I never thought I’d get to be a secret agent, but I took on that role last week for eBay.
I arrived at a hotel in Silver Lake and saw a folder sitting on the nightstand as I put down my bags. Inside, I found my credentials, which let me know I was “Cleared to Drive” for the “eBay Most Wanted Collection” assignment. I still had no idea what I was even doing here. All I knew was that there would be cars. That was enough to get me there.
Flipping through the folder, I saw four vehicles, each with a mugshot and rap sheet. There was the 1975 Chevy Nova, a classic V8 muscle car with a lift kit and candy-painted wheels. Then the 1992 BMW 325i Convertible, a boxy stock car with a cell phone and groovy carpet floor mats. The 2006 Dodge Viper, the most dangerous fugitive, a V10 6-speed manual with no power steering and no traction control. The final vehicle was the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette with nearly 500 horsepower coming from its V8 and a sporty cockpit.
I turned the page again and saw there were three stops in the mission. The goal? Bring the cars to the training ground, run them through a series of drills, and then drop them off for eBay Live at SEMA. Each vehicle had to be proven ready for an auction hosted by Sung Kang and Hertrech “Hert” Eugene Jr., with all proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Each gaming-inspired vehicle was purchased from eBay, got custom components from eBay, and will now be auctioned off starting at just $6.
The auction will be November 5th at 12 PM PST, livestreamed so everyone has a chance to bid. Check it out here.
“For 30 years, eBay has helped automotive enthusiasts find their dream vehicles and the parts to make them their own,” said Jesse Kiefer, Vice President and General Manager, eBay Live. “The eBay Most Wanted Collection brings that passion to life in a new way, showcasing what’s possible through the eBay marketplace while giving fans a fun new way to discover and bid on these cars on eBay Live. It’s an exciting next step in how we’re bringing enthusiasts closer to the cars and communities they love.”
Curious which vehicle you should bid on? I have some valuable insight after my experience pushing these cars to their limit.
1975 Chevy Nova
For the Chevy Nova’s test, we had to race forward in a straight line, swerving around some cones. Then, we had to reverse back to the starting position without hitting any cones. When it was my turn to let the Nova rip, I felt surprisingly maneuverable as I swerved through the cones in a short, tight straightaway. I couldn’t get the Nova to do that insane body roll I felt when the pro driver took the wheel, but I still felt that rumbling power and old-school charm even at a more casual speed.
However, this Nova has a lot of quirks. The driver even had to shift through each gear for me since the gear indicator didn’t show up on the dashboard. In such a short, fast test, you didn’t really have time to figure out whether you were in the right position. This is something a driver could easily learn if you tamed this American beast and had time behind the wheel. The visibility while backing up was also terrible for me. The rain made me feel basically blind, leaving me to rely on tiny side-view mirrors.
Where the Nova truly shone was driving through the city to the final drop. The purple color, lift kit, and massive wheels really caught people’s attention. We even got a thumbs-up from a few people. This is Florida styling at its finest. While the Nova wasn’t extremely fast in its course by today’s standards, the 155 hp engine was loud when we sped up even a little bit or went under a bridge. This thing has presence. Inside, you get comfortable bench seats and a classy speaker, too. This is a vehicle for cruising in style. What an experience.
How Much You Should Actually Bid: $15,000
1992 BMW 325i Convertible
Who doesn’t love a classy, boxy ride? I personally prefer older BMWs to the new ones, with their oversized kidney grilles and rounded bodies. And this is a clean, handsome example. I think this was my favorite vehicle to photograph. The red paint, retro square body, blocky taillights, textured floor mats, and massive cell phone were just an incredible aesthetic. The only questionable thing was the super wide and thin steering wheel.
This steering wheel was especially annoying while attempting to do the designated course, which was about going a bit slower and focusing on more technical turns. This was probably my best result, as someone who doesn’t love to be a speed racer. But turning that oversized steering wheel took a lot of extra time on those tight turns. Still, the smooth clutch and gear shifting were easy to get the hang of. I think someone who doesn’t even drive manual could have caught on with this vehicle.
However, don’t attempt to learn in the rain. It was a pretty serious downpour during my test drive, to be fair, but I was soaked sitting inside. The convertible soft top was definitely far leakier than my ’93 Miata’s. Honestly, to the point where I’d not want to drive this car if there was even a small chance of a sprinkle.
How Much You Should Actually Bid: $18,000
2006 Dodge Viper
This was the vehicle I was most excited to get behind the wheel of. And surprisingly, the one I was least scared to drive. I am a very cautious driver. Hell, I was even afraid to drive the 2027 Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo even though it’s probably 10x safer than my 2006 Lotus Elise. But that’s the thing. I’m way more used to these bare-bones manual cars. The Viper is basically like the Elise, except it has 510 hp. Okay, maybe it’s sorta nothing like it.
But there were enough similarities where I felt comfortable sitting at the wheel. The interior was pretty simple and straightforward. The shift knob felt familiar and smooth. The only issue was how far you had to really push the clutch in. I had to move my chair so close to the wheel that my legs were bent really uncomfortably over the edge of the seat. But once I got going, it felt incredible. I mean, imagine driving the Elise but with way more power.
This thing felt intoxicating.
Unfortunately, our test only involved making really fast, tight circles instead of a full-on obstacle course. I’m sure that’s by design since some people probably didn’t want to risk taking on the Widowmaker in its natural habitat. But even doing these circles, I could feel the precision and confidence of the Viper. Watching back video of the Viper going in circles, it looked like a caged animal at the zoo, pacing and waiting to escape. It wanted to break free and let loose. It looked angry.
The Dodge Viper has a long, aggressive front end and a rounded, blunt back end. This one has a lowering kit, making it appear even more predatory, ready to lunge. The V10 felt powerful. The interior was intense and driver-focused. You can burn yourself getting out of the car if your leg hits the door sill. Like the Elise, this is a full-on experience. Just you and the road. Or, well, the circles. I didn’t go extremely fast in the rain, but I could feel the control and the pep.
I found myself looking for Vipers on Facebook Marketplace right when I got out.
How Much You Should Actually Bid: $65,000
2022 Chevrolet Corvette
Anybody can drive this thing. It’s automatic and full of useful features. In fact, it has more features than you can even imagine. The seat even slides back every time you open the door, giving you room to swing your legs out. This is an inviting and intoxicating car that is very approachable. But don’t get too comfortable.
I drove the Corvette to the testing grounds, so I experienced it in Los Angeles traffic. It felt smooth and safe, but it also felt sort of depressing. This is a car with 495 hp and a V8 engine, with a top speed of 194 miles per hour. Sitting in traffic felt like a waste. Still, it gave me time to appreciate the unique cockpit, with all the buttons and gadgets turned toward you in a very space-age way. Some people complain that you feel detached from the passenger, but I don’t mind that at all.
White is not the most exciting. In Los Angeles, nobody is really staring at you. However, in a town where Porsche and Corvette are a rarity, you’ll turn heads. It sounds good and it looks good.
The Corvette was actually the most fun I had at the test track. We were on a mini version of a very technical track, with tight turns that required some line-following and technique. I was nervous the first time because of the rain (plus, I hate being timed). However, I was allowed to try a second time (not timed), and taking on the track more aggressively felt exhilarating. This car made me feel confident, and I felt I could really let loose on an actual track. There’s a lot of power and a lot of handling precision. At the same time, you still get a backup camera and all the other essentials.
How Much You Should Actually Bid: $55,000
The eBay Most Wanted Collection up for auction
I never thought I’d get to experience something this unique. Each fugitive car was so different from the others. Experiencing them all in one day was so special.
If I had to bid on just one, however, I’d definitely bid on the 2006 Dodge Viper. That’s more in line with the kind of car I usually drive, and I’d love to see what else it can do. I’m not a super aggressive driver, though, so I’m not sure I’d be wasting all its raw power. My second choice would be the BMW 325i. I love that cell phone inside and the boxy, red exterior. It felt so easy to get along with. My third choice is surprisingly the Nova. I’m not a muscle car person, but I think it’d be a fun addition to my collection. The rumbling V8 and the lift kit are pretty entertaining and full of personality. My final choice would be the Corvette. I feel like I could let loose on the track with an automatic car like this. The sporty handling and power were an intoxicating combination. I just am not a fan of new cars.
The best part, though, is you can bid on all of them. They all start at just $6.
“For me, cars have always been about more than just driving, they’re about the friendships and community you build along the way,” said Kang. “eBay has been part of that journey for years, helping me find the right parts and connect with sellers who share that same passion. With the eBay Most Wanted Collection, we’re giving fans the chance to own cars they’ve dreamed about, with eBay Live bringing everyone together to experience the auction in real time. And knowing that 100% of proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen, a cause close to my heart, makes it even more meaningful.”
During the livestream, Kang and Hert will chat about cars, share personal stories, and show off the vehicles.
The vehicles will be offered through Matchfire. Winning bidders will complete their purchases through eBay Secure Purchase, powered by Caramel Dealer Services, LLC. This is where you’ll handle payment, paperwork, and delivery. The vehicles will qualify for up to $500,000 in purchase protection.
I think the four vehicles will likely sell for far more than they are worth because of the personalities involved and the fact that it’s for charity. But it’s still worth a shot! I know I’ll be tuning in. Just know, I got my eye on that Viper.
