.
I believe this change could lead to more successful interactions and final offers, as it encourages at least one exchange between the seller and high bidder. The main goal should be to facilitate that crucial first interaction – if it doesn't work out after that, so be it. Of course, this is just my two cents, and I'm open to differing opinions on how to improve the system.
Should BaT improve their "make a final offer" feature? |
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