Taking Risks and Reaping Rewards

The Daily Vroom

Hey Vroomers!

The wagons we covered yesterday wrapped up with impressive results: $63k and $140k, respectively. Solid deals for both buyer and seller—because let’s face it, good wagons never go out of style.

As for today, I’m throwing this in not for any other reason than it's a first, and I’m genuinely happy for them: SBX has two cars selling today, and the reserves have been met! Could this be the start of a wave of more sales?

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.

My first take after browsing all the auction platform listings from yesterday that didn’t make the leaderboard was that it looked like a $5 million sales day, give or take. But digging into the final numbers surprised me—it came in just shy of $6 million. Not too shabby for a Monday that also happened to be a national holiday. Still the lack of sales from the multitude of other platforms is a worry. (for them)

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.

1995 Ferrari F512 M $575,000

1996 Porsche 911 Turbo $200,000

2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Coupe OHMSS Edition $198,000

2023 Porsche 992 Targa 4S $167,000

1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 Fastback $164,000

Taking Risks and Reaping Rewards: The Story Behind This 1995 Ferrari F512 M Sale

Step back and appreciate the nostalgic allure of this 1995 Ferrari F512 M, a car with only 8,600km that just sold for $575,000 at no reserve. This sale is a perfect case study in how strategic risk-taking can pay off for sellers in the high-end collector car market.

For a vehicle with this mileage, $575,000 is a strong result. The seller took a big chance listing this iconic Ferrari at no reserve, and in my opinion, it paid off handsomely. In recent months, we’ve seen several online listings for similar F512 M models with fewer miles fail to secure such high bids, with many not even reaching a sale. Just three years ago, you could’ve picked one of these up for around $250,000 to $300,000, so this upward movement highlights the reward that comes with taking a calculated risk.

But let’s talk about risk on another level. Take the case of a seller from two years ago who turned down a $650,000 offer for his lower-mileage F512 M. At the time, everyone thought he was out of his mind for saying no. He didn't have a backup plan or any guarantee of a better outcome. It was a genuine leap of faith, hoping he could find a higher bid elsewhere. Eventually, he ended up at a live auction house—Gooding & Co., one of the best—and secured $731,000. Even after factoring in the seller’s premium, he walked away with a nice profit. But make no mistake: he didn’t know he’d be heading to a live auction house when he initially rejected the offer. It was a real risk, and he got lucky.

It’s worth noting that these kinds of high-stakes moves are more viable for top-tier cars. You have the flexibility to go from online listings to a prestigious live auction if needed. But in the mid-range collector car market, rejecting a high online bid can be dangerous. It’s often challenging to bounce back and get a better result later.

All that said, my philosophy in life—and certainly in the car world—is that taking risks can lead to bigger rewards. This Ferrari F512 M sale proves that sometimes, you just have to go for it.

Do you consider yourself a risk taker when it comes to buying or selling collector cars?

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Coolest Auctions of the Day

This could easily be the coolest auction of the day.

Step back in time with this nostalgia-packed ride! The 1986 Nissan Maxima GL Sedan is a snapshot of the '80s in all its boxy, velour-lined glory. Grab your favorite cassette tape, pop it in the factory stereo, and let the Voice Warning system remind you, “Your door is ajar.” It’s an experience that no modern car can replicate.

What’s under the hood? A smooth 3.0-liter V6 paired with a four-speed automatic, ready to cruise into your retro dreams. And let’s not forget the unique touches, like the powered glass sunroof, blue velour upholstery, and those oh-so-80s pinstripes. With only 39k miles on the clock and no reserve, this gem is bound to find a new home. It's so damn cool—and could be yours if you play your cards right.

A different type of coolness is this auction ending today. If you’re looking for a car that will leave your neighbors slack-jawed and your street sounding like a racetrack, this 2008 Ultima GTR might just be your dream come true. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see this 806-hp beast rumbling down their block, turning heads, and probably shattering a few eardrums along the way? It’s street-legal, but just barely—and that’s part of the charm. Imagine pulling up to the grocery store in something that looks like it escaped from a track day at Le Mans.

This sale is already heating up, with a current bid at $75,500, and it’ll be interesting to see if it can top the $91,000 that a newer 2022 version fetched back in March. Sure, that 2022 model was a different beast with more modern touches, but this 2008 Ultima GTR brings its own flavor: raw, unfiltered, and blisteringly fast. It’s the kind of car that doesn’t just turn heads—it leaves jaws hanging open.

The Ultima GTR is all about no-nonsense performance. With a naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V8 pumping out 806 horsepower, this isn’t just a track-day hero; it’s a full-blown adrenaline rush wrapped in fiberglass and aluminum. Plus, it’s got a few surprising creature comforts, like air conditioning, which is more necessary than you’d think when you’re sealed in a cockpit designed for speed.

And let’s not forget—this kind of power comes with quirks. An oil drip when parked is almost a badge of honor for a car like this. It’s a reminder that you’re dealing with something wild, untamed, and definitely not your everyday sports car. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a machine that traces its roots back to legends like the McLaren F1 development days, this is your shot. Just be prepared for the kind of ride that makes every journey feel like a high-speed adventure.

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