The Daily Vroom

Good morning, Vroomers!

Yesterday was another solid day in the online auction world, with just over $7.2 million in total sales. The numbers continue to reinforce what we've been seeing all month—the top-tier platforms are maintaining a consistent sell-through rate of around 75%.

That kind of stability is worth noting. It tells us that, despite any outside noise, buyers are still showing up, sellers are still meeting the market, and online auctions remain a strong, reliable way to move cars.

Of course, things can shift in an instant, but for now, there's no sign of hesitation in the online market. The demand is there. The deals are happening. And if you're watching closely, there are still some serious opportunities to be had.

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

Some sales just have a poetic touch. This 2000 BMW 740iL first crossed the block in 2021 for $9,400—fast forward to yesterday, and it changed hands again for the reverse: $4,900.

E38s have always been a mix of elegance and potential headaches. A clean design, V8 power, and that signature BMW feel—but also a long list of known gremlins. This one, nearly 100k miles, Impala Brown Metallic, Texas history, and mostly unmodified. The kind of spec that keeps these cars desirable despite the usual warnings.

At $4,900, it’s either a steal or a ticking time bomb. The buyer knows the gamble—electrical quirks, ABS lights, and possible cooling system work down the road. But at this price, does it even matter? Worst case, you part it out for more. Best case, you’ve got an iconic BMW cruiser that still turns heads for the price of a used Honda.

Potential JDM Bargains

This 1992 Toyota Aristo 3.0V first sold last month for $8,300, but the buyer backed out. Now it’s back, and this time, there’s no reserve.

Usually, a re-list helps set expectations, giving buyers a clear idea of what it takes to win. But without a reserve, anything can happen. The current bid sits at $4,000, and while it’s bound to climb, this could be a chance to score a twin-turbo 2JZ sedan for less than expected.

There are a few issues—flickering speedo, some corrosion, a sticky rear door—but this is still a well-kept Aristo with just 62k miles. A proven drivetrain, luxury features, and a rare US presence make it an interesting option for someone willing to jump in.

Another JDM slipping through the cracks. This 1997 Toyota Cresta Super Lucent Four G sold four years ago for $9,100 with just 56K miles. Now? It’s back with 77K miles, sitting at a $4,200 bid—and engagement is nearly nonexistent.

With no reserve, there’s nothing stopping this from selling sub-$5K—which would be a bargain for an AWD, 1JZ-powered Japanese sedan. Importing, already done. U.S. title, in hand. Sure, it’s got some cosmetic wear, and at nearly 80K miles, maintenance is creeping up, but as a daily driver or an easy project, this thing is a hidden gem.

This 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster is a low-mileage, twin-turbo V8 monster finished in AMG Solarbeam Yellow Metallic—a spec that guarantees attention. But it’s sitting in Vancouver, BC, and import costs and logistics will deter a huge chunk of U.S. buyers.

That’s where things get interesting.

Bidding is currently sat at $13k with just hours left. Obviously, it won’t sell anywhere near that, but the seller might not have many options. If they really need to move it, this could drift into bargain territory.

And here’s our third potential JDM bargain—a bone-stock 1999 Nissan 200SX with just 17,274 miles. Finding an S14 this clean, this original, and this well-documented, practically unheard of.

Right now, it’s sitting at £9,100, which feels like a bargain considering what low-mileage, unmodified examples are commanding. The service history is impeccable, dating all the way back to 2001.

Yeah, there’s some peeling lacquer on the front bumper and a small crack in the taillight, but for a 25-year-old turbo coupe, that’s nothing. What really matters, it’s unmolested, it’s got the right mileage, and the market for clean S14s is only going one direction—up.

Auction To Keep An Eye On

This 1997 Land Rover Defender 90 NAS was built by ECD Automotive, a shop known for six-figure restomods. Their projects start at nearly $260K, and the listing leans hard into that pricing reality. The problem? The highest bid when this exact truck ran at Mecum in October 2024 was just $70K—a far cry from ECD’s typical valuation.

Now, with bidding at $111K, it’s climbing, but it still feels like we’re miles away from what the seller might actually expect. The quality is undeniable—an LS3 V8, air suspension, Brembo brakes, and an Arles Blue finish—but at this price level, expectations matter.

If the reserve is anywhere near the cost of commissioning a new one, this isn’t selling. I’d love to be wrong, but this auction feels like it’s playing out exactly as expected.