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Manheim (and Adesa, etc) represent a market for dealers to purchase inventory. By definition, it is the wholesale market. If you can snag a few here or there for less, that's not 'the market'. Because, believe me, you can snag a few from Manheim too.
It also depends on what you're trying to buy. Any market is supply and demand, right? If the largest supply is at Manheim/Adesa (like 2-4 year BMWs), they will set the market, and usually they are cheaper when the supply is large. There are a bunch this week, there will be a bunch next week, and there are dozens of similar auctions across the country. That's where you'd go to buy one. The supply is larger than any other single source.
A 25 year old Porsche? You wouldn't go to Manheim.
I only buy cars at Manheim that are cheapest (and/or best) at Manheim. The bulk of what I buy is private party, or trades from large dealers.
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