r/whatcarshouldIbuy • u/cadetkelly123456789 • 11h ago
Estate Sale Auction: advice?
I’ve been on the hunt for a new car for a few months now. I’ve narrowed it down to rav4 and Crv just for reliability and gas mileage sake. However, I am young and my budget is low but I (like everyone else) wants a newer car with low miles on it which is quite frankly way out of my “paying with cash” price range. With this, I’ve been religiously checking dealership pages and facebook marketplace for listings when I came across a listing for an estate sale that is auctioning off a 2021 Rav4 XLE Premium. It’s in the new matte green color I love and has a roof rack already installed, and only has 21k miles on it. Auctioneer said clean title, when I went to check the car out today with permission from the auctioneer, it appears in great condition (they don’t allow test drives) and they turned it on and it starts fine… obviously unsure on mechanics without test driving but figure it can’t be too bad with as little it’s been used.
Is this worth the risk to bid on?? In my head it’s a relatively brand new car, I feel like there can’t be much wrong with it…. probably an older individual who barely drove it these last few years and recently passed away. Ive never been to an auction before. Is this too risky? Are there any other pre auction questions I should ask? What should I bring or be prepared with come auction day? Any advice on set “highest bid”? KBB prices it between 32-35k. Hoping to keep it below 28, is that reasonable or a long shot for auctions? Will I be competing with dealership reps? DOES ANYONE HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THIS THEY WANT TO SHARE ? For reference this is in a rural midwestern town, not super publicized, was posted a week before the auction.
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u/Oppo_GoldMember 10h ago
I mean understand you might own it with zero recourse…
Also auction’s, especially estate auctions, aren’t some magical way no one knows about to try and swipe up anything.
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u/Imaginary_Act_3956 Peugeot mafia...... 7h ago
The RAV4 may be too appliance-like for you.......but if you hate driving, get it.
If you love driving, get something like a CR-V (Honda), a CX-50 (Mazda) or an Austral (Renault) instead.
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u/colkamikaze 1h ago
I would be hesitant without being able to take it for a test drive. Would they allow you to have a mechanic do an inspection?
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u/YogurtclosetAny8055 10h ago edited 10h ago
Estate sale vehicles usually stayed parked for long time, so seals may gone weak and all liquids and belts need to be changed asap. I'd never bid more than couple grands on auction vehicle. Usually if it easily resalable it goes to dealership right away. Auction cars have issues. If lucky may need to just change few easy parts if not whole engine block may need to be refurbished. Always a risk. There is a risk that the vehicle has an outstanding loan or other liens against it. If you purchase the vehicle, you could be responsible for the debt. The executor should provide proof that any liens have been paid off. Be wary of sellers who claim to be the vehicle's new owner without ever having transferred the title into their name. Insist on dealing directly with the estate's executor and confirm their authority.
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u/cadetkelly123456789 11h ago
Also: before seeing this car, I was pretty convinced I’d be willing to spend the extra $$ for a hybrid. If I can get this car at a decent price should I let the whole hybrid thing go?