Government Auctions?

I need to replace my current auto for a truck. We got a boat and we need something that can tow a 17' Larson. Not over long ditances but just for short trips to and from the boat launch. I was look at an older Toyota pickup or a Nissian but leaning towards Toyota because they seem more readily available.

I was looking around the Gubberment auctions sites and the mofo's all want you to pay to get access to listings. But before I pay has anyone had any success with any certain site or government auction in general? It seems like you can get a good truck for pretty cheap if you look hard enough.

Having just finished severly abusing a government vehicle (they gave us a vehicle that was poorly suited to the terrain were were required to drive). I'd consider very carefully before buying one from the government.

I was thinking more sezied police auctions.

You just got done mapping country roads right?

I've been to local government auctions, vehicles reposessed by the police for unpaid tickets or whatever, and it was dreary. The dealers were there bidding high on the only decent cars, everything else was rubbush. That said, those auctions can be found at the county courthouse for free.
One thing I did recently was to buy a perfectly running 91 Subaru that had a couple busted windows, two dented doors, and a crumpled fender for $200 from a dude who was bummed about the dents. After 3 trips to the U-Pull-It junkyard and a couple afternoons of figuring out how to work on cars, this mechanically dis-inclined maggot has a car worth about $1500 for the $200 plus another $175 in parts. I'm thinking of making this a hobby for profit, because it was fun.
You might be able to do this with a truck.

Just last week my Brother-In-Law and his wife decided that they needed mountain bikes. So they went to the police auction and looked at the seven bikes. They decided that they really wanted to get one each, and it being a silent auction and not knowing what others were bidding, they went ahead and put a bid on all seven. After the auction was over we got a call from them wanting to know if we wanted to buy a “really nice” bike, as they had the winning bid on all seven bikes. We went to check out the bikes, but had to decline buying a “really nice” bike as what they paid for most of them was several dollars more than you could by the exact same bike brand new at Walmart.

Moral of the story…know what it is you are buying before you start bidding.

Auctions are pretty much hit or miss. Basically you have to get there before the used car dealers get their dibs.

One of my buds recently scored a blinged-up late 90s 500SL convertible for about $12k (sweet condition, except with the leather seats slashed to confiscate whatever was stashed in there :D. Similar to this one here

SP your kidding right? That's 90k worth of wheels, looks like i'm going to call around and see if I can find some info.

Thanks for all the advice.

Pu, that's usually the case. Most of the vehicles have been used as a "lab" of some sort. On that buy, he made out real well. but picking upa P/U $2k and then having to put work into it just doesn't work.

A big thing about the gov auctions as opposed to the auctions for accredited dealers is the fact that the gov auction does not go through the vehicle at all(atleast in CO, they don't). This is a very buyer beware situation.

A question to ask yourself is how we all treat a rented vehicle. Then imagine a stolen vehicle. not good times.

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Originally posted by mr_gyptian
Then imagine a stolen vehicle. not good times.

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You OBVIOUSLY haven't been joyriding cars with the right guy!