The Daily Vroom

Good morning Vroomers,

Wednesday delivered the fireworks. Yesterday? A bit more grounded, $7.9 million in sales, still a healthy number, just without the same heat. So instead of chasing the big-ticket headlines, today we’re focusing on the other end of the spectrum.

Because some of the most interesting cars right now aren’t topping the charts, they’re slipping through the cracks. No reserve listings. JDM time capsules. Luxury barges going cheap.

Below, we’ve pulled out two of many that stood out for all the right reasons. If you’re hunting value, these are the kinds of cars that still make online auctions feel like treasure hunts.

Let’s get into it…

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.

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.

Sale of the Day

Yesterday we were deep in the top of the market. Today, we're talking about real-world value. Because this 2015 Audi S5 just sold for $8,250, and the buyer got an incredible amount of car for the money.

You’re looking at a 333-horsepower supercharged V6, Quattro all-wheel drive, AWE exhaust, RS5 wheels, carbon fiber accents, and full Tech and Fine Nappa Leather packages. The car had 173,000 miles, but it came with years of detailed service history, a clean title, and a seller who had owned it since 2021. No surprises. No fluff. Just an honest, sorted car with real enthusiast appeal.

It sold no reserve, as it should have. Thirty-six bids. Tight finish. And a well-earned “congrats” from just about everyone in the comments.

But here's where it gets interesting.

Midway through the auction, a bidder spotted this exact car listed on Instagram by a scam account. They had copied the entire listing, same photos, same angles, even the license plate blur was identical. The seller immediately jumped in and shut it down, confirming that Cars & Bids was the only legitimate sale and calling out the fake post directly.

That kind of scam is unfortunately common. And it begs the question, should auction platforms start watermarking at least the primary photos? Even just the exterior shots? It wouldn't stop every scam, but it would make it harder to pass off someone else’s car as your own. When listings are well-photographed and publicly viewable, scammers will try to exploit that. A little friction could go a long way, certainly something for the platforms to think about.

If you haven’t yet, make sure to check us out on Instagram, just click below. We’re featuring cars you won’t see here in The Daily Vroom and a whole lot more coming soon.

No Reserve Auctions To Keep An Eye On

A 1996 Honda Prelude Si fresh from Japan unmodified right hand drive and showing just 28,500 miles selling at no reserve. Current bid’s just under $10K and this one’s already sparked a mini bidding war in the comments.

So what’s the play

Why It Matters

This isn’t just a clean Prelude. It’s a JDM market coupe with

• F22B inline 4 5 speed manual front wheel drive

• Silver over black cloth rust free no weird mods

• A factory look that’s somehow survived nearly 30 years untouched

• Clean Colorado title import work already done

It’s rare enough to find any Prelude in decent shape. But a low mileage right hand drive Si this clean Basically unheard of.

What to Know

It’s not perfect. There are some exterior dings weathered trim and typical wear inside. More importantly no confirmed timing belt history. The seller says it looks good and runs fine but smart money’s budgeting $1,000 for that job off the bat.

Still if you’ve ever tried finding a USDM Prelude that hasn’t been slammed sticker bombed or neglected into the ground you know how few options are left.

Bottom Line

You’re not buying this because it’s rare. You’re buying it because it’s real a preserved ‘90s Honda with mileage you’d expect on a CPO Civic offered raw and original.

Just a clean JDM Honda greatness with three pedals.

I had to click. A Bentley Turbo RT at no reserve? That’s not something you see every day. Current bid’s hovering just above $5,200, and for a second I thought—can it actually be that good? Could someone walk away with a real bargain here?

Short answer: maybe.

This isn’t just a Turbo R. It’s the RT final model year, last-of-the-line, just 252 built. Think big grille, chrome wheels, Mulliner Park Ward extras, and a factory cocktail cabinet still stocked with decanters and glasses. Yes, really.

It’s finished in Black Sapphire over Light Grey leather, and the spec is peak '90s excess rear screens, Motorola brick phone, deep lambswool rugs, and enough wood trim to panel a boardroom.

Of course, it’s not perfect. The paint shows age. The veneer’s cracking in places. But here’s the kicker: the seller isn’t just some flipper. He’s been in the trade 60 years. He bought it knowing it needed work and tackled the cooling system, suspension, electronics, and more.

So is it a risk? For sure. You don’t buy a twin-turbo Bentley thinking you’re done at five grand. But as far as hand-built, V8-powered, bar-equipped British lunacy goes, this might be the cheapest way in.

Someone’s walking away with it. Could be a dream. Could be a headache. Probably both.

Enjoying The Daily Vroom?

Pay it forward by sharing this newsletter with an automotive aficionado in your circles. Your endorsement allows us to accelerate our growth.