imtheking

So I tell my friend Im looking for a CL500. He says he knows a guy who is a dealer who can take me to a dealer auction (similar to manheim). The auction is a Mercedes Financial auction. these are vehicles that were traded in or given back after the lease was up. No salvage, no buybacks etc. The guy will send me a list of all the cars being auctioned that day with VINs to run carfax, color, miles etc. I check off the ones I want and we go to inspect car hours before the bidding starts. His cost is 10% of what I pay for the car. He tells me I can get a CL (2000-2002) with low miles (around 50) for anywhere between 22k-27k. Depends on year and mileage. he said whatever price you see on autotrader for the car, subtract $5000-8000 from price. Thats what THEY payed for the car. Only thing I cant do is have the car inspected by a mechanic. I can check out everyhting. Just cant start car and test drive etc.

Since most of these dealers are buying these cars from auctions like this anyway, should I take the risk of buying a car from a dealer auction? Its not like the cars you see on autotrader have been inspected etc. unless its being sold as a certified pre-owned by mercedes.

a 2001 CL for 25k with 50,000 miles is not a bad deal to me. Ill give this guy $2500 for getting me this car....What do you guys think?

02S430

i did it got my car the same way but my guy only made me pay $300 for him taking me and i payed what the car was sold at the line was. if your sneaky you can turn the car on, they usual have the keys with them on the lot b4 they go in.( i think thats only a Manhiem auctions tho) good luck

imtheking

what did you buy and what did you pay? You can private me if you want...thanks.

Im just trying to get a feel of what this auction is like and what I should expect to spend....

kevblah

Here's my input, being a little more familiar with dealer auctions than some of you may be. Do not be worried about any large problems as long as nothing was 'Announced'. The auction will force the seller to announce any known problems at the time of the auction, usually written on the windshield. If you buy the car and immediately see that it has issues, the auction has to buy it back. Also, you can pay the extra $65 or so for a 'Final Inspection' that the auction does before the car leaves the auction.

Also, I think you're paying him way too much. And the auto business isn't doing too hot right now, so $5k-$8k markups are long gone.

ehaser

If you don't mind I'd love a referral for someone who can take me to the auction. I'm looking for a g55 or a gl450 for my wife..

imtheking

www.orderacar.com