---
title: 'I Lost All Self-Control and Bought 5 Cars at a Florida Auction, and I''ve Never Been Happier!'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=tVA1OGLdMMY'
video_id: 'tVA1OGLdMMY'
date: 2026-07-28
channel: 'Hoovies Garage'
---

# I Lost All Self-Control and Bought 5 Cars at a Florida Auction, and I've Never Been Happier!

> Source: [I Lost All Self-Control and Bought 5 Cars at a Florida Auction, and I've Never Been Happier!](https://youtube.com/watch?v=tVA1OGLdMMY)

## Summary

In this video, Tyler from Hoovie's Garage recounts his impulsive purchase of five cars at the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction, including a 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, a 2004 Jaguar XJR, a Maserati, a 1992 Chevrolet 454 SS pickup, and a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado with a built 500 cubic inch V8. He shares the stories behind each buy, the mechanical quirks, and the excitement of taking delivery back in Kansas.

### Key Points

- **Impulsive Buying Spree** [00:13] — Tyler admits to buying five cars in Florida, four from the Barrett-Jackson auction, despite initially planning to buy only one.
- **1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Purchase** [01:19] — Bought for $4,500 on Facebook, mechanically restored with rebuilt engine and transmission, but suffered vapor lock due to ethanol fuel and bad fuel line design.
- **2004 Jaguar XJR Score** [08:26] — Purchased for $4,000 with 80,000 miles, first year of alloy body, supercharged V8 with 400 hp, no warning lights at auction.
- **Maserati and 454 SS Pickup** [11:33] — Bought a Maserati for $7,200 with Ferrari-derived V8 and 68,000 miles, and a 1992 Chevrolet 454 SS pickup for $19,000 with a freshly built 454 engine, but the ignition key got stuck.
- **1976 Cadillac Eldorado with Built Engine** [17:01] — Purchased for $15,000, last year of the 500 cubic inch V8, but engine has been built to produce 600-700 hp, with modern fuel injection and new suspension.
- **Delivery and First Starts** [20:44] — All cars arrived in Kansas; the Jaguar started easily, Maserati ran well, 454 SS needed hot-wiring, and the Cadillac Eldorado impressed with its power and smooth ride.

### Conclusion

Tyler's impulsive auction haul resulted in a diverse collection of unique cars, each with its own story and potential. Despite mechanical quirks, he is thrilled with his purchases and looks forward to enjoying them.

## Transcript

to Florida and you black out and all of a sudden you bought five cars and they just showed up back in Kansas? Cuz that's what's happened to me. Welcome to Hoovie's Garage, the dumbest automotive channel in all of YouTube.
Okay, maybe I remember a little bit of it happening. It's not like one of those salts and you just black out. So, I did buy some cars in Florida and they couldn't be any more different from each other, but I all think they are amazing
deals. Four of them came from the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car auction, which I've been working for for 6 years now doing their live TV coverage. And trouble because I'm working for them and not focusing on buying cars, but
sometimes my focus gets divided and it's never been divided this much before with four purchases. But, of all the collector car auctions I've attended all over the country, Palm Beach is my kryptonite because there's usually so
many things that I want to buy. I just usually don't end up buying all of them. Now, I bought these, but I haven't driven them yet, except for one, the first car that I picked up on my trip to Florida, the old Wagoneer, and I trusted
it for a very long trip. So, let's head back a week ago when I hit the ground back a week ago when I hit the ground running in Florida with my Wagoneer.
purchases in Florida, a 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. I have a major, major soft spot, or I guess a hardwood spot for these things, and they are pretty incredible machines. This is the original luxury SUV. They came out at
first in the 1963 model year, and they were pretty much unchanged until they went out of production in 1991. It was one of the last carbureted vehicles on the road in the early '90s, and it's just crazy that this thing
endured for so long. Of course, the Wagoneer name is back a few years ago with an SUV that it doesn't live up to the name at all at it doesn't live up to the name at all at all. But this, I just love it. So, when
I saw posted on Facebook by a friend down here in Central Florida and I was flying in, I just thought, you know what? This thing is perfect. Now, obviously, it is not. But if I was buying a perfect one, they can sell for
over a hundred thousand dollars now. Just totally insane money. The first one forty-five hundred dollars for. It was super nice. I flipped it at 24 years old hit the lottery. But nowadays, that would be a, you know, sixty, eighty
thousand dollar Wagoneer. And this one definitely has that potential that I dollars. The hood's been painted, but the rest of it's kind of faded out, especially on the roof. So, new faux wood treatment
and new paint and this thing would be exceptional. The leather, it's all up as well. The cracks sort of filled in. But this is original and nice. A hundred twenty thousand miles. But the good news is, mechanically, this thing
has been just completely restored. Rebuilt engine, transmission, suspension, everything gone through to where mechanically, this is a fresh vehicle. And that's why I felt confident enough to drive this thing two hundred
miles south to the Palm Beach auction. And actually, it did great. Unfortunately though, it did vapor lock one time, which is funny because the exact same thing happened to me on my first Wagoneer on the test drives. It
was deja vu all over again. After a long highway run, I went to fill up with gas, while, then completely conked out getting on the highway. And what happened is, all the gas that was in the carburetor ran out. And unfortunately,
the fuel line had vaporized the fuel, so the car was vapor locked. And that's because of a bad design with the Wagoneer where this hard metal fuel line goes all the way around the block. And all that heat just collects in there and
it vaporizes the fuel before it gets to the carburetor. This design really didn't rear its ugly head until ethanol fuel came around, and then it vapor locks a lot more easily. So, most people will do an EFI conversion or insulate
this hard metal fuel line, and there's like a mechanical fuel pump right there would have had to do is wait 15 or 30 minutes for the engine to cool off and the fuel to turn into liquid again. But, also I had a cheat code. We had a bunch
hard metal fuel lines, cranked it for a bit, and it started, and we were back on our way. So, very happy with this thing overall, and it does drive incredibly. That's the thing. The very first luxury SUV, and this thing still feels really,
really nice and smooth almost 40 years later. Not much in the way of creature comforts on this thing, but ice cold air conditioning. The glove box will be so far away in this massive vehicle that
far away in this massive vehicle that they actually put it here in the middle. two rows of seating despite its massive, massive size, and shag carpeting. Very
luxurious for the '70s and '80s. So, this thing was a dinosaur when it was new in 1989. So, now it feels like a proper antique, but it has no problem cruising 80 mph down the highway. Very quiet, so you're not really giving up
all that much. The other really cool part about this Jeep is the back window. part about this Jeep is the back window. To access the hatch, this rolls down, and you can drive with the window down as well for that sort of open experience
4Runner. So, that's pretty fun. It's all controlled by a switch right here. But, this is my only planned purchase of this week. I thought I'd be a one-and-done. I
bought it. I can make a video about it, and have some fun at the auction, but not have to worry about buying anything. But, unfortunately, I bought four cars. So, that'd would five total for this And every one of them is is totally
different. Out here in the staging lanes, we have the early cars coming on Super Saturday. And let's see if I can find at the Corvair. That would be fun in Monza especially. 107, I have that at home. Where is she? Where is this beauty
that I have never seen before in my life? It's one of the early cars to go. There she is, a 1984 Cadillac Seville. The bustle back, this weird design that is just so strange. I remember having a model of this as a kid
and thought it was funny to be able to ramp cars off the back in my little Hot Wheels. But this one, even more crazy, it is the diesel. The modified Chevy 350
into a diesel engine. And it was a horrible mistake from General Motors, before the engine I mean it just went away. It was a terrible design, and none one survived is because of the mileage. Less than
2,000 original miles. 1,700. Looks like it has the Brits package as well with the soft tufted leather interior, CB radio as well. This is it's it's insane. It's my only car that I'm really watching
today, especially since I spent all my money on all the cars that I got out here. And there were a lot of near misses. Florida is just it's it's my happy place. It's my hunting grounds of of things that I love. There's about 600
cars selling at this auction, and all of them except for three, like the Pagani, are no reserve. So, it could be any price. And there are as like I said, a that I'm probably going to be kicking myself for the rest of my life is this
person in the last, I don't know, 10-plus years. A Neon SRT4. So, that four-cylinder with a Mitsubishi turbo. And this one, yellow with the manual And this one, yellow with the manual transmission. It sold for $9,700.
over 10. I'm not going to go over 10." And that's over 10 with fees. And that's paint work, a little little things here and there. And I just I just couldn't do disciplined. And I've regretted it ever since because when am I going to find
another yellow Neon SRT? And it's crazy to think that, you know, in 2003, this was under $20,000 to get a fun turbocharged manual car like that. It's like that today as far as, you know, kids and first cars to get in trouble
with. And obviously, they became cheap and they're all gone. That's why the few that survived can bring huge money, especially if they're low mileage. But issues, I think it brought a fair price. Now,
I did buy something a lot cheaper than that, a lot cheaper than the Neon, even though it was way expensive when it was new. And that's this, 2004 Jaguar XJR with 80,000 mi on it. This is the first year of Jaguar redesign where they went
And now a car alarm's going off. It's pretty impossible. But this is the first year where they went with the lightened all alloy body and chassis. They like something like that. Totally crazy. But 84,000 mi on this thing. And I got it
84,000 mi on this thing. And I got it for $4,000. Now, I haven't driven it. I going across the block, it didn't have any warning lights. It seems to be in really nice condition. And I am totally thrilled with this thing. The headliner
I'm I'm just noticing. But if that's it, then that's the least of my worries. I can't get them out and drive them. So, I have to wait until they get shipped back to Kansas before I start going through and seeing how good they are.
But obviously, at $4,000, I can afford to fix a few things and still have a really incredible machine, 400 horsepower supercharged V8, and this beautiful styling. That That was definitely a score, big time. Time is
really just flying by and we are on year five me basically parking my first car, five me basically parking my first car, my 1985 Mercedes 500SL. Now, despite wave of nostalgia that hits me every time I move it, it just hits hard every
time. My grandmother got this car new in 1985 and the memories of her driving me around to different things are endless. It continues through childhood and that I find myself getting lost in sometimes. Life was definitely much
five years since my grandmother's death, who was my biggest cheerleader and one of my most important people in my life. And as much as I long for those days, I rose-colored glasses. There were a lot of obstacles to overcome then, just like
there are today and my life is now way more complicated, obviously, but there is also way more to appreciate and be thankful for. Now, if you find yourself the people or connections you've lost, things that exist before life
complicated everything, therapy can help you experience it while also staying present. The people in your life right now may be the ones you feel nostalgic moments you are not fully appreciating now because you feel stuck reflecting on
years ago and BetterHelp, the sponsor of today's video, helped me work through it. BetterHelp makes starting therapy easier. Taking their quiz gets you matched with a therapist quickly and you can communicate via phone, video or
text, whatever you are most comfortable with. Click the link in the description or go to betterhelp.com/hubbysgarage and get 10% off your first month of >> So, time got away from me when I was walking around earlier and I needed to
get to this set or the stage to do the actual auction, the real job here and kind of cut things off, but now April's done too, so she's joining me to inspect
the four four cars that I bought. >> Wait, there's four? >> But I know of two of them, Maserati and the Cadillac. >> Two two more happened and well, you see, I told you about the Maserati.
>> You guys, seriously, he's like, I kind of blacked out and I'm not sure what the great. >> The problem is, I'm working the auction, I see a deal, and I step back, and this was the cheapest Maserati sell the
auction for 7,200 bucks. And look at this beautiful deep green pearl paint job on this thing. And this is the Ferrari drive V8 under hood of this one, which I don't remember how to open, unfortunately. There we go.
There it is. 68,000 mi on it, and the interior's actually pretty nice shape, interior's actually pretty nice shape, too. So, total mystery. When it gets back to Kansas, I guess I'll drive it and see how it is, but
I yeah, I I don't I don't know. I'm just >> It's really pretty, and it's an unusual >> Low miles. >> I had to do it. I I had to do it. Along with along with the other one over here. And that is April da da da your favorite
SSR. >> Are you seriously? like those very much. I think they're really cool, but no, it's the one next >> For real? >> It kind of matches your Grand National,
>> Blacked out. >> Wait. >> Seriously? >> 454 SS pickup truck, 1992, and four-speed automatic. So, it's the upgraded transmission they had later,
and I think a pretty incredible price, $19,000. I think I got a little cheaper because of this, cuz the paint is flawless. It has a newly built motor, or flawless. It has a newly built motor, or a lower mileage motor, but somebody did
this faux wood treatment, and they are very talented at what they do. This is supposed to be a blacked out truck. The 454 SS is supposed to be that. I like the flush rear bumper, as well, the dual exit exhaust. And then, yeah, you
pop it. More faux wood in here, as well. >> This looks really cool inside. I this That's a little sketch. would be a totally different story on this truck. So,
These prices have sort of exploded in value. The steering wheel not stock as well. Something like a Monte Carlo steering wheel. I'm sure more of this faux wood. So, I appreciate the faux wood in the
interior and in the truck bed, but I would. I would keep all this, but I just paint that back part. And then I think we've got something really fancy. Unfortunately,
drove off the auction block, the key got stuck in the ignition and the ignition Hart of Garage helped me kind of hot-wire this thing so we can jump it runs and drives. It is total coincidence the moment I bought it the key I mean
everything like your Grand National everywhere. Of course, when I buy it the just needed to be movable to get on the truck to get back. >> I got Yeah, I got a hot-wired truck. So,
that We'll get back to Kansas and then we will see what we got. But under the this is the other part that impressed me where I started bidding. Let me Google this thing real quick." And it was at an auction years ago and
And it was at an auction years ago and it said it had a freshly built 454. And I think it is because all this stuff has been painted. It has the pretty valve covers. So, this engine has been out and gone through and probably hopped
up a bit from the 230 or 40 horsepower that it has. So, >> $19,000. >> How about that? But >> How about that? But there is one more. One more.
about this earlier. Yeah, the bustle back at diesel with 1,800 original miles. And it sold for $20,000. end. >> Yes, and the diesel. I told myself no
more than 20, so I wasn't going to go 21, but I'm definitely feeling itchy for letting that go because I will never see another one of these for the rest of my >> Are you serious right now? >> The bustle back and arguably the worst
vehicle. >> That's so Wait, it's a diesel? >> It's a diesel modified 350 cubic inch engine. >> Like a gasser 350. Yeah, the Brits interior, CB radio. I know. I know. I
>> And what is this color? Like muted >> Just just kick me. Can you just kick me? >> I'm sorry. I didn't mean to kick you so hard.
>> I'm sorry. >> I deserved it for passing on that car. you. >> There are a couple other cars that that have already been checked out, but the other one where you'd want to kick me
>> Road House? >> Road House spec, air conditioning, so so incredibly nice. >> think that you would actually want to >> I love Road House. That would have been a great one. Uh $20,000 on that one. And
the other one was an SL65 AMG. >> That was cool. >> That was very cool. And that one I think around $25,000 with low miles. >> That It's like those are so rare and so powerful that
I know. I I'm kicking myself for that, but instead I got another hot rodded right here. >> Where are you going to put this? They're like over 19 ft long. >> I'm so proud of this buy right now
because the '76 Cadillac Eldorado, the big girl, and it's white on red interior, overall very nice condition. Van Go will go to town on this thing and it will look incredible. >> oh, we're not long enough. We have to
add these tail lights. It'd be like 5 more inches. >> And then the interior, so much room, front-wheel drive, and the last year of the 500 cubic inch V8, the largest engine ever offered in a
from the factory, 200-ish horsepower, Not this one. Brace yourself. >> Whoa. So, that is the 500 cubic inch V8, but it has been built,
>> Stop it. >> I got to run it up. So, all the restricted play All this All this stuff is off of it to where now this is just a performance big block engine, supposedly like six or 700
>> So, this is going to be the fastest '76 Eldo ever. >> Okay. >> Indeed. And I got it for 15,000 bucks. >> Are you sure it's it works right? >> I don't know.
>> I didn't drive it, but I will when I get home. Still, 15 grand, they got that in this motor, this built motor. And I mean, the air conditioning is the one there's only one line hooked up. So, something isn't right there, and there's
the condenser on the side, so that needs to be figured out, but modern fuel injection in it as well. Like this will clean up, but then what is a 600 horsepower front-wheel drive gigantic Cadillac going to feel like? I
be? >> Oh, I mean, like -12 miles per gallon. It's It's going to be impossible to keep >> It's got the ducts. >> That is the ca- careful.
>> People steal these, you know. >> People steal these, but that Yeah, gas mileage the re- the least of my worries on this thing. So, that is my eclectic haul, the Jag XJR, >> Mhm.
>> the Maserati. What was the fourth one? Oh, the the truck. >> The truck You have a problem. >> And and then the Wagoneer.
>> What what what could like I I went I went on a tear. This this is a serious bender. >> You're you're I feel like this is an it happened and you're just like blacked out during it. Like that's what people
like that. >> I don't even know what just happened. this is a lot more fun taking delivery in Kansas of five hoopdies that I
impulsively bought rather than you know some new supercar or something like that. And well, there's a few extra on here that are not mine. The red one up there and the white SUV down here, but Look at that.
>> Beautiful. >> You can see under the Caddy. >> The whole >> So, the whole way too. >> So, the whole way too. >> Yeah.
Wow. Okay, there's some serious money spent on this thing. I mean, everything's new.
I mean, everything's new. This is This is unbelievable. that's the real mystery there. Cold start number one.
Fingers crossed. Come on. You can do it.
>> We're not off to a good start then. Is it trying anything? >> Okay. I got a jump box.
>> Key. >> Wrong key? >> Ah. >> The The You need the big black key. The car. >> Nice. Okay.
>> Now I know. >> Woo. Okay. We had a little surprise, but now we're good. All right. All lights are off. We're out of fuel, but
but that sounds really good. were looking at the headliner. That's an
fabric, but oh my god. oh my god. First year alloy body Jaguar XJR This is This is awesome. Go quick.
Ah. Oh, yeah. She's good. Okay. This This is This is better than Christmas. I got I got to say. This This is so exciting. Next up the Maserati. Known for its reliability and
listen to that quiet Ferrari drive V8.
>> It is your baby. >> Wow. Okay. So, that's the tornado siren. Every Every Monday at noon, they test
>> don't make me nervous, brother. I can't take the pressure. >> Again, we have tire pressure, which is an easy fix, but no warning lights.
And look at this beautiful interior. This is This is holy smokes. And look at the beautiful headliner on this one. Wow, it's actually real suede.
the price point back then, you know, these were twice the price. Wow. Okay. Okay. Oh, little extra key action in
that's I got I got one good key. That's That's good. Then we're we're good. This is a real monster right here.
On that steep gradient, it started right up. >> Yeah, drags. >> Yeah, you got to you got to get it to
that giant nose. Dude.
This is one that I need to really really test drive out on the road, but uh first I got to get this top down, right? Well, that's the antenna. Convertible top.
Yes. Look at that mechanism. It's so cool.
Boss Hog wishes he had this horsepower. Holy smokes. But, the suspension it all feels fresh. it all feels fresh. It's It's all brand new underneath.
Oh man, I can't wait to get this thing out on the road. yet. There's still two more to get unloaded. What? Oh, we were doing it under the hood.
hood. And just took it right to the battery. Well, you're way smarter than us. >> Huh? >> You're here, too. >> Yep.
>> Huh. A little drama with that ignition switch, but >> she runs beautifully. >> What do you think of this wood? >> I think this truck is beautiful.
>> to have this truck. >> The wood I can feel like I got to paint know >> This truck attracted attention like you >> With this faux finish on it? >> Yeah, this truck attracted attention
like you wouldn't believe. >> All right. twisted? >> I I I love I feel like they need to be black.
>> Yeah. >> The interior, the exterior, the steering column. >> Oh, okay.
this thing running cuz wherever I park it she's parked until it's hot-wired it she's parked until it's hot-wired again. Okay. Oh, that's spicy. Yep.
Good lord. Okay. That's That's that's not stock either. All right. 92 454 SS 92 454 SS a win a big old W right here.
Okay. I'll put the window up. Might as well just leave it in the front yard forever next to Boss Hogg, right? no key, no problem.
doesn't all the way turn off I have to unhook the battery. And finally, old faithful comes down. Well, faithful except when she vapor locks, but except when she vapor locks, but that's not her fault.
of my life. This is awesome. I was right about the air conditioning. that still needs to be figured out, but I don't think this engine needs to be figured out. Let's see. Ready?
It'd be topping out about now. Holy smokes this this battleship holds butt. Holy smokes this is insane. A car this huge that just pulls so hard.
What What did I just buy? This is And you can immediately tell the suspension has been totally gone through and refreshed. It is so smooth and going down the road so straight. Even though
the outside it just looks like a nice driver. I mean nothing fancy but underneath some serious money was spent. This is This is crazy. All right. Let's hit it.
It's got to just guzzle the gas though. This is incredible. I I am so incredibly happy right now. Thank you so much for watching.