Straight Path Motors
The straight path to your next car.

Your next car at the auction price, plus one flat fee.

Tell us your budget and the car you want. We find it at dealer-only auctions and sell it to you at the auction price plus listed costs and one flat fee: $850 for cars under $10,000, $1,250 at $10,000 and up. You see every cost before you sign.

Start a car request See what my car would cost

How it works

01

Tell us what you want

Your budget, plus the year, make and model you have in mind and any must-haves.

You payNothing
02

We search dealer-only auctions

The wholesale auctions the public can't get into. We check condition reports and history before we recommend anything.

You payNothing
03

You approve before we bid

We send you the listing, our maximum bid and a full cost sheet. Nothing happens until you say yes.

You payYour deposit$500 for cars under $10,000, $1,000 at $10,000 and up. Pay by Zelle, cash or cashier's check. It goes toward your total, and it's fully refunded if we can't find a car within your budget.
04

Pick up your car

Smog-checked, paperwork handled, and ready to drive from our San Diego office.

You payThe balanceYour total minus the deposit, before you drive away. We accept Zelle, cash, cashier's check or wire.

What you pay, line by line

Most dealers build their profit into a price you can't see through. We pass auction costs through at cost, list our other charges up front, and add one flat fee.

Auction priceWhat we paid
Auction buyer feeAt cost
Pickup from the auction$100
Professional detail$200
Safety check and minor fixesAt cost
Smog check and state certificate$58.25
Documentation fee$70
Straight Path Motors fee
Under $10,000 / $10,000 and up$850 / $1,250
Sales tax and DMV fees are set by the state and shown on your purchase agreement. Estimate your total with our price calculator.

Examples, side by side

Three common 2017 commuter cars in clean condition with about 115,000 miles (Edmunds assumes 12,000 miles a year), each bought three ways. Every total includes sales tax and DMV fees.

Typical dealerabout $10,810
Dealer retail price, plus doc fee, tax and DMV. Add-ons would raise it.
Private sellerabout $8,360
Private-party price, plus tax and DMV. No inspection, no return window, and you handle the paperwork.
Straight Path Motorsabout $7,000
Estimated auction price, every pass-through cost, our $850 fee, tax and DMV. Detailed, safety-checked and smogged.

Dealer and private-party figures use Edmunds values for a clean 2017 Forte EX (Edmunds, checked November 7, 2026). Our estimate assumes a winning auction bid near the Edmunds trade-in value of about $4,400.

These are examples, not quotes or promises. Real auction prices, condition and fees vary, and some dealers will sell for less. Tax at 7.75%; DMV fees estimated. Try your own numbers.

One flat fee, set in advance

Every car under $10,000 carries the same $850 fee. Every car at $10,000 and up carries $1,250. You know it before we bid.

No add-ons, no pressure

No surprise fees and no sales pitch. If the right car isn't out there yet, we tell you and keep looking.

Licensed and bonded

California used vehicle dealer #86946, with an office in Kearny Mesa.

Questions

How do you make money?

Mainly from our flat fee: $850 when the winning bid is under $10,000, and $1,250 at $10,000 and up. We also charge the $70 documentation fee state law allows. Auction costs are passed through at cost, and pickup, detail and smog are flat charges listed up front. Nothing is built into the car's price.

How long does it take to find my car?

It depends on the car and your budget. We'll give you an honest estimate when you send your request, and keep you posted as we search.

Do you offer financing?

We don't arrange loans. Most customers pay cash or bring a pre-approval from their own bank or credit union.

Can I return the car?

California law gives you 3 days to cancel a used car purchase of $50,000 or less if you've driven under 400 miles. A capped restocking fee applies. We'll walk you through it at signing.

Start a car request

Tell us what you're looking for. We'll reply within one business day.

Prefer to talk? (818) 307-0373