The Tale of the Deceptive BMW Auction
There’s a special kind of regret that comes with buying something and realizing it’s not what you expected. Now, imagine spending more than $16,000 on a BMW at an auction, only to discover that it wasn’t the dream car you hoped for. Sounds like a nightmare, right? That’s exactly what happened to TikTok creator Isaiah, known as @turbozay on the platform.
The Journey Begins
Isaiah embarked on a six-hour journey with high hopes, having won the bid for a BMW at an auction. His mood, however, quickly turned sour as he documented the unfolding drama on TikTok. His video, posted last Friday, amassed nearly 180,000 views by Sunday morning, drawing widespread attention.
The video starts with an on-screen caption, utilizing one of TikTok’s automatic caption readers: “Drove six hours to get scammed at auction.” A snippet of his six-hour drive plays, followed by a clip of the ill-fated BMW.
Switching to a high-pitched, exaggerated voice, Isaiah laments, “Bro, I just drove six hours!” He then attempts to start the car, only for the engine to labor and then stop. “No, not again! So clean, bro!” he exclaims, frustration evident in his tone.
A final caption with “-$16975” and an angry face emoji punctuates the video, as Isaiah admits, “I thought I hit a wick!” His accompanying caption notes ominously, “Blew up right after I won the bid.”
A Pattern of Misfortune
This isn’t the first time Isaiah has experienced car trouble post-auction. A previous video from July 22 shows a similar tale of woe: another BMW, another large sum of money—nearly $14,000 this time—and more engine issues. Reflecting on the auction process, he felt scammed and out of luck. The caption on that video darkly acknowledged, “Life is a gamble. I lost.”
The Perils of Car Auctions
Ah, car auctions. They’re a bit like the wild west of the automotive world—full of potential, yet fraught with danger. If you’re thinking about buying a vehicle this way, strap in, because it’s a wild ride. An article from Ridesafely offers 16 tips for would-be auction buyers and acknowledges that the experience can be demanding, daunting, and even deceiving.
One crucial piece of advice is to understand the term “as-is.” Simply put, “as-is” means you’re taking on all the risk. No guarantees, no warranties—once you drive off, any problems are entirely yours. If you’re not comfortable with this level of risk, it might be best to steer clear of the auction circuit.
Wisdom from the Online Peanut Gallery
As usual, the internet had plenty to say. Commenters on TikTok offered both sympathy and advice for the unfortunate buyer. One person remarked, “Looking for a 6 series at an auction is just crazy in itself.”
Another suggested a dubious strategy: “Register it, put insurance, burn it, get back 30k,” prompting others to question the legality (and morality) of such an action.
Yet another piece of advice laid down the law: “Rule #1. Never buy a used BMW at an auction unless it’s Carmax.” A bit stiff, perhaps, but certainly well-intentioned advice.
Final Thoughts from John
So, what can we take away from Isaiah’s costly misadventure? Sometimes, when a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Auctions can offer tantalizing opportunities, but they come with risks that aren’t to be taken lightly. If you’re not prepared to deal with those risks—or, let’s be honest, the inevitable heartbreak—perhaps it’s best to search for your dream car through more conventional means. After all, a six-hour drive should end in joy, not regret.
