Tesla Roadster Rarity Exposed: Why It’s a Must-Watch

PLUS: Are Luxury Cars Losing Their Luster?

The Daily Vroom

Rise and shine Vroomers!

Monterey Car Week is in full swing, with auctions galore. While we at The Daily Vroom focus on the online auction scene, we know some of you crave Monterey updates. For that, check out SportsCarMarket's free daily newsletter. They're veterans in the field and a personal favorite of mine. (Not sponsored, just sharing the love!)

Now, let's dive into yesterday's online market highlights below.

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.

The other day, I was giving BaT a virtual high-five for their consistently impressive numbers—they're moving over 110 cars a day now, and the momentum only seems to be building. Sure, not every listing is selling, but who in this or any market is hitting 100%? If I had to guess, BaT would be thrilled with an 80%+ sell-through rate, especially when it comes to their reserve auctions. But as they ramp up the number of listings, which they’ve definitely been doing lately, the unsold cars naturally increase too. That’s just the reality across the board.

Take Cars & Bids, for instance—they bumped up their listings a while back but have since dialed it back to around 30 a day, still solid numbers. But knowing they’re backed by PE, you can bet they’re feeling the pressure to push for more.

Now, let’s not get sidetracked. What happens to those cars that end up as RNM? We’re talking about at least 100 vehicles a day here. Some, as we’ve covered, get picked up by another platform. Others might find their way into what PCarMarket calls a "deal tank." And then there are those sellers who leave a comment like, ‘you know where to find me,’ trying to bypass the platform’s commission to make their own deal. It’s clear that many sellers are more interested in the exposure than the actual sale on the platform.

Next week, I’ll dive into these unsold vehicles and see if we can spot any trends or insights.

YESTERDAY’S TOP 5 SALES

I spotted something pretty interesting in the top sales lately. The other day, we had this 2006 Ford GT pop up in Europe that went for about $260,000. No big deal, right? Wrong. Because just yesterday, an identical model - sold here in the States for a whopping $361,000.

That's a difference of over 100 grand for the same damn car! It's like paying an extra Porsche just to buy your Ford GT in America. This isn't some one-off fluke either. It's one of many clear examples I've noticed that show there's some serious opportunity to score cheaper rides if you're willing to look outside the U.S.

Now, I'm not saying everyone should hop on a plane to Europe to buy their next supercar (although that does sound like a hell of a trip). But it's definitely something to think about if you're in the market for high-end metal. The savings could potentially cover shipping, taxes, and a nice European vacation to boot.

Just goes to show, sometimes it pays to cast a wider net when you're hunting for your dream car. Who knows? Your next great deal might be sitting in a showroom in Stuttgart or Milano instead of stateside. Food for thought, right?

Want to dive deeper into any of these listings? Just click on the car to take you directly to the listing.

2023 Ferrari 812 GTS $591,000

2006 Ford GT $361,000

2023 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Weissach $208,800

1997 Porsche 911 Turbo $185,000

2017 Mercedes-Maybach S650 Cabriolet $185,000

Maybach's Mega-Depreciation: When Luxury Cars Lose Their Luster

We need to talk about this insane Mercedes-Maybach S650 Cabriolet that just sold. This thing is the definition of automotive opulence - we're talking about a car that cost as much as a nice house when it was new in 2017. But here's where it gets interesting...

The depreciation on this bad boy is absolutely mind-boggling, especially when you compare it to what we're seeing with a lot of Porsche models these days. This Maybach dropped from its original price of $337k to just $185,000 in 7 years. That's a staggering $152k loss - like flushing a small fortune down a gold-plated toilet every year.

Now, contrast that with something like the 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo featured above that sold for $185k, with an MSRP of just $115k, The car has appreciated by approximately 60% in 27 years!

But this Maybach? It's hemorrhaging value faster than a tech startup burning through venture capital. And that's pretty typical for these ultra-luxury land yachts. You have the same for Aston Martin’s and other luxury brands. They're built to be the ultimate status symbol when new, but the second-hand market just isn't as hot for them.

Part of the issue is the cost of upkeep. Maintaining a twin-turbo V12 Mercedes isn't exactly pocket change. Plus, the tech in these things gets outdated quickly, and the type of folks who buy them new are always chasing the latest and greatest.

The silver lining here is that for someone who wants to ball on a budget (relatively speaking), this depreciation means you can get into a car that cost supercar money when new for the price of a well-optioned S-Class. It's still not cheap, but it's a whole lot of luxury for the money.

So while Porsche owners are smugly talking about their "investments," Maybach buyers are probably too busy enjoying their mobile mansions to care about resale value. Different strokes for different folks, I guess, but man, that's one expensive depreciation curve! Still the car is great, and surely that’s all that matters??

Collector's Corner: The Ultimate Quartet of Rare Machines

Today, I’m spotlighting four rare and unique machines that each hold a special place in my book and I’m sure you’ll find them fascinating. From the raw, track-focused power of the AMG GT Track Series to the pioneering spirit of the Tesla Roadster, the sheer audacity of the Rezvani Tank, and the driver’s nirvana that is the BMW M3 Lightweight, these cars aren’t just about turning heads—they’re about what makes driving an experience. Here’s why I think each of these rides is something truly special.

This 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series is AMG’s way of saying, "Let’s get serious about track days." Only 55 of these were made, and this one’s got zero hours on it—so it’s basically brand new.

I’m a sucker for that Matte Silver finish, but what really gets me is the 778 horsepower and the fact that this beast is built to dominate any track. I like the idea of owning a car that’s more than just fast—it’s a piece of AMG’s history. If you’re anything like me and live for those perfect track days, this is the car that’ll make your garage the talk of the town.

The 2021 Rezvani Tank is the kind of vehicle that makes you stop and stare—and then ask yourself, "Do I really need an excuse to buy this?" With only 4,900 miles on the clock, this beast is barely broken in. I’m into this one because it’s got that 6.4-liter Hemi V8, which means it’s packing serious power—500 horsepower, to be exact.

But it’s not just about the engine; the Off-Road Extreme Suspension package means this Tank can handle just about anything you throw at it, whether you’re crawling over rocks or just cruising through the city feeling like you’re in an action movie. It’s got all the crazy features you’d expect from something called a “Tank,” like electrified door handles and even a smokescreen. Honestly, this is the kind of ride that makes you feel invincible, and if I had the space in my garage, I’d be all over it.

The 2008 Tesla Roadster is where it all began for Tesla, and this one is a rare gem—first-year model, single owner, and it’s got that coveted R80 battery update. These Roadsters hardly ever come up for auction, especially with just one owner who’s clearly taken care of it. Even though my preference is the sound of a V8 engine, I’m into this one because it’s not just a piece of Tesla history; it’s a car that represents the start of the electric revolution.

With 90,000 miles, it’s been enjoyed but still has plenty of life left, especially with the updated battery giving it a solid range. If you’re looking for a future classic that’s already making waves, this is the one to watch

The 1995 BMW M3 Lightweight is one of those cars that just ticks all the right boxes for me. This is one of only 126 ever built, and with just 21k miles on the clock, it’s a rare find.

What I love about this car is that it’s pure, unfiltered driving joy. BMW stripped out the unnecessary stuff—no sunroof, no AC—to create a machine that’s all about performance. It’s got that classic Alpine White finish and tri-color Motorsport flag decals that scream 90s nostalgia in the best way possible.

Even though it’s missing some of the creature comforts, the Lightweight was designed for one thing: driving pleasure. If you’re into cars that have a real racing pedigree and aren’t just for show, this M3 Lightweight is as cool as they come

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