I have access to a private dealer's only auction. The price that is posted on the dealer only website is what I will pay. I have money saved and along with my refund, I should have $7000.00 to use. Does anyone have any experience buying from Manheim? Is a $650 fee to pay to buy a car using this method? Please advise.

 

Buying a used car at auction always entails some risk. You will get a car at a good price but with absolutely no recourse if it turns out to be a lemon. You will be bidding against and competing with knowledgeable buyers who understand the process and are willing to take the risk.
If you are mechanically knowledgeable you can reduce your risk with a careful inspection, but you need to know what to look for and how to find it with the limited opportunity you have for inspection. Nobody here can tell you whether a particular car is a good deal or not. You'll be completely on your own. You might be well advised to just sit through a few days at the facility, if possible, and watch what goes on and how the buyers go through the process. See how they check out the cars they are interested in and how they manage to get what they want.

Keep in mind also that most of the buyers there are willing to take a chance on a car with known flaws because they figure they can buy low, fix the flaws and sell the car at a profit.

 

I'd only buy from an auction if I had time to really inspect the car. Got burned once because it had a new paint job and rims.