Throwback Thursday: Is Buying a Super Cheap Jeep at Auction a Good Idea?
Buying a Jeep at auction could be a great way to save money but it could also lead to a lot of trouble if you don’t have a plan.
With prices of Jeeps and every other vehicle for that matter, going through the roof lately a lot of people are hunting hard for bargains. The problem is bargains are tough to come by. One option is to avoid dealerships and private sellers and focus on auto auctions. But auctions have their own pitfalls. First of all an auction doesn’t always mean cheap. Online auction sites such as Bring a Trailer are convenient and offer a good selection. But a lot of vehicles sold there go for top dollar. But, good old fashioned in person vehicle auctions have been around for a long time and still offer good value.
A video was posted recently on the TFLclassics YouTube channel that focused on buying a cheap Jeep at auction. The video not only focused on a cool ZJ Grand Cherokee, but also what it is like to buy a car at a vehicle auction. Is it a good idea? What should you look out for? Can you really find a deal? If you ever considered purchasing a Jeep this way, it is well worth your time to checkout the video for some helpful tips.
Jeep ZJ
First off let’s look at the Jeep ZJ. The first-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee is an excellent way to get into a Jeep for a relatively small investment. There is a ton of aftermarket support for this model, and you can build it into a wild off-roader if you want to go that route. But even if you don’t modify it, it is a capable vehicle right from the factory. Of course, these rigs are getting old at this point so repairs should be budgeted and expected. Still an early Grand Cherokee is a perfect SUV to try to land at an auction.
Be Flexible
A Jeep ZJ may be exactly what you want to buy. But if you go to an auction intent on buying a specific car you may leave disappointed or end up overpaying for it. It is best to have a list of three or four vehicles that you would not mind driving home. That way if your first choice catches the eye of several other bidders that drive the price up, you can walk away knowing that your next choice may be better value. And the cars and trucks go by very quickly. At the auction in the video 1,100 vehicles were sold in just 3 hours. At the same time have a budget in mind, and don’t forget to factor in auction fees. Go in knowing that you will spend X amount of dollars and stick to it. Don’t fall too deeply in love with anything.
Look Closely
Before the auction starts all vehicles schedule to cross the block with be unlocked and available for inspection. Take advantage of that. One of the most valuable tools you can have with you would be a code reader. You can hook the reader up to the OBDII port and see what error codes are being thrown. This can prevent you from making a very expensive mistake. Beyond that do the best physical inspection you can and look for signs of accident damage or rust. Keep in mind that very few cars will be perfect, especially if you are looking for something inexpensive. But you don’t want to be stuck with expensive repairs you didn’t anticipate. The Jeep purchased in the video needs work, but is fundamentally sound, and at just over $2,000 seems like a good deal. Auction deals are out there. You just need to know how to find them.
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