Prices Dropping? Not for These Cars!

PLUS: Why One Classic Jaguar Stole the Show and Your Thoughts on Auction Platform Problems

The Daily Vroom

Hey Vroomers!

All this talk about prices softening lately? Well, it's not the whole story. Today we're looking at some cars that are bucking that trend - and they're still great value for money.

And we've got your feedback from yesterday's poll. Lots of strong opinions in there, and plenty more to dig into.

Catch you tomorrow, 

Sam

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.

Alright, let's break down yesterday's action on the online auction scene. If you caught Monday's edition of The Daily Vroom, you'd know I called it - I predicted a below-average sale day for a Monday, and boy, did that pan out. We're talking just over $4.5 million in vehicle sales. That's what I call a serious case of the Mondays!

Now, before you start thinking the sky is falling, let's put this in perspective. Bring a Trailer was nursing a holiday hangover from last Monday. They sold 57 vehicles compared to their usual triple-digit bonanza. That'll definitely put a dent in the numbers.

Cars & Bids also dialed it back a notch on the listings front. But both BaT and Cars & Bids still managed to pull off a pretty damn decent sell-through rate. Gotta give credit where it's due.

Now, for those of you wondering about some of the other players in the game - Hagerty's been keeping it ‘slow and steady’, averaging about 5 listings a day. Hemmings is pushing a bit harder with around 10 daily listings. But let's be real, neither of them are even close to elbowing their way onto our daily leaderboard.

So there you have it, a bit of a slow start to the week. Looking ahead to today, the number of auctions ending has certainly gone up and potentially some of the bigger sales look like they could be happening on Collecting Cars- lets wait and see.

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.

2023 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring $327,000

1969 Jaguar XKE Series II Roadster $276,000

1981 Ferrari 512 BB $242,100

2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 $180,000

1960 Porsche 356B Super 90 Roadster $169,000

Out of yesterday's sales, there’s really only one listing worth focusing on—the 1969 Jaguar XKE Series II Roadster, which racked up a huge amount of comments and views. This no-reserve auction sold for $276,000, making it the highest Series II sale on any online platform. With just 5,300 original miles and completely unrestored, it’s a rare gem in British Racing Green over Suede Green leather. The sheer originality of this car—matching numbers, original paint, and interior—had the community buzzing, and rightfully so. A standout sale for the day, and a fantastic result for the seller.

One further mention ise th 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 which changed hands for a cool $180,000. That's a hefty $45k over sticker.

The peanut gallery was buzzing, saying this beast was easily a $200k car. But let's pump the brakes for a sec. Yesterday's market said otherwise.

This wasn't just any old listing. The car was presented by none other than 911r. If you know the game, you know that means it was detailed to perfection. Every nook and cranny probably sparkled like a diamond.

At $180k, I'd say both the buyer and seller walked away happy. The seller pocketed a nice premium, and the buyer? Well, they just scored one hell of a machine.

Now, the million-dollar question: Will this Demon 170 appreciate over time? I would lean into the yes camp here, but not for a quite a few years.

PTS Power Play: China Gray GT3 Touring Soars at $327K

We’ve all heard it before: prices for these Porsches were higher "back in the day," especially during the COVID price surge. But let’s be real—while the market has cooled off in some areas, cars like this China Gray 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring are still pulling strong numbers, and deservedly so. This one just sold for $327,000, nearly $100k over sticker.

And here's why it makes sense. First off, it’s a PTS in a rare and stunning China Gray, paired with that highly coveted 6-speed manual. Plus, with options like Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes and a carbon-fiber roof, you’re looking at a serious build with around $67k in extras. Even more interesting is the mileage—2,300 miles—which is higher than a couple of its counterparts sold recently, yet this still achieved one of the highest sale prices.

When you factor in that this car was represented by WOB, one of the top sellers out there, known for making cars look like absolute artwork in their listings, the price shouldn’t surprise anyone. This car was perfectly presented to the market, and the result speaks for itself.

Yes, prices have cooled from the COVID-era surge, but this sale proves that the right car with the right spec, especially in a desirable PTS color, will still demand top dollar. A win for the seller and a clear sign that the Porsche market, while evolving, remains strong for these special builds.

Your Feedback

Yesterday, we were talking about some of the biggest issues from online platforms. And I asked you the following question. ‘What’s the biggest issue you’ve experienced with online auction platforms?

And boy did we get a flurry of comments. Below are a selection of those comments. I personally don’t agree with all of them, but clearly there are a lot of gripes out there (isn’t there always).

We’ve seen some platforms deal with a number of these issues reasonably well and others not so well. And of course there are still plenty of ways they can all improve.

I had a guy come by to check out a 1990 Mustang 7-up limited editon convertible that was being auctioned off...He looked at and then test drove it...I told him all the work that was done to it. He then went online and ripped the car apart...Needless to say it didn't reach the reserve...But I got the last laugh when I listed it on FB marketplace and sold it in two days .....

Negative comments by "marque experts.”

Seeing auctions withdrawn half way through or near the end gets me annoyed. Platforms need to do a better job at researching whos listing what. And of course shill bids are so obvious, there must be a tech way now that they can spot them and not let them happen?

So many issues, Cars not being described by the owners as they are Shell bids buy seller and their friends Buyers backing out And many many more!

I actually think there are lots of problems, but the system works as there are hundreds of buyers daily who seem to be happy. These websites wouldn’t be in business if there were a consistent amount of issues. Look we al know shill bids are a big thing and descriptions of cars are somewhat exxagarated much of the time. That is why as a buyer you need to do research and ask all the right questions. No-one forces you to make a bid. I also wish the websites would do a better job with negative comments.

Another brilliant example of why physical auctions from reputable, long standing Auction Houses are the ONLY way to go with high end vehicles. ALL OF THE ABOVE. The "liabilities" of on line auctions are a LONG list - and many of the issues are elements that are "101 level" and have been neglected or completely ignored. Shill Bids - HUGE issue. Check out how many "recently registered" (as in the same month - they should post the EXACT date) bid on cars? Shill Bid "price fixing" - look no further than Porsche Carrera GT's - held at 5-600 "forever" and "magically" jumped to over a million? Yea, right. Titles - having sold literally tens of thousands of "old cars" the past 30+ years - a "F'd up" Title can be and most typically is a NIGHTMARE! Just one digit off - a 9 that became a O or an 8 that became a 6 - or event many pre-17 digit VIN European cars - did they use the Engine number on the US Title when imported? or a firewall stamping? Hell, I've seen engine accessories like distributors, alternators, fuel pump numbers that were "titled" to a car...

And, don't even get me started on an old 6 digit VIN (think 356 Porsche) who's short number has been used multiple times in various states that VIN Search Engines now believe is motorcycle trailer, or lawnmower in located in east BFE anywhere USA... Buyers not funding? Yea - now what? BaT for example does what? A "slap on the wrist" and "gee, we got our fees" so - sorry - too bad? When this happens repeatedly with a live, physical auction house - they are out of business instantly. False descriptions - and even 100's of photos will never substitute a professional PPI or seeing "with your own eyes". EVERY market medium has its limitations.

Most live, physical auctions rarely have lifts to look under a car on site - or allow test drives, much less have mechanics standing by with a compression gauge to check all cylinders... But the advantage is, you have typically hundreds of cars at one place - for example, Scottsdale, Monterey, or any Mecum sale anywhere. Of course - "private treaty" sales when one can enlist a proper PPI and fully "vet" a car is always best. On line auctions have been "running loosey-goosey" since their inceptions. No culpability to secure funding and title transfer. Painfully bad customer service for "no sales" (cars that DNMR) - BaT gluing only the "high bidder" to the seller - and no other method to garner a successful transaction for the seller - particularly after waiting weeks for a post and suffering through some "specialist" inquisition who know little about any car - that is not posted on Wikipedia... - its shameful! But - hey - the prevailing stance of "we are making so much money - why should we care?" currently reigns supreme. It will be indeed interesting when competition strengthens and the market "corrects".

On Line Auctions are here to stay - however, I continue to believe there are VAST and EXTREMELY SIGNIFICANT - improvements that can and must ultimately be made. If only some "real car guys" with "real world experience" (which takes a lifetime to accumulate) could supplement the "computer geeks" at these on line outfits! One can dream right?

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