This weekend, I got a flyer about some big car sale at the local Mitsubishi dealership. Turns out it was a 'pre-auction' used-car bank sale. The sales guy (not from the Mitsu dealership) explained how it works -- before going to auction, the bank tries to sell the car to the public. Thus, the extra price an auction and then dealership that is built into the final sale price of a car is allegedly removed.
Blah blah blah - whatever -- I play along. We go outside to look at some of the cars. I look at some of the cars and spot a 2005 Acura TSX that looks like it was "ridden hard and put away wet." So I inquire about it. He goes inside to check the numbers, while I whip out my smartphone and look up the car on Kelly Blue Book. In excellent condition, that car is worth $15k, and in my estimation, that car was probably in 'fair' condition, worth $10-12k. Salesman comes back with "We can sell you that car for $17k." I said, "Do you trust Kelly Blue book? They say that car's worth only $12k." He argues with me about how that one has Navi in it, and I counter with "Navi isn't worth $5k." He says we are too far apart, and I agree, and get my $5 Walmart gift car for my time.
So, if you are looking for a GREAT deal on a 2005 Acura TSX, lemme know. I can get it for you for a mere $20K, and you'd be STEALING it from me!
-Z-man.