Time-Traveling Tesla: 2010 Roadster with 2023 Tech

PLUS: Is the market crashing??

The Daily Vroom

Good morning,

A warm welcome to all our new Vroomers! There's been a lot of buzz about the market lately, so I’ve tackled a few of the most common questions I’ve been getting below.

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.

Is The Market Crashing??

Yesterday was what some might call a bit of a rollercoaster for our auction platforms.

At first glance, the $6m in vehicle sales doesn't look too shabby - it's just a tad below average for a Tuesday. But dig a little deeper, and you'll see we had RNMs coming out of our ears. Just take a gander at that chart above - the sell-through rate for reserve listings was so low, I had to do a double-take. Can't remember the last time I saw it dip that far.

Now, before we all start doom-scrolling, let's not forget that BaT moved nearly 100 cars yesterday. So it's not like the market's gone completely stagnant. Other companies also held their own, selling about what they usually do.

Sure, we've got Hemmings, Hagerty, and a few others struggling. Is it the market? Partly. But let's not ignore factors like car selection, marketing strategies, and user experience. There's always more to the story.

Speaking of stories, there's a lot of dramatic talk floating around the market right now. Some folks are acting like the sky is falling. But you know me - I hate lumping everything together.

Yes, your Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, and Uruses aren't fetching those crazy COVID prices anymore. But let's be real - that was a bubble market. There are still plenty of makes and models holding steady or even appreciating. It's not 2021 anymore, interest rates are up, so naturally, some models are going to see price drops. But don't let anyone tell you the whole collector car market has crashed. Trust me, I'd be the first one shouting it from the rooftops if it had.

I'm knee-deep in data every day, and I'm only sharing a sliver of it here. (I figure there's only so much data you Vroomers can take before your eyes glaze over.)

I get emails all day long (keep 'em coming, by the way) asking, "Can you believe this seller didn't let the car go for that price?" Look, I can crunch the numbers on any model, but there are so many factors sellers consider that we're not privy to. If a seller decides the price isn't right, that's their call. I'm not here to judge.

Now, the flip side of that coin - why do platforms allow such high reserves? Fair question. Most platforms push for no-reserve auctions (higher bids, more excitement - we'll dive into that another day). But when that's not possible, they look at the data and suggest what they think is a fair reserve. Then it's a back-and-forth with the seller until they land on a number. You'd be surprised how many cars never make it to auction because they can't agree on a reserve.

Smaller platforms might have a harder time saying no due to volume, but the big players can afford to be pickier. Remember, platforms are in the business of selling cars, so they want realistic reserves. But sometimes there are reasons for higher reserves that we can't see from the outside. Repeat sellers who consistently ask for unrealistic reserves don't tend to stick around long.

So, to wrap this up: Yes, sometimes platforms get it wrong. Sometimes there are other factors at play. But from all the data I've crunched and the conversations I've had, the platforms do a pretty darn good job overall. And they're (mostly) always looking to improve.

But let me be crystal clear here, Vroomers: The market is NOT crashing. We can spot trends over time, sure, but this isn't a freefall. It's more like a recalibration. Today is a whole new ballgame, there are some absolute stunners in the pipeline.

YESTERDAY’S TOP 5 SALES

It was up to SOMO to step up to the plate yesterday and keep Bring a Trailer from completely dominating our top 5 listings

Continuing our conversation about the market not crashing, let me throw you a prime example that'll grab your attention. Check out this 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Weissach that just hammered for a cool $275k. Now, before you start crunching numbers, let me tell you - this beauty had a sticker price of $218k.

Yes, it's specced to the nines and Wob did a stellar job presenting it. But let's not miss the forest for the trees here. This sale is just one of many examples where folks are still more than willing to shell out over MSRP for the right car.

It's a perfect illustration of what I've been saying - this market isn't crashing, it's just... selective. The right car, in the right condition, with the right presentation? It'll still command top dollar.

Want to dive deeper into any of these listings? Just click on the car to take you directly to the listing. Trust me, some of these are worth a closer look.

1985 Ferrari Testarossa Koenig Specials Competition Evolution II $525,000

1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series II $299,000

2007 Ferrari F430 Spider Gated 6-Speed $292,500

2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Weissach $274,999

2018 McLaren 720S Performance Coupe Launch Edition $216,000

Time-Traveling Tesla: 2010 Roadster with 2023 Tech

Vroomers, let's talk about this 2010 Tesla Roadster R80 3.0 that's just went live yesterday.

This isn't just any Roadster - it's a unicorn in the EV world. Here's why:

  1. R80 3.0 Battery Upgrade: This car sports the rare second-generation R80 battery pack, installed in October 2022. These upgrades are as rare as hen's teeth now - you can't even buy them unless your battery completely fails.

  2. Insane Range: We're talking 331 miles on a full charge. That's nearly double what the original battery offered. For context, most original Roadsters topped out around 175 miles.

  3. Latest Tech: It's running the latest 5.2.0 firmware, keeping this 2010 model surprisingly current.

  4. Low Mileage: With just 6k miles on the clock, it's barely broken in.

  5. Financial Perspective: The battery upgrade alone costs $40k, not including potential Power Electronics Module upgrade. That's a significant value add.

  6. Rarity: How many Roadsters do you see with an R80?

This Roadster represents the classic, Lotus-based charm of the original 2010 model, but with a significant modern twist thanks to that R80 upgrade. It's got the historic significance of an early Tesla, combined with range that can compete with today's EVs.

In essence, this car showcases how far EV technology has come while still maintaining its place in electric vehicle history. For Tesla enthusiasts or EV collectors, this is a chance to own a piece of the past that's been upgraded to hang with the present.

SBX Cars User Feedback

Yesterday's poll results are in, and they're as subtle as a neon-wrapped Lamborghini. When we asked, "Will SBX overcome its current challenges in the high-end car auction market?" the vast majority of you weren't exactly optimistic. Most of you doubt they'll stick around in this market.

Now, I'm gonna play devil's advocate here. I actually think SBX can turn this ship around - if (and it's a big if) they're willing to make some serious changes. Sometimes you gotta rebuild the engine to win the race, right?

Let's take a look at what some of you had to say:

They are copying the Cars & Bids model in reverse. C & B sold a lot of high-mileage accessible vehicles and set the bar low for entry. SBX feels like the Quail where the 1% of the 1% can play.

I'm doubtful that the millions that follow Blondie are buyers. One does not equate the other. I personally find it hard to take her seriously, although she does have a stellar website.

It really depends on how Supercar Blondie is able to leverage her audience. That is the key differentiating factor between the others. Then you have to look at the audience a bit further, if a majority of the views are from aspirational buyers then unfortunately it will not go as planned. I think their international approach is very cool and the quality of cars listed is exceptional but the success of those transactions rely on a human touch as much as a beautiful digital presence. Also could there be some importation issues for US clients if a bulk of their ultra rare vehicles are in Dubai? If there is a plan for an exit strategy up front, and the public knows this, could that be more hurtful than beneficial. I say yes. The bets here are really being made on the name, whether it is Supercar Blondie or even Doug Demuro. The money is being spent hoping they can convert the audiences. Will we see funds etc. start to question what an audience actually is and whether or not a “large audience” can truly be monetized in this space…

There is a lot of competition and she has a lot of middle east involvement which is more then most of the big 4 do. But no buyers at all. All those cars are dealer cars that are mostly still listed with reserves. Also the people writing the listings aren’t even writing. They are copy and pasting from online reviews. Sloppy on the back end. I doubt it will go past August.

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.

Send them to thedailyvroom.com to subscribe for free.

Reply

or to participate.