The Daily Vroom

Good morning Vroomers,

Behind the scenes, we’re sitting on a goldmine of data — every sale, every miss, every outlier. We’ve got spreadsheets tracking trends, price shifts, sell-through rates, and more across every major platform.

But in this newsletter, we keep it lean. Quick hits, sharp takeaways, a 2–3 minute read to keep you in the loop without the overload.

That said — we’re curious:

The Psychology Behind Auction Bidding Patterns

After thousands of auctions, one thing’s clear: bidding doesn’t follow logic. It follows behavior. And understanding that can mean the difference between a nail-biter and a meltdown — especially if you’re the seller.

Two dominant patterns show up again and again. They look totally different. But both usually end the same way: with action at the buzzer.

1. The Early Fireworks Auction

These listings explode out the gate. Day one sees a flurry of bids, comments, and watchlist adds. Feels like a rocket ship.

Then... nothing.
For days.

Sellers start pacing. Buyers go dark. But behind the scenes - most of those early bidders are just watching. The real move — the one that matters — will come in the final minutes. Until then, it’s radio silence.

And here’s the thing: not all early bidders are real contenders. A surprising number just want to feel involved. They’re not ready to buy. They’re there for the performance.

2. The Sleeper Hit

This one's quiet. A couple of bids here and there. Not much chatter. The seller’s wondering if the listing’s DOA.

Then comes the final day.
Then the final hour.
And suddenly… it’s on.

Strong bids. Timer extensions. Late-stage FOMO in full effect. These are the buyers who weren’t interested in the theater — just the outcome. And they don’t blink. How many times have I seen a new bidder to the platform fly in right at the end with a killer bid. Where did they come from? They were waiting, watching and ready to pounce when the time was right for them.

Why This Happens: It’s Human Nature

This isn’t just auction mechanics — it’s behavioral economics:

• Anchoring: That early bid (whether $12K or $1m) becomes the reference point for everyone else.

• Loss Aversion: We hate losing more than we love winning — that’s why bids surge late.

• Social Proof: More action equals more confidence, even if half the “action” is just noise.

And the noise matters more than we think.

Let’s Talk About the Spectators

There’s a growing segment of users who bid just to say they were part of it. They’re not approved. They’re not planning to buy. They just want the thrill. Their comment gets likes. Their bid sits on the board for a day or two. That’s enough.

And honestly, that behavior isn’t going anywhere.

But it does raise a question — not for sellers, but for the platforms:

If auctions are now part sport, part spectacle, then maybe it’s time for the platforms to treat it that way.

Bottom Line for Sellers

Don’t panic in the lull. Don’t assume early bids = strong finish. And definitely don’t assume silence means failure. (which I know lots of sellers feel)

In most auctions, the only bid that counts is the last one. Everything before that,
just buildup.

Auctions To Keep An Eye On

There are Testarossas… and then there’s this.

The 512 M is the end of the line — lighter, sharper, and rarer. Fixed headlights, carbon buckets, gated shifter, and that glorious flat-12 soundtrack. It’s everything the ‘80s dreamed of, refined for the ‘90s and wrapped in Rosso Corsa.

This one’s a European-market car, already titled in the U.S., which matters — because with the way tariffs and import rules shift, having one here now without the usual headaches is a win on its own.

I love that this is the last Ferrari to pair a mid-mounted flat-12 with a manual box. No screens. No filters. Just pure noise, heat, and feel. The kind of car that doesn’t try to be a collectible — it just is. (if only it was a little cheaper…)

Atlas Grey, warm-climate history, IMS done, and still flying under the radar.

Yeah, it’s a 996 cab — but hear me out: six gears, 3.6L flat-six, and nothing major to fix. No overdone mods, no sketchy sellers, just a clean, honest driver with real service behind it.

Plenty of life left, plenty of value in the current bids, and it’s not pretending to be a garage queen. If you’re looking for a guilt-free (not expensive) 911 to actually drive, this one’s worth tracking.

Manual. Rear-wheel drive. E91 wagon. No reserve.

That combo doesn’t come around often — and this one’s being handled exactly the way it should be. The seller is active, responsive, uploading records, answering every question, and clearly knows the car inside out. No games, no fluff.

Sure, there are a few small issues here and there — minor cosmetic blemishes, past damage noted, an open recall. That might scare off some buyers. But others will see the upside: a tastefully modded 6-speed longroof with sport seats, fresh tires, and years of road left in it. It’s honest. It’s cheap to run. And it’s getting harder to find clean examples like this that haven’t been beaten or neglected.

If you’re looking for value, usability, and some analog charm, this one’s worth watching closely.