🤫 Seinfeld's Secret Porsche Auction

PLUS: BaT Goes From Awards to Ads: Join the discussion...

The Daily Vroom


Hey Vroomers! 👋

Welcome to all our new community members. Today we’re gonna dive straight into the newsletter, no chit chat from me!

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+ cars in the chart below. Which means Hagerty and many others did not sell 5 cars yesterday!

While the leaderboard today appears more populated, it belies the story of yesterday's performance. Value-wise, it was one of the weakest days since The Daily Vroom began, with sales just surpassing $4 million. However, it's important to acknowledge the positive sell-through rates for the top companies, indicating strong demand for available inventory. The question remains, though, where is the overall listing volume? Could a temporary market adjustment be affecting supply?

On the brighter side, the upcoming auctions for tomorrow and Friday hold promising potential for larger sales. While not the high-volume figures we may desire, a steady upward trend would be encouraging. I will provide further insights into next week's auction numbers once available, offering a clearer picture of whether current trends will persist or a positive shift is imminent.

YESTERDAY’S TOP 5 SALES

Alright, let's dive into yesterday's top sales. Just click on the image, and boom, you're right at the listing.

2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione $265,000

1996 Toyota Mega Cruiser $167,500

1996 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa 6-Speed $164,000

2017 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS $135,000

2019 Porsche 911 Targa 4S $122,500

Market Doesn’t Like This Flip

We've seen our fair share of flips in 2023, and I've dished out the details on quite a few here. But not all flips land smoothly, and yesterday was a prime example. We had a 2023 Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody Last Call on the block – a real beast. The bidding capped at $53,000, not quite reaching its $63k sticker price. The seller joined the chorus of those claiming they didn’t buy to flip – but whether that’s true is anyone’s guess.

The Two-Owner Dilemma

Here's the snag: the car was initially touted as a one-owner vehicle, but the truth was it had two. This seems to have put off the market, hesitant to pay nearly-new prices for a two-owner car. A hard sell indeed.

Playing the Long Game?

It appears the seller might need to buckle in for the long haul if they're looking to either maintain or boost the car's value. The best bet? Keep it off the roads (despite it being built for them) and hope for a better deal in the future.

Quick Look at the Charger:

  • Mileage: Just 45 miles.

  • Engine: That roaring 6.4-Liter Hemi SRT V8.

  • Appearance: Dressed in F8 Green with sleek Black Leather & Alcantara Upholstery.

  • Key Features: It's packing a Widebody Comp Suspension, Brembo Brakes, state-of-the-art Navigation, and LED Headlights.

Final Thoughts:

This Dodge Charger is definitely an eye-catcher, but yesterday's auction was a stark reminder that even a near-new car with minimal mileage can struggle to meet a seller’s hopeful price, especially when they're counting on its rarity in the market. Will the seller hold out for a better day or look for a flip elsewhere? Time will tell.

The Seinfeld Mystery

Yesterday's auction scene witnessed a real stunner. A 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa rocketed off the block for an eye-popping $164,000! 🤑 Now that's a number to talk about, especially when you consider that a similar model, just a tad higher in mileage, fetched $110,000 a month ago.

🤔 The Seinfeld Mystery

Here's where it gets interesting: the car was previously owned by Jerry Seinfeld himself, the comedy king and well-known Porsche collector. He even used it to get to his TV show set. Oddly enough, this tidbit was missing from the auction listing. Why leave out such a detail? A Seinfeld connection would add some serious celeb flair and, given Jerry's love for his Porsches, would suggest the car was exceptionally well-maintained. Surely, this could have given the bids an early boost? 🌟

💬 Late Discovery – Did it Influence the Final Price?

Interestingly, it was only in the auction's final hours that some eagle-eyed commenters revealed Jerry's past ownership. Did this eleventh-hour revelation drive the price up to $164K? 📈

👀 Quick Look at the Targa:

  • Mileage: Only 26k miles.

  • Engine: 3.6-Liter Flat-Six, complete with the Motor Sound Package.

  • Color: Sleek Polar Silver paired with Midnight Blue Leather Upholstery.

  • Special Features: 17" Two-Piece Targa Wheels, Power-Operated Glass Roof Panel, and more!

🔍 The Takeaway:

This Targa's auction journey is a perfect example of how a car's history, particularly its celebrity connection, can play a crucial role in its appeal and value. The Seinfeld saga added an extra layer of intrigue to this sale.

Does the "Seinfeld provenance" actually make the car more valuable?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

The Good & Bad From Bring a Trailer

BaT Awards are back, and the community is buzzing with excitement! This annual tradition isn't just about handing out trophies – it's a chance to celebrate the incredible contributors who fuel the passion and hilarity of BaT.

Remember those jaw-dropping listings that had jaws on the floor, or the nail-biting auction battles that kept everyone glued to their screens? They wouldn't be the same without the passionate community behind them. Now, it's time to shine the spotlight on the individuals who make BaT so special!

Head over here and join the fun.

Here’s a curveball I didn’t expect. Spotting a lone Google Adsense on BaT's awards page caught me off guard. I saw one or two last year and then I couldn’t find any more when I searched again.

Let's call a spade a spade: BaT's pristine, ad-free haven has been a sacred space for car enthusiasts like us. It's the digital equivalent of a well-oiled classic – smooth, uninterrupted, and focused on pure automotive joy. So, this ad feels like a rusty lug nut in the mix, potentially disrupting the experience we all hold dear. (also that ad below is SO not relevant to me!!)

Sure, some might shrug it off as a harmless experiment. But here's the thing:

  • User experience over everything: That ad, even a tiny one, throws a wrench in the seamless browsing we've come to expect. BaT's magic lies in its distraction-free zone, and even a minor intrusion can break the spell. Could it lead to a site full of ads??

  • Peanuts for potential backlash: Let's be honest, the ad revenue won't make them kings of the digital jungle. But the potential grumbles and negativity it might generate? Not the best pit stop for the BaT community.

Now, I'm not advocating for pitchforks and torches. BaT's team knows what they're doing. But wouldn't it be far cooler to see that awards page space filled with something truly enriching? Highlight the BaT app, heck, throw in a surprise car giveaway! Anything that keeps the focus on what truly matters – celebrating stunning rides and fostering the car community on the web.

Maybe this is an initiative from Hearst??

Ultimately, the decision lies with BaT.

Would seeing occasional Google Ads on BaT, bother your browsing experience?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Your Feedback

Yesterday we asked you some questions and here are a selection of your answers. Apologies to those not featured, we had a lot of comments!

We asked “Which factor do you believe matters most in a listing like the 10k-Mile 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster”

The majority of you answered:

 ‘A Combination of Both: Both professional presentation and the car's specifications/history are equally important.’

The photos get your attention but the details will pull you up or sink you.

The history of the car can't be changed, but it's history should always be told in detail, good or bad. As for photos and videos, yes, they should be the best you can provide. This is about making a sale, quality pics can only help and enhance the sale.

This presentation is lacking in both regards. Curious to see where it nets out. Will someone find a diamond in the rough, will the seller have unreasonable expectations and a high reserve, or will someone place a big bet with fingers crossed?

A car like that can get by on just an decent presentation because of what it is. As long as there are enough high quality photos, as long as the service history is documented and shown, as well as up to date, the sizzle is built in.

The next question was asking if the seller or bidder was right on this interaction for this 15-mile Z06. The majority voted that the seller was in rhe right. Below this are some of your comments.

The Seller controls the "SALE"... He may take a hit on bids, but remember who "OWNS" the vehicle. Big Boys make Big Decisions-on both sides!

What makes this listing more monetarily desirable than a similar edition being offered for sale is the low mileage. The car speaks for itself. I’d say this car is not meant for this potential bidder! Go find another 15 mile example who’s seller will let you drive it first before bidding. Good luck finding that one.

With only 15 miles on any car I owned, there is no way I'm letting anyone drive it. The 15 miles is what makes it so collectable. The seller is absolutely in the right here.

Feel the seller is right to not want to add any more miles.. and if the bidder has any idea of how a corvette drives, they will understand.

Reply

or to participate.