Anyone here ever bought a car at a police auction? What are the downsides?

[NNguyenMD]

Looking for a cheap used car to use for one year while I'm in Maryland, something that I could sell quickly once I have to pick up and leave back to the West coast. Anyone reccomend police auctions? or is it too risky?

[GOPisEvil]

1. Well, you buy as is with no guarantee.

[Allenberg]

2. Bulletholes

sometimes. :D

[ret5hd]

4. and bodies in the trunk maybe?

but then there's the plus side: undiscovered drugs under the front seat.

[Richardo]

3. "It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant,

...it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what? "

"Fix the cigarette lighter. " :)

[underpants]

7. "Hey YOU......on the motorcycle"

"You two girls"

[ixion]

5. The car could have a 'history'

that you don't know about...;-)

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

6. Check the trunk for bodies. (nt)

[zigster]

8. Downsides?

Man Finds Pot Hidden in Car Bought at Sheriff's Auction

http://www.kvia.com/Global/story.asp?S=3691374

[lpbk2713]

9. All Point Bulletins coming over the radio at inopportune times.

[Patiod]

10. I'm thinking the gas mileage is going to be suboptimal

fueling that bigass motor. But I could be wrong

[UncleSepp]

11. Bought a decommissioned police cruiser once

It turned out to be a good deal. I got one for my husband when his tiny econobox got smooshed in a rear end collision, because it seemed to be a safe car and it was a good deal. We got a better deal on the cruiser because it had not yet been repainted - it still had the gummi from the stickers all over it. Not the most attractive car, but it had four wheels and went.

It had high mileage, but had been very well maintained. The gas mileage wasn't that bad for a car of its size, and it was sweet to drive. Lots of room inside, too, and the rubber flooring was easier to maintain than carpet. For the most part, it was problem free. After we moved and needed only one car, we gave it to a friend whose car went belly up. They drove it for a while but eventually got in an accident. The car went 50 mph into a concrete barrier and was totaled, but nobody inside got hurt. The airbags and reinforced frame did just what it was supposed to do. Turns out that it really was a very safe car.

They're not that resellable, though. That's the only real caution, is that the resale value isn't great.