Hi there,
A few years ago I purchased a car at Blackbushe and was very pleased, however this was a low cost car. I am now in the market to buy a Mercedes S class (about 3-4 years old) plus a fun car - later shape 911 convertable - that isn't as family friendly.
I will go along to a few Top Car auctions at Blackbushe but does anyone have any advise with regards to payment on such high value cars and also if you think it's a big mistake to try this route to get the best car(s) for my money?
TIA
Steve
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The advantage of buying at auction is that you can pay by switch (they won't take cash over £9k any more for money laundering registration reasons).
They had at least one S320 and 996 there today.
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Thanks Marlot, I wonder what the details and final prices were!
With hindsight I know this question is a little embarrassing but naturally I want to end up with the best deal for the money and therefore I value anyone's opinion and input from this forum. I don't think I could stretch to full-on dealer pricing for both cars.
Steve
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Like an idiot I came straight to the Back Room without noticing the new News about todays Top Car Report which I have now seen!
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That seems quite expensive to me. I'm going to look at (hopefully this weekend) a 996 C4 2000X 38,000 miles and he wants a pound for each of those miles. This is at a specialist dealer, so can check the discs, clutch, tyres, history etc. Appears to be cheap as chips against that auction price.
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I wouldn't buy a 911 cab or otherwise at auction. You've got to ask yourself why it's there. These things are very sensitive to spec and colour and where they're from. It'd be all to easy to buy a south african import in yellow needing the discs replaced (2k).
Cars have to come from somewhere, and there will be good ones at auction, but unless you've got the time and knowledge, it's one car I'd go through a specialist for.
I agree that the prices at OPC's are outrageous, but there are plenty of specialists:
Paragon Cars
Paul Stephens
Northway Porsche
Shirleys Garage
Cridfords
Portiacraft
RSJ Sportscars
Camtune
911 Virgin
I'm currently looking for a 996 C4 (non-cab - think the cab spoils the 911's lines) or a Boxter S.
I'd say you've a much better chance with the S-Class at auction though.
Posche Specialists
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Camtune in Godalming?
Seriously overpriced!
Avoid!!!!!!
Rest I don't know about.
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I Agree with Carayzee, I'm no expert but in my opinion Porsches are and always have been specialist fodder. Auctions are great for the bread and butter but you'd need nerves of steel to bid on the exotica! Wouldn't be so bad if the risk was justified by the prospect of massive savings from the forecourt price but, it has to be said, that's not usually the case.
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Whilst I agree that the only way to go is specialist suppliers for the Porsche I can only do so up to a point. I will certainly be looking to get the S Class at auction and still keep an eye out for the Porsche. Every car has a history and this is laid out before the auction takes place. Although brief, this history would indicate if the car was an import, that it has a warranted mileage, service history and equally important, who the previous owner is. If this was a lease company there is a good chance it was company owned therefore (in my experience) no expense spared on maintenance.
This however all depends on the price. If there's no real benefit then there's no point. Wonder where the specialists get their cars?
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"Wonder where the specialists get their cars?"
I should imagine a good proportion might be part-exchanges from main dealers and part-ex's/trade-ins from the public. Afterall, being a specialist they probably have a very loyal customer base.
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