the melbourne car auctions. - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

[LIM-OZN] · 07-20-2003, 06:04

hey everyone, i have sold my car and now i am looking for a new one.

was just wondering if anyone can tell me how these auctions work and if they are good or not..

anyone bought a car through the auctions?
is there a website where i can get more info?

thanks in advance
john

Tripper · 07-20-2003, 06:24

before buying from any auction attend at least 1 before purchasing to find out how much things go for as well we how they run

[LIM-OZN] · 07-20-2003, 06:27

thats what i am planning to do:)

one more thing, do you get to see the car up close, inside, etc before it goes for auction?

JC-XR8 · 07-20-2003, 06:31

The auctions are bloody good fun and an excellent way to buy. Make sure you get a car that still has manufacturer warranty left (ie if it has around 40-50,000km and is about 2 years old) - you can't test drive the cars at the auctions.

Go the day before and select a couple of Fords that you want to bid on - if you only have one in mind, it gives you no room to move on the bidding and you will end up paying too much. Also, if you can find one with small problems (like chewed centre console cover, missing trim bits etc), you will get them cheaper (generally).

My parents and some friends of mine both bought AU falcons at the govie auctions in Canberra this year - both were after a different make (Toyota/Holden), but both went with Falcs as they were around 3000-4000 cheaper than the opposition.

Go to www.pickles.com.au to check out the range of cars they have at auction (some you can buy before auction too, at fixed prices0

tranquilized · 07-20-2003, 07:07

I've bought a few cars from Fowels auctions in Melbourne, its a good way to go. I'm going back this week actually to see if i can grab a bargain to sell for profit.
One of the cars I previously bought I got for $1400 and sold for $3500 a month later!
Just dont budge on the price your prepared to pay, and set the limit low so even if the car is a lemon you can fix everything and still not have spent as much as you would have buying elsewhere

Tripper · 07-20-2003, 07:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by [LIM-OZN]

thats what i am planning to do:)

one more thing, do you get to see the car up close, inside, etc before it goes for auction?

cant speak about all auctions but the ones ive been to let you crawl over the car as long as you dont pull it to bits they will let you start it but you cant drive it so its more of a listen to the motor so its just like shopping at a caryard without the "you wont find a better one for less"
also ask when they have auctions like ex-fleet and Repossessed vechiles

Dagabond · 07-20-2003, 19:00

http://www.fowles.com.au/

[LIM-OZN] · 07-21-2003, 05:39

thanks guys, im looking for an ed-ef fairmont...so hopefully there are some there.

i am planning on gong up on the weekend, just for a browse then going up again to hopefully buy

XR8 Lamah · 07-21-2003, 14:01

Auctions are good - but scary :)

Have a good look over the car, get em to start it if you can, and check out the NRMA report ( I think some of the places do a check on all the cars for sale ).

Depending on what auction you go to ( repo / Standard or Fleet / Ex-Govt ), you might not find a ED-EF. I would expect any fleet / govt car to be AU or newer ( you might get lucky and find an EL ). In the standard / repo auction, I would tread carefully. I believe the Auctions are great for the fleet cars ( with warranty etc intact, so you can likely fix any flaws you didn't notice for free ), and you know they have always been serviced ( its part of the fleet agreement ).

But the risks are much higher with older non-fleet cars imo, kinda like buying privately, but without the test drive

I'd be comparing prices very carefully . . .

EFFalcon · 07-21-2003, 16:19

i'm keen to go to one just to see how it works.
i wouldn't mind the damaged vehicle auctions for major conversions :D