Rejected: $1.75m Bid for McLaren P1 - Here's Why

PLUS: The Very Best Mercedes-Benz Up For Auction This Week

The Daily Vroom

Good morning Vroomers,

4th of July week is like the Indy 500 of car auctions. While Uncle Sam's grilling burgers, we're watching the fireworks in the collector car market. Will someone rage-bid after a family BBQ squabble? Maybe Grandpa will finally pull the trigger on that '69 Chevelle he's been eyeing since, well, 1969.

It's a week when patriotism meets horsepower, and wallets fly open faster than a convertible top on a sunny day. So grab your sparklers and your bidding paddles, folks. We're about to see if the American Dream comes with a V8 and a fresh coat of candy apple red.

See you tomorrow,

Sam

McLaren P1 Hits a Wall on BaT: A $1.75M Lesson in Supercar Economic

As you well know by now, weekends tend to attract some of the most expensive cars for auction. This past weekend was no different. A 2014 McLaren P1 just hit the auction block on Bring a Trailer over the weekend, and despite a whopping $1.75 million high bid, it didn't sell. So let's dive into this automotive soap opera and see if we can work out why the seller refused to sell.

First things first, let's talk numbers. This particular P1 was scooped up on BaT back in 2022 for a cool $1.82 million with just 296 miles on the clock. Fast forward two years, and it's back with 890 miles and a high bid $70k less than its last sale. Now, in the world of hypercars, that's like finding loose change in your sofa cushions. Not too shabby, right?

But here's where it gets interesting. This P1 isn't alone in its 'no-sale' club. The last eight P1s listed online haven't sold, with this weekend's auction hitting the highest bid at $1.75 million. So what gives? Are sellers living in a fantasy land where their P1s are worth more than Fort Knox?

My theory? These sellers are probably Googling "How much is my P1 worth?" and stumbling upon some outdated article claiming it's worth $2 million. Or maybe, just maybe, these are the kind of folks who have so many cars they use different ones for each day of the week, and selling isn't really a priority. Who knows? Rich people problems, am I right?

But let's be real here. Based on the data and current market conditions, that $1.75 million bid was solid gold. I'm not convinced they'll see a better offer anytime soon. Sure, they'll probably try to negotiate with the highest bidder offline, but if I were that bidder, I'd stand my ground like a rock in a hurricane.

Now, here's where things get interesting. The comment section lit up like a Christmas tree, with one frustrated bidder suggesting, "This is why the reserve should be the starting bidding number. Such a waste of time and stress for everyone involved." Fair point, right?

‘Of course’, one other than Randy himself - yeah, that Randy - chimed in on a Saturday. (I mean, the guy could've been sipping cocktails on a beach somewhere, but no, he's in the trenches with us car nerds.) He dropped this bombshell: "Many may not remember it from ten years ago, but we actually started BaT Auctions that way initially and that model failed miserably. It is effectively a classified asking price and nobody bids and there is minimal enthusiasm. We'll never go back to it." (which I agree with).

Well, knock me over with a feather! Who knew? It's like BaT tried to take all the mystery out of the auction. No wonder it fell flat. Turns out, we car nuts love the thrill of the chase just as much as the catch.

But wait, there's more! Another gear head chimed in with a pretty slick idea: "Just a suggestion but maybe a fun color gauge that shows how close bidding is getting to reserve might be another way of encouraging bidding. Start off red, gradually working its way into a shade of yellow ultimately becoming bright yellow and then working its way toward a sold green."

Now we're talking! Imagine the adrenaline rush as that gauge creeps towards green. It's like the automotive equivalent of a game show buzzer. Will you be the one to push it over the edge? The suspense would kill me!

So, what's the takeaway from this high-octane drama? It seems the supercar market is in a bit of a standoff. While this $1.75 million bid was the highest of the last eight online auctions, it still wasn't enough to seal the deal. Sellers are holding firm, but buyers aren't ready to break the bank just yet.

For all you potential buyers out there, stick to your guns. If you've done your homework and know what the market's saying, don't let the allure of carbon fiber and butterfly doors make you lose your head.

And as for BaT? Well, they're clearly not afraid to try new things. Who knows? Maybe next time we'll be bidding on P1s with VR headsets, you know it’s coming!!

Should online platforms add some type of gauge to show how close bids are to the reserve price?

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This Week's Must-Watch Mercedes Auction

I'm diving into some seriously cool Mercedes-Benz auctions, and here's why you should care. These aren't your neighbor's cookie-cutter C-Class lease specials. We're talking rare, badass Benzes that'll make any car nut weak in the knees.

I've always had a soft spot for Mercedes. They're the perfect mix of luxury, performance, and engineering overkill. Whether it's a balls-to-the-wall AMG or a classic that's older than your grandpa, these cars have soul. They're built to last, built to haul ass, and built to turn heads.

We're about to look at some Mercedes unicorns that'll make you want to rob a bank or sell a kidney. Let's see what's on the block and why you should be drooling over these German delights.

First up, this 2008 Mercedes CLK63 AMG Black Series is one badass machine. With its 500-hp V8 and DTM-inspired widebody, it's basically a street-legal race car. Only about 700 were made globally, so it's pretty damn rare.

The good: It's mostly stock, lived in warm climates, and has some sweet carbon fiber bits inside and out. The 6.2L V8 is a monster, and paired with the flared arches and adjustable suspension, this thing must be a riot to drive.

The bad: It's got some typical wear and tear - rock chips, scratches, cracked bumper. Nothing major, but not pristine either. Also had some "minor damage" in 2019, but sounds like just door trim replacement. Also the seller is not engaged as they could be! They need to answer all those questions, otherwise..

My take: These Black Series cars are future classics. With 54k miles, it's been enjoyed but not abused. Current bid of $42k seems low - I'd expect this to go for $60k+ easy. If you've got the cash and want a raw, analog Mercedes that'll turn heads and melt tires, jump on this before prices go nuts.

Talk about a unicorn. This '90 300E isn't just any AMG - it's a pre-merger beast with the full Hammer treatment. We're talking legit AMG-stamped 3.4L engine, Hammer body kit, and even a manual gearbox.

The Pearl Grey paint is rare as hell and looks killer. Inside, you've got those sweet patterned sport seats. Best part? It's got Mr. Melcher's stamp of approval - the AMG godfather himself.

Sure, it's got 110k miles, but they just dumped 35 grand into a full restoration. The underbody looks clean, and that AMG exhaust is gonna sound nasty.

My take? This is the thinking man's Hammer. You're getting 90% of the AMG experience for a fraction of the 6.0 Hammer price. With classic AMGs going ballistic, this thing is only gonna appreciate. If you've got the cash, don't sleep on this one. It's the real deal.

Alright, let's cut the BS. This is a barely-used 2024 G63 AMG with 4k km on the clock. Someone's trying to make a quick buck flipping this beast.

Look, the G63 is a ridiculous machine. It's a 585 horsepower brick that'll do 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. It's got all the fancy tech and luxury crap you'd expect, plus three locking diffs for when you want to pretend you're not just driving to Whole Foods.

The good: It's basically new, loaded with every option, and in that classic black-on-beige color combo. If you want the latest and greatest G-Wagen without the wait, here you go.

The bad: You're gonna pay through the nose for someone else's "barely drove it" tax. Plus, let's be real - nobody's taking this thing off-road.

My take: If you've got "f you" money and want to cosplay as a dictator on your Starbucks run, knock yourself out. But you could probably order a new one for less if you've got the time & patience.

Talk about automotive royalty. This is one of only 203 Cabriolet A's ever made. It's basically the G-Wagen of its day - stupidly expensive and dripping with class.

The good: It's got a documented history from day one, including its original Mexican delivery. The current owner gave it a full restoration, and it's got all the classic luxury touches - leather, wood, whitewalls, the works. Plus, that inline-six with triple Solex carbs?

The bad: It's been repainted twice, and there's some wear on the wood trim. Also, the engine, trans, and rear end are all marked as "exchange units" - so not numbers-matching purists might cry.

My take: Look, at $100k current bid, this thing is a steal. These can go for millions when perfect. Yeah, it's not 100% original, but who cares? It's gorgeous, rare as hell, and has a better pedigree than most royalty. If you've got the cash and want the ultimate 50s cruiser, jump on this before some oil baron snaps it up for their collection. Just don't expect to find parts at AutoZone!

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