Seized property auction question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Bartlett Tennessee
Seized property auction question
Hi, a question from a noob: Have any of you had experience buying vehicles seized by law enforcement? Opinions needed, good--bad--indifferent. I have a line on a C5 vert ('04, under 20k miles,seized as part of a drug bust) I've spoken to the detective overseeing the auction, we have a couple of mutual acquaintances, & he says the car is showroom except the floor mats & driver seat bolster (of course). The hitch is there is no provision for a personal inspection. Thoughts?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
Hi, a question from a noob: Have any of you had experience buying vehicles seized by law enforcement? Opinions needed, good--bad--indifferent. I have a line on a C5 vert ('04, under 20k miles,seized as part of a drug bust) I've spoken to the detective overseeing the auction, we have a couple of mutual acquaintances, & he says the car is showroom except the floor mats & driver seat bolster (of course). The hitch is there is no provision for a personal inspection. Thoughts?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 821
Likes: 42
From: Spring, Texas
I've bought at a seized sale, it was an airplane and not a car, but as noted above there was time to take a look before the auction. Down side was the opportunity to look was the same day as the auction with limitations on what you could and couldn't do. Got it for pennies on the dollar versus average retail, it had some issued, but it was a very sweet deal. I'd say go for it and be ready to take a look the day of sale if possible. Unless there is a ton of interest in the car, hard to know though, but depending on how they advertise it (sometimes just a small newspaper classified is all they have to do) I would be there at the time of auction in person planning to offer something way less than wholesale. Sometimes you can get a real smoking deal at these auctions, but sight unseen, I'd be very cautious.
Jeff
2003 Z06
Jeff
2003 Z06
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,114
Likes: 669
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
I think anything that was seized by a law enforcement agency is going to be dusty, but in the same shape as when it was grabbed up. So perhaps it is dirty, needs a battery and some oil changes or whatever, but I think you can get a good deal out of this.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 0
From: Greensburg Indiana
I agree with the others you should have day of auction access to view maybe hear run. $20 K for an 04 would be smokin. Yes the title should be clear.
Good Luck and let us know how it turns out!
Good Luck and let us know how it turns out!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
... and just hope the original owner doesn't come looking for it in 6 to 10 years... 
Seriously, I'd say if you can get it at a very reasonable price AND budget in a few grand for surprise fixes, it could be a good deal. I would think you'd at least be able to eye-ball the car at some point before it crosses the block.
Good luck, and let us know what you end up doing (and what the process/experience is like).
Seriously, I'd say if you can get it at a very reasonable price AND budget in a few grand for surprise fixes, it could be a good deal. I would think you'd at least be able to eye-ball the car at some point before it crosses the block.
Good luck, and let us know what you end up doing (and what the process/experience is like).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
If you buy a seized vehicle (especially a drug related offense), it would be a good idea to set up a courtesy sweep at your local PD with their K-9. Better to find a roach or pipe left over from the previous owner now than when you are stopped for going 10 over... it is much harder for you to explain at a traffic stop.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Hi, a question from a noob: Have any of you had experience buying vehicles seized by law enforcement? Opinions needed, good--bad--indifferent. I have a line on a C5 vert ('04, under 20k miles,seized as part of a drug bust) I've spoken to the detective overseeing the auction, we have a couple of mutual acquaintances, & he says the car is showroom except the floor mats & driver seat bolster (of course). The hitch is there is no provision for a personal inspection. Thoughts?
My take is unless you can personally inspect car, stay far away from it.
Check the body work top to bottom on lift. My car had a lot of damage from tow operator dragging the car up onto the tow bed that no one saw. The rockers were broke as was the front fender tabs by the door.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 866
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
Most LE agencies will get the "good" vehicles cleaned up and running, in hopes it brings good money and allow inspections the day of. I don't know of anybody that allows a drive of the car though.
We ran K-9's in around the vehicles prior to auction, I'm sure not everybody does it, but it causes less than an embarassing moment later on.
And YES, you will get a good and clear title. For the vehicles have already been forfeited to that agency, so bascially you are buying a vehicle from that LE auction.
Most state laws in ref. to gov't equipment have to be dispersed by auction or sealed bid ............. no straight offers.
Good Luck
We ran K-9's in around the vehicles prior to auction, I'm sure not everybody does it, but it causes less than an embarassing moment later on.
And YES, you will get a good and clear title. For the vehicles have already been forfeited to that agency, so bascially you are buying a vehicle from that LE auction.
Most state laws in ref. to gov't equipment have to be dispersed by auction or sealed bid ............. no straight offers.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Bartlett Tennessee
Thanks for all the replies
OK, today I actually got to "lay hands" on the car. It's an '04 vert with 14,000 miles. Car is PRISTINE cosmetically in/out & underneath. Tread-wise the tires show no wear. Only mark to be found anywhere is a ring on the conv. top where someone sat a coffee cup. Couldn't drive but we did start & idle, checked A/C etc & I observed the car being driven by the detective who has driven a few times & says it drives like it should.
Here's the glitch---the second time I cranked the car after shutting it down for ~ 10 minutes it had a dead miss @ idle which seemed to go away if you revved the car even slightly. This car has sat 95% of the time for the last 2 years.
Old gas?
Bad coil pack?
What's the most likely cause of the miss--any thoughts?
Here's the glitch---the second time I cranked the car after shutting it down for ~ 10 minutes it had a dead miss @ idle which seemed to go away if you revved the car even slightly. This car has sat 95% of the time for the last 2 years.
Old gas?
Bad coil pack?
What's the most likely cause of the miss--any thoughts?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
OK, today I actually got to "lay hands" on the car. It's an '04 vert with 14,000 miles. Car is PRISTINE cosmetically in/out & underneath. Tread-wise the tires show no wear. Only mark to be found anywhere is a ring on the conv. top where someone sat a coffee cup. Couldn't drive but we did start & idle, checked A/C etc & I observed the car being driven by the detective who has driven a few times & says it drives like it should.
Here's the glitch---the second time I cranked the car after shutting it down for ~ 10 minutes it had a dead miss @ idle which seemed to go away if you revved the car even slightly. This car has sat 95% of the time for the last 2 years.
Old gas?
Bad coil pack?
What's the most likely cause of the miss--any thoughts?
Here's the glitch---the second time I cranked the car after shutting it down for ~ 10 minutes it had a dead miss @ idle which seemed to go away if you revved the car even slightly. This car has sat 95% of the time for the last 2 years.
Old gas?
Bad coil pack?
What's the most likely cause of the miss--any thoughts?
http://www.stengel.net/diccodes.htm
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 9
From: Sandy Eggo, California
Just be aware of the pitfalls before you purchase a LEO seized vehicle. Many of them are “drug asset” seized vehicles. When I was working Narcotics Enforcement we seized a ’63 split window Stingray as an "drug asset seizure" that belonged to one of our local drug dealers. He had just done a “body off” complete restoration. He had picked it up from the shop that same day and was in the process of wiping it down in his driveway when we hit the house. The car was seized as being purchased with money from alleged drug sales and it was taken to our impound yard. It was eventually sold at auction along with several other items seized from his home and garage.
None of our officers would bid on the car because we all had a pretty good idea what was going to happen. Sure enough, a few weeks later the new owner started calling the station complaining that he was afraid to drive the car in town because “drug dealers” were allegedly chasing him around town. He also claimed that they were trying to steal the car back. He eventually had to hide the car in a storage garage. So.......beware of the down side of purchasing a LEO seized vehicle.
None of our officers would bid on the car because we all had a pretty good idea what was going to happen. Sure enough, a few weeks later the new owner started calling the station complaining that he was afraid to drive the car in town because “drug dealers” were allegedly chasing him around town. He also claimed that they were trying to steal the car back. He eventually had to hide the car in a storage garage. So.......beware of the down side of purchasing a LEO seized vehicle.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Just be aware of the pitfalls before you purchase a LEO seized vehicle. Many of them are “drug asset” seized vehicles. When I was working Narcotics Enforcement we seized a ’63 split window Stingray as an "drug asset seizure" that belonged to one of our local drug dealers. He had just done a “body off” complete restoration. He had picked it up from the shop that same day and was in the process of wiping it down in his driveway when we hit the house. The car was seized as being purchased with money from alleged drug sales and it was taken to our impound yard. It was eventually sold at auction along with several other items seized from his home and garage.
None of our officers would bid on the car because we all had a pretty good idea what was going to happen. Sure enough, a few weeks later the new owner started calling the station complaining that he was afraid to drive the car in town because “drug dealers” were allegedly chasing him around town. He also claimed that they were trying to steal the car back. He eventually had to hide the car in a storage garage. So.......beware of the down side of purchasing a LEO seized vehicle.
None of our officers would bid on the car because we all had a pretty good idea what was going to happen. Sure enough, a few weeks later the new owner started calling the station complaining that he was afraid to drive the car in town because “drug dealers” were allegedly chasing him around town. He also claimed that they were trying to steal the car back. He eventually had to hide the car in a storage garage. So.......beware of the down side of purchasing a LEO seized vehicle.
Only if you live near where you buy the car. I live in PA and bought the car in TX.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Depends on who is auctioning the car off. If it is the US Marshal services expect the opening bid to be close to blue book.
If it is a Sherriff sale it may go for no reserve, ie what ever they can get.
which ever it would be well work go after, if you have the CASH. dont expect to finance anything from an auction of this nature.
If it is a Sherriff sale it may go for no reserve, ie what ever they can get.
which ever it would be well work go after, if you have the CASH. dont expect to finance anything from an auction of this nature.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,469
Likes: 4
Whatever the engine issue is I doubt it's a major deal. Maybe just a loose spark plug wire or something. In any case, these engines aren't terribly expensive to repair... it's not like you're buying a Porsche or something.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 866
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
OK, today I actually got to "lay hands" on the car. It's an '04 vert with 14,000 miles. Car is PRISTINE cosmetically in/out & underneath. Tread-wise the tires show no wear. Only mark to be found anywhere is a ring on the conv. top where someone sat a coffee cup. Couldn't drive but we did start & idle, checked A/C etc & I observed the car being driven by the detective who has driven a few times & says it drives like it should.
Here's the glitch---the second time I cranked the car after shutting it down for ~ 10 minutes it had a dead miss @ idle which seemed to go away if you revved the car even slightly. This car has sat 95% of the time for the last 2 years.
Old gas?
Bad coil pack?
What's the most likely cause of the miss--any thoughts?
Here's the glitch---the second time I cranked the car after shutting it down for ~ 10 minutes it had a dead miss @ idle which seemed to go away if you revved the car even slightly. This car has sat 95% of the time for the last 2 years.
Old gas?
Bad coil pack?
What's the most likely cause of the miss--any thoughts?
I just recently bought a 04 vert that had sat for about 1 1/2 yrs (owner just didn't drive it) had pretty much the same problem, I put in the highest octane gas I could find and a couple cans of Seafoam, no more miss or problems. Good luck