💰 The figures shared below don’t count any other sales such as car seats, memorabilia etc..

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

t looks like I unintentionally jinxed Cars & Bids yesterday by spotlighting their impressive 97% sell-through rate. Despite racking up sales of over $500K today, their sell-through rate took an unexpected dip. But I'm confident they'll rally back swiftly. 🚗💨🔝 

I spotlighted Hemmings yesterday for leading in site traffic, but it's quite surprising (or is it) to see that they managed a mere $160K from their 8 sales. For such a high-traffic platform, one would expect more robust numbers. 🤨📉🚘

Click on any of the cars to take you to the listing.

2005 Ford GT $400,00

2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe $236,365

2016 Nissan GT-R Nismo $216,000

2023 Cadillac Escalade-V $185,000

1987 Ferrari 328 GTB $152,000

🔎 Spotlight on the LFA 🔎
This 2012 LFA, #427 of just 500 produced, was up for grabs. Sporting a fiery Pearl Red finish, a roaring 4.8-liter V10 engine, and an exhaustive list of luxury amenities, this beauty has covered just 13k miles. Yet, despite its allure, the car failed to find a new garage to call home.

💰 Price Dynamics 💰
The high bid came in at $705,000, but no deal was struck. Interestingly, this very LFA was acquired on BaT in December for a neat $775,000. What's changed since then? Well, the market for one. Was the December buy an overpay? It's possible. For perspective, a pristine white LFA with a mere 47 miles on the clock went for just over $1 million in Monterey last week.

🤷 Why No Sale? 🤷
The obvious answer: the seller's aspirations were loftier. But beyond that, the car market has seemingly cooled off. Platforms like BaT attract buyers who are notoriously meticulous about mileage. In today's market, they appear more resistant to overpaying for 'high-mileage' cars.

LAND ROVER DEFENDER AUGUST SALES

Ever since its debut in 1948, the Land Rover Defender has held a special place in my heart ❤️. Born from the rugged charm of the original Series, the Defender became an icon of off-road adventures.

Its boxy design, unmatched in terrains from deserts 🏜️ to mountains, and rich legacy make it more than just a car. It's a symbol of endurance and exploration. Every time I see one, I'm reminded of its storied past and the global community 🌐 of passionate Defender enthusiasts I'm proud to be part of. Simply put, the Defender isn't just a vehicle; it's a timeless legend 🚙✨.

August Summary:

In August, a total of 56 Land Rover Defenders were sold in online car auctions. These vehicles spanned a wide range of model years, from 1983 to 2022. The highest price achieved was $158,000, for a 1985 Defender 110, while the most budget-friendly option went for $7,280. On average, these iconic vehicles traded hands for approximately $43,773.

The histogram above showcases the distribution of prices for Land Rover Defenders sold in August. Most vehicles were priced between $10,000 and $50,000, with a few premium models fetching higher prices, upwards of $100,000. There's a notable peak in the $20,000 to $30,000 range, indicating a popular price point for buyers.

Selling Price vs. Year of Manufacture:

The scatter plot above illustrates the relationship between the selling price and the year of manufacture. At first glance, it's evident that newer models generally fetch higher prices. However, there's also a cluster of older models, particularly from the mid-80s to the late 90s, that command a premium price. This could be attributed to the vintage appeal or perhaps the rarity of these older models in pristine condition.

Platforms Analysis: Number of Land Rover Defenders Sold & Average Selling Price

The bar chart above provides insights into the performance of different platforms in selling Land Rover Defenders during August. The green bars represent the number of vehicles sold on each platform, while the orange bars indicate the average selling price on those platforms.

It's evident that Bring A Trailer was the leading platform in terms of volume, selling the majority of the vehicles. Furthermore, it also managed to achieve one of the highest average selling prices, suggesting a premium clientele or high-quality listings. In contrast, Collecting Cars saw fewer sales but managed to command the highest average selling price among all platforms.

🔥 2013 FERRARI F12 BERLINETTA 🔥

The F12 Berlinetta is the epitome of Ferrari's expertise in creating exhilarating front-engined sports cars. Representing the pinnacle of V12-powered Ferraris, the F12 Berlinetta seamlessly combines brute power with sublime elegance, carving its place in the annals of automotive history.

🎨 Features:

• Showcased in an alluring Nero finish, this F12 stands out with a satin paint protection film and the optional Scuderia wing shields.

• Dive into luxury with a Nero extended leather and Alcantara interior, accented with Giallo seatbelts, rev counter, and the iconic embroidered Cavallino on the headrests.

• Driving pleasure enhanced with a set of 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, shod in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, and complemented by Giallo brake calipers.

📊 Price Trend:
The F12 Berlinetta remains in demand among enthusiasts, reflecting its unique allure and pedigree. While market prices have seen a decline, sellers attuned to this shift will find eager buyers. It's all about striking the right balance; the car's allure remains undiminished, but the price point now plays a more pivotal role than at its peak.

🌟 Summary:
A modern-day classic, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, is a testament to Ferrari's commitment to performance and luxury. This particular example, dressed in Nero and brimming with features, is ready to offer its next owner a blend of thrilling drives and timeless style.

🚗 Sotheby's Motorsport: A New Player in the Arena 🚗
Sotheby's Motorsport, a fresh face in the online car auction world, is setting itself apart in various ways. Their approach, however, is a double-edged sword.

You can read all about them here.

💸 Unique Pricing Structure 💸
Unlike most platforms, they're charging higher seller fees and imposing a 2.5% fee on buyers. This bold move might be affecting their early traction in the market.

🔍 This Week's Spotlight 🔍
Two notable cars went under the hammer this week:

• 1999 Lamborghini Diablo VT Alpine Edition

• 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible

Both received three bids each, were listed by dealers, but unfortunately, neither found a new home.

🤔 Challenges & The Road Ahead 🤔
Being the new kid on the block isn't easy. Word about Sotheby's Motorsport is still trickling out. Their unique pricing structure, while distinguishing, might be a hurdle for some potential sellers and buyers. I'm keen to see how they fare with nine auctions ending over the next week.

Here’s a question from Jordan a community member since May.

My answer to Jordan:

The 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS is a gem in Porsche's lineup, and choosing between its two primary versions, Touring and Lightweight, can be challenging.

1. Touring (M472):

   • Offers a blend of performance and comfort, retaining elements like soundproofing, a carpet, and rear seats.

   • Weighs around 1,075 kg.

   • For some context, the last Touring to be sold in an online auction fetched $700,911 last year.

2. Lightweight (M471):

   • A more race-focused, stripped-down version weighing approximately 1,000 kg.

   • Lacks many of the comforts found in the Touring variant.

   • Interestingly, no Lightweight versions have sold online in the past two years. However, one was recently up for auction in Monterey with an estimated value between $2,500,000 and $3,000,000, but it didn't find a buyer.

Yesterday I asked you to submit any questions you want answered by Cars & Bids. Lots of questions have been sent in already.

If you want your question answered, please reply to this email with your question.