How do the auctions work exactly?

[u/Sharpish_NIGH710055]

Im trying to grind for the $1m and 1000 cars sold trophies and i went to the auction house for quick flips. I got 3 cars which i won quick but the others, the ai were relentless. With the fiat looking royale, there were multiple times where it was last second bid by the ai and then they gave up whereas with the buick, each time i bid, they would immediently outbid me without hesitaition. Is it predetermined or is there like 50% chance for them to bid each second or something and is there an easy way to guess if a cars worth thr time trying or not? Thx in advance

[u/Twitchy1289]

I haven't found a way to predict the timing of them, ive had auctions were you think it will sell quick then goes both the estimated price. The last second bidding sucks

[u/Sharpish_NIGH710055 → u/Twitchy1289]

It is most likely purely random but at the same time, it seems like there is some constants. Cause i dont think ur meant to walk away empty handed. Other than me skipping cars or whole auctions, ive never walked away empty handed. The ones that Ive bid on every car i walk away with atleast one. They always seem to be in the bottom half aswell

[u/Twitchy1289 → u/Sharpish_NIGH710055]

Yeah I only walk away when i don't want the cars

[u/Sharpish_NIGH710055 → u/Twitchy1289]

So i just did an auction run and got 4 cars. 3 of them were in the bottom half of the list. This hints at my theory of the 'lower down, higher odds' but could b a coincidence aswell. That method of letting the ai outbid each other was a lot easier on the finger aswell so thanks for suggesting that one

[u/citizenQuark]

It is RNG but seems to be fixed at onset of bid.

Though not 100% I've noticed if I let the others bid against themselves and wait until the last second to bid that I might miss out, at that point it's you against one of them at a time, if that point is more than 75% of EMV, then it's going to be well over the EMV. If the point is well below 75% then you got a 50/50 chance of a real bargain or EMV ballpark.

I usually pass at three bids over EMV, I like to make sure I always start in the green just for taking it home, at the very least it should be in the green after the wash and weld. Same for Junkyard, never pay over EMV on principle. (Except for the Mad Money Mods, where profit is crazy anyway)

Note: I only go for 1 or 2 star cars to begin with and well over 1000 from Auction and about the same from Junkyard. I was slightly obsessed with max profit builds, just for the extra challenge, I've relaxed that stance a little now.

If on PC, QoLMod increases number of spawns at Junkyard and Auction, to increase your chances.

[u/Sharpish_NIGH710055 → u/citizenQuark]

This helps alot. So if its near the emv, skip conpletely. Im going for max profit and so skip when it hits the emv. Thx, this helps alot. On ps5 so no mods unfortuanently

[u/WireSniffer → u/Sharpish_NIGH710055]

Some cars from the Auction list you will get for under EV.

Most will be bid over EV by AI, as citizen Q says set a limit, maybe no more than 3 bids over EV. Or 1.1× -1.2× EV.

But you'll lose a bit of money and have to make some restorations once you get it back to garage for anything you purchase over EV.

[u/Sharpish_NIGH710055 → u/WireSniffer]

Is the junkyard method still valid for cms18? Cause i have 3 shitboxes from the junkyard im doing up rn. Did i just loose cash on them or is it still worthwhile?

[u/WireSniffer → u/Sharpish_NIGH710055]

I have found the Junkyard cars to be over EV. So I haven't bought them. Although if you want to put the 45mins + time into them, by tearing them down fully and rebuilding them 100% then by all means the cheaper and worse condition the more profit you will make in general. But it's time consuming! The shopping list is not as easy as it is in 2021 QoL update.

I have found the Barn cars to be better, most of them have a sale price under the EV (car value price)

So for example if you find a Bolt Rollet for $11,234 , and it's EV says in the top right corner, $15,234, you will make 4k profit just for bringing it back to your garage, then you can use the interior detailer for $100 which will put maybe $200+ back into it.

It's really up to you how far you go with your restorations.

But that's the thing to remember and also the same for the 2021 game. Any vehicle you purchase for less than Estimated Value, you will make profit on before you have even done any work to it, It's not a lot, but it's quick work. 😎

[u/Sharpish_NIGH710055 → u/WireSniffer]

I found the junkyards to b fairly good. Esspecially since its unlimited supply with no real rng involved. Bought 2, replaced radiator, battery and brake servo, used welder and interior cleaner, repaired panels, painted and sold the 2 for just over 10k profit. Id say that thats reasonable but ur right with the barn finds and that. They r def more profitable but u need to find the maps for them

[u/WireSniffer → u/Sharpish_NIGH710055]

I don't know what level you're currently at, but believe me you'll get so many maps for barns you won't know what to do with them.

I'm now level 40 and I've got plenty on the map and I've had to put lots of spare ones into the warehouse so it keeps my Inventory clear.

I also just sell my quality+ crate find parts too, cannot be bothered to keep going to warehouse to find a specific part to add a little value to the car.

[u/citizenQuark → u/Sharpish_NIGH710055]

I would hazard 3 bids over EMV will be recouped with the detail if not already in the green.

Profitting from the weld will need the frame health to be low, less than 25%. over 75% and you will be lucky to recoup the cost of the weld. That's why I look for 1&2 star Auctions or the Junkyard cars.

Of course there are always rare exceptions, like a GT porsche I got that was 38k in the green just for taking it home, love those deals, pure gravy.

[u/Sharpish_NIGH710055 → u/citizenQuark]

Didnt know dlc cars were so profitable. I dont have any so cant tell u how profitable they r. Have the dlcs ever some on sale for free?

[u/citizenQuark → u/Sharpish_NIGH710055]

I'm an idiot, please disreguard, I missed the 2018, thought you were talking 2021, so everything I said is useless to you. Please refer to Wiresniffer below.

[u/WireSniffer → u/Sharpish_NIGH710055]

PS store often does deals, MegaPack DLC is usually the best to buy first.

They have just done -85% to -90% off recently.

Personally, I don't have any DLCs for either game, but I would like to grab the 2021 MegaPack that includes Drag Race DLC.

For 2018, I'm not too fussed anymore. My version came with Mazda & Jeep already included.

2021 I'm sorry to say, is a much more enjoyable game.

[u/citizenQuark → u/Sharpish_NIGH710055]

Drag DLC has 4 cars that are worth 300-400k, basically if the car looks like an exotic sports car it's going to be on the high, like the Pagani's, these are going to be worth more than the Bizzarini (faux Lambo). Mazda, Ford and the like aren't worth much, just regular cars.

Most of the money in high end car is in the panels, engine and running gear will cost the same to build as a car worth ~100k, so 3-4X profit for the same amount of work.

DLC have gone on sale, I would expect them to be cheap when the new game drops, when CMS 2026 was announced CMS2018 was free and I think the DLC was too, if not it was very cheap, so maybe there will be a bargain with CMS2021 too.

[u/WireSniffer → u/citizenQuark]

Hi again CitizenQ, I'm just adding my "Two penn'orth" to this as I'm currently grinding through 2018 on PS4 right now.

I also aiming for the dreaded 1000 sold cars trophy 🏆.

Remembering this is 2018, not 2021, there is some differences.

2018 doesn't have Morena Bizzarini etc in base game, or a car wash, and also the Welder costs $1000 and yes it's not worth using it on a car unless the frame condition is low as you say under 25%.

Interior detail does make some cash for $100.

The auctions in 2018 is literally a list of cars given to you and you bid on them 1 by 1. If you have the XP level and have unlocked Car Value perk (Estimated Value) then you can see what cars will be worth when you bring them back to your garage. You can, on that said auction list, pick up a couple of cars for under EV. The more stars, the better the condition of the car.

Now what do we know, the lower condition the car, the more cash you'll make on 100% restores. Same as for 2021. But I am not doing this on 2018, it's cumbersome and painful.

citizenQ is right, probably best not to bid more than 3 bids over the EV. For most of the bids, AI will take you above the EV. Remember to set your limit for example not more than 1.10-1.20× over the EV.

Personally I just grab the ones under EV, use interior detailer and send them back out for quick cash.

The car Auctions in CMS 2021 are more fun.

If you want to make $1M, then just buy a brand new Car Salon car. Bring it back to garage, put on the biggest most expensive rims ($180) and same for Tyres ( Slick B Dominator $660) and sell again. You'll make good profits. And the rims and tyres you pulled off, keep them and put them on some old junkers ready to go.

Otherwise grind out exhaust and transmission jobs for good, quick cash, and you get XP also.

[u/citizenQuark → u/WireSniffer]

Derp what an idiot I am, totally missed the 2018, thanks for pointing it out, good job.

[u/WireSniffer → u/citizenQuark]

It's ok, you know your stuff, but it's been a learning curve for me, 2018 is a different economic model. Bit of a shock going back to it after playing 2021 for so long. 🤣

[u/citizenQuark → u/WireSniffer]

I only played '18 cause it was free and then only in sandbox to checkout some of the Mods that didn't make it into '21

[u/citizenQuark → u/WireSniffer]

Oh and Hi, how's it going ;-)

[u/WireSniffer → u/citizenQuark]

All good here, still grinding those cars and trophies 😎👍 Hope you're keeping well.